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What started as a small group of progressive farmers has grown into a respected, farmer‑driven, not‑for‑profit organisation with a team of 15 dedicated staff.

In this video, we explore the story of SFS — how it evolved from grassroots collaboration into a trusted source of research, knowledge and on‑farm innovation. You’ll hear about the key milestones and achievements along the way, and how practical research has shaped real farming decisions across seasons, systems and regions.

We also look back at the moments where SFS was ahead of its time — asking the hard questions early, trialling new approaches on‑farm, and backing growers with evidence long before it was mainstream.

Whether you’re a farmer looking to stay ahead, an advisor supporting grower decisions, or simply interested in how research and practice come together, this conversation offers valuable insights into what makes farmer‑led research so powerful.

▶️ Watch Now to learn:

How SFS grew from farmers, for farmers

The role research has played in changing farming practices

Why early innovation matters in building resilient farm systems

Subscribe to stay connected with farmer‑driven research and real‑world insights.

Learn more about SFS: https://sfs.org.au/

Join or support SFS: https://sfs.org.au/forms/membership

Join Scott Chirnside, Col Hacking, Bruce Wilson and George Burdett as they reflect on the early days of Southern Farming Systems (SFS) and the motivations that brought it to life.

In this legacy video, our founders look back on what inspired growers in the high rainfall zones of South‑West Victoria to seek better answers for their farming systems—and to come together to form an independent, grower‑driven organisation focused on practical research and shared learning.

Thirty years on, SFS continues to deliver outcomes shaped by growers, for growers.

▶️ Watch, reflect, and celebrate the story behind SFS.

Learn more about SFS: https://sfs.org.au/

Join or support SFS: https://sfs.org.au/forms/membership

Boosting pastures with Gibberellic Acid during the winter feed gap.

This short video covers: Application guidelines, Grazing Management, combining Gibberellic Acid with Urea & Cost comparison.

📖Learn More: https://sfs.org.au/project/mla-innovative-mixed-farming-project

📚Access Resources: https://sfs.org.au/resource/mla-innovative-mixed-farming-project

👀Read Producer Case Studies: https://sfs.org.au/resource/innovative-mixed-farming-project-case-studies

This webinar is designed for South West Victorian farmers experiencing drought conditions, providing practical guidance to support feedbase planning through autumn and winter.

This webinar explores how farmers can be financially proactive during periods of uncertainty, with practical advice to support informed decision-making and business resilience.

Guest presenters Karen Brady and Matt Soul from Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West share insights on:

Managing financial uncertainty in a farming context

Strengthening business planning and cash flow awareness

Available support services and practical next steps for farm businesses

This session is relevant for growers, farm managers, and anyone seeking guidance on navigating financial challenges in agriculture.

🔗More information on Uncertain Times https://sfs.org.au/project/uncertain-times-workshop-reset-recover-regenerate

Presented by Southern Farming Systems, South West Node of the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West.

In this video, we explore 5 years of mixed cover cropping systems trials in Tasmania, through an in-depth discussion with Michael Nichols, a farmer from Sisters Creek, and Mark Farrell from CSIRO.

TopSoils member Robyn Williams enjoyed the TopSoils events and farm planning. Currently conducting a demonstration on renovating pasture paddocks, monitoring and grazing management.

TopSoils member David Read has enjoyed the events and webinars.  Trialing multi species crops for grazing, more diversity and feed.  African lovegrass is a hardy, drought-tolerant grass that grows in clumps. It is poor quality feed for livestock and can quickly colonise pastures. Several control methods have been tried by the group.

TopSoils member Craig Lloyd has done lots of soil testing and identified acidity as an issue constraining his production and TopSoils has assisted in experimenting with different Lime products.

TopSoils group member Rob Wilson has found the learning process the most valuable from the  TopsSoils program. He has changed management using rotational grazing with smaller paddocks and has a greater understanding of sustainable farming systems.

TopSoils Group member Jen Smith has used the fundamentals of TopSoils of understanding measuring and managing our soils with fellow group members and experts. Giving them the confidence to try new systems and ask the questions.

TopSoils member Matt Jenkins has found the knowledge gained through TopSoils has given him the confidence to use a couple of methods to renovate a run down farm and rejuvenate the land.

TopSoils group member Neil Stringer runs a family farm, mixed prime lamb and merino enterprise. TopSoils has highlighted the need to explore soil carbon and biology. Through soil testing programs TopSoils explain the science behind the recommendations, that is independent. And doing trials with liming, cultivation and deep rooted perennials to improve pastures.

TopSoils group member Jenny Trail, Angus cattle enterprise, has learnt how to utilise soil testing and tissue sampling.  Understanding and knowing what the paddock needs. Keeping ground cover and rotational grazing. TopSoils provides access to expertise and broader knowledge.

