South-West WA Hub Update

July 2024

2024 Soil Capacity Building Grant

Continued Funding for Soil Health Boosts Australia's Drought Resilience

The eight Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs have welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of grant funded projects focused on enhancing soil health through climate-smart agriculture, including a $6.2 million commitment to continue the national network of Regional Soils Coordinators who support the delivery of integrated and targeted soils services to farmers and communities, broker partnerships with industry and stakeholders and provide networks for researchers, primary producers, First Nations peoples and community groups to work together.

Speaking on behalf of the eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs, Mark Holland, Director of the SW WA Drought Hub said the funding extension was significant as it would enable the hubs to maintain their dedicated Regional Soils Coordinators who have played a pivotal role in promoting soil health and climate-smart sustainable agriculture approaches across Australia. 

Latest Grantees - Small Network Grants 

GNRBA to host workshops focused on business decision making, succession, mental health

The SW WA Drought Hub congratulates and strongly supports the Goldfields Nullarbor Regional Biosecurity Association (GNRBA) and its members for their successful application in the recent FRRR Small Networks Grant, funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF). GNRBA will host two workshops across the Goldfields-Nullarbor region, aimed at strengthening community preparedness and resilience against future droughts.

These workshops will bring experts to these remote regions at a critical time, as pastoralists have faced consecutive years of low rainfall. The sessions will focus on business decision-making, succession planning, and mental health, while also providing a forum to extend the Hub's FDF project, “Managing the Rangelands for Drought Resilience.” This project, in partnership with Richard Marver from Contour Consulting, equips pastoralists with technology and tools for in-season decision-making for managing feed base and livestock. 

Additionally, given that pastoralists often travel hundreds of kilometres to attend industry events, these workshops will offer pastoralists the chance to connect in a social setting. The events will conclude with a barbecue around the campfire, encouraging participants to stay the night, share their stories and experiences, and build stronger social connections.

Future Drought Fund - Next Phase Funding

Australian Government commits $519.1m to drought resilience programs

As our readers will be aware, the Australian government committed funding over the next eight years to continue the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs model. This funding is part of $519.1 million from the Future Drought Fund (FDF) for initiatives that provide improved support to farmers and communities to manage drought and adapt to climate change.

The Hubs are one of many programs funded by the FDF. The Australian Government has committed funding to other exciting new and continuing programs, including:

• $60.3 million over 6 years from 2024-25 for two rounds of the Long-Term Trials program with expanded eligibility to test and generate evidence of prospective drought and climate resilience farming practices.
• $40 million over 6 years from 2024-25 for the Resilient Landscapes program to support projects to demonstrate how practices to manage natural resources contribute to building drought and climate resilience at scale, targeting opportunities for long-term transformational change.
• $37 million over 3 years from 2025-26 for the new Scaling Success program to scale up projects previously funded by the FDF with proven drought or climate resilience outcomes.
• $20 million over 3 years from 2025-26 for the Innovation Challenges Pilot to call for innovative solutions to address complex and multi-dimensional challenges, defined by industry experts, which are imposed by drought and climate impacts on a region, industry or sector.
• $15 million over 4 years from 2024-25 to establish a $12 million pilot program to facilitate place-based and First Nations-led activities, and $3 million dedicated funding to support activities that seek to improve participation of First Nations peoples in FDF drought and climate resilience activities. Additional departmental funding will establish a First Nations Advisory Group to advise on issues relating to drought and climate resilience.

The SW WA Drought Hub will be actively seeking and prioritising project topics and activities that align with our established drought resilience priorities through our regional advisory committees and nodes. For more information on our Hub's drought resilience priorities, please visit our website. 

For a detailed list of all funded programs and further information, visit the Future Drought Fund website.

Dry Season Resources

Dry Season Resources podcast

Listen to the SW WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast on the Hub website and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

'Dry Season Shorts' video series

In the SW WA Hub’s Dry Season Shorts video series, industry professionals and farmers reflect on practices they put in place to deal with dry conditions.

