"This government-industry collaboration will enable a world-class sustainable farming enterprise that will provide a platform for new research activities, ground-truthing of new technologies and demonstrating the latest commercial products, as well as being a resource for ongoing industry education."
Mark Allison - Elders CEO
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:
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.
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.
Read the Stock Journal article on the recent Reefinator trials held at Struan.
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.
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.
For more information including how you can partner with us, please call Dr Michael Wilkes, Head of Thomas Elder Institute on 0438211247.
If you want further information about any aspect of the Thomas Elder Institute, simply complete the form below and we’ll get back to you.