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, […]
Accu-Spread Demonstration Day
Farmers across the Geographe catchment are invited to come along to GeoCatch’s Accu-Spread demonstration day on 9 March 2023 to learn how efficiently their fertiliser spreading equipment is operating and gain a better understanding of ways to improve their accuracy. A highly-variable fertiliser spread pattern has implications on pasture production, environment and economics, with some […]
Study to protect Stirling Wetlands
The Stirling wetlands, between Busselton and Capel, are currently under the microscope to better understand the unique ecosystems in and around these wetlands. Known as ‘Mallokup’, meaning the place of spirits and swans, these wetlands are home to a diverse variety of waterbird species and wildlife, including the iconic black swan. Over the past 12 […]
Geographe Soil Testing Program
The latest round of the Geographe catchment soil testing program is now well underway, with soil testing being undertaken across 39 farms covering over 7200ha of farmland. As global fertiliser prices continue to increase, the program is critical not only in reducing nutrient input into our waterways, but also for farmers trying to save on […]
25 Years of GeoCatch
Our achievements over the past 25 years are definitely a collective effort, with contributions from our farming community and urban residents, all working towards a better environment in our local catchment. At our recent AGM, we shared our achievements over the past financial year – we’ve definitely been busy!
Community learn about the Vasse Surge Barrier
Around 20 community members have taken the opportunity to hear from managers of the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands on how the surge barriers operate and are managed. GeoCatch hosted the event at the Vasse surge barrier in response to community members asking how the surge barriers worked and how management decisions are made. The surge barriers […]
Dairy farmers benchmarked against new code of practice
The latest review of dairy effluent management on South West farms by Western Dairy has shown considerable improvement in the areas of storing and reusing effluent since the last review in 2016. The review provided the opportunity to revisit benchmarking of effluent management across Healthy Estuaries WA catchments following upgrade work completed under the Dairycare […]
Nutrient best management practices guideline Guidance For beef, sheep and dairy grazing enterprises in south-west Western Australia
New guidelines to assist farmers and reduce environmental impacts Best practice guidelines to assist South-West grazing farmers with on-farm management of nutrients New guidelines will help farmers maximise stock productivity, while reducing nutrient runoff and environmental impacts on our local waterways Guidelines part of the McGowan Government’s $25 million Healthy Estuaries WA and Revitalising Geographe […]
July Grazing Matcher farmer meeting
The sun was out for the July Grazing Matcher meeting at the Payne Farm in Metricup last week. A healthy discussion on the influence of soil type and residual phosphorus in south-west soils was led by Joel Hall, from Department of Water & Environmental Regulation. The group had lots of interesting questions about how fertilising can […]
