Celebrating farming families

Celebrating farming families
2014 International Year of Family Farming
Foreword
On behalf of the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural
Resources Management Board it gives me great pleasure
to present Celebrating Farming Families. This booklet has
been produced as part of the 2014 International Year
of Family Farming.
Our farmers play an important role in caring for the land.
They understand that to supply good quality products
they need a healthy environment. As farming families,
they also want to pass the farm to the next generation
in a better state than how they received it.
The booklet highlights and celebrates the achievements
of just some of the many farming families that live and
work in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region. These
participating families have been chosen by other farmers
as successful farming families who continually learn and
improve their practices, produce high quality food and
fibre, lead the way in managing their land sustainably,
and support their communities however they can.
The SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board believes that
family farming has a strong and vibrant future. We
support farming families through grants, information
and training, and on-ground projects such as pest
and weed control. You can support farming
families by buying local.
I would like to thank those who took the time to
nominate a family. The high number of nominations
received demonstrates the quality of farmers we have in
our region, and their passion and commitment to running
successful family businesses.
Family farming is vital to the SA Murray-Darling Basin
region. More than 80% of the land in our region is used
for growing and producing a diverse array of food and
fibre - from lamb, beef, pork, chicken, grains, fruit and
vegetables, to wool, milk, wine and fish.
I hope you enjoy reading about our farming
families and join with me to acknowledge
the huge contribution they make to our region
and our country.
Sharon Starick
Presiding Member
South Australian Murray-Darling Basin
Natural Resources Management Board
South Australian
Murray-Darling Basin
Terowie
Burra
The SA Murray-Darling Basin region extends from where
the River Murray crosses the border from Victoria into
South Australia, down to where it meets the sea at the
Coorong. It covers 70,000 square kilometres and includes
four distinct NRM sub-regions:
Rangelands
Robertstown
•Rangelands
•Riverland
•
Mallee and Coorong
•
Ranges to River
About 82% of the land in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region is used
for primary production, including pastoral land, dryland cropping, grazing,
horticulture, irrigation and dairy farming. The Coorong and Lower Lakes
support commercial fishing.
Renmark
Waikerie
The region’s natural resources support a wide range of human activities.
The River Murray supplies the majority of the water needs for Adelaide
as well as other towns in the state. The natural resources support tourism,
recreation and manufacturing, as well as one of the most productive
agricultural areas in South Australia.
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Mallee and Coorong
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
2014 International
Year of Family Farming
The United Nations declared 2014 the
International Year of Family Farming.
This worldwide celebration aims to
increase awareness and promotion of
farming families.
Farming families provide food and fibres
to the world, boost local economies and
improve community wellbeing. Families
on the land also play an important role
in managing natural resources and
showcasing sustainable practices.
The SA Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB)
Natural Resources Management (NRM)
Board acknowledges the contribution
of farming families to the SAMDB
region. Farming families have to manage
different soil types, erosion, dryland
salinity, pest plants and animals, climate
change, and grazing pressure. They
battle drought, floods, and bushfires,
and have to plan for a future in a
declining industry.
Despite the challenges faced, these
people believe there is a future in
family farming.
70% of world
food production
is provided by
farming families
Family farmers are
responsible for at least
56% of agricultural
production worldwide
Family farming
Farmers aren’t just food producers they’re business women and men, they’re
teachers in their communities, they’re
innovators and inventors, and they’re
managers of natural resources who
deserve to be recognised for the services
they provide that benefit us all.
There are
500 million family
farms worldwide
Riverland
Embracing new ideas and technology to enhance the
production value and protection of our natural resources.
• Australia’s largest grape growing region
population of
33,413 people
• Main land use is irrigated horticulture (wine grapes,
citrus, stone fruit and vegetables)
• Land also supports cropping, grazing and
nature conservation
750,000
hectares
• River Murray popular for recreation and tourism
• River Murray is the major water supply for SA
towns and cities, irrigation and agriculture
19% of people
are employed
in agriculture
Fat Goose Fruits farm facts:
• Organic horticulturalists
•
The Howie family
For Humphrey Howie and wife Michelle
Medhurst, it was a case of slow and steady
on their journey to convert the family fruit
block into an internationally recognised
organic fruit brand. Humphrey worked
with his father on the property in the late
1980s, and he and Michelle were already
thinking about non-chemical techniques to
control pests. The idea of organic farming
was cemented while travelling overseas in
1988. “A couple of people we met, we’d tell
them we were fruit growers and they’d ask,
‘Are you organic?’” Michelle explains. The
couple believe the Chernobyl nuclear fallout
had given the organic movement great
momentum in Europe.
Returning to Renmark, Humphrey started
small, converting the orchard on the
homestead block to follow organic principles,
before tackling the main 20 hectare block.
“You’ve got more chance of success if you
do it gradually,” Humphrey explains. “We did
maybe four acres at a time. We still haven’t
converted the whole property.”
Humphrey and Michelle are pioneers in their
field: “When we started, people thought
we were quite odd.” Organic farming has
been around in Australia since the 1920s
but public awareness was low. “In those
initial days, the domestic market was fairly
undeveloped. We actually had to resort to
exporting a lot of fruit to Europe,”
Michelle says.
Their hard work paid off and they now
grow, pack and sell their fruit to markets
in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth,
Tasmania, Brisbane, Singapore and Malaysia.
The farmers’ markets at Willunga and the
Adelaide Showgrounds gave opportunity for
other family members to be involved in the
business. Their brother-in-law Steve oversees
the Fat Goose Fruit market stalls and is
chairman of the Willunga Farmers’ Market,
while his son Henry runs the stall
at Willunga.
Humphrey and Michelle’s son Laurence
is studying an architectural engineering
degree in Adelaide and runs the Adelaide
Showgrounds stall on Sunday mornings. He
spent his gap year on the fruit block and
helps during summer holidays. “He knows
how to do the irrigation, he knows about
the fruit, and he helps in the office,” says
Michelle. Laurence jokes that he has brought
his parents into the computer age. Laurence
is keen to follow his passion for engineering
but says, “I can definitely see myself
back here.”
