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Stop the sharing of home-grown produce

Four inspiring South Australian women selected as finalists for AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award

Alleged abalone traffickers caught red-handed

South Australia vigilant as H7 avian influenza detected in Victoria

New biosecurity legislation to advance SA passes Parliament

Inaugural Director commences to lead Forestry Centre of Excellence

Boost for drought resilience to SA's wine and vegetable sectors

Further $1.2m boost to SA’s regional community projects

Living it up at the golf? Don’t risk a $417 fine

Cutting edge research helping farmers on the Eyre Peninsula

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19 February 2025

Riverland residents in fruit fly outbreak areas are being urged to refrain from selling or sharing home-grown host fruits and vegetables.

17 February 2025

A leader in livestock reproduction technologies, a businesswoman combining technology, education and agriculture, a voice coach providing communication training to people in regional areas and an eco-conscious meal champion have been shortlisted as t…

14 February 2025

Three alleged abalone traffickers will face court after being caught with more than 35 kilograms of greenlip and blacklip abalone taken from South Australian waters.

11 February 2025

SA backyard or commercial poultry owners are being urged to closely monitor their flocks and report any signs of disease following the confirmation of highly pathogenic H7N8 avian influenza at an egg farm in northern Victoria.

7 February 2025

Contemporary legislation to strengthen protections for South Australia’s $18.5 billion primary industries, the environment, and the community from pests, diseases, and other biosecurity threats has passed both houses of State Parliament.…

5 February 2025

Professor Jeff Morrell has commenced as the first Director of the Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE), ready to lead the centre into its next chapter as an international leader in forest industries for research, education, product and market develop…

5 February 2025

As part of the Farm Business Resilience Program in South Australia, over $1 million has been allocated to grow the reach of a transformative program aimed at boosting drought resilience amongst South Australian viticulturalists and vegetable growers.…

5 February 2025

The State Government has allocated an additional $1.2 million in funding to help community groups in regional South Australia bring their projects to life.

5 February 2025

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding people from the Riverland visiting Adelaide for LIV Golf next weekend to leave restricted home-grown fruit and vegetables behind.

30 January 2025

Farmers across the Upper Eyre Peninsula will benefit from cutting-edge research to enhance productivity in a low-rainfall zone through a series of free events, thanks to the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), in the coming w…

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4

This free half-day professional development workshop is designed for farm owners, managers, and employees seeking to foster stronger relationships and collaboration.
Participants will gain practical techniques for managing stress, mediating conflicts, and improving communication to strengthen team and personal connections. To maximise the impact, partners and team members are encouraged to come along.
The interactive sessions include lunch and are free to attend.
Registration is essential to make sure you don't miss out – register to attend the workshop.
Contact Bron Stedall for more information:
Phone: 0492 269 752
Email: bstedall@pinionadvisory.com.
This event is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia. It is delivered by Pinion Advisory partnering with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
From Good to Great Teamwork workshop – Loxton

13

Virginia Horticulture Centre
942 Old Port Wakefield Road, Virginia
Join AusVeg, SA Produce Market, and PIRSA for the latest update and advice on the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) response at the next round of grower meetings. These will be held at 4 pm Thursday, 13 February and 7 am Friday, 14 February.
You are welcome to attend one or both meetings – the same topics will be covered.
The first meeting will be held at the Virginia Horticulture Centre. This meeting will be recorded and uploaded to the PIRSA website and YouTube channel for those unable to attend. Automated captions are available in multiple languages on YouTube.
A Vietnamese interpreter will be attending. AusVeg and PIRSA representatives will also be present to answer any questions you may have.
The second meeting will be held at the SA Produce Market in Pooraka.
Find more information on ToBRFV.
ToBRFV grower meeting at Virginia Horticulture Centre

