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 Schulz, 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 production

• How Simon is combining pasture diversity with new tillage methods and enterprise stacking

• What Sandra is learning from sap tests, shelterbelt plantings and mixed perennial pastures

• Why Chris first turned to organics, and what he’s observed about soil and plant health since

• Anna’s research into growth, resilience and methane in multispecies swards

• What farmers are finding when they start measuring BRIX

Whether 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:

Farmers

Simon Schulz - https://schulzorganicdairy.com.au/

Chris Eggert - https://oxhillorganics.com.au/

Sandra Jefford - https://www.wilandrafarms.com.au/ 

Soil and regenerative agriculture resources

• Kate’s presentation to the Dairy Australia Grounds for Growth Conference in March 2025 on the results of her trial

• Nicole 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.au

• EverGraze shelterbelt info: https://www.evergraze.com.au/library-content/shelterbelt-design-and-benefits/ 

Trials and benchmarking tools

• Victorian 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.