Change of date - August workshop

The August 2013 workshop has been moved to Friday 23rd August. Further information will be posted shortly.

Sensational strategic planners

Congratulations to all who participated in SBPA's strategic planning session last Friday. Many of you have commented on the outcomes achieved and the collegiate way in which the session was conducted. The management committee would also like to thank Jason Carson and Peter Pigott from the CMA for facilitating the workshop, and advisers Amanda Britton and John O'Connor for their valued contribution.

Next steps are:

1. Participants/members to submit their preference for an association vision.
2. Jason/Peter to collate and massage the strategic objectives and craft a vision for review
3. Each working party to prepare a project outline and accountabilities for taking their project forward.

We would also like to welcome new members who participated in the workshop.

Getting value out of Soil Tests

In the business world we say that you can't manage what you don't measure. Perhaps the farming equivalent is that you can't (or are less likely to) grow great soil if you don't know what's missing.

the most critical step to soil testing is the actual sampling process. This article Soil nutrient testing - how to get good results covers key aspects of soil testing from how to sample to how to interpret the results.
Soil testing is a critical farming activity but it doesn't come cheap. So make sure you get the best bang for your buck by doing it well.