SSA Australian Soil Judging Competition 2023
22 -25 June 2023 – Darwin and surrounds, Northern Territory
Soil Judging Competition 2023 - registrations now closed
This year’s competition runs from 22-25 June, just prior to the Soil Science Australia Conference ‘Spirit of our soils’.
Join us for the 2023 Soil Judging Competition in Darwin.
The 2023 Soil Judging Competition will be held in the lead-up to the National Soil Science Australia Conference.
Soil Judging Competitions are an opportunity to learn more about soils, soil in the landscape, soil characteristics and the story of soils in your own backyard.
Get insights into soil judging, profiling and landscape management.
See soil judging firsthand, connect with, network and learn from experts, soil professionals and soil scientists.
Each year Soil Science Australia organises the Australian National Soil Judging Competition to bring together aspiring and experienced soil professionals for a prestigious competition and professional development event.
The 2023 Soil Judging Competition will see teams of students from all over Australia and New Zealand learn and apply the science of describing soil profiles.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Community Sponsor
Acknowledgements
The competition is one of the best practical training and networking grounds for aspiring soil professionals.
During the competition participants can:
- Increase their knowledge of soils and soil profiles.
- Connect with other early career soil scientists from across Australia.
- Network with and learn from experienced soil scientists
- Apply a land capability assessment to supplement their soil description and interpretation.
The event includes two training days and one competition day, ahead of the Soil Science Australia 2023 Conference.
Soil Judging Competition Program at a glance
| Date | Events | Location |
| 22 June 2023 | Meet and greet dinner | Darwin |
| 23 June 2023 | Practice day 1 | Darwin and surrounds |
| 24 June 2023 | Practice day 2 | Darwin and surrounds |
| 25 June 2023 | Competition Day and Conference Dinner |
Darwin and surrounds |
Equipment List
Download a suggested equipment list for the Soil Judging Competition.
Soil testing and analysis
Soil testing and analysis research undertaken by the Soil Judging Committee was supported by the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL), a Southern Cross University NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) ISO17025 accredited
commercial and research support facility.
Location
This year’s competition will be in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Competition Registration
Registrations now closed.
Participant price (for coaches and participants) is $90.00 and includes a participant shirt.
This year there are two additional options to select when registering:
- Soil Judging Competition Darwin Hat (broad-brimmed) $24.95
- Conference Welcome Event (held on the final night) $80 – please note, if you (or a participant) has registered for the conference, their ticket to this will be included in their conference registration).
When you are ready to register, head to our Soil Judging Eventbrite here.
Information you will need from each participant: first name, last name, dietary requirements (if any), plus:
Preferred shirt style and size:
Do they wish to attend the Conference Welcome Event? The event is on the final night of the competition and the cost is $80. If they are registered to attend the conference, the event ticket is included in their conference ticket.
Do they want a SJC Darwin hat? Cost $24.95 hat size guide here.
Accommodation
There are several accommodation options in Darwin, given the school holiday period we recommend you book early!
Many teams are currently choosing to stay at one of the following caravan parks, for affordable accommodation.
There’s also camping equipment rental here: Gone Bush Camping & Outdoor Hire (please note SSA is in no way affiliated, this information is provided to assist teams only)
Awards
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd for team pits
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd for individual pit
- Bennison Family Trophy for Best Overall University
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd for young professional (under 35)
Participant shirts
All participants and coaches receive shirts. Check the size guide and provide the correct details on the order form when you register.
Preferred shirt style and size:
Meet and Greet
The meet and greet dinner on the 22nd June. The cost is covered as part of your competition entry.
The Conference Welcome Dinner is on the evening of the final day of the competition. Tickets needs to be booked and paid for separately.
Latest News
About the SSA National Soil Judging Competition
Soil Science Australia organises an annual National Soil Judging Competition to bring together students, early career and experienced soil scientists for a prestigious professional development event.
The competition requires teams and individual team members to:
- correctly identify soil features,
- classify soil profiles, and
- interpret soil capability.
The competition is one of the best practical training and networking grounds for aspiring soil professionals.
During the competition students have the opportunity to:
- Increase their knowledge of how and why soil profiles vary in the landscape.
- Connect with other early career soil scientists from across Australia.
- Network with and learn from experienced soil scientists about the science and practice of describing soil profiles.
- Apply a land capability assessment to supplement their soil description and interpretation.
The event includes two training days and one competition day, leading to the announcement of the winners. Prizes are awarded for team and individual performances. Accommodation packages at Federation University are available for participants. Register your interest to learn more.
In 2022 as part of the 10th anniversary of the awards, the competition invites teams of soil science students from any tertiary educational institution as well as teams of professionals from relevant industry bodies.
Sponsorship Opportunities
It is with great pleasure that Soil Science Australia invites organisations to be part of the 2023 National Soil Judging Competition as a sponsor.
Our past competition’s success over the last decade has been assisted by substantial sponsorship from government departments, research organisations, professional societies and industry.
Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
About the SSA National Soil Judging Competition
The first Australian soil judging competition was held in conjunction with Soil Science Australia’s National Soils Conference in Hobart in 2012, with teams from five states competing. An Australian team competed in the International Soil Judging Competition held in conjunction with the World Congress of Soil Science in Korea in 2014, and the 2017 competition held in Toowoomba Queensland included a record 12 teams, including two New Zealand teams.
What are soil judging competitions?
It is with great pleasure that Soil Science Australia invites organisations to be part of the 2022 National Soil Judging Competition as a sponsor.
Our past competition’s success over the last decade has been assisted by substantial sponsorship from government departments, research organisations, professional societies and industry.
Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Past Soil Judging Competitions
| 2012 Hobart, Tasmania |
| 2014 Melbourne, Victoria |
| 2014 Jeju, Korea |
| 2015 Perth, Western Australia |
| 2016 Queenstown, New Zealand |
| 2017 Toowoomba, Queensland |
| 2018 Canberra, Australia Capital Territory |
| 2019 Adelaide, South Australia |
| 2020 Virtual Online |
| 2021 Cairns, Queensland |
Soil Science Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.