Check out our latest videos:

• Women’s field day hits 25 years | Chris O’Callaghan, Liebe Group Executive Officer
• On-farm diversification to help supplement income in dry years | Fiona Mann, Eradu farmer
• Perennials to help manage dry seasons in a cattle production system | Craig Forsyth, cattle producer
• Cattle feedlot makes sense in dry years | Craig Forsyth, cattle producer
• Perennials prove their worth in a dry year | Melanie Dixon, Mixed Farming Systems Officer at West Midlands Group

Hub Projects in Focus

UWA to host educational workshops on natural capital production landscape opportunities

As part of the SW WA Drought Hub's transformational program, UWA are hosting educational workshops to share insights on natural capital production landscape opportunities. These sessions will delve into the potential of a Natural Asset Company equity structure to drive significant changes in Western Australia. Mark your calendars the following dates, with more workshops to follow. 

• Southern Forests Food Council, Manjimup 15th August.
• Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance, Gascoyne Junction 11th & 12th September.
• Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Albany 11th & 12th September.
• Wheatbelt NRM, Northam 18th September. 

These workshops are funded by the SW WA Drought Hub, through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. 

Keep an eye on the GGA Calendar for more information.  

Boosting First People’s participation in native food production

It is estimated that less than 2 percent of current Australian native produce is produced by Aboriginal people or businesses.

The aim of this project, supported by the SW WA Hub through funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), was to address the under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian native produce market.

Through the establishment of the Avondale Bush Food Innovation Hub, the project aimed to develop the capacity of Noongar Land Enterprise to commercially harvest and sell food-grade quality wattle seed, the first Noongar organisation to do so.

Alternative land use in agricultural systems for green energy projects

Farmanco Management Consultants' transformational project with the SW WA Drought Hub is exploring the integration of renewable energy projects within the agricultural sector.

The primary objective of this project is to identify opportunities where green and renewable energy initiatives can enhance and diversify existing agricultural businesses, ultimately contributing to the bolstering of business resilience in the region.

Funded by the SW WA Drought Hub, through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund, this project will support growers and regional communities to integrate renewable energy generation successfully and sustainably into WA farming systems and regional economies.

Drought Hub Team Out and About

Exploring transformative Aboriginal rehydration methods in Perenjori

This week, SW WA Drought Hub Director, Mark Holland, Hub Project Manager, Lucy Tomassini and Hub MEL Manager & Adoption Officer, Theodore Nabben visited Perenjori to gain valuable insights from Clint Hansen of Maaman Marra Boodjar on how he is utilising Aboriginal rehydration and restoration methods to address current and future climate challenges in contemporary agricultural systems. Representatives from CSIRO and WAARC, as well as local Elders were also present. 

This project, led by Maaman Marra Boodjar and Edith Cowan University, is part of the Hub’s Transformational Projects Program. Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and initiated through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, it aims to establish protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of Aboriginal-designed landscape rehydration practices on broadacre farms in the Mid-West. The evaluation focuses on addressing salinisation, floodplain erosion, and water management on Country.

Better Hay and Silage Workshop

SW WA Drought Hub Adoption Officer Sarah Belli attended one of the Better Hay and Silage workshops this week as part of the Future Drought Funded ‘Better Making and Use of Hay and Silage - Mitigating drought and season variability effects for WA livestock industry’ project.

This project is led by Western Beef Association Inc, and EO Jeisane Accioly facilitated an information packed session. Hosted by the Smith family at Yarralena Farm, Cranbrook, this workshop provided producers with a wealth of information and practical tips about how to improve their hay and silage. Topics discussed included: growing, cutting, and storing hay and silage; feed test interpretation; feeding out of hay and silage and its effective allocation given stock class requirements; as well as making cost effective decisions.

Discussions around the important role that silage played this year on the Smiths farm were highlighted, as was the role silage will play in preparing for dry seasons into the future. Upcoming workshops in August will be held in Northam, Gingin, Dongara and Manjimup; Better Hay and Silage Workshops 2024 Tickets, Various | TryBooking Australia

Have Your Say

Participate in Farm to Port survey 

Grain growers are encouraged to complete a survey that will assist research aimed at optimising grain supply chains.

The ‘Farm to Port’ study is led by The University of WA and supported by the SW WA Hub through its student bursary program.

UWA PhD student Garima, who received an extension and adoption bursary from the SW WA Hub, said the aim of the study was to produce a framework, based on simulations, that could assist growers to optimise decisions during and after harvest.

“This could include decisions relating to transportation, storage, packaging and marketing of crops,” she said.

