Paddock Chat

In this episode, we're talking weeds and pests with agronomist and farmer Courtney Piesse. We cover how the season is looking so far, our options for resistance management, the pests our crops could be vulnerable to in 2020, and the exciting new Agtech on the horizon for managing weeds. This conversation was recorded in early June 2020.
Useful Links
Get in touch with Courtney on 0429377608 or email him at [email protected].
Support the show (https://www.wmgroup.org.au/become-member)
Feedback Survey via https://airtable.com/shr99hNSKZRIkH9B1
Further Resources
Diagnosing Diamondback Moth
Fall armyworm in WA
Herbicide options for annual legume pastures
Comparison of pre-emergent herbicides for annual ryegrass control in wheat
Can double break crop rotations be effective and profitable across the Wheatbelt?

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In this episode, we caught up with Dandaragan grower Duncan Glasfurd to delve into his experience with ameliorating soils, and late-season amelioration in particular. We cover why they choose to wait for rain when ameliorating, the preparation of a paddock prior to amelioration, how management changes following amelioration and all the things to consider before giving it a go that will save you time and money. This conversation was recorded on the 29th of June, 2020.
USEFUL LINKS
Follow Duncan on Twitter via @DuncanGlasfurd
Follow Plozza Plows on Facebook at @PlozzaPlows  and on Twitter via @PlozzaPlows
Feedback Survey via https://airtable.com/shr99hNSKZRIkH9B1
RESEARCH LINKS
Deep Incorporation Of Lime Into Acidic Subsoils
Amelioration of water repellent sands – long term impacts
One-Off Tillage Options For Water Repellent Gravel Soils
Clay Spreading On Water Repellent Deep Sand
Lime Incorporation Into Acidic Sandplain Soils In The West Midlands
Developing And Testing Innovative, Practical And Reliable Methods For Incorporating Lime Into Acidic Sandplain Subsoils

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In this episode, I caught up with Nutrition & Production Specialist Bronwen Fowler from Nutrien Ag Solutions to talk about mastitis in ewes. Following the dry summer, sheep producers should keep an eye out for this highly contagious and damaging disease in their flock. We caught up with Bronwen in mid-June 2020 to get her advice on preventing, recognising, managing and treating mastitis.
USEFUL LINKS: 

• DPIRD - Mastitis in sheep
• Mastitis in Sheep - Disease Management
• Understanding mastitis in sheep
• Paddock Chat Podcast Feedback Form: https://airtable.com/shr99hNSKZRIkH9B1
• Get in touch with Bronwen via [email protected] or call her on 0447678457

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This week's episode has literally come from a paddock near you! We caught up with Dandaragan farmer, Zac Roberts in a paddock full of perennials on Strathmore in Dandaragan to talk all things pasture improvement. Zac farms with his father Wade and brother Jeremy on approximately 10,000 hectares spread across four properties within the Dandaragan Shire. The Roberts family run a mixed enterprise made up of 30% cropping and 70% livestock, and have been experimenting with pasture improvement for roughly 15 years, with much success! Recorded on the 4th of June 2020, this conversation covers Zac's experience improving pastures with perennials and annuals. 

USEFUL LINKS
West Midlands Group 2019 Pasture Trial Results: https://www.wmgroup.org.au/wmg-pasture-trial-2019-1, https://www.wmgroup.org.au/wmg-pasture-trial-2019-2

Pasture experts as recommended by Zac were; Phil Barret-Leonard - https://agvivo.com.au/our-team/, follow Phil on Twitter @pbl1972; Angelo Loi - https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/angelo-loi; Grant Bain - https://evergreen.asn.au/committee/; and you can follow Clayton South on Twitter @CJSouth6.
You can also follow Zac on Twitter @zacroberts80

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In this episode, we chat with Summit Fertilizers Area Manager and Marchagee farmer, Juliet McDonald about what's keeping her busy in the paddock right now, how to spot the missing links to improve your crop performance, what she thinks we can expect from the 2020 season and plenty more. This conversation was recorded on the 15th of May 2020 when we were still waiting on the break of the season. USEFUL LINKS:
Summit Fertilizers Area Managers - https://www.summitfertz.com.au/area-managers.html
Summit's N Gauge Strips - https://www.summitfertz.com.au/services/fuel-gauges.html
Contact the West Midlands Group - https://wmgroup.org.au/contact-us

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This is the first ever episode of Paddock Chat, the West Midlands Group podcast that takes a closer look at what is happening in a paddock near you.
In this episode, our host Kirra Holley caught up with Chris O’Callaghan and Jim Miller to chat about how the Midlands Biosecurity Group is tackling wild dogs in our region. Our conversation was recorded in mid-April and due to restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this interview was recorded via Zoom so the audio quality isn’t amazing. We do talk about the extermination of feral pests so if you don’t want to hear about the nitty gritty of animal control, maybe skip this one. USEFUL LINKS: Visit www.mbg.org.au for more information about pest control in the Midlands region. You can contact the West Midlands Group via www.wmgroup.org.au or email us on [email protected]. 

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