More than 25 people from the farming community, grower groups and industry came together to learn about a new tool to estimate soil carbon at a field day hosted by Wheatbelt NRM in Pingelly last week.
They arrived at the UWA Future Farm Ridgefield to learn about the new SWARM Tool from its developer Jolene Otway, an excel-based digital tool to estimate soil carbon and help farmers target land restoration efforts.
Wheatbelt NRM’s Bonny Dunlop said the hands-on demonstration of the program was received well by the audience, all of whom said they would be investigating what they learned further.
“It’s very clear how much work Jolene has put into this and the audience were impressed with the tool,” she said.
“The interactive session was great where participants were able to use the tool themselves.
“With plans to make a ‘how-to’ video it will mean that even more people will be able to access and use the tool.”
Participants also had the opportunity to learn about a bio-amendments trial underway at the UWA Future Farm.
Wheatbelt NRM received support from the Wheatbelt Development Commission for this workshop.