DPIRD shed packed with diverse offering at Dowerin field days

The importance of livestock disease preparedness, livestock traceability and plant biosecurity information will be promoted to visitors.

DPIRD animal surveillance manager Marion Seymour said visitors would have the opportunity to speak with a DPIRD veterinarian about preparing for livestock biosecurity threats such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.

“Good on-farm biosecurity plays an important role in reducing the risk of an exotic disease establishing,” Dr Seymour said.

“There will also be about 100 free farm biosecurity signs available, offered on a first-in, first-served basis.”

DPIRD officers will be on hand so livestock owners can check their registration details are correct and up to date.

This registration information is mandatory and vital to ensure stock can be traced effectively in the event of a disease outbreak.

Plant biosecurity staff will have information on biosecurity preparedness and how to report unusual plant pests or diseases through the MyPestGuide Reporter app.

The property mapping team will once again be in the shed where people can check, view and update their farm property details. 

DPIRD’s Climate Resilience team are focusing on farming in a changing environment, including examining the potential for carbon storage as another income stream or to improve soil health for farm productivity.

Team members will discuss what the Katanning Research Station is doing to become carbon neutral, and how this can be applied by farmers. There will be a display that maps a farm to review water drainage, degradation and using land not available to crop in other ways to improve the value of the property.

DPIRD will also have a ‘speakers corner’ outside the DPIRD shed, with speakers including: Charles Massy on Regenerative Agriculture; Meredith Guthrie on weather forecasts for the wheatbelt and Kevin Foster’s guide to spotting weeds that will affect sheep fertility.

DPIRD senior project officer Suzanne Hawkes said high school students taking part in the upcoming Western Australian Robotics Playoffs and Agricultural Games would be part of a unique display this year.

“Visitors will be able to watch the students working on their robots and see completed robots demonstrating what they can do,” Mrs Hawkes said.

“The aim of this competition is to increase students’ awareness of the diverse and exciting challenges and career opportunities which exist in primary industries.”

The shed will also host representatives from Regional Men’s Health, the Grower Group Alliance, The University of Western Australia, Perth NRM and Outback Carbon.

The Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days will be held on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 August. The department’s shed is located along Uberin Street, Dowerin.