Soilmaster Copyright 1996 - Soilmaster(TM)

We are a technology provider for the general agricultural and business community.

We  access to top quality research in a variety of fields and Rob Cumming has a broad range of experience in important agricultural management areas with concentration on soils management.

 Laboratory Analysis:

• Soils Analysis including physical and general soil fertility and with special emphasis on acid and saline soils together with providing solutions to their problems and management plans;
• Analysis of water used generally in the agricultural or urban community (of potable and waste water standards);
• Physical soils testing for suitability in the agricultural and urban sectors.
• Specialized assistance to the mining industry.
• High level computer data base management.

1. Farming Industry
2. Urban Development
3. Environmental Assessment

• Analytical/ on-farm services for the Horticultural Industry.
• Design and construction assistance for farm dams and water management systems;
• Specialized research facilities - Field and Laboratory;
• Undertaking research into acid soils in the NSW Tablelands;
• Provision of training for agribusiness and business sectors;
• Development of training programmes for agribusiness;
• Development of appropriate land use constraints in Urban and Rural areas as restricted by development control plans;
• Co-ordination of projects with State Government authorities;
• Land Development Cost Estimates farming, environmental, geotechnical, planning and associated areas;
• Development of Project briefs and Project Management;
• Land Development : Hydrology, site changes for development eg earthworks, excavation, land filling, site stabilisation runoff control, foundation assessment, retention areas to minimize runoff;
• Land capability assessment including. physical and natural resources of rezoning, development and urban areas;
• Provision of property management services including. property inspections in rural and semi-rural areas, re-appraisals and agreement ratification;

• Field investigations and mapping;
• Site conditions - surface and subsurface;
• Site classification;
• Foundation design and earthworks;
• Geo-technical engineering [foundation stability, waste water and effluent disposal];
• Slope and ground stability;

•  Provision of a broad range of agricultural services, including agronomy, farm management plans (agronomy, stocking rates, carrying capacities, noxious weeds, condition reports)
• Soil and sub-surface analysis. Currently undertake these analyses for a range of clients;
• Operating/ using a laboratory in accordance with NATA and ISO(9000) guidelines;
• To satisfy requirements of the Victorian and NSW Departments of Agriculture in compliance with current quality control for soil and plant analysis;
• Competent to interpret data eminating from testing of waters, plants and soils eg. leachate and give appropriate site remediation and rehabilitation advice;
• Companies and Businesses Serviced includes: Municipal, Australian, Local, Agribusiness, State and Federal Government;

Mr. Cumming: Phone: 0428 483 155 Current CV

• NATIONALITY - Australian
• LANGUAGE - English
• EDUCATION - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.) University of New England (Soil Science and Agronomy MAJOR)
• Bachelor of Science (Geology) Macquarie University incomplete 1986
• Diploma of Education (Technical) (University Technology - Sydney)
• Australian Institute Management - Middle Management Programme
• Private pilot [CIR, NVFR, Twin endorsment] - 1992 - current
  

• Present-1988 Soil, Agronomy and Environmental Consultant
     specialising in Soils, Soil management, Environmental issues, Farm management agronomy, weed management, farm economics etc
• 2010 - present Investigation of aircraft incidents and advice on rectification of systems/ management;
  
• 2004 - 2010 HAMMC for Aviation Company [Developed SMS and SOM {System of Management} for 5 aircraft fleet]
  
• 1988 - 1994 Lecturer - Rural Studies Goulburn TAFE
• 1987-1988 Visiting Scientist CSIRO Division of Soils [including supervision of PHd students];
  
• 1985 District Soil Conservationist - Scone
• 1982-1985 Research Officer - Goulburn/Southeast Region
• 1984 - 1990 Mining, rehabilitation and Soil Consultant - Woodlawn Mine

• Australian Institute of Agricultural Science (1970-1987 and >1996)
• Certified Practising Soil Scientist (CPSS) 
  
• Certified Practicing Agriculturalist (CPAg)
• Soil Science Society of Australia (> 1983)
• Soil and Water Conservation Association ofAustralia(>1987)
• Australian Institute of Management (> 1986 to 1998)
• Agricultural Technologists of Australasia (Member) (> 1989 to 1996)
• Australasian Register of Agricultural Consultants (> 1989)
• Grasslands Society (> 1985)
• AOPA (Australia) - 1992 to 2003
• AOPA (US) - 2000 to current
  
• Professional Aviators Investigation Network - 2010 - current
  

• David Stead Foundation - Wirrimbirra - President 2004 -2005
• Rotary Club Goulburn Mulwaree (1988-2004) including Director
• Goulburn Action Group(>1991 to2001) President
• Rotary Club Scone (1985-1987) Director
• Scone Neighborhood Watch 1985/6 Deputy Chairman
• Rotary Club Goulburn Mulwaree (1978-1985) incl. Director
• Scouts Association Goulburn & Scone (1979-88) incl. President
• Rotary Club Henty (1975 - 1978) Director
• Member of Goulburn City Council Environment Committeee 1996- 2005 (concluded)
• Member of Working Party for Sustainable Agriculture - Sydney Basin 1996 - 2001 (concluded)
• Member working party for Aviation Change in Australia
  

