Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture
Change is underway at Kioma Station near Toobeah in South-West Queensland, to improve profitability and create a more sustainable farming system.
Local landholders around Toobeah, west of Goondiwindi, were invited to a field day in June to see first-hand how farming country is being regenerated at Kioma, a large, mixed farming and grazing operation. The day was hosted by Southern Queensland Landscapes’ Emma King, whose husband Angus is the farm manager at Kioma.
Around 30 people braved the cool and windy weather to hear more about how to manage and improve soil health and ground cover with the help of multi-species plantings and vermiculture, from fellow land holders and agricultural service providers.
The day began with a talk from veteran farmer, Ran Mitchell, who took visitors back in time, to share he and wife Jenny’s journey over 50 years to regenerate the soil on their farm near North Star in North-West NSW.
The Mitchell’s began focusing on ‘regenerative’ agricultural principles decades ago, before the term ‘regenerative agriculture’ had been coined. Over the years they’ve developed a passion for harnessing and working with the natural rhythms of their land, flora and fauna. Unlike today, Ran was breaking new ground, figuratively speaking.
Rod and Maree Farrow, (Rod works for Ran on Leyland) run Vermagra – their worming farming enterprise. The team uses very few pesticides, plants multi-species cover crops and includes regular long fallows in the farming system.
“I watched the opening up of land for farming in what was to become known as ‘The Golden Triangle’,” Ran says.
“It didn’t take long before I could see and sense that we were working against our soil and nature in severe ways. The sound of shear bolts breaking on the neighbour’s blade plough as it hit stumps kept me awake at night and led me to the realisation that this was not the way forward.”
It was 45 years ago after having some basic water infiltration tests done on a stand of native vegetation and in a field that had been farmed since the 1930s that stands out.
“I can’t remember what the different infiltration rates were, but we were so dismayed we parked the disc ploughs we had and began no-till farming in earnest,” Ran said.
“To you people here, now is the time to form a vision for the future.
“To start, make just one plan to change one thing for the better.
“It’s ultimately about helping balance what we take out of the soil and putting back in the most natural way.
“One handful of fertile soil contains more living things than people on Earth – just recently we’ve learned that the underground livestock (biology) living in a hectare of healthy soil, would weigh eight tonnes.
“Eight tonnes of things we can’t see but need to grow and preserve.”
Kioma provided the perfect backdrop to discuss soil health, now nearly 15 years into a journey in regenerative farming. Much of the journey has been guided by Ian Moss from FARM Agronomy & Resource Management (FARM), who was on hand to share his knowledge and discuss options and decisions for planting and managing forages and/or pastures from a regenerative agriculture perspective. He’s working with Angus and farming manager Ewen who oversees the regenerative farming strategies, including their on-site worm bioreactors.
Ian says the aim is to build the capacity of the soil to improve productivity and profitability by focusing on soil quality, namely through increasing soil organic matter levels.
Kioma is a mix of clay vertisols, varying from red through to lighter black country and was previously managed in what is generally described as ‘traditional’ farming methods, in a winter-crop dominant system, heavily relevant on herbicides and synthetic fertilisers.
The current regenerative system grew from an early focus on nutrition.
“In the early days I was helping nutrition, which included a focus on soil testing and fertiliser rates,” Ian said.
“An initial step in this journey was to add liquid injections at planting and seed dressings to provide micronutrients with biological seed treatments.”
The next big step was looking at soil fertility as a whole and move to more long-term thinking and planning.
“As agronomists and farmers, we are really good at looking at a paddock and working out how to make the most money from it in the next six months,” Ian said.
“What we aren’t so good at, is understanding the impact of crop sequences, fallows and covers over 10 years, these are big things that make a difference to profitability.
“To determine what was needed long term required us to look at what was holding back yield, sub-soil constraints and a method to rebuild soil health over time.”
Changes at Kioma have included an aim to keep 20 percent of the area for summer cash cropping to spread risk and give opportunity to grow cover crops in long fallows. The farm works towards a five-year rotation of three winter cash crops in a row then a long fallow summer cash crop.
