Dry Season Resources

The Transformative Aboriginal Agricultural Methods (TAAM) project is exploring how Aboriginal knowledge and modern agricultural science can work together to improve soil health, restore landscapes and support more resilient farming systems. This episode is part of the Indigenous farming methods series and in it, we speak to Clint Hansen, founder of Maaman Marra Boodjar, and Associate Professor Dave Blake from Edith Cowan University. They discuss how Aboriginal knowledge holders, farmers and researchers came together to share their understanding of Country and explore culturally informed approaches to landscape rehydration. Clint explains how leaky weirs - built using locally sourced rocks, branches and soil - can slow water movement, capture sediment and seeds, and support the regeneration of eroded areas. The episode also explores how soil testing, microbiome analysis, drones and sensor networks were used to measure changes in soil moisture, temperature and biomass across trial sites near Perenjori. The TAAM project is supported by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, Edith Cowan University and the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie. 'If we don't look after Country, we won't have anything' - National Indigenous Times Video - Transformative Aboriginal agricultural methods: Maaman Marra Boodjar Video - Transformational program: pathways towards resilience in Western Australia Field day blends Aboriginal knowledge and science for climate resilience - WA Agricultural Research Collaboration Transformative Aboriginal agricultural methods: Maaman Marra Boodjar - SW WA Hub Hub news - Drought Hub

Securing reliable on-farm water is one of the most pressing challenges for Wheatbelt farmers facing consecutive dry seasons, with some spending over $60,000 in a single year just to keep water up to stock. In this episode, Dr Richard George from DPIRD and Professor Brett Harris from Curtin University talk about a targeted approach to finding water in fractured bedrock aquifers deep beneath the Wheatbelt landscape. Drawing on the results of Phase One of the WaterSmart Farms program, where 75% of sites struck usable groundwater, the conversation covers how precision magnetic surveying is dramatically improving drilling success rates, what reliable groundwater means for farm decision-making through dry periods, and what's needed to take this method from research into broad industry uptake via Phase Two's voucher program. The Ripple Effect project - Grower Group Alliance WaterSmart Dams project - Grower Group Alliance Water Smart Projects gallery - Grower Group Alliance MADFIG is delighted to announce the release of our first Podcast! - MADFIG WaterSmart Dams: Understanding dams with the Water Evaluation Platform - SW WA Hub WaterSmart Farms voucher program - DPIRD Water Evaluation Platform Hub news - Drought Hub

Australia’s Southern Rangelands are some of the most variable and challenging pastoral landscapes in the world. Climate variability, rising costs, legacy land condition and large-scale operations can make it challenging to make management decisions and know where new technologies can genuinely add value. In this episode, landscape ecologist Richard Marver from Contour Consulting and Krystie Bremer, Executive Officer of the Gascoyne Pilbara Rangelands Initiative (GPRI), discuss the planning work underway through the Smart Grazing, Stronger Lands project. Drawing on decades of experience across the Southern Rangelands, they explore how a challenge led and place-based approach can support better grazing management. They discuss the role of local knowledge, peer to peer learning and demonstration sites in helping pastoral businesses assess where targeted technologies may improve decision making and drought resilience. The episode also explores the difficulty of navigating the rapidly growing agtech industry. Richard and Krystie discuss the SW WA Hub’s developing AgTech Adoption Guide, which aims to help pastoralists and advisers better understand available tools, likely costs and where different technologies may suit different operations. The conversation highlights that successful technology adoption is not simply about new tools. It depends on matching technology to local conditions, business goals and management capacity. The Smart Grazing, Stronger Lands project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. It is is led by Adelaide University through the SA Drought Hub. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Doug Hamilton. Southern Rangelands Revitalisation Program | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Gascoyne Regional Drought Resilience Plan Managing livestock health and disease during dry seasons - Drought Hub The triple bottom line: lessons from the Pastoral Business Toolbox - Drought Hub Virtual fencing and drone monitoring: enhancing rangeland management through AgTech - Drought Hub Hub news - Drought Hub

