As seen in Farm Weekly, 23/03/2023

Irwin Hunter & Co can produce custom mixes for our customers.

We have been seeing more and more farmers who have identified crop species that perform better on their soils and under their farming conditions and environment and therefore have opted to develop their own mix.

More farmers are focusing on regenerative and/or organic farming who are seeking greater diversity in their mixes, as well as using bare seed that is not chemically treated.

With Irwin Hunter & Co’s diverse range that is mostly bare seed, with no treatment, we are able to Mix & Match to the farmers requirements.

An example of one of our valued customers, who prefer for us to make up their own mixes are dairy farmers Rodney and Nicole May.

Rod approached his local farm supplier, Ken Wrigglesworth at Nutrien Ag Solutions, Margaret River, WA as he wanted Irwin Hunter & Co to make a quality custom-made seed to Mix & Match his requirements and to provide a palatable and healthy feed option for his high yielding, dairy, and commercial cows.

Rod’s choice to Mix & Match for 2022 was largely based on knowledge from reliable pasture research and results undertaken within the dairy industry and of course, from his own personal experience on his farm.

The Mix & Match for his requirements included the proven ryegrass varieties Abundant and VS Tetila which are stocked by Irwin Hunter & Co and are specific varieties adapted to Western Australian conditions.

Rod wanted to include a clover variety in his Mix & Match and wanted a variety resistant to Clover Scorch and chose a variety that is supplied by Irwin Hunter & Co, Paradana Balansa Clover, which provides excellent spring production, is highly adaptable and tolerates both acidic soils and waterlogging.

Rod and Nicole May have worked hard over the years and have a real story to tell.

Rod was born and raised in Margaret River and has lived in this gorgeous and fertile part of Western Australia his whole life.

In 1962 he and each of his siblings inherited a small piece of land.

Rodney decided to buy out his siblings and became the proud owner of 114 acres along Burnside Rd.

Rodney was diagnosed with cancer in the early years of his marriage to Nicole when they were expecting their fourth child.

He was given devastating news that he may only have 18 months to live with only a 5 per cent chance of survival.

This was a very difficult and challenging time for the whole family but incredibly Rod’s treatment was totally successful and 20 plus years later he has been cancer free.

This early setback did not deter Rod and Nicole as they have continued to make improvements acquiring more land with a substantial dairy farm totalling around 800 acres.

The dairy farm comprises 240 milking cows with a total herd of 600 cows at different stages of development, including some registered cows that are AI’d with sexed semen, assisting in the production of young heifers for the export market.

The cows are milked daily and during the peak season the dairy produces as much as 8000-8500 litres of milk a day which is then supplied to Harvey Fresh.

Rod and Nicole are experienced dairy farmers and have found it important to continually assess their pasture mix and production methods as well as monitoring their soil conditions, climate, and rainfall from year to year.

They have a close local network and community in Margaret River that supports each other in the industry and as they provide a percentage levy to the Western Dairies and in return gain an additional valuable support structure.

This year Rod prepared and cleared the land by spraying out unwanted and competitive grasses and by scarifying the paddocks where necessary.

Rod completes regular soil analysis tests to identify his soil requirements which he states, “is not only good for your pocket but benefits the environment as well”.

Rod applied 5:1 Potash and had a sowing rate of 150 kg/ha in the autumn and 250 kg/ha in the spring with Hayburst, boosting the bulk and quality of hay and silage.

What is ahead for 2023 for Rod and Nicole May?

Rodney has purchased 190 acres of land nearby that has some old stumps that he is planning to grind down increasing his grazing area and ultimately his grazing and hay production.

He is also planning to add a perennial ryegrass to the Mix & Match this year such as Ausvic or Avalon.

We very much look forward to supporting and tailoring all our Mix & Match customer’s needs, providing the very best in feed and hearing about your pasture improvements and subsequent improvement in animal production as a result of a Mix & Match!