With a focus on sustainable food and fibre production, Wayne and Jody Pech have shifted the balance of their mixed farm operation in the Great Southern of Western Australia. The change reflects the need to adapt to changing conditions.
Wayne says the move from a 50:50 crop-to-livestock ratio to a 60:40 split has increased crop residue and strengthened the system’s ability to support 30,000 head of sheep.
“While we don’t get the big income peaks from 100 per cent cropping, we don’t get the big losses either,” Wayne says.
Annual rainfall of 350 millimetres means the Pechs prioritise flexible planning, adjusting to seasonal breaks, and using a well-organised operations calendar to handle simultaneous large tasks in their enterprise, which covers 13,000 hectares over four properties in a triangle from Gnowangerup to Cranbrook and North Stirlings.
The operation also leans heavily on legumes for soil fertility in the cropping and pasture phases.
Crops such as wheat, barley, canola, faba beans and lupins are selected for their nitrogen-fixing and weed-control benefits. To optimise soil moisture and water use, the Pechs employ minimum tillage and remote monitoring tools such as Cibo Labs.
“We remove stock before biomass gets too low and use confined feeding pens to hold livestock during dry periods,” Wayne explains.
To protect soil from erosion and compaction caused by grazing, the Pechs avoid overgrazing, use remote monitoring for pasture health, and maintain feed reserves for up to two years. They also leverage smart water management tools, investing heavily in dams and catchments instead of relying on saline groundwater.
“We have invested considerably over decades in catching surface water using dams and catchments. In 2024, we spent $50,000 renovating catchments, ensuring water security,” Wayne says.
The Pechs balance economic and environmental sustainability through carbon auditing, tree-planting programs, and a focus on biodiversity conservation. They protect remnant native vegetation by excluding livestock and planting trees.
Skill development and expert advice play key roles in their business. Wayne takes short courses to stay informed, and in 2024 he spoke at the GRDC-supported 21st Agronomy Australia Conference about his farming operation.
It was an opportunity to reflect on our business and network with Australia’s leading agronomists.
The Pechs also seek advice from consultants in various aspects of their business, and document their farm’s performance using digital platforms.
Recently, they transitioned to a company structure to improve management and succession planning, ensuring the farm’s long-term viability.
More information: read Building resilience in a mixed farming business.