Central West Farming Systems
Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven agricultural research organisation founded in 1998 in Condobolin, NSW, delivering long-term farming systems trials, extension and knowledge-sharing services to 200+ farmer members in low-rainfall mixed-farming regions, funded by membership fees and grants from GRDC, Soil CRC and Australian government programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCondobolin, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Central West Farming Systems does
Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven agricultural research organisation founded in 1998 and headquartered at the NSW DPIRD Condobolin Agricultural Research & Advisory Station (The Fettell Centre) in Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia. It operates long-term farming systems comparison trials and delivers applied research and extension services in sustainable farming practices, crop establishment, soil health, nitrogen management, weed control, drought resilience and carbon farming for mixed-farming enterprises in low-rainfall zones of Central West and Southern NSW.
The organisation runs with a small core staff of 6 people and is sustained by membership fees from 200+ members (predominantly farmers plus private and public sector advisers and researchers), supplemented by competitive grant funding from federal and state government bodies and industry R&D corporations including GRDC, Soil CRC, MLA, CRDC, DCCEEW, the Future Drought Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust. Its service portfolio comprises on-ground trials at The Fettell Centre, publications and reports, a Member Information Service email program, quarterly newsletters, podcasts, videos, and spring field days across 5+ demonstration sites. Distribution is augmented by channel partnerships with the Grower Group Alliance network of 40+ farming system groups nationally and with 15 farming system groups in the De-risking the Seeding Program.
CWFS generates no software or proprietary technology products and does not disclose pricing, revenue, or financial statements. Its core assets are 25+ years of continuous regional trial data, long-tenured co-development relationships with nine Australian universities plus CSIRO, NSW DPI and PIRSA, and a leadership role in the federally funded National Industry-led Carbon Farming Outreach Program that delivers training to 3,500+ farming enterprises.
Central West Farming Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central West Farming Systems
- Legal name
- Central West Farming Systems
- Website
- https://cwfs.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven agricultural research organisation founded in 1998 in Condobolin, NSW, delivering long-term farming systems trials, extension and knowledge-sharing services to 200+ farmer members in low-rainfall mixed-farming regions, funded by membership fees and grants from GRDC, Soil CRC and Australian government programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central West Farming Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Research & Extension Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Carbon, Sustainability & MRV Services for Farms (Baseline, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) (AFACACAK), Conservation Agriculture (Erosion Control, Contour/Strip Cropping, Mulching) (AFAGAMAB)
Keywords
Where Central West Farming Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Condobolin
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central West Farming Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: Not-for-profit farmer driven research organisation that generates value through member services, project funding from government and industry bodies, and knowledge dissemination.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Central West Farming Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven agricultural research organisation that designs and conducts farming systems trials, demonstration projects and field research in Central West NSW. It delivers the resulting knowledge to its 200+ farmer members and the broader grower group network through field days, workshops, publications, newsletters, podcasts and videos, with a focus on crop establishment, soil health, nitrogen management, drought resilience, carbon farming and sustainable mixed farming systems.
Product overview
Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven research organization that provides agricultural research, advisory services, and educational resources to farmers in Central West NSW. Rather than a commercial product company, CWFS offers a portfolio of services including on-ground research and trials conducted at The Fettell Centre, publications and reports, member communications, events and field days, and podcasts/videos. CWFS connects farmers with research outcomes across areas including crop establishment, soil health, nitrogen management, drought resilience, carbon farming, and sustainable farming systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Research & Advisory Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Delivers carbon farming training to 3,500+ farming enterprises through national program
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Central West Farming Systems
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Central West Farming Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Central West Farming Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
45 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Griffith UniversitycoreProject lead for Organic-Based N Fertilisers project, developing slow-release nitrogen fertilisers based on peanut shell biochar, cow manure and green waste compost.
- Birchip Cropping GroupmajorPartner in Organic-Based N Fertilisers project conducting trials in Victoria alongside CWFS and other research organisations.
- Burdekin Productivity ServicesmajorPartner in Organic-Based N Fertilisers project conducting trials in Queensland, focusing on sugarcane and broadacre crops.