14

SA Produce Market
Burma Road, Pooraka
Join AusVeg, SA Produce Market, and PIRSA for the latest update and advice on the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) response at the next round of grower meetings. These will be held on:
Thursday, 13 February – 4 pm at Virginia Horticulture Centre, 942 Old Port Wakefield Road, Virginia
Friday, 14 February – SA Produce Market, Pooraka.
You are welcome to attend one or both meetings – the same topics will be covered.
Please note, unlike the grower meeting at the Virginia Horticulture Centre:
this meeting will not be recorded
no interpreter will be present.
AusVeg and PIRSA representatives will be present to answer any questions you may have.
Find more information on ToBRFV.
ToBRFV grower meeting at SA Produce Market Pooraka

19

Plant Research Centre, University of Adelaide
Waite Road, Netherby
Growers, advisers, industry representatives and researchers are invited to the 2025 Acid Soils workshop, which will explore the State based progress and strategies for the best practice management of surface and subsurface acidity.
As part of 2022-25 GRDC Soil Acidity project (UOA2206-009RTX ) for the Southern Region, we are holding a national soil acidity meeting. This open meeting will provide an update on how key cropping states (SA, WA, Vic and NSW) are managing acidity.
Researchers and industry representatives will provide updates on key research and extension findings, plus future directions.
This is a great opportunity to bring State researchers, growers, advisers and industry representatives together to share knowledge and extend key findings across a range of climate, soil and crops.
This open meeting is for growers, advisers, agronomists, industry representatives and researchers.
This is a free event but registration is essential. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.
Register via Eventbrite.
Contact
Anita Giarratano
Phone: (08) 8332 3277
Email: anita.giarratano@agcommunicators.com.au
Soil acidity workshop
Meningie Sailing Club
This FREE workshop provides information on:
The current situation and spread of Varroa mite
Understanding Varroa mite and its impacts
The importance of monitoring and treatment thresholds
Integrated pest management inc. Chemical treatment options (organic and synthetic)
Brood location, frame rotation and management
Best practice record keeping
Customising your own Varroa treatment plans
National Virus Baselining Project.
NOTE: BYO Lunch, 12:00-12:30pm
Registration required
There are a limited number of seats available so please register to attend.
This workshop is free and is presented by PIRSA Varroa Development Officers.
Varroa Mite Management Workshop, Upper Southeast

20

This free half-day professional development workshop is designed for farm owners, managers, and employees seeking to foster stronger relationships and collaboration.
Participants will gain practical techniques for managing stress, mediating conflicts, and improving communication to strengthen team and personal connections. To maximise the impact, partners and team members are encouraged to come along.
The interactive sessions include lunch and are free to attend.
Registration is essential to make sure you don't miss out – register to attend the workshop.
Contact Bron Stedall for more information:
Phone: 0492 269 752
Email: bstedall@pinionadvisory.com.
This event is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia. It is delivered by Pinion Advisory partnering with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
From Good to Great Teamwork workshop – Robertstown

22

Loxton Research Centre
This FREE workshop provides information on:
The current situation and spread of Varroa mite
Understanding Varroa mite and its impacts
The importance of monitoring and treatment thresholds
Integrated pest management inc. Chemical treatment options (organic and synthetic)
Brood location, frame rotation and management
Best practice record keeping
Customising your own Varroa treatment plans
National Virus Baselining Project
NOTE: BYO Lunch, 12:00-12:30pm
Registration required
There are a limited number of seats available so please register to attend.
This workshop is free and is presented by PIRSA Varroa Development Officers.
Riverland Varroa Mite Management Workshop

