our team
soil scientists
Alice Butler
Research Scientist, DPIRD
+61 (0)488 347 929
My role
I am a soil research scientist with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), based along the south coast of WA.
I enjoy working collaboratively with growers and industry to understand soil constraints affecting crop production and their wider impact on the farming system.
I use my expertise in research, extension, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to develop practical and grower focused outcomes.
My background
I was first employed by DPIRD in 2017 on a GRDC Regional Research Agronomy project, based in Albany.
In 2021, I began working in the Soil Science and Crop Nutrition portfolio, managing a three-year Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) project ‘On-farm Soil Acidity and Nutrient Management’, which provided a snapshot of the current status of soil acidity within the Avon River Basin.
Between 2022 and 2024, as part of the GRDC Soil Constraints West II ‘Post-amelioration’ project, I worked with growers in the Albany Port Zone, documenting case studies of mechanical soil amelioration for the management of water repellence.
Projects
- Soil Water and Nutrition (SWAN) Collaboration: Transforming Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in WA Grain Production (DAW2407-001SPX)
- Increasing Farming System Profitability and Longevity of Benefits Following Soil Amelioration (DAW1901-006RTX) (completed)
- On-farm Soil Acidity and Nutrient Management (DWER Watering WA – Clean Waterways 12/06/2020 – 30/05/2023) (completed)
- Building Crop Protection and Crop Production Agronomy Research and Development Capacity in Regional Western Australia (DAW00256) (completed)
Key expertise
Communication and extension, industry engagement, soil acidity, soil water repellence, precision agriculture
Qualifications
BSc Environmental Science, The University of Western Australia