Farm Enterprises

Grains

Harvest kicked off last week in Paddock 52 where the Maximus Barley was coming off quite nicely.  The Year 11 students are now cycling through the harvest roster, where they spend half a day learning and operating the header and half a day on the chaser bin.

A big shout out to all the staff who are helping with plant movement and machinery operation; the class and trades staff for allowing students out of their sections to complete their harvest roster; the admin staff for keeping the rolls and announcements updated when circumstances change; and the kitchen staff for supplying lovely paddock smokos.

Piggery

It's heating up, so that means extra special care for some of our most vulnerable animals. Careful monitoring of temperature is extremely important at the moment as the animals transition from cold nights and cold days to cool nights and hot days.  Even though some sheds are temperature regulated, there is still a need to manually monitor the comfort and behaviour of the animals during this crucial period.  

To prepare for summer, Miss Read is sending our spit pigs (15-30kg liveweight) to Linley Valley, to reduce the numbers in our larger animal sheds over the hottest months.  

On an exciting note - construction on the new domes has commenced!  We look forward to having these completed so that we can have more animals out in the straw running around, being happy and growing quickly. 

Sheep

Weaning has been completed, so now we are on to shearing the ewe weaners and then the wethers.  These animals will be routinely weighed and sold off to the abattoirs as they make weight.  There is still plenty for the students to do in the sheep enterprise in the next few weeks, before they leave for the school holidays.  This is a fantastic opportunity to get comps done and some extra hands-on practice. 

Dinninup Show

An early start for students attending the Upper Blackwood Dinninup Show on Tuesday. The bus drove out at 5am with 11 sleepy students on board!  

Results include:

• Meat sheep judging - 
  • Lucy Jorgensen - 1st
• Merino judging - 
  • Chanel O'Donnell - 1st
  • Lucy Jorgensen - 2nd
  • Tahlia Jones - 3rd
• Cattle judging - 
  • Tessa Owen - 3rd
• Shearing - 
  • Toby Hilder - 4th

Congratulations to all of the students who competed.  Also, a big thank you to Miss Baker and Mrs Moore for taking the students along.  It is always a big day!

First Aid Course

Over the next 3 weeks, all Year 11 students and some staff will be undertaking a basic first aid qualification with Liz Boston from Central Regional TAFE.  Students should have completed their online learning modules before their rostered class time and bring in their certificate of completion to give to Liz to make processing faster.

Weekend Duty

Only two more weekends until the end of the Term!  Students rostered on are:

• November 8 and 9
  • Drew, Max, Mollie, Ruby and Charlie
• November 15 and 16
  • Sadie, Davin, Tyson and Joshua

Enjoy the holidays!

To the Year 12 students - it has been great to see you all mature and achieve over the past two years.  We wish you all the best for your futures and hope you are able to use and share the knowledge that you have gained from your time at WACoA - Cunderdin, whether that be from farm, trades, class, residential or leadership positions.  Good luck and enjoy what lies ahead.

To the Year 11 students - wishing you a great holiday season and we hope to see you all back bright eyed, and bushy tailed next year.  Certificate III students, don't forget to log your hours and get third party paperwork completed if you're working over harvest. 

To all staff, students, parents and members of the community - be safe over the next few months, enjoy some time off (if you are fortunate to get some), wishing you a prosperous harvest (if you are farming), and that you have a very Merry Christmas and New Year.

To the farm staff - thank you for your work and dedication to our students and our farm throughout 2025. You are all vital members of the WACoA team. 

Kylie Iles

Assistant Farm Manager