This newsletter is an overview of agriculture-related news from the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board. Our new sustainable agriculture project is now underway. Find out more about the project as well as carbon farming, our landscape management review & local water issues.
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New focus for EP sustainable ag
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A three-year $1.3m program to support Eyre Peninsula farmers to drive agriculture growth while adopting sustainable practices, is now underway.
Three major program components make up the project which is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) for the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
This first program area is about helping the agriculture sector to adopt practices to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change, by helping farmers to be better equipped to respond to forecast changes and increased variability of the climate through improved decision making and implementing new practices.
The second program area will see farmers being supported to drive agricultural growth, while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity, specifically to reduce the risk of soil loss, improve soil health, increase productivity and improve carbon retention.
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AIR EP Executive Officer Naomi Scholz, says her team is ready to roll out the program to local farmers.
“We’ve got a lot coming up during the next three years to support Eyre Peninsula farmers including webinars about understanding seasonal forecasts, workshops about paddock variability and soils training for advisors,” Ms Scholz says.
“One of the most exciting parts of the program is being able to provide EP farmers access to soils technical expertise and increasing their knowledge on options to overcome soil constraints for improved productivity and sustainability.”
The third program area of the new sustainable agriculture project will focus on improving Aboriginal participation in the agriculture sector.
An initiative is getting underway that aims to enable the agriculture sector to respect, draw on and embrace Aboriginal knowledge. It will stimulate Aboriginal entrepreneurship, business development, training and employment in the agriculture sector, providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to participate in the agriculture sector. Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula (RDAEP) has been contracted to deliver this program.
Updates and announcements on the project will be available through AIR EP and EP Landscape Board’s website, social media and newsletters.
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Boxthorn puller tools for loan
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We now have two boxthorn puller devices available for loan to landholders in heavily infested areas around eastern Eyre Peninsula, adding to the two already in our western district.
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The twin hydraulic ram operated jaw/arm system is available for a four-week loan. To operate the tools, landholders will require a reversible hydraulic power source with controls to operate the arms in and out. Watch a landholder demonstration.
Loans will be prioritised for land managers who are struggling to meet the requirement of the Landscape South Australia Act to control African Boxthorn on their properties, or heavily infested areas.
Interested? Get in touch with your local office and see our FAQ flyer.
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Have your say: EP’s landscape management priorities
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We are now seeking community feedback on our Regional Landscape Plan. Every five years we review our priorities and work with the community on shaping our next landscape plan.
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General Manager Jonathan Clark says the new plan is an opportunity to make sure the Board’s actions continue to meet the changing needs of our diverse landscapes and the people who care for them.
“Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, we have statutory requirements in relation to managing declared plants and animals, land protection and management, and water planning and management,” Mr Clark says.
“The Act also promotes ecologically sustainable development and biodiversity conservation; and landscape management being community-led and locally delivered is a core philosophy.
“During the review of the plan, we want to hear from our broader EP community including our youth who will be the future guardians of our region.
“We’d like to know what the community sees as changes that will challenge the management of soil, water, coasts and biodiversity during the next five years.
“While we have areas that we have to focus on through requirements of the Landscape Act, we want to carry out our core work with an understanding of what the community values about our local landscapes and what they see as local priorities for landscape management.”
The Board is undertaking a stakeholder workshop with local government representatives in September; a Healthy Country Conference and workshop for the Aboriginal community in October; and will also speak to a range of Eyre Peninsula people in one-on-one interviews as part of the review process.
Everyone in the community can have their say on our local landscape management challenges and priorities, through the Board’s YourSAy consultation page, open until September 26.
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What do I need to know about carbon farming?
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Are you curious about carbon farming and what it really means for your farm?
Join us for a free, practical workshop that cuts through the jargon to give you the facts on carbon farming. We'll explore how it fits into everyday farming, how it might benefit your business, and what you need to know to make informed decisions
Our next round of workshop dates in late 2025 will be announced soon. To register your interest contact amy.wright@airep.com.au.
Our carbon farming web page is also a useful resource.
The workshops are funded by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment, and Water under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
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Earlier this year we wrapped up our first stage of consultation on the Eyre Peninsula Water Allocation Plan.
Feedback from the consultation has been reviewed and input has also been sought from the Aboriginal Corporations who hold Native Title over the areas covered by the plan.
The latest groundwater science has been used to inform the development of water policies proposed for the revised plan. Reductions in groundwater storage come on top of falling groundwater levels due to a long term trend of lower annual rainfall, and the revised plan will make changes to address this.