“We have moved chickpeas to the last winter crop before long fallowing to sorghum because it doesn’t have value as a standing stubble cover crop – we will plant cover after chickpea harvest at the earliest opportunity.
“The rotation plan rarely happens as planned and we deliberately throw out the five-year plan every time we have a decent fall of rain, or a planting window closes.
“By doing that and having cover crops in the mix we’ve been able to help Angus utilise them for grazing, which was particularly valuable in the last drought.”
They’ve moved away from pre-plant N application and are now using a spreader to add N in the form of sulphate of ammonia if, and when needed. Plant testing is another widely used tool.
“Often it’s the nutrient excesses that we deal with first before the deficiencies,” Ian says.
“By knowing what is left in the soil, post-harvest, all the options are open to us.”
Multi-species forage crops are a key to improving soil health. The field day visitors had a close look at a field planted with oats, barley, triticale, wheat, field peas, vetch, tillage radish, forage brassica and falcon leafy turnip. The multi-species aspect is building better quality and quantity of forage and the diversity of plant roots helps build the soil through promoting biological growth and water infiltration.
The next big step will bring the worms into the mix, starting this year. A liquid extract from the vermicast will be used for seed dressing, liquid injection at planting and as foliar treatments to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
Ian says the interest in regenerative agriculture is certainly growing. So what brings landholders to explore regenerative ag?
“There are two main reasons landholders come to us,” he said.
“Either they’ve seen and heard about regen ag and what we do, or, more and more I’m getting phone calls from people saying ‘I don’t know what I need to change but know I need to change something’ mainly because they’re experiencing increases in farming costs but not seeing this translated into increasing yields.
“My job is to make ‘sustainable farming profitable’.
“It is really about the farming system and starting to understand and appreciate the actions we take and how they affect everything else, in terms of the long-term health of our soil – which is the greatest asset we have on our farms – if it is healthy.”
The field day wound up with a presentation from Christian Capp from Data Farming who gave a practical and useful outline of the value of data and mapping to manage soil and farming systems.
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Article authored by: Melanie Jenson
This event was supported by Southern Queensland Landscapes and Millmerran Landcare through funding from the Queensland Governments Natural Resource Investment Program.
We are seeing fantastic momentum across the region, with strong interest from landholders in improving land condition. Even better, clusters of neighbouring properties are getting involved, a promising sign for achieving landscape-scale change that supports water infiltration, soil health, and resilient groundcover. To help visualise this, Projects Lead Payel Sinha, developed a set of clever graphics that capture the essence of the NRRP program. The circular diagram below shows how water, soil, vegetation, grazing, and ecosystem balance are interconnected, all working together to support healthier landscapes.
We were honoured to have CEO Gillian Meppem, Richard Turnbull, Dr Payel Sinha and Uncle Kevin, a Margany Elder from near Quilpie, come together on the Gold Coast for this year’s Landcare Conference, representing our vision, work and cultural partnerships across the region. Dr Payel Sinha delivered a presentation on the Natural Resource Recovery Program: A Holistic Approach to Restoring Landscapes , showcasing how integrative, place-based strategies can unite ecological health, cultural values and community resilience.
