The latest news, events and opportunities from the SW WA Hub
No images? Click here
Welcome from the Director
I am honoured to step into the role of Acting Director for the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) during Mark Holland's extended carer's leave. Having joined the Grower Group Alliance in 2022, I have been deeply involved with the Hub's innovative projects and have seen firsthand the impact of our collective efforts. I am committed to fostering innovation and resilience in our agricultural communities, and I am eager to continue this important work with all of you.
In this edition of our newsletter, we have some exciting updates to share. The Future Drought Fund is set to release two new grant rounds in 2024, offering significant opportunities to support projects focused on drought resilience and landscape management. As always, our team is here to assist grant applicants with their applications to maximise the impact of these funds.
I’m also pleased to highlight the vital contributions of our Regional Advisory Committees (RACs). Earlier this month, the South West RAC met in Bunbury to address key challenges and identify areas where we can make a significant impact. The Wheatbelt met yesterday, while the Southern Rangelands and Mid West & Gascoyne RACs will meet in the coming days. Their insights will help guide the SW WA Hub's future activities and ensure that we are addressing the most pressing issues in our region.
The University of Western Australia will be hosting a series of workshops on natural capital production landscape opportunities. These sessions, part of our Transformational Program, will provide valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices. The dates and locations of the workshops are listed below.
Lastly, we have new resources available, including podcasts and videos on climate forecasting, virtual fencing, and financial resilience. These are designed to support our agricultural community in adapting to climate challenges.
Thank you for your continued dedication to building a more resilient future for our agricultural communities.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues, friends or clients.
Dr Jo Wisdom | Acting Hub Director
South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
New Acting Hub Director
Dr Jo Wisdom steps in as Acting Hub Director
GGA Innovation Manager, Dr Jo Wisdom, started acting Hub Director last Monday while Hub Director, Mark Holland, is taking extended carer's leave.
Jo joined the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) in August 2022 bringing extensive experience in research, project management and stakeholder engagement.
Jo holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a PhD in Plant Physiology, and recently completed a Diploma in Digital Technologies from Flinders University.
Jo has a demonstrated history of working in the agricultural industry, research, and teaching and learning. She has worked across multiple agricultural sectors including horticulture and viticulture, and sustainable projects in pastoral and broadacre cropping.
In her role as GGA Innovation Manager, Jo worked across the whole of GGA with a majority focus on the SW WA Hub project. She was responsible for driving innovation-related research projects within the Hub and forging GGA's broader involvement with innovation and extension initiatives in the WA agriculture ecosystem.
The Hub team warmly welcomes Jo as she steps into her new role as Acting Director and extends our best wishes to Mark during his time away.
Funding opportunities
Imminent Future Drought Fund grant rounds
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) is forecasting the release of two new grant rounds in 2024:
Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program (Round 2) is an Australia-wide program that will provide funding to investigate innovative and transformational farming practices to build drought resilience. $40.3 million will be available for projects between $3 million and $8 million from 2024-25 until 2029-30. Find out more.
Resilient Landscapes is an Australia-wide program that will provide funding to demonstrate how proven practices, technology and approaches can be used to manage natural resources and contribute to building drought and climate resilience. $40 million will be available for projects between $2 million and $6 million from 2024-25 until 2029-30. Find out more.
Hub team support
As per previous FDF grant rounds, the SW WA Hub can provide assistance to Hub consortium partners, stakeholders and grower groups whose applications align with the Hub's drought resilience priorities.
The Hub team is committed to maximising your chances of success. Here's how we can assist:
- Letters of support: We can provide letters of support to applicants who engage with the Hub early and align their projects with both the grant criteria and our priority project topics.
- Facilitating collaboration: We can introduce proponents of similar projects, fostering opportunities for co-design and project amalgamation.
- Grant application guidance: Our team offers expert advice on how to best meet the grant criteria, ensuring your application stands out.
In the coming weeks, we'll be releasing Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for those seeking assistance from our Hub team. The EOIs will capture key information such as:
- Contact Details: How we can reach you.
- Project Summary: A high-level overview of your idea or proposal.
- Industry Focus: The industries you are targeting (e.g., cropping, livestock, mixed).
- Level of Involvement: Your desired role in the project (e.g., consortium lead, partner, service provider).
- Project Scale: Whether your interest is local, statewide, or national.
- Skills and Resources: What you bring to the table (e.g., field trial sites, expertise, equipment) and what additional skills or resources you may need from a collaboration partner (e.g., extension expertise, trial design, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning).
- Alignment with Hub Priorities: Which of the SW WA Hub's priorities your project addresses.
The Hub has a strong focus on collaboration and our qualified staff and industry connections can provide significant assistance to grant applicants.
Stay tuned for the announcement of when EOIs will open, which will be promoted on our website and in our newsletter.
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.
Financial considerations at key decision-making times of the year
Join Farmanco consultant Ben Curtis and West River farmer Joel Ebert as they delve into crucial agronomic decision-making periods, covering topics like top-up nitrogen, grain selling, and fungicide use. They also explore the emotional decisions farmers face, including land purchases and succession planning.
Virtual fencing: breaking down boundaries in livestock grazing
Esperance farmer Scott Wandel is currently trialling the Gallagher eShepherd neck bands on his farm and has observed numerous benefits, including improved pasture management and reduced labour. Scott shares his experience while Andrew Zipsin, from Gallagher, explains how the technology works and its applications.
MyClimateView: how past and projected climate data can support on-farm decision making
Join us as we dive into how MyClimateView is empowering growers to make informed decisions in the face of a changing climate. In this episode, Stephanie Dickson from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and Jen Riseley from Pomewest share insights on leveraging historical and predicted climate data tailored to specific regions and crop types.
