Sustainable Ag Update

Welcome producers, agribusinesses and agricultural organisations! Here we share the latest information and opportunities for people working in agriculture in the Northern and Yorke region. You'll find details about current grants, upcoming events near you, as well as scholarships and research opportunities. Visit regularly to stay up to date, or subscribe to receive updates once or twice a month via email. You can contact Molly O'Dea to get your next event or news out there.

NYLB - Water Capture and Quality for Livestock Producers, 17 Nov Almerta Station
NYLB - Turtle talk and walk at Heggies Vineyard, 11 Nov Flaxman Valley
PIRSA - Plague Locust Chemical Rebate - 1 Sept to 31 Dec 26 - up to $35/ha sprayed.
PIRSA - Vineyard Resting Rebate - ethephon rebates of $40/ha up to 1000ha + South Australia Wine Industry Transition and Growth Package

General

PIRSA - kangaroo culling - eligible primary producers can apply for $7 financial incentive for each humanely shot kangaroo (min. 100 roos)
2026–27 SA Soils Bursary Program - supports students, farmers, advisors, researchers and early-career professionals to participate in training, conferences and knowledge-sharing activities that strengthen soil capability across SA. Individuals up to $2k, groups up to $5k.
PIRSA - Plague Locust Chemical Rebate - 1 Sept to 31 Dec 26 - up to $35/ha sprayed.
Department of Environment and Water - Heritage Agreement Grants - up to $200k - pest control, fencing, reveg, minor equipment.

Livestock

Expanded eID rebate for sheep – expanded to 8 colours

Viticulture

PIRSA - Vineyard Resting Rebate - ethephon rebates of $40/ha up to 1000ha
South Australia Wine Industry Transition and Growth Package - PIRSA

Tough times assistance

Info/support for: Varroa mite | Bird flu | Plague locust
PIRSA - SA Drought Loan Scheme, assistance guide, assistance guide for grape/wine, Family and Business (FaB) Mentors
RDA Yorke and Mid North - Business 2 Business Drought Program - one-on-one business support
Rural Business Support - Free Rural Financial Counselling Service | relief funds | landowner info service for land access for mining/renewable energy etc
Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) low-interest loans, incl. drought loans
UnitingSA - free and confidential mental health support

For organisations

NYLB - funding for events (workshops, field tours, bus trip, etc)
Livestock SA - Biosecurity Uplift Grants - up to $3k
NYLB - Bite-sized Grants - up to $2k for groups
Landcare - EOI to host a field trip for the National Landcare Conference in 2027

November

11 | NYLB - Turtle talk and walk at Heggies Vineyard, Flaxman Valley

17 | NYLB - Water Capture and Quality for Livestock Producers, Almerta Station

December

03 | Livestock SA - Regional Round Up, Port Augusta

03 | SA Drought Hub - Building Soil Community - World Soil Day 2026, Waite

01 | $ MLA/SAAL - Grazing Fundamentals (Southern Rangelands) EDGE, Holowiliena Station

03 | $ MLA/SAAL - Grazing Fundamentals (Southern Rangelands) EDGE, Wilkatana Station

February

02-03 | GRDC - Grains Research Update, Adelaide

04 | GRDC - Grains Research Update, Bute

16-17 | $$ AgriFutures - Evoke Ag, Adelaide

November

11 | AWI - Merino Lifetime Productivity webinar series - Results for ram buyers - MLP Overall outcomes with Ben Swain (Executive Officer, AMSEA) and Geoff Lindon (Program Manager - Sheep Genetics and Animal Welfare, AWI)

Farmers for Climate Action - The New Season Scholarship - speak effectively, influence policy, champion innovations
TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program
$ Australian Rural Leadership Program
Landcare - 2027 Bob Hawke Landcare Award, applications close 31 January 27 ($30k value)

Have your say: Dry saline soils survey - the survey is aimed at farmers who have dry saline or magnesia patches on their farms, but responses are also useful from farmers who are unsure, only have small areas, or are just starting to notice patchy establishment. This survey is about dry saline or magnesia patches — not Mallee seeps or watertable-related salinity.
Australian Farmer Survey - Assessing Interest in a Nitrogen Fertiliser Plant
Australian Wool Innovation research opportunities including merino sire evaluation, blow fly lures and genetics
Farming for the Future – Farmers, Ag advisors and ag accountants can apply to have a free natural capital account prepared (value: $35,000) as part of research project gathering evidence about value of natural capital to farmers
Join a Wine Australia discussion group
Livestock SA - Annual Producer Priorities Survey
GPSA/Livestock SA - Drought Economic Impact Survey - Regional Businesses and Communities

Wait, there's more!

AgCAREERSTART - employ a young Australian to work on your farm for 10-12 months and share your skills, knowledge, and industry insights as a farm-host

Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.