New study highlights benefits of soil testing
A Western Australian study of nearly 700 soil samples has provided new insight into whether agronomic soil testing can be used to assess the likelihood of phosphorus being ‘lost’ into the environment. Phosphorus applied as fertiliser on farms is lost to waterways through leaching and run-off, which not only leads to a loss of farmers’ […]
Pasturewise Field Day
South west farmers and stakeholders gathered at the Pasture Wise Field Day, to experience firsthand the pasture research happening on local farms, right here in Busselton. The tour, hosted by GeoCatch, South West NRM, Western Dairy and Western Beef, took 45 participants to three trial sites to visually look inspect the pasture trial plots and […]
Regenerative Agriculture improves food chain
The 2023 Regenerative Agriculture Conference has concluded in Margaret River, with farmers from across the Capes region joining others from all over Australia to improve their knowledge of sustainable and healthy farming practices. The conference’s popularity highlighted that a growing number of farmers are transitioning to regenerative practices to improve soil health, increase the nutrient […]
Grazing Matcher
It was a chilly afternoon in Abba River for the June Grazing Matcher meeting at Jane and Peter’s farm, Boltham Downs. It was consensus amongst the group that our catchment has had a slow start to the season. Dan Parnell explained that the below-average June temperatures have been causing a slow leaf emergence, with […]
Sustainable Agriculture team in-store
If you visit Busselton Agriculture Supplies over the next couple of weeks, check out the GeoCatch display and see if you can find your farm on our catchment map. GeoCatch project officers Michelle and Jenelle were setting up the display, and 2 of our local farmers stopped to say hi. Sally and Sean Fox-Slater […]
Overcoming challenges to regenerate Geographe rivers and creeks
Dedicated farmers from across the Geographe Catchment gathered at Sabina River last week to learn how to bring the waterways on their properties back to life. GeoCatch Rivercare Officer Claire Macleay and revegetation specialist Greg Overton used three different rehabilitated sites to illustrate what can be achieved with fencing and revegetation. Greg emphasized to the […]
Help for hobby farmers
Rural and semi-rural landholders turned up in force at a recent Heavenly Hectares workshop in Busselton. Over 50 keen landholders came along to learn the latest information on sustainably managing their properties at the workshop hosted by the City of Busselton and GeoCatch. Rural property expert and author Chris Ferreira presented case studies and practical […]
Restoring the Ludlow across generations
There would be only a handful of local families that could say they have been farming the same land for 123 years! The Carter family from Tutunup have that claim to fame with ancestors, Timothy and Martha Carter taking up the lease of 3000 acres back in 1899. The farm is still a family affair […]
Collaborative approach to fertiliser trials
Four years of trials have found that national phosphorus recommendations are relevant for soils in South West Western Australia. This means that South West WA farmers can have confidence in applying the recommendations of their soil test results to apply only the fertiliser needed for plant growth. While this often means that less phosphorus fertiliser […]
Soil testing success
Farmers from across the Geographe catchment joined experts from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and local agronomists to learn more about nutrient management on their farms this week. The farmers have been participants in the Geographe Soil Testing Program, providing access to whole farm soil testing and lab analysis, nutrient mapping, […]
