FARM TRAINING

Mandarin Picking

Students have been working in the orchard this week picking mandarins.

Year 12 Cert III Excursion

Yesterday, the Year 12 Cert III students went on an excursion with Mr Swallow, Mr Olde, Mr Cruickshank and Ms Warden to visit Three Ryans at Manjimup and Southampton Homestead at Balingup.

Both properties follow Regenerative Agriculture practices and principles. Three Ryans integrate the following enterprises: Merinos for meat and wool production and pasture management, Brassica crops and pasture-laid egg systems. This is our fourth year visiting Three Ryans and we appreciate Jake taking the time to explain how they manage the enterprises and the markets they deliver to at such a busy time of the year. 

Jake explained soil health and the benefits of foliar mineral fertilisers to their paddocks in order to minimise how many passes over a crop of Brassicas and to the profit margin of the business. 

This year was our first visit to Southampton Homestead. Jeff Pow and Michelle McManus believe in growing grass and growing Farmers. Students were able to visit their poultry micro abattoir, play with their beautiful Maremmas and see the pasture with 45 plus species of forbes, cereals and legumes. 

Everyone then checked out the healthy meat birds and the very cute one-week-old chicks in the brood house. Jeff discussed bio-security and geoeconomics regarding the Avian Flu outbreak in the eastern states. 

Both Jeff and Jake were impressed and appreciative of how engaged, interested and well-mannered our students were. It is so important for our students and staff to have these learning opportunities with excursions and industry engagement. 

Many thanks to Jake Ryan, Jeff Pow and Michelle McManus for hosting the students and we look forward to continuing these excursions. 

Weekend Stock 

This is a reminder to Year 10 and 11 students to take special note of the Weekend Stock Roster, as their attendance is a requirement of their Farm learning program. Students who wish to swap their weekend stock duties must complete a Weekend Stock Duty Swap Form, which is available in the administration.  

Please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Tony Abel (Farm Manager) if you require further information regarding the Farm Training program.