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Quality soil data and precision agriculture can reduce risk and improve farm performance. This episode kicks off our new Innovation series, dropping every second instalment of the Dry Season Resources podcast. This series is hosted by Doug Hamilton, Innovation Specialist with the Grower Group Alliance and the SW WA Hub. In this episode, Doug is joined by Aidan Sinnott, consultant and director at VRT Solutions, and Giles McMeikan, agronomist at Farmanco. Both bring extensive experience in precision agriculture and the handling, processing, analysis and interpretation of on-farm datasets. They explore how soil surveying can be used to manage risk in modern farming systems, soil surveying technologies available to farmers, how soil data can help improve water use efficiency, and the practical implementation of variable rate technology (VRT). The conversation highlights the importance of well-managed on-farm data, strong collaboration between agronomists and precision agriculture consultants, and ensuring VRT does not compromise key profit drivers such as time of sowing. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) and is hosted by Doug Hamilton. VRTS Web Tools DirectoryFostering the adoption of variable rate fertiliser application for improved nutrient use efficiency - SPAAHub news - Drought Hub

More than one million hectares of broadacre farmland are estimated to be affected by dryland salinity in Western Australia, causing significant production losses. In this episode, Dr Richard George from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) reflects on four decades of work tackling dryland salinity across Western Australia. He unpacks the complexity of salinity in the Wheatbelt, tracing its historical roots and examining the pressures of land clearing, climate, and agricultural practices on salinity levels, and outlines practical management strategies that have emerged from years of research. The conversation also looks ahead, highlighting the potential of water‑smart farming approaches to better manage water in a drying climate and support more resilient agricultural systems. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe. Sandy soils series: Re-engineering sandy soils into productive land - SW WA HubDrought Resilience in Action webinar series: Making the most of salinity - Facey GroupManaging soils - DPIRDWaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate - DPIRDHub news - Drought Hub

Declining rainfall and reduced water availability since the 1970s have made efficient water use in food production more important than ever. In this episode, Dr Julia Easton and Professor Mark Gibberd from the Centre for Crop Disease Management at Curtin University discuss the 'On Farm Water Demand' project, funded through the WA Node of Food Agility CRC. On Farm Water Demand is a regional project that began with a community meeting and grew into a multi-farm trial using soil moisture sensors and irrigation monitoring to better understand water use in high-value crops like avocados, truffles, apples, wine grapes, and potatoes. With 27 farms involved, data was collected year-round to track irrigation and soil moisture. Farmers used this to fine-tune decisions, whether daily or seasonally, and to back up choices with evidence rather than just instinct. The project highlights how structured data supports business planning, water efficiency, and even climate adaptation modelling at a catchment scale. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. Curtin 4 Agribusiness Profitability (C4AP) - CCDMSouthern Forests Drought Node - Southern Forests Food CouncilOn-Farm Water Demand - Food Agility CRCHub news - Drought Hub

In this episode, we’re joined by Jethro Sercombe, Director of Innovation Practice at Third Story, and Tanya Kilminster, SW WA Hub Knowledge Broker, for a deep dive into co-design in agriculture. Together, they unpack what co-design really means and explore how it can be applied to agriculture-related projects to achieve stronger outcomes. They highlight why intent matters: true co-design is about making decisions with stakeholders, not steering them toward a pre-determined solution. Done well, co-design strengthens projects, builds trust, and fosters lasting relationships rather than burning bridges. Whether you’re working with a grower group, leading an on-farm team, or involved in broader agricultural projects, this episode offers practical insights into the essential elements of co-design, and how to make it work effectively. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. ThirdStoryCo-design in agriculture takes centre stage at SW WA Hub Breakfast - SW WA HubHub news - Drought Hub

Neil Lantzke, Principal Research Scientist in DPIRD’s Intensive and Irrigated Plant Systems team, shares his expertise on growing horticultural crops on the sandy soils of Western Australia’s Swan Coastal Plain. Neil explains why these soils struggle to retain nutrients and water, and highlights innovative agricultural practices that are being developed to address these issues. The conversation also touches on the broader impact of climate change on water resources and how these changes shape horticultural management. He shares practical insights and advice on various irrigation techniques, the potential of soil re-engineering, and the economic considerations that influence growers' decisions. This episode offers a detailed look at the strategies being used to sustain horticultural production in challenging environments. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe. Evaluating on farm water and nutrient recapture in Western Australia - Hort InnovationModern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Improved Drought Resilience - SW WA HubIrrigation calculator - Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentHub news - Drought Hub

