FARM
Johannes.Haumann@education.wa.edu.au
Chickens for Sale
Student Drivers Licenses
Students are reminded to see the front office ladies if they have misplaced their Farm licence – No licence, no driving.
Sheep
Mr Adams and the students have been busy checking the Merino ewes, which are still lambing. Not one, not two, but three!!!!!
A big effort was made this week to identify and mark the crossbred lambs. Well done to all students who participated in this activity.
Horticulture
Our citrus fruit trees are coming into season, and the mandarins are particularly sweet. Don’t forget that mandarins are available for sale today at the Front Office. Thank you to our office staff for organising the sale.
Winter vegetable planting was also undertaken this week, ensuring a productive season ahead.
Beef
CIDRs were removed this week as part of our breeding program, and artificial insemination (AI) was carried out on Thursday and Friday. Our Year 12 Certificate III students had an excellent opportunity to be involved in this important industry practice.
Fertilising and pasture seeding were also completed in the beef section, making for a very busy and productive week.
Pigs
Last Friday, ten Year 11 students attended a Pig Handlers and Youth Education Day in Corrigin, joining students from several other schools, including Narrogin and Cunderdin Agricultural Colleges.
This event was held in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society and forms part of plans to take a team of students and pigs to compete at the Royal Show in September.
Students participated in a range of sessions, including:
An overview of the Australian and Western Australian pork industries, including career pathways and opportunities.
Pork production systems, breeds, and animal types.
Biosecurity and traceability.
Pig health and welfare presentations and demonstrations.
Workshops covering show preparation, pig washing, breeds, and presentation techniques.
A former Narrogin Agricultural College student, now working as a butcher, demonstrated the breakdown of a pig carcass and explained the key traits assessed in live animals. This provided an excellent link between livestock production and consumer expectations.
Students also attended a nutrition session in which they identified various feeds and raw ingredients and learned about the correct ration formulation and the nutritional requirements of pigs at different stages of growth and breeding.
Lunch featured a variety of delicious pork products, and students had the opportunity to interact with a wide range of industry professionals, including veterinarians, nutritionists, scientists, breeders, piggery managers, butchers, and representatives from the Royal Agricultural Society.
The day provided valuable exposure to different breeds, production systems, and career opportunities.
Well done to all students who attended, and thank you to Ms Watson and Mr Bean for their time and effort in making this opportunity possible.
Drone Operations
The College drone was used this week to apply fertiliser and bio stimulants across dairy paddocks.
The drone was also utilised for weed control around the effluent dam, reducing the need for staff and students to enter potentially difficult and hazardous areas. There seems to be no end to the practical applications of this technology, particularly when ground access is limited.
