The latest news, events and opportunities from the SW WA Hub
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Welcome from the Director
Welcome to the July edition of the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) newsletter.
It’s been a busy few weeks across the Hub network, with exciting activities underway both here in Western Australia and across the country. One opportunity I encourage you to take a closer look at is our upcoming study tour to Victoria and Tasmania, taking place from 31 August to 5 September. This subsidised tour will explore agtech and climate adaptation across a variety of farming systems, and is a chance to see innovative approaches in action, share ideas, and connect with peers. Expressions of interest close 8 August. Also, if you know someone who might be interested, please forward them this newsletter.
In our latest Dry Season Resources podcast, you’ll hear about the Water Evaluation Platform (WEP). It's a user-friendly tool developed through the WaterSmart Dams project that helps landholders assess dam performance and make informed decisions. It’s well worth a listen.
We’re also pleased to be supporting the introduction of new wastewater innovations into Western Australia’s brewing industry through the PropaGATE program, in collaboration with Beanstalk AgTech and the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA).
PropaGATE aims to connect international tech solutions with local challenges, starting with the brewing industry. You can meet the innovators in this month’s newsletter.
And finally, several of our team members have been out and about recently, attending the Sandy Soils Conference in Perth, the Drought Resilience Conference in Victoria, and a hands-on stock handling workshop in the Gascoyne. These events offer valuable opportunities for shared learning and collaboration, which we’ve summarised for you below.
I hope you enjoy this month’s stories. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, why not subscribe to receive the SW WA Hub’s latest updates, events, and opportunities directly in your inbox?
Kind regards,
Dr Jo Wisdom | Hub Director
South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
Dry Season Resources
Dry Season Resources podcast
Find the latest episodes of the SW WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast below. Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform to never miss an episode.
Optimising farm decisions in mixed farm operations
Dr Michael Young, from Farm Optimisation Group and Johno O'Halloran, a farmer from Kojonup, discuss the use of a farm optimisation model to support data-driven decision making in mixed farming. This model allows farmers to test different scenarios and can help improve outcomes and reduce decision fatigue.
WaterSmart Dams: Understanding dams with the Water Evaluation Platform
Dr John Duncan from The University of Western Australia and Dr Daniel Kidd from the Grower Group Alliance discuss the recently released Water Evaluation Platform (WEP). Created as part of the WaterSmart Dams project, WEP is a web application that simulates the performance of a dam and its catchment allowing the landholder to understand and analyse the different options available.
Dry Season Shorts: fast, practical tips for dry times
Short on time? So are we. That’s why our Dry Season Shorts video series delivers quick, practical advice from people tackling dry seasons head-on.
Watch our latest clips:
- Keeping dams full: insights from the WaterSmart Dams project | Associate Professor Nik Callow, University of Western Australia
- Planning for dry years in the good years | Richard Brake, Richard Brake Consulting
- Managing infrastructure, land and grazing pressure | Nicholas Forrester, Kanandah Station
- Mental wellbeing during dry seasons | Louise O'Neill, Farm Life Fitness
- On-going condition of stock in the Rangelands shows good drought management | Ross Wood, grazier and GNRBA
General News
Don't miss out on the agtech and climate innovation Study Tour in Vic and Tas!
Join us for a subsidised five-day study tour to Victoria and Tasmania from 31 August to 5 September 2025.
Western Australian farmers, researchers and agronomists are invited to join an interstate study tour exploring climate adaptation and innovation in agriculture.
Designed to help farmers navigate a drying, warming climate, the tour will showcase practical innovations in pasture management, agtech, and climate adaptation in livestock, mixed, and perennial horticultural systems.
Why attend?
By exploring diverse production systems, participants can gain fresh perspectives, discover transferable practices, and build a broader understanding of the tools and technologies helping different sectors respond to climate challenges. Check out some of the key locations in the link below.
It’s also a chance to connect with fellow growers, researchers and industry leaders who are tackling similar challenges across the country.
Cost
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub will cover the cost of accommodation, most meals, and all bus travel (valued at $2,000). Participants are asked to contribute a $500+GST non-refundable deposit, and cover their own flights, travel insurance, and incidentals.
