About us

More profitable farming in high rainfall zones

Australia's higher rainfall zones offer wonderful opportunities for farmers. However, they require management practices that are often unique.

Southern Farming Systems is a farm driven, non-profit organisation helping higher rainfall farmers with real world research and information that produces real world results.

Real world research and real world results for higher rainfall farmers

In 1995 the six founding members of Southern Farming Systems got together to find ways of making farming in the higher rainfall zone more profitable. Their problems were often different from those faced by farmers in other areas and different solutions would be required.

They set out to help themselves and in so doing created an organisation that now boasts 800 members in five branches across two states. It maintains international affiliations and has a strong link with the Foundation for Arable Research in New Zealand.

Southern Farming Systems’ success comes from strict adherence to the vision and objectives established by those pioneers. Its focus is totally on the higher rainfall zone. All research is of a practical nature and designed to produce real world solutions.

It provides a network for its members to share ideas and experiences. Strong partnerships have been established with research and extension agencies, and agribusiness.

These partnerships are hugely beneficial but at all times Southern Farming Systems remains an independent provider of quality information.

Control of waterlogging in cropping paddocks was seen by early members as critically important. They felt it would give the greatest return in the short term and decided to concentrate resources on this problem.

The result was the adaptation of raised bed technology to broadacre cropping. This system has been implemented across approximately 70,000 ha of the higher rainfall zone contributing to improved crop yields and farm profitability.

More Than Raised Beds

While Southern Farming Systems is best known for its work in this area, there is far more to the organisation than raised beds. It now has several livestock programs and is looking at the farm system as a whole. Environmental matters also figure prominently in future planning.

Attention is paid to community and social factors affecting farming and a leadership program has been implemented.

Precision farming is a logical extension of raised bed technology and development of Controlled Traffic applications now features strongly on Southern Farming Systems’ agenda.

Grain & Graze

Southern Farming Systems played a key role in establishing Grain & Graze in the Corangamite and Glenelg-Hopkins catchments and now runs a series of activities supported by MLA, AWI, GRDC, Land & Water Australia and the National Landcare Program.

They are designed specifically for higher rainfall areas and include:

  • Integrated pest management (IPM)
  • Managing winter feed shortages and incorporating lucerne into farming systems
  • Grazing cereals without compromising grain production
  • Managing pasture waterlogging
  • Managing native pastures detailing relevant projects with real benefits
Stubble Management

Southern Farming Systems works with the GRDC and the National Landcare Program to develop stubble retention methods which reduce tillage requirements and dependence on burning.

Retaining stubble offers significant economic benefits by reducing erosion and nutrient loss. It also helps reduce air pollution, but pest problems can increase and Southern Farming Systems is tackling this issue.

The stubble management program covers:

  • Stubble retention techniques
  • Better machinery solutions
  • Controlled traffic
  • Inter-row seeding
Cereal Disease Management

Southern Farming Systems is investigating how different wheat and barley varieties respond to disease pressures and what is the most appropriate fungicide strategies for different varieties.

These strategies need to take account of resistant varieties and ensure that returns are maximised. Control measures have to be cost effective.

In recent years the relationship between disease control and canopy management has been better understood. Timeliness of nitrogen applications can control canopy growth. Overly developed canopies can lead to increased disease pressures.

Membership - What's In It?

You will be supporting and participating in an organisation that is bringing real, practical benefits to farming in the higher rainfall zones of southern Australia. All information is designed for day to day use on your farm.

  • Network with leading farmers
  • Share information and experiences
  • Access practical knowledge you can take away and use
  • Receive a copy of the annual results booklet detailing relevant projects with real benefits
  • Free attendance at Results Sessions
  • Four newsletters per annum (minimum)
  • Free entry to all Southern Farming Systems field days
  • Early warning e-mail alerts (as appropriate)
  • Opportunity to participate in Southern Farming Systems projects
Brochure

Download full colour membership brochure (760kb .pdf)  Join SFS Now!

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