Virtual fencing could become a game-changer for Australian livestock producers, replacing kilometres of wire and hours of labour with a GPS collar and an app. But its potential goes well beyond convenience. By giving farmers unprecedented control over grazing pressure, virtual fencing is shaping up as a powerful tool for dry‑season management and climate resilience. In this episode, Esperance farmer Simon Fowler and SARDI researcher Bianca Agenbag unpack how the technology is helping producers maximise pasture utilisation, run virtual feedlots through feed gaps, and protect precious feed reserves when seasons turn tough. They also discuss the research underway to help farmers assess whether virtual fencing stacks up economically for their own operations. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Doug Hamilton. Virtual fencing: breaking down boundaries in livestock grazing - SW WA Hub Virtually Fence Free project (Future Drought Fund) - NQ Dry Tropics Commercialisation of Virtual Fencing for Livestock - SARDI / PIRSA Virtual fencing for improved drought resilience on South Australian farms - SA Drought Hub Virtual fencing for improved drought resilience on South Australian farms - SW WA Hub Virtual fencing provides productivity gains from strip grazing in broadacre farming - SW WA Hub Hub news - Drought Hub

Uncertain seasons require clear thinking, not more noise. In this episode, Rod Birch, a grain grower from Coorow, shares his approach to planning for and managing through dry seasons and broader uncertainty. Rod discusses the importance of focusing on core fundamentals, identifying key risks such as lower-than-expected rainfall, input supply and markets, and avoiding unnecessary noise when making decisions. The conversation explores planning across short, medium, and long timeframes, along with the role of good relationships and trusted advice in supporting decision making. While Rod speaks from a grain growing perspective, the principles apply across agriculture, reinforcing that although conditions change, the fundamentals of good planning remain the same. 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. Links on drought and mental health support - SW WA Hub RiskWi$e - The National Risk Management Initiative - Grower Group Alliance Navigating extreme seasonal variability in WA’s Wheatbelt - SW WA Hub Hub news - Drought Hub

Input constraints are a challenge, not just currently in 2026, but also off the back of dry seasons when financial constraints can dominate decision making. In both contexts, smart allocation can make a real difference to whole of farm performance. In this episode, cropping farmer Dylan Hirsch from Latham WA and CSIRO research scientist Roger Lawes discuss practical strategies for making the most of limited inputs, with a strong focus on the highest input cost of nitrogen. They discuss how ranking paddocks by yield potential using historical data and remote sensing can help target limited inputs, while also considering how growers can adjust crop and rotation decisions when conditions or supply constraints change. Roger then shares insights from the national Grain Automate project, including a new calculator tool to help evaluate precision spraying investments. The conversation highlights the role of farm data in decision making to effectively optimise a constrained resource. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Doug Hamilton. Grain Automate Economic Model Calculator - Grain Automate - GRDC & CSIRO Spray Program Calculator - GRDC & CSIRO Grain Automate - GRDC Hub news - Drought Hub

Seasonal climate outlooks can inform planning, but they are only one part of farm decision-making. In this episode, Dr Meredith Guthrie, from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Phil Smyth, northern Wheatbelt agronomist from Nutrien Coorow, talk about the 2026 seasonal outlook. Meredith explains current climate drivers, how to interpret climate model probabilities and how the potential development of an El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole may result in 2026 looking a bit like the difficult year of 2023. They then go on to discuss what these forecasts may mean for growers, including dry sowing, crop selection, managing input costs, and making the most of early rainfall opportunities. The conversation highlights the importance of using forecasts as guidance while focusing on sound management decisions throughout the season and how there is always space for hope. 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. Long-range weather, climate and water availability - Bureau of Meteorology Seasonal Climate Outlook - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Long-range forecasts: weeks, months and seasons - Bureau of Meteorology Hub news - Drought Hub

