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Government backs dryland producers

22 May 2009

The South Australian Government is backing the future of farming in low rainfall and dryland areas of the State by investing in a new research focus on the Eyre Peninsula.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Paul Caica, has announced the appointment of low rainfall agronomy expert, Roy Latta, to head the Minnipa Agricultural Centre.

"The focus at the Centre on dryland farming systems by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) is of national significance," Mr Caica says.

"Roy Latta has more than 20 years of experience in pasture and low rainfall mixed farming research.

"He will ensure the Centre builds on what scientists know is required for low rainfall businesses to better manage short-term climate variability and maintain sustainable primary production."

Minister Caica says the ongoing importance of supporting dryland farming systems was highlighted in a landmark analysis report released in December.

"This report showed that continued investment in low rainfall agricultural research, development and extension remains a solid investment for a future under climate change," he says.

The study of 11 robust, low-rainfall farming businesses on the upper Eyre Peninsula was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the South Australian Government, through SARDI.

The report showed that these businesses had successfully weathered conditions over the past five years that were considerably worse than many climate change scenarios forecast for the next 20 years.

"These businesses were not only economically viable, they also engaged in modern farming practices that actively contributed to sustainable, environmental and natural resource management," Mr Caica says.

"The study clearly indicates that farmers who are prepared to take on adaptive approaches to their businesses are likely to survive and prosper."

The SARDI dryland farming systems focus at Minnipa Agricultural Centre is of national significance and Mr Latta intends to extend the national and international relevance of its work by increasing the output of scientific papers from the group.

Roy Latta has particular expertise in pasture research, sustainable and mixed farming systems, dryland agronomy and low rainfall crop rotation trials.

He has worked in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria and was most recently science leader at the Victorian Department of Primary Industry's Mallee Research Station in Walpeup.