Field research operations

Field Research Operations is the technical services provision branch operating within the department's Grains directorate with teams located in Northam, Merredin, Geraldton, Wongan Hills, Esperance and the metropolitan area.

The Field Research Operations team manages research infrastructure, equipment and implements field research trials for the department, CSIRO, universities and privately funded grains research projects.

The team delivers expertise in:

Field research trial implementation and management

Trial site selection, seed preparation, soil amelioration, sowing, pre- and post-emergence weed, disease and pest control treatments, trial observations and harvesting.

Management of field research facilities and land for field research

Research facilities/stations are managed and maintained for field experiments, including research activities deemed unsuitable for growers’ paddocks due to risks associated with intellectual property, genetically modified organisms and/or biosecurity implications e.g. pest, weed and disease trials. Support is also provided for research trials requiring infrastructure and/or equipment unavailable on growers’ properties, such as irrigation equipment, rain exclusion shelters, heat chambers and netted areas.

Procurement co-ordination 

Procurement of bespoke machinery and equipment to allow client research programs to fulfill research goals and objectives.

Trial seed production and multiplication 

Small quantities of seed are obtained from breeding companies and field experiments each year. The seed is cleaned and multiplied for experiments in the following year.

Contact us for more information about our work.