Visitors to this year’s Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days can get a feel for what it would be like to be a scientist in the field, having the opportunity to look through one of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s new mobile research laboratories.
The recently launched tow-along vehicle has been made available so field day visitors can view the purpose-built facility, designed to improve efficiency and enhance the quality of grains research.
The laboratories allow staff to undertake sampling and analysis on location, as well as assisting with plant pest and disease diagnosis in grain crops in the field.
Regional Director Pam I’Anson said the mobile laboratory is just one of the displays in the department shed this year.
“The theme of this year’s display is ‘protect, grow and innovate’ and there will be a selection of tools, information and people to talk to about how we are assisting agribusinesses,” Ms I’Anson said.
“Growers will have the opportunity to speak with the department’s eConnected Grainbelt team members to learn more about the department’s rainfall to date, virtual weather station, soil water and potential yield online Agtech tools.
“Information on climate and weather in WA, including the department’s weather monitoring network and seasonal climate outlooks will also be available.
“Biosecurity officers will be on hand to talk to farmers about best practice management of the declared pest skeleton weed and will have a selection of live plants on display for examination.”
The Geographic Information Services team will once again be in the shed and any person updating their property contact details automatically go into the draw to win an A0-size field day map.
The grains biosecurity display will have information and materials available to help grain growers identify pest threats and provide ways to undertake actions to protect their farms. Free farm biosecurity signs will also be available for farmers.
Visitors to Dowerin also have the opportunity to view the NRInfo portal which provides comprehensive natural resource information for WA including soils, land capability and degradation risks.
Livestock biosecurity will be highlighted with a focus on the importance of traceability. The display aims to raise awareness of WA’s animal health surveillance programs that keep our animals healthy and fit to trade and officers will provide information to producers on how they can participate.
The shed will also host representatives from Regional Men’s Health, the University of Western Australia and Agristart which is a WA company supporting the food industry through skills development, engagement and innovation.
The Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days will be held on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 August.
The department’s shed is located along Uberin Street, Dowerin.
Jodie Thomson is the media liaison for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
