Farmers across the Mallee are in for a no-nonsense, hands-on learning experience at the upcoming MSF Mallee Research Updates—a must-attend event featuring real solutions for real farm challenges. Following a drought in 2024, this year’s event will showcase practical ways to boost efficiency, manage risk, and maximise farm productivity.
Our keynote presenter for the events is Mary O’Brien, founder of Are You Bogged Mate?, an initiative tackling mental health challenges in rural communities with a straight-talking, relatable approach. Mary understands the pressures of farming and brings a refreshing, no-nonsense perspective on keeping things in check – both in the paddock and in life.
Rural men face a unique set of pressures – managing rising input costs, unpredictable seasons, the pressure to keep a family farm going, and the mental load of wearing multiple hats as agronomists, business managers, mechanics, and marketers. Are You Bogged Mate? shines a light on mental health in the bush, encouraging men to look out for their mates and seek support when things get tough. Mary talks about breaking down stigma and recognising that speaking up takes just as much strength as working through the hard times.
But Mary isn’t just here to talk mental health – she’s a spray application guru, and she’ll be sharing practical, efficiency-driven strategies on spray drift risk management, application precision, and chemical best practice. Her workshops focus on getting chemicals on target, reducing waste, and improving compliance while saving money. If you’re looking to cut costs without cutting corners, this session is a must.
Soil Smarts with Charlie Carbon & Sandy Grain
Two new team members are stepping up to help farmers navigate soil management – meet Charlie Carbon and Sandy Grain. These engaging new mascots will be leading the way in promoting two exciting initiatives designed to provide farmers with reliable, easy-to-access soil information via social media and web platforms.
Soils Connect is a dynamic platform showcasing soil management in action, featuring practical examples from different regions and a comprehensive resource library that makes soil-related decision-making easier.
Farmers will have direct access to real-world insights, ongoing Question and Answer forums with technical experts, providing more time for decision making and spending less time searching for answers.
In addition, the new 101 Questions About Soils book (funded by the SA Grain Industry Trust) was developed by asking farmers what they wanted to know but hadn’t had the chance to ask. This resource compiles common soil management questions into a practical, easy-to-understand format that helps farmers better understand soil constraints, the reason for soil management strategies, and apply real solutions to real problems.
Charlie and Sandy will be the familiar faces delivering soil knowledge through engaging social media content, updates, and stories, ensuring farmers can tap into useful and relevant soil information anytime, anywhere.
These two initiatives are designed to help farmers cut through complexity and focus on what really matters – efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Research, Recommendations & Risk
Joining Mary at the Mallee Research Updates will be MSF’s Research Manager Penny Roberts, who will break down last year’s trial results including the impact of soil amelioration, long coleoptiles, and nitrogen management in a dry season and what it means for 2025.
Crop nutrition expert, Sean Mason, Agronomy Solutions, will be covering fertiliser strategies and where potential savings could be made and Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO, will discuss how farmers can navigate risk and make smarter, more confident decisions in an unpredictable climate. Rick’s session will focus on the tools that inform on farm decisions such as summer weed control, seeding decisions, as well as decision making involved in adopting autonomous tractors on a typical Mallee farm.
Event Details and Registration
The Mallee Research Updates will be held at key locations across the tri-state region, delivering region-specific information that farmers can take home and put into action.
Tuesday 4th March – Mildura Rowing Club, 8.45am-3pm
Wednesday 5th March – Balranald RSL, 8.45am – 3pm
Thursday 6th March – Pinnaroo Football Club, 8.45am – 3pm
Friday 7th March – Karoonda Football Club, 8.45am – 3pm
Registrations are now open, and farmers, agronomists, and industry reps won’t want to miss this one.
For more information and to register visit https://msfp.org.au/events/