Growing certified organic fruit needs
creative farming. Humphrey and Michelle
control pests using natural oil sprays or by
introducing predators like wasps. They are
experimenting with growing native river
coobah trees among the citrus trees to
provide shade for the fruit during scorching
Riverland summers. Patches of native
scrub provide shelter, and all prunings and
slashed groundcover is composted back into
the soil. “We get soil testing done most
years and gradually the soil will build up
organic matter, which is all stored carbon,”
Humphrey explains. Most notable are the
geese. The ‘Fat Goose Fruits’ brand name
comes from the flock of geese that lives
on the home block, controlling insects and
eating fruit that can’t be sold.
The geese are part of Humphrey’s plan to get
into permaculture, a farming method that
improves biodiversity. “Rather than thinking
about what I have to get rid of to produce a
good orange it’s thinking about what things
I can add to the system to produce
a good orange.” Humphrey
considers introducing native
animals like bettongs or
kangaroos to control weeds
and is looking at different food
crops that can cope with the
changing climate.
Humphrey and Michelle’s
commitment to continually
improving their business and
managing their natural resources is
why they have been singled out by
their peers as leaders in family farming.
Their involvement in the local community
is also valued. Humphrey is deputy chair
of the Renmark Irrigation Trust, and a
member of the Renmark to Border
Local Action Planning Association,
the Bookmark Creek Action Group,
and the Ral Ral Floodplain
Working Group. Michelle was
Grow citrus fruits, persimmons
and avocadoes
involved with Food Riverland for many years,
and the couple host WWOOFers (Willing
Workers on Organic Farms) and international
agriculture students.
Humphrey’s words of advice are: “Every
farmer should be doing some experimenting
because every farm is different. They’ve
all got specific needs, challenges and
opportunities.” It’s this forward-thinking that
makes Fat Goose Fruits a successful business,
and the Howie and Medhurst family leaders
in their industry.
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Waikerie
Renmark
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Humphrey Howie, Michelle Medhurst and son Laurence Howie
Paschke family farm facts:
• Crop wheat, barley, canola,
peas and vetch
The Paschke family
There are plenty of challenges that face
farming families, including volatile markets
and increasing costs, and then there are the
natural elements - fire, wind, pests, weeds
and unpredictable rainfall. For the Paschke
family, facing these challenges has become a
way of life. It is their unwavering approach to
an ever-changing industry that makes them
stand out among farming families, and their
ability to adapt and try new things that has
seen them recognised by their peers.
you get older. I’m certainly learning from Tim.
For example he has an interest in legumes,
and I am now learning about farming with
legumes, under his direction.” Last year
they trialled around 15 different varieties of
legumes, experimenting to find the best type
for them and their country. Similarly, they’ve
modified the sheep side of the enterprise
by crossing their Damaras with Dorpers
to develop a better sheep, more suited to
marketplace demands.
The Paschke family has farmed the land for
more than 100 years. Brian Paschke explains
the family’s longevity: “The Paschkes have
always looked for a way to do things”.
Their can-do attitude has seen them make
major changes to ensure their farming
enterprise remains viable. For many years
Brian and his wife Diane ran a large piggery,
turning over 3500 pigs a year. However
when family circumstances changed, along
with government policy, they wound down
the piggery operation and increased and
diversified the cropping part of the business
to compensate.
Tim agrees with his father about the
challenges of farming together: “Succession
has been pretty good all round, but it’s not all
smooth sailing. There have been tough times
- we are both vocal and stubborn.” Brian
adds, “We are both hands-on people, and
sometimes having different ideas is difficult,
but we work through it. I try to give him a
fairly long lead, but it can be very hard to let
go!” Tim sums up, “A father/son relationship
can be challenging, but when we both get
on board we get on really well and get stuck
into it.”
It was a big adjustment for Brian, who is
going through another change now as
he hands over the reins to son Tim and
his wife Rebecca. While farming with a
younger generation isn’t always an easy
or straightforward process, it has many
positives: “You can tend to stagnate a bit as
Succession planning is something the
Paschkes are working their way through.
Brian and wife Diane also have three
daughters, so they have worked hard to form
a plan for the future that will allow Tim to
work the property and the girls to pursue
their off-farm interests.
Tim understands that the farm has been his
dad’s whole life, and that he is passionate
about it. Brian explains that farmers have to
love what they do to be able to survive and
be successful in the marginal country of the
Riverland: “It is challenging in this country –
the people who are here have stood the test
of time. You don’t make a quick dollar out
of this country; you have to be here for the
long haul.”
Tim’s enthusiasm for the farm is evident. He
has plenty of ideas about where he would
like to take the farm, and the ability
to adapt, change and diversify
is obviously in his blood. His
vision is to ensure the property
is as productive and efficient
as it can be and ultimately
be set up as drought-proof as
possible. He is well on his way
to achieving his target. “We will
cut our own hay for the first time
in my life this year. It’s about making
everything better, more efficient and
having more time. Our whole program
has changed in the last three years. You
can’t stand still, and you have to evolve.
Maybe we’ll look back in five years’ time
and say we didn’t make a lot of money,
but as long as we are here is 30 years,
that’s fine. It’s part of who we are.”
•
Damara sheep
•
5000 hectares
Brian sums up the Paschkes’ attitude to
farming life the best: “Something I learned
early on is that we are quite unique – you
have to have a sense of humor to survive in
this country. You’ve got to be able to laugh
at yourself. We’ve made plenty of mistakes.
Some people don’t tell anybody about it –
but the Paschkes tell everybody and get a
good laugh. That’s how you learn. And never
say never.”
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Waikerie
Renmark
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Hamish, Tim, Savannah, Rebecca, Isabella, Brian and Diane Paschke.
Schmidt family farm facts:
• Crop wheat, barley, canola,
vetch and peas
The Schmidt family
The Schmidt family believe there is a future in
farming. “We know the world’s expanding,
and farmers are going to have to feed the
world,” says David. The Schmidts work hard
to deliver grain, wool and lamb, adapting to
changing conditions as required. For them,
soil is the foundation for farming, and they
strive to manage and improve it as best
they can.
Brothers Anthony and David are the latest
generation to inherit not just the family
farm but an understanding of the value of
managing the environment. Over the last
couple of years they have planted vetch,
a crop that returns nitrogen to the soil.
