SA Drought Hub showcases innovation for drought resilience at National Drought Forum
In September, the SA Drought Hub played a key role in the National Drought Forum, hosted by the Australian Government and the National Farmers’ Federation.
As part of the Forum, the Hub welcomed around 100 delegates to the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus to explore two Future Drought Fund research, development, and adoption sites focused on drought resilience.
Showcasing cereal establishment research
The first site featured the Hub’s cereal establishment project, led by Elders in collaboration with the University of Adelaide. This cropping demonstration investigates cereal establishment in challenging environments, with a focus on advancing knowledge of pre and early post-emergent herbicide safety under low rainfall conditions.
Professor Chris Preston, Rachel May (Hub Adoption Officer) and Lyndon May (Elders SA Technical Services Manager) delivered insightful presentations on the research and its implications for farmers working in variable rainfall regions.
Exploring drought and climate resilient sheep systems
The second site highlighted the Long-term Trial of Drought Resilient Farming Practices project, ‘Drought and climate resilient sheep farms and landscapes tailor-made for low rainfall farming regions’.
Led by the University of Adelaide, this project aims to enhance the resilience of sheep production systems by combining climate-resilient livestock with drought-tolerant pastures, shrubs and trees. These systems are designed to improve feed consistency, stabilise landscapes, and create microclimates that support sheep welfare and productivity.
The project is delivered through a collaboration of 22 consortium partners, including Murdoch University and nine farming systems groups across southern Australia. Presentations by Associate Professor Will Van Wettere, Dr Penny Schulz, and Dr Bobbie Lewis Baida provided delegates with valuable insights into progress and outcomes to date.
Sharing climate adaptation insights and farmer wellbeing resources
SA Drought Hub Deputy Director, Dr Peter Hayman, also presented findings from the Hub project ‘Supporting South Australian Primary Industries to Prepare for Future Climates at a Local Scale’. His talk explored how locally tailored climate adaptation strategies can better support decision-making for land-based primary industries.
The Hub was also pleased to feature John Gladigau, Creative Director and Farmer Advocate for ifarmwell, who shared updates on current ifarmwell initiatives and the importance of supporting farmer wellbeing in the context of climate challenges.
