Dry Season Resources

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...

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...

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...

Business, landscape/production, and mental wellbeing are deeply intertwined, each influencing and reinforcing the others. This episode explores the interconnectedness of these three pillars of the triple bottom line in livestock production in the Southern Rangelands.

We are joined by agribusiness management consultant Richard Brake (Richard Brake Consulting), principal landscape ecologist/agroecologist Richard Marver (Contour Consulting) and rural counsellor and wellbeing health advocate Louise O’Neill (Farm Life Fitness). The three of them participated in the Pastoral Business Toolkit project led by the Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association (GNRBA).

While isolation poses one of the gr...

2024 delivered a mixed season for Western Australian growers. It began with extremely dry conditions, then turned around with above-average rainfall through June, July, and August, leading to above-average yields in many regions. However, rising overheads and variable costs meant many farmers finished the year in a neutral financial position.

In this episode, we’re joined by Renae Piggott, Consultant with AgAsset, and Krista Lancaster from Ninghan Spraying and Ag Services and Project Officer at the Merredin & Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG).

Renae hosted the Cultivating Profit workshops in 2024, designed to give young farmers an introduction in...

In this episode we are joined by a dynamic farming duo, Danielle Lannin England and Jonathan England, from AgInnovate. With a wealth of experience on-farm and in the wider agricultural industry, they share their advice after experiencing multiple dry seasons on their mixed sheep-grain farm in South Australia.

Danielle, who originally hails from a farming family in southeast WA, is a highly regarded consultant with expertise in farm business management and decision making. She shares her perspective from the farm office and highlights the importance of maintaining community connections during tough times.

Jonathan is a...

In this episode, we hear about new technologies in landscape management in the rangelands. Our guests are Megan Willis, Senior Research Officer from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Richard Marver, landscape ecologist and director of Contour Environmental and Agricultural Consulting.

Megan shares insights from her project exploring the use of virtual fencing to manage livestock across rangelands, with benefits including enhanced, real-time herd monitoring and improved mustering efficiency.

Richard shares the potential use of drones to generate landscape-scale data to show pasture health and to help inform decision making for grazing...

Tam Connor, Learning and Development Manager, and Lance Mudgway, Landscape Planner and Hydrologist at the Mulloon Institute, explore the principles of landscape rehydration – using nature-based infrastructure and strategic land management to restore water cycles, enhance water quality, and build ecosystem resilience.

They also discuss the Communities of Practice Project, funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, which is empowering farming communities to adopt rehydration techniques and drive long-term landscape restoration.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

CSIRO Plant Physiologist Dr Sarah Rich and Facey Group CEO Tina Astbury discuss the Future Drought Fund project "Improving Sowing Opportunities for Increased Farm Resilience in a Changing Climate". They explore the potential of deep sowing, the current opportunities for adoption, and what’s on the horizon for this practice.

The episode delves into the mixed success of recent trials, highlighting that deep sowing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution — it depends on soil type, seasonal conditions, and logistical considerations. Given its opportunistic nature, the discussion unpacks what’s needed to make deep sowing work effectively and when it offer...

How can we make the most of rain when it falls, and what alternatives exist when it doesn’t? In this episode, researchers Samantha Viljoen (Murdoch University) and Dr Priscilla Tremain (University of Newcastle) share their innovative work on improving water security in agriculture.

Samantha, a PhD candidate in the Bioplastics Innovation Hub, introduces the SMART SPRAYS project, which is developing a bioplastic-based spray to improve water harvesting and water retention in cropping systems. The SMART SPRAYS project is part of the SW WA Hub's Transformational Program and receives funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund...

Dr Penny Schulz from the SA Drought Hub and Dr Jeisane Accioly-McIllre from Western Beef Association Inc. share insights from their work on drought resilience strategies for livestock feeding.

Penny discusses her pilot program on containment feeding, highlighting its benefits for productivity, pasture management, profitability, and drought preparedness.

Jeisane brings her expertise from the ‘Better Hay and Silage’ workshops, equipping farmers with practical knowledge on producing, storing, and using hay and silage effectively.

