Fresh Tracks Farm
Case Study: On Farm Composting, Peel-Harvey Catchment
Fresh Tracks Farm | History
When David Cooling grew up on the family farm, it was a productive and thriving dairy farm. When he was around 20 the local dairy industry started to slow, so the family switched to growing lucerne, primarily for the race horse industry. Slowly, David's father sold off much of the land, but David has retained about 100 acres, and the farm is now being managed by his daughter Astrid and her husband Matt.
Astrid and Matt moved from Perth to the farm three years ago.
The family are focused on farming regeneratively and are already undertaking a number of practices to regenerate their land.
They have planted around 4000 trees to restore native bushland and protect the wetlands. Reeds and paper barks have been planted in riparian zones.
They rotationally graze their cattle and sheep, and have a small flock of laying chickens that have just been joined by another flock of meat chickens that are also rotating on their pastures to fertilise particular sections.
Rainbow trout are farmed in winter and plans are being made for barramundi in the summer.
Fresh Tracks | Fact File
- Size: 100 acres
- Livestock: Primarily beef and sheep
- 30,000 bees
- Commercial Status: Slowly building to a net positive income
- Topography: Wetland through the centre of the farm with ridge sand on both sides. The wetland floods in winter then dries out in summer (giving good summer feed). The water table is only about half a metre below the surface allowing abundant grazing through the drier months - particularly through the wetland
- Paper barks recently planted on the wetlands
- Reeds recently planted in riparian zones
- Tuart and Peppermint trees on the property
- Revegetation project recently undertaken with Peel-Harvey Catchment Council around the wetlands
Wetlands through the middle of the farm
Wetlands through the middle of the farm
Native bushland restoration
Native bushland restoration
Composting Background
None of the family have any significant composting experience. Both Astrid and Matt were keen gardeners in the city, but their composting projects didn't go well. Their tumblers didn't really work out - resulting in big clumps of material that didn't really translate to a fine, useable compost.
Matt explains that he and Astrid have plenty of awareness of composting, but not much experience. This is their first larger scale composting experiment...
Inspiration
Astrid and Matt's enthusiasm for composting was ignited with the construction of a Johnson Su Bioreactor. A local workshop introduced them to the static aeration system, and they were keen to build it - and use it - on their own farm.
"I'd heard Astrid talking about the Johnson Su Bioreactor, but it didn't make much sense. But once I saw the video and images it seemed quite straight forward." - David
Astrid was also keen to try vermiculture after watching a Nicole Masters webinar on it.
"There are a lot of resources online - especially youtube and Instagram if you want a more visual way of learning, but I think now it's time for us to get our hands dirty..." - Astrid
Making a Johnson Su Bioreactor at Fresh Tracks Farm
Goal: Scaling up for use across the farm
Next 9 -12 months...
The family is keen to use the Johnson Su compost made at the workshop. They have some key areas in mind (close to where the bioreactor was built).
Next 5 years...
The family are keen to build more bioreactors and also experiment with larger scale compost creation. They recognise that a good compost can help to build soil, but may also work with seed coatings and teas to boost plant growth on the farm.
Trial Sites
The Airstrip
A limestone airstrip used to run down the farm. It was ripped up and used for a causeway across the wetland, but underneath, the soil was poor quality with very little microbial activity. The goal is to revitalise that soil using compost.
Due to the extremely low levels of microbial activity in this specific strip of soil, improvements should be easy to identify visually.
The Cover Crop Paddock
Two seasons ago the family established a cover crop paddock. However, the project had limited success. Compost will be used to improve the condition of the soil, and ultimate provide a stronger base and a more successful cover crop.
This is an ideal trial site as soil tests have already been done, giving a base line for comparisons.
Advice
Research & learn...
Matt's advice is to learn what you can. Attending a composting workshop took the fear out of the process and inspired him and Astrid to start their own composting adventure. Check out what's on locally and go along whenever you can.
Don't overthink it!
There's a lot of information out there and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Although social media is a great source of inspiration it's also packed with all kinds of experts with different views and ideas. Although doing your homework is important, don't overdo it.
Start small
Although we're all keen to get compost on our paddocks it's important to start small and build your confidence. Compost making is a bit of a balancing act, so it's worth spending some time getting some practical experience before you take the plunge.
Heading
Writing is a medium of communication that represents language through the inscription of signs and symbols.
Heading
Writing is a medium of communication that represents language through the inscription of signs and symbols.
Heading
Writing is a medium of communication that represents language through the inscription of signs and symbols.
This case study was produced by 'Talkin' After Hours', the Lower Blackwood Landcare's Online Community & Information Hub
The case study forms part of a collaborative roadshow that took place across seven catchments in the south west of WA in June 2023 to encourage farmers and landholders to build their knowledge and skills to make and use compost.
The roadshow was coordinated by the Lower Blackwood LCDC in collaboration with six other catchment groups across the southwest, and is funded through Soil Wise. Soil Wise is funded by the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative. It is supported by Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program.
Built with Shorthand