Want to join?
With just 15 places available, interested participants are encouraged to apply early. Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the link below by 8 August 2025.
Hub Projects in Focus
Global innovators are coming to WA to address wastewater in beer production
Western Australia’s first AgTech-focused landing pad, PropaGATE, is bringing global innovation to the state’s doorstep, connecting international solutions with local industries to address real-world challenges, starting with wastewater in beer production.
More than 40 applications from over 15 countries were received to participate in PropaGATE's inaugural challenge. Four leading solutions for wastewater management in beer production were selected: Algaesys (Western Australia), Aqualys Water Technologies (India), Hydroleap (Singapore/Victoria), and Moleaer (USA).
The innovators will travel to Perth to participate in a showcase event at the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA) on 6 August, where they will connect directly with breweries for potential trials and partnerships.
Agrivoltaics project to blend wine and renewable energy
At the start of July, Doug Hamilton, GGA & SW WA Hub Innovation Broker, finalised the selection of the first vitivoltaics site to be set up in Western Australia as part of an AgriFutures funded “Plant Production Agrivoltaics” project being led by the University of Melbourne.
The site will have a solar panel array installed above shiraz vines at Plume Estate, a boutique winery and cellar door located in Bickley, in the Perth Hills area. The project will involve installing a number of sensors at the site and taking measurements of the solar panel production, soil characteristics, vine growth, grape yield and grape quality that will be used to build and validate decision support models.
Transforming waste into value: a circular solution for the potato industry
Australia’s potato processing sector generates significant volumes of organic waste - mainly from the peeling and sorting of potatoes used in the production of hot chips and other value-added products. This by-product stream, although rich in nutrients, presents major logistical and environmental challenges due to its high-water content and microbial instability.
The pilot project led by Whole Green Foods and supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub demonstrated that potato waste can be transformed from an environmental and economic burden into a viable feed ingredient.
Drought Hub Team Out and About
Building connections for climate resilience
SW WA Hub Knowledge Broker, Tanya Kilminster, recently presented at the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub's inaugural Drought Resilience Conference, in Geelong Victoria.
Tanya presented on the role and impact of grower groups participating in climate and drought projects, their contribution to knowledge exchange, adoption pathways and long-term sustainability of agriculture.
She then joined a panel with fellow Hub Knowledge Brokers to further explore the role of farmer networks in conducting applied research for impact, and how the various Hub models across Australia drive resilience and innovation. While there were key differences between the Hubs, the common feature was the ability for Hubs to connect researchers working in drought and climate resilience with local groups and industry and assist building projects to target regionally relevant priorities.
Building better soils from the ground up: insights from the Sandy Soils Conference
Hub Extension Specialist and Knowledge Broker, Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe, and SW WA Soil Coordinator, Bridget Watkins, recently attended the second global Sandy Soils Conference, held in Perth.
Sandy soils are a major feature of Western Australia's farming landscape. As climate conditions become more variable, improving the way we manage these soils – especially their ability to retain and deliver water to crops – will be crucial to building long-term climate resilience across our agricultural systems. Conferences like this one help bridge the gap between science and practice, offering new tools and insights to better support farmers and land managers.
Regional Nodes
Stock handling workshop builds skills and confidence in the Gascoyne
The Gascoyne Catchments Group Inc recently hosted a two-day, hands-on stock handling workshop at Lyndon Station, led by renowned stockman and educator Steve Burke. The training aimed to upskill the regional pastoral workforce – especially the next generation – with practical, science-backed techniques for working with cattle.
Attendees walked away with valuable insights, including:
- The cattle are always right – working with their behaviour, not against it
- Combining science and instinct to better understand how cattle think and move
- Letting go of old habits and adopting more effective, low-stress techniques
- Staying calm and connected – because calm people make calm cattle
- Recognising how mindset, energy and movement influence livestock and team dynamics
- Networking and peer learning opportunities with others in the pastoral industry
The workshop was made possible through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, delivered via the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and its Regional Node Rangelands NRM.
