In this episode of Paddock Chat, we speak with Anna Cornell from NACC NRM about the 'Growing Great Ground' project. The project aims to combat wind erosion and enhance on-farm biodiversity in the northern agricultural region.

Anna, who has a personal connection to the region, shares her passion for making a positive impact on her community and the environment.

Anna discusses how workshops and other events have played a crucial role in educating producers about new technologies and sustainable practices. These activities have contributed to a wider adoption of effective strategies, resulting in increased ground cover and native vegetation.

The 'Growing Great Ground' project, in collaboration with the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) and the Australian Government’s Regional Land Partnerships initiative of the National Landcare Program, is dedicated to fostering sustainable land management practices and promoting biodiversity conservation, creating a lasting positive impact on the region.

In this episode of Paddock Chat, WMG Executive Officer Nathan Craig sat down with Reagan Manns from RSM Australia to talk through the federal budget handed down on 9 May 2023. 

While this was considered a pretty tame budget, there were a few tweaks that snuck in at the last minute, including updates to the instant write-off threshold and taxing of profit in superannuation funds. 

For more information on this topic or to contact Reagan directly, reach out to Reagan.Manns@rsm.com.au or call 9652 2380. 

Earlier podcast episodes with RSM can be found here

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1067260/12115179

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1067260/9994925

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 admin@wmgroup.org.au

To stay up to date with these topics and to follow Nick’s work head over to Twitter @eyres_N or contact Nick at gsaconsulting@outlook.com.au

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
bbeard@summitfertz.com.au    

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 admin@wmgroup.org.au or call 9651 4008 

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

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 admin@wmgroup.org.au or call 9651 4008  

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 ken.flower@uwa.edu.au 
Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative 

 Matt Willis Bayer CropScience
matt.willis@bayer.com 

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 greg.mifsud@invasives.com.au or call 0448189909

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

Contact Paul Pitaro ( based in Dongara) at paul@vpma.com.au or call 0438 337 642

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 Reagan.Manns@rsm.com.au 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 

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.

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.

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.

This episode marks the beginning of a 4-part series of episodes West Midlands Group are releasing in collaboration with the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia and Mallee Sustainable Farming.

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.

MSF are a grower group bringing farmers and researchers together to build more efficient, profitable and sustainable farming businesses in the low-rainfall Mallee region across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Consultant and farmer Peter Treloar joins MSF’s Jay Cummins, sharing his practical experiences in helping Mallee farmers navigate their on-farm development and application of precision ag systems.

Peter and Jay’s insightful conversation hits on many typical on-farm issues in precision ag and answers some key questions such as what equipment to use and how to get it to work in the best possible way to help make better informed decisions and reduce some of the stresses in farming decisions.

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.

In this episode WMG Comms Officer Simon Kruger & Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon are joined by Geoff Moore, Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 

When grasshopper issues first arose in the 2021 season in the West Midlands region, Geoff was the first respondent on the ground with the WMG team and our affected members. Geoff specialises in legumes, pastures, livestock feedbase and groundcover among many things, and chats with us as part three in our series focusing on positive producer responses to 2021 seasonal grasshopper and groundcover issues. 

After monitoring the areas of greatest risk in our region and producing several case studies investigating the response to grasshopper, groundcover and soil erosion, Geoff is able to provide some more background on both producer and department response, as well as detailing several key short, mid and long term tactical and strategic options for dealing with groundcover issues.

Geoff and DPIRD have kindly provided some links to extra resources for producers who may be interested in the topics covered during the conversation or those that are hoping to mitigate similar problems in this and coming seasons.

Useful Links:

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pastures/stabilising-sandy-pasture-paddocks-low-groundcover

• Tagasaste management with Bob Wilson
•  Pasture Cropping - An introduction to the concept and EverCrop project 
• Pasture Cropping - Experiences of innovative growers  
• Pasture Cropping - Results from the Moora focus site with David Ferris 
• Key steps for successful establishment of sub-tropical grasses with Phil Barrett-Lennard 
• Identifying sub-tropical grass seedlings
• Sub-tropical grass establishment - machinery demonstration
• Producer perspective
• Assessing sub-tropical grass establishment
• Saponins and grasses
• Ketosis in cattle with Marion Seymour

Communications Officer Simon Kruger and Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon recently sat down with local farmer and WMG member Don Bradshaw.

Don is the Manager at ‘Jutomara Park’, a grazing operation running cattle only, predominantly brought down from Yanrey Station near Exmouth for backgrounding. 

Recalling a series of events over the previous seasons including the effects of cutworm, unseasonal rainfall and increased grasshopper numbers, Don noticed a perfect ‘low groundcover’ storm was developing in the early stages of the 2021 season.