'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:
- Greater grass species identification and increased engagement with pastoralists | Sarah Jeffery, Project Manager and Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator for Rangelands NRM (SW WA Hub Node Lead)
- Increasing the feed base for dry seasons using saltbush and novel understories | Kaitlyn Anderson, Agricultural Research & Extension Coordinator for Facey (SW WA Hub Node Lead)
- 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
Researchers seeking native legume samples from farmers
Farmers are invited to come forward if they have the following species on their property and are willing to allow samples to be taken: Glycine canescens (Silky Glycine), Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa (native liquorice), Kennedia prostrata (Running postman), and Hardenbergia comptoniana (Native wisteria). Images of the species are above.
Curtin University PhD student and Hub bursary recipient, Selassie Ahiakpa, is assessing the potential of four native Australian legume species as grain and pasture crops. He's looking for samples to collect in mid-September and is urging farmers who have these species on their property to fill out a short form to allow sample collection.
Earlier this year, Selassie was awarded a $25,000 bursary from the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub to incorporate grower group engagement into his research, facilitating extension and adoption efforts. The bursary is funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
UWA to host educational workshops on natural capital production landscape opportunities
As part of the SW WA Hub's Transformational program, the University of Western Australia is 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 with the following dates, with more workshops to follow.
- Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance, Gascoyne Junction 11th September (field day).
- Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Albany 11th & 12th September (field day).
- Wheatbelt NRM, Northam 18th September.
- Southern Forests Food Council, Manjimup 26th September.
South-West NRM, Bunbury 23rd October.
These workshops are funded by the SW WA Hub, through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
Keep an eye on the GGA Calendar for more information.
Drought Hub Team Out and About
Collaborative effort to boost herd efficiency in southern beef producing regions
Hub adoption manager, Julianne Hill, recently travelled to Adelaide to meet up with the cross-state project team who were successful in securing the MLA tender 'Improved practice to increase herd efficiency in Southern Beef Producing regions'.
A key focus of this work will be to target adoption opportunities that result in measurable increases for productivity (kg beef/ha), profitability and sustainability. The project team will deliver to Tasmania, South Australia and WA.
In WA, the Hub will work closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who are contributing funds and some staff time to the project, and Western Beef.
Pictured above in Adelaide are Julianne Hill (SW WA Hub), Jena Gianna Alexopoulos (Adelaide University), Wayne Pitchford (Adelaide University), Penny Schulz (project lead and SA Drought Hub), Rowan Smith (University of Tasmania) and Stephen Lee (SA Drought Hub Director).
Spotlight on SW WA Hub’s Regional Advisory Committees: shaping the future of drought and climate resilience
The SW WA Hub's Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) are currently meeting to offer guidance on priority issues impacting the drought and climate resilience of farming systems, industries, and communities.
Earlier this month, the South West RAC gathered in Bunbury to discuss pressing challenges and identify key areas for action. The discussions highlighted three primary themes that will shape the Hub's future initiatives:
- Extension and adoption of various livestock feeding strategies to improve drought resilience;
- Improving water use efficiency through defining the economics and benefits of activities such as capturing and recycling water, irrigation scheduling, and upgrading infrastructure;
- Investigation and demonstration of protected cropping options including shade protection to reduce water use, heat stress and sunburn including return on investment studies (infrastructure) for a range of fruit and vegetable crops.
The Wheatbelt RAC convened in Perth yesterday, with the Southern Rangelands and Mid West & Gascoyne RAC meetings scheduled to take place next week in Carnarvon.
The Hub's RACs consist of skilled representatives from agricultural industries across the four agro-ecological zones within the SW WA region. Their expertise and insights are crucial in steering the Hub’s efforts toward sustainable and resilient farming practices.
Photo above: The South-West RAC met in Bunbury and online. Back row (L-R): Tanya Kilminster (SW WA Hub), Jeisane Accioly (Western Beef), Bronwyn Walsh (WA Citrus), John Ruprecht (Murdoch). Front row (L-R): Neil Lantzke (DPIRD), Bonny Stutsel (UWA/DPIRD), Peter Clifton (SW NRM Drought Hub Node lead), Julianne Hill (SW WA Hub). Those not pictured but who joined online include: Julia Easton (Chair), Zora Singh (ECU), Mark Holland (SW WA Hub Director), Laura Bolitho (Southern Forests Food Council Drought Hub node), James Bowey (beef farmer), Kelly Hill (DPIRD).
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
Hub and GGA heading to Dowerin
If you are attending the Dowerin Machinery Field Days on 28th and 29th of August, drop in to chat with GGA and SW WA Hub team members located in the GRDC tent (site 85-86).
We look forward to engaging with stakeholders on past, current and potential future projects.
Better Hay and Silage: 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: Albany (4 September) and Borden (5 September).
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.
Pictured above are Jeisane Accioly (Western Beef and workshop co-ordinator) and Sam Taylor (Nutrien and workshop presenter) with a prototype core sampler and maize silage at a recent Better Hay and Silage workshop.
Community health and wellbeing to "Survive the Dry"
On September 13, South-West NRM will host its sixth and final workshop planned for 2024 to build community resilience to drought. Guest speaker Briony Arnold will explore how we ensure an inclusive approach to support in times of drought, especially for Aboriginal people and youth.
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 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'.
Have your say on draft Australian Government Drought Plan
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry recently released their draft Australian Government Drought Plan.
You are invited to provide feedback by 5 pm (AEST) on Wednesday 11 September 2024.
The draft plan outlines the programs and activities the Government supports before, after and during drought, and the principles that will guide their actions as conditions dry.
Have your say about My Climate View
If you 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.