Together, they explore the importance of planning, training, and informed decision-making when managing livestock nutrition in dry seasons. They also shar...

Join UWA’s Professor Shane Maloney and Western Dairy Extension Advisor India Brockman as they delve into the impact of heat stress in sheep and cattle, with a special focus on dairy cows in Western Australia.

Shane discusses the Murdoch University-led project "The Benefits of Shelter Belts", which is evaluating the effectiveness of shelterbelts in WA's South West region.

India introduces Dairy Australia's Cool Cows program. Discover the far-reaching impacts of heat stress, including reduced milk production, low milk protein and fat tests, lower fertility rates, and long-term health issues. Explore why "shade is king" in...

Nic McGregor from AgVise Merredin and Ben Whisson from ConsultAg Kulin discuss the realities of farming in WA’s eastern Wheatbelt, highlighting the importance of getting the basics right: planning, execution, and cost control.

Nic and Ben share strategies for adapting to tough seasons, including building cash reserves in good years, knowing your numbers, and investing in areas like water supplies and crop diversity. Both stress the need for informed decisions, consistent operations, and self-care - because the biggest risk to any farm business is its people (their advice? Book a holiday!).

This episode is br...

In this episode, Dave Stead from Anasazi Consulting and Phil Smyth from Nutrien Coorow explore the growing array of weather tools and apps available to farmers. With advancements like smartphones and subscription-based services, farmers now have unprecedented access to weather data - but navigating the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.

Dave and Phil share insights on how to leverage these tools effectively to make informed decisions on-farm. They discuss the rise of localised weather stations, the benefits and limitations of popular apps like CliMate and Meteorlogix, and the importance of understanding trends in weather models.<...

Join Carly Veitch, farm management consultant at AgAsset and President of the Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (AAAC), along with Ian Donaldson, senior manager of rural valuations at Rabobank, as they delve into the dynamics behind soaring land prices.

In recent years, land values have surged, and with increasingly variable seasons, buying land is becoming a tougher choice for many. Carly and Ian discuss the factors driving these price hikes, the challenges this poses for farmers, and the various options for expanding land access. Ian also shares insights into how pricing differs across regions, particularly in mixed...

In this episode, Coorow farmer Rod Birch and Yuna farmer Jess Grove share their experiences managing extreme seasonal variability in Western Australia’s northern wheatbelt. With 2023 marking the lowest rainfall on record, and 2021, 2022, and 2024 presenting vastly different conditions, Jess and Rod discuss their strategies for adapting to these challenges, capturing gains in productive years, and building resilience for drier ones.

Jess explains how her 2023 experience led to important adjustments, such as avoiding high-risk crops like canola and lupins in the absence of summer rain and switching to shorter-season varieties when rains finally arrived. Meanwhile, Rod shares how pa...

In this episode, we explore how changing rainfall patterns are reshaping seeding strategies and risk management across Australia.

Our guests are:

In this episode, Mullewa farmer John Flannagan and Tom Holcombe, Field Operations Lead at SwarmFarm Robotics, discuss the benefits of using SwarmFarm robots in WA's northern wheatbelt.

John shares how the addition of two SwarmFarm robots, alongside a WEED-IT precision sprayer, has significantly reduced labour, chemical, and fuel costs on his family’s farm. The conversation highlights how these technologies have not only boosted operational efficiency but also helped conserve valuable soil moisture.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

In this episode, we explore strategies to navigate the evolving challenges of livestock management while boosting productivity and system resilience.

Chapman Valley farmer Jason Stokes shares his approach to managing seasonal variability, including break conservation, confinement feeding, and diverse pasture use.

Daniel Real from DPIRD delves into the Feed365 and Pasture365 projects, highlighting innovative solutions to provide year-round feed and minimise reliance on supplementary feeding during critical feed gaps.

The Pasture365 project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA...

Join Ben White from Kondinin Group and Kelly Cussons from Cussons Media as they dive into four compelling case studies showcasing innovative drought resilience strategies employed by farmers across Australia.

