CROP protection, carbon sequestration and nutrition management projects are among the beneficiaries of $3.12 million in new research funding from the South Australian Grain Industry Trust and its partners. 

In its first year under a new funding model, SAGIT has funded 23 new grains research projects to a value of $2.36M. Co-funding agreements have increased total project funding to $3.12M.

SAGIT chair Dr Andrew Barr said, despite crop production in 2024-25 being the lowest since 2008-09, a change to the levy collection method in 2024 from the previous rate of 30 cents per tonne to 0.12 per cent of farmgate value had enabled SAGIT to maintain consistent funding. 

This had enabled SAGIT to extend its reach, along with funding from Grains Research and Development Corporation, the SA Drought Hub, the SA Research and Development Institute and the SA Sheep Industry Fund.

“SAGIT has worked with each of these co-funders to ensure that where priorities overlap, we can quickly and efficiently reach a decision, allow the funds to flow and not burden researchers with extra reporting requirements,” Dr Barr said.

“We’re also pleased the changes to the grower levy are now in place, which sees SAGIT receive 0.12 per cent of the farm gate value of all grain sold by SA growers.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of South Australian grain growers who continue to see the value in funding a unique research organisation such as SAGIT.”

Dr Barr said it was also pleasing to see the strong engagement from the research community, with a total of 54 project applications submitted for this year’s funding allocation.

A wide range of projects has been funded, including those covering crop protection and disease management, weed management and herbicide use, soil health, climate resilience and risk management, market development, and capacity building. 

Successful applicants include Trengove Consulting of Bute, for a project to assess the role of grain protein maps in improving nitrogen fertiliser response across variable environments and crop rotations.

The Society of Precision Agri-culture Australia was funded to present the SPAA 2025 Precision Ag Expo and Frontier Farming Systems will investigate maximising the economic value of metribuzin tolerant lentils.

The Hart Field Site Group’s regional internship was also supported in the funding round.

The University of Adelaide was funded to assess the risks associated with dry sowing, to build capacity to manage exotic snails in grain crops, and to improve genetic diversity in barley for drought resilience.