Lower Blackwood LCDC | Site-Wide Activity

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update: If you enjoyed our recent Knowledge Bank revisit with […]

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:30:00 +0800

If you enjoyed our recent Knowledge Bank revisit with Joel Williams, here’s another one worth digging out.

Back in 2023, we sat down with Joel for the Talkin’ After Hours podcast to Talk Nitrogen — how it works in the nutrient cycle and how we can better optimise its use, particularly in grazing systems.

It’s a great listen if you’re interested in…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Talkin' Nitrogen With Joel Williams - Lower Blackwood LCDC

In this episode of Talkin' After Hours Jo & Kate chat to Joel Williams on the hot topic of Nitrogen - how it works in the nutrient cycle and how can we

Kate Tarrant replied to the discussion Foliar Fertiliser Formulations – Do, Do This at Home in the forum Plant Nutrition

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:03:38 +0800

Reply to Foliar Fertiliser Formulations – Do, Do This at Home

Great thanks Mark!

Mark Tupman started the discussion Foliar Fertiliser Formulations – Do, Do This at Home in the forum Plant Nutrition

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 06:47:45 +0800

Foliar Fertiliser Formulations – Do, Do This at Home

Following on from our post about the good growth we’ve observed with a recent foliar fertiliser program, I thought it’d be good to share some tried and tested recipes that you can use if you want to give foliar nutrition a go.

There are a few things that need to be taken into account when putting together a foliar mix. For starters, we need to…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update: With Joel Williams joining us again this October, […]

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:30:00 +0800

With Joel Williams joining us again this October, we’ve been digging back through the TAH Knowledge Bank and thought this was a good one to bring back.

Back in 2023, Joel joined us for What You Need to Know About Nitrogen — looking at how nitrogen works in the nutrient cycle, the different forms of nitrogen we use in agriculture, and how better…

lowerblackwood.com.au

What You Need To Know About Nitrogen - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Nitrogen is essential to all living things, it is a critical component of protein without which nothing can grow. It comes in many forms but it takes energy

Mark Tupman replied to the discussion Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture in the forum Plant Nutrition

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:55:16 +0800

Reply to Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture

I think so Kate.

While there isn’t lots of leaf surface area early on, there aren’t much roots to take up soil applied nutrients either. Nutrient uptake through the leaves can be pretty efficient, and what doesn’t go into the leaves, ends up in the soil anyway. Early in the season, the rainfall can be a little bit unreliable so soil…

Mark Tupman started the discussion Putting Planting Treatments to Test in the Field in the forum Make Your Own Biological Inputs

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:36:20 +0800

Putting Planting Treatments to Test in the Field

One of the subjects we’ve covered quite a bit in our Talkin After Hours content, and at our seasonal practical workshops, is biological planting treatments.

Biological planting treatments are materials that we put on the seeds or in the planting furrow to support the establishment of a strong plant microbiome, that helps the plants get off to a…

Geoff Constantine: @lcdc Hello - I have been out of this loop for some […]

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:15:57 +0800

@lcdc

Hello – I have been out of this loop for some time dealing with health issues.
It seems though that they need bigger sticks than just cancer to bring me down so I am now back on deck and able to focus on the wonderful parts of life – like my farm.
However, I lost my thread for awhile and now I can see it in Trees on Farms but I am unsure…

Eric Dobbe replied to the discussion Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture in the forum Plant Nutrition

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:51:16 +0800

Reply to Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture

Good result Mark. Going to be a really handy data set by the end of the season…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:48:25 +0800

Talkin' After Hours Masterclass: Your Farm in Focus

Turning Soil Knowledge into practical strategies tailored to your own farming system with Joel Williams. There’s no shortage of information out there about building healthier…

Kate Tarrant replied to the discussion Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture in the forum Plant Nutrition

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:22:05 +0800

Reply to Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture

That’ impressive Mark. Timing of the foliars pretty important by the looks of things .. best bang for your buck is early on right?

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:27:18 +0800

Talkin' About Poo...

There’s a lot more going on in a pile of poo than you might think… In this Talkin’ After Hours we’re taking a closer look…

Mark Tupman replied to the discussion Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture in the forum Plant Nutrition

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:30:07 +0800

Reply to Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture

The results from the first dry matter cuts are in.

35% more produced where the foliar program had been applied.

Still waiting on the forage analysis results.