“Putting on nitrogen is a huge cost, so if
we can keep that down by putting natural
nitrogen into the ground and still running
sheep on it, it’s a huge benefit,” says their
father, Glynn.
The vetch trial was implemented through
the local Lowbank Agricultural Bureau, of
which David is chairman and Anthony is a
committee member. Glynn was on the Soil
Board, like his father before him, and is a
member of the Mallee Sustainable Farming
organisation. “Early on, we did a lot of
trial work on direct drilling and continuous
cropping and that encouraged farmers to
give it a go,” Glynn recalls. It is this desire to
give things a go that has caught the eye of
their peers. All three realise a viable farming
business needs to be flexible as seasons
change. “We’re happy to adapt each year,”
Glynn says. “We had no summer rain last
year, but good autumn rains, so we had to
conserve that moisture to be able to sow
the crop.”
The Schmidts aim to reduce soil erosion by
not over-stocking and seeding their paddocks
by direct drilling. “Direct drilling has resulted
in big changes in this area. When it’s windy
the soil doesn’t blow away like it used to. We
don’t see dust storms,” Glynn says. Direct
drilling leaves crop stubble in place, which
holds the soil together and adds organic
matter back into the system.
The success of the farm is a result of the
different skills each family member brings
to their role. “The boys have different
gifts and are using them in different ways
to run the farm, so it works out quite
well,” Glynn says. Anthony trained as a
mechanic and maintains all the farm vehicles
and machinery. David did a carpentry
apprenticeship, and the skills he learnt are
put to good use on the farm. Glynn explains,
“I thought it was good that they both have
a job before they came home to see whether
they wanted to be a farmer.” Glynn’s wife
Janelle takes care of the bookwork, and
is teaching David’s wife Leah about the
business so that she may take over
one day.
•
2500 sheep
•
10,000 hectares
that farming has become more businessorientated, they agree that being their own
boss and working on the land is a terrific job.
With their combined talents and their
commitment to soil conservation, it’s easy
to see how the Schmidts have become and
remain successful family farmers.
Terowie
It’s apparent that the Schmidts
love what they do. As Anthony
says, “There’s a diverse range
of jobs. You’re not always in
the same place doing the same
thing every day.” For David, who
does most of the paddock work
such as seeding and spraying, it’s
the landscape that is most appealing:
“I enjoy being out in the paddock,
checking on what’s happening with
the crops.” While they all acknowledge
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Waikerie
Renmark
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Matthew, Melissa, Aaron, Anthony and Nicola Schmidt, Glynn and Janelle Schmidt, Addison, Leah, Ethan and David Schmidt
Ranges to River
Healthy country means healthy people: the environment provides
cultural, spiritual, and physical nurture to meet the needs of people
and provides the ‘everything’ to our existence.
• Main land uses are grazing and cropping, with
some vineyards and vegetable growers
population of
79,286 people
• Lower Lakes support dairy and fishing, and are part
of an internationally recognised wetland
• River Murray and lakes are popular for recreation
and tourism
855,100
hectares
8% of people
are employed
in agriculture
and fishing
Nangkita Hills Dairy farm facts:
• Large dairy at Mount Compass
and smaller one at Mount Jagged
The Connor family
Michael Connor owns and operates Nangkita
this life, it’s got to be a proactive decision.
Hills dairy with his wife Jodie, and he believes
That’s what we’ve done and that’s what my
parents did.”
that the greatest part of living and working
on a family farm is the lifelong skills his family
The farm has been in the family for about 80
members and employees gain. Son Jake says,
years. Michael’s grandfather started the dairy
“You learn a lot about what’s important and
after moving from
what’s not. Some things
the Mallee. Michael’s
We’re
all
really
passionate
other people would get
Glenda still
really stressed about,
about animals and caring mother
lives
and
works on the
we wouldn’t consider to
for
our
stock.
We
like
to
farm,
taking
charge
be important. You get a
treat
them
well
and
rear
of
raising
and
feeding
flat tyre, it just doesn’t
the
calves.
“She
loves
up
beautiful
calves.
worry you.”
it and she’s really good
Jodie Conner
at it,” says Jodie.
Michael adds, “You can
see the kids learning
Chelsea and Jake, the two eldest Connor
about life. They might not become dairy
children, have taken on managerial roles
farmers but I can see they’ve got a lot of
after completing their studies. Chelsea is the
things they’ll carry with them wherever they
herd manager, and has a Bachelor of Animal
go – how to speak to other people, and earn
Science from Adelaide University. Mum Jodie
their respect.”
says, “Chelsea’s a natural with cows. The role
of herd manager is just a perfect fit.”
It is the Connors’ belief in giving their
children and workers the opportunity to
Jake has completed a Certificate III in
explore all aspects of the farming business
Agriculture and has nearly finished his
that has earned them the respect of their
Certificate IV. He is in charge of the pastures
peers. Michael and Jodie allow each family
for the cattle and is kept busy year-round
member to find their passion and decide if
with seeding, fertilising, spraying weeds,
farming is the right career for them. “We
fencing, cutting hay, and moving cattle
have sideline businesses, we work for other
between paddocks.
people and we’ve got a network of friends
that have got outside businesses, so the
kids are encouraged to spend time working
in the school holidays. They get a rounded
view of everything so they can make a clear
decision,” Michael explains. “To be part of
Daughter Tegan is studying midwifery at uni
but helps out on the farm whenever she can,
driving the tractor and assisting with milking
and herd testing. She also works at nearby
Alexandrina Cheese Company on weekends.
•
600 milking cows
•
600 hectares
Son Brad is in Year 10 at Urrbrae Agricultural
High School. He’s doing his Certificate III in
Agriculture and should complete it by the
time he finishes school. He’ll soon start a
farm-based apprenticeship at home and
sees the value of hard work: “The results are
always a reward.”
conferences or working in another part of
the business, delivers results. “If you expose
them to more things, they’ll find what they’re
interested in, and if they’re not, they’ll drop
out,” Glenda states. “And once they’ve
decided, they’re committed because they’re
confident they’ve made the right decision.
