MSF is a farmer driven organisation servicing the low rainfall area of the Mallee cropping regions of SA, VIC & NSW. π±
πMSF Farm Talk Podcast π§
πΎ What works best to improve sandy soils?
In the latest MSF Farm Talk podcast ποΈ PIRSA's Amanda Schapel shares insights from the long-running Soil CRC Sandy Soil Project, exploring what research is telling us about clay, organic amendments and other products for managing sandy soil constraints.
The conversation covers:
π± Why not all sandy soils behave the same
π§± When clay and organic amendments are most effective
π¬ The role of products like bentonite, zeolite and compost
βοΈ How to match amendments to your soil constraints and weigh up long-term benefits against cost
π§ Listen now - https://t.co/NLag1azfwD
#MSFFarmTalk #SandySoils
@SA_PIRSA@SoilCRC@MurdochUni@WMG_WA
π§Research doesn't make the decision for you, it gives you the confidence to make a better one.
James Stephens is using local trial results not guesswork to help guide future soil amelioration decisions.
π₯Watch his story, then join us Friday to hear from growers and researchers.
There is still time to join us:
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β²οΈ 9.00amβ4.00pm
Register now via the π· https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@SoilCRC@DAFFgov@GrainProducerSA@GrainGrowersLtd@SADroughtHub@GRDCSouth
#SoilAmelioration #MalleeFarming #SoilHealth
π§ Every millimetre of rainfall matters. So does every soil decision.
Tim Paschke shares why improving soil starts with asking the right questions not chasing the latest trend.
Watch his story and join us Friday. There is still time:
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β° 9.00amβ4.00pm
Register now via the π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@SoilCRC@DAFFgov@GRDCSouth@GrainProducerSA@SADroughtHub
#SoilHealth #SoilAmelioration #MalleeFarming
BREAKING: The APVMA has just released its final decision following its review of paraquat and paraquat - the chemicals will remain available for use in Australia, however significant restrictions have been introduced. Here's the detail:
οΏ½οΏ½ Broadacre application rates reduced to a maximum of 231 grams of active ingredient per hectare for many uses.
β’ Spray-topping uses, including those important for pulse crops such as lentils, have been retained under revised label conditions.
β’ Optical spot spraying technologies have been retained, despite initially being proposed for removal, with higher application rates permitted where treatment is limited to a maximum of 30 per cent of the paddock area.
β’ New requirements for enclosed mixing and loading systems, enclosed cabs and additional personal protective equipment.
β’ Existing stocks carrying current labels can continue to be used during a two-year transition period.
Read more on on the decision here: https://t.co/HuDhCq0qlj or read GPSA's submission to the APVMA here: https://t.co/bKgWaGOVNU
MEDIA RELEASE: Grain Producers SA says new restrictions imposed on paraquat use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will have significant implications for South Australian grain producers, with no practical, effective and affordable alternative currently available. Read our Media Release in full below:
π± Every paddock is different. So is every soil decision.
Watch Wade's story, then join local growers and leading researchers this Friday to hear what's worked, what they've learned and how to make informed soil amelioration decisions.
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β²οΈ 9.00amβ4.00pm
Register now via the π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@WNickolls@SoilCRC@DAFFgov@GRDCSouth@MRLandscapeSA@SADroughtHub@SA_PIRSA@CSIRO
#SoilAmelioration #MalleeFarming
π± Would you spend thousands on soil amelioration without hearing from someone who's already done it?
Hear a snippet of Jock McNeil's journey π then join other local growers and leading researchers this Friday in Loxton to learn what works, what doesn't and how to make every soil investment count.
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β° 9.30am β 4.00pm
π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@SoilCRC@jock_mcneil@ausgov@SA_PIRSA@theGRDC@CSIRO
#SoilAmelioration #MalleeFarming #Agronomy
π Before you change your soil, change your thinking.
What worked? What didn't? What would they change? What they learned?
Hear practical experiences from Mallee farmers and gain the confidence to make better soil amelioration decisions.πΎ Every soil constraint has a different solution.
Join us: π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β° 9.00amβ4.00pm
Register now via the π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@SoilCRC@ausgov@GrainGrowersLtd@GrainProducerSA@SADroughtHub@MRLandscapeSA@jock_mcneil@WNickolls
π The research is important. The grower experience is invaluable.
While research helps us understand what's possible, grower experience often provides the insights needed to make confident management decisions.πΎ
π€Join Dr Amanda Schapel as she facilitates a farmer panel exploring how Mallee growers decide where and when to ameliorate, what they've learned and the challenges they've faced.
π±At our Making Soil Amelioration Pay in the Mallee workshop. Join us for the discussion!
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26th June 2026
β° 9.30am β 4.00pm
Register now via the π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
@SoilCRC@ausgov@GrainGrowersLtd@GrainProducerSA@SADroughtHub@MRLandscapeSA
π± Thinking about deep ripping, spading or clay spreadingβbut wondering if it will actually pay?
Join Emeritus Professor Richard Bell, one of Australia's leading experts in sandy soils, at MSF's Making Soil Amelioration Pay in the Mallee forum.
Along with other leading researchers and growers who have firsthand experience implementing soil amelioration in Mallee farming systems.
Through practical presentations and real farmer case studies, you'll gain valuable insights into what has worked, what challenges were encountered and how to maximise your return on investment.