These case studies are part of a comprehensive, farmer-focused extension and adoption program designed to uncover and share the most effective drought resilience techniques, strategies, and technologies in use today.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, this project produced 24 insightful reports, all available at Droughtinfo.com.au.

This episode is particularly valuable for farmers in Western Australia, offering fresh perspectives an...

Join us as we dive into how MyClimateView is empowering growers to make informed decisions in the face of a changing climate. In this episode, Stephanie Dickson from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and Jen Riseley from Pomewest share insights on leveraging historical and predicted climate data tailored to specific regions and crop types.

Stephanie walks us through the key features of MyClimateView, highlighting how users can customise thresholds and growing seasons, and utilise historical data to draw meaningful comparisons between the current season and similar past seasons. She emphasises the importance of personalising the platform to...

In this episode, we talk about virtual fencing and its applications in farming.

Virtual fencing enables farmers to remotely manage and contain livestock without the need for physical fences. Livestock wear GPS-enabled collars that communicate with reception towers, creating a virtual boundary set by the farmer.

Our guests today are Esperance farmer Scott Wandel and Andrew Zipsin from Gallagher. Scott is currently trialling the Gallagher eShepherd neck bands on his farm and has observed numerous benefits, including improved pasture management and reduced labour. He also envisions the technology’s long-term potential in enhancing calf growth an...

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie interviews Farmanco consultant Ben Curtis, and West River farmer Joel Ebert.

They discuss key agronomic decision-making times of the year such as deciding on top up nitrogen, when to sell grain, and if fungicides are needed. They also discuss some of the emotional choices that farmers are making on that journey, such as buying land and succession planning.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon...

Farmers Tony White, from Miling, and Peter Daw, from Ravensthorpe, participated in the Western Australia Drought Pilot program over a decade ago.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), aimed to help farmers better prepare for and manage dry seasons.

In this episode, Tony and Peter share the strategies they have incorporated into their farm businesses since completing the program. They discuss how the program’s support, which included a $40,000 grant for capital improvements and an additional $20,000 for other expenditures, has made a lasting impact on their operations and preparedness ag...

In this episode, we catch up with Dan Parnell, Regional Extension Officer at Western Dairy, and Borden farmer Paul O’Meehan to delve into the world of silage.

Silage isn't widely used in the wheatbelt, but Paul has been growing and utilising it near Borden for many years, and opened one pit after 5 years.

Dan, a consultant, delivers TopFodder workshops, which focus on producing high-quality silage and hay. Recently, he has been doing this work through a project funded by the Future Drought Fund titled "Better Making and Use of Hay and Silage - Mitigating dr...

In this episode, we talk with Brad Plunkett and Christophe D’Abbadie about profitable and drought-resilient grazing systems for the Southern Rangelands.

Brad and Christophe, both economists at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), have conducted extensive research on profitable and sustainable rangeland management systems in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Their work is particularly notable for its focus on strategies that allow pastoralists to manage consecutive drought years effectively.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by...

On this episode, we are joined by Meredith Guthrie from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Michaela Alexander from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Together, they discuss various weather tools that can help us gain deeper insights into our forecasts.

Meredith and Michaela highlight several tools that farmers can use to better understand weather forecasts, explaining their strengths and practical applications.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

In this episode, we explore different livestock feed options for dry seasons.

Joining us are Hayley Norman, a pasture researcher from CSIRO, and Emily Stretch, a farmer from Kojonup. They talk about the impact of the current dry season on livestock operations on WA farms and share alternative feed options farmers can consider.

A key topic is the use of saltbush as a feed alternative in dry years. Hayley and Emily explain how farmers can make use of less productive land for growing shrubs and other feed options. They also discuss the health considerations for...

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, Renae Piggott, a consultant with AgAsset, and Matt Hyde, a young Dalwallinu farmer, talk about the impact of a dry season on WA farms' cash flow.

Farmers may need to pull different levers to change or modify farm operations to minimise the impacts of a dry season on their business.

Renae and Matt give an introduction to the four key ratios farmers should know to help them make informed financial decisions. They discuss the importance for business owners to have a clear...

In this episode, we turn our attention to getting good crop establishment with early sowing.

