Lachlan Hughes Foundation Induction - Toowoomba, Queensland

6th/7th February, 2025

Travelling from Mount Bolton Springs (20 min South West Ballarat, Victoria), it was a plane flight from Melbourne to Brisbane and then a 4 hour drive to Toowoomba. First thing you notice is the beautiful warm weather, and then the abundance of Australian Flags raised by the residents of Toowoomba, which was uplifting to see the patriotism to our country, Australia.

It was fabulous to witness (3) presentations from the outgoing 2024 Lachlan Hughes Foundation Program (LHFP) alumni, these included James Manning (Thoroughbred Horse Stud Manager - Seymour Victoria), Lauren Beresford, (5th Generation Grazier - Eulo, SW Queensland), Emma & Gus King - Farm Managers, Echo Hills Farming Company - North of Roma, Queensland).

It was also an honor to hear from 2023 LHFP alumni Tree of Life winners, Neil & Jon-Adele, (Graziers - Bundaberg, Queensland). 

One of the first things I discovered about the LHFP is that it is not just about regeneration of the land but also about development of ones self.

The main principles of the LHFP is a (3) prong approach:-

1. LEARN - INVEST IN LEARNING

2. PRACTICE - CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO

3. SHARE - BUILDING CAPACITY TO SHARE

Acronym to remember LPS

Informative takeaways from the presentations: 

Natural Sequence Farming Contours - Farm Plans for the Contour By Faming Victoria

Plant Root Systems Need - Water; Oxygen and Nutrients.

Utilising a Multi-Specie Mix - (17) different species used incorporating grasses, brasicas and legumes.

J-rooting - taproot bends on kinks and affects the growth due to structural weakness.

James Manning quoted NICOLE MASTERS - Under 200 dsi plants grow best

https://integritysoils.com/pages/founder-nicole-masters

Soil - (3) Characteristics -: Physical - Chemical - Biologial Process

Soil productivity is ALL about keeping FERTILITY at the TOP of the System

James used native Lomandras (which have a deep root system) to help stabilize his soil along, generally used along waterways/banks for erosion control.

James recommended experts to learn from: 

JOEL WILLIAMS - on SOIL HEALTH   https://integratedsoils.com/

STACEY CURCIO - on GUT MICROBES   https://www.cultivatingwellness.com.au/

Learnt that in Queensland, Lauren's soil is classified as the 'Clay Pan' - characterised by limitation of water filtration.

Haney Soil Test - Measures the health score for your soil including measurements on available nutrients and microbial activity, along with cover crop recommendations.

Soil - Rehabilitate - Regenerate - Rehydrate

Gus and Emma King highlighted the use of producing Worm Juice which is really quite interesting how the excretes of worms is a super food liquid fertiliser for plants. Containing all important microbes for improving soil health, plant growth and natural defenses against diseases and pests. What a natural WINNER for the SOIL!

Temporary Fencing - Incorporating this strategy to Rotational Graze Stock allowing plants to rest without long term damage to plant root systems.

Finally, Read the Landscape, Plan, Use a smaller project, and essentially...

Things Can Evolve!

Regenerating AUSTRALIA......for LIFE! 

Susie xx

Special thanks to Lachlan Hughes Foundation