About us

Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) brings farmers and researchers together to build more efficient, profitable and sustainable farming businesses in the low-rainfall Mallee region across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The MSF Advantage

Our Vision

Dynamic, profitable and sustainable farming.

Our Mission

Provide excellence in research, development and extension initiatives for the dryland Mallee of South Eastern Australia.

Principal Purpose

To protect and enhance the natural environment by the encouragement of sustainable dryland farming practices.

ABOUT MSF

Our farmers access local, evidence-based knowledge and practical advice on no-till and reduced tillage systems, improved soil nutrition, crop rotation, agronomy, soil water efficiency and soil microbiology.
MSF is changing the face of farming in some of Australia’s most challenging cropping and livestock grazing country by working with its members and industry experts to deliver the best in specialist agricultural research and development while also boosting farmers’ productivity and harvest yields.

Our Service Area

Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) is the leading farmer-driven research and advisory organisation for dryland farmers across the low-rainfall Mallee in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

In partnership with industry collaborators including the CSIRO and GRDC, MSF leads the way in delivering ground-breaking research to Mallee farmers. It’s tested on local farms and demonstrates the benefits of the latest proven sustainable farming techniques.

Our Future

With over 2000 dryland farming businesses across the Mallee, MSF continues to assist cropping and livestock farmers to meet their research and knowledge needs.

As our membership grows, more farmers are receiving new, updated and timely information on the latest scientific research and best land management practices to improve their farm business’ efficiency, sustainability and profitability.

Our History

Formed in 1997 to bring conservation farming practices to the Mallee, MSF works with farmers to increase the adoption of sustainable farming technology by identifying barriers and finding scientifically proven solutions.
Over more than two decades, MSF has delivered knowledge and resources to farmers through its collaborative research projects, trial site field days, FarmTalk fact sheets and Mallee Research Update events. Our projects have not only increased farm profitability, they are also delivering environmental and social gains for rural communities across the four million hectares of Mallee covered by MSF.
MSF

Meet the Board

MSF is governed by a Board of up to 11 farmer and specialist Directors. The Board plays an important part in setting the strategic direction of Mallee Sustainable Farming with a vision to promote dynamic, profitable and sustainable farming systems across the low rainfall Mallee region. 

MSF Farmer Directors

Robert Pocock

MSF Chair & SA Farmer Director

Director since 2009.
Robert currently farms at Lameroo in the southern Mallee of South Australia. He manages the Lameroo properties with his wife Courtney and parents Bruce and Gaylia. The farm “Lampata” is 3000 ha in area.

Robert Pocock

Director since 2009.
Robert currently farms at Lameroo in the southern Mallee of South Australia. He manages the Lameroo properties with his wife Courtney and parents Bruce and Gaylia. The farm “Lampata” is 3000 ha in area.

The business comprises of a poll merino stud with 2100 breeding ewes, planting cereals, lupins, vetch, perennial pastures and hay.

The business has generally been managed as a mixed farm and is roughly a 50/50 mix between livestock and grain production with medic and nitrogen fixing pasture as the dominate break crop.

Robert also runs a contract seeding and harvesting business where they plant and harvest approximately 1,000 – 1,800 ha annually.

Robert returned to the farm in 2002. Once home he completed a Diploma in Agriculture, a graduate Certificate in Rural Business Management and also participated in the Rabobank Farm Managers Program and various other courses, recently he completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.

The family business has a long history of hosting trials on the property and values the work of farming system groups highly and see the importance they have frothier business.

Robert has a high level of knowledge of modern farming technologies and equipment, along with sheep breeding.

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MSF - Robert Pocock

Gavin Howley

MSF Vice Chair & NSW Farmer Director

Director since 2019.
Gavin farms with his wife, Rhiannon and his mother and father. “Woodmount” is approx 6k hectares about half being floodplain forests on the Wakool – Murray junction at Kyalite. The farm has been in his family for over 100yrs and is a grain and sheep farm.

Gavin Howley

Director since 2019

Gavin farms with his wife, Rhiannon and his mother and father. “Woodmount” is approx 6k hectares about half being floodplain forests on the Wakool – Murray junction at Kyalite. The farm has been in his family for over 100yrs and is a grain and sheep farm.

Gavin completed a bachelor of agriculture at Adelaide university, Roseworthy campus and has done a farm exchange to the province of Saskatchewan in Canada.

Gavin has been involved with MSF for many years including a previous stint on the board and as a trial/field day host. Gavin likes to be involved in community events and has been the captain of his local fire brigade for a number of years.

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MSF - Gavin Howley

Chris Hunt

MSF Treasurer & VIC Farmer Director

Director since 2018. Chris is based in the Millewa farming 5,000 ha, growing cereal grain and hay, grain legumes and running sheep. 

Chris Hunt

Director since 2018

Chris is based in the Millewa farming 5,000 ha, growing cereal grain and hay, grain legumes and running sheep. 