About this Role The Project Officer role works closely with Project Leads and team colleagues to deliver projects aligned to the Strategic Plan. The role requires an understanding of project management and stakeholder engagement principles, ideally within regional communities. Working under general supervision with only limited instruction, Project Officers will bring a commercial understanding to the delivery of on-ground project work through contractors, land manager partnerships and other community stakeholders that facilitate positive and sustainable transformation of agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. Location Any Southern Queensland Landscapes office location (Toowoomba, Charleville or Roma). Key Responsibilities Independently and as a team member deliver developed sustainable agriculture and natural resource management programs, on time and to budget using the designated business project management system. With the support of the Project Leads, deliver project reports, including funding acquittals. Conduct farm and other site visits to assess land manager constraints and opportunities and alignment of proposed activities to program outcomes and deliverables. Achieve on-farm adoption of practice change through support for land management changes, including negotiating co-contribution agreements with a demonstrated commercial mindset. Organise and facilitate extension activities such as workshops and field days, and support the knowledge transfer and media output (communication) aspects of programs. Collect and analyse data, and document project activity outcomes. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, community groups, First Nations and aligned industry partners. Support Project Leads in the development phase of programs and the Business Development function. Embrace and model the behaviours and culture of a high-performance team. Key Requirements Relevant certificate or tertiary qualifications in Business, Agricultural or Environmental Science or other relevant field. Demonstrated strong knowledge of Australian farming systems and commitment to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. Competency in project management, including budget acquittal and reporting, high level proficiency in computing skills and data management. Technical experience across environmental, agricultural or adjacent sectors. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively. Our Shared Commitment At Southern Queensland Landscapes, we value a safe, respectful, and high-performing workplace. As part of our team, you’ll be required to: Uphold the organisations values and act with integrity, professionalism, and respect in all interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, and the community. Follow all company policies and procedures, your employment contract, and relevant legislation. Actively contribute to a safe work environment by applying our workplace health and safety (WHS) policies, demonstrating due diligence, commitment and care. Respect confidentiality and privacy requirements when handling sensitive information, in accordance with relevant privacy laws, policies and procedures. Be adaptable and undertake any reasonable duties across our teams and locations, supporting Southern Queensland Landscapes’ broader strategic objectives. Seek and support continuous improvement by regularly reflecting on how we do things – individually, as a team, and across the business. Embrace our continual learning culture by participating in training and professional development that enhances your skills and impact. Be prepared to work outside of normal hours on occasion to meet project or organisational requirements. Undertake any mandatory training within a reasonable timeframe. Hold and maintain a valid driver’s licence. Be willing to travel, including overnight stays, as reasonably required. ο»Ώ
About this Role The Project Leads role works closely with the Program Delivery Manager and Programs Manager to deliver projects against the Strategic Plan. The role requires high level project development and management skills with experience working within regional communities, to facilitate positive and sustainable transformation of agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. A key function of the role is the leadership and development of a team of Project Officers and external contractors to be a high performing team that ensures projects are delivered commercially and to customer and stakeholder expectations. Project Leads will bring a growth mindset with the capacity to overcome challenges, embrace learning opportunities, and continuously improve products and services. Location Any Southern Queensland Landscapes office location (Toowoomba, Charleville or Roma). Key Responsibilities Support the Program Delivery team to develop and deliver sustainable agriculture and natural resource management programs, on time and to budget, informed by effective project performance analysis. Delivery of all program reports, including funding acquittals, while maintaining strong communication and relationship with funders. Develop the team through training, coaching and mentoring, while enhancing the systems and tools that support program delivery, to enable a team of Project Officers and contractors that deliver customer service levels that are best in the sector. Support the team to conduct farm and other site visits to assess land manager constraints and opportunities and propose suitable, innovative solutions to achieve on-farm adoption through support for land management practice change, including negotiating co-contribution agreements with a demonstrated commercial mindset. Support the team to plan and deliver innovative extension activities, knowledge transfer artefacts, and media outputs. