Western Australian Farming Systems

Farming systems in the medium and low rainfall zones of Western Australia have evolved over the last 20 years, with both increases in area cropped and yields being achieved. This has been due to growers adapting to strategic risks by implementing production approaches underpinned by R&D. Growers need to continue to adapt to strategic risks in order to remain internationally competitive, sustainable and profitable. Growers need current knowledge on how best to manage current production system risks and prepare for potential future scenarios. A farming systems research approach will ensure that growers are able to make informed

business/agronomic decisions for their farming enterprise and understand the associated risks. The intent of the systems approach is to encompass a diversity of crops across the medium and low rainfall zones, their timing of seeding in a changing climate, the potential weeds and disease consequences of any changes, and to understand the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions intensity of such systems.