FARM

Livestock 

In sheep world, yesterday we pregnancy testing our ewes resulting in three dries from 523 ewes or 99.5% in lamb. Sorting wet and dry ewes allows the dry ewes to be sold so we can focus on looking after pregnant ewes leading into lambing. Our whether feed trial is under way and show ewes have been tagged to meet requirements for the Royal show competition. 

Week 1 of the cattle feedlot trail ended with all cattle on feed and progressing well. The world skills students used the feedlot cattle Thursday to practice their cattle handling, drenching and weighing skills. 

In the Dairy, heifers were classed, and others freeze branded in preparation for entering the herd. 

Our two sows farrowed over the weekend with 20 piglets alive and doing well. We had a little trouble with one of our farrowing crates, so an old crate was resurrected for one of the sows. Despite the warm weather, heat lamps were installed and the piglets gathered underneath shortly after birth. Sows and piglets are doing well with piglets processed on day three with students learning to tail dock, teeth clip and vaccinate. 

Crops and Horticulture

Vegetables have started to flow back to the kitchen from our paddocks and hydroponic production.  Staff and students have been busy pruning and tidying vines and bringing the parks and gardens up to speed in preparation for Open Day which is not far away. 

Services

Mr Curran has departed on his long service leave this week, so the 'Services Team' of Rob Morris, Shaun Lawrence and Steve Smart will share responsibility for taking care of the workshop and projects in his absence, under the direction of Brad Falkingham as the Farm Manager as of Friday 11th April. 

They’ve got a lot on their plate, including:

• Planning and installation of the solar pump systems to reduce water use, save money and use the natural resources from the Farm. This week a team of budding hydrologists, in consultation with Farm staff, inspected supply options and came up with a plan on where the pump and solar panels will go. In the coming weeks installation of one system will be completed. 

• Creeks were cleaned of fallen trees using the new Yanmar.

• Soil was removed from drain and cleaning happened along the railway line.

• Paddocks that are planned for pasture trials were turned over ready to seed.

• The dairy cattle crush was raised so scales can be installed.

• Limestone was delivered for the base of the shade house which will be restored. 

Other - After School Farm-Based Activities

After school riding has a small but energetic group of students who tend to and ride their horses daily. Our horse TO Mia Davis is at horses each Monday and Wednesday afternoons to train and help where needed. Their focus has been camp drafting, bringing in a few cattle to train, which has been progressing well with the mix of experienced and young horses and riders. 

Cattle Club is on fire with students and cattle learning each session. Big thanks and shout out to Vaughn Johnston from Semex who came to the College to class heifers and provide specialist training on handling. Several College students participated in WA Youth Cattle Camp which was held last weekend with several winning awards.

Mr Smart has joined forces with students to get “Jack's Track” up and running for 2025. MAWA has visited the site and advised the team what needs to be done but the biggest hurdle is all students and staff getting their qualifications sorted and insurance in place. For those wanting to be involved, you had better get on to it now or the year and season will be gone.

Cheers 

Weekend Stock Roster