From the general manager's desk

Muresk Institute welcomed over 3,000 students in the 2018-19 financial year who participated in a range of programs around strategic business management skills and technology.

Highlights so far include the return of the Harvest Accelerator Bootcamp in June and a number of training providers such as; RCS Business of Grazing and Pasture to Pocket, KLR Marketing Schools, HorizonOne – Agtech Business Growth Program, Global Drone Solutions Certificate III in Aviation and Remote Pilot - Visual Line of Sight CASA licence delivering training for the first time at Muresk.

We have also been focusing on farm safety with Farmanco presenting Digital Solutions for Workplace Health and Safety Chain of Responsibility Obligations and SafeFarmsWA workshops.

Our persistent commitment to research and development has led to the development of a new partnership with Milne Feeds. The partnership has seen feed conversion trials begin with the Dohne flock and a range of onsite cropping fertiliser and carbon trials.

We have continued to champion the agriculture industry and careers in agriculture by once again hosting our annual Drone versus Dog Trials event and the FarmSmart Showcase – “Precision to Decision”.

To keep up-to-date with news and new programs as they become available, I invite you to like our Facebook page or visit the Muresk Institute website.

Prue Jenkins
General Manager, Muresk Institute

ENROL NOW

ERTECH Civil Construction

Students interested in a career in civil construction took part in the ERTECH Civil Construction course on 15 – 20 July. The course provided participants with the crucial skills needed to create a pathway from school into civil construction. The work place training covers topics in the basics of occupational health and safety, duty of care responsibilities and the operation of large mobile earthmoving equipment with students receiving a Statement of Attainment from Australian Training Management. Units completed in this course contribute towards a Certificate II in Civil Construction.

Dominique retires

In June, long-term employee, Dominique retired from her role as the Client Services and Infrastructure Coordinator. After 38 years spent working at Muresk Institute Dominique will be sorely missed. Dominique graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Education and took up a teaching role at Goomalling Catholic Primary School before starting at Muresk in 1981. Dominique plans to spend time with her daughters, and grandchildren as well as caravanning around with her husband Les. Replacing Dominique at Muresk we have Elise Darsow. Elise comes to us with over nine years’ experience in project management.

Desalination Trial

Muresk Institute is hosting a small scale on-farm desalination trial to test desalination methods and provide farmers with an alternative water supply that is independent of scheme water. The trial is a joint project between the Wheatbelt Development Commission, Murdoch University, Muresk Institute, Water Corporation, Greening Australia and As One Nyitting Ltd. Water produced in the trial will support the planting of native species by Greening Australia and As One Nyitting.

Find out more >

Stud Merino Breeders' Sire Evaluation program

The Stud Merino Breeders’ Sire Evaluation program continues. Commencing with the Artificial Insemination program in January and Breeders Evaluation Day in July, measurements taken included live weight, eye muscle depth and fat. Each animal was also visually classed and had a mid-side sample taken. The progeny headed to Dowerin Field Days on 28 and 29 August to be shorn with all of the data collected from the various sires on display.

Sheep Sensor Trials

A ground-breaking livestock sensor trial has commenced in partnership with Murdoch University, neXtgen Agri, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Students taking part in the trial are undertaking real-time monitoring of sheep feeding patterns and collecting data to inform aspects of production.
On 7 August, Dr Mark Ferguson from neXtgen Agri and Dr Andrew Thompson from Murdoch University presented a workshop at Muresk Institute on the work being undertaken at in the sensor trial. Industry participants and diploma students were given the opportunity to define the role that this new technology could play in their business.

FarmSmart: Precision to Decision

On Wednesday 19 June Muresk Institute played host to key agricultural industry figures and businesses at the FarmSmart Showcase.
The event attracted a crowd of over 200 people and showcased the latest innovation, technologies and upskilling opportunities in agriculture to assist producers to work smarter and not harder.
The theme of this year’s showcase was precision to decision and hosted notable industry speakers such as Dr Mark Ferguson, Sue Middleton, James Williamson, Dr Tim Watts, Don Hancey and Peter Rossdeutscher.

Drone vs Dog

On Wednesday 15 May, 228 students from 11 secondary schools attended the annual Drone vs Dog competition. The competition gave students an insight into the way technology is used in the agricultural industry and the career opportunities available. One student from each school was selected for drone training to compete against the highly trained agility dogs to achieve the best time around an obstacle course.

Find out who won >

PRIMED

Muresk has partnered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Department of Education on the PRIMED project to increase the number of young people pursuing employment in primary industries through shifting the perceptions of the broader community to a more contemporary view of the sector and generally raising awareness.

Find out more >

RePL (remote pilot license)

Teachers and students from the WA Colleges of Agriculture across Western Australia gathered at Muresk Institute on 15 and 16 June for a two-day workshop to earn their Remote Pilot Licences.
Led by industry experts, the course covered topics such as aerodynamics of multi-rotor craft, navigation, air law, meteorology, risk assessment, lithium polymer batteries and more.
If you are interested in earning your Remote Pilot Licence through a course at Muresk Institute please contact Muresk Institute to register your interest.
Keep an eye on our website for more information.

Blue Tree Project

On 20 May 2019 staff from Muresk Institute took part in the Blue Tree Project by painting one of the trees along Muresk Road.
The Blue Tree project, established in 2018, raises awareness for mental wellbeing. If you are interested in getting involved in the Blue Tree project or would like to learn more please visit the website.

FIND OUT MORE >

SafeFarmsWA Workshop

On 5 and 6 of August Maree Gooch from SafeFarmsWA facilitated a workshop with a range of agricultural industry trainers, the Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council, teachers and training staff from the WA Colleges of Agriculture to refresh Occupational Health and Safety units from the Certificate II and III in Agriculture.

SHORT COURSES

View the wide range of industry driven courses, workshops and professional development opportunities available at Muresk Institute.

September
First Aid
Operate and Maintain Chainsaws
Introduction to Beekeeping
Australian Certified Equine Hoof Care Practitioner Course

October
Livestock School

FIND OUT MORE
(Links to ‘Search all Courses’ on the Muresk website)

All the above links go directly to the specified course on the Muresk website.

Training, conference and research facilities
Discover how our specialised training facilities can provide you with a unique environment suitable for training, research and extension, corporate events, seminars and meetings.
FIND OUT MORE

(Links to Training, Conference and Research page on the Muresk website).

Accommodation
Check out our onsite accommodation facilities ideal for corporate events, retreats or camps.
FIND OUT MORE
(Links to Accommodation page on the Muresk website).

Farm
Explore how our 898 hectare farm can help you enhance your organisation’s training and research capabilities.
FIND OUT MORE
(Links to Farm page on the Muresk website).

http://dtwd.wa.gov.au/muresksinstitute