A groundbreaking initiative in climate-smart farming is taking shape in South Australia through the establishment of long-term research trials. These trials are designed to equip livestock, cropping, and mixed farming sectors with the tools and knowledge to effectively navigate future climate challenges, particularly dry periods and droughts. The SA Discovery Farms project, spearheaded by Flinders University and executed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) along with 40 partners, is a pivotal $8 million program aimed at exploring innovative and transformative practices to enhance drought resilience within the agricultural sector. Funding for this initiative is sourced from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
The collaborative effort of the SA Discovery Farms project has brought together a diverse range of research partners, including farming systems groups, advisers, research and development corporations, plant breeding companies, and agribusinesses. Under the leadership of Dr. Rhiannon Schilling, the program has established a network of long-term research trials across various sites in South Australia to evaluate applied science solutions and climate-resilient innovations. These trials are strategically located at Minnipa Agricultural Centre, Loxton Research Centre, Struan Research Centre, and Turretfield Research Centre, with an additional 35 innovator sites set up on commercial farming properties to directly engage with local farmers and advisers.
The establishment of the long-term trial sites was informed by a co-design process involving farmers, advisers, and researchers, which identified four key innovation themes:
1. Tailor-made climate-smart grain and feed
2. Soil-improvement practices for enhanced soil health
3. Precision livestock strategies for improved animal health
4. Landscape diversification to increase resilience
Zoe Starkey, appointed as the long-term trials coordinator, brings a wealth of experience in agricultural facilitation and engagement, drawing on her firsthand knowledge as a mixed farmer managing operations in challenging dry conditions. The primary focus of the project is on trialing new climate-resilient practices to empower farmers to adopt innovative solutions on their own properties. The SA Discovery Farms and innovator sites cover a broad spectrum of farming systems in pastoral, low, medium, and high-rainfall zones across South Australia.
In its inaugural year, the project has launched trials to investigate various aspects such as soil amelioration, soil microbiome modification, virtual fencing, pasture adaptation, moisture sensing seeding systems, herbicide efficacy, and plant genetics for resilience building. The upcoming year will see the initiation of trials focusing on landscape hydrology and remnant-vegetation monitoring. Project stakeholders are kept informed through various channels, including newsletters, social media updates, website content, crop walks, and presentations, ensuring continuous engagement and knowledge sharing among all parties involved.
The ultimate goal of the SA Discovery Farms project is to increase the adoption of drought-resilient innovations on-farm, thereby enhancing economic, environmental, and social resilience to drought. By aligning research innovations with key seasonal decisions and fostering strong networks among stakeholders, the project aims to facilitate the widespread implementation of drought-resilient practices and systems within the agricultural sector.
Through its comprehensive approach to climate-smart farming and innovative research trials, the SA Discovery Farms project is poised to significantly impact the resilience and sustainability of South Australia’s agricultural industry in the face of evolving climate challenges.
Source: PIRSA