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, community groups, First Nations and aligned industry partners to identify partnership opportunities and strategically leverage current programs to optimise delivery and business outcomes. Supporting the Program Delivery Manager and Programs Manager in the development phase of programs and the Business Development function. Support the Leadership team to deliver priority operational programs and cross business functions against the Strategic Plan. Embrace and model the behaviours and culture of a high-performance team. Key Requirements Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Agricultural or Environmental Science, or other relevant field, with experience in a similar role and a level of skills sufficient to perform the role. Demonstrated ability to lead multiple complex projects with a range of stakeholders. Demonstrated high level experience in systems to plan, schedule, and track multiple programs of work to deliver on time and to budget. Demonstrated experience in industry extension principles and practices and in successfully engaging with and providing capacity building activities for the agricultural and land management sectors. Demonstrated ability and experience in developing and leading a high performing, diverse team through fostering strong performance and constructively navigating challenges as they arise. Extensive experience working with landholders, contractors and other stakeholders. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate with influence, to a diverse client base including landholders, industry groups, and government. A growth mindset with the capacity to overcome challenges, embrace learning opportunities, and continuously improve products and services. Our Shared Commitment At Southern Queensland Landscapes, we value a safe, respectful, and high-performing workplace. As part of our team, you’ll be required to: Uphold the organisations values and act with integrity, professionalism, and respect in all interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, and the community. Follow all company policies and procedures, your employment contract, and relevant legislation. Actively contribute to a safe work environment by applying our workplace health and safety (WHS) policies, demonstrating due diligence, commitment and care. Respect confidentiality and privacy requirements when handling sensitive information, in accordance with relevant privacy laws, policies and procedures. Be adaptable and undertake any reasonable duties across our teams and locations, supporting Southern Queensland Landscapes’ broader strategic objectives. Seek and support continuous improvement by regularly reflecting on how we do things – individually, as a team, and across the business. Embrace our continual learning culture by participating in training and professional development that enhances your skills and impact. Be prepared to work outside of normal hours on occasion to meet project or organisational requirements. Undertake any mandatory training within a reasonable timeframe. Hold and maintain a valid driver’s licence. Be willing to travel, including overnight stays, as reasonably required. ο»Ώ
The rapidly evolving global market for agricultural commodities, including cotton, was front and centre at the recent Australian Cotton Research Conference held in Narrabri, NSW. A key theme throughout the event was the increasing pressure climate change places on cotton production and how the industry is adapting through innovation and research. Andrew Davidson of Southern Queensland Landscapes introduced an innovative national project funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC). The project focuses on mapping woody vegetation across cotton farms in Australia, a crucial step toward better understanding on-farm biodiversity and supporting sustainability goals. The project uses a cutting-edge methodology developed by Southern Queensland Landscapes, drawing on a national dataset curated by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). What makes this approach unique is its ability to consistently measure vegetation across state and territory lines, overcoming long-standing challenges caused by fragmented and inconsistent regional datasets. The initiative is a true collaboration between the cotton industry, Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups, and NRM Regions Australia. Together, they aim to build a national picture of woody vegetation cover, including how much of it connects to larger, regional biodiversity corridors. Why It Matters... This vegetation data will provide a scientifically robust and cost-effective indicator of potential biodiversity on cotton farms. In practical terms, it can help: • Support cotton growers in meeting environmental standards for market access • Inform risk management strategies and conversations with financiers • Align with international frameworks such as: - The Science-Based Targets for Nature - The Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework - The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) As the cotton industry looks to remain competitive and resilient in a changing climate, initiatives like this are critical. They help position Australian cotton as a globally trusted, environmentally responsible product.
A Message From Our CEO, Gillian Meppem
Project Officers Katrina Higgins and Erin Landsberg recently joined Rose and Weston from Boobook Ecological Consulting in Roma, to complete field monitoring in the Murweh and Maranoa districts. This monitoring measures the value and health of Coolibah, Poplar Box, and Brigalow habitat. During this time, we deployed acoustic recorders and motion-sensor wildlife cameras, and took DNA samples from nearby water sources to ascertain the fauna within these threatened habitats.
Playing a Leading Role in the National Soil Monitoring Program Queensland’s regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations are playing a leading role in the National Soil Monitoring Program (NSMP), one of Australia’s most ambitious efforts to assess and improve soil health. Funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust and led by CSIRO, the NSMP will involve sampling at approximately 3,000 sites nationwide over three years, more than 850 of those in Queensland, with a focus on key agricultural zones. Queensland’s NRM groups have formed northern and southern clusters to deliver the program, contributing valuable expertise from over 25 years of on-ground experience. Southern Queensland Landscapes will lead delivery for the QLD South cluster of regions. The data collected will provide a nationally consistent picture of soil condition and health, enabling better decision-making for farmers, land managers, and policymakers to support sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. Jayne Thorpe, Business Development Manager at Southern Queensland Landscapes said, “In total, the QLD South cluster will collect 565 soil samples over the course of the project. That will work out as 11.3 tonnes of soil sent for analysis!”
