Network News

May 2024

GeoCatch acknowledges the Wadandi Saltwater people, the Traditional Owners of this land, and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities.

Dear Geo,

With the first rains of Djeran now upon us, farmers and gardeners across the catchment are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

Read on for all the news on what we have been up to in the Geographe Catchment.

Photo: The colours of early morning Djeran filter across a sheep paddock in the Geographe catchment.

Staff updates

GeoCatch welcomes Olivia Tunney to our Sustainable Agriculture team. Olivia graduated from the University of Melbourne where she specialised in Ecology and threatened species management. For three years she immersed herself in the Victorian Alpine region chasing endangered moths. But feeling the tug of her West Australian roots (and the need for a decent beach) she recently moved back to sunny WA.

Growing up on a working cattle and sheep farm, Olivia became passionate about sustainable agriculture and is excited to work in this area with the GeoCatch team and local farmers. When not hard at work, you can find Olivia playing volleyball or somewhere hiking in the bush.

Meet the rest of the GeoCatch team here.

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Funding for turtles and FireWise gardens

What do snake-necked turtles and firewise gardens have in common? They are both on the list of new programs to be delivered by GeoCatch this year. GeoCatch has announced the two innovative new programs have received support from the City of Busselton’s ‘You Choose’ funding program.

Members of the community voted online for their favourite projects, choosing GeoCatch’s FireWise Demonstration Garden and ‘Turtle Trackers’, a Citizen Science project, along with six other worthwhile community initiatives.

Generations caring for the Capel River

For Capel farmer David Hutton, looking after the Capel River is more than just a passing interest. Gazing upstream, he has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the river that flows year-round and brings life through bone-dry paddocks and brown summer farmland.

“The Yarragadee aquifer comes to the surface upstream and provides the water for all these plants and animals to survive throughout the summer,” said David.

His knowledge of the interconnected ecosystem within the river has been helping scientists understand more about the ecology that lies within. “For example, you see this weed here,” says David as he reaches into the cool, clear-flowing waters. “You will only find glass shrimp in areas where this weed grows.”

Scientific scuba divers keep watch on seagrass

Scientists from Edith Cowan University have been undertaking seagrass research in Geographe Bay and are encouraged by the latest results. The scientific scuba divers were out and about in Geographe Bay to continue with the 13th consecutive year of sampling.

Each summer, scientists from Edith Cowan University join divers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to monitor the seagrass meadows at fixed sites across Geographe Bay. The program aims to assess seagrass health by tracking changes over time.

Western Ringtail Possum News

2024 Ringtail Tally

The 2024 Ringtail tally has been completed. Thanks to all who were involved, your efforts go towards helping the survival of the critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum.

If you still have outstanding tally forms, please email to geocatch@dwer.wa.gov.au

Photo by Wendy Spencer.

Click here for more information on the Ringtail Tally.

Injured possum survival rates

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Bay OK Gardens

FireWise Garden installation

GeoCatch's first FireWise garden is currently under construction, with the finishing touches to be done during a workshop this Saturday 18th May.

FireWise Gardens are not only beautiful but help protect lives, property, and bushland by reducing the risk of wildfire and its devasting effect on our communities and the places where we live.

On the Farm

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Liquid gold helping farmers renew paddocks

What do worm poo and compost tea have to do with helping both farmers and the environment? Geographe farmers gathered at Greg Norton’s farm to find out.

Mark Tupman, from Productive Ecology, delved into the invisible world of biological treatments utilising compost and worm extracts, giving farmers practical techniques for incorporating compost extracts into their farming practices.

Innovative applications such as large-scale seed coating, foliar sprays, and furrow treatments for seeding were demonstrated throughout the workshop. These advanced farming techniques are helping farmers leverage the potential of natural resources for pasture production and soil health.

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Precision testing in the paddock

Farmers in the Geographe catchment have been learning how to significantly enhance the effectiveness of their fertiliser program.

