Talkin' After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC

Lower Blackwood LCDC
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Talkin After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC is hosted by Jo Wren and Kate Tarrant from the Lower Blackwood LCDC who, each month, will be talking all things Sustainable Ag, bringing you an interesting and informative interview with an expert on a particular farming or landcare topic. The Lower Blackwood LCDC are a not-for-profit, community managed, independent Landcare and sustainable Ag organisation located in the South West of Western Australia.

  1. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Talkin' Soil to Strategy with Joel Williams

    How do you turn everything you're hearing about soil health into practical decisions on your own farm? In this episode of Talkin' After Hours, Jo chats with soil and plant health educator and consultant Joel Williams about moving from soil knowledge to farm strategy. They explore how to identify what might be limiting your farming system, what soil tests can — and can't — tell you, and why simple observations in the paddock can be just as valuable as numbers on a page. Joel also shares his approach to making small, incremental changes, using simple on-farm trials to test what works, and looking beyond product claims to ask a more useful question: what constraint are you actually trying to address? It's a practical conversation about making sense of soil and plant health information, building confidence in your own observations, and working out what makes sense for your farm. In this episode we talk about: translating soil health principles into practical on-farm decisions simple ways to assess soil health in the paddock making sense of soil test results identifying limiting factors and deciding what to tackle first using small on-farm trials before making bigger changes assessing soil and plant health products beyond the marketing why observation remains one of a farmer's most useful tools. Plus: Joel will be joining Lower Blackwood in October for the Talkin' After Hours Masterclass: Your Farm in Focus, where a small group of farmers will have the opportunity to work through their own farm questions, soil and plant test results and practical next steps with Joel.

  2. Jul 29

    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 course designed to demystify regenerative practices. Discover what regenerative agriculture truly means, its ecological foundations, and how farmers of all scales can implement its principles. In this episode we discuss:          The definition and core principles of regenerative agriculture How regenerative farming works with ecological systems to enhance resilience The importance of soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning Practical practices: soil management, grazing, and horticulture The role of ecology in reducing input costs and environmental impact Scaling regenerative practices from small farms to large operations The evolution of regenerative agriculture from organic and agro-ecology roots Th structure and modules of the new online course in regenerative farming The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing regenerative systems Sign up for the course here: https://lowerblackwood.com.au/register/

  3. Jun 24

    Talkin' Biodiversity & Farm Productivity

    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 livestock, improve productivity, strengthen biodiversity, build climate resilience, and create new opportunities for farmers. To help us unpack this fascinating topic Kate chats to one of Australia's leading voices in agroforestry and farm forestry, Rowan Reid. Rowan makes the case that, when thoughtfully integrated into grazing systems, trees & shrubs can improve livestock welfare, boost biodiversity, strengthen climate and fire resilience, and even support long-term profitability. With decades of practical experience and research-backed insight, Rowan explains why the best approach is not a one-size-fits-all formula, but a patient, place-based strategy that starts small, builds confidence, and helps farmers create a more productive and resilient landscape for the future.

  4. May 27

    Talkin' Dairying to be Different

    In this Talkin' After Hours episode Jo & Kate chat to West Australian dairy farmers, Neville and Elaine Haddon. Together with their son Garry, Neville & Elaine run a major dairy operation in Busselton, milking around 1,300 cows and supplying more than 12 million litres of milk to Harvey Fresh every year. But despite operating at that scale, the Haddons are still asking questions. How do you grow better pasture with fewer inputs? How do you improve soil health while staying productive and profitable? And how do you build resilience into a farming system facing rising costs and increasingly dry seasons? Their farm in Warner Glen in the Lower Blackwood has become the place where they explore those questions — trialling multi-species pastures, experimenting with perennial systems, protecting creeklines and encouraging biodiversity, all while looking for lessons that could potentially reshape the way they farm back in Busselton. In our conversation, Neville and Elaine reflect on their remarkable journey — from Neville partnering with his brother to buy his first farm at just 16 years old, through decades of hard work in the dairy industry, to becoming passionate advocates for healthier soils and more resilient farming systems. Tune in to hear about the pressures facing dairy farmers today, the realities of running a large-scale operation, and why curiosity and a willingness to try things differently still drives them after all these years. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Haddons' Dairy Journey 01:51 Challenges and Motivations in Dairy Farming 05:58 Current Pressures in the Dairy Industry 08:03 Operational Insights from Busselton 10:44 Exploring Regenerative Agriculture Practices 12:27 Innovative Farming Techniques and Sustainability 17:08 The Importance of Soil Health 19:08 Future of Agriculture and Sustainable Practices 23:30 Innovative Weed Control Strategies 26:49 Environmental Stewardship in Farming 28:30 Enhancing Farm Biodiversity 29:59 Soil Health and Crop Establishment 32:15 Grazing Management and Pasture Diversity 36:05 Nutritional Management for Livestock 39:46 Future Vision for Blackwood Springs 42:50 Challenges and Support in Regenerative Agriculture 45:10 Encouragement for New Farmers