- Charles Sturt UniversitymajorResearch partner providing economic analysis for Organic-Based N Fertilisers and other soil health projects.
- Grower Group Alliance (GGA)coreNational program lead organisation for the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, uniting 40 farming and land management groups from all states and the Northern Territory.
- Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation HubcoreInnovation Hub partner for Mixed Farming Systems Long-term Field Trials and multiple drought resilience projects in southern NSW.
- Southwest WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation HubmajorInnovation Hub partner supporting drought resilience research and extension activities.
- Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation HubmajorInnovation Hub partner for drought resilience research in Victoria.
- South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation HubmajorInnovation Hub partner for drought resilience research and adoption in South Australia.
- CSIROcoreResearch partner for Mouse Monitoring project, improving outbreak forecasting models and population predictions.
- Ag Excellence AlliancecoreProject lead for De-risking the Seeding Program, coordinating 15 farming system groups to accelerate adoption of strategic dry and early sowing crop management strategies.
- Murray Plains FarmersmajorOne of 15 farming system groups involved in delivering dry and early sowing research outcomes to local growers.
- Hart Field Site GroupmajorOne of 15 farming system groups involved in delivering dry and early sowing research outcomes.
- Mallee Sustainable FarmingmajorOne of 15 farming system groups involved in delivering dry and early sowing research outcomes to Mallee region growers.
- FarmlinkmajorOne of 15 farming system groups involved in research and extension activities.
- Riverine PlainsmajorOne of 15 farming system groups involved in delivering research outcomes to Riverine Plains region.
- South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)majorGovernment research partner contributing to dry and early sowing research programs.
- Agriculture Innovation and Research Eyre PeninsulaminorFarming systems group partner in South Australia delivering research outcomes.
- Upper North Farming SystemsminorFarming systems group partner delivering research outcomes to Upper North region.
- Northern Sustainable SoilsminorFarming systems group partner focused on sustainable soils research.
- Southern GrowersminorFarming systems group partner in Southern region.
- Irrigation Farmers NetworkminorFarming systems group partner focused on irrigation research.
- Facey GroupminorFarming systems group partner in Western Australia.
- Corrigin Farm Improvement GroupminorFarming systems group partner in Western Australia.
- University of Southern QueenslandcoreProject lead for Organic N versus Synthetic N research comparing legume-based rotations with synthetic urea for soil health and yield response.
- University of New EnglandcoreProject funder and research partner for Organic N versus Synthetic N project, providing research expertise.
- University of MelbournemajorResearch partner in N Banking project providing academic expertise in nitrogen management research.
- Farmlink Research LimitedmajorProject lead for N Banking research, managing nitrogen banking targets and demand scenarios testing.
- Federation University AustraliaminorResearch partner in Knowledge Sharing project, contributing to extension and knowledge-sharing strategies.
- AIR EP (Agriculture Innovation and Research Eyre Peninsula)minorGrower group partner in Knowledge Sharing project delivering extension services.
- West Midlands GroupminorGrower group partner contributing to knowledge-sharing activities in Western Australia.
- The University of NewcastlecoreProject lead for Unlock Soil Nutrients project, examining innovative organic amendments to unlock nutrient reserves and increase Nutrient Use Efficiency.
- University of Southern QueenslandmajorResearch partner in Unlock Soil Nutrients project, collaborating on soil and cropping systems research.
- Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA)majorGovernment research partner contributing to Unlock Soil Nutrients project with expertise in primary industries and regional development.
- Australian Organic Recycling OrganisationminorIndustry partner providing expertise in organic waste recycling and sustainable organic matter management.
- Herbert Cane Productivity Services LtdminorRegional partner supporting sugarcane industry research in Queensland for soil nutrient projects.
- Landcare Research New Zealand LtdminorInternational research partner providing cross-Tasman collaboration on soil health and organic waste research.
- NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)coreProject lead for Feathertop Rhodes grass integrated weed management research, investigating herbicide resistance and biology in southern NSW.
- FarmlinkmajorFarming systems group partner in Feathertop Rhodes grass research project.
- NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)coreProject lead for Smarter Irrigation research, demonstrating precision irrigation technologies and autonomous irrigation management.
- Dairy AustraliamajorIndustry partner representing dairy sector in Smarter Irrigation for Profit multi-industry collaboration.
- Southern Cross UniversitycoreProject lead for Rhizosphere modification research investigating how plant diversity shapes soil rhizosphere processes and drives soil function.
- Murdoch UniversitymajorResearch partner in rhizosphere modification project contributing to soil science expertise.
- NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI)majorGovernment research partner contributing agricultural research expertise and resources.
- University of AdelaidecoreProject lead for Barley Grass integrated weed management research, developing strategies to control herbicide-resistant barley grass in low rainfall zones.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Central West Farming Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Riverine Plains: NSW/Victorian border grower group running research trials and extension. Comparable farmer-driven not-for-profit model with overlapping Soil CRC and Future Drought Fund projects.
- Birchip Cropping Group (BCG): Victoria-based not-for-profit farmer-driven research organization running long-term cropping systems trials. BCG is a direct counterpart to CWFS, operating the same grower-group model with similar GRDC, Soil CRC, and federal government funding sources.
- Hart Field Site Group: South Australian grower group running long-term cropping trials in low-to-medium rainfall zones. Closely comparable field-site, member-driven research, and extension model to CWFS.
- Mallee Sustainable Farming: Mallee-region grower group focused on sustainable farming practices in low-rainfall zones. Direct peer on soil health, drought resilience, and crop establishment research with similar funder base.
- Ag Excellence Alliance: South Australian alliance of grower groups serving as project lead for the De-risking the Seeding Program in collaboration with CWFS. Operates the same coalition-of-grower-groups model for cross-region research delivery.
- Farmlink Research: NSW-based farming systems research group collaborating with CWFS on multiple projects. Operates the same farmer-driven extension model with similar mixed-farming focus and grant funding structure.
- Upper North Farming Systems: South Australian grower group collaborating with CWFS on the De-risking the Seeding Program. Comparable low-rainfall mixed farming systems research and extension model.
- Northern Sustainable Soils: NSW-based grower group focused on sustainable soils research. Direct peer listed as a partner in CWFS's national dry and early sowing program, with similar Soil CRC funding ties.
Emerging players
- Grower Group Alliance (GGA): National network leader of 40+ farming system groups, including CWFS. GGA is the umbrella organization running the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program and therefore a partner and partial substitute for CWFS's national extension reach.
- Burdekin Productivity Services: Queensland agricultural services organization partnering with CWFS on the Organic-Based N Fertilisers project. Regional peer delivering agricultural extension in sugarcane and broadacre crops with comparable grower-group structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central West Farming Systems social profiles
Digital presenceCentral West Farming Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central West Farming Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Central West Farming Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central West Farming Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central West Farming Systems
What does Central West Farming Systems do?
Central West Farming Systems (CWFS) is an independent, not-for-profit, farmer-driven agricultural research organisation that designs and conducts farming systems trials, demonstration projects and field research in Central West NSW. It delivers the resulting knowledge to its 200+ farmer members and the broader grower group network through field days, workshops, publications, newsletters, podcasts and videos, with a focus on crop establishment, soil health, nitrogen management, drought resilience, carbon farming and sustainable mixed farming systems.
Is Central West Farming Systems a public or private company?
Central West Farming Systems is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Central West Farming Systems founded?
Central West Farming Systems was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Central West Farming Systems based?
Central West Farming Systems is headquartered in Condobolin, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Central West Farming Systems make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership fees.
Who are Central West Farming Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Riverine Plains, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), Hart Field Site Group, Mallee Sustainable Farming, Ag Excellence Alliance, Farmlink Research, Upper North Farming Systems and Northern Sustainable Soils. Emerging players are Grower Group Alliance (GGA) and Burdekin Productivity Services.
Does Central West Farming Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central West Farming Systems.
What industry is Central West Farming Systems in?
Central West Farming Systems's product category is Agricultural Research & Extension Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFACABAL, Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory), with a secondary code of AFACACAK, Carbon, Sustainability & MRV Services for Farms (Baseline, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.