Sustainable agriculture
The agricultural area of Eyre Peninsula ranges from broad-hectare agricultural production with largely mixed cereal and livestock grazing on annual pastures to intensive cropping in the more reliable rainfall areas with pulse and oilseed crops in the rotations. Annual rainfall varies from a reliable 600mm at Port Lincoln to a highly variable 270mm west of Penong.
Soils vary from shallow calcrete and calcareous loams to dune-swale and sandy plains with a range of management issues affecting the sustainability and profitability of framing enterprises. Our Land Management Control Policy provides more details on land system descriptions and land management risks; as well as setting out land management principles.
Land management resources
- Soil management is a significant aspect of farming. Our soil management page includes a range of information about managing this critical farm asset.
- We have a range of information about grazing including case studies on different techniques including using temporary electric fencing to improve stocking rates.
- For property managers who are currently farming in hard times or planning for upcoming tough times, we have some links to information which may be useful.
- Future water security is an important aspect of farming to consider. This page includes resources for water planning on a property.
- We have previously worked with local farmers and research agencies to investigate alternative farming techniques for cropping and pastures. Read information about stubble management, pasture recovery, herbicide resistance and pest snail management.
- We have a range of information about grazing including case studies on different techniques including using temporary electric fencing to improve stocking rates.
- Our Regenerative Agriculture Program page has a range of case studies from demonstrations undertaken during our five-year project up to June 2023.
Other resources
Find out more about soil carbon on the Eyre Peninsula through this research project which aimed to identify land management practices with the potential to change soil carbon content in red-brown earth soils of the Mid-North and Eyre Peninsula. This project was led by CSIRO who has developed a map of Australia's stored soil carbon which it will use to track changes in soil carbon stocks and assist with strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through soils.
Eyre Peninsula farming networks
There are local farming networks which can also be a useful resource.
- The Agriculture Bureau of South Australia is a not-for-profit organisation run by farmers for farmers who are interested in farming, agricultural development and education. The Bureau helps to bridge the gap between scientists and farmers.
- The Ag Excellence Alliance links South Australian grower groups; and works with broad-acre grain and livestock farmers to improve their profitability and sustainability.
- Ag Innovation and Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) is a professional farmer owned organisation that leads RD&E of agriculture technologies and innovations for farmers on the Eyre Peninsula. Connect with them on their Facebook page or their Twitter account.
Find out about the latest research
These organisations undertake a range of agriculture research.
- The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
- The Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA)
- South Australian No-Till Farmers Association (SANTFA)
- Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
- Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)
- Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
- Sheep Connect SA
Keep up-to-date
Subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter which provides updates on our projects and other news or subscribe to our Farmers Connect newsletter (a few editions a year). Find past editions.
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