The 2025 SPAA Precision Ag Expo was held on 27 March 2025 in Wallaroo. This conference-style event brings together growers, researchers, agronomists, precision ag (PA) consultants and the education sector. The 2025 event explored the latest applications of PA developments in relation to soils, seeding, satellites, sensors and other tech, as well as spraying (in terms of targeted weed management).
The intern will gain hands-on experience of regional research and develop an understanding of the challenges of farming in a low rainfall zone. Through mentoring by an MSF farmer member, the intern will gain insight into the practicalities of farming in the Mallee, its challenges and rewards. The intern will work on projects that have been prioritised by MSF and local farmers, such as crop rotations, amelioration, soil variability, weed management, soil moisture and risk management and business development. This project was funded through and out-of-session application in October 2024 and is a co-investment, with the SA Drought Hub providing 50% of the total funding.
This project will employ an intern to build the human capacity of the grain-livestock industry, particularly in the areas of research, development and extension and drought resilience in the Limestone Coast (south east SA). This project is a co-investment, with the SA Drought Hub providing 50% of the total funding.
This project aims to continue Hart’s current regional internship program in applied research and extension, relevant to the needs of the southern grains industry. The program will allow for the long-term succession of new graduates into the industry by creating awareness of field applied roles, leading to greater research capacity across the South Australian grains industry. This project is a co-investment, with SA Drought Hub providing $50,000 of the total funding.
This project will investigate the effect spatial factors and sampling methodology have on soil carbon measurements. The results will be used to develop a “Rules of Thumb” for South Australian farmers and advisors who are considering entering into the carbon market. These rules of thumb will help to decide on the best soil carbon sampling strategy suited to individual farming systems and situations. This project is a co-investment with SARDI providing $20,000 of the total funding.
This project aims to support interns to develop and produce the next three versions of the Student Compendium (2026, 2027 and 2028); connect students to primary industries, and industry to students while assisting the next generation to find opportunities to broaden career horizons; and create an innovative, unique resource as a “call everyone to action” on all the SA Blueprints, particularly the SA Grains Industry Blueprint.
The Lead Ag Teacher role supports schools to more effectively teach and implement agriculture throughout their curriculum. The program is delivered by AgCommunicators consultant Sue Pratt, an experienced agriculture teacher and past President of the Agricultural Teachers Association of SA (ATASA). The program provides support to teachers to help them confidently deliver high quality, engaging food and fibre content. This project is a co-investment, with the SA Sheep Industry Fund providing 50% of the total funding.
The aim of this project is to improve the capacity of grains research, development and extension in the Eyre Peninsula region through the employment of an annual intern within local research organisations in 2026. This project will also further develop applied research skills of recent graduates so they will be able to make an improved contribution to the grains RD&E industry in SA. This internship has been named in honour of inaugural SAGIT Chair Ken Schaefer and recognises his contribution to agriculture on the EP. This project is a co-investment, with the SA Drought Hub providing $50,000 of the total funding.