Murdoch University’s Professor David Henry and recent PhD graduate Maria Pfeifle, now with DPIRD, explore the issue of non-wetting soils (also known as soil water repellency) in Western Australia. They unpack what it is, why it occurs, and what remains unknown, delving into the complexities of managing this persistent challenge. The conversation also examines how sandy soils, temperature, drought, organic matter, and microbial activity all influence the extent and impact of water repellency across the State. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe. Soil Water Repellence - Soil Quality Knowledge BaseHub news - Drought Hub

Dr Gaus Azam, a soils researcher at DPIRD leading the GRDC project “Re-engineering soils to improve the access of crop root systems to water and nutrients stored in the subsoil”, joins Esperance agronomist Quenten Knight from Agronomy Focus to discuss the soil re-engineering work underway across Western Australia. Together, they explore how this innovative approach to soil management is improving water access for crops, increasing yields, and strengthening drought resilience. They share insights on the importance of understanding soil types, the practical applications of soil amelioration, and the benefits of enhancing soil health to improve crop yields and resilience during dry seasons. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe. Pre-emergent herbicides factsheet - GRDCGoogle Scholar: Dr Gaus Azam's publications Re-engineering soil profiles might happen sooner than expected (video) - GRDCRe-engineering soils to improve the access of crop root systems to water and nutrients stored in the subsoil - GRDCThe resilience of re-engineered sandy soils in wet and dry seasons in Western Australia (PDF) - Gaus Azam, DPIRDLess rain, more wheat: How Australian farmers defied climate doom - Reuters‘Moonshot’ investment tracks soil amelioration over time and space - GRDC Ground CoverHub news - Drought Hub

We’re kicking off our Sandy Soils podcast series with Dr Stephen Davies (DPIRD) and Dr Therese McBeath (CSIRO), co-conveners of the 2025 Sandy Soils Conference in Perth. Sandy soils cover more than half of Western Australia, including much of our cropping land. Their importance to food production and land use makes understanding and managing them vital to building climate resilience. Stephen and Therese share highlights from the conference, where experts from agriculture, mining, and natural resource management came together to drive collaboration and innovation. They also dive into the key challenges shaping sandy soils management in agriculture, from water repellency and compaction to salinity and nutrient leaching, and set the scene for what’s to come in this series. If you want to understand why sandy soils matter, and what’s being done to make them more productive, this is the perfect place to start. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe. Sustainable Solutions for Sandy Soils, West Midlands - SW WA HubBuilding better soils from the ground up: insights from the global Sandy Soils Conference - SW WA HubSandy Soils Global Conference

What happens when wind turbines meet wheat fields? Across Western Australia, more and more farmers are being approached by energy companies with big ideas - and big infrastructure. But what does it all mean for your farm? Farmanco’s limited podcast series, "Diversifying Farm Income: Integrating Renewable Energy into Agriculture", unpacks the opportunities and challenges of the renewables rollout. The three-part series shares insights from a grower survey funded through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, and examines what’s driving renewable energy interest in Western Australia’s ag sector - from financial benefits and long-term business resilience to the social, legal, and environmental realities on the ground. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already in talks, this series is your independent guide to navigating the future of on-farm energy. The third and final episode of the series explores how regional communities can stay ahead of the renewable energy curve, featuring Vin Fordham-Lamont (CEO, Shire of West Arthur) and Karen Harrington (Shire of West Arthur, Deputy Shire President), hosted by Shannon Beattie.

What happens when wind turbines meet wheat fields? Across Western Australia, more and more farmers are being approached by energy companies with big ideas - and big infrastructure. But what does it all mean for your farm? Farmanco’s limited podcast series, "Diversifying Farm Income: Integrating Renewable Energy into Agriculture", unpacks the opportunities and challenges of the renewables rollout. The three-part series shares insights from a grower survey funded through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, and examines what’s driving renewable energy interest in Western Australia’s ag sector - from financial benefits and long-term business resilience to the social, legal, and environmental realities on the ground. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already in talks, this series is your independent guide to navigating the future of on-farm energy. The second episode of the series explores whether renewable energy projects are worth it for Western Australian growers, featuring Farmanco's Greg Easton (Farm Management Consultant) and icubed Consulting Senior Associate, Fraser MacMillan, hosted by Shannon Beattie. Diversifying farm income: integrating renewable energy into agriculture - SW WA Hub Hub news - Drought Hub

What happens when wind turbines meet wheat fields? Across Western Australia, more and more farmers are being approached by energy companies with big ideas - and big infrastructure. But what does it all mean for your farm? Farmanco’s limited podcast series, "Diversifying Farm Income: Integrating Renewable Energy into Agriculture", unpacks the opportunities and challenges of the renewables rollout. The three-part series shares insights from a grower survey funded through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, and examines what’s driving renewable energy interest in Western Australia’s ag sector - from financial benefits and long-term business resilience to the social, legal, and environmental realities on the ground. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already in talks, this series is your independent guide to navigating the future of on-farm energy. The first episode of the series explores why renewable energy companies are knocking on WA farm gates, featuring Farmanco’s Kelly Ryan (Project Manager) and Williams and Harrismith grower Mark Fowler, hosted by Shannon Beattie.