1. What is Natural Capital? Natural capital refers to the natural resources and ecosystems, like soils, native vegetation, water, and biodiversity, that underpin productive farming and provide essential services such as clean water, healthy soils and carbon storage. For Queensland landholders, this means your land’s value now includes the environmental benefits it delivers, not just crops or livestock. While the term Natural Capital has risen to prominence with government, industry and the public in recent years, the sustainable use of our natural capital, its maintenance and improvement have been fundamental to regional NRM organisations since inception. Identifying and assessing our natural assets are foundational to the development of our regional NRM strategies and plans which guide our operations and provide us with the knowledge and expertise to play a key role in Australia’s efforts to manage and enhance our Natural Capital. 2. Why Does Natural Capital Matter in Agriculture? Australian agriculture is experiencing a shift where nature and production are seen as interconnected assets. This approach is being driven by both market demand and new government policies, with natural capital now influencing land values, investments, and farm business resilience. 3. How Can Farmers Monetise Natural Capital? Natural capital markets allow landholders to earn income by improving or protecting their land’s natural assets. The most common ways to participate include: Carbon Credits: Under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, farmers can generate credits by adopting practices like reforestation, soil carbon improvement, or avoided clearing. These credits are regulated by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) and can be sold to the government or private buyers. Biodiversity Certificates: The new federal Nature Repair Market, established by the Nature Repair Act 2023, allows farmers to earn tradable biodiversity certificates for projects that restore or protect native ecosystems. The CER also administers this market, ensuring robust oversight and scientific credibility. Land Restoration Fund (LRF): Queensland’s LRF builds on the federal framework, offering extra incentives for projects that deliver both carbon abatement and environmental co-benefits, such as improved water quality or habitat restoration. The LRF works in tandem with the ACCU Scheme and prioritises projects that support regional sustainability. More Information: π www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/natural-capital/explained π www.cer.gov.au/schemes/australian-carbon-credit-unit-scheme π www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund π www.nrmrq.org.au/queensland-nature-fund-natural-capital π www.legislation.gov.au/C2023A00121/latest/text
The Board of Southern Queensland Landscapes is pleased to announce Kimberley Swords has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors. Kimberley began her working life as a large animal country vet, after student practical experience across Southern Queensland in Goondiwindi and Injune. Kimberley’s strong interest in natural resource management and regional communities has led her to contribute across a wide variety of industries including the public sector, where she rose to the role of Deputy Secretary in the Australian Government and led environmental approvals, heritage and marine. Her extensive leadership experience incorporates many board roles, including as a current serving member of the CS Energy board. “Following an extensive recruitment phase, where the Southern Queensland Landscapes Board were gratified to receive several high-quality applications, we are delighted to announce the subsequent overwhelming member endorsement of Kimberley as Board Chair. The appointment of a new Chair in any organisation represents an opportunity for refreshment and renewal and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Directors and staff are looking forward to working with Kimberley to deliver our Strategic Plan” said acting Southern Queensland Landscapes Chair, Louise Winten. Kimberly looks forward to engaging with stakeholders across Southern Queensland, with her first full board meeting set down for late June in Charleville. “It is an exciting and challenging time for the region, as we lean into the changing climate, different economic opportunities, and the next generation of regional leaders. I look forward to connecting and collaborating across our communities to better understand how Southern Queensland Landscapes can support sustainable environmental outcomes that materially improve the lives of people living and working in Southern Queensland,” she said. The position of Chair became vacant following the retirement of founding Chair, and long term supporter of regional natural resource management, The Honourable Bruce Scott, AM, at the end of February 2025. Bruce made a significant contribution to Southern Queensland Landscapes during his time as Chair and the Board thanks him for dedication, time, energy, and commitment to the organisation. Southern Queensland Landscapes is one of 11 Queensland-based Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations. Spanning 314,398 square kilometres, the our footprint encompasses the Condamine catchment, Qld Murray Darling Basin and the south-west Mulga Lands. Southern Queensland Landscapes relies on evidence based information, supported by First Nations knowledge, to effectively balance productivity and environmental outcomes that support the regional communities within our landscapes. ο»Ώ