WA Agricultural Research Collaboration, 1 Nash Street, Perth (2026)

07/09/2026

WAARC PhD Scholarship recipient Ryan Hall has been featured in the latest newsletter from The University of Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture, sharing how his research is getting to the root of potato disease. 🥔🌱

Ryan’s PhD is focused on disease management in potatoes, exploring how soil biology can be used to build healthier, more resilient production systems, reduce reliance on chemical controls and improve productivity. His research includes collecting soil and plant samples across WA for a multi-omic study, followed by laboratory and greenhouse trials investigating new biological approaches to managing soilborne diseases.

Ryan is one of six young researchers awarded a WAARC PhD top-up scholarship this year, supporting research addressing priority challenges and opportunities for WA agriculture.

🔗 Read the full article:https://www.uwa.edu.au/institutes/institute-of-agriculture/-/media/uwa-institute-of-agriculture/documents/newsletters/uwa-ioa-newsletter---august-2026.pdf

04/09/2026

🌾 On Wednesday, WAARC Strategic Research Manager Dr John Statton joined researchers, industry partners and project collaborators for a tour of N-ABLE and associated research trials across the Wheatbelt.

The group visited sites at Goomalling before travelling via York to the Avondale Research Facility, where they inspected four trials, including experiments forming part of WAARC scholarship recipient and The University of Western Australia (UWA) PhD candidate Chloe Rout’s research.

Already, visible differences in crop growth, vigour and plant health could be seen between treatments incorporating lupins and other legumes and monoculture crops, as well as across different nitrogen application rates in wheat, barley and canola systems. Discussions focused on how companion cropping and nitrogen management could improve nitrogen use efficiency, biological nitrogen fixation, crop productivity and resilience, while helping manage reliance on synthetic fertilisers.

Joining the tour were N-ABLE Project Lead Andrew Fletcher from CSIRO, N-ABLE Steering Committee members Uys Lourens from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Ken Flower from UWA and Ron Yates from University and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as CSIRO technicians Adam Brown and Sam Flottmann, and Living Farm representatives Sonja Seabrook and Andrew Wherrett.

🤝 The visit was also a valuable opportunity to bring researchers, industry and extension specialists together in the field to discuss how this work can contribute to more sustainable cropping systems for Western Australia.

03/09/2026

Great to see WAARC-Grower Group Alliance Honours Scholarship recipient Christopher Watts speaking at the Living Farm Spring Field Walk near York earlier this week.

His research, via Curtin University, is looking at yield impact of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) traits in CIMMYT wheat lines under different nitrogen fertiliser rates in WA conditions.

Keep an eye out for an announcement of WAARC-GGA Honours Partnership Program 2027 – coming soon!

Thanks to Georgia Trainor from InterGrain Cereal Breeding for the photos.

02/09/2026

🧪 WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight: Dr Andrew Wherrett 🧪
From horticulture and plant pathology to soil biology, soil carbon and commercial crop protection research, Dr Wherrett’s career has followed opportunities across several areas of agricultural science.

Now Research and Development Manager at Living Farm, Andrew leads the AgChem team and manages research agronomists delivering about 150 trials each year for multinational chemical companies, universities and government research organisations.

His work helps generate the independent data needed to assess crop protection products and support their progression from early-stage trials through to commercial use.

📰 Read the full Scientist Spotlight: https://waarc.org.au/updates/dr-andrew-wherrett-from-plant-pathology-to-crop-protection/

01/09/2026

🌱 Reflecting on WAARC’s first three years

After three years establishing and leading the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC), Dr Kelly Pearce has stepped down as Director as of 31 August.

In her final From the Director newsletter, Dr Pearce reflects on WAARC's journey from an idea to an influential collaboration that is helping shape the future of agricultural research, development and extension (R,D&E) in Western Australia. 🔬🤝

Founded on a vision of bringing together researchers, industry and government through greater collaboration and shared investment, WAARC has helped build research capacity, strengthen partnerships and deliver tangible outcomes for Western Australian agriculture.

"Serving as WAARC Director, while also being a farmer, has given me a unique perspective on WA's agriculture and food industries," Dr Pearce said. 🚜

"I've had the privilege of meeting remarkable people, seeing outstanding research capability firsthand and building relationships across regions, industries and organisations that I know will endure beyond this role."

Dr Pearce acknowledged the many people and organisations whose dedication, expertise and collaboration have contributed to WAARC's achievements over the past three years.

She takes great satisfaction in knowing she is leaving WAARC with strong foundations in place, a talented team, and a range of initiatives that are delivering benefits to Western Australian agriculture. 👏

💻 Read the full newsletter: https://waarc.org.au/updates/from-the-director-reflecting-on-waarcs-first-three-years/

21/08/2026

💡 WAARC is inviting industry, government, investors and researchers to help shape the future of biofuels and bio-based industries in Western Australia.

