FARM

Beef

It’s been a busy week with the AI programs running across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Cows and heifers were prepared for the first round of AI in cows and the second round for heifers. Students have been actively involved in the entire process and also had the opportunity to participate in calf marking.

On Thursday, we carried out semen testing, giving students the chance to observe sperm motility and morphology under a microscope and on the big screen. We saw strong results from our bulls, and we’d like to thank Nutrien Ag for involving students in this valuable learning experience. Cattle were also sent off to the store sale, with entries in both Wednesday’s beef sale and Friday’s dairy sale.

Dairy

The Dairy continues to be busy with calving, AI, drying off cows and feeding calves. A new milk buggy was commissioned this week, reducing the need for lifting heavy buckets of milk. This has made the process safer for both students and staff, as well as more efficient — a welcome improvement!

With fodder and pasture in short supply due to seasonal conditions, we’re planning to send cows to the hills next week. We’re sure the girls will be happy to get off the flats!

Piggery

At pigs, deliveries to Westpork DBC took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Work has also begun on preparing the eco shelter for the next batch of pigs.

Horticulture

Students have been busy harvesting mandarins, planting broccoli and carrying out general clean up jobs around the section.

Sheep

There has been focus on drenching weaner ewes and wethers, as well as crutching some ewes. Lambing is still in full swing with the Merinos.

Finally, the recent rainfall has been welcomed, with the mild conditions assisting in some better-than-expected growth rates .

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