AGGREGATE: NEWS & EVENTS
Future Drought Fund: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program

The Australian Government is inviting consortia via an open competitive process to apply for grants under the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program (the program). It is anticipated that the program will support grants valued up to $8 million dollars per grant, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
The program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to positively influence (socially, economically and/or environmentally) the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Australian farms from the impacts of drought and climate change.
Projects will have a focus on grain cropping, livestock grazing and/or mixed cropping and livestock systems. Projects will test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness (or otherwise) of yet to be proven farming practices in a robust scientific manner. The testing of these practices will underpin and assist to drive widespread adoption through increased evidence and by providing farmers with the confidence and information they need to try the practices themselves.
Applications are being sought from collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional consortia including farmers. Each consortium must nominate a lead organisation who will be solely accountable to the department for the delivery of the activities and manage the grant funds in accordance with the funding agreement.
MORE STORIES

Soil CRC: Soil management webinar series
The webinar series was produced by the Soil CRC and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

UK soil ecologist Frank Ashwood photographs tiny creatures on Australian farms (ABC)
It seems incredible, but half the world’s animals live in the soil, and ecologist Frank Ashwood has been photographing them.

Podcast: Dry Season Resources – Best Practice Soil Management with DPIRD
Episode two of the South-West WA Hub’s Dry Season Resources podcast with DPIRD’s Dr Stephen Davies on best practice soil management.

Video: Plant Nutrition – the final Soil Quality ebook
A comprehensive survey of West’ Australian grain growers has revealed the key factors that most influence grain producers’ fertiliser strategies.