Funding Body: GGA & GRDC
Funds: $24,000

Pulses remain a relatively small component of Western Australia’s broadacre cropping systems, yet they offer well-recognised benefits including nitrogen fixation, disease breaks, and diversification of farm income. In the Great Southern region, legumes such as lupins are commonly used for grazing, soil improvement, and on-farm feed, but are less frequently grown for grain production due to market and management uncertainties.

Recent developments in export pathways, including successful shipments of faba beans through the Port of Albany, are creating new market opportunities for growers. As a result, interest in faba bean production is increasing across the Gillamii catchment and wider Albany Port Zone. However, adoption remains limited due to perceived risks associated with seasonal variability, establishment challenges, and uncertainty around optimal input management—particularly nitrogen application.

This trial aims to evaluate practical management strategies to improve the productivity and profitability of faba beans under medium to high rainfall conditions. A strip trial will compare standard grower practice with an optimised nitrogen strategy to assess impacts on crop establishment, nodulation, biomass, yield, and grain quality.

By generating locally relevant, real-farm data, this project will provide growers with greater confidence in faba bean production and clearer guidance on input decisions. Ultimately, the trial seeks to identify management approaches that close the economic yield gap for grain legumes while supporting more resilient and profitable farming systems in Western Australia.

Funding Body: Australian Government Climate Smart Agricultural Program & South Coast Natural Resource Management
Funds: $74,541.00

Through this project, Gillamii, in partnership with South Coast Natural Resource Management, aims to improve soil health and support sustainable farming in the Kent-Frankland subregion. Working closely with local landholders, the project will establish two demonstration sites on farms across the region. Each site will focus on a key soil constraint — such as salinity, acidity, waterlogging, or nutrient loss — and will trial proven management practices to address these concerns.

The project also aims to build knowledge and skills among landholders. Through workshops, on-ground trials, and educational resources, Gillamii will support landholders in better understanding the value of natural capital and biodiversity, with the goal of achieving more resilient production systems.

By combining on-ground action with education and innovation, the project will help accelerate the adoption of climate-smart farming practices and strengthen regional agricultural communities.

Funding Body: State Government’s Feral Cat Management Grants
Funds: $230,000

Feral cats are one of the most threatening invasive species worldwide, with one feral cat in the Australian bush preying on up to 791 mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and 371 invertebrates each year. In 2022 it was estimated that there were 2.8 million feral cats in Australia, covering 99.9% of the continent, with an average density of 1 feral cat every 4km2. This project aims to improve native species conservation in the Kent-Frankland subregion and surrounds through effective, integrated, and humane feral cat management and increased community awareness.

Funding Body: Regional Development Australia Great Southern
Funds: $100,000

A legacy generously left by a retired Great Southern Farmer, greening the Great Southern region aiding much needed landscape restoration, beautification, and marginal land improvement. Gillamii will work with the local community and co-ordinate and collaborate with the catchment groups and local shires to establish seedlings and ensure positive outcomes for environmental and agricultural sustainability within the region. The funding enables a range of plantings to be undertaken by land managers including shelter belts, salt land mitigation and fodder systems, and native revegetation, while adequately supporting our regional NRM groups to execute these essential activities.

Funding Body: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)
Funds: $145,619.00

This PDS Project aims to improve members’ knowledge and skills in the establishment, management, and benefits (profitability, productivity, and sustainability) of salt-tolerant forage systems on moderately salt-affected land.

Funding Body: BB, MBCo, GC
Funds: $2,000

To nurture a lifelong interest in the Australian environment from the participants. On completion of the two day camp at one of three local wildlife sanctuaries (Barna Mia Narrogin, Perup Manjimup