Pete Rothwell is the cropping manager of "Bramble", a mixed-farming operation just north of Mendooran. They grow winter and summer crops over a thousand hectares, and run sheep and a few cows on the remaining six hundred hectares.

In this episode, we hear how Pete, never one to accept the status quo, is always asking 'why'. As a result, he’s pushing the envelope in terms of crop type, yield and profitability — focusing on understanding his soil moisture and using this to drive decision making on his farm and in the wider community.

 

Special thanks:

• This episode is supported by Central West Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

 

Resources and links:

• Soil Water App
• Soil moisture probes put to the test
• Budgeting crop nitrogen supply better estimation better decisions
• The Adapt Project
• Mendooran grower Pete Rothwell explains how data driven decision making is paying off

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Today, we're having a yarn with Jarrod and Emma Amery. Jarrod and his wife Emma are a super positive duo who somehow manage to keep up with six lively kids. On top of that, they also own and lease more than 6,500 acres around Forbes in Central New South Wales. Their mixed farming enterprise focuses on trading sheep, winter crops and fodder production.

In this episode, you'll hear how Jarrod went from being a local shearer to securing his dream farm. But as Jarrod and Emma describe, this journey wasn't always without its challenges. It's taken a lot of hard work, a can-do attitude, and most importantly, some well-timed decisions.

 

Resources and links:

• Check for foot problems in sheep
• Footrot in Sheep and Goats
• Animal biosecurity

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Today, we’re chatting with Elliot Shannon. Elliot runs a 1,700 ha mixed farm at Bugaldie (north-west of Coonabarabran). And he does it with the help of his wife Kate, his father Rob and his four kids. Together, they run beef cows as well as trade cattle and winter cropping.

In this episode, Elliot talks about how early weaning helped him manage through the drought by giving him the ability to look after his land and his stock while staying productive. You’ll also hear how important it is to plan, make informed decisions and get the balance between family and farming right.

 

Resources and links:

• Weaning beef calves
• Managing drought
• Early weaning
• Early weaning lambs & calves
• Dry Times Smoko video
• Water requirements for sheep and cattle

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Today, we're in the paddock with James Morse (or “Morsey”). James and his wife Sally operate a family farming operation, “Wongalee”, near Molong. It's a 1,094 hectare cattle breeding and trading enterprise. Although, as you'll hear in this episode, they haven't ruled out branching out into other species, especially if their kids' goat breeding hobbies take off!

In this episode, you'll hear how James and Sally run their whole farm system with sustainability in mind. James shares his tips on sustainability in soil, plants, animals and the environment, as well as how this sustainability mindset extends to his own mental health.

 

Mental health support:

• If you need urgent mental health support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or visit your local hospital emergency department.
• The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program has resources to help find the right supports for you. Visit www.ramhp.com.au to find your local RAMHP coordinator to access their range of downloadable resources.

 

Resources and links:

• Putting stock onto winter crops
• Green picks - the deceptive feed solution
• Restocking after drought or fire

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Today, we have a yarn with Kieran McHugh (or “Mac” to his mates). Mac is the manager of “Pier Pier”, a corporate-owned station 70 km north-west of Coonamble. They focus on merino sheep, dryland crops and also run trade and agistment cattle (when the season allows).

In this episode, you’ll hear Mac’s unlikely story of how he ended up at Pier Pier, how he built a cost-effective feedlot to early wean 7,000 lambs, and why he took the unconventional approach to wean his lambs prior to lamb marking.

 

Resources and links:

• Case Study: Confinement feeding at Pier Pier, Coonamble

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.