Expressions of interest are now open to take part in the Grazing Matcher Program in 2021. The twelve-month, eight-meeting program is facilitated by local consultants Jeisane Accioly and Dan Parnell, who have tailored best practice grazing techniques to local conditions. They show producers how to set and adjust their...
Author Archive for: Peter
Options to improve farm water storage and capture
It is no secret that the Western Australian grain belt is struggling with reduced rainfall and water supply. Areas with lower rainfall are typically expected to be hardest hit. However, higher rainfall areas, such as Darkan, Arthur River and Wickepin, are also beginning to deplete their water supply before...
Establishing and grazing saltbush
How deep would you plant a saltbush seedling? The answer surprised farmers who attended the Forage Options field day at Bell Pasture Seeds recently. Saltbush is often used on marginal lands to address problems such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, reducing supplementary feeding, covering marginal land at risk of...
Sheep producers share their experiences with confinement feeding
Sheep producers interested in confinement feeding were treated to a goldmine of information at the recent Rylington Park Annual Field Day when organisers engaged four farmers to talk about their experiences with the practice. We’ve put together a summary for three of the talks with a link to an...
Fit-for-purpose trees and shrubs on farms
Nurseries are finalising orders for 2021 over the next few weeks, so if you plan to plant in 2021, you need to start talking to your nursery about the species and numbers to order. However, before you make that call, the first step is to be clear about the...
Salinity expansion still a risk despite reduced rainfall
With decreasing rainfall, there has been an expectation that the area affected by dryland salinity has peaked. However, recent observations by farmers that salinity is expanding in many areas have been verified through groundwater monitoring by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), particularly where clearing of...
Tagasaste lifting production on erosion-prone deep sands
With two early storms causing significant erosion in parts of Western Australia earlier this year, some producers may be looking at unproductive and uncovered sandy areas with increasing trepidation. It’s the type of situation that Woodanilling farmer John Pickford experienced in the 1990’s on an area with deep pale...
Confinement feeding trial provides multiple benefits for beef producer
While confinement feeding is considered most relevant to sheep production, a recent trial by beef producer Brodie Allen south of Vasse suggests the cattle industry could also benefit by improving early season pasture establishment, animal condition and feed usage. The practice involves confining stock in relatively small pens for...
Confinement feeding to improve pasture growth and production
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...
Saltbush a valuable supplement for marginal land
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....
Recent News
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Responsible cat ownership in Busselton 12 January, 2021
(via GeoCatch) Kitty Cat School came to Busselton ...
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Rotational Grazing Training Opportunity Opens 17 December, 2020
Expressions of interest are now open to take part ...
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Options to improve farm water storage and capture 17 December, 2020
It is no secret that the Western Australian grain ...
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