Diversity is king: How four dairy farmers are building profitability and resilience with multispecies pastures

Can dairy systems support soil health, productivity and profitability at the same time?In this episode we meet four dairy farmers who are exploring that question. Kate Mirams, Simon Schultz, Sandra Jefford and Chris Eggert share their experiences with introducing diversity into their pastures and farming systems—what motivated them, what they tried, and what they’ve learned so far.We also hear from pasture scientist Anna Thompson with her insights from current research into multispecies pastures, including how they’re performing under real-world conditions and what that might mean for animal health, climate resilience and farm inputs.You’ll hear about:The trial that gave Kate confidence to rethink her approach to nitrogen and massively reduce synthetic nitrogen applications while increasing productionHow Simon is combining pasture diversity with new tillage methods and enterprise stackingWhat Sandra is learning from sap tests, shelterbelt plantings and mixed perennial pasturesWhy Chris first turned to organics, and what he’s observed about soil and plant health sinceAnna’s research into growth, resilience and methane in multispecies swardsWhat farmers are finding when they start measuring BRIXWhether you’re already experimenting or just interested in what others are finding, this episode offers a window into paths being explored in the Australian dairy industry.Resources and links mentioned in this episode:FarmersSimon Schultz - https://schulzorganicdairy.com.au/Chris Eggert - https://oxhillorganics.com.au/Sandra Jefford - https://www.wilandrafarms.com.au/ Soil and regenerative agriculture resourcesKate’s presentation to the Dairy Australia Grounds for Growth Conference in March 2025 on the results of her trialNicole Masters – Cited by Simon Schultz as an influential voice on soil biology. Check out her book For the Love of Soil or Integrity Soils for more resources.Jade Killoran from Healthy Farming Systems – Mentioned by Kate in relation to soil repair trials post-laser grading.Shelterbelt planning with productive and medicinal trees – Sandra’s system of mixed-species planting for shade, fodder and natural worming. Agroforestry or shelterbelt design resources:Agroforestry in Australia: https://www.agroforestry.org.auEverGraze shelterbelt info: https://www.evergraze.com.au/library-content/shelterbelt-design-and-benefits/ Trials and benchmarking toolsVictorian Dairy Farm Monitor Project – Kate Mirams mentions using this to compare pasture consumption and input efficiency. Soil moisture probes – Used to track root depth and water uptake under different pasture mixes.Sap analysis and BRIX meters – Sandra Jefford and Kate Mirams both use these to monitor plant sugars and infer animal nutrition and productivity.This episode was hosted and produced by Susannah Kable from the Grow Love Project, in collaboration with Soils for Life. Head to the Soils for Life website (soilsforlife.org.au) to find out more about our work, and if you like what you hear don’t forget to rate and review our podcast. Every review helps to make our podcast easier for others to find.If you have feedback, or suggestions of people or topics we should cover, you can reach us at [email protected], we love hearing from you. Thanks for listening.

In this episode we talk with Gabe Brown, a farmer and educator from North Dakota. Gabe and his family run Brown's Ranch, a 6, 000 acre operation that's become a model for regenerating land.After years of tough seasons and crop failures, Gabe recognized a need to build a farming system that works with nature instead of against it.  Through no till, cover crops, diverse rotations and integrating multi species livestock, he restored soil health, boosted resilience and almost eliminated the need for synthetic inputs. Gabe advocates for ‘profit over yield’ and says that farming with nature is the way to get there.Beyond his own farm, Gabe's helped thousands of farmers transition to regenerative practices through his work with Understanding Ag, the Soil Health Academy, and his book Dirt to Soil.  We hope you enjoy this conversation with Gabe Brown.This episode was hosted by Eli Court and produced by the Grow Love Project. Head to soilsforlife.org.au to find out more about our work, and if you like what you hear don’t forget to rate and review our podcast. Every review helps to make our podcast easier for others to find.If you have feedback, or suggestions of people or topics we should cover, you can reach us at [email protected], we love hearing from you. Thanks for listening.Mentioned in this episode:Gabe’s book ‘Dirt to Soil’Understanding AgRegenifiedThe Soil Health AcademyResearch by Stefan van Vliet. Listen to our podcast episode with Dr van Vliet.

