The installation of 24 automatic weather stations in the South-West would increase the availability of critical weather information to farmers, regional communities and emergency services.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the stations were part of the State Government's $560,000 initiative to install 70 new automatic weather stations across the Wheatbelt and South-West, 65 of which are now up and running.
The stations, partly funded through Royalties for Regions, report to the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) website every 10 minutes from http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/weather
"The availability of near real time data will enable primary producers to make decisions that directly affect the financial operations of their farm business," Mr Redman said.
"With the use of reliable weather information and yield prediction tools, producers are better able to time decisions around spraying, fertilising and irrigation, thereby reducing costs and increasing yields, which can increase profits by up to 10 per cent.
DAFWA is able to use the information to determine the extent of seasonal incidents such as dry seasons, floods and frosts.
"The stations will also provide DAFWA with accurate historical and predictive data which, when combined with yield information, provides an essential pre-requisite to setting up any commercial multi-peril crop insurance scheme," the Minister said.
"Local weather information will also help emergency services, especially during bush fire season, enabling them to develop response strategies and inform at risk communities of local conditions.
"We know that the new weather station at Gairdner was very helpful to the Department of Environment and Conservation in their management of December's Bremer Bay bush fire which came close to the town site.
"The weather station installed at the Denmark Agricultural College will not only assist primary producers and the local community but also provide a range of teaching opportunities for staff and students relating to weather observations and their application to agriculture."
Fact File
Since 2008, Liberal National Government has funded the $54.5m Muchea Livestock Centre and provided $20m to develop and modernise two significant regional saleyards for the Western Australian livestock industry at Katanning and Mount Barker
Liberal National Govt established Industry Funding Schemes for biosecurity to enable producers to raise funds and respond to priority pest and disease threats
Minister's office - 6552 6700