The next step in the Water Allocation Plan process is for a draft of the revised plan to go out for another round of consultation, planned for September via YourSAy, with details to be added on our website and socials.
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Farm water security sticky beak days
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Last week we were involved with on-farm water security sticky beak days at Warramboo and Wharminda.
Participants were encouraged to capture and efficiently store high quality water on farm, for crop sprays, livestock and domestic use.
The workshops included visits to local farms using innovations such as sheeted catchments, lined dams and trenches, evaporation control, and leak detection, giving attendees plenty of food for thought.
The local farmers spoke about having access to better quality water, avoiding expensive farm pipelines to connect to a distant mains water meter, reductions in water costs, water savings, on-farm safety, and avoiding pumping costs by siting catchments to use gravity feed.
We also heard about a water smart farms program in WA in which farmers are using on-farm desalination, not only for water quality and water security benefits, but to free up mains water for regional growth and employment.
Our Program Manager Water, Andrew Solomon, spoke about groundwater for on-farm water supplies. He also discussed the legal obligations that come with water resource developments – a key message was to touch base with the appropriate authority (Council, Landscape Board, Department for Environment and Water) early in your planning process.
Visit our Water Affecting Activities page for a range of resources.
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One of the sheeted catchment examples visited - thanks to the Mullins family. |
Nature restoration grants
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Do you have land that includes habitat for threatened species or vegetation communities? Grants are now open through the Native Vegetation Council to help improve these habitats.
The Nature Restoration Grants are for large impact, longer term (5-10 years) projects that will provide a significant benefit to native vegetation by improving condition and increasing protection through a new Heritage Agreement.
Applications are open until Saturday 8 November 2025. See the Native Vegetation Council page for full details.
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Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula (RDAEP) is undertaking an Agriculture Needs Analysis to identify and understand the key needs, gaps, and priorities of agriculture across our region.
Whether you are a grower, part of a grower group, industry association, service provider, or another key stakeholder supporting the sector, RDAEP says your insights are essential to capture local knowledge that truly reflects the challenges and opportunities in Eyre Peninsula agriculture.
RDAEP says the information gathered will help guide future decision-making, policy development, resource allocation, and project planning—ensuring the voice of our community is at the heart of strengthening productivity, sustainability, and livelihoods. Share your insights by completing the short survey.
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4-5 September – Lentil check discussion groups
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Western Eyre Peninsula: 1693 Nurka Rd, Mudamuckla Thursday, 4 September 2025, 9:00am –11:00am
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Central Eyre Peninsula: 11840 Tarragan Tanks Rd, Mt Damper Thursday, 4 September 2025, 2.00pm - 4:00pm
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Buckleboo and Kimba: 1629 Buckleboo Rd, Cortlinye Friday, 5 September 2025, 9:00am-11:00am
For more information contact Cathy Paterson, SARDI, 8680 6227 or Catherine.Paterson2@sa.gov.au
9 September – AIR EP Lower EP Crop Walk
For more information contact Rebekah Peters - 0447973489
10 September – SARDI Minnipa Ag Centre Annual Field Day
Find out about trials and hear from researchers.
Registeration details.
17 September - WoTL crop tour for women
Join WoTL for an interactive crop tour covering updates on the 2025 cropping season. More details and registration.
25 September – Roberts/Verran Sticky Beak Day
For more information contact Joel Horne – 0434580695
25 September – Far West Sticky Beak Day
For more information contact Seth Cooper – 0417896772
26 September – Franklin Harbour Sticky Beak Day
For more information contact Tim Franklin – 0427451087
26 September – Charra Goode Sticky Beak Day
For more information contact Cade Drummond – 0408862274
15 October – BFIG Crop Walk
For more information contact David Inglis – 0439000455
See the AIR EP events page for event updates.
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Sustainable agriculture is one of our five priorities at the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board - the others being biodiversity, pest plant and animal control, water and community.
We have a Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator who is available to provide a range of support, focused on facilitating partnerships and connections that help farmers, landholders and community groups work together to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Amy Wright is our facilitator, based in Kimba. These facilitators - located across Australia's regional areas - are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
Local grower-led research and extension group, Ag Innovation and Research EP (AIR EP) is contracted to host the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator role and also our new 3-year sustainable agriculture project. Please reach out to Amy if you want to know more about how she can help you. Email amy.wright@airep.com.au or phone 0467 004 555.
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