24

Minnipa Sports Club
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), will host a series of farmer meetings across the Eyre Peninsula.
SARDI farmer meetings are held annually to showcase research from the Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC). MAC focuses on delivering high quality research outcomes to advance low rainfall farming systems.
The meetings will include a seasonal review of current research initiatives and provide farmers and advisors with the opportunity to engage directly with SARDI's Minnipa Agronomy team.
The meeting will cover topics such as:
stripper front harvest stubble systems and soil moisture
lentils and weed management
brome grass management
optimising barley biomass
barley grass management
derisking the seeding program
SA Discovery Farms
farm business resilience in dry conditions.
SARDI speakers will include Amanda Cook, Elijah Luo, Buddhi Chaudhary and Cathy Paterson.
A Farm Business Resilience session for on farm business and risk will also be delivered by Andy Bates (Bates Agricultural Consulting) and Barry Mudge (Barry Mudge Consulting).
Other dates and locations
Wirrulla Hotel – 25 February 2025, 9 am
Port Kenny Golf Club – 26 February 2025, 2 pm
Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Function Room – 27 February 2025, 2 pm
Rudall Sports Club – 3 March 2025, 2 pm
Lock Sports Club – 4 March 2025, 9 am
Cowell Institute Supper Room – 5 March 2025, 2 pm
Kimba Gateway Hotel – 6 March 2025, 9 am
The Minnipa and Wirrulla meetings will be followed by a workshop delivered by Jack Desbiolles (UniSA) and Belinda Cay (AgCommunicators): Are hybrid disc seeders an opportunity for higher residue systems?
SARDI Farmer Meetings 2025 are supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
Registration is not required.
More information
Nicole Baty
Phone: (08) 8680 6202
Email: Nicole.Baty@sa.gov.au
SARDI Farmer Meeting – Minnipa

25

SARDI Plant Research Room, Waite Campus
2B Hartley Grove
Urrbrae SA
Bordertown Football Club
Naracoorte Road
Bordertown SA
New and experienced agronomists are invited to build skills and knowledge on identifying and managing soilborne disease.
There is a workshop being held near Adelaide and another at Bordertown, both running from 9 am to 4 pm. These include accreditation for delivering:
Predicta B – the DNA-based soil testing service that enables growers to identify the soilborne pathogens posing greatest risk to their farm.
Predicta rNod – the DNA-based soil test for nitrogen-fixing rhizobia in pulses.
The courses are provided by expert local presenters and include:
introduction to cereal root disease and DNA soilborne disease tests
Predicta B sampling and interpreting results
modules on crown rot, rhizoctonia, and Pratylenchus, covering:
pathogen traits
impact of management and season
yield loss risk categories
control options and paddock follow-up.
Get tickets and more information, including registration terms and conditions.
Predicta B Soilborne Disease Workshops 2025
Wirrulla Hotel
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), will host a series of farmer meetings across the Eyre Peninsula.
SARDI farmer meetings are held annually to showcase research from the Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC). MAC focuses on delivering high quality research outcomes to advance low rainfall farming systems.
The meetings will include a seasonal review of current research initiatives and provide farmers and advisors with the opportunity to engage directly with SARDI's Minnipa Agronomy team.
The meeting will cover topics such as:
stripper front harvest stubble systems and soil moisture
lentils and weed management
brome grass management
optimising barley biomass
barley grass management
derisking the seeding program
SA Discovery Farms
farm business resilience in dry conditions.
SARDI speakers will include Amanda Cook, Elijah Luo, Buddhi Chaudhary and Cathy Paterson.
A Farm Business Resilience session for on farm business and risk will also be delivered by Andy Bates (Bates Agricultural Consulting) and Barry Mudge (Barry Mudge Consulting).
Other dates and locations
Minnipa Sports Club, 24 February 2025, 2 pm
Port Kenny Golf Club – 26 February 2025, 2 pm
Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Function Room – 27 February 2025, 2 pm
Rudall Sports Club – 3 March 2025, 2 pm
Lock Sports Club – 4 March 2025, 9 am
Cowell Institute Supper Room – 5 March 2025, 2 pm
Kimba Gateway Hotel – 6 March 2025, 9 am
The Minnipa and Wirrulla meetings will be followed by a workshop delivered by Jack Desbiolles (UniSA) and Belinda Cay (AgCommunicators): Are hybrid disc seeders an opportunity for higher residue systems?
SARDI Farmer Meetings 2025 are supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
Registration is not required.
More information
Nicole Baty
Phone: (08) 8680 6202
Email: Nicole.Baty@sa.gov.au
SARDI Farmer Meeting – Wirrulla

