Our Eyre Peninsula Sustainable Agriculture Program sees us collaborate with Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP), researchers, industry specialists and local organisations to support more resilient, productive and sustainable farming systems across the region.

Through a coordinated program of workshops, trials, soil testing, monitoring, field demonstrations and climate insights, the program is helping EP growers respond to key soil and climate challenges and make informed decisions for the future.

One of the key focus areas of the project is helping the agriculture sector 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.

Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey from the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, is producing The Very Fast Break videos for Eyre Peninsula, which include rainfall, temperature and soil water updates, along with climate indicators and modelled forecasts. You can check out the late June 2026 Seasonal Climate Update here.

A new case study features the Polkinghorne family of Kingara Farms, near Lock, and their practical ‘spade and sow’ approach to managing sandy soil constraints. The case study explores how Tim Polkinghorne is using targeted paddock planning, deep ripping, spading and sowing in one pass to address water repellent sands, high soil strength and variable depth-to-clay, while helping establish cover quickly after amelioration to reduce wind erosion risk. 

Also available is a new report capturing what eight Eyre Peninsula landholders learnt while establishing crops after the late seasonal breaks in 2024 and 2025. The report highlights that success in dry starts is not just about whether to dry sow, but whether paddocks are set up to manage the risk. It includes practical observations on soil type, surface cover, seed placement, seeder set-up, weed control, ameliorated soils, herbicide considerations and wind damage, along with a handy decision guide for the next late break. 

Both resources provide useful, locally relevant insights for growers looking to improve crop establishment and manage soil constraints in a changing climate.

Two new potassium-focused resources are now available, sharing local insights from trials in wheat at Ungarra in 2025.

Both resources look at whether applying extra potassium fertiliser in wheat delivered an economic yield response, including the impact of different application timings. They provide a practical summary of the trial results and what they may mean for growers considering potassium as part of their nutrition planning.

These resources are a useful addition for Eyre Peninsula growers and advisers looking to better understand nutrient decisions, soil constraints and crop performance in local farming systems.

Check out the AIR EP Sustainable Ag Program project page to explore all of the new resources now available.

Farmers, researchers and industry representatives gathered at Cleve at the end of March for Paddock Proof: Safe Trials, Real Results. Led by Sarah Fea from BEAR Biologics, the workshop created space for practical conversations about regenerative agriculture and how better decisions in the paddock can support soil health, animal health and the bottom line.

The climate-ready livestock project that started earlier this year, has gotten underway to support producers to make informed decisions and strengthen farming systems for the future.

Following an extensive consultation process with the newly formed livestock Steering Committee, independent Livestock Coordinator Hannah Gordon has tailored a practical extension package for the project.

One of the first activities was an AIR EP hosted Pastures ‘Walk n Talk’ discussion at Whites Flat in late June which brought together more than 20 local livestock producers and industry professionals. Hosted by local sheep producers, David & Rhianne Low, the informal session included a pasture tour, with topical discussions from local agronomists and animal health professionals. EP Drones also conducted a small seed broadcasting demonstration.

Topics included:
➡️ Establishing new pasture species
➡️ Improving pasture base and gearing up your livestock production
➡️ Estimating feed on offer & setting a stocking rate
➡️ Matching nutritional needs to livestock with available feed on offer
➡️ Pasture management strategies
➡️ Small seed broadcasting demo with EP Drones

Conversations during the day about challenges facing livestock producers included:

• Weed and pest management, particularly controlling barley grass, brome grass, silver grass, capeweed, geranium, stemless thistles, and red-legged earth mite in pastures.
• Establishing and improving pastures in difficult environments, especially hilly, rocky, non-arable, waterlogged or variable soil-type areas.
• Pasture productivity and grazing performance, including early season feed quality, slower annual growth, increasing stocking rates, and managing grass seeds in wool.
• Practical constraints, including accessibility, time management, chemical options, establishment costs, and justifying investment in pasture improvement.

Workshop hosts, David & Rhianne Low shared their pasture journey, knowledge and priorities for future dry seasons.

In July, AIR EP will host the popular AWI Extension SA workshop ‘RAMping Up Repro’ in two locations - Kyancutta and Ceduna. These workshops aim to provide woolgrowers with hands-on skills to improve ram health, longevity, and reproductive performance.This will be the first time such content has come to the Eyre Peninsula. See the 'upcoming events' section below for more details.

A further 9 workshops will be held from August this year to 30 June 2027, with content earmarked for delivery across Lower EP, Far West, Central or Eastern Eyre including:

• Containment feeding
• Profitable store lambs
• Breeding objectives
• Livestock ‘Ag Tech’ and innovation
• Maximising eID data
• Profit drivers in livestock and missed farming systems
• Improving animal health
• Lamb survival

In addition to workshops, the project will deliver a series of podcasts and case studies based on content highlighted throughout the workshops.

Stay tuned to AIR EP and EP Landscape Board social networks for opportunities to get involved or sign up to the AIR EP newsletter.

For more information about the project, or to provide feedback on livestock topics and content, contact Hannah Gordon on 0408 311 122.

This project is supported by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board with funding from South Australian Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund.

RAMping Up Repro – 20-21 July
This workshop for woolgrowers will see participants:

• Learn how to perform a thorough pre-joining ram inspection, regarding critical structures and timing.
• Learn the principles and skill of condition scoring and its impact on ram team management.
• Find out about animal health, disease and biosecurity considerations that need to be considered when managing a ram or ram team for a successful joining.

This popular AWI Extension SA course will be in two locations:

• 20 July, 9am - 2:30pm at Kyancutta
• 21 July, 9am - 2:30pm at Ceduna 

Registrations available soon on the AWI events page.

Save the date: Regenerative Ag forum – 29 September 2026
Keep an eye on the AIR EP Events page and e-newsletter for more details as they are released. Contact Rebekah Peters projectofficer@airep.com.au for more information.

See the AIR EP events page for more event updates

Amy Wright is our facilitator, based in Kimba. Supporting her is project officer Bek Peters, based at Ungarra. 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 the 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.

The Sustainable Agriculture EP project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered for the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel by AIR EP, EPAG Research, PIRSA and Ag VIC.