Over the years we’ve heard from many farmers about creeks and rivers that are severely eroded, and landscapes that have lost their ability to absorb and store water. In big rain events water runs off and is gone in a matter of days or even hours. We’ve become accustomed to this, but what did those landscapes look and function like 100 years ago, or 200 years ago? Can farmers restore creeks and landscapes to their full potential, holding on to water for longer and utilising better? This episode is a collaborative effort with our friends at Mulloon Institute as part of their Communities of Practice Project. In it, we chat with Charlie Maslin, an amazing land steward raising cattle and sheep on the Monaro in New South Wales. Charlie took us on his journey of landscape repair, which began with a change in grazing practices to improve ground cover, and then moved on to focus on repairing his degraded waterways to rehydrate the landscape and support a thriving and productive agro-ecosystem. We first visited Charlie’s farm in 2021 and the land was alive with water, grass, frogs, birds, insects and platypuses playing in the waterways. The effects of his steady, thoughtful changes to his management approach were crystal clear, and we’re delighted to share his story in this episode. Enjoy. – This episode was hosted by Eli Court and produced by the Grow Love Project. The Communities of Practice Project is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, Mulloon Institute and Soils for Life. Head to the Soils for Life website to find out more about our work, and if you like what you hear don’t forget to rate and review our podcast. Every review helps to make our podcast easier for others to find. If you have feedback, or suggestions of people or topics we should cover, you can reach us at [email protected], we love hearing from you. Thanks for listening. You can read our case study about Charlie Maslin’s farm soilsforlife.org.au/gunningrah-shifting-mindset-from-animals-to-the-land/ Find out more about the ‘Communities of Practice Project soilsforlife.org.au/landscape-rehydration/

Jill Clapperton is a farmer and applied rhizosphere ecologist. She grows crops with integrated livestock in Kansas in the U.S. and advises farmers the world over.  Talking with Jill was eye opening and fun. We go big talking about gaia theory and the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. But we mostly dive deep into the fascinating ecological communities that plants create above and below the ground. As Jill explains, plants are not passive. They are purposeful masters of their own fates, wielding chemical arsenals and mustering armies of microbes to secure their survival. And if we plant with purpose, we can harness the incredible power of plants to create farming systems that are productive, resilient and great for the soil and our health. This episode was hosted by Eli Court, and produced by Soils for Life and the GrowLove project. Head to the Soils for Life website (www.soilsforlife.org.au) to find out more about our work. If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review our podcast. Every review helps to make our podcast easier for others to find. If you have feedback or suggestions of people or topics we should cover, you can reach us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you. Thanks for listening! *** Find out more about Jill Clapperton at www.rhizoterra.com/ Check out the Grounded Festival in Cygnet Tasmania on 4-5 December 2024 - details and tickets via groundedaustralia.com.au/. Other people mentioned in this podcast: - Felice Jacka OAM (foodandmoodcentre.com.au/team/felice-jacka/). - Dan Kittredge (www.bionutrientinstitute.org/meetdan). - An article on ​​Lynn Margulis and James Lovelock, and their development of gaia theory (www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-08-06/james-lovelock-legacy-gaia-climate-science-lynn-margulis/101297574). - Anna Krzywoszynska, the Finnish researcher at the University of Oulu whose name Jill didn’t dare try to pronounce (www.oulu.fi/en/researchers/anna-krzywoszynska). - Grant Sims, Soils for Life case study farmer (www.downundercovers.com/about), who was recently featured in our Multispecies Cover Cropping Practice Guide (soilsforlife.org.au/practice-guide-multispecies-cropping/).

Taking the first steps into regenerative agriculture can be intimidating. In this episode of the Soils for Life podcast, Eli Court has a chat with Penny Goodwin from Goodies Farm in Kendenup, WA Goodies Farm grows an incredible variety of crops, with minimal inputs, and is an integral part of the south west WA food system. While things can look nice and shiny on the outside, Penny very generously shares the ups and downs of their journey to become better stewards of the land and the soil. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Ever wondered about regenerative agriculture and the impacts it can have on farmers? Join us as we learn about real life experiences shared by seasoned farmers at the recent Soil Stewardship Summit near Yass, NSW. Over two enlightening days, participants explored the concept of regenerative agriculture, discussing key topics such as tapping into indigenous wisdom, enhancing drought resilience, transitioning from high production to natural methods, and prioritizing soil health for improved yields and healthier societies. The stories embody values of patience, gratitude, and deep respect for nature, offering valuable inspiration for those considering or embarking on the journey towards sustainable farming practices. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that encapsulates the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and a return to natural processes. Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Eli Court (Soils for Life) Paul Girrawah House  Rhonda Daly  Colin Seis  Garry Kadwell David Marsh  For more information:  Soils for Life  - https://soilsforlife.org.au/  Paul Girrawah House - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-house-57055860/?originalSubdomain=au Produced by Grow Love Project and originally aired on The Big Shift Podcast hosted by NSW Greater Sydney Local Land Services

