Researchers extend appeal for more survey responses
July 14, 2026
Researchers have extended the deadline for the Wimmera Rural Landholder Survey to improve their understanding of farmers’ needs, challenges and priorities.
Wimmera CMA acting chief executive officer Luke Austin said survey results fed directly into funding applications for farm-based projects.
Mr Austin said they were aiming for a 30 percent response rate. The survey can be completed online and takes about 30 minutes.
The previous survey resulted in a successful Future Drought Fund project to develop a catchment-wide soil moisture network allowing Wimmera farmers to make more informed crop and pasture decisions during dry times.
“Since the first Wimmera landholder survey in 2002, the results have helped target investment so the CMA can deliver support that farmers have told us they want and need.
“Results from the 2023 survey helped us get funding to expand the Wimmera’s soil moisture portal,” he said.
This network of soil moisture probes and weather stations now covers an area of 30,000 square kilometres. It collects data in real time such as soil moisture, air and soil temperature, dew point, DELTA T, humidity, wind direction, rainfall and detailed frost information.
“Survey results helped Wimmera CMA understand the gaps in the existing network, such as farmers needing extra support and training to interpret and utilise data,” Mr Austin said.
“We were then able to target funding and investment to both expand and add value to the existing network, for the benefit of more farmers. This is just one example among many of how we utilise the landholder survey research.”
- For more information, contact Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke on 08 9360 7472 or email Hanabeth.Luke@murdoch.edu.au
- The Soil CRC national survey covers six major farming regions of Central West NSW, the Western Australian Wheatbelt and South-West, South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, all of Tasmania, and two major Victorian catchment areas.
- Reports from earlier survey rounds
- 2025 webinar: What drives farmer decisions? — Insights from the Soil CRC study
