West Midlands Group

Supporting the sustainable growth of agriculture across the West Midlands region of WA.


Rethinking when you service the seeder: a whole-farm efficiency question
Most operations service the seeder in late summer, just before it is needed. But with seeding windows tightening, a question worth asking is whether completing that work immediately after the season is a better fit.
Sandy soils, groundcover and what growers are actually doing: inside the Sustainable Solutions for Sandy Soils project
Around 21% of West Midlands farmland lacks adequate groundcover during peak erosion risk periods. A new five-year project is working to change that. Here is what it aims to do and what growers across the region told us.
When does potassium application pay? Three seasons of WMG trial results
Deep ripping paid for wheat at Dandaragan. K30 MOP banded below seed was optimal at Badgingarra. And at Ballidu, the yellow sand and clay loam told completely different stories. Here is what three seasons of K trial work found.
Machinery decisions at scale: lessons from Walyoo Farm, Dandaragan
Walyoo Farm manager Mark Drake explains how a corporate farming business approaches machinery investment, what metrics drive replacement decisions, and why the tug-along sprayer is still earning its place alongside the self-propelled machine.
Seeding costs in 2026: what's happening with diesel and fertiliser, and what you can do about it
Urea is up 55-60% and diesel remains elevated despite the federal excise cut. Here is what is driving the price, what it means for your seeding program, and a few practical steps that can reduce fuel use without major outlay.
Events roundup: what we've been up to in early 2026
A busy start to 2026 for WMG, with three events bringing more than 100 growers, advisers and researchers together across the region. Here is a brief summary of what was covered at each.
Mouse activity at seeding: what to check and what to do
Mouse numbers across WA's northern agricultural region are at elevated levels heading into seeding. Here is how to check your paddocks, where to order chew cards, and what to do if numbers are high.
Chickpeas on heavy country: what the 2025 Moora season showed
A failed April sowing, reseeding in June and a waterlogged winter didn't stop Jim Hamilton's Moora chickpea paddock from returning strong commercial yields and winning the GGA Crop-etition. This article brings together the final trial results and Jim's experience of the season.



The Feed365 Project
Increasing livestock returns by grazing quality forage all year round with minimal supplementary feeding. The Feed365...
The RiskWi$e Project
Supporting on-farm decision making strategies, better understanding risk and providing simple risk management tools to m...
The K Extension Project
Determining optimal potassium levels & management options for the West Midlands region. The K Extension Project, ...
The Grain Legumes Project
Closing the Economic Yield Gap of Grain Legumes in WA. The GGA Grain Legumes Project aims to help farmers access the...
The Soil Water Repellence Project
Exploring management options for ameliorating non-wetting soils in the West Midlands region. Exploring key aspects of...