Farm
PIGGERY
It’s been a very exciting start to Term 2 in the piggery as our grower dome construction comes to an end.
Pigs were moved to the new domes in Week 4 and what an exciting moment it was. The new domes will house pigs from 12 weeks old until they reach 75kg or 18 weeks old (whichever comes first). They will then move to the finishing sheds where they will be weighed, drafted and tattooed in preparation of transport and sale.
The new domes are complete with automatic feeding systems, drinkers and straw bedding for pigs to sleep, play and express natural foraging behaviours. Now the grower pigs are housed on straw (the perfect enrichment toy), we can focus on shifting our practises to suit changing welfare requirements, such as no longer tail docking piglets.
On another exciting note, the recent state budget release, highlighted a 5.4-million-dollar budget for our piggery! We have a big wish list and can’t wait to get started on planning for repairs and upgrades to benefit pigs, staff and students.
SHEEP
The Poll Dorset stud ewes have started lambing, which gives students a chance to learn about recording production data, marking lambs and handling newborns. Each stud lamb is tagged, weighed and has details recorded against its mum for entry into LambPlan later on. Students learn about minimal handling to reduce the chance of mismothering, the correct tagging procedure, and how to record this data accurately.
GRAINS
Seeding is progressing well and we should finish Barley by Tuesday. Then we have just 350ha Wheat and 40ha of Triticale to sow and we are done. Students are doing well and we are pleased with the students' progress, listening to instruction and completing their work (both practical and theory).
Students in numerous groups have been out and about checking on how the seeding is progressing and how the sown crops are progressing. Mrs Arthur took her group of Certificate III students for a drive last week and they were able to inspect the growth of the canola and check on soil moisture. It's getting a bit dry, but the forecast is for some rain in the next week. Fingers crossed!
Weekend Duty
Saturday 6 June - Drew, Aidan, Lucy and Lucas
Sunday 7 June - Toby, Lucy and Lucas
Saturday 13 June - Madalyn, Archie F, Callum, Kirby
Sunday 14 June - Mikayla, Madalyn, Archie F, Callum, Kirby
Saturday 20 June - Thomas V, Daniel, Aven, Riley F
Sunday 21 June - Shaie, Daniel, Aven, Riley F
Mrs Iles
Assistant Farm Manager