The Connor family are also commended
for taking care of their land. They recently
fenced off swamp land that is part of the
endangered Fleurieu Peninsula Swamps
ecosystem, using funding from the Goolwa
to Wellington Local Action Planning
Association. The family implements a lot
of Dairy SA and Dairy Australia
driven initiatives, such as recycling
plastics and hay bale twine, and
undertaking energy audits. “It’s
a business and an environmental
thing,” explains Michael. The
Connors understand that managing
their natural resources benefits the
environment and saves them money.
With their commitment to their farm, their
community and their environment, it’s
easy to see why the Connors are held in
high regard, and why their family farm will
continue to be successful.
Successful farming families see the
value in continually learning and
improving. “We all do training and go to
conferences, courses, and seminars to keep
up with the latest information. We try to
do the right thing for the environment,”
says Jodie.
Terowie
Burra
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Keyneton
ADELAIDE
Paruna
Ranges
to River
Strathalbyn
The opportunities Michael and Jodie
provide for their children and
workers, whether it’s attending
Rangelands
Robertstown
Murray
Bridge
Mt Compass
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Glenda, Jake, Jodie, Tegan, Michael, Chelsea and Brad Connor
Keyneton Station farm facts:
• Poll Merino stud
The Keynes family
The Keynes family’s sustainable approach to
family farming has caught the attention of
their community and is one of the reasons
they stand out in their industry. Sixthgeneration farmer Georgie Keynes explains:
“We see natural resource management and
production as going hand in hand - if you
have a sustainable system, you are going to
get good production.”
Sheep Group and Mount Pleasant Beef
Group. Recognition of her achievements has
come through a state Landcare Award for
the Innovative Young Leader. She follows
in the footsteps of her father Joe who won
a National Landcare Award in 2002 for the
Individual Landcarer. Joe has also been a
member of the SA Murray-Darling Basin
Natural Resources Management Board.
The idea of sustainability is not new to this
farming property. “Dad has a sustainability
ethic,” Georgie says. “He wants to hand
something better onto us and eventually I
want to do the same for my kids.”
Keyneton Station has operated as a
commercial sheep operation since the late
1800s. Brothers Joe and Graham Keynes and
their wives Sally and Melanie continue to
live on the property and are fifth-generation
managers. The 7000 hectare property
supports cropping, pastures, wool, and prime
lambs. In 2012 the Keynes family also took
over the management of fine wool merino
stud, Lorelmo. The stud is now the main
project for Joe and Sally’s eldest
daughter Georgie.
An education and time away from the family
property gave Georgie greater perspective
on farming, including the importance
of networking, continual learning,
sustainability, and community
involvement. All of the family
members volunteer for a variety
of community groups, such as the
Angaston Netball Club, Keyneton
Playgroup, arts groups and the local
CFS brigade.
Succession planning is at the forefront for
these families, who have raised six children
between them. Georgie, who studied
A commitment to sustainable farming
and a sustainable community runs strong
in this family and Georgie sums up the
The Keynes’ involvement in natural resource
management varies from everyday farming
practices such as rotational grazing, and
fencing and re-vegetating creek lines, right
through to their commitments off-farm.
Georgie has worked as a land management
advisor, and has been a facilitator for the
Barossa Improved Grazing Group in more
recent times. She is also involved with the
Young People in Ag group, the North Rhine
Agricultural Science at uni, her husband Toby
Rosenzweig, and their three young children
live on the farm. Graham and Melanie’s
son Alex is studying at Marcus Oldham
Agricultural College and aims to return to
the property. As Georgie explains, “These
days you can’t just take over from your dad.
You need to go away, get an education, try
some different things and come back with a
few ideas.”
•
Cropping and pasture
•
Commercial wool and prime lambs
reason behind it: “The lifestyle of farming is
fantastic. You face something different every
day. If you are willing to learn, there are so
many opportunities open to you. The things
I’ve been involved with have really got me
involved in the community, which is a really
great benefit. You get to do something that
contributes to the community.”
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Keyneton
ADELAIDE
Paruna
Ranges
to River
Strathalbyn
Murray
Bridge
Mt Compass
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Joe and Sally Keynes, Toby, Banjo, Matilda and Eleanor Rozenzweig and Georgie Keynes
Metala Vineyard and Brothers in
Arms Winery farm facts:
• Grow mainly cabernet sauvignon
and shiraz grapes
The Adams family
Guy and Liz Adams are strong believers
in their role as stewards of the land. Liz
explains, “We see ourselves as caretakers
for this generation and we hope to hand
the property on to the next generation in a
better position than we got it.” The Adams’
commitment to caring for their land and
improving the practices on their vineyard
and mixed farming property has made them
leaders in their industries.
The vineyard has been in the family since
1882, when Guy’s great-great-grandfather
and his son planted cabernet and shiraz
grapes. The original plantings still exist and
the cabernet block is the oldest family-owned
cabernet vineyard in the world.
The mix of cropping, grazing sheep,
managing the vineyard and running their
winery, Brothers in Arms, keeps Guy and
Liz constantly busy. “Our business does not
stop,” Guy says. “We are selling product
around the world, so there is always a
market that is up and running.” Liz adds, “As
families on farms, you have pressures that
are completely out of your control: world
markets, industrial relations, laws, weather.
It takes its toll on you personally. It’s not an
easy life.” Despite the challenges, Guy and
Liz recognise the many benefits of being
a family-owned business. “We don’t have
layers of decision-making to go through. If
we think something is a good idea, we’ll put
it into action,” explains Liz.
Guy and Liz’s passion for working on the
land is obvious when they speak about their
management of the natural resources. Guy’s
aim when he took over the property was to
make it “manageable, low impact, and more
integrated”. They have revegetated more
than 10% of the property with native plants
to encourage wildlife. Natural predators do
pest control for them, with birds, insects and
other small animals controlling the unwanted
insects. Guy explains, “It’s a lot easier and
cheaper than spraying chemicals.” Local
school students and Landcare groups help
with planting every year.
The Adams’ plant a cover crop between
the grapevines. In spring, the crop is rolled,
leaving a mat of groundcover that returns
organic matter to the soil, reduces erosion,
retains moisture and prevents reflective burn.
Guy says, “It’s quite an innovative way of
doing it and it has yet to let us down.” In
winter, sheep are put into the vineyards to
manage weeds.
