Talkin' After Hours with the Lower Blackwood LCDC

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/

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.

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

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.

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.