Don's timely and decisive management has turned bare patches and paddocks with low groundcover into highly productive pastures, and not only has he placed 'Jutomara Park' in a great position for the coming seasons, but he is also one of the farmers highlighted in a DPIRD grower focus case study on stabilising sandy pasture paddocks with low groundcover in the West Midlands region.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pastures/stabilising-sandy-pasture-paddocks-low-groundcover 

Not only is this story an excellent example of proactive and practical responses to groundcover issues, but it is also a perfect example of the value of local knowledge and strength of community ties in the region. 

This episode is the second in a series of episodes that focus on positive responses to low groundcover within the West Midlands region, so be sure to look out for the next episode featuring Geoff Moore of DPIRD.

Communications Officer Simon Kruger and Beef Industry Development Officer Erin O’Brien recently sat down with local farmer and WMG member Steele Rudd.

Steele runs ‘Our Selection’ at Eganu, a mixed enterprise farm, consisting of a continuous cropping program combined with a cattle operation rotationally grazed across improved perennial and annual pastures.

Steele’s proactive response to high grasshopper numbers and an increase in bare patches in the 2021 season has paid dividends, and not only has he seen some great results from strategic oversowing of cereals and perennials management, but he is also one of the farmers highlighted in a recently released DPIRD focus case study on stabilising sandy pasture paddocks with low groundcover.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pastures/stabilising-sandy-pasture-paddocks-low-groundcover 

This episode marks the beginning of a series of episodes that focus on positive responses to low groundcover within the West Midlands region, so be sure to look out for the upcoming episodes featuring Don Bradshaw of Jutomara Park and Geoff Moore of DPIRD. 

It is believed that ancient South American cultures would use a rudimentary form of biochar to increase soil productivity thousands of years ago. Fast forward to the present day and the word Biochar is used to describe a substance that looks almost like charcoal, but that is actually biomass carbonized and made into a solid material, used in a multitude of ways from filtration to improving soil function and fertility.

One of the key impacts of climate change is its inevitable threat to the agricultural industry and food security as a whole. As the focus of WMG Cropping Systems Officer Md Zahangir Hossain’s recently completed PhD, Biochar’s use as a soil amendment has the potential benefits of bigger yields, healthier soils, lower acidity levels, richer microbial activity, and better water retention to name just a few.

This episode forms an introduction of sorts to one of our newest team members Zahangir, while Executive Officer Nathan Craig also joins the conversation, bringing his technical expertise and knowledge to help us delve deeper into Biochar as a soil amendment, its benefits and limitations, and how WMG will be innovatively utilising it within the Future Carbon Project. 

For more information on Biochar, the Future Carbon Project or any of Zahangir’s work, be sure to get in contact with us at comms@wmgroup.org.au

In this episode, Daniel Real, Feedbase Pastural Researcher at the Department of Primary Industry & Regional Development (DPRID) joins us to talk about the Feed365 project and solving a common problem for farmers in the West Midlands region and across WA: early and late season feed gaps. 

Daniel joins WMG Graduate Communications Officer Simon Kruger and Mixed Farming Systems Officer Melanie Dixon to give our listeners an insight into Feed365, the first phase of research, and how this innovative and far-reaching project will be working with farmers across WA, aiming to eliminate the need for confinement feeding in periods of low feed quality and availability.

Our conversation with Daniel was recorded in two parts, firstly in the field investigating trial sites and followed up with a recorded zoom call.

For more information on the Feed365 project be sure to check out the DPIRD website, or get in contact with us at comms@wmgroup.org.au

Amelia Nolan, Program Manager at The Livestock Collective (TLC) joins the podcast to talk with us about the importance of developing widespread knowledge of the ins and outs of the Australian livestock and broader agricultural industries.  

WMG Beef Industry Development Officer Erin O’Brien chats with Amelia about her story, role at TLC and her wealth of knowledge concerning social license and the importance of the community getting access to information that is real and authentic, from all along the agriculture supply chains, from the people actually involved in the industry. 

This edition of Paddock Chat is a companion episode to our Seasonal Updates Festival and Amelia’s dynamic and informative presentation can still be viewed right here (Beginning at 29:50). 

Resources: 

https://www.goodmeat.com.au/ - MLA: Australian Good Meat 

https://www.thelivestockcollective.com.au/ - The Livestock Collective  

https://www.redmeatgreenfacts.com.au/# - Red Meat Green Facts 

https://www.learnaboutwool.com/ - AWI: Learn About Wool 

https://livecorp.com.au/ - Livecorp: For industry who want to see consumer feedback 

Dr. Mike Ashworth, Research Agronomist at the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative and Matt Willis, Market Development Agronomist at Bayer Crop Science join the podcast to share their knowledge and strategies for weed control in your farming system.   

