South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub

08/09/2026

Livestock consultants, advisers and service providers are invited to the Enhanced Livestock Management Advisor Intensive – a two-day professional development program to strengthen producer support capabilities.

Supported by SA Drought Hub, the SA Sheep Industry Fund and Adelaide University, the program will cover:

> Pasture productivity and utilisation
> Feedbase planning and grazing systems
> Feed budget
> Matching livestock demand with feed supply
> Supplementary and containment feeding
> Practical approaches to seasonal risk management

Workshop details:

When: Thursday 8 – Friday 9 October 2026
Where: Barossa Valley, SA
Cost: The workshop is free to attend, with strictly limited spaces.

Register your interest by Friday 25 September: https://bit.ly/4qRIuPs

03/09/2026

Strengthening the resilience and productivity of sheep in low rainfall farming systems is the focus of a new national collaborative research project.

Funded through the Future Drought Fund, the project aims to find practical solutions to improve feed availability, grazing landscapes and animal welfare with trial and demonstration sites across SA, WA and NSW.

At the same time, teams from Adelaide University and Murdoch University will study improved sheep genetics, along with drought-tolerant pastures, shrubs and trees.

“By integrating adapted sheep with more resilient feedbase systems, we aim to create more stable and productive farming systems,” project lead Assoc. Prof. William van Wettere says.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4y85xIg

03/09/2026

Grazing Management Grants now open 🌱

Primary producers in the Northern and Yorke region can apply for funding to support fencing and water infrastructure projects that improve grazing management, including rotational grazing.

Funding of up to $10 per hectare improved, to a maximum of $5,000, is available for eligible projects such as internal fencing, troughs, tanks and associated water infrastructure.

Applications close September 21 2026, with funding available on a first come, first served basis.

Find out more, check eligibility and apply 👉 https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ny/get-involved/grants-and-funding/grazing_management_grant

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Natural Resources, Northern and Yorke is the agency that delivers a diverse range of programs and projects under the direction of the Regional NRM Board…

01/09/2026

Our latest newsletter is now online 🌱

Catch up on the latest project updates, industry resources and upcoming events.

Take a look: sadroughthub.com.au/newsletters/

Subscribe for future editions: sadroughthub.com.au/

18/08/2026

Managing break crops across multiple landscapes and soil types can be challenging.

Break crops can bring real benefits, such as nitrogen fixation, w**d and disease management, and improved rotation diversity, but its success depends highly on seasonal conditions, soil type and variations across the landscape.

To help growers understand which break crops perform best in various conditions, delivered the Building Resilience - Break Crop Suitability Across Landscapes project.

Through paddock-scale demonstrations, economic analysis and collaboration between farming groups and researchers, the project has practical insights to support more resilient and profitable farming systems in South Australia.

Learn more about this project and access its resources here: https://bit.ly/4wYrCJ6

11/08/2026

How can growers reduce the risks of dry and early sowing while making the most of seasonal opportunities? 🌾

Northern Sustainable Soils Group, alongside Trengove Consulting and Agricultural Consulting and Research, have completed a series of demonstration trials investigating practical strategies to improve crop establishment and manage key risks associated with dry and early sowing.

The project explored fertiliser placement, herbicide residue carryover, pre-emergent herbicide use and seeding system design, providing locally relevant information to support grower and adviser decision-making.

A suite of technical reports are now available, giving growers practical guidance they can use when planning future cropping programs in the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North regions.

Explore the project and download the technical resources here 👉 https://sadroughthub.com.au/project/hub-projects/improving-the-management-of-dry-or-early-sown-crops/

Northern Sustainable Soils - NSS Hart Field-Site Group Inc

07/08/2026

Sometimes the most valuable learning comes from hearing how someone else has navigated the tough seasons 🌱

Through SA Drought Hub sponsorship support, Upper North Farming Systems hosted Western Australian farmer Neil Wandel and agronomist Nick Eyres for a dinner event in Laura, bringing together more than 50 farmers, agronomists and industry reps to share insights on business resilience, succession planning, and smarter nitrogen decisions.

Beyond the presentations, Neil spent two days with local farmers, creating opportunities for informal conversations, farm visits and knowledge sharing that participants described as some of the most valuable aspects of the event.

As one attendee reflected, "Neil is clearly a very successful farmer who has successfully grown and diversified his business, and that is inspiring. But what was really valuable was hearing about the challenges he faced, how he managed risk and how he got through the really tough times. That's where the real value comes from, and it's a credit to Neil that he was willing to share those experiences so openly "

Thanks to UNFS, Laura Ag Bureau, Neil Wandel and Nick Eyres for an evening of honest conversations that encouraged growers to think differently about risk, resilience and the future.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received from another grower? Share it in the comments below 👇

05/08/2026

We're proud to have supported the AgExForum2026 and the important conversations shaping the future of South Australian agriculture.

Centred around the theme, 'Transforming Ag - Technology Shaping How We Grow', the Forum showcased the people, ideas, and technologies driving innovation.

Congratulations to Ag Excellence Alliance on a successful event, and to all of the Award Winners for their contribution to the industry 🌾

30/07/2026

Launch your career in grains research 🌾

Applications are now open for the 2027 Hart Research Intern position, proudly supported through the SA Drought Hub Regional Internship Program and co-funded by South Australian Grain Industry Trust

Live and work in the beautiful Clare Valley while contributing to Hart Field-Site Group Inc and independent research that directly supports farmers and rural communities across South Australia. You'll gain hands-on experience, work alongside leading researchers and advisors, and build valuable industry connections.

Applications close August 21 2026 at 5pm.

Find out more and apply here: https://www.hartfieldsite.org.au/pages/about-us/careers/research-internships.php

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Send this opportunity their way.

22/07/2026

One of the biggest measures of success for our Regional Internship Program is seeing Interns become confident contributors to industry conversations.

At today's 2026 SAGIT Annual Update, our Farming Systems Adoption Officer Rachel May watched SA Drought Hub and South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) co-funded interns Anna Osmond (AIR EP - Ag Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula), Molly Edmondson (Hart Field-Site Group Inc) and Arabella Hinge (MacKillop Farm Management Group) take to the stage to share their experiences and how the program has helped launch their careers in SA's grains/mixed industry.

Since 2021, the SA Drought Hub and SAGIT have partnered to grow regional research capacity by creating career pathways that attract and retain emerging agricultural professionals in regional South Australia. Seeing these interns on stage today is what the program is designed to achieve, and a proud milestone for everyone involved ⭐

Learn more about how we're supporting the next gen of professionals: https://sadroughthub.com.au/project/interns/growing-regional-research-capacity-through-industry-collaboration/