At Gillingarra, a flush of ryegrass following deep soil mixing has offered an unexpected insight into how soil disturbance can “wake up” both biology and weeds. The findings are helping refine management approaches within the GRDC Soil Water Repellence Project.

Growers are finding that visual potassium budgets make nutrient data easier to interpret and apply. Through the GRDC-funded K Extension Project, WMG’s infographic tools are helping turn complex soil results into practical insights for managing potassium across different soils and seasons.

The second year of the Soil Water Repellence Project is revealing how soil amelioration effects shift over time. From Dandaragan to Moora, grower collaboration is helping uncover what works, what changes, and how management needs to evolve as soils respond.

Field testing at Ballidu compared potassium fertiliser rates across two contrasting soils. The emerging trends highlight how rainfall, soil profile and nutrient balance can shape crop uptake and the value of site-specific strategies in variable seasons.

With the 2025 harvest fast approaching, growers in the West Midlands took part in a hands-on GRDC Harvester Set-Up Workshop designed to help fine-tune machinery, reduce losses and build confidence in achieving efficient, profitable harvest performance across the region.

WMG Executive Officer Gabby Carrivick reflects on a busy start to spring, highlighting recent workshops, collaborations and research progress as the team prepares for harvest and the year ahead. Read the full update and Gabby’s message to members here.

A big turnout at Minty’s saw growers tour Summit's trials and get a mid-season look at WMG’s Soil Water Repellence Project trial. Early results showed improved establishment and reduced compaction, while 2024 economics highlighted the costs and returns of different machines.

Following the Soil CRC conference, delegates travelled north with WMG to see sandy soils firsthand. At Velyere, a soil pit explored N-banking challenges, while Wathingarra’s long-term trial showed how stacking amendments can improve productivity and resilience.

The Synergy Consulting spray group visited Corey Mincherton’s farm for WMG’s new potassium trial. Growers discussed soil type differences, K cycling and Corey’s shift toward grid sampling, mapping and variable-rate management to guide decisions.

Project Communications Officer Simon Kruger recently presented at the 2025 Soil CRC Conference about the WMG led Risk Reward Tool project, developing a Writing Guide and tiered formats to make research clearer, more consistent and easier to apply on farm.

Growers, WMG staff and researchers recently prioritised the most useful soil health measures for our region. Water repellence, infiltration, root health and nutrient availability rose to the top, alongside practical barriers like time, sampling confidence and information overload.

In her first EO Report, Gabby Carrivick reflects on WMG’s busy start to the season, new board members, major projects underway, and her commitment to reconnecting with members and setting grassroots priorities for the future.

WMG shared early findings from the Northern Agricultural Region Machinery Decisions Survey at the 2025 RiskWi$e Conference, gaining insights and connections that will strengthen ongoing work on machinery investment risk and decision-making in local farming businesses.

Plant testing of a local wheat trial showed big differences in nitrate-N but similar total N across treatments. The results explain why both measures matter and how tillage can influence nitrogen uptake and conversion.

Second-year results from the Creagh site in Dandaragan show soil amelioration continues to improve root depth and structure, particularly with Nufab and Fanger treatments, despite some reconsolidation. Findings highlight lasting benefits for crop resilience on gravelly sands.