Relevant News, Events and Resources

Community health and wellbeing to "Survive the Dry"

On August 2, South-West NRM will host its fifth of six workshops planned for 2024 to build community resilience to drought. Guest speakers Terry Melrose and Roger Hitchcock will explore community health and wellbeing services available in regional and remote areas.

The online workshop will be hosted at five Community Resource Centres (CRCs) across the South West, including Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Manjimup and Brunswick Junction.

Changemaker workshop empowers community-led action to local challenges

The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation invites you to join one of their upcoming Changemaker workshops, designed for individuals who want to contribute to positive change in their community.

WA workshops will take place in Merredin (25-26 July), Carnarvon (30-31 July), Mukinbudin (9-10 Sep), Lake Grace (11-12 Sep), and Harvey (28-29 Nov).

The workshops are facilitated under the Future Drought Fund’s 'Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative'.

Improve Hay and Silage Outcomes: Join Western Beef Association Workshops

The Western Beef Association Inc. invites you to participate in their upcoming Better Hay and Silage workshops, designed for individuals committed to improving productivity and resilience in their agricultural practices.

WA workshops will be held in Northam (7 Aug), Gingin (8 Aug), Dongara (9 Aug), Boyanup (15 Aug), Manjimup (22 Aug), Albany (4 Sep), and Borden (5 Sep).

These workshops are part of the Future Drought Fund’s initiative to help regional communities prepare for drought. Facilitated by three specialists, the sessions will cover key topics including the optimal time of cutting for quality vs. yield, crop and pasture differences, best practices for hay and silage, effective storage and feeding-out methods, feed test interpretation, stock class requirements, and cost-effective decision-making.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Optimise Your Soil Health at the "Starting with the Minerals" Workshop

Soils for Life invite you to participate in their upcoming "Starting with the Minerals" workshop aimed at optimising soil health and improving crop outcomes. You will hear from grain grower Rob Hetherington on how he has improved his farm's plant and soil health through mineral balance, multispecies cropping, and biological fertility. Additionally, Biological Agronomist Ken Bailey will provide valuable insights into nitrogen and carbon fixation.

The workshop will take place in Lake King, WA on Tuesday, 20th August.

This event is supported by Soils For Life in partnership with RegenWA, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Hub and GGA heading to Dowerin

If you are attending the Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days on 28th and 29th of August, drop in to chat with SW WA Hub and GGA team members located in the GRDC tent. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders on past, current and potential future projects. 

Nutrition Farming Workshop in Manjimup 

Mark your calendars for the Nutrition Farming Workshop hosted by Vegetables WA on Wednesday, 21 August 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Manjimup Wellness & Respite Community Centre.

Graeme Sait, a leading expert in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, will lead the workshop, covering essential topics such as soil biology benefits, effective microbe management, mineral interactions and availability, and much more.

Enhance your knowledge and practices in soil health and plant resilience. This event is supported by RegenWA, Lotterywest and the SW WA Drought Hub. 

Locally Relevant News from the Future Drought Fund

Decommissioning of the Drought Resilience Self assessment Tool (DR. SAT)

On 24 June 2024, the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DR.SAT) was decommissioned.

In line with recommendations from the recent Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into the effectiveness of the Future Drought Fund (FDF), the Australian Government has made the decision to decommission DR.SAT.

DR.SAT was funded under the Better Climate Information theme of the FDF, alongside the Climate Services for Agriculture (CSA) program. The Productivity Commission found similarities between the two tools, including the provision of historical climate data and projections at the farm scale.

On 26 October 2023, the Australian Government announced $17.7 million from the FDF to action key recommendations from the Productivity Commission Inquiry. This included short term funding to continue the CSA program while considering future offerings. Part of this work will include investigating elements of DR.SAT that could be incorporated into the CSA platform – My Climate View. The investigation will commence over the coming months.

Have your say about My Climate View

If have heard about, accessed or used My Climate View, you are invited to provide your feedback about the tool.

The tool was built from input from growers and advisors over the past couple of years, so feedback from industry is critical to ensuring the continual improvement of the tool.

Your views will help the My Climate View team understand how the tool is meeting your sector’s climate related decision-making needs – and what else might be needed in the future. 

Find out about the Future Drought Fund

The Future Drought Fund (FDF) provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives and will help Australian farmers and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.