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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Music festivals took on a whole new meaning in Dumbleyung recently when 150 volunteers came from the city to plant 40,000 seedlings across five properties while listening to and playing music. The much-appreciated help came from Activate the Wheatbelt, a not-for-profit organisation that brings volunteers from Perth to the...
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...
Establishing and grazing saltbush 9 November, 2020
How deep would you plant a saltbush seedling? The ...
Sheep producers share their experiences with confinement feeding 30 October, 2020
Sheep producers interested in confinement feeding ...
Fit-for-purpose trees and shrubs on farms 30 October, 2020
Nurseries are finalising orders for 2021 over the ...
Emily
Emma Keillor
Jodi Elston
Nerilee Boshammer
Peter Clifton
Pip Marshall
Sarah Molloy