Crop protection, carbon sequestration and nutrition management projects are among the beneficiaries of $3.12 million in new research funding from the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) and its partners.
In its first year under a new funding model, SAGIT has funded 23 new grains research projects to a value of $2.36 million. Co-funding agreements have seen the total amount of project funding reach $3.12 million.
Despite crop production in the 2024/25 season being the lowest since 2008/09, a change to the levy collection method in 2024 from the previous rate of 30 cents per tonne to 0.12 per cent of farm gate value has enabled SAGIT to maintain a consistent level of funding.
SAGIT chair Dr Andrew Barr said with funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SA Drought Hub) and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), as well as funding sought from the SA Sheep Industry Fund, SAGIT could extend its reach.
“The co-investment approach allows SAGIT to expand its research scope and deliver more valuable insights directly to South Australian growers,” he said.
“SAGIT has worked with each of these co-funders to ensure that where priorities overlap, we can quickly and efficiently reach a decision, allow the funds to flow and not burden researchers with extra reporting requirements.
“Collaboration between research organisations is essential to maximise funding opportunities and support a broader range of projects than we could manage independently.
“SAGIT is extremely grateful to all these partners.
“We’re also pleased the changes to the grower levy are now in place, which sees SAGIT receive 0.12 per cent of the farm gate value of all grain sold by SA growers.
“We are grateful to the ongoing support of South Australian grain growers who continue to see the value in funding a unique research organisation such as SAGIT.”
Dr Barr said it was also pleasing to see the strong engagement from the research community, with a total of 54 project applications submitted for this year’s funding allocation.
“We outlined some key focus areas for funding this year and the applications addressed these, particularly in the areas of carbon, phosphorus fertilisers, sustainability, and weed management,” he said.
A wide range of projects have been funded across many areas including crop protection and disease management, weed management and herbicide use, soil health, climate resilience and risk management, market development, and capacity building.
The successful projects are:
| Organisation | Project title |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Consulting and Research | Novel strategies for controlling hard-seeded vetch in lentils |
| AEGIC | A new high-value noodle market for SA growers – Phase II (co-funded with GRDC) |
| AIR EP | Eyre Peninsula internship in applied grains research 2026 (co-funded with SA Drought Hub) |
| Ag Excellence Alliance | Production of 2026, 2027 and 2028 Farm Gross Margin/Risk Guide for SA |
| AgCommunicators | Lead Agriculture Teacher of South Australia (co-funded with Sheep Industry Fund) |
| AgXtra | Upper South East and Mallee lentil herbicide safety and variety performance (co-funded with GRDC) |
| AgXtra | Wheat powdery mildew management strategies for the Upper South East |
| Ag Institute Australia | Student Compendium – supporting the next generation, 2026-28 |
| Agronomy Solutions | Evaluating commercial products to enhance phosphorus fertiliser efficiency |
| Southern Australia Durum Growers Association | Crown rot resistance in a durum variety |
| Elders | Agronomic strategies enhancing utilisation of insoluble phosphorus sources through amendments |
| Hart Field-Site Group | Regional internship in applied grains research (co-funded with SA Drought Hub) |
| MacKillop Farm Management Group | Mixed farming intern – Limestone Coast (co-funded with SA Drought Hub and Sheep Industry Fund) |
| Brougham Ag Consulting | Capeweed control and weed management strategies in lentils |
| Frontier Farming Systems | Maximising economic value of metribuzin tolerant lentils across cropping rotations |
| Pinion Advisory | Assessing nitrogen management strategies to improve crop emissions intensity |
| SARDI | Developing carbon sequestration rules of thumb for farmers and advisors (co-funded with SARDI) |
| SARDI | Novel frost risk mitigation strategies for lentils (co-funded with GRDC) |
| Society of Precision Agriculture Australia | The SPAA 2025 Precision Ag Expo |
| Trengove Consulting | Assessing the role of grain protein maps in improving nitrogen (N) fertiliser response across variable environments and crop rotations |
| University of Adelaide | Risk assessment and mitigation associated with dry sowing (co-funded with SA Drought Hub) |
| University of Adelaide | Capacity building for managing exotic snails in South Australian grain crops |
| University of Adelaide | Improving barley genetic diversity for enhanced drought resilience |
ENDS
For interviews, please contact Bridget Penna, AgCommunicators, 0429 676 413
