Producers keen to find out about the latest research outcomes relating to precision agriculture technology and water management are encouraged to register for a coming workshop in Manjimup on June 8.
The South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub), led by the Grower Group Alliance, will host the free event through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) – to complement the national FDF Science to Practice Forum from June 6 to 8.
The Southern Forests Food Council and the South West Catchments Council – the SW WA Hub’s Manjimup and Bunbury Regional Node Leads – are supporting the face-to-face workshop which will be held at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute.
SW WA Hub Adoption Manager Julianne Hill said the event would showcase outcomes from current projects supported by the FDF or initiated by the SW WA Hub and demonstrate how they can be put into practice on WA farms.
“With dual themes of precision agtech and water management, the SW WA Hub Science to Practice Forum Workshop will provide applicable and practical outcomes for producers,” Ms Hill said.
“Topics include improving dam water retention and performance; combining CSIRO technology and weather data to improve on-farm decisions; analysing current monitoring technology to find the right fit for your farm; and digital tools to map and improve yield.
“From horticulture to pasture to livestock, there will be information relevant to you.”
Speakers and topics include:
- Richard Fennessy, DPIRD – Supporting the adoption of biodegradable mulch technology in vegetable and perennial fruit enterprises
- Phil Honey, Stirlings to Coast Farmers – Agtech decoded: growers critically analysing the role of new technology in on-farm decision making
- Bonny Stutsel, The University of WA – WaterSmart Dams – Making dams work again
- Tim O’Dea, Barenbrug Australia, and Ron Yates, DPIRD (paddock walk) – Five-year perennial pasture trial
- Ian Guthridge, DPIRD, and Bonnie Stutsel, UWA (paddock walk) – Estimate dam volumes and irrigation usage
- Bill Bateman, DPIRD – Modern soil moisture monitoring to improve irrigation management
- Julia Easton, Curtin University – On-farm water demand for SW WA – Putting real-time water usage data into the hands of farmers in Manjimup
- Agtech panel session with Julia Easton, Curtin University, Phil Honey, Stirlings to Coast Farmers and Frank D’Emden, Living Farm.
The SW WA Hub Science to Practice Forum Workshop begins at 1pm, finishing at 5pm with a sundowner and beef and gravy roll to follow. Registration is essential and attendance is free.
For more information or to register, visit the SW WA Hub Eventbrite page at bit.ly/41Guc6u or the SW WA webpage at www.gga.org.au/drought-hub.
The Manjimup workshop supports the 2023 FDF Science to Practice Forum – a free, online event being held from June 6 to 8, which is a national showcase for innovative tools and practices helping Australian farmers respond to a changing climate and prepare for future drought.
To also register for the online FDF Science to Practice Forum, visit the FDF Eventbrite page at fal.cn/3xy6W.
Caption: SW WA Hub Adoption Manager Julianne Hill says the SW WA Hub Science to Practice Workshop will provide an opportunity for producers to learn about outcomes from projects.
Caption: DPIRD research scientist Bill Bateman, left, pictured with Manjimup apple grower Mark Bamess, will be one of the presenters at the SW WA Hub Science to Practice Workshop. Photo: DPIRD.
