Talkin' After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC

In this podcast episode we explore a topic that's becoming increasingly important for the future of Australian agriculture: how trees on farms can support grazing livestock, improve productivity, strengthen biodiversity, build climate resilience, and create new opportunities for farmers. To help us unpack this fascinating topic Kate chats to one of Australia's leading voices in agroforestry and fa...

In this Talkin' After Hours episode Jo & Kate chat to West Australian dairy farmers, Neville and Elaine Haddon. Together with their son Garry, Neville & Elaine run a major dairy operation in Busselton, milking around 1,300 cows and supplying more than 12 million litres of milk to Harvey Fresh every year. But despite operating at that scale, the Haddons are still asking questions. How do you grow b...

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast we chat to orchardist and Nuffield Scholar Jason Jarvis of Prime Organics. Jason is known for pioneering biological farming techniques that boost soil health and crop nutrition. His expertise in soil microbiology and sustainable practices make this conversation a must-hear for anyone committed to farming that's profitable, planet-friendly, and nutrient-rich.  In...

Imagine sharp early seedling development, resilient plants, and richer soils—all sparked by a tiny biological boost right at the seed stage. That's the promise of biological planting treatments, a probiotic approach that works with, not against, nature to supercharge your farm's productivity. In this podcast episode Jo and Kate chat to Regenerative Agriculture Coach Mark Tupman and uncover the sci...

In this podcast episode we chat to Kevin Elmy from Cover Cropping Canada on the science of soil health, revealing how to enhance water storage, carbon sequestration, and biological activity beyond standard tests. Hear about practical strategies like using cover crops and understanding the legacy microbiome effect to boost resilience and crop performance. Kevin also shares actionable insights for f...

In this episode of Talking After Hours, we chat with agricultural scientist Dr Dean Revell. Our conversation explores the why, what, where & how of integrating perennial shrubs into grazing systems, the nutritional benefits for livestock, and the management practices necessary for successful establishment and utilization. Our conversation also touches on the economic implications of shrub integrat...

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours we chat to David Hardwick,  agroecologist and partner at Soil Land Food on getting to the root of your soil issues with the aid of the newly developed Soil HASH tool. Our conversation covers the key functions of healthy soil, the development and purpose of the Soil HASH tool, practical applications for farmers, and the significance of monitoring soil constrai...

In this podcast episode, we explore the importance of trees in farming, focusing on windbreaks and shelter belts. South West forester Bob Hingston shares his extensive knowledge on tree planting, site preparation, and the benefits of agroforestry. He discusses the planning process, common mistakes, and the significance of choosing the right species for effective windbreaks. The conversation also h...

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours,  we delve into the world of  integrated pest management (IPM) and the alarming decline of insect populations, referred to by some as the 'insect apocalypse.' Entomologist Dr. Anthony Rice discusses the significant role insects play in ecosystems and agriculture, the detrimental effects of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, and the importance of finding a...

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours, the LCDC's Kate Tarrant and guest host Mark Tupman chat to Dan Kittredge, farmer, educator, and founder of the Bionutrient Association. Dan has become one of the leading proponents of "nutrient density," with ground breaking research to measure and define food quality, and linking it directly to how it's grown. Our conversation delves into the significance o...

In this episode we chat to trappers Shane Franklin and Les Dunnet. Our conversation delves into the world of feral management management and control, the issues, challenges and what we are doing about it in the Lower Blackwood catchment of the south west of Western Australia. Our discussion highlights the successful outcomes of recent feral pig control projects, the importance of landholder collab...

In this episode of Talking After Hours, Jo and Kate chat to south west educators, and permaculturalists, Charles Otway and Jasper Harvey. Our conversation explores the principles and practices of syntropic farming, a method that emphasizes biodiversity, succession, and ecological balance. Also discussed are the benefits & challenges of this farming style, including resilience to climate extremes,...

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 i...

  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...

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 a...

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 appli...

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 impro...

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....

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 s...

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.

In this months podcast we chat to agroecologist & partner in rural change management company Soil Land Food, David Hardwick on the hot topic of making your own biofertilisers .David learned the skills of making bugs and brews from the masters at Mas humas and has been passing on that information ever since. In the podcast David shares tips, tricks & recipes to make starter cultures, inoculants, bi...

Feral Pigs are a major pest across a Australia and are in fact wreaking havoc right here in our backyard in the Lower Blackwood Catchment. Here at the LCDC we've been working with the Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management group for a number of years on controlling the local pig population and are coming into our third year of our State NRM funded project 'Feral Pig Focus – Protecting the Scot...

In this episode Jo & Kate talk to Agroecologist Mark Tupman on all things composting for farms - what the options are, how to make them, and how to best utilise the compost on your farm. This podcast is supported though funding from Soil Wise. Soil Wise is funded by the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA...