Watch the sixth and final session in the Building Resilient Farming Systems lunchtime webinar series for an in-depth look at methane emissions from farm dams and their role in supporting resilient, sustainable farming systems.
This session features insights from two Grower Group Alliance-led projects exploring methane emissions from farm dams in Western Australia and nationally, and the broader opportunities to improve water quality, biodiversity, and on-farm climate resilience.
1. Preliminary Investigation of Methane Emissions from Farm Dams in Western Australia
This pilot project, led by the University of Western Australia (UWA) and supported by the SW WA Hub, was among the first in Western Australia to directly measure methane emissions from farm dams in the field. The project focused on building local research capacity and generating early insights into how dam characteristics, management, and environmental conditions influence methane production and release.
Bonny Stutsel, former Research Scientist at UWA (now working at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)) shared the practical realities of measuring methane emissions from farm dams in real-world farming environments, including the challenges and complexities of field monitoring.
This project is supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Find out more about this project.
2. The Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect aims to improve on-farm water security, biodiversity, and climate resilience with dams as a central focus. The project brings together growers and leading research institutions from across the country to deliver a scalable, collaborative model for sustainable water management, that is accessible to farmers and land managers – enhancing productivity, profitability, and environmental resilience across Australia
Martino E. Malerba, Senior Lecturer at RMIT University, provided a broader overview of methane emissions from farm dams, why they matter for Australian agriculture, and what growers should consider when managing emissions alongside productivity and environmental outcomes. He also highlighted the role of The Ripple Effect project in supporting knowledge sharing, collaboration, and extension activities to drive adoption of innovative practices.
This project is funded by a grant from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust Climate-Smart Agriculture program.
Find out more about The Ripple Effect.
The lunchtime session explored broader considerations for farm dams, including the intersections between water quality, biodiversity, and water security, and how these factors contribute to sustainable farm management. These insights will help shape future extension activities through The Ripple Effect project, including webinars, resources, and knowledge-sharing opportunities to support adoption of innovative practices.
Presenters:
- Lucy Tomassini – Project manager, South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub
- Bonny Stutsel – Research Scientist, DPIRD
- Martino E. Malerba – Senior Lecturer, RMIT University
