The latest news, events and opportunities from the SW WA Hub
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Welcome from the Director
Earlier this month, the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) launched a five-part plan to support agricultural industries and rural communities impacted by the current dry conditions. GGA is offering grants of $5,000 to $35,000 to support existing or new dry season response initiatives.
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) is supporting GGA in its dry season response efforts by collecting on-ground situation updates, which is fed to the WA Government's Dry Season Taskforce. I encourage all farmers, consultants and other ag professionals to submit a local situation update. This will help inform the Taskforce's decisions.
In other news, the SW WA Hub welcomes the federal government's decision to commit funding over the next 8 years to continue the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs model.
While the Hub model might evolve following a review by the Productivity Commission, this long-term commitment from the federal government reflects confidence in the Drought Hubs and the positive impacts they have shown over the past few years.
Six new 'transformational' projects, funded by the Hub, are currently under way. These projects seek to transform agricultural practices to improve drought and climate resilience in WA. Find out more below and on the Hub website.
The Hub Extension and Adoption team has been busy creating more content to help farmers prepare for dry conditions. Discover our latest Dry Season Resources podcast episodes and videos below.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues, friends or clients.
Mark Holland | Hub Director
South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
Dry Season Resources
GGA's Dry Season Response Outreach program offers grants and resources
The Grower Group Alliance (GGA) has partnered with the WA Government’s dry season response program to support agricultural industries and rural communities impacted by the current dry conditions.
GGA’s Dry Season Response Outreach program includes:
- Grants of $5,000-$35,000 to support existing or new dry season response initiatives led by GGA members or other local agricultural groups.
- On-ground intelligence gathering – GGA will relay on-ground situation updates directly to the Dry Season Taskforce to support informed decision-making as the situation evolves around WA. Farmers, grower groups, consultants, etc. are encouraged to submit a local situation update (improving or worsening situation).
- Events, Resources and Funding 'Knowledge Directory' – GGA is promoting events, resources and financial schemes available as part of outreach work commissioned by the Dry Season Taskforce. Do you have a dry season-related initiative to promote? Add a FREE listing to the 'Knowledge Directory'
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.
Alternative feed sources for livestock in a dry year
Joining us are Hayley Norman, a pasture researcher from CSIRO, and Emily Stretch, a farmer from Kojonup. They talk about the impact of the current dry season on livestock operations on WA farms and share alternative feed options farmers can consider.
Financial literacy for young farmers
Farmers may need to pull different levers to change or modify farm operations to minimise the impacts of a dry season on their business. Renae Piggott, a consultant with AgAsset, and Matt Hyde, a young Dalwallinu farmer, talk about the impact of a dry season on WA farms' cash flow and share useful tools and rules of thumb.
'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.
Trigger points and feeding strategies for sheep during a dry season
Mixed farmer from Esperance, Ash Reichstein, shares his trigger points and feeding strategies for sheep during the dry season.
Drought resilient landscapes with profitable native shrub and legume systems
Gairdner mixed farmers, Craig and Naomi Hall, planted saltbush, perennial grasses and legumes, lucerne, chicory and messina to manage soil salinity and provide an alternative feed for their sheep during a dry season.
Confinement feeding of sheep
Williams farmer, Sandra Fowler, has used confinement feeding for the past 5 years. She describes some of the benefits of this practice.
The importance of dams and water infrastructure
Beef and avocado farmer, Mark Bending, recently built a couple of dams and set up an integrated computerised irrigation system to increase the water security of his operation.
Hub Projects in Focus
New Drought Hub projects set to transform agricultural practices
Six 18-month transformational agricultural projects have commenced in Western Australia after grants worth $1 million were awarded by the South‐West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
The Hub’s Transformational Program seeks to investigate new and emerging systems or significant modifications of current systems that lead to transformational change of agricultural practices to improve drought and climate resilience in WA.
The six new projects are investigating a diverse range of topics, including:
- Alternative land use in agricultural systems for green energy projects,
- Understanding the methane emissions profile of farm dams,
- Natural capital as an asset class,
- Water harvesting in rain-fed cropping systems,
- Circular economy of agricultural waste streams,
- Capacity of First Nations knowledge to build climate resilience in contemporary agricultural systems.
Biodegradable mulch could improve water efficiency
The southwest of WA is experiencing declining rainfall, increasing temperature and greater frequency of extreme weather events.
In horticultural farming systems, changes to management practices can support adaption to these challenges, especially through the adoption of innovative technologies.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) investigated the suitability of a biodegradable spray-on mulch, developed by CSIRO, to improve irrigation efficiencies, reduce herbicide and plastic use, and maintain healthy soils in horticultural systems.
This project was initiated by the SW WA Hub and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Through the WaterSmart Dams project, Leigh Giles' roaded catchment was retrofitted to maximise water capture in small rainfall events. Photo: UWA.
