Visitors to this year’s Dowerin Machinery Field Days are invited to explore a range of innovative research and essential biosecurity initiatives at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) shed on Uberin Street.

Sheep producers can learn about the Meat the Market project, where staff will be demonstrating the importance of carcass quality and how to measure it to meet market specifications. Attendees can also test their pasture knowledge with the ‘Guess the Feed on Offer’ challenge.

DPIRD staff will be available to discuss the ongoing implementation of electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats. Producers can learn about tag colours, compliance dates and how to transfer livestock on the National Livestock Identification System database. Find out about the Tag Incentive Payment Scheme and enter the draw to win a bag of eID tags!

For those wanting to know more about carbon farming, DPIRD officers will be on hand to answer questions and share resources to help landholders on their journey. Learn about the productivity benefits and income-diversification opportunities carbon farming presents to your business.

Visitors can speak to our Climate Resilience team about emission reduction and adaptation strategies and the Farm Business Resilience program. In addition, learn about industry response to climate variability, seasonal forecasting and climate change with our Weather and Climate team.

Stay up to date in crop protection by speaking with our grains researchers about pests, weeds and diseases at the Broadacre Systems display. Sign up for one of our newsletters or explore our decision support tools to stay informed year-round. Don’t forget to collect valuable Grains Research & Development Corporation GrowNotes™ - Grain Storage from our Stored Grains display.

This year Dowerin Machinery Field Days is taking place during National Biosecurity Week, where we promote the actions we take to protect Australia’s agriculture, environment and the community. Activities for both adults and children include learning how to set up a biosecure coop to reduce the risk of avian influenza in poultry and knowing what to feed pigs to prevent diseases like foot-and-mouth disease. Visitors can test their knowledge on the signs of emergency disease for a chance to take home a power washer.

Farmers are encouraged to speak to our Skeleton Weed program staff about management and biocontrol options. Discover how a free downloadable app, used with a mapping template provided by the department, can make mapping infested areas easier. Visit their display to find out how to use this exciting new tool.

In addition, our Grains Biosecurity team will be on hand to discuss the Resistance Monitoring and Management of Store Grain Pests project.

To round off the experience, visitors can chat to the Digital Connectivity team about mobile, fixed wireless and new satellite connectivity in regional WA, as well as our eConnect team about data sharing through Extrata. They can also update their contact details at the DPIRD map display for a chance to win an aerial map!