Tackling Constraints and Driving Change at the 2025 WMG Crop Research Updates

By Simon Kruger & Kate Parker

The West Midlands Group’s 2025 Crop Research Updates brought together over 30 local farmers, agronomists, and industry representatives for a day of research-driven discussion and practical insight into crop performance, soil health, weed management, and emerging agronomic technologies. Held alongside the WMG Annual General Meeting and followed by a Sundowner BBQ sponsored by Rabobank, the event highlighted how targeted, regionally relevant research is supporting innovation and resilience across the West Midlands.

Soil Constraints and Fertiliser Efficiency

Dr Gaus Azam, from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), opened the day with an overview of fertiliser use and soil characteristics in WA. He emphasised that nitrogen use efficiency in the region remains low—often around 30%—with substantial losses attributed to leaching. Dr Azam also reflected on the broader context of soil acidity management in the 1990s and the ongoing legacy of WA’s ancient, highly weathered sandy soils, which typically lack silt and have poor nutrient-holding capacity.

Kanch Wickramarachchi, also from DPIRD, presented findings from re-engineering trials designed to address the physical and chemical limitations of WA’s sandy soils. Treatments ranged from deep ripping with lime incorporation to more intensive interventions including claying, organic amendments, and nutrient layering. These treatments, trialled in locations such as Bolgart, Grass Valley and Badgingarra, showed substantial improvements in root development, water use efficiency, and yield—offering a promising pathway for improving productivity in severely constrained soils. Kanch also provided an update on the establishment of a local trial site at the Kenny family’s property near Badgingarra, which will contribute valuable regional data to support ongoing assessment of soil amelioration practices in broadacre systems.

Weed Management Innovation

Dr Mike Ashworth (AHRI) delivered a timely update on current and emerging weed management strategies. His message was clear: effective weed control starts with crop competition, not herbicides. Research trials showed that increasing seeding rates in wheat and canola suppressed weed growth without yield penalties, challenging long-held assumptions.

Dr Ashworth also discussed the risks of complacency in Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC). Wild radish, for example, has evolved strategies such as pod shedding to evade HWSC capture. Maintaining control requires vigilance: managing early germinations, varying crop and harvest timings, and using precision tools such as remote sensing to track patches. He noted that AHRI, with support from GRDC, is actively exploring LIDAR and other technologies to improve in-season weed detection.

Stubble Management Learnings from Local Practice

As part of the State NRM-funded Stubble Management Project, two grower-presenters—Ash Jacobs and Connor Baker—were invited to share their on-farm learnings with the local grower community.

Ash Jacobs, a fourth-generation farmer from Corrigin, reflected on the transition to a strip and disc seeding system over the past decade. The system has nearly doubled crop yields, despite similar rainfall, by improving moisture retention and erosion control through tall stubble and continuous ground cover. While challenges remain—particularly with pre-emergent herbicide safety, hairpinning, and stubble shading—Ash noted the importance of adapting the system year-on-year and using standing stubble to hold summer rainfall until seeding.

Connor Baker, a research agronomist with the Corrigin Farm Improvement Group (CFIG) and fourth-generation grower, shared his strategies for managing fragile white sands through continuous cropping, stubble retention, and targeted incorporation of organic matter. He is trialling angled seeding to preserve stubble cover and using speed tillage to blend residues into sandier patches. His long-term goal is to build soil structure, reduce nutrient losses, and improve water use efficiency—key priorities in managing marginal soils.

Markets and Crop Outlook

Henry Carracher, from CBH Group, provided an overview of current market conditions and crop performance. Unexpectedly high yields were recorded across the region, despite average rainfall, which he attributed to excellent in-season rainfall use and possible reductions in livestock pressure. Henry described the current grain market as “non-fundamental,” driven by unpredictable geopolitics and soft demand for key commodities such as malt and canola. He noted that global trade tensions continue to influence Australian grain exports, particularly in relation to China.

Fertiliser Trials and Agritech

Alana Alexander, from Summit Fertilizers, presented results from long-term potassium trials, which suggest that 30 units of K delivers the strongest gross margins across multiple seasons. She also introduced the benefits of N Shield, a nitrogen management product offering protection against volatilisation and leaching in high pH, low organic carbon soils. By reducing nitrogen losses, the product provides growers with greater flexibility in fertiliser timing—particularly important in variable seasons.

Several emerging technologies were also discussed:

• CropX soil moisture probes, which provide real-time insights into soil moisture, temperature, and salinity to inform seeding and nitrogen decisions.
• Biowish microbial fertiliser coatings, designed to enhance nutrient uptake and increase root biomass. Trial data showed average wheat yield gains of 6.5%, with protein increases between 0.5% and 1%, particularly when applied early in the growing season.

Thank You

The West Midlands Group extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended the 2025 Crop Research Updates. Your ongoing support, engagement, and interest in research-driven farming are what make these events so valuable for our region. We are especially grateful to our speakers for generously sharing their time, experience and insights, and to Rabobank for sponsoring the Sundowner BBQ. Events like these reflect the strength of collaboration in our agricultural community, and we look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.