SOUTH Australia's Jamie and Josie Jackson, of Willalooka, south of Keith, have taken out the coveted National Tree Farmer of the Year award.
The Jacksons won the Australian Forest Growers' award for the rehabilitation work on their property and their contribution to direct seeding and species selection.
"We both feel tremendously humbled to be recognised with this award," Josie said.
When they bought the property in 1983, it had been cleared for grazing and cropping. Now about 20 per cent is under tree cover.
Biodiversity has increased, waterlogging and erosion are under control and the salinity threat has been reduced. All paddocks now have shelter, which has reduced lambing losses and helped maintain carrying capacity.
The Jacksons have also helped establish hundreds of hectares of direct seeded vegetation in the region.
Introduction to soils course
AN introduction to soils course will be held next Saturday, November 6, at Koonwarra.
The free workshop, hosted by the South Gippsland Landcare Network, will cover soil structure, biology, chemistry, testing, fertility and plant nutrition.
It will also explain soil testing and how to interpret soil test results.
To book, phone Jill Vella on (03) 5662 5759.
Grasslands information days
NEW trends in pasture research will be the focus of technical information days run by the Grassland Society of Southern Australia next month.
The days will be held at the Department of Primary Industries offices at Ellinbank on November 9 and the Mercure Motel in Ballarat on November 10. For details, email office@grasslands.org.au or phone (03) 5483 7764.
