Central West Farming Systems

Central West Farming Systems Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer driven organisation.

Yes, that's chocolate spot. Here's why our faba bean crop diversity trial is still one to watch this season.Disease pres...
17/06/2026

Yes, that's chocolate spot. Here's why our faba bean crop diversity trial is still one to watch this season.

Disease pressure is real — but so is what faba beans bring to a Central West rotation. We're talking fixed nitrogen, a genuine break from cereal root diseases, and soil structure benefits that compound year on year. Chocolate spot is manageable. Skipping legumes in your rotation has a cost too.

Swipe through to see what this trial is showing us — then get out and check your own faba bean crops. Results to come.

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17/06/2026

Can crop diversity help Central West farming systems hold up under drought? That's the question driving this long-term trial.

Through summer cover crops and temporary intercropping, including faba beans, we're investigating how increasing diversity above and below the soil surface can build resilience where it matters most: in a dry year.

Consider; soil health, crop productivity, drought tolerance and increased drought resilience in Central West farming operations. It's a systems question, and it takes time to answer properly.

Long-term data, local conditions. Follow along every Trial Tuesday for updates as this one develops.

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Every millimetre counts. 🌧 The Mixed Farming Systems Long-Term Lucerne Project has recorded 36.5mm across the past five ...
09/06/2026

Every millimetre counts. 🌧
The Mixed Farming Systems Long-Term Lucerne Project has recorded 36.5mm across the past five weeks — and with another 10–20mm forecast, the CWFS team moved fast, completing autumn top-dressing across the lucerne trials before the rain hit.

50 kg/ha of Superfect (0-9-0-11) applied at the right time. Strategic nutrient management isn't just about rates — it's about timing.

4 steps to make your fertiliser program work harder this season: 1️⃣ Soil test and benchmark — good decisions start with accurate data 2️⃣ Match rates to production goals — balance P, S and trace elements to what your stand actually needs 3️⃣ Time to moisture — like current forecast events are the best window for nutrient replacement 4️⃣ Monitor and adjust annually — incremental, consistent nutrition beats large irregular hits For lucerne in a mixed farming system, timely nutrient management is one of the most reliable levers for lifting production and carrying capacity.

Left: Pre-fertiliser. Right: Post-application and rainfall. The recovery speaks for itself.

How are you using these early autumn falls on your farm? Drop a comment below. 👇

09/06/2026

It's Trial Tuesday! Our lucerne trials are being grazed today — a light mow to simulate a grazing cut ahead of our regeneration assessment in a few weeks. Watch this space for results.

🌱🐑 CWFS is inviting members to submit hay, silage or pasture samples for FREE nutritional analysis as part of the Clima...
28/05/2026

🌱🐑 CWFS is inviting members to submit hay, silage or pasture samples for FREE nutritional analysis as part of the Climate Resilient Sheep Farms project.

This project will build a regional feed library and model the value of different feed sources across livestock classes. Members can submit two samples, get FREE results and compare feed quality on-farm.

· Understand your systems feed quality on hand
· Improve your on farm feeding decisions
· Maximise your livestock's performance
· Reduce your production input costs

👉 Register your interest here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRRLRPC for sample collection & testing.

For more information contact CWFS Trials Agronomist Chiara Stommel on 0437 612 140.

This project receives funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

🌦️ How do you use long-term climate information when making decisions on-farm?CSIRO is running a short 5-minute survey t...
26/05/2026

🌦️ How do you use long-term climate information when making decisions on-farm?

CSIRO is running a short 5-minute survey to understand what’s really happening on the ground.

We’d really value your input, whatever your enterprise size and commodities produced.

Your responses will help shape how climate information is developed and delivered to Australian farmers.

👉 Take the survey:
https://csiro.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZPS7RAp5DD3fpk

CSIRO

13/05/2026

Ready to take control of your farm business finances? 🌾📊
Tocal College’s Plan to Profit course is designed to help agricultural business owners build confidence in financial decision‑making — using their own farm data.

Over 12 weeks in this fully online program, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Improve financial literacy
✅ Understand what is (and isn’t) making money
✅ Manage business risk
✅ Answer critical “what‑if” questions for the future

What people have found valuable about this course:
‘Getting to understand what does and doesn't go into the different sections (cashflow/balance sheet/gross margins). Also learning more about the indicator ratios and how they relate to business health.’
‘All of the content because it gave us a better understanding of the farm management/finances and we feel it won't be as overwhelming when we take over the family farm.’

💻 Online | Practical | Industry‑focused
Suitable for new and experienced producers

Funding is available to eligible applicants
👉 Learn more here: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses/short-courses/business-management/plan-to-profit
👉 Apply here by 11 May: https://nswtrade.wufoo.com/forms/q1kk2a4d08zlbkl/

This course is mapped to the following national units of competency:
- AHCBUS517 Monitor and review business performance
- AHCBUS516 Develop and review a business plan
- AHCBUS518 Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports

🐑 CWFS is inviting members to submit hay, silage or pasture samples for FREE nutritional analysis as part of the Climate...
05/05/2026

🐑 CWFS is inviting members to submit hay, silage or pasture samples for FREE nutritional analysis as part of the Climate Resilient Sheep Farms project.

Members can submit two samples, get FREE results and compare feed quality on-farm.

· Understand your systems feed quality on hand
· Improve your on farm feeding decisions
· Maximise your livestock's performance
· Reduce your production input costs

Register your interest here https://surveymonkey.com/r/SRRLRPC
for sample collection & testing.

For more information contact CWFS Trials Agronomist Chiara Stommel on 0437 612 140.

This project will build a regional feed library and model the value of different feed sources across livestock classes.

This project receives funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

05/05/2026

Canola sown just before the weekend rain.
Sown late last week at the CWFS trial site as part of the Evaluating Plant Diversity for Drought Resilience project, with the weekend rainfall giving it a solid start. Rolling into the season, with wheat and faba beans to be sown in the next week. 🌱

Address

152 Fifield Road
Condobolin, NSW
2877

Telephone

+61268951025

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