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Regenerative Agriculture – Case Studies from Western Australia
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has worked with farmers to document their use of regenerative agriculture practices in Western Australia. Farmer experience and the lessons learnt can help other farmers make decisions about adopting these practices.
They supply the case studies to share the experience and observations of farmers practising regenerative agriculture, and recommend that you make your own assessment of any documented practices, to suit your conditions, before making large investments.
They are producing a range of farmer case studies which they will share on their website, as they are developed.
Building the soil carbon sponge at Murray Wells – July 2020
Peter and Wendy Bradshaw’s farm is 25km west of Tambellup in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, with an annual rainfall of 450mm. They produce wool, prime lambs, oats and barley. Normally, around 70% of the farm is under pasture each year.
Peter and Wendy, driven by a desire to produce healthy food and minimise harm to the natural environment, have trialled and adopted a wide range of regenerative farming practices. Many of these practices are established ‘good farming’ practices used throughout the Great Southern.
Practices used on the farm to protect soil biological function and farm profitability include:
- perennial pastures
- multi-species cover crops
- min-till seeding operation using disc openers
- minimising the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers
- managing pastures to maximise ground cover
- biodiverse shelterbelts
- protecting and buffering creek-lines.
See the full case study here.
DPIRD has significantly increased their research and commitment to regenerative agricultural practices over the last few years. These cases studies are just one example of their continued interest. See more of their initiatives below;