Soil Stories
Digging deeper into soil amelioration: practical considerations for growers
By Bridget Watkins, South-West WA Regional Soil Coordinator
Many growers across WA are exploring soil amelioration to tackle long-standing constraints like compaction, acidity and water repellence – but getting the most out of these practices requires careful planning.
Regional Soil Coordinator Bridget Watkins outlines key considerations for growers planning soil amelioration. Drawing on local research and practical grower experience, Bridget explores how to assess soil constraints, choose the right amelioration option and avoid unintended impacts on productivity and soil health.
Read Bridget’s article to learn what questions to ask before investing in deep ripping, liming or spading – and how good planning can help you get the best results in your paddocks.
The Regional Soil Coordinator project provides opportunities for researchers, primary producers and community groups to collaborate and share knowledge related to soil health and management. This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. The project is led by the SW WA Hub, partnering with SoilsWest at Murdoch University.
Relevant News, Events and Resources
WA farmers gain powerful new digital platform for evaluating water security
A new digital platform is helping Western Australian farmers take the guesswork out of water infrastructure planning. The Water Evaluation Platform (WEP) enables users to choose the most effective dam infrastructure strategy, based on their local climate, budget, and water needs.
The Platform is the result of two years of research and field trials at demonstration sites and was made possible through the WaterSmart Dams – Making Dams Work Again project. Led by the Grower Group Alliance (GGA), through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, this project is a collaborative effort with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Western Australian grower groups, farmers, and the Centre for Water and Spatial Science at UWA.
The WEP is now live, free, and publicly available to all for evaluating potential drought resilience solutions.
Explore the Water Evaluation Platform now: https://waterevaluationplatform.app/dam/
Listen to the Dry Season Resources podcast:
Register for the Soil CRC Participants Conference on 27-28 August
The annual Soil CRC Participants Conference delves into the latest soil research and innovation and highlights what it means for the future of agriculture in Australia. This year's event will be held in Perth, Western Australia.
The conference sessions on 27 August and field trips on 28 August are open to anyone with an interest in the work of the Soil CRC. Hear from Soil CRC researchers, farmer groups, industry experts and PhD students and visit their long-term field sites in Wathingarra, Kweda and Bullaring to see soil research in action.
Non-Soil CRC participants can register for $110+GST per day. Registration is free for members of Soil CRC participant organisations.
Season 2025: information for WA farmers
Did you know? The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) provides seasonally relevant information and management options in the broadacre and south-west agricultural areas of Western Australia.
Latest updates and advice from DPIRD
- July rainfall has improved crop potential for much of the grainbelt. However, crop development is late in some areas of the central and eastern wheatbelt which have received little rainfall... Read more.
Locally Relevant News from the Future Drought Fund
Two new Future Drought Fund grant rounds to open mid to late 2025
The Future Drought Fund has announced it will open two new grant rounds in mid to late 2025.
- Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country: focused on supporting First Nations communities and organisations.
- Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges: backing high-impact, innovative projects that build drought resilience.
If these opportunities align with your work or community, now’s the time to start planning your application. Grant Opportunity Guidelines and supporting documents will be available when applications open.
Western Australia successful in grants awarded by the Future Drought Fund
Western Australian organisations will play a key role in two major Future Drought Fund programs announced by the Australian Government: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program Round 2 Grants, and Resilient Landscapes Grants.
With projects focused on improving sheep production systems and tackling sandy soil degradation, Western Australian organisations are set to drive long-term change across the agricultural landscape.
Click the button below to read how local groups, including the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and the Grower Group Alliance, are leading the way in climate-smart farming through collaboration, innovation, and on-ground action.
Build your farm's future with the Farm Business Resilience program
Farmers and pastoralists across WA can now access targeted support to strengthen their business through the Farm Business Resilience program. Delivered in partnership between the WA Government and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the program supports producers in dairy, aquaculture, horticulture, apiculture, broadacre, Aboriginal primary industries, and the pastoral sector.
Participants will build strategic business skills, improve risk management, and strengthen their personal ability to adapt to change. Tailored business planning and access to professional advice are also included.
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.
