The Saltland Knowledge Exchange

Dr Nick EdwardsSenior Research Scientist SARDISenior Research Scientist, SARDI

Leader, Saltland Knowledge Exchange

What is the Saltland Knowledge Exchange?The extension arm for Saltland Systems outputs of the Future Farm Industries CRC(Nearly) the last ‘man’ standing in saltland extension in Australia(Nearly) the last man standing in saltland extension in AustraliaMaking the saltland solutions we have accessible to landholders directly & via ‘next users’

Consists of:“Saltland Skills” training in saline agricultureS ltl d L i N t kSaltland Learning NetworkConferences & workshopsOngoing management of NDSP website and incorporation of content into Saltland Genie

“Saltland Genie™” website (www.saltlandgenie.org.au)

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Delivery of new R & D from other Saltland Systems projects (e.g.SaltCap, SaltDecide, Enhance, Understorey, Oldman Saltbush Breeding, Salt Tolerant Cereals)

Saltland Skills training

“Salinity Concepts” & “Salinity Management” coursePilot run in South Australia in Oct 08 – targeted NRM staff and Landmark agronomists

Western Australian pilot run in Sept 09 targeted catchment support advisors andWestern Australian pilot run in Sept 09 – targeted catchment support advisors and Saltland Pastures Association members

Further ‘courses’ in parts of WA in coming monthsD li ith li d l i j ti ith E T iDelivery with on-line pre-course modules in conjunction with EverTrain - (pre-course refresher in own time/on-line assessment/everyone starts on ‘same page’)

Future:Webinars from small number of experts to reduce reliance on their ongoing input; also available on-line as revisionSupport embedded in Saltland Genie website (for ongoingSupport embedded in Saltland Genie website (for ongoing access/updates/information)

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Saltland Learning Network

Support for a few existing sites to extend SaltCap outside of WA (validate & ‘calibrate’ where saltland species grow)

f G CEsp. for Tall Wheat Grass, Puccinellia, Balansa Clover, Woolly Clover, Sea Barley Grass and Saltbush

Use existing (SGSL or other) sites that already have some site Use e s g (SGS o o e ) s es a a eady a e so e s echaracterisationSome extra site characterisationS t f t i 2010 & 2011Support for measurements in 2010 & 2011Site identified near Coomandook (has TWG, Pucci, various Saltbush species, Samphire, Sea Barley Grass, …)p , p , y , )

Demonstration of solutions for saltland where uptake currently poor

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Conference, workshops, etc

Resurrect something like the “Productive Use and Rehabilitation of Saline Lands” (PUR$L) conference/workshop series?( ) por Saltland Pastures Competition?

Producer/practitioner focus (not aimed at scientists)Producer/practitioner focus (not aimed at scientists)

or explore more on-line interactivity (podcasts, webinars, etc)?

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M i t d t fMaintenance and management ofwww.ndsp.gov.au

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Interactive website aimed at landholdersInteractive website aimed at landholdersAND YOUR ADVISORS

to help make the most of salt affected landto help make the most of salt-affected land

www.saltlandgenie.org.au

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Key FFI CRC OutputsOutput 4.4 – National Saltland Service Centre – providing a path to adoption

Saltland Genie website information deliveryS ltl d Skill t i i ( ) i li i ltSaltland Skills training course(s) in saline agricultureDelivery of new R & D from other Saltland Systems projectsManaging a Saltland Reference Group

Very strong websiteUpdating and adding to contentUpdating and adding to contentStrong training WA; interest from SA, Vic, NSW, Tasmania?SaltCap sites (almost) – at last

Realign project outputs? (number of producers, number of hectares, profitability)

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