The search is on for farmers across Eyre Peninsula to join two influential committees and use local knowledge to help shape future agricultural research, development and extension priorities for the region.
Agricultural Innovation and Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) is seeking primary producers interested in joining its voluntary Low and Medium Rainfall committees.
These committees help to ensure AIR EP’s priorities meet the needs of farmers and the agricultural community within each rainfall zone across the EP.
AIR EP executive officer Naomi Scholz said the committees contributed considerably to the organisation’s success.
“Both the Low and Medium Rainfall Committees play a substantial role in the development and delivery of our research, development and extension work on the EP,” she said.
“These committees ensure our project priorities align with what farmers actually need in terms of new or tailored information, technologies and innovations that will help them deal with a unique set of challenges and opportunities they face in each rainfall zone.”
Both committees are a mix of broadacre farmers, livestock producers, researchers, universities, advisors and consultants, and corporate agribusiness members.
Each brings valuable information, perspectives and networks that shape the development of research, development and extension priorities for the regions, assist in monitoring local project progress, provide ideas for content for AIR EP events and communicate with the organisation’s members.
“While we have a broad cross-section of experience on each committee, we’re particularly wanting to increase the numbers of farmer representatives,” Ms Scholz said.
“Farmers have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture on both the upper and lower EP.
“Not every region is the same, so having a mix of farming experience on each committee is helpful when we’re setting our research priorities and understanding what’s going to make the biggest impact for them on-farm into the future.”
Medium Rainfall Committee chairman and lower EP farmer Dan Adams joined as a way to connect with other farmers and to learn more about local research – and the ways it could be applied to improve on-farm operations.
“Joining the committee is a great way to connect with other farmers and hear about the challenges they’re tackling, the innovative things they’re trying, and their ideas for doing better,” he said.
“Plus, you get to stay in the loop on the latest research and share your input to make it more research practical for farms across the Eyre Peninsula.
“The committee makes a valuable contribution to EP farmers by identifying local issues and knowledge gaps, ensuring that trial work is relevant and tailored to our local area.”
Being involved in the committee has been a rewarding experience, Mr Adams said.
“One of the most rewarding outcomes has been the Resilient EP project. The project brought together experts, consultants and farmers to improve understanding around soil moisture,” he said.
“This project has helped us to make smarter decisions on nitrogen and also highlight the benefits of summer weed control.”
Mr Adams said he would encourage other farmers to consider joining – both for the benefits being on the committee brings for producers, and for the local knowledge, experience and skills they can bring to enhance AIR EP’s work.
“Having a range of farmers contributing is crucial because of the diverse crops, enterprise mixes, farming practices and climatic conditions across the Eyre Peninsula,” he said.
“Each farmer brings unique perspectives and experiences. We also have a large range of climatic conditions, and having a diverse committee ensures we address a wide range of challenges and opportunities, across the region.”
The committees offer producers an opportunity to directly influence and inform research, development and extension decisions for local farmers.
Members also have the chance to regularly network with leading researchers and industry experts, plus share their experiences with other farmers and advisors.
Each committee meets at least three times a year – with meetings scheduled outside of peak farm operation periods.
Meeting locations are dependent on each committee’s member base.
The Medium Rainfall Committee usually meets at Cummins, while the Low Rainfall Committee often meets at Wudinna or Minnipa.
Travel costs are also reimbursed for members.
Anyone interested in joining is welcome to come along to one of the meetings to listen to the discussion, meet the other members and find out more.
For more information about the committees, visit airep.com.au/about/air-ep
