Struan – Kybybolite Best Practice Management Farm

At a glance

• Name: Struan-Kybybolite Best Practice Demonstration farm 
• Partners: Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Elders, Meat and Livestock Australia 
• Location: Struan, South Australia 
• Project commenced: November 2019 
• Project ends: Ongoing 
• Project objective: Demonstrate best management practice and the strategic use of AgTech to improve production efficiency in a commercial livestock business. 

About the site

The Struan – Kybybolite Best Practice Management farm allows farmers and their advisors to trial new technology.

The farm is the centre of a strategic partnership with the  South Australian government Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). This partnership utilises the Struan and Kybybolite research farms in South Australia’s south-east, developing them into a ‘best practice demonstration farm’ implementing the latest in management innovation and best practice, including the extensive use of AgTech to maximise production efficiency.

Research undertaken includes:

• crop agronomy
• revegetation
• cattle and sheep genetics
• grazing management
• meat production and quality
• animal wellbeing and behaviour
• livestock nutrition.

The farm facilities include a feedlot capacity of up to 200 cattle for nutrition and feedlot research, two centre pivots for irrigation capacity supporting pasture, parasite and other livestock trials and a TechnoGrazing™ system under irrigation and dry land conditions to increase pasture use. In addition, the Kybybolite Research Centre, approximately 35 km from Struan, includes a small sheep feedlot facility.

Watch an interactive video of the site

How the project works

The Struan – Kybybolite Best Practice Management farm project engages with commercial suppliers of AgTech through an expression of interest process, with eligible suppliers and equipment being implemented on the farm.

The performance of the farm is benchmarked and the value proposition for various pieces of equipment and their value to the farm enterprise is quantified.

All changes are then documented and the increases in productivity and profitability quantified. This then demonstrates how to sustainably increase profitability through innovation in management and technology.

Read the Stock Journal’s coverage of the farm’s field day in April 2021.

Getting involved

If you are a commercial supplier of AgTech and would like to become involved we encourage you to complete an expression of interest (EOI).

Expressions of interest are accepted on an ongoing basis and must meet set selection criteria. Before submitting an expression of interest, please read the Straun – Kybybolite farm EOI submission guide which explains the selection criteria, the types of AgTech required and how to apply.

Learn about our other industry projects.