Farm Manager

As the summer months slowly disappear and the school term comes closer to the Easter Holidays, the farm continues to operate within the agricultural calendar. This of course means regardless of the timing of the school term the farm show must go on. 

At this time of year, the vineyard is covered in grapes ready for harvesting. We are very pleased to have new staff member, Mr John Cosby, joining the farm team and jumping in the deep end with vintage on our doorstep. The grape yield looks very good with no disease or bird damage. Some Chardonnay and Pinot grapes have been harvested and will be made into a sparkling wine. This week, the Merlot will be picked and for the first time in many years we will produce Denmark’s own Merlot red wine. This is an exciting time for the College’s wine production. Thank you to Mr Cosby and Mr Thomas for working together to harvest the produce and get it to the winemakers on time.

Livestock still need milking, dairy and beef cows are calving and these livestock need extra attention at this time. Dairy calves are now housed in the calf shed and fed milk taken from the herd during the night. Specific care needs to be taken for these young animals which are susceptible to various health challenges. Older weaned calves are fed a grain pellet ration and male animals have been sold off to graziers. Females will continue being fed grain to maximise their growth into breeding adults. 

Unfortunately, the farm had some challenges with the mature cows and experienced a variety of ailments such as milk fever, Theileria and post calving infection. These issues have been closely monitored by farm staff.

Earlier this term the remaining Merino ewes were shorn, and students participated in the wool handling responsibilities. All ewes have been pregnancy tested with high lambing percentages possible if post lambing survival rates can be managed. Things that dramatically effect these survival rates are extreme cold weather events, multiple births (triplets), condition of ewes and pressure from foxes. The farm recently purchased 24 tonnes of lupins to feed expecting mothers prior to lambing. This week, the farm will start an extensive fox baiting program targeting adult dogs living in this area. The farm will also plan to lamb the ewes in paddocks which provide as much cover from cold wind and rain to protect them from the elements.

While all this has been going on, the farm’s mechanic Mr Jones has also been busy. A new single mass clutch and flywheel has been fitted to the general utility Holden Colorado after a rather loud clunking noise became apparent. The dual mass clutch had decided to separate itself causing this confronting noise. Students contributed to the removal of the drive train and gearbox and witnessed the installation and specific procedures when tightening bolts to the exact tensions. Along with that, the water pump on the McCormick tractor has been replaced and various lawn mowers have needed rebuilding.

Just to keep Mr Jones busy, he was asked to build a stock crate to fit the Mitsubishi Canter truck seven days prior to Wagin Woolarama so Mr Seib could take a large Simmental bull to the show. Once the design was established, parts were purchased and the new crate rolled out of the workshop with a day to spare. A great effort by staff and students to build a strong cattle crate quickly.  

Wagin Woolarama.

Staff and students travelled to Wagin on Thursday 9th March with two trucks full of cattle, two trailers full of sheep and a bus full of students. With a team of Simmental cattle and Corriedale sheep the team set up at the showgrounds awaiting the next day’s competitions. After two gruelling days of events, Denmark’s students and animals returned home with many ribbons presented for various events.

Highlights were: Jesse Oldfield winning merino sheep and wool junior judging.

Denmark sheep team winning overall champion school.

Bree Skinner winning under 17 cattle parading. Bree also placed third in cattle junior judging.

Ella Smith and Jackson Conti, first and second in the over 17 years cattle parading event.

Thanks to staff, Mrs Kirkwood, Mrs Scahill, Mr Seib and Mr Skipper for providing the time and effort to make the Woolarama a success once again.