WMG E.O Nathan Craig leads these 2 special guests on a deep dive into the key elements of an effective herbicide strategy based on the research they have been working on over the last few years. 

This special bumper edition of Paddock Chat contains not only great conversation, but also a wealth of topical and timely information.  

For ease of listening and navigation we have provided some timestamps for this episode: 

• 01:06 – 06:30 Introduction – What’s Your Role in the Agricultural Industry?  
• 06:30 – 15:15 Bayer Trials & Key Findings in the West Midlands & Northern Ag Region  
• 15:15 – 23:22 AHRI Trials & Key Findings in the West Midlands & Across WA  
• 23:22 – 41:05 What Could This Season Bring? What Should I Be Considering? 
  • 23:32 – 32:19 Early Break  
  • 32:19 – 42:08 Late Break  
• 42:08 – 44:18 Where Can I Go for More Information?  
• 44:18 – 45:52 Conclusion – What Keeps You Interested in Agriculture?  

In this episode of PaddockChat, Executive Officer Nathan Craig talks with former WMG Graduate Project Officer Adam Anfuso about the Long Season Wheat Project.

• Which was the best preforming variety?
• How far did the wheat roots actually penetrate into the soil?
• Should we be growing Long Season Wheat varieties more?

Nathan and Adam guide us through how we can effectively use our sandy soils down to and below 2 metres, focusing on the concept and results of the 2021 WMG Long Season Wheat Project.

Adam's work on this trial has been a major focus of his master’s degree at the University of Western Australia and this podcast is a special companion piece to Adam’s presentation during the WMG Seasonal Updates Festival 2022. This project is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the West Midlands Group.

For more information on this project, you can find a comprehensive write-up in the WMG February Quarterly 2022, or watch Adam's live stream during Day 1 - Session 2 of the Seasonal Updates Festival 2022 on the WMG Facebook and Twitter pages.

Part 2 of To Chickpea, or not to Chickpea.

In part 2 of this episode, Nathan Craig (WMG Executive Officer) continues his conversation with Mark Seymour & Harmohinder Dhammu from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, talking yield and weed control considerations in chickpeas.

This is part 2 of a special two-part episode, so if you've missed part 1, be sure to download and listen to it now:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1067260/10154438

With the high cost of crop input prices weighing on most farmers minds at present, we put the focus on chickpea this week as a potential high value legume option for the coming season.

Over the last three years, West Midlands Group trials have found that chickpea have yielded consistently and have had a competitive Gross Margin in our region despite not being a traditional chickpea growing area.

In this episode, Nathan Craig (WMG Executive Officer) sat down with Mark Seymour & Harmohinder Dhammu from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, to answer the two most asked questions about chickpeas:

• How well do they yield across WA
•  What are the weed control options now available to keep the crop clean?

This conversation covered a lot of good information and so it will be a two-part episode. Be sure to download and listen in to part 2 which is available right now:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1067260/10154568 

*Harmohinder Dhammu would like to note that at 17:13 of this episode, he should have said "susceptible ryegrass" rather than "resistant ryegrass".

In this Episode we spoke to Reagan Manns from RSM in Jurien Bay about the use of Figured and XERO to supercharge your business financial budgeting process.
Topics we cover:

• What is Figured and how does it differ from other packages
• What are the benefits of using Figured above the standard XERO budgeting package
• Where does the real power lie in having an integrated budgeting package

And the real question: how to get started and who can help me get my first budget up and running!

For more information, contact RSM Moora: (08) 9651 1606 

We would like to acknowledge and thank RSM who have been a valued supporter of the West Midlands Group over the last 10 years.

In this episode of Paddock Chat, we look to demystify the first steps that farmers need to take in creating a ‘smart’ or ‘connected' farm, where the Internet of Things (IoT) can make farm management that much easier!

Nathan Craig (WMG Executive Officer) sat down with both Nathan Dovey, CEO and Phil Honey, Smart Farm Coordinator of Stirlings to Coast. Nathan has been involved with Stirlings to Coast for more than 6 years, and Phil's role is to assist farmers to adopt digital technologies and de-risk some of the adoption challenges around this.

We discuss their collective experience in setting up two farms in the Great Southern region of WA with fence to fence 4G phone service, as well as talking about some of the tools that they have installed, including  a large network of over 25 weather stations and some of the key management benefits that they have seen so far.

Useful Resources:
SMART FARM INITIATIVE