what is WANTFA?
The Western Australian No-tillage Farmers Association (WANTFA) is the largest agronomic grower group in W.A., supports the adoption of sustainable and profitable broad-acre cropping systems by sharing grower experiences and innovative research.
Formed in 1992, WANTFA was built on Ethics of growers helping growers, and is now the largest agronomic grower owned and managed group in Western Australia. It is also the only W.A. group that solely focuses on conservation agriculture (no-tillage and zero-tillage systems). WANTFA endorses farming practices that support the following principles: limited soil disturbance, permanent ground cover, diverse rotations and reduced compaction.
WANTFA provides:
Information to growers to help facilitate the exchange of ideas and build knowledge
A major field day and a conference annually to encourage and bring together the latest in no-till research.
A quarterly journal focused on profiling the latest research findings, grower experiences and news on conservation farming systems.
Field trials and demonstrations trialling new practices and products to advance no-till cropping systems and promote soil health.
Interstate Collaborations: Conservation Agricultural Alliance of Australia and New Zealand (CAAANZ)
Climate Change.
WANTFA supports research into conservation farming systems that gives you tools to tackle seasonal variability. A system of Low energy, high carbon input farming.
Breeding and Genetically Modified Crops.
WANTFA supports breeding, including GM research, that will secure the viability of the industry. Having access to varieties that promotes a sustainable crop rotation is seen as an essential component in a conservation farming system.
Future Directions for WANTFA.
Despite greater than 90% adoption of a “no till seeding system”, No till has not been done and dusted. The hard yards of agronomic development now need to take place for WA conditions. Overcoming barriers to adoption of a high residue cropping system is a high priority.
