The Woodwards' Farm Our next stop was the 1200ha farm of Peter and Karen Woodward, east of Wickepin, where rainfall is low - approximately 300mm a year. This family farm is now converted to organic sheep and wheat production. There are many kilometres of contour earth banks which mimic natural drainage patterns disturbed by decades of farming. Every year they have planted an Oil Mallee woodlot. The certified A Grade organic wool is popular with the Japanese, who have strict controls on effluent from wool scouring.
Some lamb is sold for the organic meat market.
Since going organic, no summer wind erosion has appeared, despite being very dry. The health of sheep and the Woodward family has been very good, too. Originally Peter's father farmed virtually organically, but problems arose when superphosphate came on the scene. But this size flock is great for fast rotations. For ideal pasture growth they reckon the sheep would spend just one day in a 20ha paddock, whereas the Woodwards' paddocks are about 40ha each.