From cynic to convert - Jean and Harley Webb
From cynic to convert - Jean and Harley Webb - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
 When Jean and Harley Webb realized that, like most farmers, they are price takers, they decided to do something about it.“The prices we get for our cattle can be quite low,” said Mrs Webb. “But rather than sitting around and whingeing about the prices we get paid, we decided to look at what we can influence.” They soon began to look at their production. “Price is one area where we have very little influence. But it’s a completely different story when it comes to the amount of beef we produce,” said Mr Webb. “We joined the Beef Profit Partnership in the hope they would be able to help us do things better and cheaper.” But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Webbs, who joined their BPP group in February, 2009. Mr Webb admits he didn’t jump at the idea of joining his local BPP. “You couldn’t have got anyone any more unconvinced of this process than I was in the beginning,” said Mr Webb. “I basically thought ‘oh, here we go again. Another hair brained schemethey’ve dreamed up’. But having seen the improvements which have been made in less than 12 months, Mr Webb is now a convert. According to Mrs Webb, the group has given them the motivation to make changes. “As a farmer, you often go along doing the same old thing year in, year out. But that soon becomes stale,” she said. “Being a part of the group has given us lots of ideas and the ability to share information with other beef producers. That has helped us change our direction.” Ultimately, the Webbs are hoping to increase the number of kilograms of beef they produce on each hectare. Currently they run about 224 breeders as well as 33 mated heifers but hope to increase that to 300-350 breeders within three years. “You could probably say with less than 250 breeders, our property is under stocked,” said Mrs Webb. “In fact it has been pointed out to us on a number of occasions that some of our cattle would be good candidates for Jenny Craig.” But according to the Webbs, the only thing that understocking has done is reduce the quality of feed they have on offer. “If we can increase our stocking rate to 1 cow/calf unit per hectare that should not only improve the pasture but it will also help to increase the amount of kilograms of beef we produce,” said Mrs Webb. While increasing their turnoff is their main focus, there are several other things the Webbs are doing to increase their profitability. “The BPP process isn’t just about having one big idea and working to achieve that,” said Mrs Webb. “It’s about looking at a range of different areas which can affect profit and then working on those little focuses to ensure they feed into the main focus.” As a result, the Webbs have also identified herd health and pastures as other priority areas. “Every August we usually get the cattle in to the yards and given them a drench and a lice treatment,” said Mr Webb. “Most people look at their cattle and if they think they need to drench them they will. I am exactly the same,” he said. “The cattle had come through a very wet winter and were looking scruffy in the coat. For the first time ever I decided to test for worms and by doing so found they had very few. So I saved myself $1000 in drench.” Mrs Webb said they did the same thing with fertliser. “We were assisted with a better understanding of our soil test results and realized there was no need to apply as much potash as we normally do,” she said. “The money we saved on potash was then spent on purchasing lime for our hay paddocks to ensure the pH levels were spot on.” The Webbs said this has taught them a very valuable lesson. “Most farmers just do things because they’ve always done it. They really just throw it on and hope,” said Mr Webb. “But that’s what is so good about the BPPs. They actually teach you the importance of measuring the things you do to ensure they really are having a positive impact.” The Webbs have also begun a rotational grazing system and by doing so have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of their pasture. “I’ve always run my cattle in age groups so I’ve had lot of small mobs. Now though I have mobs of 50,” said Mr Webb. “I graze the cattle harder and shift them when they have eaten the pasture right down.” Although initially apprehensive, Mr Webb said he was surprised by the outcome. “I really didn’t think rotational grazing would work. But I thought I would try it and see what happens and I have definitely seen an improvement in the pasture,” he said. “I usually have to spray out things like Capeweed, but now that the pasture is being eaten shorter, the cattle are eating everything which gives the perennials a chance to get away.” Although excited about the possibility of increasing their turnoff, the Webbs are still a little daunted about the prospect of running an extra 50 to 100 breeders on the same area. “Even though we have had a horrendously wet year and everything is waterlogged, the cattle are still in very good condition. Some are even still in need of Jenny Craig,” said Mrs Webb. “The calves are still putting on weight and in some cases are actually heavier than last year, so hopefully that means that we’ll be able to carry the extra cattle without too much of a problem." |
| For more information contact Sue-Ellen Shaw, DAFWA, Facilitator, Albany BPP Tel: (08) 9892 8444 or email sue-ellen.shaw@agric.wa.gov.au |
