MSF Blog

Can regenerative farming practices improve drought resilience in the Mallee? The STRAP project is comparing six farming system approaches through long-term trials, including sites at Murrayville and Balranald, to better understand their impacts on productivity, profitability, soil health and resilience.

A well-prepared harvester can make a significant difference to how much grain makes it into the bin. We look at practical ways to prepare for harvest, measure grain losses, improve machine efficiency and reduce fire risk.

Long coleoptile wheat was put to the test under challenging conditions in the South Australian Mallee in 2025. Trials at Waikerie and Bowhill explored sowing depth, establishment and herbicide interactions, providing valuable insights into where long coleoptile genetics may fit in Mallee farming systems.

Should I grow lentil in this paddock this season? Before sowing, consider five key factors that can influence success - from ground cover and paddock suitability to herbicide history, early biomass and seasonal outlook.

The tough 2025 season put early sown lentil and faba bean to the test across South Australia’s low rainfall environments. Find out what the trials revealed about crop choice, sowing timing, soil moisture and managing seasonal risk.

With another dry start across the South Australian Mallee in 2025, growers faced difficult sowing decisions. Demonstration trials at Bowhill, Waikerie and Lameroo explored whether deeper sowing could improve crop establishment and grain yield under challenging seasonal conditions. The results highlight where deep sowing can offer benefits – and where it may increase risk.

A new long-term MSF trial is exploring how legume-based cropping systems can improve profitability, soil fertility and resilience in the Mallee.

Test strips are helping growers cut through the noise around Variable Rate Technology. Hear from three Mallee farmers on how strip trials, data and local knowledge are shaping smarter input decisions in tough seasons.

Dr Nigel Wilhelm joins the MSF Farm Talk Podcast to explore early sowing, legume break crops, and taking a long-term approach to crop nutrition and farming system sustainability in low-rainfall zones.

Recent trials from the Derisking the Seeding Program are helping SA Mallee farmers make confident early sowing decisions. Discover insights into deep sowing, coleoptile varieties, and practical agronomic strategies.

Break crops in the Mallee offer flexibility, improving soil health, feed availability, and profitability. Discover how strategic management makes them key tools in resilient farming.

s sowing wheat early and deep in the Mallee worth it? Trials with the Baird family reveal key insights about crop emergence, yields, and the role of coleoptile length in deep sowing success.