PROJECT
With the growing recognition and uptake of regenerative agriculture, now is the time to validate claims, discover what works where, understand co-benefits, and define what this means to the industry.
To achieve this, Perth NRM has partnered with Southern Cross University on a research project to verify impacts of regenerative agriculture on grain farms. By gathering robust scientific data, this project aims to better equip landholders to confidently make evidence-based decisions, while strengthening trust in regenerative agriculture practices more broadly.
The project will utilise local knowledge and expertise of farmers and other key persons in the region to build understandings of regenerative agriculture, with the intent of working towards a useful definition; to identify adaptive and innovative practices; and to identify indicators and measures, to help drive greater industry sustainability and productivity.
Indicators being evaluated for their effectiveness in measuring the impact of regenerative practices include:
-Soil samples at varied depths (physical, chemical, biological, and a 1m core for classification)
-eDNA samples (soil and pollinators)
-Ground cover data
-Biomass
-Insect surveys
-Bird surveys
Data is being gathered across a number of properties in Western Australia. These include validation sites, focus sites, and paired sites.
Regular updates are being held between the project team and participating farmers to facilitate opportunities for open discussions, questions, real-time feedback, and peer to peer learning.
13 WA farmers have participated so far, with farms in Pingrup, Woottating, South Tammin, Eneabba, Warradage, Calingiri, Geraldton, Frankland River, Woogenellup, and Mount Barker.
This critical work has been funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
You can read more about the project here.
