FarmLink Research

FarmLink is a not-for-profit agricultural research and extension organisation in southern NSW made up of growers, advisers & researchers.

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

📰 FarmLink FOCUS – October Edition is out now!

The October edition of FarmLink FOCUS is available to read online via our website, bringing you the latest news, research, projects, events and activities happening across the FarmLink footprint. 🌾

In this issue:
🔹CEO’s Message – Building on Research, Looking to the Future
🔹Farmers dig into new ideas at FarmLink
🔹Member Spotlight – Stephen Hatty
🔹When More Nitrogen Doesn’t Mean More Grain
🔹Confinement Feeding – A stock management tool in good and bad times

📷FarmLink FOCUS will be delivered directly to FarmLink members and is also included in this week's local newspapers around the region, extending beyond our social media reach & members alone.

📖 Read the October edition online:
https://t.co/148BQso8Dd

We hope you enjoy this edition and welcome your feedback as we continue to grow FarmLink FOCUS into a valuable source of information for our farming community.

#FarmLink #FarmLinkFocus #Agriculture #Research #Innovation #NSWFarmers

[Cattle Australia @CattleAus]

Cattle Connect Tickets Available Now!

22–23 October 2026 - Wagga Wagga - Charles Sturt University

Find out more and register:
https://t.co/Uogm0IRDg5

[SALRC Inc @SalrcInc]

⏰ Registrations close Wed 14 Oct.

Join us in Wagga, 21–22 Oct, for Livestock 2026: From Data to Dollars — exploring how AI, data & emerging tech can create real value on farm.

🎟️ Register: https://t.co/w5k4hsQfr4

#Livestock2026 #AgTech

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

GRAIN STORAGE WORKSHOPS

Keeping harvest moving & protecting grain quality
What do you do when the headers are harvesting faster than you can get grain away?

Join Chris Warrick from Primary Business for a practical workshop exploring temporary grain storage options to help keep harvest moving and protect grain quality.

Drawing on experience from the GRDC Stored Grain project, Chris will step through options including:

Grain bunkers, grain bags & sheds
Pest prevention and fumigation
Other on-farm storage solutions
The practical considerations and trade-offs of each option

The workshop will help growers assess which storage option best fits their operation, harvest logistics, grain quality requirements and bottom line.

With above-average yields anticipated in many regions, planning ahead for temporary storage can help keep grain moving and headers harvesting.

FREE BBQ BREAKFAST PROVIDED by FarmLink

Two workshops – two locations

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2026 – 8am
Anthony & Carmen Quade – 267 Gunn Rd, Tallimba

THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2026 - 8am
Tim Sweeney – 148-154 Bimi Thuddungra Rd, Bimbi

For more information
Mark Skewes
0408 800 681
[email protected]

@theGRDC

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌾 GRDC Southern NSW Farming Systems Project – End of Project Field Day

Join us at Iandra Castle, Greenethorpe for the final field day of the GRDC Southern NSW Farming Systems Project.

After 8 years of farming systems research, come along to explore the results and practical lessons from the project, including:

🌱 What has improved farming system efficiency since 2017
📊Economic performance, risk and crop sequences
💧Water-use efficiency – $GM/ha/mm and risk
🧮The new Farming Systems gross margin calculator
🚜Scaling results to the whole farm – logistics & storage
🌾Legumes in the rotation – N fixation, legacy and acidity
🐑Dual-purpose cropping – 20 tips to maximise grazing value

📅 Wednesday 7 October 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 12:00 noon
📍 Iandra Castle, Greenethorpe

☕ Morning tea at 9am at the Castle
🥪 Sandwiches provided for lunch at midday

👨‍🌾 Speakers include John Kirkegaard, Tim Condon, Mat Dunn, Tony Swan, Audrey Gripper, and Mark People & Teams.

Come along for a morning of research results, farmer insights and discussion about improving farming systems across southern NSW.

Project webpage: https://t.co/dY5GMQAXJ2

@CSIRO @rms_ag_consultants @grassrootsag @rms_ag_consultants @deltaagribus Primary Industries and Regional Development @LLSRiverina @bakeragad @Agrista_au @eldersruralservices @theGRDC

#FarmLink #GRDC #FarmingSystems #PulseCrops #SouthernNSW #Agronomy #diversefarms

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 TOMORROW – Intercropping Field Walk at Marrar

Join FarmLink at Marrar tomorrow, Friday 25 September, to explore a commercial intercrop and see the new FarmLink Intercropping Project in action.

Hear directly from the grower about the advantages and challenges of intercropping, and learn more about what this approach could look like in a commercial farming system.