Accurate application of fertiliser saves farmers money and helps our environment by limiting the amount of fertiliser lost through runoff during winter and spring.

Unlocking farm success with Grazing Matcher

The 2024 Grazing Matcher program has started, with 8 farmers enrolled who are keen to enhance their grazing management practices and boost business performance.

How do farmers test their soil?

Michelle Priest from GeoCatch presented a light-hearted yet informative ‘DIY Soil Testing” session to farmers at the South West NRM Pasture Challenge final results event.

Michelle was interviewed by Rick Shaw (AKA Peter Clifton, South West NRM’s Sustainable Agriculture Manager) who somehow managed to ask all the wrong questions, to which Michelle gave all the right answers. This fun look at DIY on-farm soil testing demonstrated there are some basic procedures to follow and it can be done by farmers with a few simple tools.

Passionate breeders return to farming

Farm Weekly recently caught up with Metricup beef farmers, Paul and Amanda Payne, to have a chat about their return to farming and working 120 ha where they run 86 Angus breeders, and the GeoCatch programs that they have been involved in.

Mr Payne said “When it comes to pasture management and rotational grazing, two programs have played a vital role in the pasture improvement at Paynedale”.

Revitalising Geographe Waterways

Clay trials on dryland dairy pasture improving nutrient retention

Farm trials using clay as a soil amendment are starting to show positive results in improved nutrient retention. Dr Brad Degens, senior soil scientist at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation said that adding clays to pasture soils can improve water retention and help build organic matter, with potential benefits for reducing nutrient losses to waterways.

Farm trials confirm IMG effectiveness on dairy farms

Farm trials undertaken through Healthy Estuaries WA using the soil amendment Iron Man Gypsum (IMG) are continuing to build confidence in the effectiveness of IMG to improve soil nutrient retention.

Results of three trials through the State Government’s Healthy Estuaries WA program have again confirmed that a single top-dress application to pastures can significantly improve retention of phosphorus.

Vasse Estuary sediment removal complete

Sediment removal from Vasse Estuary has now been completed. Sediment has accumulated in the waterways over many years and is linked to odours in the summer months. The Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands are a unique and significant natural asset in the Busselton region, recognised internationally for their importance as waterbird habitat.

This project is part of the Revitalising Geographe Waterways program, which aims to improve water quality in Geographe waterways and is overseen by the Vasse Taskforce.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

DIY catio building workshop

Do you own a cat but are not sure where to start on building a catio? Mitre 10 Margaret River and GeoCatch are running an interactive DIY catio workshop to help you on your way to building your feline friend an affordable catio.

The workshop will show cat owners how to build a cat enclosure including the materials and tools required, design and installation process. Delivered by sustainability expert Chris Ferreira from The Forever Project and Eco Builder Matty Noakes, participants will get to see a step-by-step construction of a catio.

Click here to register for the $200 catio rebate.

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FireWise Gardens workshop

Saturday 18th May.

Is your garden Bushfire Ready?

Join us for an interactive community workshop to demonstrate the principles of FireWise garden design. During the workshop, you will see what it takes to design and create a FireWise garden.

Save the date: Biochar workshop

Professor Stephen Joseph from ANZ Biochar Industry Group is visiting WA. He is the author of numerous Biochar papers, including A Farmer’s guide.

Items for Loan

GeoCatch have a range of resources that can be loaned from our Busselton office. This includes:

Pottiputkis and belted planting buckets to help with your winter planting
Fox & feral cats traps
Dieback treatment kits
Library resources such as CSIRO’s latest book ‘Natural Asset Farming: Creating Productive and Biodiverse Farms’.

To organise a loan of any of our resources, contact GeoCatch on 0491 069 078, email geocatch@dwer.wa.gov.au, or complete the form here.

Phone: 0491 069 078

Email: geocatch@dwer.wa.gov.au

Website: geocatch.asn.au