Working BEE!

Just a VISUAL reminder! Our sign on the Pacific Highway.

Wyong Shire Council completes upgrade on Farm road

Throughout the school holidays Wyong Council upgraded the access road which dissects our farm. A new bitumen surface was laid, a concrete boarder, path and new turf edges. The Google Earth image was taken some time ago and does not show the old or new road.

Mulberry Tree- thinks it both Winter & Spring

Our Mulberry Tree has only JUST started to loose it's leaves AND is also starting to generate new Spring growth? AND you think we are confused with the weather? Looking forward to a big crop of Mulberries this Novemebr for ... jam, pies, sauce etc.

Google it!

Students are using Google Earth to create a plan of our farm improvements.

Where would you build additions to our/your farm.

This weekend is our 'resource weekend' when parents & our community can leave useful farm resources that are no longer needed... eg. koppers logs, timber, star posts, PVC piping, wire, netting, reo etc.

Seeds Ready to SPROUT arrived!

iPhone therefore; iWoz, iAm & iWillbe

Diggers.com.au The next project for Wadalba Aggies. is ready to go with the
arrival of Mung Bean, Broccoli, Pea & Alfalfa sprouts.

This is a homework project!

Ewe gets helping hand!

iPhone therefore; iWoz, iAm & iWillbe

Eulimore Springs- Eugowra NSW

Lambing time- ewe heavy with a full coat and about to lamb can roll onto their back and not be able to get up. Twice a day the farmer needs to check lambing ewes and stand any 'waving' ewes upright. A stranded ewe will NOT last long! This one survived! Good for the ewe, lamb and farmer!

'She' sells Seasol from the sea shore!

20ml of Seasol per 9l of water (watering can).

Potatoes love Seasol. We love chips!Last week we applied 'blood & bone' to the soil. This week we applied Seasol to the foliage & soil to condition & fertilise the potato plants.Just 2 more weeks then we can build another tyre on the garden.

Are you READY to care for a 'Poddy Lamb'?

Lambing season generally always brings with it a few little problems, not the least being a number of poddy lambs. Orphan lambs may arise after the death of the ewe or due to abandonment or rejection, especially by first time or maiden ewes and those with multiple lambs. A weak twin or triplet may need to be removed removed from its mother and raised by hand to ensure its survival. A strong, healthy triplet lamb or one that has lost its mother may be grafted onto another ewe that has recently given birth, but this may not be practical in a large flock. Raising orphan lambs by hand is often the best option. Though survival will depend on many factors, having the right equipment and environment are essential for success.
Don't despair as lambs can be reared successfully and economically provided some basic rules are met.

1. A newborn lamb needs a warm, dry and sheltered area out of the wind and hot sun. Provide bedding in the form of straw or shredded newspaper that can be easily replaced when soiled. In cold environments, provide the lamb with a heat source such as a heating lamp until it is able to maintain its own body
2. Good hygiene - it is essential at all stages of hand rearing. This means that all mixing and feeding equipment should be washed thoroughly and on a daily basis in boiling water.
3. In the normal situation the newborn lamb would receive colostrum from its mother when it suckled for the first time - this provides the lamb with an improved chance of survival.
   Artificial colostrum can be made up using 700ml cow's milk, one beaten egg, five ml caster or cod liver oil, 10 gm sugar and 45gm whole cream powdered milk. This will be a useful substitute but does not contain the antibodies of true colostrum.
4. Lambs tend to drink about 500 ml per day for the first week and increase to one to 1.5 litres per day onwards. Cows milk should be fortified with 45gm whole cream powdered milk per litre. From week two the gradual substitution of milk with solids can occur.
5. High protein lamb pellets and top quality leafy lucerne hay should be offered to the poddy's as well as pasture.
6. Once lambs are readily eating the pellets and grain then the frequency and amount of milk can be reduced. This could be as early as eight weeks of age.
7. Introduce lambs to water by three weeks - lambs should drink up to 1.5 litres per day.

We NEED you... AGAIN!

‘Life on the Farm’- Working Bee
When- Sunday August 16 10.00am – 2.00pm
The aim of this day is to utilise the resources donated and additional materials to construct: Garden Plots, Chook/Poultry Enclosures, Storage Shed/s, AND …
As well as general and garden maintenance, painting, AND …
Please bring building and gardening tools and machinery (mowers, wiper snippers, trailers etc.)
A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided.

For more information:
wadalbaarc.blogspot.com
wadalbafarm.blogspot.com
or contact the school on 43925000

Mr Mullaney, Mr Drury and Ms Kettle
Teachers
7/07/2009

We NEED you!

Agriculture and Aquaculture (Marine) Technology

Dear Parents and Students
We NEED your help!

‘Life on the Farm’
Agriculture and Aquaculture Technology
We are asking our community to assist us in accelerating the development of our school and community farm. WE NEEED resources, parents and students.

1. ‘Life on the Farm’- Resource Day
When: Saturday- August 1 & Sunday August 2 9.00am – 3.00pm
We desperately need materials and tools that may NOT be of use to you (or your friends/relatives/neighbours):
Corrugated OR Colour bond iron sheeting, Coppers logs and timber, wire mesh, road base, pavers, PVC piping, gardening tools, star pickets AND …
* During these days the Wadalba Community School ‘farm gate’- Pacific Highway will be open and you are asked to neatly ‘drop off’ any material within our farm area.

To fertilise or NOT to fertilise... that is the question

Why fertilise?
.... please add your comments
*cost efficiency/recovery

What does fertiliser contain?
.... please add your comments


Observation: Plants are thriving and all 3 varieties have emerged and rapidly growing.
Potato plants were fertilised at a rate of 150gm per metre, which calculated to approx. 75g per plant.