  Soils, Farm, Agronomy Interpretation

•  Preparation of and development of techniques for soil and land survey in the Urban and Rural environment;
• Responsible for all aspects of soils inputs into regional planning activities;
  
• Responsible for the preparation and technical competence of urban capability reports. (exceeding 2000 ha) for Soil Conservation Service until 1985;
• Developed an interactive database for assessment of soil test results for direct reporting to clients;
• Developed new techniques for soil, plant and water analysis;
• Developing techniques for new methods of soil analysis, which can be used in a range of predictive situations;
• Development of new diagnostic techniques for soil and property monitoring;

• Development of a Plan of Management for an operating Lead-Copper-Zinc mine. this type of planning is being adopted by the NSW Department of Mines.
• Responsible for the implementation of monetary control and technical content of consultancies to private industry involving the Soil Conservation Service, Public Works Department and Private Contractors exceeding $5m;
• Development of audit process in the Atherton Tablelands;

Tropical Agriculture

• Provision of advice to tropical agriculture [dairying, bananas, tropical fruits];
• Development of economic advice to tropical developers;
• Current advice for land aquisition in coastal Innisfail;
• Requested by EPA - QLD to write for internal magazine
  

• Development of assessment techniques on urban and rural development sites for water control and reduction of sedimentation.
• Development of the concept - "Constraints to Development" in an Urban/ semi urban environment;
• Development of a system of comment on geo-technical reports in difficult areas of Urbanisation [embodied in State procedures];
• Responsible for re-mapping of the Warragamba Dam and Shoalhaven River catchment area and development of the concept of "Areas of priority for erosion treatment;
• Represented private clients as an expert witness at Land and Environment hearings;
• Developed a strategic and unique approach to disposal of effluent on semi-rural and urban block, now placed into methodology for Councils and Sydney Catchment Area;

• Responsibility for the design, supervision and construction of rehabilitation works in an operating heavy metals mine in a high rainfall area - exceeded $5m in value;
• Responsible for design and development of rehabilitation programs for derelict mine sites in NSW (Captains Flat and Mt. Costigan;
• Developed innovative techniques for erosion and sediment control on a range of sites;
• Produced EIS and Statement of Environmental Effects for extractive sites including sand, lime, clay and gravel;

• Review of over 250 development proposals to ensure adequate erosion control content and environmental protection at EIS and Development Application levels.
• Over 25 years experience in applied and general soil conservation, with 13 years District and specialised regional responsibilities.
• Design supervision and implementation of broad acre soil conservation works programs for farming and grazing lands in the Central and Southern Slopes and Tablelands of NSW.
• Responsible of implementation of erosion control works programs in both intensive horticulture and broad acre agricultural undertakings.
• Preparation of Farm Plans for grazing, horticultural and agricultural industries of NSW, Victoria and Queensland;

•  Innovative development of computer modeling techniques to model water use related to actual rainfall leading to provision of adequate site water controls in mining and developmental situations;
• Development of database management systems to control client contact and data aquisition of results from the laboratory, that provides an interactive interface for farmers and land users;
• Familiar with a range of GIS methods and use of GPS;
• Development of the Soilmaster program based on interactive spread-sheets, which predict crop yields within 0.1 tonnes/ ha given 75% median rainfall/ month and provide specific crop fertiliser data for use at paddock level.
  
  

• Specialised research experience in all aspects of acid soils research in high level research environments;
• Development of techniques for land management and its control;
• Development of techniques to identify areas prone to acidity and salinity;
• Development of and involvement in soil acidity research to lead to treatment of acid soils in Southeast Australia;
• Development and introduction of new analytical techniques for soil fertility management in Australia;
• Recognition as an expert in the field of acid soil management and soil fertility assessment;
• Development of investigative techniques for aviation incidents.
  

• Organisation and leadership of field days for agriculturalists in research, extension and practice;
• Broad experience in teaching of adults at Certificate and to Diploma level;
• Development of technical curriculum for State wide programs in soils, weed control and agronomy;
• Implementation of new and existing curricula for adults;
• Responsible for development of Training seminars including Safety Management systems;
• Developed a direct education programme with Regional Newspapers, which has appeared monthly in 150 000 papers, known as: POKING ABOUT IN THE DIRT

Publicity

•  Experienced in a broad range of extension and research activities including the preparation of press releases, radio and television interviews;
• Experienced in a broad range of Public Speaking [Member Rotary, Scouts, AOPA];
• Contribute on a regular basis to Rural Publications to extend the knowledge and education of farmers in Australia (including FarmMagazine)

• A broad range of  Papers and Articles presented to a range of scientific journals and relevant topical conferences.