Future Crops, Fuels and Bioproducts Workshop
📆 Tuesday, 15 September 2026
🕙 10am to 4pm
📍 Pagoda Resort, Como

Join us to explore how targeted R&D and investment can unlock new commercial opportunities across the bioeconomy and help inform WA's Advanced Biofuels Strategy.

Western Australia is well positioned to grow sustainable biofuel and bio-based industries, drawing on our strong agricultural sector, world-class research capability and industrial demand.

Key discussion areas include:
🌾 Feedstocks and biomass utilisation
⚙️ Processing and demonstration technologies
🌍 Carbon intensity, certification and sustainability
🚚 Supply chains and market access
🧪 Emerging bio-based products and materials

Be part of the conversation and help identify the challenges, opportunities and partnerships needed to build a vibrant bioeconomy in WA.

👉 Places are limited. To register, contact WAARC Strategic Research Manager Dr John Statton at [email protected]

21/08/2026

🌱🔬 From avocados and fly pollinators to smart sprays: research driving WA horticulture forward

A full room of 100 horticulture researchers, growers, industry and government representatives gathered in Bunbury this week for the inaugural WA Horticulture Science Forum 2026.

💡 Participants showcased their research, exchanged ideas, strengthened connections and identified opportunities for future collaboration across Western Australia's horticultural industries.

WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) was proud to co-host the forum with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) during National Science Week.

🎓 We were also delighted to support five Honours and PhD students undertaking horticulture-related research to attend and connect with researchers and industry leaders from across the State.

The program highlighted the breadth and diversity of horticultural research underway across WA, with almost 30 presenters delivering rapid-fire research snapshots across three key themes:
🔬 Genetics and breeding
🌱 Production and climate resilience
🐞 Insects and diseases

Presentations covered topics ranging from robust avocado production and carrot packout optimisation, to fly pollination and smart sprays technology aimed at improving water-use efficiency.

The forum also featured a thought-provoking industry panel discussion and Q&A on what makes research useful, investable and adoptable.

Special thanks to WAARC Director Kelly Pearce and DPIRD Director Horticulture and Irrigated Agriculture Rohan Prince for opening the forum, Vicki McAllister (DPIRD) for guiding the day as MC, and to our industry panellists for sharing their valuable insights:
• Bronwyn Walsh (WA Citrus)
• Nardia Stacy (Pomewest)
• Kathryn Young (Hort Innovation)
• Mark Scott (Nannup Fresh Fruit, Apple and Pear Australia Limited)

📖 Explore the WA Horticulture Science Forum 2026 Project Guide to learn more about the projects, researchers and collaborators driving innovation across the State's horticultural industries:https://waarc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WA-Horticulture-Science-Forum-2026-Project-Guide.pdf

19/08/2026

🌱 WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight: Bridget Watkins 🌱
From environmental biology and botany to mine site rehabilitation, agricultural field research and soil extension, Bridget Watkins has built a career spanning landscapes, industries and regions across WA.

Now Regional Soil Coordinator at Murdoch University’s SoilsWest, Bridget works across the southern half of the State, connecting farmers, grower groups and researchers with practical, evidence-based soil information.

Her pathway has included field work across the Pilbara, a season mustering cattle in the Kimberley, five years with Rio Tinto Iron Ore and crop and pasture research with CSBP Fertilisers.

Today, she is helping ensure regional soil priorities are heard and WA’s soil research can support better decisions on-farm.

Read Bridget’s full career story 👉 https://waarc.org.au/updates/bridget-watkins-bringing-soil-science-to-the-regions/

The Regional Soil Coordinators around Australia are supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. Bridget's role as South-West WA Regional Soil Coordinator is led by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, partnering with SoilsWest at Murdoch University.

18/08/2026

Congratulations to all the teams participating in the United Exports and Venture UWA Hack the Harvest agtech hackathon over the past few days.

There were good vibes all round at pitch night last night, with the top five teams delivering pitches for innovative and impact-focused solutions to real industry challenges.

WAARC was delighted to sponsor second place prize, won by team Koality Assurance with a creative Botrytis detection protocol.

The highlight for WAARC representatives Jenny Crisp and Sue Knights was the cross-disciplinary nature of the teams - involving students from agriculture, computer science, engineering, mathematics, commerce and law, physics, communications/media and more.

17/08/2026

🫐 From the blueberry farm to the pitch stage!
On Friday, WAARC Program Lead – Capacity Building & Extension Jenny Crisp joined the United Exports and Venture UWA Hack the Harvest for its farm immersion day at Western Berry.

This ag tech hackathon gives students the chance to get behind the scenes of a working berry operation, hear directly from industry and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Following the farm immersion day, teams have been developing their ideas over the weekend and will pitch their solutions to a judging panel tonight, with WAARC sponsoring second prize.

It’s a great opportunity to expose students from a range of disciplines to the complexity of modern agriculture and encourage them to apply skills in data, technology, science and innovation to challenges that matter to industry.

WA Agricultural Research Collaboration

07/09/2026

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The School

Shortcuts

Share

Listing takedown request