Dry Season Resources

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

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 greatest challenges for pastoralists, both in terms of mental health and business operations, seasonal variability remains a significant concern from a landscape and production standpoint. Our guests discuss how decision-making can be particularly challenging when each choice carries substantial weight for the business. Having access to the right resources can make these decisions far less overwhelming and more informed. They share key lessons from the Pastoral Business Toolkit.The Pastoral Business Toolkit project is supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.FRRR Pastoral Business Toolbox: Kanandah - GNRBAFRRR Pastoral Business Toolbox: Morapoi - GNRBAPastoral Business Toolbox heads to the Nullarbor - SW WA HubHub news - Drought Hub

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 into farm finances. Krista supported and attended one of these events.Together, they explore the importance of planning ahead – rather than making decisions under pressure – and discuss key takeaways from the workshops, including how understanding financial ratios can support better decision-making. As Renae puts it: "The best time to prepare for a poor year is during your best years."This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Financial literacy for young farmers - SW WA HubHub news - Drought Hub

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 livestock expert with a focus on sheep production systems. He shares how adaptive management approaches, such as 3-week joining and confinement feeding strategies, can help maintain long-term health and productivity for farming operations. This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Top Tips for Season 2025 Insights from the Grain and Graze Program Lifetime Ewe ManagementAgInnovateHub news - Drought Hub

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 management.Together, they highlight how new technologies such as these might be integrated into existing agricultural systems to assist producers and landholders manage their livestock operations.  This episode is brought to you by theSouth-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.SA Drought HubCommercialisation of virtual fencing for livestock - DPIR, SARDIContour ConsultingHub news - Drought Hub

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.Communities of Practice Project — Mulloon InstituteHub news - Drought Hub

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 offers the greatest benefits for farmers.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Long coleoptile wheats – for deep seeding and optimising sowing window options - GRDCEvaluating Deep Sowing of Oats in WA Production Systems - Facey GroupLong Coleoptile Project - Facey GroupGetting deep and meaningful with canola and wheat - GRDCLong Coleoptile Wheat webinar with Sarah Rich (Youtube) - FarmLinkHub news - Drought Hub

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, Murdoch University and the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration.Priscilla, a researcher on the Hydro Harvester project, explains how her atmospheric water generator extracts moisture from the air to create high-quality drinking water – anywhere, anytime. She explores potential applications, from providing water security to rural communities to ensuring self-sufficiency for farmers and livestock.With seasons becoming more variable, ensuring water availability is critical for communities and agriculture alike. Tune in to learn how these innovative solutions could reshape water management in an increasingly dry climate.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.SMART SPRAYS: maximising the benefits from rainfall - SW WA HubHydro Harvester: addressing drinking water shortages in drought-affected communities - University of NewcastleHub news - Drought Hub

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 share key outcomes from their projects and offer valuable tools and questions to help producers navigate feed management during challenging conditions.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Silage, is it all it’s wrapped up to be? - SW WA HubMy Farm DashboardContainment feeding to boost business performance and resilience - SA Drought Hub - Watch this site for the release of the RationApp, yet to be released.Easy Beef and Dairy Cattle Diets - Rumen8Hub news - Drought Hub

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 heat stress management and gain insights into cost-effective strategies for creating cooler environments for your livestock.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Shade options for livestock - Drought InfoShade and shelter project - Meat & Livestock AustraliaManaging heat load and heat stress in sheep and cattle at saleyards - DPIRDCool Cows: manual, 2023 (PDF) - Dairy AustraliaStrategies For Managing Heat Stress - Dairy AustraliaEllinbank Smartfarm - Agriculture VictoriaHub news - Drought Hub

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 brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Mitigating risk in a dry and variable climate - GRDCRiskWi$e – GRDCRiskWi$e – The National Risk Management Initiative – Grower Group AllianceDe-risking seeding program – Adoption of key management practices for the success of dry and early sown crops – Baseline Survey Report (PDF)De-Risking the Seeding Program – AG ExcellenceHub news - Drought Hub

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.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Meteologix: Weather for Australia - Swiss Quality Weather ForecastingBureau of Meteorology developments in long-term forecasting accuracy – the implications for autumn sowing - GRDCFarming Forecaster: helping farmers make decisions on livestock production - CSIROMy Climate View: Innovative climate tool expands to support more farmers - CSIROFive forecast tools to help you make better decisions - Meat & Livestock AustraliaMyClimateView: how past and projected climate data can support on-farm decision making - SW WA HubYour weather questions answered - SW WA HubAustralian Bureau of MeteorologyYr - Served by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRKWindy: Wind map & weather forecastDPIRD weather stationsCliMateHub news - Drought Hub

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 farming areas in the eastern states.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Hub news - Drought Hub

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 past good seasons allowed him to strengthen his business through strategic investments, and how thorough planning helps him make well-ranked decisions, even under adverse conditions. His approach, grounded in “optimistic realism,” emphasizes balancing risk, reducing costs, and prioritising long-term resilience.Jess and Rod also delve into practical measures like improved water-use efficiency, addressing soil constraints, and enhancing technology to keep input costs low during lean years. Both Jess and Rod highlight the value of community connection, with initiatives like the “barefoot bowls day” that Jess organised to relieve stress and foster support.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.Reducing costs and forward planning during a dry year (Video) - Rod BirchDe-Risking the Seeding Program – AG Excellence AllianceRiskWi$e - GRDCRiskWi$e - The National Risk Management Initiative - Grower Group AllianceDe-risking seeding program – Adoption of key management practices for the success of dry and early sown crops – Baseline Survey Report (PDF) Hub news - Drought Hub