Mark Tupman started the discussion Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture in the forum Plant Nutrition

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:45:46 +0800

Observations from a foliar nutrition program on pasture

At our Mixing and Matching a Winning Fertiliser Formulation workshop in June 2026, we discussed the ins and outs of applying nutrients via foliar sprays.

In the months following, we’ve been putting the very things we talked about into practice on some pasture at Warner Glen.

Using the liquid trace element mix that we made in the workshop, along…

Mark Tupman started the discussion What do cows choose when there's a selection on offer? in the forum Perennial & Biodiverse Pastures

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:26:23 +0800

What do cows choose when there's a selection on offer?

Those of you that attended the field day at Blackwood Springs Farm in Warner Glen last week would have seen the alternate strips of a ryegrass/clover and annual/perennial multi-species that we’ve established on our trial paddock.

In the section where we’re collecting the data, these different program strips have been separated with electric…

Mark Tupman posted an update in the group Plant Nutrition: Tis the Season for… Plant TestingMost of us would have […]

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:04:36 +0800

Tis the Season for… Plant Testing

Most of us would have carried out our soil testing at the beginning of the season, to inform our initial fertility program, but now that the plants in our pastures, or crops, are established, plant testing is the best way to track where things are at, and make any necessary adjustments.

The two main methods used…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Plant Nutrition: We've got our Mix it Up! Dairy Resilience Field […]

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 03:57:50 +0800

We’ve got our Mix it Up! Dairy Resilience Field Day tomorrow, and we’re adding a bit extra to the day.

After the field day, agronomist Graham Mussell will stick around to run a practical session on how to tissue test your pasture 🌱

We particularly encourage last year’s Healthy Estuaries WA soil testing participants to come along, but it’s open…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Mix It Up! Dairy Resilience Field Day - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Can pasture diversity be used to extend the growing season, improve soil or animal health outcomes, reduce fertiliser requirements... and help farmers

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:33:27 +0800

Property Planning for Biodiversity Benefits

This event has been postponed until 2027 Join us for a practical, full-day session designed to help you step back, look at your property as…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:34:45 +0800

Podcast Recording: Understanding Regenerative Agriculture: Principles, Practices, and Online Course Overview

In this episode of Talkin After Hours Kate chats to agroecologists David Hardwick and Mark Tupman on sustainable land management and introduces a comprehensive online…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:01:16 +0800

Mix it Up! Dairy Resilience Field Day

Can pasture diversity be used to extend the growing season, improve soil or animal health outcomes, reduce fertiliser requirements… and help farmers manage environmental risks? Is…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Trees on Farms: If you haven't listened to it yet, tune in to our […]

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:31:47 +0800

If you haven’t listened to it yet, tune in to our latest podcast and you’ll get a little tase of what Rowan will be talking about in our up coming mini course.

https://lowerblackwood.libsyn.com/talkin-biodiversity-farm-productivity

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Trees on Farms: It's been a long time coming but we have finally managed […]

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:28:39 +0800

It’s been a long time coming but we have finally managed to get Rowan Reid to head west and deliver a mini course for us. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from him in the flesh – details available on our website event page. You can attend just Day 1, or Just Day 2, or both – fees are heavily subsidised and places are limited…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Trees That Work: DAY 1 - Growing Value: Trees For Productive Farms With Rowan Reid - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Presented by nationally renowned agroforestry specialist Rowan Reid, has been designed to help participants understand how thoughtfully integrating trees into

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:18:42 +0800

Trees That Work: DAY 2 - Growing Nature: Shelterbelts, Trees and Biodiversity with Rowan Reid

DAY 2 Join us for a practical, two-day course led by internationally renowned author, educator and agroforestry expert Rowan Reid. Presented by nationally renowned agroforestry…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:09:14 +0800

Trees That Work: DAY 1 - Growing Value: Trees for Productive Farms with Rowan Reid

Join us for a practical, two-day course led by internationally renowned author, educator and agroforestry expert Rowan Reid. Presented by nationally renowned agroforestry specialist Rowan…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update: Don't forget to sign up for the workshop next week - […]

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:19:49 +0800

Don’t forget to sign up for the workshop next week – it’s free, but places are limited.

Hosted by David Hardwick of Soil, Land, Food this is going to be a great session for anyone wanting to boost soil health and protect our environment.

Bring a soil sample if you can 🙂

https://lowerblackwood.com.au/events/integrated_nutrient_management-_workshop/

lowerblackwood.com.au

Integrated Nutrient Management Workshop - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Get soil health savvy with David Hardwick - how to build healthier soils through smarter nutrient management

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Grazing Management: Two paddocks.Same rainfall.Same […]

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:37:43 +0800

Two paddocks.