Our guests are Glen Riethmuller, Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and Stuart Faulkner, a mixed farmer from Beacon, WA.

Good crop establishment and rapid, early growth can improve water efficiency, increase yields and help the crop to compete against weeds. However, early sowing comes with its risks. It can increase the risk of frost during critical growth stages and haying-off in a dry finish.

Glen and Stuart give their tips for...

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie discusses the role of digital technologies in agricultural businesses with Smart Farms coordinator for Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Phil Honey, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, Roger Lawes, and Latham farmer, Dylan Hirsch. 

A range of technologies have been developed in the agricultural industry that provide growers with new insights into their farm businesses and have potential to improve efficiencies and productivity. 

However, these technologies often have limitations and farmers often lack the time, tools and skills to process data from m...

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie catches up with Brad Milsteed, farmer and founder of 6Bs (Blokes, BBQ’s, Bonfires, Beers, Bonding and Bullshit) and Owen Catto from the Regional Men’s Health Initiative. 

They discuss grassroots approaches to support men’s and whole of community mental health and wellbeing that operate across regional WA.

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie interviews Congellin farmer, Sandra Fowler, and Senior Field Veterinary Officer at the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development, Anna Erikson.

They discuss the benefits of confinement feeding and deferred grazing during a dry season and things to consider when implementing this type of system.

In this episode of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie interviews spray application specialist Bill Campbell, from Campbell Ag, and Jemma Sadler, a Goomalling farmer.

They talk about managing large spray programs with the hot, dry and dusty conditions experienced this summer. 

In the first episode of Season 2 of the South-West WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie chats with Cameron Weeks from Planfarm and Cam Nicholson from Nicon Rural Services about making risky decisions.

They discuss knowing about the extremes, and then managing the risks (both good and bad) around those extremes - using head, heart and gut.

Episode four of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast series takes listeners back in time to the drought of 2006-07. DPIRD research scientists Chad Reynolds and Wayne Parker explore the challenges facing growers in the northern-ag region and share some key dry season learnings.

The pair talk about their respective families’ experiences in the 2006-07 dry season.  They explore the region’s key learnings from the challenges faced at the time and share how farmers adapted their practices after two consecutive years of drought. 

Wayne delves into the department’s effort to get into...

In episode six, the final instalment of Season 1 the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast, host Shannon Beattie turns listeners' attention toward livestock. Guests Dean Hubbard, Michael Longford and Ashley Herbert talk about the impact of the dry season on livestock operations on WA farms.

The three experts talk at depth on current markets for sheep and cattle, the seasonal conditions farmers and pastoralists are facing right now and the decision making around managing ground cover, animal welfare and classes of stock to hold or sell.  

Key to all these decisions is objective in...

In episode five of the South-West WA Drought Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast series Host Shannon Beattie and CSBP senior agronomist James Easton discuss considerations for growers when it comes to nitrogen bank and the possibility of retained nutrition after a low crop year.

James discusses a range of considerations, highlighting the need to soil test to know your N bank balance after a dry year; and some interesting trial results from Mullewa in 2023 where banded N up front was a clear winner, even in a dry year. 

He explores the different options growers can t...

In episode three of the South-West WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast series, host Shannon Beattie delves into the challenges facing growers in the northern agricultural region and explores some key dry season learning with local agronomy consultant, Grant Thompson. 

Grant talks about the impact that the low decile season has had on growers in the north. He explores the challenges of crop health, the opportunity to incorporate N up against low, infrequent rainfall, and unseasonably hot August days coupled with a warm dry end of the season. 

Grant’s key takeaways from the 2023 dry seas...

In episode one of the South-West WA Hub's Dry Season Resources podcast series Hub adoption manager Julianne Hill gives a preview of the line-up of guests and topics covered in the limited podcast series. 

Farmanco consultant Greg Easton shares practical tips for managing risk and making smart financial decisions after a dry year. Drawing on his experience from past dry seasons, Greg highlights the value of planning ahead, engaging key stakeholders, and tapping into the strong community support in regional areas.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and I...