Functions & goals

• Muresk is unique amongst agricultural and agribusiness teaching institutions in Australia - it has a profitable farm run along commercial lines.
• The Muresk farm has two main functions:

• A teaching and learning laboratory for management and technology units.

 

• A research resource for students, staff and industry. [Click to see research projects on Muresk farm]

 

• To ensure it can achieve these functions effectively our goal is for the farm to run profitably and to benchmark in the top 10% of farms in the Northam area. We believe a profitable, commercial farm provides the ideal teaching model for our students.
• Endeavouring to achieve these aims has benefits for staff; it gives them an opportunity to practice what they preach.
• It also provides an opportunity for students to be involved in applying the theory they learn to real-life problems of a commercial farm.
• Previously the farm was run along institutional lines, but in the past four years we have begun the process of turning the farm around, improving its production practices and reinvesting in machinery and infrastructure. All of this is being funded out of profits generated by the farm, not from University funds.
• We still have a considerable way to go, but we are committed to ensuring its success.
• Click link to see Detailed Farm Map | Soils Map
• Analysis of Muresk weather data can be seen at http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/climate/clig/Climinfo/awsdata/MK.htm
• Pig Skills Centre

Some statistics on the farm

• The farm is 1,646 hectares total of which approximately 1,1134 hectares is arable.
• This year's [2007] cropping program involves: 200 ha of Hard wheat; 100 ha of Noodle wheat; 250 ha of Malting barley; 90 ha of Oaten hay; and 10 ha of peas.
• We run approximately 3,500 sheep (1,000 merino ewes, 700 prime lamb ewes) and 30 cattle (20 breeders).

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