Optimising your stocking rate is closely linked to profitability because it helps to utilise feed on offer without exceeding the land’s carrying capacity or relying too heavily on imported feed. Stocking rate is a key indicator promoted by the Grazing Matcher Program, which currently supports 32 livestock enterprises in...
Pesticides are the backbone of crop protection systems. However, as this backbone becomes weakened by chemical resistance, product withdrawals and residue limits, some growers are combining chemicals with biological and cultural options in an integrated system where compatibility is the key. Chemical resistance is a widespread issue that has...
This article aims to help producers understand how soil carbon is measured for carbon markets, what influences sequestration rates, and a general indication of how much and how quickly carbon could be added to soil. What is soil organic carbon? Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the carbon component (~58%)...
Main points: Farmers should understand what different amendments can provide and choose one that is most likely to deliver the desired outcome. Amendments should be trialled to assess response by comparing to a “control” treatment. A robust and meaningful indicator should be used in a consistent manner to measure...
Main points: Carbon projects should be able to integrate with the farm business and provide benefits other than carbon credits. Risks can be shared with carbon service providers. Credits can be monetised or used to offset farm emissions and help achieve carbon neutrality. An event will be held in...
A pasture response trial near Busselton has shown the value of applying nitrogen to grass-dominant pastures in winter. The trial also demonstrated that nitrogen can be applied after rain, rather than before, to minimise the risk of leaching. The trial was run by local agronomist Graham Mussell and livestock...
Manjimup farmers Jake Ryan and his father Gary are chasing the “triple-crown” of farming: profitability, product quality and land stewardship. To achieve it they are creating a more efficient system with improved grazing management, species diversity including legumes, and biological stimulation. “At the end of the day we want...
The Australian Government’s much-anticipated Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot launched on 12 April, allowing farmers in South West WA to be paid for planting biodiverse native trees on their land for the first time. The $23.5 million Pilot, developed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the...
With an estimated ten million hectares of sandy soil, Western Australian agriculture is at particular risk from water-repellent or non-wetting soils. Sandy soils are more prone to this significant production constraint because the larger sand particles gives them a smaller total surface area compared to clay particles. This...
Preliminary results from two years of pasture trials are supporting the use of an existing national model as the basis for making phosphorus fertiliser recommendations in South West WA. The national model was developed by the “Better fertiliser decisions (BFD) for grazed pastures” project, a four-year project that collated...
Matching stocking rate to carrying capacity 4 August, 2021
Optimising your stocking rate is closely linked to...
Reducing pesticide susceptibility with IPM 4 August, 2021
Pesticides are the backbone of crop protection sys...
Carbon Farming Methods Have Real Benefits 30 July, 2021
By Peter Clifton, Regional Agriculture Landcare Fa...
Emily
Emma Keillor
Jodi Elston
Nerilee Boshammer
Nicki Ledger
Peter Clifton
Pip Marshall
Sarah Molloy