Shaping the future of WA ag through the Soil CRC landholder survey
By Simon Kruger, WMG Project Communications Officer
Landholders across Western Australia’s Wheatbelt and high-rainfall south-west regions have a fresh opportunity to have their voices heard in a national survey on farm practice, values and decision-making. The Soil CRC’s long-term social benchmarking survey has now returned to WA, and your participation matters.
What the survey covers
The survey invites you to reflect on how you manage land, access information, make decisions, and plan for the future. It collects various insights including:
- enterprise mix and long-term property plans
- sources of information and pathways of learning
- attitudes to risk, soil health, environment, succession and change
- current practice and intended practice.
It also includes region-specific questions – for example, this year the WA release includes a supplementary survey for grazing properties in the south-west, linked to nutrient-management programs.
Why your response is important
- Improved relevance of research and extension. The survey helps groups like grower-networks, regional NRM bodies and industry bodies tailor investment, programs and extension services to what landholders actually need. In WA, previous results helped shape local grower-group priorities.
- Tracking change over time. Because this is the second WA wave, the survey allows comparison of how practices, attitudes and challenges are evolving. That longitudinal insight is especially valuable for regions facing climatic, economic and structural change.
- Informed policy and investment. The aggregated results build a national dataset that underpins strategic decisions about soil health, land stewardship and farm system resilience.
- Your voice matters. While the survey is submitted anonymously, it gives you direct input into how programs and supports are shaped around you and your peers. Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke from Murdoch University says the results of high participation amplify the value.
Who’s involved and what’s the process
For WA, the survey is led by Murdoch University in collaboration with local partners including the West Midlands Group, Wheatbelt NRM, the Liebe Group, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Approximately 4,000 landholders across the region have been mailed an invitation. The mailing includes a serial number enabling spatial linkage with soil and weather data, while maintaining anonymity.
If you did not receive a paper notice but have eligible land, you are still encouraged to participate via the online link: https://murdochuni.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUWMJo5uaP0wYPs.
What happens after you complete the survey
Once completed, the data will be analysed and reported back to regional partners and broadly across the sector. These findings will help steer research, extension and investment decisions tailored to WA. They will also feed into the broader national benchmarking dataset, enabling comparison across regions and farming systems.
How to participate
If you received a survey notice, please complete it – online or via the paper version. Use your serial number included in the letter when completing online. If you didn’t receive the letter but believe you are eligible, you can still access the survey via the online link provided by the Soil CRC.
Taking 10-15 minutes now could make a real difference to how your region is supported in coming years.
For queries or further information, contact Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke (Murdoch University) on 08 9360 7472 or via Hanabeth.Luke@murdoch.edu.au.