26

This free half-day professional development workshop is designed for farm owners, managers, and employees seeking to foster stronger relationships and collaboration.
Participants will gain practical techniques for managing stress, mediating conflicts, and improving communication to strengthen team and personal connections. To maximise the impact, partners and team members are encouraged to come along.
The interactive sessions include lunch and are free to attend.
Registration is essential to make sure you don't miss out – register to attend the workshop.
Contact Bron Stedall for more information:
Phone: 0492 269 752
Email: bstedall@pinionadvisory.com.
This event is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia. It is delivered by Pinion Advisory partnering with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
From Good to Great Teamwork workshop – Maitland
Predicta B Soilborne Disease Workshops 2025
Port Kenny Golf Club
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), will host a series of farmer meetings across the Eyre Peninsula.
SARDI farmer meetings are held annually to showcase research from the Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC). MAC focuses on delivering high quality research outcomes to advance low rainfall farming systems.
The meetings will include a seasonal review of current research initiatives and provide farmers and advisors with the opportunity to engage directly with SARDI's Minnipa Agronomy team.
The meeting will cover topics such as:
stripper front harvest stubble systems and soil moisture
lentils and weed management
brome grass management
optimising barley biomass
barley grass management
derisking the seeding program
SA Discovery Farms
farm business resilience in dry conditions.
SARDI speakers will include Amanda Cook, Elijah Luo, Buddhi Chaudhary and Cathy Paterson.
A Farm Business Resilience session for on farm business and risk will also be delivered by Andy Bates (Bates Agricultural Consulting) and Barry Mudge (Barry Mudge Consulting).
Other dates and locations
Minnipa Sports Club, 24 February 2025, 2 pm
Wirrulla Hotel – 25 February 2025, 9 am
Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Function Room – 27 February 2025, 2 pm
Rudall Sports Club – 3 March 2025, 2 pm
Lock Sports Club – 4 March 2025, 9 am
Cowell Institute Supper Room – 5 March 2025, 2 pm
Kimba Gateway Hotel – 6 March 2025, 9 am
SARDI Farmer Meetings 2025 are supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
Registration is not required.
More information
Nicole Baty
Phone: (08) 8680 6202
Email: Nicole.Baty@sa.gov.au
SARDI Farmer Meeting – Port Kenny

27

Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Function Room
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), will host a series of farmer meetings across the Eyre Peninsula.
SARDI farmer meetings are held annually to showcase research from the Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC). MAC focuses on delivering high quality research outcomes to advance low rainfall farming systems.
The meetings will include a seasonal review of current research initiatives and provide farmers and advisors with the opportunity to engage directly with SARDI's Minnipa Agronomy team.
The meeting will cover topics such as:
stripper front harvest stubble systems and soil moisture
lentils and weed management
brome grass management
optimising barley biomass
barley grass management
derisking the seeding program
SA Discovery Farms
farm business resilience in dry conditions.
SARDI speakers will include Amanda Cook, Elijah Luo, Buddhi Chaudhary and Cathy Paterson.
A Farm Business Resilience session for on farm business and risk will also be delivered by Andy Bates (Bates Agricultural Consulting) and Barry Mudge (Barry Mudge Consulting).
Other dates and locations
Minnipa Sports Club, 24 February 2025, 2 pm
Wirrulla Hotel – 25 February 2025, 9 am
Port Kenny Golf Club – 26 February 2025, 2 pm
Rudall Sports Club – 3 March 2025, 2 pm
Lock Sports Club – 4 March 2025, 9 am
Cowell Institute Supper Room – 5 March 2025, 2 pm
Kimba Gateway Hotel – 6 March 2025, 9 am
SARDI Farmer Meetings 2025 are supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
Registration is not required.
More information
Nicole Baty
Phone: (08) 8680 6202
Email: Nicole.Baty@sa.gov.au
SARDI Farmer Meeting – Ceduna

February 2025>