Pastoralists Alys McKeough (Carey Downs Station) and Debbie Dowden (Challa Station) were sponsored by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) to attend the 2025 International Rangelands Congress in Adelaide. In this episode, Alys and Debbie share key insights and takeaways from the event, from global perspectives on rangeland management to the importance of international collaboration. Alys and Debbie also reflect on the important role of women in rangelands leadership and how their contributions are shaping more sustainable, environmentally conscious practices. They discuss the ongoing challenges facing remote communities and highlight the need for strong support systems to build long-term resilience across Australia’s rangelands. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe.

Dr John Duncan from The University of Western Australia and Dr Daniel Kidd from the Grower Group Alliance discuss the recently released Water Evaluation Platform (WEP), which was created as part of the WaterSmart Dams project. WEP is a web application that allows you to simulate the performance of a dam and its catchment allowing the landholder to understand and analyse the different options available. The WEP was designed with industry experts and growers to support individual farms, private contractors, water planners, and local communities to make drought-resilient investment decisions. This episode highlights the different types of analysis possible through WEP, as well as the data required, and the process taken to get here. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. WaterSmart Dams: capturing and keeping water in dams - Dry Season Resources PodcastCentre for Water and Spatial Science | UWAThe Ripple EffectWaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate. | Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentWaterSmart Dams Introducing the Water Evaluation Platform (short video)Water Evaluation PlatformHub news - Drought Hub

In this episode, Dr Michael Young, from Farm Optimisation Group and Johno O'Halloran, a local farmer in Kojonup, explore how decision-making tools can help manage challenges. Decision fatigue is common, but using models and expert advice can reduce the load and improve outcomes. The episode discusses the farm optimisation model that lets you test different scenarios, helping farmers move beyond gut instinct with data-backed decisions. Whether you're fine-tuning livestock vs cropping choices or considering incorporating legumes, this tool helps you understand potential outcomes and key drivers. Importantly, it's not about a computer telling you what to do, it’s a decision support tool for experienced and new farmers alike, which can be used solo or with a consultant. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. Youngs Farm Analysis - ResearchIdentifying high-value tactical livestock decisions on a mixed enterprise farm in a variable environmentHub news - Drought Hub

Dr Nik Callow from the University of Western Australia shares insights from the WaterSmart Dams project, which aims to build resilient water supplies for cropping and livestock operations. The episode highlights the issue of dams receiving less water due to lower rainfall, low runoff from catchments, and ageing dams; all exacerbating water shortages, especially during consecutive low rainfall years. Solutions discussed include using repurposed tarpaulins to increase catchment runoff, daisy dam covers and vegetation to reduce evaporation, repurposing subsurface drainage systems, and decreasing leakage losses. Many strategies were grower-led, with the project aiming to understand and quantify benefits. Implementing a suite of solutions tailored to individual farming needs may yield better results for securing long-term water supply. Water quality is also addressed, with some farmers offsetting water treatment costs through increased herbicide efficacy. An episode on the Water Evaluation Platform (WEP) will be released soon. The WaterSmart Dams project is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Western Australian state government’s Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund, and is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Grower Group Alliance. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. WaterSmart Farms: Water Security and Resilience in a Drying Climate - DPIRDWaterSmart Dams: Making dams work again - Grower Group Alliance (GGA)Diving into WaterSmart Farms with Dr. Richard George (DPIRD) - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyCatching Every Drop: MADFIG's Role in the WaterSmart Dams Project (Roaded Catchment) - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyWaterSmart Farms: Wongutha CAPS - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyWaterSmart Farms Deep Drilling project with Dr. Richard George - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyWaterSmart Farms: Unlocking Opportunities with Desalination - From Stockwater to Spray Quality - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyWaterSmart Farms: Reverse Osmosis trials giving rural communities fresh water for the future. - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyNot all Water is equal: Water quality is the key to WaterSmart Dams (and Farms) - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on SpotifyHub news - Drought Hub