MADFIG podcast dives into WaterSmart Farms
The Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG) recently released six podcast episodes on the WaterSmart Farms project. This project is designed to preserve over 30 years of knowledge while exploring new technologies available to ensure farmers and rural communities' water needs are met.
Episode 3 features the WaterSmart Dams project, led by the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) through the SW WA Hub. This 3.5-year project aims to develop knowledge and water planning tools for farmers who need their dams to work in all years, and be able to make water investment decisions with confidence.
MADFIG's WaterSmart Farms podcast episodes include:
Diving into WaterSmart Farms with Dr Richard George
Catching every drop: MADFIGs role in the WaterSmart Dams Project (roaded catchment)
WaterSmart Farms: Wongutha CAPS
WaterSmart Farms: Deep Drilling project
WaterSmart Farms: Unlocking opportunities with desalination – from stock water to spray quality
WaterSmart Farms: Reverse Osmosis trials giving rural communities fresh water for the future.
Drought Hub Team Out and About
Photos above: Hub Adoption team members, Julianne Hill and Sarah Belli, travelled to the northern agricultural region. They are pictured above (top row) at the West Midlands Group's Feed365 site and at Craig Forsyth's feedlot near Dongara. KJ Pritchard and others from the Hub attended dry season response events around the State. Adoption Officer, Theo Nabben, facilitated a workshop on the Most Significant Change technique, a powerful monitoring and evaluation process to capture project outcomes.
Western Beef Association Executive Officer, Jeisane Accioly, hosted Recovery Chats in Albany, Waroona and Kirup. Guest speakers shared practical advice to help minimise the impact of the current dry season on livestock systems.
On-ground intelligence gathering informs State's dry season response
In recent days, the Hub team attended several dry season response events around the State to understand how the situation is evolving on the ground.
The SW WA Hub has a direct line with the WA Government's Dry Season Taskforce through the Grower Group Alliance (GGA). We relay local situation updates directly to the Dry Season Taskforce to support informed decision-making as the situation evolves.
We encourage all farmers, grower groups, consultants, etc., to submit a local situation update (improving or worsening situation) via a digital form housed on the GGA Dry Season Outreach page.
In the last couple of weeks, Hub Adoption Manager, Julianne Hill, and Adoption Officer, Sarah Belli, caught up with agronomists and consultants in Geraldton. Hub Project Manager, KJ Pritchard, attended Western Beef's Recovery Chats in Waroona and Kirup. Adoption Officer, Alison Lacey, heard from cropping and livestock farmers in Newdegate while Hub Knowledge Broker, Tanya Kilminster, gathered insights at recent events in Merredin and Goomalling.
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 recently 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
Last opportunity to apply for a Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Small Grant
Applications for the first round of the Natural Heritage Trust's Climate-Smart Small Grants will close on June 4. Grants between $10,000 and $100,000 are available. Refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for detail about the round, how to apply and eligibility.
Rural Financial Counselling and Business Planning workshop to 'Survive the Dry' (June 14)
On June 14, South-West NRM will host its fourth of six workshops planned for 2024 to build community resilience to drought.
Guest speakers Dean Bavich and Mike Monaghan will explore the role of Rural Financial Counselling and Business Planning.
The online workshop will be hosted in Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Manjimup and Brunswick Junction.
The Power Shift: Transitioning Farm Communities to Renewables (June 20)
AgZero 2030 are hosting a conference on June 20 in Perth to discuss the opportunities, risks and challenges of renewenables in the agricultural sector.
Supported by Western Power and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the event will cover all topics of the energy transition and how it impacts farms, agriculture and our communities.
Cultivating Resilience - dry season response event (June 27)
On June 27, Facey Group is hosting an event titled ‘Cultivating Resilience’. The aim is to bring together the rural community to develop and strengthen individual and collective ability to ‘bounce back’. Join Facey Group for an afternoon of engaging guest speakers followed by a relaxed sundowner.
AFIA’s fodder research, development and extension stocktake report now available
The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) recently released their Fodder Research, Development and Extension (R,D&E) Stocktake Report. The report highlights significant missed opportunities, which could serve to address drought preparedness and resilience across Australian agriculture, as well as opportunities.
Apply to be part of the Drought Venture Studio
Australian innovators with new ideas for drought resilience are invited to apply to be part of the Drought Venture Studio.
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) recently announced Beanstalk Agtech as their delivery partner for the Drought Resilience Commercialisation Initiative (the Initiative), which will be delivered via their Drought Venture Studio.
As part of the Initiative, applications for innovators with research, IP or a revolutionary new idea to increase drought resilience are now open.
Successful innovators will receive hands-on commercialisation support and the opportunity to be one of 8 startups matched with an experienced Co-Founder for commercialisation and launch of a new drought resilience product or service.
Applications close on 12 July 2024.
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.
