“How to Use Compost in Grazing Systems: Dairy Beef Sheep — Tony Evans, Camperdown Compost”
This webinar featured Tony Evans from Camperdown Compost discussing composting practices and regenerative farming systems with Helen and Hugo Disler from Farming Secrets. Tony shares his 28-year journey in composting, beginning with his first meeting with Elaine Ingham in 1998, and explains the differences between compost teas and extracts, noting that extracts are more stable and replicable than teas.
Tony discusses the economic benefits of compost, highlighting that their compost sells for $20 per tonne compared to $215 ex-yard for local products, and shares the success story of dairy farmers who formed a co-op to sell milk produced using compost-based practices. The webinar covers practical aspects, including composting timelines, temperature requirements, and the importance of proper drainage and sulfate management when implementing compost systems.
Tony also addresses questions about using invasive weeds in compost and the regulatory considerations for using brewery waste, emphasizing the need to consult with authorities before proceeding with industrial waste materials.
Chapter Highlights:
Farming Webinar Composting Preparation
The webinar introduces Tony Evans from Campdown Compost. Tony shares his experience meeting Elaine Ingham in 1998, which inspired his journey into commercial composting.
Farm Composting Practices Evolution
Tony discusses the evolution of composting practices on farms, highlighting the move from compost teas to compost extracts due to consistency and oxygen maintenance challenges. He emphasizes the economic and environmental benefits of using compost, including its high nutrient content and ability to support soil health. Listen to Tony’s story about Reggie Davis.
Systems Approach in Sustainable Farming
Tony discusses the importance of a systems approach in farming, emphasizing that compost is just one component among multiple management decisions needed for success. He shared a case study of a farm where improving drainage, using effluent water strategically, and planting multi-species mix were key to achieving positive results, rather than relying solely on compost application.
Compost Tea vs Extracts Process
Tony explained the differences between compost tea and extracts, noting that tea involves adding foods and aerating the mixture, while extracts use a larger volume of compost without added foods. Tony also discusses the role of EM (Effective Microbes) in stabilizing compost tea and extracts, explaining how it helps maintain an aerobic environment.
Composting Wheat trial
Tony shares his experience using compost extracts on a wheat crop, noting that while the treatment showed promising results, the trial was complicated by sheep grazing the plot during a dry year. He explained the benefits of both worm composting and traditional composting, highlighting that worm composting can be simpler but requires more attention to pathogen management.
Dairy Co-op and Composting Success
Hear the story of dairy farmers who worked with Tony to launch a successful dairy co-op called Otway Pastures. It now sells over a million liters of milk monthly through Coles and IGA outlets. He explained how the co-op formed after dairy farmers approached him seeking better prices for their high-quality, compost-enhanced milk.
Tony Evans and Dr. Elaine Ingham in Action
🎥 Featured Video: Camperdown Compost with Dr. Elaine Ingham
Dr. Elaine Ingham — pioneer of the Soil Food Web — shares how compost restores soil biology, structure, and resilience. This video highlights practical strategies farmers can use to reduce inputs, improve water infiltration, and build healthier grazing systems.
Watch now: Camperdown Compost with Dr. Elaine Ingham
Want more? Restore your farm with Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web
Healthy soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a living ecosystem. For decades, farmers focused mainly on chemistry: nutrients, pH, and amendments. But Dr. Elaine Ingham changed the conversation.
She revealed that beneath every field lies a dynamic web of life—microbes, fungi, and organisms working together to cycle nutrients, build structure, retain water, and support resilient plants. This living network is the Soil Food Web, and it’s the missing link in truly regenerative agriculture.
Dr. Elaine’s legacy is clear: if we want productive, resilient farms, we must understand and nurture the life in our soil.
