- Where do I get a soil core?
To run the Young Judges Soil Judging Competition you will need to get your hands on some soil cores. Most agronomy companies or Department of Primary Industry (DPI) contacts will have access to a soil coring rig. Reach out and you’ll find most will be happy to provide you with good-sized soil cores (38 mm at minimum) from the same location, making it ideal for competition comparison purposes. And there’s no time like the present – get your hands on some soil cores today and pop them away for their time to shine down the track.
- How do I find a competition judge?
When it comes to finding a competition judge for the Young Judges Soil Judging Competition, you need someone with experience and knowledge – and there’s no better place to start your search than Soil Science Australia. With a network of accredited soil scientists based across the country, you might just find your competition judge ready and waiting, or they can point you in the right direction of a local agronomist who could fill the role. For show societies based in New South Wales, the Soil Knowledge Network is an invaluable resource to call upon. A group of retired and semi-retired soil specialists passionate about soil and the land – who could be better than that?
- What do I need to run the competition?
Got a few trestle tables? You’re already part way there. Excluding the soil core, it’s very likely most show societies will already have everything on hand to host a successful Young Judges Soil Judging Competition. The competition is designed to be simple to run and utilise everyday equipment or items that are easy to acquire. Here’s a list of 11 items you’ll need to host the competition. Spoiler alert, it’s not fancy. Think vinegar, muffin trays, and a tape measure.