TopSoils group member Ken Stuart attended most of the TopSoils events, it has encouraged him to experiment with compost, sawdust and manures to feed the soil for better water infiltration.

TopSoils group member Lou & Rose Maher have enjoyed the networking and expertise of the group. Learning to manage the underground livestock in the soil.

TopSoils group member Emily Richards values the networking opportunities with like minded people TopSoils provides.  They are experimenting with multi species cover crops, mulching and strip tillage of the cash crops, feeding the soil.  TopSoils increases their confidence to experiment with new farming systems.

TopSoils group member Peter Honey aim is to have a farm that supports us and the land.  Water is essential for plant growth and having healthy soils that have water holding capacity and nutrient holding capabilities.

TopSoils group member Vanessa Ingram-Daniels runs a cow calf breeding enterprise that uses rotational grazing systems.  TopSoils has helped her understand the importance of soil tests, how to feed the soils and maintain ground cover.

Top Soils group member Jo Trevaskis is a 5th generation farmer at Wairewa, working with her family using regenerative farming practices.  Sharing her experiences and learning journey with the curve balls of fire and drought.

The Top Soils project has 5 major delivery partners and focuses on supporting 5 farmer focus groups (geographically located in Gippsland – High Country, Far East, Plains, Foothills, Snowy River).   It is farmers driving their own learning and adopting better soil management practices, supported by in field trials and demonstrations.

Livestock Containment Areas are often associated with drought, but they are useful in any season. Hear from Mark Williams, mixed farmer in the South West of Victoria, discussing his livestock containment area and its’ uses, design and functionality in his farm system.

After viewing please complete a short evaluation survey https://forms.office.com/r/4QtaZwz8Ui

This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 3 finishes with contractor Andrew Caldow and farmer Ed Weatherly sharing the processes of drainage using laser levelling bucket.  Andrew discusses the process of mapping, designing to implementation of drainage and what he has learnt as a contractor.  Ed provides the farmer’s perspective his learnings and the farm production results. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 2 explores raised beds and spoon drains with Lachie Morrison near Inverleigh South West Victoria.  Lachie shares his journey from mapping, designing to implementation and the results.  His experiences and tips of if I had known this before I started, it would have taken the stress out of it moments are invaluable for anyone venturing down this path. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.

Southern Farming Systems Farm Focus video’s are brought to you by Greta Duff SFS, on drainage.  Waterlogging is an on-going issue in the high rainfall zone, through a GRDC project SFS explores different ways farmers are mitigating waterlogging in their farming systems.  The drainage strategies farmers have implemented in South west Victoria range from subsoil amelioration, subsurface drains, raised beds, spoon drains and strategic laser levelling of paddocks.  Hear from real farmers and how they took their farming system struggle from, where do I start? To building/designing machinery, finding a contractor, to in paddock works and what results are they are seeing.

Episode 1 starts the drainage journey with Todd Venning near Hamilton in South West Victoria. Todd and his family have embarked on a major investment into their soils by researching, trialing, designing, building a subsoil amelioration machine to ameliorate their soils and then complementing this with subsurface drainage system. Watch now!

These videos are a series produced for the Strategies for waterlogged crops in the High Rainfall Zone of the Southern Region project supported by Grains Research & Development Corporation.

The Victoria Drought and Innovation Hub in action! Take a look at our latest projects on climate resilience and drought preparedness across the state.

At what price is there a place for bagged N in pastures (beef/cattle)?

• If additional nitrogen is being supplied as fertiliser – what application rates should be used, how many applications per year, when should these applications occur (timing, growing conditions) and which pastures should be targeted?
• Is there any role for using soil testing to monitor N levels in pastures and, if so, how do we make it accurate?
• What are the environmental implications of increasing nitrogen levels in a perennial pasture system and how to minimise them? N losses, denitrification, leaching.

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How much N do we get from clovers and when?

• If relying on legumes in the pasture system to supply the required nitrogen, how can nitrogen fixation be maximised?
• If using both N fertiliser and clover, what rules apply to maximise production & profit?

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How important is nitrogen in terms of improving pasture growth?

• Pasture nitrogen requirements – how much is needed?
• N cycle - when is N supplied & when is it deficient? How do clovers and organic nitrogen fit into the cycle?
• What is the speed of the N cycle through mineralisation and what affects this rate?
• What yield advantage can be gained by supplying more nitrogen to perennial pastures?

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Maintaining a high proportion of desirable perennial grass in a pasture requires active management. This video runs through the key things you need to get right, so you can lift or maintain desirable grass content and make your pastures more productive, persistent and able to resist weed invasion.

More information www.sfs.org.au or Contact E:office@sfs.org.au

Some annual grass weeds can reduce the quality, productivity and persistence of your pastures. Winter cleaning is an effective tactic to reduce annual grass weeds. Watch this video to learn the process of winter cleaning and what you need to consider when using this herbicide method.

