MSF regional internship

To identify break crop options suitable for grazing with good early biomass production and ground cover.

Key objectives

Identify break crop grazing options that can germinate from depth, survive early drought, and produce early biomass and ground cover to fill the early feed gap in mixed farming systems.

Investigate the recovery of ground cover after early grazing.

Evaluate the benefits of subsequent crops, including weed control and soil moisture conservation.

MSF Regional Internship

South Australian Mallee Regional Internship in Farming Systems and Applied Grains Research and Extension.

Objectives

The SA Mallee Regional Internship in Farming Systems and Applied Grains Research and Extension provides an opportunity for an early career graduate to pursue a career in applied research and extension, provide hands-on experience of regional research, and develop an understanding of the challenges of farming in the low rainfall zone.

Improvements

To improve the capacity of grains research, development, and extension in the Mallee

Development

To further develop applied research, extension and communication skills of recent graduates so they will be able to make an improved contribution to the grains R, D & E industry in South Australia.

Support

To promote career opportunities in agriculture in the Mallee.

 

About me

Simone is the first Research Intern for Mallee Sustainable Farming in 2025, funded by SAGIT and SA Drought Hub. Growing up on a 4500 ha broadacre and prime lamb farm in the Murray Mallee of South Australia, she understands the region’s farming challenges and opportunities.

With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide, Simone combines technical knowledge with practical, on-farm experience and is excited to learn more about applied field research and extension over the next 12 months.

About the project

While previous studies, such as those in the Grain & Graze projects, have explored the economic benefits of break crops on subsequent wheat yields and dual-purpose cereals used for grazing, limited research has focused on the immediate value of break crops, particularly in addressing early feed gaps in low rainfall areas.This project investigates the potential of using break crops to fill the autumn feed gap in the northern mallee region of South Australia. By doing so, it aims to ease the pressure on broadacre cropping programs and reduce reliance on costly supplementary feeding in the region.

Key objectives

  • Identify break crop grazing options that can germinate from depth, survive early drought, and produce early biomass and ground cover to fill the early feed gap in mixed farming systems.
  • Investigate the recovery of ground cover after early grazing.
  • Evaluate the benefits of subsequent crops, including weed control and soil moisture conservation.

Next steps

The next phase of the project involves site selection and preparation for seeding. The site will be based at Waikerie, South Australia.  Seeding will focus on meeting depth and timing requirements to ensure successful germination and establishment, with careful attention to early biomass production and ground cover.

Ongoing monitoring and data collection will track crop performance and feed gap fulfilment.

Gallery

Working together with farmers

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