The South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is featured in two new videos, highlighting how the Australian’ Governments Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Future Drought Fund investments are helping producers build resilience and improve decision-making across South Australia.
Filmed during a visit by the DAFF team to South Australia late last year, the videos form part of DAFF’s Insight to Impact series, showcasing projects that are delivering practical outcomes for farmers and regional communities.
SA Drought Hub Knowledge Broker Tony Randall said the videos demonstrate the value of collaborative, producer-focused projects that are helping build capability and confidence across the agricultural sector.
“These videos provide an excellent snapshot of how the SA Drought Hub and its partners are working alongside producers to address real challenges and build resilience at both the farm and community level,” Mr Randall said.
“The projects featured highlight the importance of practical learning, peer-to-peer engagement and providing producers with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions during challenging seasonal conditions.”
The first video, Insight to Impact: Growing South Australia’s Containment Feeding Capability, showcases the Hub’s Sheep Containment Feeding to Boost Business Performance and Resilience project.
Containment feeding is an important management tool that can help producers manage feed shortages, protect pastures and maintain ground cover during periods of seasonal variability and drought.
Led by SA Drought Hub Livestock Technical Adoption Officer Dr Penny Schulz, the project was developed to address gaps in technical expertise, access to information and producer confidence around implementing containment feeding systems.
Through advisor training, on-farm support and the development of practical resources, the project helped build long-term regional capability while supporting producers through some of South Australia’s driest conditions on record.
Mr Randall said the project demonstrates how targeted extension and training can deliver lasting benefits.
“By investing in advisor capability and providing producers with access to practical information, this project is helping strengthen livestock businesses and improve preparedness for future drought conditions,” he said.
The video features insights from Dr Schulz, livestock consultant Ash Wachtel and producer Robbie Bateman, who share their experiences using containment feeding systems to improve productivity and protect valuable pasture resources.
The second video, Supporting Drought-Ready Decision Makers in South Australia, focuses on the SA Drought Hub’s Early to Mid-Career Farmers Program and the DRINKS decision-making framework.
Developed in response to the increasing pressures drought places on farm businesses, the program helps producers strengthen their decision-making skills through peer-to-peer workshops and practical learning opportunities.
The initiative supports participants to make short-term tactical decisions as well as longer-term strategic decisions that can help prepare for, manage through and recover from drought.
Mr Randall said building confidence in decision-making is one of the most important investments that can be made in drought resilience.
“Drought affects more than production systems; it also places significant pressure on the people making business decisions every day,” he said.
“This program is helping producers build the confidence, networks and decision-making skills needed to navigate uncertainty and position their businesses for the future.”
The video showcases how peer learning and structured decision-making frameworks are supporting the next generation of South Australian farmers to make informed choices during variable seasonal conditions.
Watch the videos
Insight to Impact: Growing South Australia’s Containment Feeding Capability
Watch the video and learn more about the Sheep Containment Feeding to Boost Business Performance and Resilience project.
Insight to Impact: Growing South Australia’s Containment Feeding Capability – DAFF
Supporting Drought-Ready Decision Makers in South Australia
Watch the video and learn more about the Early to Mid-Career Farmers Program, DRINKS framework and upcoming workshops through the SA Drought Hub.
Supporting drought-ready decision makers in South Australia – DAFF