Water quality is one of the most overlooked factors in spray performance, yet it can have major impacts on efficacy, compatibility and long-term resistance risk. In this episode, agronomist Bill Campbell from Campbell Ag and Damon Cusack from the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group (FBG) discuss how water quality varies across Western Australia and what growers can do to better manage it. They explore common issues including hard water tying up glyphosate, high turbidity reducing the effectiveness of paraquat, and elevated pH shortening the half-life of certain insecticides and fungicides. The conversation highlights key results from FBG’s Water Quality Snapshot project, which revealed significant variability in water sources, even between dams on the same farm. Practical strategies include testing all water sources, ranking them by quality, matching water to product where possible, and investing in storage or treatment systems. The episode also points to useful tools and fact sheets available through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). A small investment in understanding your water could make a big difference to spray results and farm resilience. 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. Sprayer workshops – filter to “west” region and “workshops” - GRDC Water tests - CSBP WaterSmart Dams: Making Dams Work Again — Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Water Evaluation Platform - University of Western Australia Water quality factsheet - GRDC Spray mixing and batch guides - GRDC Water Smart Dams project - Grower Group Alliance Hub news - Drought Hub

Livestock monitoring and management is crucial for keeping animals healthy and productive during extended summer periods. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Izzy Drage, Field Veterinary Officer at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and Katherine Davies, Senior Development Officer in DPIRD’s Animal Systems group. They bring valuable experience in livestock health and practical on‑farm management. We discuss the practical and strategic approaches to managing livestock during prolonged dry and hot periods, touching on water management, feed planning, disease observation and prevention, and long-term climate resilience for livestock. 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. Livestock nutrition in dry seasons with hay, silage and containment feeding - SW WA Hub WaterSmart Dams: capturing and keeping water in dams - SW WA Hub Managing heat stress in sheep, beef and dairy cattle - SW WA Hub Animal biosecurity - DPIRD Animal welfare in emergencies - Heatwave (and dry season) - DPIRD Annual ryegrass toxicity in livestock - DPIRD "Condition scoring of sheep" factsheet - DPIRD "Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep" factsheet - DPIRD DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services DPIRD field vet contacts Electronic identification for sheep and goats in Western Australia - DPIRD The Emergency Animal Disease Hotline – how does it work? - Animal Health Australia Emergency animal disease preparedness - DPIRD "Growing weaner sheep" factsheet - DPIRD Hypocalcaemia in sheep - Agriculture Victoria Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia - DPIRD Lupinosis - DPIRD Prevent chemical residues in livestock - DPIRD Reportable animal diseases – Western Australia - DPIRD Saltland Genie Season agricultural region - DPIRD Sheep dry season management - DPIRD Sheep feeding and nutrition - DPIRD Sheep reproduction and genetics - DPIRD Sheep tools, resources and calculators - DPIRD Significant Disease Investigation Program - DPIRD Supplementary feeding and budgeting - DPIRD Water for livestock - DPIRD WaterSmart Dams – Making Dams Work Again - Grower Group Alliance WaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate - DPIRD Hub news - Drought Hub

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 Directory Fostering the adoption of variable rate fertiliser application for improved nutrient use efficiency - SPAA Hub 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 Hub Drought Resilience in Action webinar series: Making the most of salinity - Facey Group Managing soils - DPIRD WaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate - DPIRD Hub 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) - CCDM Southern Forests Drought Node - Southern Forests Food Council On-Farm Water Demand - Food Agility CRC Hub 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. ThirdStory Co-design in agriculture takes centre stage at SW WA Hub Breakfast - SW WA Hub Hub 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 Innovation Modern Soil Moisture Monitoring for Improved Drought Resilience - SW WA Hub Irrigation calculator - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Hub 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 Base Hub 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 - GRDC Google Scholar: Dr Gaus Azam's publications Re-engineering soil profiles might happen sooner than expected (video) - GRDC Re-engineering soils to improve the access of crop root systems to water and nutrients stored in the subsoil - GRDC The resilience of re-engineered sandy soils in wet and dry seasons in Western Australia (PDF) - Gaus Azam, DPIRD Less rain, more wheat: How Australian farmers defied climate doom - Reuters ‘Moonshot’ investment tracks soil amelioration over time and space - GRDC Ground Cover Hub 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 Hub Building better soils from the ground up: insights from the global Sandy Soils Conference - SW WA Hub Sandy 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.