The United Nations General Assembly recently voted 2026 as the International Year of the Rangelands and Pastoralists. An incredible 81 percent of Australia is considered rangelands, and despite the sometimes challenging conditions, the opportunities for landscape repair through agriculture are immense. In this episode, we hear from three farmers who all grew up in the semi-arid rangelands with a deep connection to the environment and a desire to heal the land. Jody Brown is a fourth generation farmer from Longreach in central west Queensland. The family farm Latrobe station is certified organic running cattle, goats, and a couple of horses on around 45,000 acres.  Alejandro Carillo owns Las Damas ranch in Chihuahua Mexico, and has become well known around the world for using livestock to restore soils and landscapes in semi-arid environments. And Glenn Landsberg owns a small farm in Southwest Queensland, and works as a natural resource management consultant with a focus on landscape rehydration. Thank you to all of our guests for sharing their stories and wisdom. You can follow Jody Brown on linkedin.com/in/jody-brown-93648932/ and find out more about Latrobe Station on facebook.com/people/Latrobe-Station/100063555377640/ Alejandro Carillo can be found online on instagram.com/lasdamascattleranch/ and linkedin.com/in/alejandro-carrillo-b3a7a7/ and you can read more about Las Damas ranch desertgrasslands.com Glenn Landsberg can be found on linkedin.com/in/glenn-landsberg-758a02198/ Soils for Life CEO Eli Court recently attended the Regenerative Rangelands Conference at Jody’s station, and wrote about the experience and what he learned from Alejandro and the other speakers soilsforlife.org.au/inspiration-from-the-chihuahuan-desert/ A film has also been released about this conference and rangelands regeneration, which can be viewed youtube.com/watch?v=G5IuR4YAIJY In the episode, Glenn mentions maps of what used to be the ‘native grain belt’. A representation of this map can be found on page 3 of https://www.sydney.edu.au/content/dam/corporate/documents/faculty-of-science/research/potential-native-grass-production.pdf from the University of Sydney. Episode produced by growloveproject.com

In this episode we talk with Joel Williams about how growers can start weaning off costly chemical inputs, rules of thumb for seed treatments and foliar sprays, why he likes tweaks and incremental improvements, the growing scientific evidence behind regenerative farming practices and more! Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator based in Canada, working on soil management, plant nutrition and integrated approaches of sustainable food production. Joel is interested in designing farming systems that focus on managing soil biology along with crop and soil nutrition to optimise plant immunity and soil function.  At Soils for Life we’ve recently launched a major project focused on cropping systems, and we thought Joel would be the perfect person to talk about why and how growers are transitioning to a more regenerative, resilient approach to cropping. Find out more about the project via soilsforlife.org.au/cropping-resilience/. If you have any feedback or questions about this podcast, or suggestions of topics or people you’d like us to include in future episodes, please reach out on social media or via [email protected].

We’ve all heard the saying “You are what you eat”. But, as we'll hear in this episode, it really should go “You are what you eat, and the soil it grows in.” Over half of our adult population are considered to be malnourished, and this is in part due to a decline in the nutrient density of our food. As the world's population grows and remaining arable land decreases, growing healthier, nutrient dense food might just be a part of the answer to improving human health outcomes. In this episode we talk with two farmers and two researchers about the question: ‘Is soil the key to better human health?’.  What we find is a complex tangle of connections between soil, plants, animals, and humans that science is only just beginning to understand.  Thank to our wonderful guests Matthew Evans - Farmer, chef and food writer and the author of ‘Soil: The incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us, healthy” Courtney Young - Co-owner at Woodstock Flour and project manager at Soils for Life Robyn Alders - Honorary professor with the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University. Dr Stephan van Vliet - Assistant professor of nutrition at the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University He holds a PhD in Kinesiology and Community Health. Dr. van Vliet also holds a Masters in Nutrition Science. Additional research links A database of chemical compounds found in foods by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Matthew Evans book 'Soil: The incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us, healthy.' Dr Stephan van Vliet's presentation on their research Hosted by Susannah Kable from the @GrowLoveProject and James Diack from Soils for Life. This Podcast has been produced by Grow Love Project in collaboration with @SoilsforLife.  For more episodes of our podcast, head to soilsforlife.org.au/podcast

If you’re a long-time listener to this podcast, you’ll be used to our in-depth episodes co-hosted by Grow Love Project’s Susie Kable and Soils for Life’s James Diack. We’re continuing to make these episodes, but from time-to-time we’ll be bringing you shorter interviews with farmers doing interesting things to regenerate soils and landscapes. This is the first of these interviews, with actress-turned-farmer Rachel Ward and farm manager Mick Green. Mick and Rachel jointly manage a farm in the Nambucca Valley on the NSW mid-north coast. As newbies to regenerative farming, they decided to make the most of Rachel’s lifetime of experience with film making to produce a documentary about their journey. That documentary - called Rachel’s Farm - is out now on limited release. This is a broad ranging conversation about getting started in a new approach to farming, working as a team, learning from friends and neighbours, and dealing with pests and extreme weather. Most of all, I enjoyed hearing about Mick and Rachel’s incredibly humble and curious mindset - always questioning, never afraid to admit to a mistake and learn from it. I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation. And just a note, you’ll hear some references to ‘Normy’ in this podcast - Normy worked with Mick and Rachel during the early days of their journey, and was the ideas man and inspiration behind many of their shifts. If you have any feedback or questions about this podcast, or suggestions of topics or people you’d like us to include in future episodes, please reach out on social media or via [email protected]. Thank you to Rachel Ward and Mick Green for sharing their story and their wisdom. Hosted by Eli Court from Soils for Life. This podcast has been produced by Soils for Life, and edited by Michelle Watts. #regenerativeagriculture #biodiversity #soilsforlife #podcast #farmingpodcast #samvincent