our team
soil scientists
Jenni Clausen
Senior Research Scientist, DPIRD
My role
I’m a soil research scientist based in the central Wheatbelt at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Northam.
I work in the Soil Science and Crop Nutrition group as part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation-DPIRD Soil Water and Nutrition (SWAN) Collaboration.
My current focuses are on understanding and managing soil variability, management options to overcome soil constraints limiting crop growth, helping develop decision tools, and supporting adoption of soil management practices.
I enjoy working collaboratively with farmers, grower groups, researchers, and the wider ag industry.
My background
I have over 10 years’ experience in research, development and extension, with a focus on practical outcomes for farmers and industry.
Since joining DPIRD in 2017, I’ve worked on soil and agronomy issues across the central Wheatbelt, mainly focusing on soil acidity, compaction, and water repellence on duplex soils and sands.
I spent two years on secondment from DPIRD as the Regional Soil Coordinator with SoilsWest, based in the South West WA Drought Hub region. During that time, I had the chance to see a wide range of soils, farming systems, and challenges across WA and Australia, vastly broadening my understanding of soil systems.
Projects
- Soil Water and Nutrition (SWAN) Collaboration: Transforming Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in WA Grain Production (DAW2407-001SPX)
- Regional Soil Coordinator (SoilsWest and SouthWest WA Drought Hub, funded by the Australian Government) (completed)
- Re-engineering Soils to Improve the Access of Crop Root Systems to Water and Nutrients Stored in the Subsoil (DAW1902-003RTX) (previous)
- Soil Acidity is Limiting Grain Yield (DAW00236) (completed)
- Building Crop Protection and Crop Production Agronomy Research and Development Capacity in Regional Western Australia (DAW00256) (completed)
Key expertise
Liming decisions, soil acidity, soil constraints, geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, broadacre farming systems, extension, field research and development
Qualifications
Grad. Dip. GIS and Remote Sensing, Charles Sturt University
BSc Agricultural Science (Hons), The University of Western Australia