Collaboration between LEADA and SANTFA

Collaboration between LEADA and SANTFA

Alex Milner-Smyth (SANTFA) &Jordy Wilksch (LEADA)

Ag Excellence Forum – 25th-26th March 2013

SANTFA – The South Australian No-Till Farmer’s Association

Established to assist farmers in the adoption of no-till farming methods

Strong history of research & development and member engagement through crop walks, conferences and quarterly journal

Currently represents more than 750 members, who collectively farm more than 1.1million hectares


LEADA – Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association

Established in 2005 (post bushfires) to address local issues on LEP

Diverse farming systems, rainfall and soils on LEP

Found identity through work with canola and blackleg

Membership of approximately 85 ± 25


History of collaboration

Sharing information during the planning phase of trials

Sharing board members – Michael Treloar, Bruce Morgan.

Co-hosted grower days

Demonstration of group-led innovations (Aqua Jet)


Improved project design – build on shared knowledge

Better access to relevant technical information

Increased communication - better relationships between groups

Increased attendee numbers at grower days

Better value for sponsors, more sponsor involvement

Combined outcomes


Access to a wider pool of speakers and topic experts

Reduction in financial risk (splitting expenses)

Minimisation of saturating regions with too many grower days

Sharing, not duplication, of ideas and research


Combined outcomes (continued)

Managing sponsor expectations

‘I’ll just join one group’ – ensuring groups still build real value for their members

Ensuring topics are regionally relevant and in-line with both group’s strategic direction

What would happen if one group disbanded or didn’t want to hold a grower day anymore?

Potential Risks


Access to a wider network of research and researchers

Ability to access specialist key note speakers outside existing networks

Increased grower interest and turnout to field days

Demonstration of new innovation (Water Jet)

Benefits - LEADA


Ability to use local knowledge (venues, topics, etc) when organising grower days from 500km away!

Access to non-SANTFA members - good for funding partners and sponsors

Combination of ideas from both groups keeps grower day topics from becoming stale

Development of relationships encourages communication and results in the sharing of ideas and future collaborative arrangements – i.e. trials and extension work

Benefits - SANTFA


SANTFA / LEADA grower day – spring 2013?

Input of ideas (GRDC / LEADA stubble management project)

Network established for sharing upcoming events to an audience beyond one group’s database.

Opportunities for future collaboration


Questions?


LEADAJordy Wilksch – Chair Person

P: 0428 865 055E: [email protected]

SANTFAAlex Milner-Smyth – Executive Officer

P: 8842 4278M: 0412 6333 70

E: [email protected]

For more information on LEADA or SANTFA


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Collaboration between LEADA and SANTFA