Investment

This project will research novel agronomy and soil water management practices to deliver increased profitability and reduced risk for farming systems in the low rainfall zone (LRZ) of Western Australia. This region is characterised by low and variable growing season rainfall and consequently the effective management of soil water is central to profitable and sustainable farming systems. The project will use field experimentation to evaluate three complementary potential farming systems changes. Novel soil moisture management techniques, early sowing and high value break crops (field peas, lentils, chickpeas and/or lupins) will all be tested. Field research will underpin farming systems modelling research that will evaluate how these strategies can be used at both the field and farm scale to increase profitability and reduce risk in the LRZ. Models will allow interactions with livestock systems to be understood. By integrating the three complementary farming systems strategies together, the project has the potential to provide a step change in productivity in LRZ farming systems.