The SA Drought Hub will partner with the Hart Field-Site Group to host a practical, forward-looking workshop in March 2026 aimed at helping growers manage risk and improve crop establishment under increasingly variable seasonal conditions.
Titled Tools and tactics for improving crop establishment – Managing risk in early sowing and variable rainfall, the interactive forum will bring together farmers, agronomists and researchers to reflect on lessons from the past season and explore strategies for the 2026 sowing program.
The forum will be held on Tuesday 11 March 2026, following the Hart Field-Site Group’s Getting the Crop In seminar, and will provide a dedicated space for open discussion around establishment challenges and decision-making in a changing climate.
Rachel May, the SA Drought Hub Farming Systems Specialist Adoption Officer, said crop establishment remains one of the most critical and risky decisions growers face each season.
“We know that early sowing, variable rainfall and shifting seasonal patterns are making establishment decisions more complex than ever,” Ms May said.
“This forum is about creating a space where farmers reflect on what worked and what didn’t last season, and hear directly from researchers and agronomists about the tools available to manage that risk in 2026.”
“We are bringing together a range of people to help guide decision-making around early sowing, climate drivers and practical agronomic tactics.”
The forum will be highly interactive, encouraging questions, discussion and shared experiences from across the region.
Participants will hear from a panel of leading experts, including:
- Peter Hayman, SARDI Climate Applications
- Professor Glenn McDonald, Adelaide University
- Jeff Braun, The Agronomist
- Royce Pitchford, Pinion Advisory
Event details
WHEN: Tuesday 11 March 2026
TIME: 12.30pm (lunch provided) for a 1.30pm start – 4.30pm
WHERE: Futures Church Clare, Stradbrooke Road, Stanley Flat SA 5453
REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL: https://preseedingforums26.eventbrite.com.au
The workshop is part of the SA Drought Hub’s ongoing commitment to supporting resilient farming systems and informed decision-making in the face of climate variability. This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund
