uPtake

uPtake was a partnership project designed to improve nutrient use efficiency on grazing farms in south-west Western Australia by improving farmer and industry knowledge, confidence and uptake of the science supporting fertiliser recommendations.

With nearly 70 per cent of nutrients entering regional estuaries from grazing farms the project helped to improve knowledge of nutrient requirements for productivity to keep fertiliser and profits on farm and reduce loss to waterways and estuaries.

The uPtake project:

Established 52 fertiliser trials across south-west WA over a range of soil types with contemporary pasture species to develop phosphorus response curves
Trialed innovative technology to provide rapid feedback on pasture growth and soil nutrient status including drones, near infrared and X-ray fluorescence
Built partnerships and capacity in industry, catchment groups and farmers to work together to optimise productivity and minimise nutrient loss off farm

uPtake was been supported by a Technical Reference Group who developed and would oversee the trials. Members of the Technical Reference Group include research scientists, farmers and representatives from government departments, catchment groups, grazing industry groups and the fertiliser industry.

The project was delivered over four years (2019-2023) in the Peel-Harvey, Leschenault, Geographe, Hardy Inlet, Wilson Inlet and Oyster Harbour catchments in partnership with catchment groups and industry partners.

The four years of trials from 2019-23 confirmed that the national critical values for phosphorus are relevant to south-west WA and contemporary pasture species. To learn more about the results, visit the trials page or download the trials summary.

The project was jointly funded through the State Government's Healthy Estuaries WA and the Australian Government's National Landcare Program with more than $5.5 million funding to improve the health of waterways and estuaries and help increase farm productivity and profitability.

The work of the uPtake project continues through related projects including Soil Wise and Healthy Estuaries WA.