Guy monitors water table levels and soil
moisture, but nothing compares to firsthand
experience. “Things can fall over very
quickly. No amount of data is going to help
you predict that: it’s your own eyes and
your own experiences that do that,” says
Liz. Their commitment to natural resource
management has paid off, according to
Liz: “We are well-placed now as we have
drought-proofed the farm as best
we can.” Guy adds, “It’s all about
trying to set up the property
and the business so that if
the children want to be part
of it they can.” Children Myles
and Emily are still at school, but
are already a large part of the
business: as the sixth generation on
the property, they are the inspiration
for the No. 6 wine label.
The Adams’ dedication to looking
after their land has not gone unnoticed
by their peers. Lian Jaensch, Executive
Officer for the Langhorne Creek Wine
and Grape industry group, states,
•
1500 merino sheep
•
Crop wheat and barley
•
1000 hectares
“Guy is passionate about ensuring the
sustainability and viability of the property
by implementing a constant program of
improvements.” Liz says, “We are the quiet
achievers and we’re consistent. It’s about
maintaining a balance and looking after the
property.” As self-proclaimed stewards of the
land, Guy and Liz set a high benchmark.
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Keyneton
ADELAIDE
Paruna
Ranges
to River
Strathalbyn
Murray
Bridge
Mt Compass
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Emily, Guy, Liz and Myles Adams
Rangelands
Caring for and protecting our environment while using it to produce
wholesome food.
• Comprises gently undulating plains and hilly
western edge
population of
4,184 people
• Main land uses are grazing, cropping
and nature conservation
2,376,300
hectares
31% of people
are employed
in agriculture
Willoughby Hills farm facts:
• Crop wheat, barely, canola and beans
The Neal family
•
John Neal and his son Patrick have seen
firsthand how looking after the country
improves farm productivity. The family,
which includes Patrick’s wife Karen and
their daughter Zoe, expanded their holdings
and bought a nearby property several years
ago that was in very poor condition. The
new acquisition had been grazed hard
and featured peppermint box grasslands,
an ecosystem classified as a ‘threatened
ecological community’. “We’d virtually
written the grasslands off,” says John. But
with assistance from members of the Mid
North Grasslands Group, they discovered that
the grasses were hardier than they thought.
It is John and Patrick’s willingness to try new
things in their quest for that balance that
has earned them the respect of their fellow
farmers and local NRM groups. Patrick, a
fifth generation farmer, returned to the
family farm after finishing school. With a
Diploma of Agriculture under his belt, he is
full of ideas and picks up more by attending
workshops. “We’re going to something
nearly every week,” he reports. Disc seeding
has been one of his most successful ventures.
John is proud of Patrick’s achievements:
“I was most impressed because he could go
through with the disc and sow extra feed
for sheep without damaging the lucerne.”
With funding from the group, John and
Patrick excluded stock from a couple of
blocks where important threatened species
were found. The pair carried out grazing
experiments on other parts of the property,
allowing them to witness the effect grazing
had on the native grasses. John explains, “All
the native grasses seem to do better when
the country is grazed. It’s a compromise to
get the most feed out of it for the sheep and
still maintain the biodiversity. It’s something
we’re still trying to work out the balance of.”
Their past achievements are proof that their
trials work. “We have achieved increases in
ground cover, both on the sheep country and
on our cropping country. Hopefully that’s
going to lead to better water use efficiency.
We’ve achieved pretty large crop yield
increases through better farming practices
and better water usage,” Patrick says.
The Neals are keen to keep improving their
practices, both for the sake of the land and
for their profit margin. “We’re heading down
a zero-till cropping path, where we’re hoping
to make the most of every rainfall we get.
We’re possibly looking at controlling traffic
in paddocks to improve our soils and reduce
compaction,” Patrick explains, “Hopefully
the land will pay us back for looking after it.”
Technology is a big part of the advancements
the Neals are making. GPS aids their
cropping activities and “It also helps reduce
our inputs. With automatic control, our
sprayers and seeders shut off at the right
time and automatic steering keeps us in
the right spot,” John says. Karen
also recognises the opportunity
for using computer tablets
to track farm processes,
inputting information while in
the paddock. She is currently
working towards her Diploma
in Agri-business and has learnt
a lot about running a family farm
as a business. However, they all
acknowledge that they can’t do it
alone. “We can’t expect to be experts
in everything so we use advisors for grain
marketing, money management, and
agronomic management,” Patrick says.
1600 merino ewes
For the Neals, caring for the land and
improving their productivity is driven by one
reason – the desire to hand the property on
to future generations in a better condition
than when they received it. With the
improvements they are making, it’s easy to
see that will happen.
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Karen, Zoe, Patrick and John Neal
Braemar Station farm facts:
• 20,000 – 25,000 merino sheep
The Breeding family
When Leisa Breeding began working on
Braemar Station at the age of 14, she
became the third generation of Breedings
to work for the AJ & PA McBride Pastoral
Company. Her grandfather, the late Vic
Breeding Snr, managed Teetulpa Station near
Yunta in the state’s north-east, and her father
Vic Breeding Jr was manager of Braemar at
the time. Leisa now works on the station in a
supporting role for her partner Josh Sheridan,
who has taken over management of Braemar.
As managers rather than owners, the
family enjoys the support that the company
provides. Leisa says, “When things get really
dry you don’t have to worry about having
to sell the place.” McBrides is a family
company, established in 1920. AJ McBride
bought Faraway Station from his father in
1902, and added adjoining Braemar Station
in 1907. Further additions have increased
the size of Braemar to 131,213 hectares. Vic
Breeding Jnr and his late wife Ann took over
management of the station in 1974.
It is the Breeding family’s approach to
caring for their land that has gained them
the recognition of their local community.
Vic says, “I’ve been very privileged to work
on a property that’s in good condition
and I’ve always treated it as a privilege. I
wouldn’t have said that I was particularly
a conservationist when I came here, but I
quickly became one.” Historically, the station
hasn’t been able to support large numbers of
sheep due to a lack of water, which, coupled
with the McBrides’ and the Breedings’ belief
in conservative stocking rates, means that
the native vegetation in largely intact.
