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...
Rosa Glen sheep producer Kevin Silverthorne can’t help but feel a bit proud as he watches his daughter Kylie grow as a farmer. He attributes at least some of her development to the 12-month Grazing Matcher program that both Kylie and Kevin have taken part in since May 2020....
Bridgetown beef producers Ann Harris and Graeme Fazey have wanted to implement rotational grazing for a long time. However, it was only after joining a Grazing Matcher group in 2020 that they gained the knowledge and tools to motivate a change. The Grazing Matcher program supports beef and sheep...
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...
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...
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...
Cultural Custodians Bestow Traditional Fire Management Knowledge 12 May, 2021
South West Catchments Council is collaborating wit...
Winter nitrogen on pastures: Trial shows how to reduce feed costs and risk of leaching 3 May, 2021
A pasture response trial near Busselton has shown ...
$20 Million Drought Resilience Boost for South West 29 April, 2021
Southwest WA will be better prepared for the impac...
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