A hidden advantage beneath the surface
PhD candidate Huyen Pham, from The University of Western Australia, is studying a natural root trait known as rhizosheath – the soil layer that sticks to plant roots, helping wheat access water and nutrients more efficiently, especially under dry conditions.
The future value of agricultural waste: opportunities for WA farmers
The 2025 evokeAG conference, themed “Common Ground,” brought together agrifood tech innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to explore transformative opportunities in agriculture. One key trend was the upcycling of agricultural waste streams into valuable products such as biofuels, biopolymers, and biochar.
SMART SPRAYS project teams up with UK scientists
Professor Daniel Murphy, from Murdoch University, travelled to the United Kingdom last month to collaborate with Dr Emily Cooledge and fellow soil scientists within Professor Davey Jones’ laboratory at Bangor University, Wales, as part of the SW WA Hub’s Transformational SMART SPRAYS project.
Regional Soil Coordinator has been Talkin’ Soil Health in York
March 2025 marked the return of the Talkin’ Soil Health symposium to the calendar for the first time since 2022. Fran Hoyle (Director) and Bridget Watkins (Regional Soil Coordinator) from the SoilsWest team at Murdoch University presented at the event hosted by Wheatbelt NRM in York.
PropaGATE site visit explores wastewater challenges in WA breweries
As part of the challenge-led innovation program ‘PropaGATE,’ the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) and Beanstalk AgTech team visited two major Western Australian brewing sites on 27 February: Gage Roads Brewing in Palmyra and Little Creatures Brewing in Fremantle.
Transformational projects make strides towards agricultural resilience in WA
Six transformational projects led by the SW WA Hub and funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF) are making meaningful strides toward long-term agricultural resilience in Western Australia.
Natural capital project showcased at agricultural economics conference
Ram Pandit, the UWA project lead for the SW WA Hub’s transformational project on natural capital, presented preliminary project findings at the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) 69th Annual Conference held in Brisbane from 11 to 14 February 2025.
evokeAG 2025: sparking connections for a resilient future
Last week, members of the SW WA Hub team headed to evokeAG 2025 in Brisbane, joining industry leaders, researchers and innovators to explore new opportunities in drought resilience.
Supporting farmers with water quality testing in Merredin
On Tuesday 11 February, the SW WA Hub’s newest extension team members, Mary-Anne and Cassie, headed east to the DPIRD Research Station in Merredin – probes and calibration solutions in tow. During their visit, they teamed up with staff from MADFIG and DPIRD to deliver a hands-on workshop on water quality testing.
Mapping, monitoring and yarning on Country
During the season of Birak (December–January), the Transformative Aboriginal Agricultural Methods (TAAM) project team mapped sites on Gimlet Ridge and Weelhamby farms where landscape interventions, such as leaky weirs, will be installed to slow water flow and improve the landscape’s hydrology.
Best of 2024: podcasts and videos
In 2023/2024, we launched the Dry Season Resources podcast and a series of short videos offering producers practical advice for preparing for dry seasons. These resources feature insights from farmers, consultants, researchers, and other industry professionals.
Exploring renewable energy production opportunities in WA farming systems
A survey of 40 growers has shed light on the opportunities and challenges of wind turbine projects in the region. Growers emphasised the benefits of a collective approach to negotiations, highlighting room for better terms and fairer outcomes. However, concerns persist over strained relationships with neighbours, limited state government communication, and impacts associated with construction on local roads and housing.
