EO Report: November 2025
By Gabby Carrivick, WMG Executive Officer
Hello everyone and happy harvest.
As harvest rolls on across the region, the WMG team has been focusing on what matters most: staying connected with our members. During this period, we’re making a point of getting out to paddocks, sheds and utes wherever we can. These short catchups and honest conversations about the season, trial results or project ideas are invaluable. They help ensure our work stays firmly centred on what growers in the West Midlands need. If we haven’t caught you yet, please feel free to give me a call or drop in for a coffee.
We’ve also had strong interest from industry since our call last month to re-establish the WMG Research Committee. While we’re very pleased by the level of enthusiasm from our industry and research counterparts, we’re keen to see more growers involved so we have strong farm-level representation guiding the direction of our work. If you’re interested in helping shape WMG’s research priorities, please get in touch and we can discuss what’s involved. At this stage, we’re planning for the committee to meet quarterly, with short, purposeful meetings, with an online option made available to those who might not be able to make it in person every time.
Alongside our field visits, we’re progressing a large amount of end-of-year work – grant applications, letters of support, gathering and analysing final trial data and report writing. I would like to take this opportunity to make special mention of our trial site and strip trial hosts this year; John Minty, Jim Hamilton, Peter Rathjen, Brendan van Beek, Jeremy Roberts, Tim Creagh, Corey Mincherton, Will Browne, Mark Drake, Lachie Brown, Duncan Glasfurd & Nick Woods. We couldn’t do this work without your support, generosity and continued cooperation.
Although this time of year always brings tight deadlines, the opportunities ahead for 2026 are exciting. We have proposals underway across sandy soils, crop establishment, groundcover thresholds, drought resilience tools and livestock systems. Many of these ideas have come directly from member conversations, and your feedback continues to shape our direction.
As I highlighted in my previous EO Report, one of our key projects kicking off in 2026 is the Sustainable Solutions for Sandy Soils Project. As we prepare to launch, we’re looking to connect with growers who have practical or successful approaches that could help guide early case studies, as well as those simply interested in being part of the discussion. If this sounds like you, we’d welcome a call.
Behind the scenes, we’re strengthening WMG’s internal processes as well. Updates to finance systems, clearer HR processes and improved board reporting are all underway to ensure the organisation is efficient, transparent and well supported. The intention is simple: reduce administrative load and increase the time we spend working directly with growers.
Over the coming weeks, our priority remains to get out, listen and stay connected. Whether it’s on the header, in the paddock, at the kitchen bench or over the phone, we’re making every effort to catch up with as many members as possible.
Wishing everyone a safe and smooth finish to harvest. As always, we appreciate your time, support and the trust you place in WMG.
