A DIVERSE range of scientific initiatives helping Western Australia’s valuable agriculture sector and the regions to grow and thrive will be profiled at the upcoming Dowerin machinery field days.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) display will span environmental and climate science, bioenergy, entomology, pathology, biology and genetics as well as computer science and technology.

DPIRD general primary industries development deputy director Cec McConnell said this year’s display would showcase a great cross-section of the department’s research and development investments.

“DPIRD’s research scientists work across many science disciplines to improve the productivity and sustainability of our agricultural sector,” she said.

“Visitors to the display can discover how our plant pathologists and entomologists are assisting WA grain growers to protect crops from pests, weeds and diseases and the decision support tools available.

“Animal scientists will demonstrate technologies and tools that can help sheep producers breed more productive and efficient sheep that satisfy market demands for high quality carcases.

“Visitors will be able to talk to climate scientists and gain an insight into weather projections for the agricultural region, complementing a wealth of information to help landholders reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and build climate resilience.”

Next generation clean, green fuel alternatives will be a feature of the display, including samples of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and biochar.

Scientists from DPIRD’s carbon farming and land restoration program will be in attendance, with detail on initiatives to reduce salinity and increase biodiversity.

The team will be providing special carbon measuring tapes that illustrate the size of a tree required to store the amount of carbon dioxide produced by manufacturing smartphones, driving a car and running a refrigerator.

Other activities include a guess the feed on offer challenge, a competition to win a bag of eID tags and a test on emergency animal disease signs to win a power washer, as well as opportunities to update farm details and sign up for newsletters.

Computer scientists from DPIRD’s e-connect team will showcase the department’s data sharing platform Extrata, which provides end-to-end secure storage and sharing of digital data between users.

Regional digital solutions team members will be available to discuss emerging technologies and mobile and broadband solutions to improve digital connectivity in the regions.

Biosecurity is also a highlight of the display, including information on emergency animal diseases, skeleton weed and information on store grain pests resistance monitoring and management.

“I encourage Dowerin machinery field days visitors of all ages to drop into the DPIRD display and gain a first-hand insight into the latest research, developments and opportunities in agricultural science,” Ms McConnell said.

The Dowerin machinery field days will be held Wednesday and Thursday, August 27-28.

The DPIRD shed is located along Uberin Street, Dowerin, which is included on the field day clipper bus route.