Big help for small landholders

Free information and advice to assist small landholders to strengthen their agricultural skills and sustainably manage their land, livestock and biosecurity risks will be readily available at many regional shows this year.

Officers from the Department of Agriculture and Food's small landholder information service will be on hand to provide small producers with a wide array of production, maintenance and business information, and essential material for people considering developing, purchasing or improving a small property.

Development officer Jodie Bowling said SLIS provided a free enquiry service, targeted learning events and information products specifically tailored to assist small landholders.

"Events provide a great opportunity for current and potential small landholders to talk to SLIS and other DAFWA staff about farm safety practices, producing healthy, safe food, new and emerging crops," she said.

Ms Bowling said the service provided information on the requirements of livestock registration, identification and movement.

"People can subscribe to our seasonal e-newsletter, which provides information on seasonal land management issues and events and workshops targeted at small landholders," she said.

SLIS will be in attendance at the Warren Districts Show, Bunbury Show, Donnybrook Apple Festival, Balingup Small Farm Field Day, Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day, Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival, Nannup South West Food Bowl Festival and the Waroona, Brunswick, Busselton and Bridgetown shows.

SLIS information and fact sheets will also be available at selected shows in the central agricultural region, including Wagin Woolorama and the Merredin and Narrogin shows.

The DAFWA shed at Wagin Woolorama will provide event visitors with access the latest information about livestock, grains and agribusiness. Preparedness for emergency animal disease will be a focus of the department's biosecurity display at this year's Woolorama, in particular increasing awareness of what a national livestock standstill is, who it would affect and why it is important to co-operate with a standstill.

For more information including a full list of events or to subscribe to the e-newsletter, email small_landholder@agric.wa.gov or phone 9733 7777.