UWA Farm Ridgefield
UWA Farm Ridgefield is a 1600-hectare mixed-enterprise farm near Pingelly in Western Australia’s grain belt, which experiences a Mediterranean climate and an annual rainfall of 425mm. The farm supports agricultural research at UWA including the Best Practice Farming Systems (BPFS) Project, which aims to find best practice solutions for resilient farming systems, environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Download the BPFS Project Strategic Plan 2022-2027 [PDF 16MB].
UWA acknowledges that UWA Farm Ridgefield is situated on Gnaala Karla Boodja, and that the Noongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land, and continue to practise their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.
Best Practice Farming Systems Project
Previously known as the Future Farm 2050 Project, the BPFS Project facilitates multidisciplinary research and innovation to deliver robust farming systems that are economically viable, environmentally credible and create tangible social benefits. The BPFS Project is guided by the following strategic priorities.
- Mitigation of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions: Substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock, cropping activities and promote widespread adoption of renewable energy in regional WA.
- Adaptations for the changing climate: Implement climate adaptation innovations that protect the viability of livestock and cropping enterprises.
- Profitable, ethical production systems: Profitable dryland farming systems that deliver clean, green and ethical products and outcomes that meet consumer and community expectations and underpin our social license.
- Restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity: At landscape scale, use native plant species to restore biodiversity and soil functions to provide ecosystem services such as water availability, carbon capture and erosion prevention. Learn about the Multiple Ecosystems Services Experiment [PDF 7MB].
- Education, community engagement and capacity building: Build partnerships with regional communities in targeted educational initiatives, capacity-building and outreach projects with triple bottom line outcomes and societal benefits.
Visiting and researching at UWA Farm Ridgefield
UWA Farm Ridgefield is part of an international network of model farms. It is available for all research collaborators (UWA staff, students and external partners, including industry) to undertake research projects, field trips and for teaching purposes. We encourage prospective partners to contact us about future research collaborations.
Prior to visiting, conducting research, and/or staying at the farm, you must read the below information carefully and complete all necessary forms. The farm is only open to the public during events.
- Visitor and user induction
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Prior to visiting the farm, you must contact the Farm Manager to gain approval for your visit and let him know the date and time of the visit, names of all visitors, and areas on the farm that will be visited. You must also download and complete the Visitor and User Induction.
- Conducting research at the farm
- To undertake research at UWA Farm Ridgefield, the Chief Investigator must first complete the Expression of Interest to conduct research on UWA Farm Ridgefield form. The UWA Institute of Agriculture will then be in contact to discuss next steps. If you have any questions, you can email the Farm Manager Tim Watts, or call the IOA Business Manager on 08 6488 3756.
- Staying at the farm
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Accommodation is available for users in the Old Farmhouse. You must read the Terms and Conditions carefully, and complete the booking form.