Chris worked off farm for many years, in different jobs as a diesel mechanic in heavy earth moving, before he returned to the family farming business in 2011. Chris is currently farming with his brother Anthony and father Colin. He is married with two young boys.

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MSF - Chris Hunt

Nicole Byrnes

NSW Farmer Director

Director since 2021.

Nicole is a familiar face to the MSF team. In the ten-plus years since her time as Extension Coordinator, she can appreciate the growth of MSF culture into a group of strong, passionate leaders who believe in their work, and Nicole is thrilled to be a part of it.

Nicole Byrnes

Director since 2021.

Nicole is a familiar face to the MSF team. In the ten-plus years since her time as Extension Coordinator, she can appreciate the growth of MSF culture into a group of strong, passionate leaders who believe in their work, and Nicole is thrilled to be a part of it.

Nicole has an Agricultural Science (Hons) degree and a PhD in plant physiology and has recently served a term of the Western Local Land Services Board. Nicole and her husband Luke run a cereal cropping and sheep station at Pooncarie, NSW.

The Mallee excites Nicole for its people and the way its innovative culture sees it continually rise to the challenge. She believes the future is exciting for the younger generation and sees a great opportunity to foster a high tech, future-ready workforce across the Agricultural industry. She is also passionate about the ever-evolving role of women in Ag, and encouraging them to take on greater roles in the industry.

Nicole loves to spend her downtime with the family fishing, camping and hanging out by the Darling River at home - away from devices. She also enjoys a glass of Sparking and the odd day spa and pedicure for her own delight.

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MSF - Nicole Byrnes

Andrew Biele

SA Farmer Director

Director since 2014.
Andrew started his farming career on the 2,000ha mixed family farm at New Residence, west of Loxton SA. Encouraged to get a trade Andrew qualified as a mechanic and gained valuable machinery knowledge, always assisting in harvest, sowing and shearing during these busy times.

Andrew Biele

Director since 2014.

Andrew started his farming career on the 2,000ha mixed family farm at New Residence, west of Loxton SA. Encouraged to get a trade Andrew qualified as a mechanic and gained valuable machinery knowledge, always assisting in harvest, sowing and shearing during these busy times.

Andrew also has considerable experience in the Horticulture industry and holds an Advanced Diploma of Rural Business Management.

Andrew has also worked within SARDI managing field operations out of Loxton which involved all forms of research, including grain variety trials and frost research.

Andrew’s current position is Farm Manager of Bulla Burra Operations, a collaborative farming business, based at Loxton in the SA Murray Mallee. They manage 13,000ha of land and their cropping operation consists of 10,000ha of Wheat, Barley, Oats, Vetch, Lupins, Lentils, Peas, Chickpeas and Canola.

Having the drive to move forward and always looking to achieve operations effectively and efficiently, the passion to “Farm for the Future” is the motto for both Bulla Burra and Andrew.

Andrew is an active member of –

  • Director of Mallee Sustainable Farming
  • GRDC’s Regional Cropping Network Solutions low rainfall member
  • Riverland/Northern Mallee Spray Drift Working Group
  • Loxton District Land care Director
  • Loxton Pistol Club Secretary
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MSF - Andrew Biele

Ron Hards

VIC Farmer Director

Director since 2009
Ron Hards farms 3800ha with his son Nick at Yarrara in the Millewa area of North West Victoria.

Ron Hards

Director since 2009

Ron Hards farms 3800ha with his son Nick at Yarrara in the Millewa area of North West Victoria.

Ron has been associated with many organisations such as the Millewa Carwarp Landcare Group where he held the role of President for 6 years from 1987-1994. From 1989–2006 Ron was involved with the VFF Grains Council. From 1999–2003 Ron held the position of President of the VFF Grains Council and was also on the Farrer House Board for 4 years and during this period held various roles on the Grains Council of Australia, including Vice President and Treasurer.

From 2004 to 2006 Ron was a member of the Grain Corp Board and Audit Committee. He also has been involved with the Grain Growers Association for 2 years, 1 year as President in 2005/06.

In October 2009 Ron was appointed Treasurer. Ron is also a member of the MSF Finance and Audit (Chair), Executive, and Research, Development and Extension subcommittees.

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MSF- Ron Hards

Therese McBeath

Specialist Director

Director since 2021.

Therese joined the MSF Board in early 2021 as a Specialist Director. Her current role as a research Team Leader in the Systems program at the Adelaide CSIRO Agriculture and Food Waite Institute means Therese brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Therese has experience and qualifications in a range of research roles and agronomy.

Therese McBeath

Director since 2021

Research Team Leader Agriculture and Food, CSIRO

Therese joined the MSF Board in early 2021 as a Specialist Director. Her current role as a research Team Leader in the Systems program at the Adelaide CSIRO Agriculture and Food Waite Institute means Therese brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Therese has experience and qualifications in a range of research roles and agronomy.