If you want pastures without troublesome annual weeds then watch this video on spray-topping. It shows you the critical factors to help you improve perennial grass and clover content and extend the productive life of sown pastures.

This video helps you develop basic skills in sub-clover cultivar identification and narrow down what sub-clover cultivars are growing in your paddocks. Not being able to identify problem sub-clover cultivars means up to 30% winter production could be forfeited if growing outdated varieties or oestrogenic sub-clovers that impact on sheep reproduction go unrecognised.

More info www.sfs.org.au or  office@sfs.org.au

With all the talk about climate change have you ever wondered what it might mean for your farming business?  What impact will there be on crop yields, pasture growth and farm profit?  If I need to be prepared, what changes should I be thinking about?

Southern Farming Systems have received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund to conduct analysis on 32 crop and livestock farms in South West Victoria to understand the likely impact of different climate change predictions.

For more information watch this short video

To register your interest contact Tahlia Ferguson SFS, E: tferguson@sfs.org.au, M: 0418 462 967

Presenter Dr Susan Orgill, NSW DPI addresses the following scenario: Carbon, it’s all that’s talked about. My kids want me to do something to help the environment and there seems to be lots of benefits in improving soil carbon and I don’t want to miss out if there is money to be made from carbon trading. But I hear it’s tricky to tell if you are actually making a difference and to do this you need to monitor over a long time or test carbon fractions. I’m not sure that my carbon levels are even that bad and that its worth lifting them. How do I even tell and if I do try and improve, what’s the best way to improve soil carbon? The neighbours are putting on compost and I have heard about special pasture renovators and even biological stimulants to increase soil carbon.

Presenter: Dr Mark Farrell, CSIRO addresses the following scenario: Healthy soils are the foundation of a productive and profitable grazing system. In the past the focus on achieving a healthy soil and pasture has been meeting sufficient levels of available nutrients by fertilising. However today some producers are querying the response they are getting from their traditional fertilisers given the money they spend; fertiliser just doesn’t seem to work like they used to. Understandably many question if they are getting good value for the fertiliser investment. When combined with recent discussion around achieving balanced soil condition, holistic soil management, feeding the soil bugs and ‘natural’ fertilisers, it is not surprising many of us are wondering what’s the right way to go.

Dr James Hunt talks about optimizing wheat yield through selection of variety for its optimal flowering time in the HRZ.

Australian farming is one of the riskiest businesses in the world because of climatic conditions, prices and our reliance on export markets. This video explores concepts around risk in farming. It explains volatility, the limitations with using averages to understand risk, correlations between yields and prices and how to frame the odds to inform risky decisions. It also shows ways of presenting information so the risk can be appreciated.

We commonly make decisions without thinking too much about them, using previous ‘rules’ to guide the choices we make. But are these rules always the best to follow and could they be leading us to make poorer decisions? This video explores the concept of Rules of Thumb and how to test if they are appropriate for the next big decision you are going to make.

Many decisions in farming are complex. There are often multiple factors to weigh up but may not be of equal importance. We also know complex decision are influenced by our head, heart and gut. This video steps through a simple process to help make more informed decisions using a seven-step process called a decision matrix.

Applying organic matter to improve crop production on clay soils in medium and high rainfall zone environments has received widespread interest but to date grain growers remain uncertain about adoption. This uncertainty arises from unpredictable yield responses, insufficient stocks of some ameliorants such as animal manures, access to suitable machinery and initial high upfront costs ($1200-1400/ha).

Managing annual ryegrass is a challenge in the HRZ of Victoria.

The design of the Southern Farming Systems variety by management trials has evolved over recent of years, with 2020 presenting a combined approach of 2018 and 2019. In each trial in 2020 there is again more than one variety, allowing a direct variety comparison, but the ability to separate out management factors of Variety, Plant Growth Regulators and Nitrogen to determine specifically where the differences are coming from has been retained.

This year, Southern Farming Systems Variety by Management (SFS VxM) trials includes two canola trials located at our Inverleigh and Lake Bolac sites. These trials are presented in a three-way factorial design comparing time of sowing, variety, and fertiliser application at Inverleigh, and variety, fertiliser, and PGR application at Lake Bolac.

There has been increasing discussion around soil carbon in recent years, partly because of a possible way of capturing atmospheric carbon to offset global warning and partly because of the association with regenerative agriculture. Many benefits are related to increasing soil carbon, one of which is increasing the soil water holding capacity or soil water bucket.

The main foliar diseases affecting faba beans in Victoria include cercospora leaf spot, ascochyta blight and chocolate spot.

