Paddock Chat

In this week’s episode of Paddock Chat we speak with agronomist Nick Eyres about his journey to starting his own agronomy business, Greenough Specialty Ag, and how it has allowed him to expand the research side of his role. Nick speaks highly about the importance of increasing protein development in farming systems and tackling other common soil health issues in the northern ag region.

We hope you enjoy this episode, if you would like to learn more about the West Midlands Group and how we help support our local farmers and the sustainable future of Agriculture, visit our website at www.wmgroup.org.au or email us at [email protected]

To stay up to date with these topics and to follow Nick’s work head over to Twitter @eyres_N or contact Nick at [email protected]

Support the show

It is widely recognised across the WA Wheatbelt that crops and pastures need large amounts of Potassium (K) to achieve maximum plant growth. Most of the agricultural soils in WA are low in K and this means plants mainly rely on getting K from the soil through fertiliser application and recycling of plant-available K from deeper in the soil layers.

This episode explores potassium nutrition in the West Midlands region with Summit Fertilizers Area Manager, Brett Beard, and WMG Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon. We speak about how to understand what’s going on in your soil, why potassium has been forgotten in the past, and the results of Summit's long-term potassium trials in the region.

The West Midlands Group would like to thank Summit Fertilizers for their long term support as a Diamond sponsor.

You can contact Brett for more information at:
0429900607
[email protected]    

Support the show

The Good, The Bad and the Fungi: A Look at Soil Pathogens

This episode takes a closer look at the microscopic world of soil pathogens with Dr Dominie Wright, Senior Laboratory Scientist in DDLS and leader of the DPIRD plant diagnostic group. 

Dominie joins WMG EO Dr Nathan Craig and WMG Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon to discuss how growers can better identify and manage soil pathogens (known more commonly as root diseases) on their property. This conversation is supported by the key findings of the recently completed WMG project "Soilborne Pathogen Identification and Management Strategies for Winter Cereals". The project gave a local perspective on the effectiveness of current break crop control options.

This project was made possible with support from @GGA_WA
 and @DPIRDWA, and is a @theGRDC
 investment.

If you are keen to learn more about this topic, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected] or call 9651 4008 

You can become a West Midlands Group member today by visiting our website https://wmgroup.org.au 

Support the show

WMG EO Nathan Craig interviews WMG’s Beef Industry Development Officer Erin O’Brien on her BeefLinks Backgrounding project. This episode explores the findings of the project, and what’s in store for the future.  

The project is part of a more extensive BeefLinks Program, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia through the Donor company and University of Western Australia. This program is a four-year research partnership that aims to drive an integrated and complementary R&D program for northern and southern production systems across WA to achieve profitable, consistent and sustainable beef yields matched to consumer expectations. 

Today’s episode covers: 

• Insights from the project's findings
• What the data collected revealed about cattle performance through the supply chain
• The role backgrounding plays in the supply chain
• Key tools that producers now have to make more informed decisions
• Key steps to move forward and improve management styles
• How WMG plans to continue to work and support producers moving forward

 We hope you enjoy this episode, if you have any questions or would like to get in touch with the West Midlands Group please email [email protected] or call 9651 4008  

Support the show

This episode explores the current challenges for weed control in the Northern Agricultural Region of Western Australia from the view of Matt Willis, Market Development Agronomist with Bayer Crop Science. Newly appointed Director of the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) Associate Professor Ken Flower joins the discussion to outline how collaboration between all industry stakeholders is needed to develop a more robust and diverse farming system that has a lower reliance on herbicides to do the heavy lifting for weed control. 

SPOILER: The harnessing of technology, particularly variable rate application and the ability to detect the current and future location of weeds in the paddock features strongly in this episode!

The West Midlands Group would like to acknowledge Bayer Crop Science as a long-term sponsor of the group.

Resources :
Ken Flower UWA [email protected] 
Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative 

 Matt Willis Bayer CropScience
[email protected] 

Support the show

Diving into how to take control of livestock depredation on your farm

WMG host Erin O'Brien dives into Wild Dog control and the need for  proactive management.

In this episode WMG host Erin O'Brien dives into what are the signs of wild dog activity and how to minimise stock depredation with guests Greg Mifsud National Wild Dog Management Coordinator from  Invasive Species Solutions and Paul Pitaro Lead LPMT from Vertebrate Pest Management. 

