Building resilient farming systems, testing innovative soil technologies and helping farmers plan to get bigger yields on tight budgets are among the highlights in a packed event and research program for Ag Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) in 2026.
The coming year includes plenty of hands-on events, kicking off this week with the popular annual Pre-Sowing Member Days from 10-12 February, as well as an internship opportunity and a range of new research and extension projects with opportunities for farmer involvement.
AIR EP executive officer Naomi Scholz said the 2026 calendar would deliver practical events, programs and activities designed to meet the needs of EP farmers and better equip them for farming under challenging conditions.
“We’ve always been focused on providing practical skills and knowledge based on the latest research – especially research conducted under our unique Eyre Peninsula farming conditions,” she said.
“This year’s program continues to build resilience in our agricultural industry, and finding innovative ways to support farm productivity and operations.”
AIR EP’s Pre-Sowing Member Days returned for 2026 with the theme ‘Tight Budgets, Big Yields’.
Held in Wangary on 10 February, Wirulla on 11 February, and Rudall on 12 February, these days connect members with agricultural industry leaders, experts and researchers.
“The Pre-Sowing Member Days are a great opportunity to start planning for the coming season,” Ms Scholz said.
“These events will deliver a practical, paddock-ready program focus on the opportunities and speed bumps we expect heading into the coming season – and how farmers can reduce costs without compromising yields.”
AIR EP will also run Carbon Outreach workshops in coming weeks, and support Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Extension’s Sticky Beak Days for livestock and mixed farm producers centred on rebuilding after tough seasons (16-17 February), as well as run a Lower EP Crop Walk in September.
New projects launching this year include a five-year project on drought and climate resilient sheep farmers and landscapes tailor-made for low rainfall farming regions.
With funding from the Natural Heritage Trust Long Term Trial program, and led by Adelaide University, the project will establish a producer demonstration site at Kyancutta and assess improvements in natural capital and livestock productivity through improved pasture systems, and establishment of shrubs and trees in the landscape.
A Sustainable Agriculture program will run with funding support from the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, with soils-related workshops in the coming months.
An Innovative Soil Technologies project will investigate the effectiveness of nano gypsum applied to sodic soils and nano lime applied to acid soils, with and without deep ripping, compared to current practices on lower EP, to see if it is possible to speed up responses and address issues deeper in the soil, as part of the Natural Heritage Trust Climate Smart Program.
Farmers will have the opportunity to get involved with key projects.
Climate-Ready Livestock: Building Resilient Farming Systems on Eyre Peninsula is an 18-month project that will deliver a series of workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and extension resources for EP livestock and mixed farming producers.
Supported by the EP Landscape Board, with funding from the state government’s Landscape Priorities Fund, AIR EP is looking for passionate livestock producers and industry representatives who are interested in joining a Steering Committee to help shape the project’s content and delivery.
AIR EP is also seeking farmer feedback and suggestions on their pulse journey knowledge gaps, as part of the final year of a five-year Pulse Project in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
“Input from our farmers and industry representatives is critical to shaping the research and extension work we do,” Ms Scholz said.
“Their involvement ensures that our research meets the needs of our local producers, and that it delivers knowledge, skills, tools and understandings that can be used on Eyre Peninsula farms to increase productivity, efficiency and sustainability.”
AIR EP is also continuing its support for local agricultural training opportunities.
A 2026 Eyre Peninsula Internship in Applied Grains Research is currently open for applications, with funding support for the position from the SA Grain Industry Trust and SA Drought Hub. Find out more at iworkfor.sa.gov.au
“Supporting training programs allows us to bring additional agricultural research skills into our region and helps attract, develop and retain industry expertise which, in turn, goes on to benefit our farming community,” Ms Scholz said.
For more information about AIR EP and its events or to become a member, visit airep.com.au
