Agriculture programs

The Eyre Peninsula agriculture sector (cropping and grazing) covers approximately 80% of the land mass of Eyre Peninsula, producing around 40% of the state’s wheat exports and more than 20% of barley exports. The region is also estimated to have more than 1.5 million head of sheep. The region does also have large areas of sandy soils that are prone to wind erosion as well as agriculture land that is prone to acidification.

Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, we are responsible for the management and protection of the land, with Sustainable Agriculture being one of our five priority areas. We are focused on facilitating regenerative land management to improve soil health and vitality.

Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator

We work with a range of stakeholders on agriculture programs including the Australian Government as a Regional Delivery Partner from mid-2024. As part of our arrangement with the Australian Government, we have a Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator to connect farmers, landholders, community groups and the agriculture industry to relevant information and programs on climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices; facilitate partnerships; and support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects.

Carbon Outreach Program

Through the Australian Government, we are also involved with a Carbon Outreach Program. We will be working closely with South Australia’s other landscape boards to deliver a Carbon Outreach Program that supports the agriculture and land sectors as Australia transitions towards net zero emissions by 2030. This includes strengthening landholders’ knowledge in best practice agriculture to address issues that arise in a changing climate. Our Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator and other staff will work on providing education to farmers including workshops, as the project progresses in late 2024 and into 2025.

Soil Extension Project

From mid-2024, South Australia’s eight landscape boards are working together on this project to empower land managers to take responsibility for their soil’s health, resulting in improved productivity and environmental outcomes.

The one-year project funded by the Landscape Priorities Fund, aims to equip land managers with an understanding of the latest soil science and the skills and knowledge to translate soil test results into on-farm actions that improve soil health and address the constraints of the soil. This includes understanding opportunities and constraints for soil carbon sequestration in native vegetation.

We are partnering with EP Ag Research to deliver this project with Brett Masters taking on the role of our Eyre Peninsula soil extension officer. Brett and the soil extension officers in other landscape board regions, will work collaboratively with land managers, industry and agriculture groups, soil specialists and researchers across the state to deliver extension activities, including education resources, demonstration sites and case studies.

Opportunities for land managers to get involved in this project will be announced as they come up.

If you have any queries about interpreting soil test results for agricultural production or managing soils issues in the region, Brett can be contacted on 0427 899 328 or brett@epagresearch.com.au.

Regenerative Agriculture Program

Our five-year Regenerative Agriculture Program, concluded in June 2023. The program aimed to increase awareness, knowledge and adoption of land management practices on the Eyre Peninsula to restore soil pH levels, increase soil organic carbon levels and reduce the risk of nutrient loss from wind erosion. It supported farming systems groups and individual farmers to implement best practice management and practice change; and showcase the results to the broader farming community.

There were a range of case studies completed during this project including on soil carbon, Mallee seeps, erosion control, multi-species to improve soil cover and grazing potential and acidity. Farmers are encouraged to take a look and learn from what was trialled.

Mallee seeps

We supported a three-year project up to June 2023, to provide support to farmers facing the rising degradation of Mallee seeps on Eyre Peninsula. The project trialled management options suited to both mixed farmers and cropping-only farming systems to explore remedial options. A key message from the project report is that future farmers need to continue to look, monitor and act early, rather than allow degraded areas to form, expand and go out of production.

A series of videos were created for landholders to outline Mallee seep management options.