Projects: Farming Systems
Water quality in extensive sheep grazing systems
Water quality factors such as total dissolvable salts, temperature, mineral composition, pH, and microbial load can differ between their sources. Further, run off from pasture herbicides and fertilisers may be a contributor of water contamination, as well as be a source of microbial activity and pathogens. While there is a plethora of research conducted investigating…
Derisking the sowing program on EP – a comparison of different seeding systems and crops in 2026
The Minnipa Agricultural Centre operates two broadacre seeding systems. One is a tyne-based Horwood Bagshaw Precision Seeding System (PSS), the other is a RootBoot Razor, single disc hybrid system. The vision of this project is to compare the two seeding system’s effect on crop establishment and vigor in cereal and lentils particularly in the early…
Eyre Peninsula internship in applied grains research 2027
To improve the capacity of grains research, development and extension in the Eyre Peninsula region through the employment of an annual intern within local research organisations in 2027. To further develop applied research skills of recent graduates so they will be able to make an improved contribution to the grains R, D&E industry in South…
Plan 2 Profit upper EP 2026
Targeted at younger farmers on upper EP, this project aims to train a minimum of 10 farm businesses to: – Improve farm business financial literacy – Set goals and develop plans for the farm business – Prepare for the coming season and longer term – Prepare for scenarios such as drought This will be achieved…
Managing and Mitigating Dry Saline Soils (Magnesia Patches) in South Australia
AIR EP is leading an investment in demonstration and extension of identification, management and amelioration of dry saline land. AIR EP & partners will deliver a program of work to address the challenges of dry saline land and support growers in identifying, managing and ameliorating these soils. Read the introduction article that was featured in…
Improving phosphorus use efficiency and return on investment in high Phosphorus (P) fixing soils of the Southern and Western Regions
Aims to improve growers’ certainty about managing phosphorus (P) in high-fixing soils, which have chemical properties that bind applied P, making it unavailable to crops. The project outcome is that by 2030, growers in the Southern and Western regions will access improved P fertiliser application strategies to maximise return on investment (ROI) in high P…
Stress Testing Regenerative Agricultural Practices – STRAP
Drought resilience in novel emerging dryland farming practices – A scientific and economic basis (Stress Testing Regenerative Agricultural Practices – STRAP) The project aims to rigorously study regenerative cropping and pasture management to boost drought resilience in southern Australia’s dryland farming systems. It is farmer-led with scientific support from CSIRO, involving five long-term trials across…
Drought and climate resilient sheep farms and landscapes tailor-made for low rainfall farming regions
The profitability of sheep farming is declining due to the impacts of drought and extreme heat on pasture growth, soil stability and sheep performance. This project will enhance resilience of sheep production systems by combining climate resilient sheep with novel, drought tolerant pastures, shrubs and trees which enhance consistency of feed supply, stabilise and improve…
Weed Management Initiative
This page was last updated on 6 January 2026. Delivery of one herbicide trial on EP for 2025-2029 (5 trial years) On an annual basis, establish, conduct, analyse and report on field trials as agreed with the Lead Researcher and in line with Project Outputs detailed in the Head Agreement; Provide extension of results from…
Future Drought Fund Long Term Trials SA Discovery Farms – Sustainable phosphorous strategies for Eyre Peninsula
AIR EP has partnered with SA Discovery Farms, with co-investment by SAGIT, in a new project aimed at improving P fertiliser applications in variable paddocks/landscapes and refining long-term management strategies on highly P responsive soils. The overall aim of this project is to increase the profitability from phosphorus (P) fertiliser applications and determine sustainable P…