Winter Crop Walk Series – Audrey Gripper SFS, Alistair Crawford ADAMA & James Considine Syngenta. Southern Farming Systems host trial at Hamilton Branch Lake Linlithgow Trial Site looking at new pre-emergent herbicides in Faba Beans.

The next phase of yield and biomass gains in Victoria’s medium and high rainfall zones will be aided by better understanding soils, soil constraints and soil amelioration technologies.

The injection of organic amendments into the subsoil has been promoted as a way of overcoming one of the major impediments to improving crop yields in the HRZ of Victoria - hostile subsoils.

The webinar features leading Frost Research Expert Kelly Angel, BCG and local agronomists, discussing the latest research and approaches to managing frost on-farm. With SFS farmers sharing their experiences and ideas to direct future research investment.

Better Frost Decisions is an extension project that aims to assist farmers in frost-prone areas to make better-informed decisions to help farm businesses better manage (and reduce) the risk and impact from frost. Better Frost Decisions is part of a national GRDC investment through the project “Applying current knowledge to inform grower decision making to mitigate the impact of frost, now and in the future”, with Mallee sustainable Farming coordinating this project across the Southern Region.

This video steps though the stages of sub-clover growth and what management is required so we consistently have good clover years.

Spray grazing is an effective tactic for selectively removing capeweed from mixed pastures. It is the combination of both herbicide and grazing intensity and timing that greatly influences the effectiveness of this treatment.

Barley Disease Management evaluating products Maxentis and Proviso against industry standards.

This GRDC project, now in its third year, is looking at optimising seed placement, plant establishment, plant densities and row spacings to maximise crop yield. As a part of this Southern Farming Systems are undertaking paddock scale trials in both canola and faba beans.

Southern Farming Systems Herbicide Matrix trial evaluating the crop tolerance of broadleaf crops to a range of herbicide products and timings.

XC & CT Canola Technologies IWM Trial at Southern Farming Systems Satellite Site.

The main aim of these member trials is to evaluate the effectiveness of different levels of management in any given season. Using varieties GrainSearch Bottler, GrainSearch Nitro, SeedForce RGT Planet, AGF Seeds Laperouse.

The intercropping trial is testing crop combinations to increase land use efficiency and resource use.

GrainSearch Barley & Wheat Evaluation Trials with Philip Jobling, GrainSearch.

Healthy soils are fundamental for healthy farming systems. This video is the last of three in a series that looks at common indicators of soil condition that you see on the soil surface or on the roots of clover plants, designed so that you may start to recognise and diagnose underlying soil problems.

Healthy soils are fundamental for healthy farming systems. This video is the second of three in a series that looks at the common indicators of soil condition in plants and the pasture, designed so that you may start to recognise and diagnose underlying soil problems.

Healthy soils are fundamental for healthy farming systems. This video is the first of three in a series that shows common paddock indicators of soil condition, designed so that you may start to recognise and diagnose underlying soil problems.

Evaluate the value of inoculant rate and rhizobia acid-tolerance for increasing nodulation and N fixation of faba beans on acidic soil.

This video presents the 2020 Pre-emergent Herbicide Trial at SFS Inverleigh Trial Site (Victoria, Australia) with Dr Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide focusing on strategies to maximise pre-emergent herbicide action and better control of late germinating annual ryegrass in crop.

This video presents Faba Bean Disease Management in 2020 at the SFS Hamilton Branch, Lake Linlithgow Trial Site (Victoria, Australia) with James Manson, SFS Senior Research & Extension Officer.

2020 Seasonal Canola Disease Update at the SFS Lake Bolac Trial Site with Steve Marcroft, Marcroft Grains Pathology.

SFS Winter Crop Walk Video Series has been developed in the response to improvements in our communications with members and partners and COVID-19 restrictions, you can't come to the trials we will bring the trials to you.

Follow a day in the life of sowing trials at SFS this season.

Paul Breust discusses the 2015 Seeder Demo Day, April 2016.

SFS's Aaron Vague summarises the current Harvest Weed Seed Project.

SFS's Simon Faulkiner and Gorst Rural's Craig Drum discuss the Pastures in Crop Sequencing Project.

Annieka Paridaen formerly of SFS discusses Dual Purpose Wheat.

SFS looks at the benefits of direct heading canola in western Victoria.

SFS's compares water rates to desiccate weeds under a canola canopy.

SFS's Paul Breust summarises the Inverleigh Seeder Demonstration.

SFS's John Midwood discusses the results of late-season nitrogen application trials.

Ag Consultant Cam Nicholson talks about SFS's recent involvement in the Online Farm Trials Project - funded by GRDC (March 2014).

SFS's Annieka Paridaen discusses the results of spring sown winter wheat.

Dual purpose Canola featuring grower David Brady and SFS's Annieka Paridaen.

Dr Chris Preston discusses strategies to combat weeds at harvest.