Vic, Leisa and Josh also maintain the
condition of the country by controlling goats,
with ten permanent goat trap yards installed
and plans for four more. Weeds such as
Bathurst burr and South African boxthorn
are sprayed or bulldozed. Vic is also a member
of the Rangelands NRM Group, and the Burra
to Olary Rabbit and Feral Goat Control
Steering Committee.
Vic’s desire to look after the environment
has extended into his spare time as well.
Since stepping back from managing Braemar
three years ago, Vic has become involved
in caring for Witchelina Nature Reserve, a
former pastoral property near Maree owned
by Nature Conservation SA. Vic speaks
enthusiastically about the weeks he spends
working on the reserve, maintaining roads,
controlling rabbits and undertaking other
conservation activities.
•
Vic is also noted for his involvement with
the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)
signed on Faraway Hill in 2006. The ILUA
represents an agreement between the
Ngadjuri people and the McBride Pastoral
Company, and sets out the rights, interests
and responsibilities of each party, including
that Ngadjuri people may continue to carry
out their traditional activities in the area.
131,213 hectares
someone who is experienced and accepted
in the industry.” It’s a description fitting to
the Breedings themselves. As Ian Falkenberg,
Rangelands District Manager, states:
“Passionate about maintaining Rangeland
conditions, the Breedings’ management style
is held up as a model for other pastoralists
to follow.”
While Vic now spends about 70 per cent of
his time on the station, leaving the dayto-day management up to Leisa
and Josh, he still has plans for
the property, including more
conservation work. Josh also
wants to construct more
laneways to improve stock
movement and prevent land
degradation. Josh has a long
history with the McBride Pastoral
Company as well. He began working
on a McBride property in the state’s
north-west when he was 15 and
moved to Braemar at 16. He and Leisa
now have a daughter, Abby, who is 3.
When asked to give advice to young
people interested in the pastoral
industry, Vic says he believes that
“it’s important to be working with
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
Leisa Breeding and Josh Sheridan
Old Kelvale farm facts:
• 800 hectares of cropping and cattle
grazing country south of Burra
The Hill and Kellock family
It was a change in tradition that led to David
and Jane Hill managing Thistlebeds Station
east of Burra. The property has been in the
Jane’s family since the 1870s and passed
down from father to son. Jane is one of
three girls, so when it came time for her
grandfather to retire, the station was passed
to her uncle who had two sons, rather than
to her father Graham.
Graham received the adjoining property,
Chalkcliffs, which has been passed on to Jane
and David. In 2002 Mongolata Station was
added to Chalkcliffs.
Graham purchased Old Kelvale farm south of
Burra in 1960 and in 1972 he, wife Judy and
their young family moved to the farm, where
they ran dairy cows for 34 years. “Starting
the dairy helped us get on the land. I have
two brothers and growing up, we had 6000
acres [approx 2400 hectares] at Thistlebeds.
You need more than that for three boys,”
Graham explains.
David, who grew up on his family’s farm at
nearby Booborowie, met Jane in the 1980s
and moved to Old Kelvale in 1986. He and
Jane have gradually taken over management
of the farm from Graham and Judy. They
now crop wheat, barley, beans, peas, oats
and hay (most of which is used to feed
stock), graze cattle and finish off lambs from
the station country to sell. They also run a
sheep stud, breeding and selling stud rams.
When the opportunity to buy Thistlebeds
came up in 2009, Jane and David jumped
at the chance to purchase the family
property. They graze sheep and cattle on
the saltbush country.
While the purchasing of the original family
station was unexpected, the same can’t
be said for the transition of the farm from
Graham and Judy to David and Jane. “When
Jane and David got married, any new land
went in their name,” explains Graham.
Judy believes that communication is vital
for succession planning: “It’s something
families need to be able to talk about. Some
people put it off, but you have to be open
and willing, because it’s not fair if people
don’t know what’s going to happen.” Jane
says, “It’s a gradual process of handing over
things. Honesty and communication
are key.”
David and Jane are the managers now, but
Graham and Judy are still very involved in the
properties. Judy helps Jane with cooking for
shearers, and Graham keeps an eye on the
station country when David is doing farm
work. During busy times such as seeding,
everyone lends a hand.
Their ‘pitch in’ attitude extends to their
children as well. David and Jane’s three
children, Rebecca, Kelly and Tom, have
had their own jobs on the farm since they
were little, such as looking after lambs or
collecting eggs. “It helps the kids realise that
someone relies on them. It might not be a
person, it might be some chooks or the pigs.
It’s a pleasure as you get older to see the
young ones showing an interest and doing
jobs together,” says Graham.
•
20,200 hectares of station country
east of Burra
•
7500 sheep
participated in local council for many years,
and Judy volunteers for Meals on Wheels.
With their strong work ethic and willingness
to plan for the future, this farming family has
a clear future ahead of them.
Rebecca and Kelly are now at university,
while Tom is in Year 9 at boarding
school in Port Pirie. They all still
have a keen interest in the
properties, and Tom hopes to
work on the family property in
the future. “Tom came home
from school one weekend,
walked around the property and
came back with a list of things
that needed doing. He handed it to
me, then went back to school,” Jane
laughs.
The family’s hard work extends to the
wider community, and has earned them
the recognition of their peers. Among
other things, David and Jane have
been involved with the local footy
and netball clubs, Graham
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Mallee and Coorong
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Graham Kellock, Tom Hill, David Hill, Judy Kellock and Jane Hill
Mallee and Coorong
Embracing new technology, research and development to improve
our practices in the stewardship of our natural resources.
• Main land uses are cropping and grazing
• Also supports irrigated agriculture, dairy farming
and fishing
• Includes Billiatt Wilderness Area and Ngarkat
Conservation Park, as well as parts of the
internationally important Lower Lakes and Coorong
population of
8,475 people
1,688,900
hectares
41% of people
are employed
in agriculture
McPiggery farm facts:
• Mixed farm with pigs, sheep
and crops
The McMahon family
It’s the McMahons’ sense of business and
their ability to grow steadily that is wellrespected by their peers. Jenny McMahon
says, “Farming is a business, it’s very planned.
We don’t do anything just because – there is
always a reason. But we are also not afraid to
try new ideas.” It’s this philosophy, held by all
family members, that sets them apart and is
the reason theirs is one of the few piggeries
remaining in the southern Mallee area.
