EP Ag Chats

Livestock Lowdown: Spring sheep health with Dr Colin TrengoveA good season has brought plenty of pasture growth across Eyre Peninsula, but it can also bring animal health challenges. In the first episode of The Livestock Lowdown, veterinarian Dr Colin Trengove from ProAg Consulting discusses what sheep producers should watch for as spring turns to summer and harvest gets underway.Colin covers worms and when to use worm egg counts, trace elements, flystrike, ram checks before joining, and managing lambs through changes in feed. He also explains why it pays to keep checking stock even when they appear to be doing well.Further resources are linked in the show notes. This conversation provides general information; speak with your local vet or adviser about concerns in your flock.The Livestock Lowdown is supported by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board with funding from the South Australian Government’s Landscapes Priorities Fund.Ram exams: https://www.wool.com/on-farm-research/rams/Vaccination schedule: https://elearning.mla.com.au/lessons/when-to-vaccinate-2/Worm egg count protocol: https://wormboss.com.au/tests-tools/worm-egg-counting/Flystrike management tools: https://flyboss.com.au/flystrike-tools/Protect your flock from pneumonia: https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/sheep-pneumonia-heres-how-to-protect-flock-health/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Giles catches up with Yeelanna grower Mark Modra to talk about managing risk in a season that has started wet and full of potential. They discuss mixed farming, variable soil types, nitrogen decisions, changing rotations, canola gross margins, sustainability audits and the challenge of knowing when to keep investing in a crop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Risk Wise, Jake Giles speaks with John Richardson from lower Eyre Peninsula about managing risk in a high-rainfall, waterlogging-prone farming system.John farms in partnership with his brother Stuart between Yallunda Flat and Tumby Bay, where variable soils, hilly country and poorly structured clay subsoils mean too much moisture can be just as limiting as not enough. He explains how the 2026 season is unfolding, the impact of waterlogging on wheat, canola and pastures, and how rainfall patterns influence nitrogen decisions and yield potential.The conversation also explores the value of faba beans and legumes in reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen, how mixed farming helps spread seasonal risk, and why building a more resilient nitrogen buffer in the soil is a long-term goal for the business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Giles speaks with Ashley “AJ” Michael, a mixed farmer from Mount Damper west of Wudinna, about a high-potential but demanding start to the 2026 season. AJ discusses early sowing, wet conditions, fertiliser and fuel supply challenges, nitrogen decisions, sand amelioration, the move away from sheep, and the balance between managing costs and taking advantage of a strong seasonal opportunity. The conversation highlights a key RiskWise theme: when the season presents rare upside, growers still need to weigh input costs, logistics, seasonal risk and business confidence before deciding how hard to push.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this RiskWi$e episode, Jake Giles speaks with Paul Schaefer, a farmer near Pinkawillinie west of Kimba, about the unusually strong start to the 2026 season. Paul describes near-ideal conditions, with early rain building subsoil moisture, good April sowing conditions, and follow-up rain in May. He started sowing in mid-April and deliberately stretched the program to manage risk, especially on sandier country. While he expects an above-average season, he avoids setting a firm yield target because conditions on the Upper Eyre Peninsula can still change quickly.The discussion focuses heavily on fertiliser, nitrogen, sulfur, and seasonal risk. Paul has applied the fertiliser already on farm, prioritising lentil stubbles, cereal stubbles, and higher-potential medic country, while keeping profitability in mind given high input costs and uncertain commodity prices. He reflects on 2022, when crops yielded more than expected for the nitrogen applied, and hopes stored or mineralised nitrogen may again support yield this season. The biggest risk he identifies is frost, because it can cause major losses overnight, followed by the possibility of a hot, dry finish. Despite those risks, Paul is optimistic and interested to see what the farm can produce in what he describes as uncharted rainfall territory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.