MLA and GRDC renew partnership to support mixed farming through Producer Demonstration Sites

MLA/GRDC partnership PDS program  

Leveraging the strong alignment between Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program and Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) National Grower Network (NGN), the partnership has enabled delivery of locally relevant, impactful on-farm projects. The collaboration has also led to the development of a joint demonstration site program focused on mixed farming systems across Australia’s key regions. 

The program supports producers in demonstrating, adapting, and validating innovative management practices and research outcomes within commercial mixed farming operations. The overarching goal is to drive productivity and profitability improvements across both livestock and grain enterprises. 

In 2025, four partnership projects have already commenced, with a fifth scheduled later this year. Combined, these five projects will establish 32 demonstration sites, engaging 49 core producers and more than 620 observer producers across GRDC’s three growing regions. A summary of the supported projects is provided below.  

2025 open call for MLA/GRDC partnership PDS projects 

MLA and the GRDC are, once again, partnering to support mixed farming businesses across Australia through a new round of PDS projects. 

A call for preliminary applications opens Monday 25 August - inviting proposals focused on improving the profitability and productivity of mixed farming enterprises. Projects must be ready to commence in the first half of 2026 and align with the MLA/GRDC partnership PDS program priorities - available now on the  MLA/GRDC partnership PDS webpage.  

Preliminary applications close Friday 3 October 2025, allowing a six-week submission window. 

Producer groups interested in participating in an MLA/GRDC partnership PDS project can apply for funding of up to $100,000 per year, for up to 40 months, to a maximum total of $360,000.

 The MLA/GRDC partnership PDS program will establish six new sites, with producer groups aligned and active by June 2026.

If you and your producer group are interested in participating in or hosting a PDS, we encourage you to: 

• visit the MLA/GRDC partnership PDS webpage for updated guidelines, terms of reference, and the preliminary application form
• submit applications via email to PDS@mla.com.au by 11.59pm Friday 3 October 2025
• sign up for MLA’s quarterly PDS update newsletter to stay informed on project progress
• use MLA’s PDS search tool to explore active and completed PDS projects by topic or region.

Current MLA/GRDC partnership PDS projects

Legumes in mixed farming rotations 

This partnership PDS project, led by MacKillop Farm Management Group (MFMG), builds on previous GRDC investment in ‘Pastures in crop sequencing’ (2012–15) and aims to demonstrate the whole-of-system benefits of incorporating legumes, such as clovers, faba beans, and other species, into mixed farming rotations. Through five demonstration sites, producers will explore how legumes can improve soil health, reduce input costs, enhance livestock feed quality, suppress problem weeds and boost subsequent cereal crop yields. 

The project is designed to deliver practical, regionally relevant insights by engaging core and observer producers in hands-on trials and peer-to-peer learning. At conclusion, producers will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to manage legumes effectively in their systems. Measurable outcomes will include increased gross margins, improved cereal yields and broader adoption of legume rotations across the farming community. 

The demonstration sites will be established across the Fleurieu Peninsula, Coorong and Upper Southeast, and South East grower sub-regions of SA. 

Facilitator contact: Kate Morris, M 0428 572 203, E projects@mackillopgroup.com.au  

                                        Gina Kreek, M 0488 600 443, E research@mackilopgroup.com.au 

Producer Group: MacKillop Farm Management Group           

Stay up to date with project progress:  Legumes in Mixed Farming Rotations | Meat & Livestock Australia

 Optimising grain and pasture yields after amelioration 

Sandy soils dominate approximately 45% of SA's southeast - many of which are deep, free-draining and naturally low in carbon and essential nutrients needed for efficient crop and pasture production. Productivity is further challenged by issues such as water repellence, compaction, and soil acidity. Surveys conducted with producers between Meningie and Coonalpyn reveal that over 30% of respondents believe these constraints affect 80–100% of their arable land. Grain growers in the region have widely adopted amelioration practices to improve access to stored soil water. However, uptake among graziers has been slower, primarily due to limited confidence, equipment, and understanding of the benefits. 

Despite availability of industry guidelines, the adoption of strategic soil testing and fertiliser programs remains low. Many producers are uncertain about the cost-benefit and long-term return on investment, particularly under local conditions. 

This MLA/GRDC partnership PDS project aims to demonstrate that strategic soil sampling and targeted nutrient applications, tailored to meet crop and pasture demand, can be implemented affordably and lead to increased yields and more sustained responses following amelioration. A core group of 10 producers farming between Meningie and Coonalpyn will be engaged, building on the momentum of the current MLA Non-wetting Sands Project. 

Facilitator contact: Melissa Faser, Soil Function, M 0407 773 369, E mel@soilfunction.com.au 

                              Tracey Strugnell, Coorong District Council, M 0407 773 369, E tstrugnell@coorong.sa.gov.au 

Producer Group: Coorong Tatiara Local Action Plan (CTLAP)                                             

Stay up to date with project progress:  Optimising grain and pasture yields after amelioration | Meat & Livestock Australia 

Optimising stubble grazing strategies in Great Southern 

The end of the live export market is a significant concern for producers in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, where Merino sheep farming is common. However, research suggests that focusing on Merino prime lamb production can boost profitability, especially with increased cropping allowing lambs to graze crop stubbles for high growth rates. 

Instead of a ‘set and forget’ approach, prioritizing lambs in a stubble grazing strategy is optimal. Lambs should move between paddocks to maintain growth rates above 140 g/hd/day, and lower priority mobs can graze stubble until weight changes fall to -40 g/hd/day. Despite most producers grazing crop stubbles in summer, fewer than 15% actively manage grazing. Research also indicates that producers may underestimate the grazing potential of their stubbles. 

The MLA/GRDC partnership PDS aims to demonstrate the grazing potential of crop stubbles and how, through effective management strategies, they can be utilised to reduce reliance on live export and shift focus toward the more profitable prime lamb market. 

Facilitator contact:  Sheridan Kowald, M 0455 581 729 E eo@southerndirt.com.au 

Producer Group: Southern DIRT                                                       

Stay up to date with project progress: Optimising Stubble Grazing Strategies in the Great Southern | Meat & Livestock Australia

Introducing clovers back into crop rotations for crop, livestock and soil health benefits 

Mixed farming systems in South West Victoria are facing significant challenges due to declining soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, leading to reduced nitrogen availability, increased fertiliser costs, and environmental concerns. Additionally, limited crop rotation diversity has contributed to weed and pest pressures, while seasonal feed gaps are impacting livestock productivity and increasing reliance on costly supplementary feed. Farmers are also motivated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet market demands and future regulatory expectations. 

This PDS project, a collaboration between MLA, GRDC, and Southern Farming Systems, aims to demonstrate the strategic integration of clovers into crop rotations as a solution to the issues raised above. By establishing six demonstration sites and engaging a core group of producers, the project will evaluate the nitrogen contribution, soil health improvements, weed and disease suppression, and livestock feed benefits of various clover species. The intended outcome is to provide farmers with credible, region-specific insights and practical tools to enhance whole farm profitability, resilience, and sustainability through clover-based systems. 

Facilitator contact: Lisa Miller, M 0488 600 226, E lmiller@sfs.org.au 

Producer Group: Southern Farming Systems                       

Stay up to date with project progress: Introducing clovers back into crop rotations for crop, livestock and soil health benefits | Meat & Livestock Australia