Farm Manager
As we begin another year the new students arrive at the same time as the beef and dairy calves are born. There is new life emerging everywhere and the farm starts to get increasingly busy.
The farm staff have returned from some annual leave and the routines get back to normal.
So what’s been happening on the farm?
New Staff:
It is a pleasure to introduce some new staff to the farm team. Firstly, taking a position in the Dairy space is ex-student Miss Nia Campbell. Nia started work in December and is doing a lot of training and learning about the daily routine of the milking system as well as the farm’s operation. At present Nia is working with the newborn calves and assisting with the feeding out using the TMR machinery.
Also joining the team is Mr John Ward. John has been working on farms most of his life and comes to us with plenty of experience with sheep and livestock. John will be filling a General position primarily responsible for fencing, electric fence maintenance, livestock handling and some viticulture practicals.
Bull Sale Success.
On the 18th of January the College’s Inlet Views Simmental Stud offered six two-year-old bulls for sale at the Nutrien Blue Ribbon Bull Sale at the Mount Barker saleyards. Mr Seib and I spent days preparing the bulls and keeping them separate to prevent any last minute injuries. They were washed and trimmed to present them, in their best light. The highlight of the event was when our top bull broke all the sales records and sold for $23 000. He was the top selling bull for the day and our Inlet Views Stud also achieved the highest price average from all vendors. The remaining five bulls also sold well with one at $10 000 one at $6 500 and three at $5000.
Following the Bull Sale six purebred Simmental heifers were offered by Naracoopa Simmental Denmark and the College purchased a sweet, traditional female paying $7 000 for her. She will enter into the Inlet Views Stud and offer another bloodline to work with.
Prior to the bull sale was a breeder’s female sale where the farm usually buys in PTIC heifers for the commercial herd. Well, with such high prices for our cattle late last year this time we had to pay a high price for these breeders. We were able to buy ten Angus females for a hefty price of $3850 a head. The cows are due to calve between March and May mated to quality Angus bloodlines.
A view across the rest of the farm.
Dairy and beef calving is beginning. Recent dairy sales have been very strong with cows going directly to markets and young steers selling at Boyanup. The steers were in good condition and at about 175kg returned an average of $1100 per head. Extraordinary prices.
Up at the Horticulture area Mr Thomas has the most incredible tomato crop growing. It is covered with bird netting and the crop looks excellent. They will soon become ripe and
ready for harvesting.
In the Vineyard, all vines have been trimmed and covered with netting and the fruit is looking good for the upcoming harvest. A special thank you to all farm staff who helped Mr Levinson get these tasks done quickly.
Prime lambs reaching suitable weight and condition and have been sold directly to WAMMCO Australia. The recent group of 100 averaged $165 per head. The remaining lambs have been put onto a grain ration and will be ready for transport shortly.
The farm recently bought in 56 merino wethers from Katanning Sheep sale in store condition. They have been shorn and back-lined and will be put into the feedlot and grain fed for the first term. Students will monitor their growth and weight gain weekly and follow them through to slaughter.
Due to the extreme hot weather recently the purchasing of the poultry was postponed so we will be two weeks behind schedule, however Mr Skipper will travel to Fremantle soon and collect the 120 point of lay birds.
Cattle Club is starting up again for the season with stud Simmental bulls and heifers being broken in for showing at Wagin Woolarama in March. Students interested in becoming
involved need to show up on time Wednesday afternoons and participate in activities.
Mr Shultz has some Corriedale ewes and rams being prepared for Wagin as well. Sheep after school training will occur closer to the show.
There is always plenty to do:
2022 projects:
- Build two kilometres of gravel roads.
- Subdivide Harris Block and erect two kilometres of fencing.
- Manage the erosion site over in Airport South. Extensive drainage works and land formation followed by tree and grass establishment.
- Erect two new “Birds” shade shelters for livestock.
- Purchase a new 110 HP tractor
- Purchase and install new GPS and auto steer to tractor.