Different Segments of the Western Australian Farming Community Prefer Different Extension Tools When Searching for Cropping Information from the Department of Agriculture and Food

Members of the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) farming systems project surveyed experienced growers, less experienced growers, agronomists and consultants in the central agricultural region of Western Australia to investigate whether DAFWA is still a primary source of cropping information. The survey results indicate DAFWA is a primary cropping information source for all categories except for the less experienced growers who primarily use their local agronomists. Agronomists, consultants and less experienced growers prefer to download Farmnotes and bulletins and use DAFWA's website when they are actively seeking cropping information. Experienced growers prefer a hard copy of the information, rather than using DAFWA's website. Experienced and less experienced growers also prefer to directly phone DAFWA staff. Agmemo newsletters, PestFax and field day publications are other DAFWA publications used by all categories when actively seeking cropping information.