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.

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 - DPIRD
• WaterSmart 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 Spotify
• Catching Every Drop: MADFIG's Role in the WaterSmart Dams Project (Roaded Catchment) - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• WaterSmart Farms: Wongutha CAPS - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• WaterSmart Farms Deep Drilling project with Dr. Richard George - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• WaterSmart Farms: Unlocking Opportunities with Desalination - From Stockwater to Spray Quality - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• WaterSmart Farms: Reverse Osmosis trials giving rural communities fresh water for the future. - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• Not all Water is equal: Water quality is the key to WaterSmart Dams (and Farms) - Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt | Podcast on Spotify
• Hub 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 - GNRBA
• FRRR Pastoral Business Toolbox: Morapoi - GNRBA
• Pastoral Business Toolbox heads to the Nullarbor - SW WA Hub
• Hub 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 Hub
• Hub news - Drought Hub