Over 100 farmers and land managers gathered at Bill and Rhonda Daly’s ‘Milgadara’ property near Young on Wednesday, July 16th for YLAD Living Soils’ 2025 Field Day: Resilient Soils for Success.
The day focused on exploring the Four M’s – Microbes, Minerals, Matter and Management – key components in building healthy soils, productive crops and resilient farming systems.
Co-founded in 2002 by Bill and Rhonda Daly, YLAD Living Soils has spent the past 23 years at the forefront of regenerative agriculture, supporting farmers as they transition from chemical-based systems to biological solutions.
Their long-standing commitment to soil health was on full display, with the field day offering a hands-on, science-backed program aimed at improving soil function and farm sustainability.
The day began at the Thorsby family’s grazing canola paddock, where attendees observed an early-stage regenerative system and discussed the transition process.
From there, the group returned to ‘Milgadara’ to explore three key demonstration sites: the GRDC National Regenerative Agriculture Cropping Trial paddock, a multi-species cover crop paddock, and YLAD’s compost production and tea extraction facility.
Each site highlighted different elements of regenerative agriculture – from biological inputs and compost biology to system diversity and soil monitoring.
Participants engaged in shovel-based soil assessments, a guided Soil Safari, and in-field demonstrations focusing on crop and pasture nutrition, biological indicators, foliar applications, multi-species cover cropping, and livestock integration.
Guest speakers including Dr. Aurelie Quade, Alan Montalbetti (NTS), Prof. Justin Borevitz (ANU), and Dr. Mohd Kamal shared valuable insights into regenerative techniques and the role of emerging technologies such as satellite and image-based tools in monitoring soil and crop performance.
Rhonda Daly noted that the field day is deliberately scheduled in July to allow producers to implement management strategies while crops are still actively growing, maximising the opportunity to influence outcomes.
In contrast, spring field days often occur after key agronomic decisions have already been made, limiting the scope for in-season adjustments.
The timing gives attendees the chance to immediately apply new knowledge and tools during the current growing season.
True to YLAD’s community-focused approach, the day was also marked by warm hospitality, with morning tea and a hearty lunch served at the ‘Milgadara’ woolshed.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, praising the practical, accessible and research-informed format of the event.
YLAD Living Soils extended thanks to all who attended, contributed, and hosted the day.
For those who missed it, next year’s field day is already shaping up to be another valuable opportunity for learning and connection in the regenerative space.