Therese specialises in soil science and crop nutrition and is excited by the diverse challenges and opportunities that farming the Mallee holds. She particularly enjoys translating large and complicated datasets into practical solutions that can be implemented at farm-level for increased productivity in risky environments.

In her spare time, Therese loves to get out and about with her kids, exploring the Black Hill & Morialta Conservation near where she lives. She also loves getting back to the beaches on the West Coast.

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MSF - Therese McBeath

Kenton Porker

Specialist Director

Director since 2019.
Kenton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to MSF. Kenton grew up in the Mallee and started his career at SARDI in 2010 as a durum and barley agronomist before returning to the University of Adelaide to embark on a PhD with GRDC investment in 2014. Kenton returned to SARDI in 2017 to lead the Waite cereal agronomy group.

Kenton Porker

Director since 2019.

Kenton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to MSF, recently awarded the GRDC Southern Region 2019 Emerging Leader Award and the Australian Society of Agronomy 2019 Young Agronomist Award.

Kenton grew up in the Mallee and started his career at SARDI in 2010 as a durum and barley agronomist before returning to the University of Adelaide to embark on a PhD with GRDC investment in 2014. Kenton returned to SARDI in 2017 to lead the Waite cereal agronomy group.

Kenton has a strong reputation in the grains industry and is currently a lead scientist and collaborator on a number of important national agronomy initiatives across southern Australia through his proactive work with colleagues at CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries, La Trobe University and the University of Adelaide.

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MSF - Kenton Porker

MSF Team

Tanja Morgan

Program Manager

Tanja is from Jabuk and is a wife to @AdamMorgan77 (Twitter), a mother to three daughters, and partner of Morgan Partners Farms. As Tanja says, “multitasking at its finest or worst – depends on the day!”

We asked Tanja what she loves about living in the Mallee and this is what she said:
“I love the peace and quiet, roaming the farm with my Labradors by my side. Working for MSF and travelling through the tri-state area (before COVID-19), interacting with Mallee farmers from SA, VIC & NSW.
Low rainfall farmers demonstrate the meaning of resilience and making the most of what the land has to offer. Can’t go past the spectacular Mallee sunsets.”

MSF - Tanja Morgan

Michael Moodie

Research Contractor,
Frontier Farming Systems

Frontier Farming Systems comprises of a small team of experts led by Michael Moodie, a well-known professional who has 15 years’ experience of delivering research, development and extension to the Mallee and wider low rainfall farming region of Southern Australia.

Collectively, the Frontier Farming System’s team has more than 50 years combined experience in implementing activities such as small plot research trials, paddock-scale trials and demonstrations, resource monitoring programs, field days, workshops, seminars and the development of extension and communication products.

We value Michael and the Frontier Farming System’s team’s services and passion for dryland farming systems.

MSF - Michael Moodie

Kylie Aikman

Admin Business Manager

Kylie is from Underbool, Victoria and is MSF’s Business Administration Manager.
She is skilled at many things and is an expert at juggling her work with MSF while also helping out with the many jobs on the Aikman’s farm. Kylie is a wife to Mallee Farmer, Garth Aikman, a mother to two daughters. She loves helping out at various community and sporting events.

“I love living in the Mallee for its rural lifestyle. Wide open spaces with fresh air and loads of room for the kids to play and explore.”

Kylie keeps the business wheels of MSF turning. She is super organised and helps to make sure we do everything on time. We would be lost without her!

MSF - Kylie Aikman

Jenny Bennett

Board Support

Jenny Bennett was born in Mildura and was raised on a citrus and vine property. She married a Merbein “blockie” and having lived on the land all her life she is very interested in farming and agriculture. 

Jenny Bennett

Jenny Bennett was born in Mildura and was raised on a citrus and vine property. She married a Merbein “blockie” and having lived on the land all her life she is very interested in farming and agriculture.  She loves living in a rural area, with fresh air, plenty of space as well as socialising with friends of many years standing.

Jenny held secretarial roles at the National Bank, the Irymple Packing Pty Ltd and SuniTAFE in Mildura (32 years). She also gained a part time teacher certificate and taught Pitman’s shorthand and business topics.

She started taking minutes for MSF at its first Board meeting in 2017 and now works as Board Support Officer.  She enjoys working for a group that strives to invest so that its farming systems, in the dryland Mallee, can be as productive and resilient as possible.

Over the years Jenny has been heavily involved with local community groups.  She is a Justice of the Peace and currently Deputy Chair and Media Officer for the Sunraysia group of of Justices.  She is on the Board of the Christie Centre in Mildura, a Life Member of Merbein Historical Society and is active with exercise groups, and the Merbein Book Club.

She received a Centenary medal in 2001 and was awarded a Public Service Medal for her contribution to the community and education.

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MSF - Jenny Bennett
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