  5. Apr 28

    Growing Smarter: Soil Health, Nutrition & Farming for Profit with Jason Jarvis

    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 techniques that boost soil health and crop nutrition. His expertise in soil microbiology and sustainable practices make this conversation a must-hear for anyone committed to farming that's profitable, planet-friendly, and nutrient-rich.  In the podcast Jason reveals how building healthy, resilient ecosystems leads to nutrient-dense, tastier, and more resilient food, all while reducing reliance on chemicals. His journey from conventional practices to biological farming offers lessons you can apply, whether you're a home gardener or managing a large-scale farm.  You'll hear about the science behind soil microbes and their role in nutrient uptake—why healthy plants are naturally pest and disease resistant. Jason shares practical tactics like soil testing protocols, compost brewing techniques, and the use of biochar and compost extracts to supercharge soil life. We break down the importance of testing, observation, and making data-driven decisions that improve crop health and farm profitability. You'll also hear about how market trends influence farming decisions, the current challenges with imported inputs, and why focusing on biological health is more important than ever amid climate stress and rising fertilizer costs.

  6. Mar 27

    Biological Planting Treatments for Pasture & Livestock Systems with Mark Tupman

    Imagine sharp early seedling development, resilient plants, and richer soils—all sparked by a tiny biological boost right at the seed stage. That's the promise of biological planting treatments, a probiotic approach that works with, not against, nature to supercharge your farm's productivity. In this podcast episode Jo and Kate chat to Regenerative Agriculture Coach Mark Tupman and uncover the science behind biological planting treatments—what they are, how they differ from traditional methods, and why they might be the secret weapon for pasture and livestock farmers as a low-cost way to improve pasture establishment and soil vitality.   This podcast forms part of a collaborative project with RegenWA called 'Make Your Hectare Count'. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program. This podcast also forms part of the Regenerative Agriculture in Practice Program 2026. This project is supported by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River's Environmental Management fund.

  7. Feb 24

    Not Just Dirt with Kevin Elmy

    In this podcast episode we chat to Kevin Elmy from Cover Cropping Canada on the science of soil health, revealing how to enhance water storage, carbon sequestration, and biological activity beyond standard tests. Hear about practical strategies like using cover crops and understanding the legacy microbiome effect to boost resilience and crop performance. Kevin also shares actionable insights for farmers and landholders to save money, increase profits, and connect with nature. Tune in to rethink farming as a partnership with nature, unlocking your farm's potential for healthier soils and more sustainable practices. This podcast forms part of a collaborative project with RegenWA called 'Make Your Hectares Count'. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.

  8. 09/30/2025

    Beyond Pastures: Perennial Shrubs in Grazing Systems

    In this episode of Talking After Hours, we chat with agricultural scientist Dr Dean Revell. Our conversation explores the why, what, where & how of integrating perennial shrubs into grazing systems, the nutritional benefits for livestock, and the management practices necessary for successful establishment and utilization. Our conversation also touches on the economic implications of shrub integration, the training of livestock to utilize new forage types, and the potential for carbon farming and biodiversity credits in enhancing farm profitability.   This podcast forms part of a collaborative project with RegenWA called 'Make Your Hectare Count'. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program. This podcast also forms part of the Regenerative Agriculture in Project Program 2025. This project is supported through funding from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River's Environmental Management.

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About

Talkin After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC is hosted by Jo Wren and Kate Tarrant from the Lower Blackwood LCDC who, each month, will be talking all things Sustainable Ag, bringing you an interesting and informative interview with an expert on a particular farming or landcare topic. The Lower Blackwood LCDC are a not-for-profit, community managed, independent Landcare and sustainable Ag organisation located in the South West of Western Australia.

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