The art of creating healthy soil
South West farmers are looking to improve soil health, increase pest and disease resistance, reduce nutrients entering our waterways and enhance biodiversity. The popularity of GeoCatch’s latest workshop, Optimising Pasture Nutrients for Growers, shows that Geographe farmers want to learn more about what can be achieved by building a more nutrient-rich soils environment. Despite the […]
Farmers get hands-on with soil testing
You’d never put oil in your car without checking your dipstick, and the same is true with applying fertiliser on farms. Knowing what’s in your soil before you start applying nutrients is vital. Last week an enthusiastic group of Geographe farmers learnt the ropes on how take their own farm soil samples as a part […]
Results: ‘Soil Your Undies’ challenge
What could burying 7 pairs of cotton undies in a Busselton paddock for 11 weeks tell the environmental experts at South West NRM about soil health? The experiment might sound a tad quirky but the idea was based on a citizen science trend developed by a Queensland university which has swept through farms across Australia […]
GeoCatch celebrates milestones
GeoCatch have celebrated achievements across the Geographe Catchment. Some of the highlights of the 2022-2023 year included an increase in protected biodiversity through the fencing of 8 hectares of farmland and the planting of 8,905 seedlings. Understanding of nutrient sources within the catchment increased with 667 paddocks soil tested and 20 farmer nutrient plans developed […]
Stirling wetland neighbours to plant 2560 trees
The Stirling wetlands, between Busselton and Capel, are home to a vast array of water birds, insects, and remnant vegetation. The wetlands cross multiple private properties, and now six neighbours have come together to reconnect remaining wetland habitat areas. To date, 1.5km of stock exclusion fencing is planned for installation to protect 2560 new […]
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 […]
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 […]
Stirling Wetlands provide summer refuge
As South West WA approaches the end of its driest period of the year, it is comforting to know that there are still some amazing summer refuges and wetlands for birds while the weather is still warm. Water levels in the Stirling Wetlands, between Busselton and Capel, remain high on the southside at this […]
