Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG), in collaboration with the University of Adelaide, recently conducted a series of student bus tours visiting Barossa and surrounding producers and industry providers. The tours offered students a unique opportunity to gain in-person insights into sustainable and resilient farming practices, career opportunities in agriculture, and the real-world effects of drought.
The first tour occurred on Monday, 26 August, with over 80 Agricultural Science and Animal Science students visiting Donava Dairy, owned and operated by the Zweck family near Blyth, inclusive of a 300 cow herd and substantial on-farm feed program. A visit to Greenwith Farms in Kapunda followed; a cropping, hay, and sheep mixed farming business owned and operated by the Tilley family. Both farm visits gave students the opportunity to observe farming operations at both practical and strategic levels, learn about innovative practices, and the challenges faced by local farmers.
Shortly after, on Friday 30 August, final year Agricultural Science students participated in a comprehensive exploration across the Barossa region. Speakers throughout the day included:
- Peter Wendt, Farmer Johns – insights into rural merchandising and its crucial role in supporting local agriculture.
- Georgie Keynes, Keyneton Station and BIGG – Georgie shared BIGG’s origins and ongoing projects, and Keyneton Station’s focus on pasture management and practical strategies employed to build climate resilience.
- Nicki Robins, Barossa Australia – presenting on vineyard management in a variable climate.
- Emily Adams and Jasmin Ireland, BIGG Communications Interns – BIGG’s ‘Building local human capacity to support drought preparedness across the generations and community’ project.
- Brett Nietschke, BIGG Technical Facilitator – an overview of project coordination from concept to delivery.
- Michael and Jane Evans, Wootoona – on-farm visit and discussion on soil moisture monitoring.
A third student bus tour occurred on 30 September, returning to Wootoona, and Thornby Lamb Feedlot in Sanderston, owned and run by Alex and Fiona McGorman. Students gained first-hand insights into the effects of drought and how the producers have adapted their practices to enhance resilience in grazing livestock systems.
This initiative underscores BIGG’s dedication in fostering the next generation of agricultural professionals and promoting sustainable farming practices. BIGG extends thanks to all our hosts and partners for their invaluable contributions to this educational experience.
The tours were made possible with support from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, as part of BIGG’s ‘Building local human capacity to support drought preparedness across the generations and community’ project.
Students visit Greenwith Farms, Kapunda. 26 August.
Jim Franklin-McEvoy (University of Adelaide), San Jolly (Wonoka Partnership), Jarred Tilley (Greenwith Farms), and Emily Adams (BIGG Communications Intern).
Students at Keyneton Station, 30 August.
University of Adelaide students on tour, 30 August.
