Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) will kick off its 2026 Mallee Research Update event series this month, delivering nine events across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Running from late February through to mid-March, the events will bring growers, advisors and industry together to explore the latest research outcomes, practical agronomy insights and on-farm strategies tailored to Mallee farming systems.

The program includes five Mallee Research Updates and four Pre-Seeding Workshops, with a strong focus on translating trial results into practical decision-making ahead of the 2026 season.

MSF’s Communications and Extension Manager, Sarah Day, said the events are designed to help growers make confident decisions in the face of increasingly complex season conditions, soil limitations and input pressures.

“These events provide growers with relevant, region-specific information and tools they can confidently apply on farm after a challenging few seasons.,” Ms Day said.

“We’re bringing together a strong mix of researchers, advisors and industry specialists to share insights from across trials and paddocks and how they can be used to de-risk decisions leading into seeding.”

Event dates and locations
• 26 FEB 2026 | Mallee Research Update – Dareton, NSW
• 3 MAR 2026 | Mallee Research Update – Murrayville, VIC
• 4 MAR 2026 | Mallee Research Update – Manangatang, VIC
• 5 MAR 2026 | Pre-Seeding Workshop – Millewa, VIC
• 11 MAR 2026 | Mallee Research Update – Karoonda, SA
• 12 MAR 2026 | Mallee Research Update – Browns Well, SA
• 17 MAR 2026 | Pre-Seeding Workshop – Murray Plains, SA• 18 MAR 2026 | Pre-Seeding Workshop – Bowhill, SA
• 19 MAR 2026 | Pre-Seeding & VRT Forum – Lameroo, SA

Speakers
The 2026 program features speakers from MSF, state agencies, universities, CSIRO and industry, including:

Sarah Day (MSF), Penny Roberts (MSF), Sean Mason (Agronomy Solutions), Chris McDonough (Insight Extension for Agriculture), Michael Moodie, Brian Hughes (PIRSA), Jeremy Nelson (Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board), Peter Boutsalis (Plant Science Consulting), Lyndon May (Elders), Ed Scott (Soil & Land Co), Amanda Schapel (PIRSA), Louise Brok (MSF), Roger Harrower (Agriculture Victoria), Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), Chris Davey (WeedSmart), Brendan Brown (CSIRO), Peter Weir (Federation University Australia) and Ali Bajwa (La Trobe University).

Topics
The 2026 Mallee Research Update and Pre-Seeding Workshop program will cover a broad range of practical and timely topics, drawing on MSF’s 2025 trial results and the latest research from across the region.

Attendees can expect insights into managing soils after drought, amendments for sandy soils, grain legumes and rotations, methods to stabilise sandy soils, and strategies to de-risk seeding systems.

The program will also explore nitrogen decision-making, variable rate technology and nutrition management, including how to better use yield and protein maps to maximise returns while managing risk.

A strong emphasis will be placed on weed and herbicide management, including demonstrations of summer fallow weed control strategies aimed at reducing costs, lentil weed management, and the interactions between herbicides and soil. Pulse management will feature prominently, with sessions on lentil decision tools, early sown pulses and the role of long-term crop sequences.

Practical case studies addressing dry saline land, mallee seeps and other challenging soil constraints will also be discussed. The program will be rounded out with updates from the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, providing growers with the latest information on opportunities and considerations in this space.

To find out more about each event, head to our events page HERE!

Dr Penny Roberts presenting at last year’s Mallee Research Update in Karoonda, SA.