📅 Tomorrow – Friday 25 September
⏰ 8am–11am
📍 Marrar, NSW https://t.co/CdoFoiCB3J
🎟️ Free Event
🥓 Free BBQ Breakfast

Presenters:
• Mark Skewes – FarmLink
• Brendan Patterson – Property Owner
• David Bushell – Agronomist, Echidna Ag

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time!
👉 Project page: https://t.co/eE1xKhGb9D
👉 Register here: https://t.co/q95Rlp0HBu

@theGRDC

#FarmLink #Intercropping #FarmingSystems #SouthernNSW #GRDC #Agriculture

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 TOMORROW! GET INTO THE SOIL!

🔎 See the soil profile up close with hands-on soil pits and explore what’s happening below the surface.

Join FarmLink & Soil CRC for a practical morning focused on soil constraints, soil water and improving soil performance.

📅 Tomorrow — Tuesday 22 September
⏰ 8am–11am
📍 Lockhart NSW – Brookong Lane, off Western Road
🎟️ FREE EVENT
🥓 FREE BBQ BREAKFAST

👨‍🌾 Hear from Dr Shihab Uddin, Sam North & Hayden Thompson, with plenty of opportunity for discussion.

👉 Project webpage: https://t.co/FO1FnJhZji
👉 Event registration: https://t.co/64jNFcAxTT

@SoilCRC
#FarmLink #SoilCRC #SoilHealth #SoilWater #SoilConstraints #SouthernNSW #Agriculture

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 GET INTO THE SOIL!

How can we better manage soil constraints and access to stored soil water?

Join FarmLink & Soil CRC for a practical morning exploring the latest research, soil pits and what it means for growers.

📅 Tuesday 22 September
⏰ 8am–11am
📍 Lockhart NSW – Brookong Lane, off Western Road
🎟️ FREE EVENT
🥓 FREE BBQ BREAKFAST

👨‍🌾 Hear from Soil CRC researchers and industry specialists:

Dr Shihab Uddin - Research Scientist (Crop Nutrition), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Sam North - Hydrologist, formerly NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Hayden Thompson - Soil CRC PhD student, Southern Cross University

All growers and advisers welcome!

👉 Project webpage: https://t.co/FO1FnJhZji
👉 Event registration: https://t.co/64jNFcAxTT

@SoilCRC
#FarmLink #SoilCRC #SoilHealth #SoilWater #SoilConstraints #SouthernNSW #Agriculture

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 Intercropping Field Walk – Marrar

Ever wondered whether intercropping could have a place in your farming system?

The first opportunity to see the new FarmLink Intercropping Project in action will be at our Intercropping Field Walk at Marrar on Friday 25 September.

Growers and advisers will have the opportunity to:

🌱 Inspect commercial intercrops in the paddock
👨‍🌾Hear directly from the grower about the advantages and challenges
🔬Learn more about FarmLink’s new intercropping research project
📊Explore practical, locally relevant information to help assess whether intercropping could work on your farm.

The project is investigating the potential of growing two or more crop species together, including benefits such as improved resource use, greater groundcover, increased rotational diversity, improved nitrogen cycling and reduced production risk.

📅 Friday 25 September 2026
⏰ 8am–11am
📍 Marrar, NSW
🎟️ Free Event
🥓 Free BBQ Breakfast

Presenters:
• Mark Skewes – FarmLink
• Brendan Patterson – Property Owner
• David Bushell – Agronomist, Echidna Ag

👉 Project page: https://t.co/eE1xKhGb9D
👉 Register here: https://t.co/q95Rlp0HBu

@theGRDC
#FarmLink #Intercropping #FarmingSystems #SouthernNSW #GRDC #Agriculture

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 From research to practice: Managing constrained soils and improving access to soil water

How can we improve soil performance and help crops access more of the water stored in the soil?

Join FarmLink and the Soil CRC for a practical morning in Lockhartexploring the latest research and what it means for growers.

📅 Tuesday 22 September 2026
⏰ 8am–11am
📍 Brookong Lane, off Western Road, Lockhart NSW
🎟️ FREE EVENT
🥓 FREE BBQ BREAKFAST

🔎 On the program:
• Integrated solutions for accessing soil moisture – Dr Shihab Uddin, NSW DPIRD
• Assessing soil water storage – Sam North, Hydrologist
• Plant-based solutions to improve soil performance – Hayden Thompson, Soil CRC PhD student
• Facilitated discussion and Q&A

Come along, get into the soil and hear what the research is telling us about managing constrained soils and improving access to soil water.

