Salinity in the Wheatbelt: insights from four decades of research

More than one million hectares of broadacre farmland are estimated to be affected by dryland salinity in Western Australia, causing significant production losses. In this episode, Dr Richard George from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) reflects on four decades of work tackling dryland salinity across Western Australia.He unpacks the complexity of salinity in the Wheatbelt, tracing its historical roots and examining the pressures of land clearing, climate, and agricultural practices on salinity levels, and outlines practical management strategies that have emerged from years of research.The conversation also looks ahead, highlighting the potential of water‑smart farming approaches to better manage water in a drying climate and support more resilient agricultural systems.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe.Sandy soils series: Re-engineering sandy soils into productive land - SW WA HubDrought Resilience in Action webinar series: Making the most of salinity - Facey GroupManaging soils - DPIRDWaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate - DPIRDHub news - Drought Hub