Same rainfall.

Same fertiliser.

Completely different results.

The clues are all there. You just need to know where to look.

Join David Hardwick next Tuesday as we dig into the hidden processes that determine how nutrients move through your soil, why some pastures thrive while others struggle, and how understanding what’s happening…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Integrated Nutrient Management Workshop - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Get soil health savvy with David Hardwick - how to build healthier soils through smarter nutrient management

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Soil Secrets: Two paddocks. Same rainfall. Same fertiliser. […]

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:33:18 +0800

Two paddocks. Same rainfall. Same fertiliser. Completely different results.

Why?

Next Tuesday, 7 July, soil educator David Hardwick will help you uncover the answers.

This isn’t a workshop about applying more fertiliser. It’s about understanding why your paddocks respond differently in the first place.

You’ll explore the hidden factors that…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Integrated Nutrient Management Workshop - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Get soil health savvy with David Hardwick - how to build healthier soils through smarter nutrient management

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:31:11 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Grazing Management: We've updated an old post from 2023 with Judi's […]

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:51:56 +0800

We’ve updated an old post from 2023 with Judi’s latest presentation from her recent May workshop. Check it out here along with her Pasture Checklist (which hasn’t changed from 2023). https://lowerblackwood.com.au/regenerating-land-with-grazing-livestock-2/

lowerblackwood.com.au

Workshop Wrap: Regenerating Land With Grazing Livestock With Dr Judi Earl- 2026 Update - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Grazing livestock are the most powerful tool we have available to regenerate land. The way grazing animals are moved across the landscape influences soil

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Make Your Own Biological Inputs: For those of you who missed Marks latest workshop on […]

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:47:37 +0800

For those of you who missed Marks latest workshop on DIY Ferts we have included the presentation and recipe in this post: https://lowerblackwood.com.au/workshop-wrap-a-recipe-for-better-soil-diy-fertiliser/

lowerblackwood.com.au

Workshop Wrap : A Recipe For Better Soil - DIY Fertiliser - Lower Blackwood LCDC

There was a little bit of science, a little bit of chemistry and perhaps even a touch of MasterChef when a group of enthusiastic landholders gathered for our

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 03:13:01 +0800

Podcast Recording: Talkin' Diversity & Farm Productivity with Rowan Reid.

In this podcast episode we explore a topic that’s becoming increasingly important for the future of Australian agriculture: how trees on farms can support grazing…

Jay Pyrchla posted an update:

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 02:27:34 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:07:47 +0800

Integrated Nutrient Management Workshop

Get soil health savvy with David Hardwick – how to build healthier soils through smarter nutrient management Healthy soils are the foundation of productive and…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:17:49 +0800

Workshop Wrap : A Recipe for Better Soil - DIY Fertiliser

This post is a presentation summary with recipes included, of a recent workshop held by the Lower Blackwood LCDC in which presenter Mark Tupman from…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Make Your Own Biological Inputs: Great event coming up with Mark Tupman, Thursday […]

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:48:01 +0800

Great event coming up with Mark Tupman, Thursday 11 June.

What we’ll cover:

Which nutrients are needed based on soil and plant testing
How to develop fertiliser formulations to meet your nutritional requirements
The most efficient/practical ways to apply them
When you should apply what based on seasonal crop requirements
How to make your own liquid…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Mixing And Making A Winning Fertiliser Formula - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Fertilisers ain’t cheap at the moment so we want to use them wisely.

Lower Blackwood LCDC started the discussion Mosaic Grazing in the forum Grazing Management

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:31:35 +0800

Mosaic Grazing

This is interesting, anyone done this here? Be good to get some thoughts in how it might be applied in our context and if it would achieve what he claims. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1L6Vb8cvif/?mibextid=wwXIfr

facebook.com

Facebook

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new event, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:32:30 +0800

Mixing and Making a Winning Fertiliser Formula

Fertilisers ain’t cheap at the moment so we want to use them wisely. In this 1/2 day workshop with Mark Tupman from Productive Ecology, we’ll…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Perennial & Biodiverse Pastures: Here's one for this group - tune in to our latest […]

