Paddock Chat

The Soil CRC Knowledge Sharing Project extension series is produced and presented by Simon Kruger, project grower group participant and Project Communications Officer at West Midlands Group in Western Australia. In this four-part series, Simon sits down with other participating grower group representatives to reflect on some of the key learnings from the Soil CRC's Knowledge Sharing Project....

The Soil CRC Knowledge Sharing Project extension series is produced and presented by Simon Kruger, project grower group participant and Project Communications Officer at West Midlands Group in Western Australia. In this four-part series, Simon sits down with other participating grower group representatives to reflect on some of the key learnings from the Soil CRC's Knowledge Sharing Project....

The Soil CRC Knowledge Sharing Project extension series is produced and presented by Simon Kruger, project grower group participant and Project Communications Officer at West Midlands Group in Western Australia. In this four-part series, Simon sits down with other participating grower group representatives to reflect on some of the key learnings from the Soil CRC's Knowledge Sharing Project....

The Soil CRC Knowledge Sharing Project extension series is produced and presented by Simon Kruger, project grower group participant and Project Communications Officer at West Midlands Group in Western Australia. In this four-part series, Simon sits down with other participating grower group representatives to reflect on some of the key learnings from the Soil CRC's Knowledge Sharing Project....

In this episode of Paddock Chat we sit down with Justin Laycock, who is a Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Justin speaks about how DPIRD and growers across the Wheatbelt have been collaborating to transform ground cover management as we know it. If you would like more information, contact Justin at justin.laycock@dpird.wa.gov.au. Resources: Geogl...

In this episode of Paddock Chat we sit down with Rabobank Farm Inputs Analyst Vitor Cacula Pistoia to discuss the current land market in Australia. Vitor provides insights into how land values are tracking across the country, the reasons behind the current trends and more importantly, how land values compare in the West Midlands region. Vitor also provides an outlook for the future and what we mig...

In this week’s episode of Paddock Chat WMG Executive Officer Nathan Craig chats with Bayer Crop Science's Matt Willis about successful strategies for fenceline weed management. Matt speaks about historical applications and management of paddock fencelines, the continual increase in glyphosate resistance, new alternatives and trials with Bayer's Alion©, best practice and the 2023 WMG Spri...

"Exploring Global Economics & Markets with Ben Picton: Rising Interest Rates, Consumer Trends, Social License, the Pandemic's Impact and more" Senior Strategist for Global Economics & Markets in the Australia/New Zealand region for Rabobank, Ben Picton, delves into the current economic landscape to cover several key areas impacting the Agricultural industry. If you would lik...

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 workshop...

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 informat...

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...

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 W...

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...

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-y...

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...

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 P...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 info...

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...

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...

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, un...

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 grassh...

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 fu...