👉 Project webpage: https://t.co/FO1FnJhZji

👉 Event registration: https://t.co/64jNFcAxTT

@SoilCRC

#FarmLink #SoilCRC #SoilHealth #SoilWater #SoilConstraints #SouthernNSW #Agriculture

[Grassroots Agronomy @grassrootsag]

The Diverse Farms Pulse Roadtrip heads south this Thursday 🛻🛻… Jerilderie to Urana 🌱🤙

@theGRDC #diversefarms

[Grassroots Agronomy @grassrootsag]

Diverse Farms Farmwalks are back for 2026 🌱… this time with a road trip from Burcher to Tullamore 🛻, with a stopover at Trundle 🚜

RSVPs to Dan Sweeney @bakeragad 😎

@theGRDC
#diversefarms

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 Download the FarmLink Field Walk program!

Want to know what’s happening tomorrow? Download the FarmLink Field Walk program form our website.

From intercropping and herbicide trials to fungicide research, practical farming insights and our panel session, there’s plenty to see and discuss.

👉 Download the program and check out the full schedule:
https://t.co/Ze8e7B1j37

See you in the paddock! 🌾

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

🌱 What will you see at the FarmLink Field Walk?

The FarmLink Field Walk on Friday 4 September is all about getting out into the paddock and seeing current research and farming innovation in action.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll see on the day:

🌱 Intercropping trials– including mixed sowing of canola with faba beans and wheat with faba beans.
🔬 Herbicide trials– including trials looking at new herbicide products and how they can help address key challenges.

🧪 Fungicide research– hear about VIMOYÁ® IBLONA®, powered by isoflucypram, and its role in addressing challenges across broadacre and horticulture systems.

🌾 Current FarmLink trials – FarmLink’s research and extension team will take you through trials being conducted with FarmLink and independent research partners.

👨‍🌾 Practical farming insights – hear directly from researchers, agronomists and growers about what the research means for farming businesses.

There are two Field Walk sessions, with the first at 9:00amcovering FarmLink and independent trials, followed by a 1:00pm herbicide trial Field Walk with FarmLink, Neil Durning and Greg Condon.

The afternoon also features a 2:30pm mixed farming Panel Session, bringing together industry perspectives and practical discussion.

The Field Walk is designed to give farmers a hands-on opportunity to see trials in action, ask questions and explore innovations that could have practical applications on-farm.

📅 Friday 4 September 2026
⏰Breakfast & coffee from 7:30am
🌱Field Walk from 9:00am
🎟️ FREE ENTRY – everyone is welcome!

Come along and see what’s happening in the paddock at FarmLink.

🌾 Shaping the Future of Farming!

Event webpage: https://t.co/Ze8e7B1j37

Register here: https://t.co/OeGsxQTmTo

#FarmLink #FarmLinkFieldWalk26 #Agriculture #SouthernNSW

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

Frank McRae to receive FarmLink Life Membership.

A well-deserved recognition for a long-standing contributor to FarmLink and agriculture in southern NSW. 👏

FarmLink Research is pleased to announce that well known agricultural stalwart Frank McRae will be presented with a FarmLink Life Membership at the FarmLink Field Walk on Friday, 4 September.

Frank has made an outstanding contribution to FarmLink over many years, including serving on the FarmLink Board of Directors. He brings more than 40 years of experience across agricultural research and development, farming and business management.

His career has included cereal research and variety trials, work with plant breeding programs, commercial seed development, and extensive involvement in farming across southern NSW.

FarmLink CEO Shaughn Morgan said Frank’s combination of practical farming experience, technical knowledge and decades of research and development experience has been incredibly valuable to FarmLink.

Congratulations Frank, and thank you for your contribution to FarmLink and Australian agriculture. 👏

🏆 FarmLink Field Walk - Life Membership 2026
📅Friday, 4 September 2026
📍Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre

👉 Save the date and join us!

Event webpage: https://t.co/Ze8e7B0Ldz

Register here: https://t.co/OeGsxQSP3Q

#FarmLink #FarmLinkFieldWalk26 #Agriculture #SouthernNSW

[FarmLink Research @Farm_Link]

FarmLink Field Walk 2026 Timetable & Presenter Schedule - Friday 4 September

👉 Save the date and join us!

Event webpage: https://t.co/s4s8IWiPxo

Register here: https://t.co/8hWfcobzIB

#FarmLink #FarmLinkFieldWalk26 #Agriculture #SouthernNSW

[Southern NSW Innovation Hub @SouthernNSWHub]

Five years, one clear mission. Hub Director Cindy Cassidy reflects on what's changed for farmers and communities across southern NSW, and what's next.
#SNSWInnovationHub #FiveYears #DroughtResilience #FutureDroughtFund @DAFFgov @CharlesSturtUni

[Grassroots Agronomy @grassrootsag]

Agronomists gathered at Condobolin, Wallendbeen, Marrar & Lockhart this week to review 8 years of farming systems data.

A fantastic @theGRDC project covering off on N legacy, WUE, pulses, soil pH & PROFIT. Thanks to the @CSIRO @NSW_AGRONOMY teams for their efforts.