Greg and Paul explain why it's crucial to have a baiting program, how you can save time and money by being proactive in your approach to wild dog and fox control and how to reduce the risks around baiting when you have working dogs.

They go on to outline the relationship between calicivirus and why this is the opportune time to increase your baiting activity, as well why it s critical to approach pest control as a "community" issue and not as an isolated activity.

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.

The following  resources are available for landholders 

https://pestsmart.org.au/toolkits/wild-dogs/

www.wilddogplan.org.au 

You can contact Greg Mifsud at [email protected] or call 0448189909

http://www.vpma.com.au/contact.htm

Contact Paul Pitaro ( based in Dongara) at [email protected] or call 0438 337 642

Support the show

Did you know that the rules around asset depreciation are changing on the 1 July 2023? 

With the $1000 write-off threshold being reintroduced next financial year, RSM Principal Reagan Manns joins WMG Executive Officer Nathan Craig to find out what this could mean for your business when buying and replacing machinery in the coming years.

Find out the questions you need to ask to avoid paying more tax than you need to!

This episode covers: 

*How to structure your farm business to avoid a higher tax bill

*Asset depreciation  schedules 

*Replacement schedules

*Risk of creating income when you don't need to

To learn more about this topic in relation to your farm business, you can reach out to Reagan at [email protected] or call 9652 2380.

RSM Australia is a proud long-term sponsor of the West Midlands Group.

West Midlands Group is proud to bring you another episode of Paddock Chat.

Our members receive lots of great information just like this - to join the WMG community go to www.wmgroup.org.au

 We are also very socially active! Follow us on Twitter @WMG_WA  or Facebook @westmidlandsgroup 

Support the show

Episode 4, and the final in our collaboration series focusing on precision ag and mental wellbeing in partnership with the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia and Mallee Sustainable Farming. 

Tanya Lehman wears many hats and is well known in her community for her work in supporting regional communities, helping them to truly thrive. Her latest role sees her helping to support a new project coaching a new group of ‘Vocal Locals’ in the community that are there to share their experiences of how they work on taking care of their mental health and wellbeing especially in times of stress. 

In this episode Tanya joins MSF’s Jay Cummins to talk about her involvement in this forward-thinking project and to share her valuable insights and knowledge in this incredibly important but often underrepresented space.

The Vocal Locals project is led by the University of South Australia, promoting the ifarmwell program with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. 

If you've missed the episode 1 in this series, listen to it HERE

If you've missed the episode 2 in this series, listen to it HERE

If you've missed the episode 3 in this series, listen to it HERE

This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund.

“SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”

 SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.

Support the show

Episode 3 in our collaboration series focusing on precision ag and mental wellbeing in partnership with the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia and Mallee Sustainable Farming. 

Tim Paschke is a South Australian northern Mallee farmer based at Lowbank who farms in one of the most marginal rainfall zones for cropping in Australia, and for that matter the World. Tim is currently an ambassador and advocate for the Vocal Local project, an initiative of the ifarmwell program.

ifarmwell is a free online tool kit to help farmers cope effectively with life’s challenges and get the most out of every day, regardless of the circumstances they face and has been designed based on what Australian farmers have said they want and what research shows will help.

In this episode Tim joins MSF’s Jay Cummins to share his experiences in this project and about life farming on the edge. The Vocal Locals project is led by the University of South Australia, promoting the ifarmwell program with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. 

If you've missed the episode 1 in this series, listen to it HERE

If you've missed the episode 2 in this series, listen to it HERE

This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund.

“SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”

 SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.

Support the show

Farmer and consultant Felicity Turner joins Mallee Sustainable Farming’s Tanja Morgan, providing an insight into her work in supporting farmers in the Mallee and Upper Southeast region of SA in relation to integrating Precision Ag (PA) systems into their farming operations. 

Felicity shares her experiences in working with farming families, including the role of PA in helping to guide and make informed decisions.

This is the second episode in our collaboration series focusing on precision ag and mental wellbeing in partnership with the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA) and Mallee Sustainable Farming.

If you've missed the first episode in this series, listen to it HERE.

This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund.

“SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”

 SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.

Support the show