Agronomist Ben Creek has seen the value of confinement feeding sheep at the break of season after running a small trial at his Boyup Brook farm. “It’s something I’ve thought about for the last couple of years purely to defer pastures, because in Boyup, the last three years have...
Key points: Saltbush can help fill the autumn feedgap, treat mineral deficiencies and provide shade and shelter. Saltbush can grow in a variety of climates and soil types but is typically not suited to waterlogged areas. Both sheep and cattle can benefit from saltbush. Saltbush shouldn’t be constantly grazed....
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has established a ten-year trial at its Merredin facility to explore regenerative farming systems. DPIRD research scientist Dr David Ferris unveiled the 5.4-hectare site prior to Minister Alannah McTiernan’s Regenerative Agriculture Round Table meeting on 24th July. The launch follows...
The dismay felt by seeing foxes around livestock and predating native wildlife is enough to make most farmers consider a control program. However, feral pest management can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s vital that farmers choose the most effective strategy. One farmer with considerable experience managing pests in...
Nothing frustrates beef and sheep producers like a late break-of-season. After months of supplementary feeding, the rain comes when temperatures are cold, slowing the break-down of organic soil nitrogen and pasture growth, and creating less than ideal conditions for grazing. In this situation nitrogen fertilisers are often used to...
Supplementary feeding of livestock is a costly but necessary part of farming in Western Australia. To get the best return on supplement, farmers need to understand nutritional requirements for livestock and what components can be filled by pasture at different times of the year so they can fill seasonal...
Grant funding is the lifeblood of most community Landcare and grower groups. The problem is that competition for funding is fierce and, as much as agencies want to give you their money, they need to be confident that your project will successfully meet their objectives. So how can you...
, , Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Soil constraints - high rainfall beef, Sustainable Agriculture
If your sub clover isn’t germinating or seems to be dropping out of your pasture sward during winter, there’s a fair chance it’s suffering from root disease. Colloquially known as root rot, soil-borne fungal pathogens dominate most Mediterranean ecosystems and pose a serious risk to self-seeding pasture legumes such...
, , Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Soil constraints - high rainfall beef, Sustainable Agriculture
Beef production in the South West’s high rainfall zone appears to be significantly constrained by poor sub clover productivity. That’s according to a survey of 24 beef properties conducted by South West Catchments Council (SWCC) in partnership with Western Beef Association Inc., which aimed to give farmers a better...
The fourth Talkin’ Soil Health Conference was held at York in March, bringing together soil health advocates, practitioners and researchers from across the country and beyond. The conference’s keynote speaker was soil health advocate Joel Williams from Integrated Soils, who spoke about increasing diversity in our farming systems to...
The importance of keeping dead wood in your bushland 26 August, 2020
Keeping fallen trees, branches and debris in your ...
Community survey dramatically improves understanding of Carnaby’s cockatoo breeding areas in the South West region 26 August, 2020
Community members across the South West Catchments...
Supporting farmers to make the transition to regenerative agriculture 26 August, 2020
South West Catchments Council (SWCC) has released ...
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Emma Keillor
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Nerilee Boshammer
Peter Clifton
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Sarah Molloy