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26 June 2026
β° 9.30am β 4.00pm
π https://t.co/ahcvdLmTPM
Discover what decades of research have taught us about:
β Sandy soil constraints that limit productivity
β Soil amendments and crop responses
β The role of soil water in driving returns
β Where soil amelioration is most likely to deliver long-term benefits
Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and real-world experience that could help you make smarter soil investment decisions.
@DAFFgov@SoilCRC@CSIRO@SA_PIRSA
#SoilAmelioration #Agronomy #MalleeFarming #SoilHealth #SandySoils
π± The best soil investment starts with the right diagnosis.
π€Thinking about or currently undertaking deep ripping, spading, clay spreading or other soil improvement strategies?
Join MSF, researchers and experienced growers at 'Making Soil Amelioration Pay in the Mallee' and learn how to identify constraints, match treatments and maximise returns.
π The Precinct, Loxton
π Friday 26th June, 2026
β° 9.30am β 4.00pm (followed by refreshments)
Whether you're considering soil amelioration for the first time or refining your approach, this event will provide valuable research findings and practical insights to support informed decision-making.
@jock_mcneil@WNickolls@kentonp_ag@DAFFgov@SoilCRC@CSIRO@SA_PIRSA
#MalleeFarming #SoilAmelioration #SandySoils
πΎHow does carbon farming fit into your agricultural business strategy?
ποΈJoin us on MSF Farm Talk as Ed Scott breaks down Scope 1-3 emissions and what they mean for farmers π
π±Discover the opportunities and challenges at the farm gate.
Listen nowπ§ https://t.co/0Ov3krL7PL
#carbonfarming #MSFFarmTalk
@DAFFgov@MalleeCMA@VicGovGrains
π± Could legumes play a bigger role in your farming system?
π Year 1 results from MSFβs long-term Merrinee, Vic legume trial are now available.
See how legume-inclusive rotations are performing under real Mallee conditions.
π Visit the project page, read the latest blog and download the factsheet on the MSF website.
π¨βπ» Read more on the MSF project page π
π² Blog Post π
πFact Sheet π
@MalleeCMA@VicGovGrains@llsnsw
#MSFProjects #Legumes #MalleeFarming #CroppingSystems,
πΎ Launch your career where research meets real-world farming.
Join MSF's Regional Internship in Farming Systems and Applied Grains Research & Extension.
Work alongside growers, researchers and industry leaders tackling challenges in low rainfall farming systems across the SA, VIC and NSW Mallee.
π Field trials & applied research
π Data collection & analysis
π± Grower engagement
π€ Field days & industry events
πΎ Regional Internship | Tailem Bend, SA
π Applications close 30 June π https://t.co/SbitCuFiuW
Build your skills. Grow your network. Help shape the future of Australian agriculture.
#AgCareers #GraduateProgram #GrainsResearch #AgriculturalResearch #BroadacreFarming #MalleeFarming
π Mallee farmers, what matters most to you?
This year's MSF Mallee Research Updates highlighted a clear message: growers want local trials, practical tools and real-world solutions that support better paddock decisions.
Your feedback helps shape the research and events we deliver.
π¬ What's one topic you'd like to see more research on?
#MSFEvents #MalleeFarming #LocalTrials #FarmerDrivenResearch
π When it comes to nitrogen decisions, what tool do growers trust most?
The answer from this year's MSF Mallee Research Updates and workshops was clear π
π± Soil sampling remains the most consistently used tool for making nitrogen decisions.
π― Good nitrogen decisions still start with knowing what's in your soil.
βHow important are soil tests in your nitrogen planning each season?
βWhat tool do you trust most when making nitrogen decisions?
#RiskWise #NitrogenManagement #SoilTesting #DecisionSupport #MalleeFarming #PrecisionAg #FarmData
π Some conversations can change a life!
Join @fat_farmers and your community for an evening focused on what really matters β connection, wellbeing and mental health in our rural communities.
Hear powerful stories and insights from guest speakers:
π€ John Mannion
π€ Tom Jonas
π€ Marc Ryan
π Loxton North Sports Club
π Wednesday 3 June
π‘ 6:30pm β 9:30pm
π½οΈ Free event and meal provided
β Registration is essential: https://t.co/s1Pi0o0Bbf
#MentalHealth #RuralCommunities #CommunityConnection #StartTheConversation
πΎ We're Hiring! πΎ
Mallee Sustainable Farming is looking for a Senior Technical Officer to join our growing Research Program. This role offers the opportunity to work across the SA, VIC and NSW Mallee, helping deliver practical, regionally focused research that supports productive, resilient and profitable farming systems.
π Loxton, SA (or surrounds)
π± Field trials | Grower engagement | Applied research
π Applications close 19 June, 5pm ACST
More infoπ https://t.co/SbitCuFiuW
#AgCareers #AgricultureJobs #ResearchJobs #MalleeFarming
π Yield isn't the only measure of success.
At this year's MSF Mallee Research Updates, growers ranked profit and business resilience above yield alone, with timing and input efficiency also key factors.
π― Good farming = profitable, resilient decisions that stand up in tough seasons.
#MSFEvents #FarmBusiness #Resilience #Agronomy #MalleeFarming
Mallee seeps and dry saline land can have a major impact on productivity! πΎπ§
In the latest MSF Farm Talk podcast, Chris McDonough shares practical strategies for identifying and managing mallee seeps, improving soil health, and restoring affected areas.
π§ Tune in now β https://t.co/DE87fDtDiy
#MSFFarmTalk
@DAFFgov@MalleeCMA@VicGovAg