Overview
Wagga Wagga is a vibrant regional centre on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the heart of the Riverina. The Riverina's burgeoning food culture currently presents numerous opportunities for businesses. The diversity of the produce grown in the area is unmatched and has enhanced the attractiveness of the region.
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute (WWAI) is the midst of the sheep-wheat mixed farming belt and on the edge of productive horticultural region and conducts major programs in Farming Practices and Agronomy; Crop Germplasm Development and Variety Evaluation; Crop Protection; Pastures; Beef Production Animal Nutrition; Weed Science; Entomology; Vine Management; Natural Resource Management; Land Use Planning; Environmental Laboratories including Feedlab Testing Services and Oil Science.
WWAI through industry-driven research, development and regulatory services aims to improve the profitability and competitiveness of mixed farming systems in southern NSW in ways that protect the natural resource base and assist growers adapt to climate change and variability.
Our research
The Institute conducts research in farming practices and agronomy, crop germplasm development and variety evaluation, oil science and more.
Our facilities & services
The Institute has a range of research, education, farming and community resources.
Visit, Event and More
Established as the first ever NSW Government Experimental Farm in 1892, WWAI has a long and distinguished history in agricultural research.
Key Programs and Initiatives
The Low Methane Sheep project will give sheep producers the option to genetically select for animals with lower enteric methane emissions, thus increasing their productivity. This project is in collaboration with University of New England (UNE), Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) and MLA Donor Company.
Work with us
If you would like to utilise our research facilities or services, or explore partner and -co-location opportunities please fill out this Request for Opportunity Form
Research station request for opportunity formOur region and output
Agriculture is a key industry for the Eastern Riverina both economically and for the scenic and environmental qualities of the rural lands where agriculture is undertaken. The Eastern Riverina is richly diverse in agricultural commodities and highly innovative in the processing and development of food and beverage products. The area is particularly important for broadacre crops, pigs, poultry, apples, blueberries and hay
The following table shows the Gross Value of Production for the region in 2020-21
Industry | Gross Value of Production | % share of Greater Sydney |
Beef | $308,559,295 | 12.88% |
Broadacre Cropping | $545,978,376 | 22.79% |
Fruit & Nut (inc Grapes) | $628,185,717 | 26.22% |
Hay | $100,832,208 | 4.21% |
Livestock Products (wool, milk & egg) | $158,061,676 | 6.60% |
Nurseries, cut flowers or cultivated turf | $58,027,142 | 2.42% |
Pig | $36,460,297 | 1.52% |
Poultry | $271,136,727 | 11.32% |
Sheep & Lamb | $226,503,911 | 9.45% |
Vegetables | $62,340,657 | 2.60% |
Total | $2,396,086,006 |
Data from ABS
Climate
Weather records have been collected at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute (elevation 214m above sea level) for over 100 years, and the Institute is an important second local recording site for the Bureau of Meteorology.
Data recorded shows that over the past 100 years, there has been a gradual, but steady, increase in average annual rainfall from 480mm in the early part of the 20th century, to the current average of 580mm. Rainfall distribution across the year, on average, is relatively even at 48 mm/month, even during the summer months.
The climate can best be described as temperate, with hot dry summers and cold winters. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 12.5ºC in July to 31.2ºC in January. Summer temperatures can regularly approach, or exceed, 40ºC (for up to a week at a time). Mean daily minimum temperatures range from 2.7ºC in July to 16.2ºC in February, with many frosts occurring during the winter months.
Our history
The Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute (WWAI) has a long and distinguished history in agricultural research. Agricultural research commenced at Wagga Wagga in 1892 when the Department of Agriculture established an Experimental Farm. William Farrer joined the department in 1898, with 1901 witnessing the release of his most famous wheat variety: Federation. Farrer’s early maturing wheats enabled a rapid expansion of wheat growing in Australia.
In 1950 the Foundation Stone for the Wheat Research Institute was laid with the first research staff in agronomy, plant breeding and plant pathology working from August that year.
The official opening of the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) took place in October 1954 and by the end of 1955 the staff had grown to 17 including people in cereal chemistry, soil chemistry and general chemistry, a weeds agronomist, an assistant who later became the laboratory craftsman, one farm hand and office staff. The early 1970s saw research broadened into crops such as barley, canola and pulses.
In 1981, research expanded into new areas, such as ruminant nutrition with the animal house opening in 1985. The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre was formed by Charles Sturt University, NSW Wine Industry Association and NSW Agriculture in 1997. In 1998, the Institute was renamed Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, a Centre of Excellence for Southern Farming Systems and Viticulture.
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute Video
Contact
Address
Pine Gully Road
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Postal address:
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
Private Mail Bag
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Phone: (02) 6938 1999
International: +61 2 6938 1999
Email: wagga.office@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6938 1809