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:54:49 +0800

Here’s one for this group – tune in to our latest podcast with dairy farmers Neville and Elaine Haddon who are doing a lot of experimentation with multispecies and perennial pastures. In the podcast they discuss, among other things, the benefits and challenges of transitioning pastures away from the traditional rye grass and clover on some of…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Podcast Recording: Talkin' Dairying To Be Different With Neville & Elaine Haddon - Lower Blackwood LCDC

In this Talkin' After Hours episode Jo & Kate chat to West Australian dairy farmers Neville and Elaine Haddon. Together with their son Garry, Neville

Kate Tarrant started the discussion Managing Donkeys in High Rainfall South West WA in the winter in the forum Grazing Management

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:07:36 +0800

Managing Donkeys in High Rainfall South West WA in the winter

Hi there, just wondering if anyone out there has experience with Donkeys. Just before summer last year we acquired two, a mother and a foal (they were feral, caught above Geraldton). No problem with grazing in the summer as it is all dry feed but now we have lush green pastures which I know are no good for donkeys. My original plan had been to…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 27 May 2026 04:32:12 +0800

Podcast Recording: Talkin' Dairying to be Different with Neville & Elaine Haddon

In this Talkin’ After Hours episode Jo & Kate chat to West Australian dairy farmers Neville and Elaine Haddon. Together with their son Garry, Neville…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Grazing Management: This forum post was put up by Mark Tupman last year but […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:04:49 +0800

This forum post was put up by Mark Tupman last year but as it is so relevant we are posting it again in this group – great food for thought, plus some excellent background reading if you are going to Judi’s workshop.

https://lowerblackwood.com.au/groups/grazing-management/forum/discussion/the-highs-lows-and-longs-shorts-of-grazing/

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Grazing Management: Hi there, if you haven't had the chance to learn from […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:52:25 +0800

Hi there, if you haven’t had the chance to learn from Dr Judi Earl face to face before don’t miss this opportunity coming up Monday.. details at this link. https://lowerblackwood.com.au/events/smarter-grazing-for-better-land/. If you are not locally based &/or can’t get there then option 2 is to sign up to our free online course ‘An…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Smarter Grazing For Better Land - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Your livestock can do more than just produce meat, milk or wool — they can also help improve the land they graze on.

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Perennial & Biodiverse Pastures: In June, we're launching a Dairy Resilience […]

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:34:01 +0800

In June, we’re launching a Dairy Resilience Peer Group
Program for South West dairy farmers who are ready to build stronger, more
resilient farms from the ground up. We’ll be bringing together two small groups
of eight to ten farmers for a series of five in-person sessions, kicking off in
May 2026 (with a second intake in March 2027). Small…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Dairy Resilience - Lower Blackwood LCDC

Over the next three years, the Lower Blackwood LCDC will be working with Soils For Life and other regional partners to support dairy farmers to build soil

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Trees on Farms: Expressions of Interest are now open for the […]

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:29:42 +0800

Expressions of Interest are now open for the three-year Enhancing Farm Biodiversity Project.

Delivered by the Lower Blackwood LCDC in partnership with Nature Conservation Margaret River, and funded through the WA Government State NRM Program, this project is designed to support landholders to protect and improve remnant vegetation in a way…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted an update in the group Plant Nutrition: Great all round discussion on what managing plant […]

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:20:31 +0800

Great all round discussion on what managing plant nutrition can do for your crop and your pocket..Jason Jarvis from Prime Organics reveals how building healthy, resilient ecosystems leads to nutrient-dense, tastier, and more resilient food, all while reducing reliance on chemicals. His conversation a must-hear for anyone committed to…

lowerblackwood.com.au

Podcast Recording: Growing Smarter - Soil Health, Nutrition & Farming For Profit - Lower Blackwood LCDC

In this Talkin' After Hours Podcast we chat to orchardist and Nuffield Scholar Jason Jarvis of Prime Organics. Jason is known for pioneering biological

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:55:03 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:53:21 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:27:14 +0800

Podcast Recording: Growing Smarter - Soil Health, Nutrition & Farming for Profit

In this Talkin’ After Hours Podcast we chat to orchardist and Nuffield Scholar Jason Jarvis of Prime Organics. Jason is known for pioneering biological farming…

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:39:04 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:28:25 +0800

Lower Blackwood LCDC posted a new post, on the site Lower Blackwood LCDC

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:20:27 +0800

Workshop Wrap - It's Beetlemania!

Farmers and community members joined us recently for a short but engaging workshop all about one of agriculture’s smallest and hardest-working helpers, the dung beetle!…