Crop establishment is one of the biggest drivers of seasonal success, particularly as growers continue to adapt to increasingly variable rainfall and changing sowing opportunities. This project delivered a targeted forum to help Mid North growers better manage the risks and opportunities associated with dry and early sowing by bringing together researchers, agronomists and industry experts to discuss the latest science, practical experience and decision-making tools for the 2026 season.
Project description:
Recent seasons have challenged traditional sowing decisions, with increasingly variable rainfall, later seasonal breaks and greater reliance on dry and early sowing strategies. While these approaches can improve timeliness and productivity, they also introduce greater uncertainty around crop establishment, weed management, soil moisture and financial risk.
To support growers navigating these decisions, the SA Drought Hub partnered with Ag Excellence Alliance and Hart Field-Site Group to deliver the Tools and Tactics for Improving Crop Establishment forum in Clare during March 2026. The interactive event combined expert presentations, facilitated discussion and grower participation to explore topics including seasonal forecasting, defining the seasonal break, soil moisture, crop establishment, agronomy, nutrition, machinery considerations and the economics of early sowing.
Importantly, the forum was designed to encourage discussion between growers, researchers and advisers, enabling participants to compare experiences, ask questions and apply current research to their own farming businesses.
Key achievements and results:
More than 40 growers attended the forum, engaging with researchers, advisers and industry specialists through presentations, discussion panels and live Mentimeter polling. Holding the event alongside Hart’s annual Getting the Crop In seminar increased attendance while reducing delivery costs through shared venue, catering and event promotion.
The forum successfully increased grower confidence in making early sowing decisions. Interactive polling conducted throughout the day showed confidence levels improved as participants worked through topics including soil moisture, seasonal breaks, sowing depth, crop nutrition, machinery efficiency and financial considerations. Farmers also shared their own experiences, creating valuable peer-to-peer learning alongside expert advice.
Participants identified a range of practical actions they planned to implement following the event, including adjusting sowing depth, reviewing seeding rates, improving knowledge of soil moisture and working backwards from intended finishing dates when planning seeding programs. Feedback also highlighted the importance of understanding soil type, soil nitrogen and seasonal conditions when making crop establishment decisions.
The project also demonstrated an effective model for future extension activities. By combining current research, grower experience and interactive discussion, the forum created a flexible format that can be adapted to different seasons and regions, helping growers make more informed decisions under increasingly variable climatic conditions. It also brought together learnings from several previous Future Drought Fund initiatives, ensuring existing research continued to reach growers in a practical and accessible way.
Further information:
Project Images
