A NEW stall at Ballarat’s Rural Lifestyle Expo encourages people to bring in jars of water from their dams, streams and waterways for testing.
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The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority will give free salinity testing of attendees’ water from their streams, wetlands or dams.
Event co-convener Sue Higgs said there were about 30 new stalls this year, including decorative stone balls for gardens and portable electric chicken wire fences.
“People can get advice, improve their pastures and talk to experts,” Ms Higgs said.
Ballarat Grammar School agriculture teacher Matt Dickinson said different animals and plants needed different thresholds of salinity in the water.
Mr Dickinson said salinity levels could affect plant growth and animal health and metabolism.
There will be about 200 exhibitors across a wide variety of goods and services, from farm machinery, water tanks, rare breed animals and poultry and horticulture experts.
There will also be a dedicated food and wine area, with food and cooking from local suppliers.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Rural Lifestyle Expo
WHEN: Saturday April 5, 9.30am to 5pm
WHERE: Ballarat Showgrounds
MORE INFO: rurallifestyleexpo.org.au
COSTS: Adults $10, pensioners $8, children (5-15) $5
