Katanning Research Facility receives $1.4m in State Budget funding for upgrades to facilities

Katanning Research Facility will receive upgrades to its aging infrastructure, $1.4m in State Budget funding to help the facility keep its position as a “world leader in sheep research”. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, who run the facility, said the funding will be allocated to build two new storage sheds - one to house chemicals and the other for bulk fertiliser. A DPIRD spokesperson said works will commence later in the year to replace current structures. “The new fit-for-purpose sheds will increase storage capacity and comply with modern work, health and safety regulations,” they said. “The investment will support the research activities at the Katanning Research Facility, which is a world leader in sheep research and home to the ‘Carbon Neutral by 2030’ demonstration site to help farmers improve business sustainability and profitability.” The 2100ha farm, which runs about 7000 sheep, is predominantly focused on sheep and wool research with projects including Genetic Resource Flock; Genetic Resource Sustainability; and FEED365.