In this Talkin’ After Hours Podcast we chat to Hydrologist Lance Mudgway from the Mulloon Institute on the importance of effective water management in WA's agricultural landscapes, particularly in the context of climate change and land degradation. 

Our conversation explores the need for a shift towards more natural systems that enhance resilience and productivity and uses the Scott River region in the south west of Western Australia as a case study, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hydrology and Landscape Management

12:04 The Role of the Mulloon Institute

23:58 Surface Water Management in WA

35:48 Case Study: Scott River Region

42:55 Conclusion and Future Directions

In this episode we chat to agroecologist Mark Tupman and cattle farmer & Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development Technical Officer Eric Dobbe.

Our conversation covers the intricacies of grazing management in Mediterranean environments, focusing on the transition of annual pastures from vegetative to reproductive growth in spring. We also explore strategies for maintaining pasture quality, the importance of species selection, and effective livestock management techniques to optimize nutrition and recovery, delving into pasture recovery, stockpiling, and adaptive grazing practices. 

In this episode we chat to Nan Bray of White Gum Wool, located in the highlands of Tasmania. Nan farms a flock of 600 Saxon Merino on 330ha of high country, and with occasional snow in winter, summers reaching up to 35C, and an average of only 550cm of rainfall, it can be challenging. Nan is no ordinary farmer however, about 15 years ago she decided to move away from conventional farming methods and make some radical changes to the way she does things. Her wool growing production system now relies on three main commitments:  excellence in nutrition, a conservation land ethic, and thoughtful animal welfare.  These commitments are expressed through cherishing the biodiversity of the landscape, a conservative stocking rate and shepherding to link the two.

Nan’s journey has not been without challenges, particularly when you want to do it differently - our conversation is a dive into Nan’s motivation, what she has done, and how she has managed to become a sought after supplier of ethical, sustainable & traceable superfine wool, not only supplying to fashion houses internationally, but also running her own yarn business and achieving almost unheard of prices in the process.

In this Talking After Hours podcast Kate chats to Professor Stephen Joseph about biochar and its applications in renewable energy and agriculture.

Biochar is the result of thermal decomposition of biomass in an oxygen-starved environment. It can be made from various feedstocks, including grasses, manures, and wood. Different biochars have different effects on soil and plant growth, and their application rates need to be optimized. Biochar can increase yields, improve water holding capacity, and enhance soil health. Biochar has the potential to improve soil health and agricultural productivity. It can be made from various biomass sources, including woody weeds and crop residues. Biochar can be produced in a trench or using a portable pyrolyzer. It can be mixed with manure or compost to enhance its effectiveness. Biochar can improve water holding capacity, nutrient retention, and microbial activity in sandy soils. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leaching of nutrients like phosphorus. Farmers can purchase biochar from suppliers or make their own using DIY methods like the kontiki technique.

Key Takeaways

• Biochar is the result of thermal decomposition of biomass in an oxygen-starved environment.
• Different biochars have different effects on soil and plant growth, and their application rates need to be optimized.
• Biochar can increase yields, improve water holding capacity, and enhance soil health.
• Biochar can be made from various feedstocks, including grasses, manures, and wood, woody weeds and crop residues.
• It can be produced in a trench or using a portable pyrolyzer.
• Mixing biochar with manure or compost can enhance its effectiveness.
• Biochar improves water holding capacity, nutrient retention, and microbial activity in sandy soils.
• It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leaching of nutrients like phosphorus.
• Farmers can purchase biochar from suppliers or make their own using DIY methods like the kontiki technique.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Professor Stephen Joseph and his expertise in renewable energy and biochar 02:31 The journey from working as an engineer to becoming a biochar expert 10:21 Understanding what biochar is and its various applications 14:08 The historical use of biochar by Indigenous peoples and its potential benefits in modern agriculture 17:08 Exploring the use of biochar in combination with solar panels to improve farmland 21:37 The different types of biochar and their effects on soil and plant growth 23:50 Optimizing biochar application rates for maximum benefits 29:53 Introduction to Biochar and its Benefits 34:39 Making Biochar: DIY Options and Considerations 40:31 Impact of Biochar on Soil and Plants 42:38 Biochar in Pasture Scenarios 48:22 Biochar and its Relationship to Humic and Fulvic Acids 50:53 Advantages of Biochar in Sandy Soils 53:24 Purchasing Biochar and Determining Quality 57:45 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours we chat to Sam & Steph Hondema of Rosas Ridge based near Margaret River in the South West of Western Australia. 

These first generation farmers have been building a successful pasture raised chicken enterprise since 2019, with a vision to supply superior meats, both in nutritional density and rich flavour to their customers table whilst at the same time improving the health of their soils & pasture through regenerative practices 

Like all start ups their journey has not been without challenges, particularly when you want to do it differently from the conventional approach - our conversation is a warts and all dive into how they have managed to become the leading suppliers of pasture raised chicken.

In this Talkin' After Hours Episode Jo & Kate chat once again to local agroecologist Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology. This time we explore how to get a better band for your buck by including foliar nutrition to complement your soil fertility program.

In this month's episode Jo & Kate chat to two southwest WA landcarers who have been very active in working with livestock farmers to get some very handy ecosystem engineers working on their farms. We are talking about Dung Beetles and our local experts are Kathy Dawson from Southern Forests Community Landcare based in Manjimup and Kylie Cook from Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee, based in Denmark. 

Show notes available via Talkin' After Hours, our online community & information hub.

In this Talkin After Hours Episode Jo & Kate chat to Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus, Dept. Wildland Resources, Utah State University. 

For the past 30 years, Fred and his team have produced ground-breaking research that has laid the foundation for what is now known as behavior-based management of livestock, wildlife and landscapes. This research led to the creation in 2001 of a consortium of scientists and land managers from five continents  called BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem management). Fred has authored 3 books Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change, The Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herder, and most recently published a book on his research titled Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom.

Our conversation delves into this fascinating research with a particular focus on the impact of plant diversity on livestock health.

In this months podcast Jo & Kate chat with Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology on a topic that is absolutely fundamental to agriculture – that of soil function & fertility.

In our conversation we delve into what is actually meant by soil function, why and how it is so critical to soil fertility, and what are the most effective strategies we can implement to build soil fertility.

In this episode of Talkin’ After Hours Jo & Kate chat to Joel Williams on the hot topic of Nitrogen – how it works in the nutrient cycle and how can we best optimise its use – particularly in grazing systems.