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.

1. NYLB - Grazing Management Grant - up to $5k for fencing and/or water infrastructure projects to improve grazing practices (e.g. implement rotational grazing). Grants available on a first come first served basis. Closes 21 Sept. 
   
2. NYLB - EOI open to host a landscape rehydration demonstration site OR attend a learning event. Closes 30 Sept. 
   
3. Aus Gov - On Farm Connectivity Program round 3 - up to $20k rebate. 
   
4. PIRSA - Plague Locust Chemical Rebate - 1 Sept to 31 Dec 26 - up to $35/ha sprayed.
   
5. PIRSA - Vineyard Resting Rebate - ethephon rebates of $40/ha up to 1000ha.

General

• Aus Gov- On Farm Connectivity Program round 3 - up to $20k rebate. Closes Oct 15.
• 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.
• CFS - Regional Capability Community Fund Round 5 - Farm Fire Units and safety equipment etc. Up to $5k. Closes 18 Sept.
• BlazeAid - All Fired Up Grant 2026 - 50% copayment to repair, service and improve private firefighting equipment. Closes 30 Sept.
• 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.
• NYLB - EOI open to host a landscape rehydration demonstration site OR attend a learning event. Closes 30 Sept.

Livestock

• NYLB - Grazing Management Grant - up to $5k for fencing and/or water infrastructure projects to improve grazing practices (e.g. implement rotational grazing).
• Expanded eID rebate for sheep – expanded to 8 colours

Viticulture

• PIRSA - Vineyard Resting Rebate - ethephon rebates of $40/ha up to 1000ha

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

September

17 | Barossa Improved Grazing Group - Optiweigh Producer Sticky Beak Day - Cattle, Crawford

17 | Barossa Improved Grazing Group - Optiweigh Producer Sticky Beak Day - Sheep, Marananga

18 | Upper North Farming Systems - Booleroo Spring Crop Walk, Booleroo Centre

22 | Livestock SA - Sheep lameness information session, Clare

22 | AgriFutures - Yield, quality traits, weather damage and panicle emergence of export hay, Hill River

25 | Upper North Farming Systems - Nelshaby Ag Bureau Crop Walk - Sticky Beak Day, Nurom

October

01 | MNHRZ - Spring Field Day, Leighton, Farrell Flat & Giles Cnr

08-09 | SA Drought Hub - Enhanced Livestock Management Advisor Intensive, Barossa Valley - EOI closes 25 Sept

09 | Cooper Farm Supplies - Demonstration Site Open Day, Mount Pleasant

21 | Hart Field Site - Spring Twilight Walk, Hart

23 | SA Arid Lands Landscape Board - Economics of Trees and Shrubs, Hawker

28 | SA Livestock Consultants - SA Livestock Advisor Update, Adelaide

December

03 | Livestock SA - Regional Round Up, Port Augusta

September

16 | GRDC - Making every spray pass count

17 | GRDC - Pinpointing frost damage across your paddocks

17 | GRDC - Busy running the farm; to creating time for building the business

22 | GrainGrowers - Grower Update webinar

24 | GRDC - Farming identity; stepping back, doesn't mean stepping out

29 | GrainGrowers - Grower Update webinar

Catapult Wealth - $ A 12-Month Online Succession Planning Series for Family Businesses and Farming Families

• Farmers for Climate Action - The New Season Scholarship - speak effectively, influence policy, champion innovations
• Landcare Australia - 2026 State & Territory Landcare Awards - open for nominations
• TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program
• $ Australian Rural Leadership Program

• 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

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.