Agriculture

Next steps in preparing SA for varroa mite

SOUTH Australia’s preparedness for the possible incursion of varroa mite and its future management has taken the next step as the SA Varroa Detection Response and Transition to Management Plan has been approved by industry and is now available...

SA Farmer

January 2025

Agriculture

Water research seeks to boost grain yields

RESEARCH is underway in South Australia to push the limits of water productivity in cereal yield potential across low (LRZ) and medium rainfall zones (MRZ). National science agency CSIRO and Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have...

SA Farmer

January 2025

Agriculture

Crop rotation study yields important results

LONG-TERM research across Victoria’s Mallee region is highlighting the impacts different crop managements on soil carbon and nitrogen. Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) has been conducting a research trial, dubbed MC14, at Walpeup since 1985 to...

SA Farmer

December 2024

Agriculture

Silo health crucial as harvest nears

Mallee grain growers are being encouraged to ensure storage silos have a ‘clean bill of health’ as attention turns to winter crop harvest. The advice comes from the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) Grain Storage Extension...

SA Farmer

December 2024

Agriculture

Precision agriculture can benefit citrus and almond growers

SUSTAINABLE harvesting is amongst the ideal situation for any farmer in Australia, but with recent climate disruptions, new pests and rising costs, the use of new technologies and the responsible but effective limitation of fertilisers are among...

Sebastian Calderon

December 2024

Summer Update

Mel’s Arabian therapy herd

PROVIDING quality therapy services for the wider Riverland community, Mel Sargent’s breeding of an Arabian herd is hoping to make lasting change for those struggling with mental health and disability. Born from a childhood love of horses and...

Madison Eastmond

November 2024

Agriculture

Using ‘white noise’ to stimulate soil and ecosystem recovery

HUMANS have studied soundwaves for centuries and the idea that themselves move in waves goes back to the first century B.C, with the Roman engineer Vitruvius and Roman Philosopher Boethius theorising that sound moved in waves. Fifteen centuries...

Sebastian Calderon

November 2024

Spring update

Farmer by name, farmer by nature for family-owned Aussie potato dynasty

SOUTH Australia is the heartbeat of the Australian potato industry, and the Farmer Group – headed by Matthew Farmer and his son Luca – are changing the game with exciting new technology. Farmer Group’s roots date back to 1956, with Matthew’s...

Liam Phillips

August 2024

Agriculture

Farmers sow seeds of fitness

A LOCAL group of farmers are swapping the work boots for sneakers and hitting the gym as part of a program to get workers up on their feet. A new partnership between grassroots health initiative Fat Farmers and The Hospital Research Foundation Group...

Imogen Evans

August 2024

Agriculture

Changing mindsets through regenerative farming

LOCATED just outside Kapunda, Gilberdale is applying regenerative agricultural practices to offer high quality lamb products to the region. Brenton Karger and Sharlene Sampson-Karger purchased the 57-hectare property about 18 months ago, and...

Jem Nash

August 2024

Autumn Update

The pistachio potential

INCREASING harvest volumes and demand in Australian markets is driving the ongoing success of a Riverland pistachio grower. Third generation Paringa-based grower James Simpfendorfer – operator of Permedah Fruits – is preparing to harvest his...

Hugh Schuitemaker

May 2024

Agriculture

Mallee dinner to showcase local produce

The Southern Mallee deserves a better reputation as a food-producing region – and an upcoming dinner aims to help address that anomaly. That’s the view of Janet Flohr, project manager for the Southern Mallee Producers Dinner, to be staged in May...

Paul Mitchell

May 2024

Autumn Update

Barossa’s garlic guru

WHAT started as a weekend activity 20 years ago has turned into a “hobby gone mad” for one Barossa resident who is now growing and selling his own garlic to the community. Having packed up the city life for a quieter country area, David Rutley...

Imogen Evans

May 2024

Autumn Update

For the love of fruit

SOME do it for the economic benefits, while others do it out of tradition, but for Loxton man Jim West, growing and preserving his own produce is all about the flavour. Growing up in the Riverland, Mr West said he developed a love of fresh produce...

Stephanie Thompson

May 2024

Autumn Update

All in the date for Steve

SITUATED just off Bookpurnong Road, connecting Riverland towns Berri and Loxton, is Gurra Road. A few kilometres down Gurra Road, the Riverland Date Garden, run solely by local Steve Brauer, is found. The garden will celebrate its 20th year in 2024...

Lachlan Dand

May 2024

Autumn Update

No pour decisions from Barossa barons

A PAIR of Barossa winemakers entered the new year on top of the world following rave reviews for a duo of drops from South Australia’s famous region. Rob Gibson (Gibson Wines) and Ben Glaetzer (Glaetzer Wines) entered 2024 with the unique honour...

Staff Contributors

May 2024

Agriculture

Practical podcasts for drought preparedness

A NEW podcast series is set to help farmers build drought resilience and adapt to a changing climate ahead. Launched by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SA Drought Hub), the series offers SA producers and...

SA Farmer

August 2023

Agriculture

Planty of love for native species in Loxton

THE last couple of years have seen locals’ love of native plants grow to new heights, with Riverland Native Plants flourishing with the new-found demand. The Loxton North-based nursery, owned by Tim Field and his wife, has been in operation since...

Alexandra Bull

June 2023

Horticulture

Potato shortage clear as spud

REPORTS of a widespread potato shortage had chip-lovers in a panic last year, but the status of potato supply in South Australia may not be as clear cut as media reports suggest. While some growers have felt the pinch, locally run Mitolo Family...

Lachlan Dand

June 2023

Agriculture

Teaching Ag for the future

SUE Pratt and Carolyn Johnson have a few things in common, but a shared passion for teaching agriculture would probably top the list. Sue is South Australia’s lead agriculture teacher – a role appointed last year to help boost agriculture...

Deirdre Graham

May 2023

Agriculture

Our changing landscape

ONCE they were a symbol of a region’s wealth and prosperity. A silent sentinel. Today, the humble grain silo is fast disappearing from South Australia’s landscape. Some people have compared their loss to that of local banks and other...

SA Farmer

April 2023

Nuts

Challenges flood in for almond growers

FLOODING along the River Murray in South Australia and the shutting down of power to irrigation pumps in the Riverland will have an impact on almond crop potential for the coming season, the CEO of the industry’s peak body says. Almond Board of...

SA Farmer

April 2023