Peter McMahon, his wife Jenny and his
brother Neville took over the family farm
in the late 1980s from Peter and Neville’s
parents. Their father continued to help out
on the farm but also gave them the freedom
to take the farm in the direction they desired.
The brothers acknowledged they were
farming marginal country, which provided
many challenges, and so looked for new
opportunities.
Peter had always had an interest in pigs as a
hobby and says he thought, “Why buy pigs
when I could be growing them myself?”
Thirty five years later the McMahons run
1650 sows and employ 25 staff. Peter
explains their longevity and success by saying,
“All we did was turn it into a business.”
Speaking with the family it soon becomes
apparent that it certainly hasn’t happened by
chance. The McMahons move forward at a
considered pace, they work hard, and they
aren’t afraid to try new things, as long as
they make good business sense.
The family grow and supply all of their own
feed for the pigs, cropping around 5000 of
the 12,000 hectares and producing 8000
tonne of grain annually. They also run 7500
ewes. Peter and Jenny have raised three
daughters, Kim, Kate and Nicole, who along
with their partners are now all involved in the
enterprise in some capacity. Each member
of the family brings their own strengths to
the different aspects of the business. Kim
helps manage the sheep operation with
Nicole’s partner Duane. Her husband Haydon
works across all parts of the business and
is a carpenter by trade. Kate is a qualified
teacher, but is working in payroll while raising
her two young daughters. Her husband Sam
runs the cropping side of the farm. Nicole
currently works off-farm in accounting,
but as Jenny says, there is room for her if
she’d like to come home. Peter’s brother
Neville is involved in the sheep and cropping
components of the business, and the
ongoing maintenance of the busy piggery.
This diversity and recognition of each other’s
strengths has assisted them to establish the
structure of their business. Peter says, “The
key to this has been the establishment of
good routines and systems. These started in
the piggery and have been applied across
the cropping and sheep components of
the business”. The three branches remain
independent parts of the business, but are
linked. Peter explains, “While they are run
separately, any success in one area will
benefit the other areas by providing finances
to do what we need to.” He adds, “By
having this diversity we are
protecting ourselves.”
The McMahons run a good business model,
but are also exceptionally aware
of the environment they work
in. They have undertaken land
use surveys and re-fenced the
property based on land type.
Marginal country that was
rotationally cropped has been
separated out for stock grazing.
Clay spreading has improved the
productivity of the soil, particularly
for growing lucerne. Stubble retention
and direct drilling are important farm
practices for the McMahons, as they
increase the organic matter in the soil.
Sheep are carefully moved around to
minimise impact.
The McMahons also give back to the
community through sponsorship
•
12,000 hectares
•
One of the few remaining piggeries
in southern Mallee
of a multitude of local clubs. They support
school-based apprenticeships, and give
school tours on a regular basis to showcase
the industry to young people.
For this family, their business sense and
considered progress has led to great success
in their industries, but Peter best sums up the
reason behind their achievements: “We’ve
got good people involved and we want to
pass the farm on.”
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
Mallee and Coorong
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Sam, Kate, Evie and Madi Venning, Haydon and Kim Thorpe with Ada Thorpe, Duane Simon, Neville, Jenny and Peter McMahon (not present Nicole McMahon)
Nickolls family farm facts:
• Crop 4500 hectares
•
The Nickolls family
When brothers Wade and Chad took over
the family farm in 2008 with their wives
Danielle and Kate, they followed three
generations of Nickolls who had farmed
before them. But for this new generation, it
didn’t mean just doing what had always been
done. Their appreciation for the past coupled
with a desire for continual improvement has
earned them the respect of their peers.
Wade and Chad left the family farm after
school to gain university qualifications in the
agriculture sector, followed by several years
working outside the family business. During
this time they met their partners – also
from small rural communities - who were
supportive of returning to the family farm.
The two couples are aware that they
have much to thank their parents and
grandparents for. Keeping the farm within
the family has taken hard work and sacrifice.
The Nickolls are very mindful of this legacy
but they are keen to work hard and make
this enterprise their own. There has been
considerable evolution in the way farming is
approached since their grandfather started
out. Wade explains, “Some people struggle
to get their heads around the complexity
of farming these days. It is all planned to
a tee, and everything is done for a reason.
We don’t just do things because Dad did it
and Grandpa did it. Everything is accounted
for.” Every part of the business is reviewed
to create greater efficiency. They continue to
involve their parents, Jeff and Jill, with Jeff
in particular lending a hand during the
busier times.
Changes have included expanding
their holdings, destocking the farm and
implementing no-till practices ten years ago,
which is proving positive. Chad says “No-till
was the biggest improvement and innovation
for the last generation, allowing us to farm
more area with less man-hours. Since we’ve
done this we can really work on
our efficiencies”.
Change is a continuing theme when you
speak with the Nickolls’ about their business.
Chad points out, “Farming is always
changing – you can’t just do what you did
last year”. Wade adds, “You have to be
good at so many things. You have to not
only understand how to grow your crop, but
also your finances, marketing and logistics.”
They all agree that farmers have to be
continuously learning.
Danielle and Kate commit time off-farm to
improve their knowledge. They are members
of the Partners in Grain Group and are part
of Grass Roots Agronomy for Women,
a group learning basic agronomy. They
attend workshops on succession planning
and financial management, and both are
employed off-farm. Danielle works in finance
and administration for a local business
and Kate does contract work for Mallee
Sustainable Farming, a farmer-driven
research organisation.
Grow wheat, barley, canola, lentils,
lupins, oats and vetch
getting slightly better at it. You do all the
hard work, it’s long hours, but there’s a sense
of achievement. We grow it, we sell it and
it goes to someone who needs it. That gives
you a sense of satisfaction.”
These young farmers are always looking
for opportunities in their business, which
is one of the reasons they have
been identified by their peers
as leaders in family farming.
They’ve tried new enterprises
that haven’t taken off, such as
faba beans, and learned from
these experiences. After trialling
lentils some 15 years earlier
they have now been successfully
producing them for three to four
years. Chad explains, “We want to be
prepared for opportunities when they
arise, and they are not going to arise
exactly when you want them to.”
They love the sense of satisfaction
of seeing a process through from
beginning to end. Wade says,
“Hopefully each year we are
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
Mallee and Coorong
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
From left to right: Chad, Kate, Wade and Danielle Nickolls
Moyle family farm facts:
•Cropping
•
The Moyle family
Living on the land is in the blood of the
Moyle family, with a tradition of sheep
and crop farming in the Parilla district
dating back nearly 70 years. The Moyles
learn from those that came before
them but think a lot about the future.
They have a long-term commitment to
no-till farming and are seen as leaders
in this practice, which has led to their
recognition by their peers.
No-till is a way of planting crops
without disturbing the soil or removing
the remains of previous crops. Brad
and his father Hayden have a goal
of 100% groundcover 100% of the
time. To achieve this target they shifted
from running sheep to purely grain
farming over five years. They removed
fencing and evaluated the layout of the
farm. Their move to no-till has led to
improved soil quality and crop yields.
In 1964 Hayden’s father purchased the
original farm after share farming for
some 20 years prior. Hayden and wife
Bev have been farming since they took
over from Hayden’s parents, and they
now continue with their son Brad and
Brad’s wife Liz. As a partnership, they
are hoping to continue the legacy and
create opportunities for Brad and Liz’s
five young children, should they wish to
stay on the land.
Hayden and Brad currently share
the workload on the 3,200 hectares
of cropping land, but as Hayden
slows down they will look to employ
help. Liz identifies this as one of the
challenges to expansion. “Getting
suitable employees is a challenge for
us. Competing with neighbouring
industries who are more costcompetitive is a challenge.” She adds,
“It is also hard to attract people to the
region for seasonal work at seeding or
harvest time.”
The Moyles continue to steadily expand
their cropping enterprise, by purchasing
more land and leasing paddocks from
other farmers. With the addition of new
blocks, they can compare the difference
between areas that have been no-till
for many years and those that have
not. The stark contrast gives them
encouragement to continue to improve
and work on their no-till practice.
As Hayden points out, “This philosophy
has given us a lot of confidence. Once
you minimise the effects of wind
erosion, you can build up your soil and
it will be there next year and the year
after. I’ve lost more in productivity from
wind erosion than I ever have from
droughts.” The no-till approach makes
sense to them, as Liz points out: “You
can drive past farms on a windy day
and wonder why they haven’t adopted
no-till. We really notice the difference
our coverage makes. Nothing
blows. Fences used to have
to be lifted up because
they were covered in
shifting soil – we don’t
do that anymore. We are
seeing results.”
Brad’s dedication to no-till
is so strong that he is the
president of the SA No-Till
Farmers Association. This position
has provided him with greater
insight into the farming practice
they strongly believe in, as well as
providing networking opportunities
with other like-minded land
managers.
Grow wheat, barley, canola,
triticale, lupins, chickpeas and vetch
Hayden identifies some noticeable
differences from when he started out:
“You need to keep an eye what is
happening in the rest of the world. It
used to be that your little patch was all
that mattered.” It seems that this openminded approach is proving positive for
the Moyle family in running a successful
enterprise and being leaders in their field.
Terowie
Burra
Rangelands
Robertstown
Renmark
Waikerie
Blanchetown
Riverland
Loxton
Ranges
to River
Keyneton
Paruna
Mallee and Coorong
ADELAIDE
Murray
Bridge
Karoonda
Strathalbyn
Mt Compass
Lameroo
Meningie
Pinnaroo
Front row: Brad, Isabelle, Timothy, Matthew, Rachel, Samuel and Liz Moyle. Back Row: Bev and Hayden Moyle
How you can support our farmers
You can support farmers in the SA Murray-Darling Basin region.
Useful links
• Visit a farmers’ market and buy directly from the people who
produce the food. Farmers’ markets are held at Willunga,
Adelaide Showgrounds, Prospect, Mount Barker, Angaston,
Mount Pleasant, Murray Bridge, Berri, Victor Harbor, the Eyre
Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Mount Gambier
and Wirrabara. Many small country towns hold market days too.
Check community noticeboards for details
Eat Local SA
www.eatlocalsa.com.au
• Check labels at the supermarket or fruit and veg shop to make
sure the produce you’re buying is South Australian.
Food Riverland
www.foodriverland.com.au
• Buy direct from the farm gate. Food doesn’t get much fresher
than this! Check out the South Australian Food and Wine
Guide for a list of farms, cellar doors and producers that sell
direct to the public.
The SA Food Users’ Guide
Download the eBook for free or read online. Available from
iTunes, Amazon or the FoodSA website.
• Visit the wonderful towns within the SA Murray-Darling
Basin and dine at a café, restaurant, brewery or winery that
specialises in serving local produce.
• Stay on a family farm. A number of farmers have opened their
farms to tourists. By staying with them, you support their
family and the farm.
• Enjoy a food and wine festival. Taste local produce and wines
at stunning locations throughout the state.
FoodSA
www.foodsouthaustralia.com.au
Food & Wine
www.foodwine.sa.gov.au
South Australian Food and Wine Guide
Read online at www.safoodandwineguide.realviewdigital.com
Support for farmers
The SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board supports farmers
in many ways.
• Supports farmers affected by bushfires through funding and
on-ground projects.
• Provides funding for pest plant and animal control.
• Provides advice and funding for irrigators to modernise onfarm irrigation infrastructure.
• Provides advice on sustainable farming practices.
• Supports farming trials to improve soils, improve production,
reduce the need for chemical fertilisers, control weeds, reduce
erosion, and improve ground cover.
• Runs workshops on a range of topics including planting for
perennials, irrigation efficiency and pasture management.
• Provides advice and information at field days, workshops,
and shows.
• Supports Landcare and industry groups.
• Provides funding for farmers to attend conferences and
workshops including LambEx, Barossa Young Farmers, and the
State Landcare Conference.
• Supports young people to follow careers in agriculture through
work experience and careers expos.
• Assists with whole-farm planning.
• Provides on-farm visits from land management consultants.
• Implements the Heritage Agreement Scheme for farmers to
preserve native vegetation.
To find out more about any of these projects, visit our website
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin
These programs and projects are funded by your NRM levy,
enabling our landholders and the community to play an active
role in our region’s future. Many initiatives are also funded by the
Australian government.