Cairns served as a vibrant backdrop for Fertilizer Australia's annual conference in September, with over 200 delegates from the fertiliser and agricultural industries gathered under the theme "Sustaining Soil Health - Cultivating a Sustainable Future."
This year's event emphasised the critical role of soil health in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing productivity, and protecting Australia’s natural resources for future generations.
Understanding Soil Health
A key focus of the conference was defining healthy soil. Experts discussed soil ecosystems and identified indicators like soil structure, nutrient content, biodiversity, and microbial activity. Keynote speaker Prof. Lynette Abbott from the University of Melbourne emphasised the local factors influencing soil health, particularly the role of soil organic matter in providing energy and carbon for organisms. She stressed maintaining soil health requires a harmonious integration of biological, chemical, and physical processes.
The conference also highlighted the importance of training programs like Fertcare in promoting objective measures, such as soil and plant testing, to inform the use of fertilisers and soil amendments.
Best Practices for Enhancing Soil Health
The healthy soils discussion panel brought together experts to explore how Australian agricultural systems can thrive using technology and innovation to improve soil health. Panellists shared insights on leveraging data for improved decision-making, highlighting modern practices that promote soil health and sustainability.
Benefits to Australian Growers
Delegates learned about the significant benefits of maintaining soil health through successful case studies. These demonstrated how modern practices enhance soil quality and improve crop resilience against climate variability. The role of precision agriculture was emphasised, illustrating how data-driven approaches can optimise inputs while minimising environmental impacts. The conference also underscored the agricultural sector's social responsibility in environmental stewardship and advocated for a collective approach to sustainability.
Market Insights on Specialty and Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilisers
Andrea Valentini from Argus Media provided insights into the market outlook for fertilisers, focusing on specialty and enhanced-efficiency products. He discussed regulatory drivers and market trends, emphasising the importance of stabilised and controlled-release fertilisers in meeting the demand for sustainable agri-nutrients. He addressed challenges in valuing these products and suggested independent valuation could facilitate market growth.
Technological Innovations on the Horizon
The conference showcased advancements in fertiliser technology aimed at optimising nitrogen use efficiency and enhancing crop production. Participants discussed innovative tools for estimating nitrogen content in crops and the role of enhanced-efficiency fertilisers in reducing nitrogen loss. There was optimism about integrating these technologies into everyday farming practices to promote more efficient resource use and reduce environmental footprints.
Unlocking Tomorrow: Insights from Demographer Bernard Salt
Futurist Bernard Salt AM delivered a compelling message about Australia’s role as a global food supplier and the need for fertilisers to support rising food demands. He noted with the world population projected to reach 10 billion by 2080, the Australian agricultural industry must adapt and advance to play an even greater role in feeding the world’s population, both in volume and nutritional value.
A Call to Action
The conference emphasised the importance of fostering a ‘Fertcare culture’ within the agricultural sector, advocating for a collective commitment to training and quality assurance. Fertilizer Australia and its members aim to cultivate this culture as a commitment to excellence, empowering those involved in the supply of fertiliser and soil ameliorant products. By enhancing participant skills and knowledge, the Fertcare program ensures farmers receive high-quality, tailored advice to optimise productivity while safeguarding the environment and food safety.
This culture promotes continuous improvement through comprehensive training and quality assurance for advisors, ensuring industry standards are met. Additionally, certification of broadcast spreading equipment improves fertiliser application efficiency, maximising returns on investments in both fertilisers and machinery.
Ultimately, fostering a Fertcare culture is a shared responsibility, ensuring every team member is well-trained and knowledgeable, paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices that thrive in harmony with the environment.
Empowering the Future: Building Knowledge and Collaboration for Sustainable Agriculture
As the conference concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to advancing soil health initiatives in Australia, particularly through incorporating fertiliser innovations and research findings.
The 2024 Fertilizer Australia Conference successfully established a deeper foundation for collaboration among industry stakeholders, researchers, agronomists and growers.
By embracing innovative practices, technologies, and a ‘Fertcare Culture,’ the fertiliser industry is poised to align closely with sustainability goals, ensuring soil health remains a priority.
This collective effort promises a sustainable future for current and future generations, paving the way for a brighter outlook for Australian agriculture and its supporting ecosystems.
Empower Your Team: Enroll Staff in Fertcare Sales & Service Training
Building on this momentum, it is essential to empower your retail team through Fertcare sales and service training, which provides the foundational knowledge needed to support these sustainable initiatives.
Fertcare sales and service offers essential training in soil and plant nutrition, equipping sales staff with the knowledge to enhance communication with customers. This program can be tailored alongside company-specific training to develop effective sales skills and meet stewardship goals. Additionally, it includes awareness-level coverage of logistics and occupational health and safety issues. Investing in this training is a crucial step toward fostering a knowledgeable and responsible workforce in the agricultural industry.
Fertilizer Australia has recently revised its training materials and is transitioning to an online platform, enhancing accessibility and appeal for your sales team. We expect the online training to be available by early 2025.
