Grower Group Award
Collaboration drives award-winning approach to agricultural technology adoption
Connecting technology developers directly with farmers is fast-tracking the adoption of practical agricultural innovation, with a collaborative field day project recognised at the 2026 Ag Excellence Forum & Awards.
The 2026 GRDC Grower Group Award was presented to Agritech Meetup SA for its Automated Weed Control at Hart Field Day initiative, delivered in partnership with the Hart Field Site Group.
The award recognises grower group activities that strengthen knowledge exchange, encourage innovation and deliver practical outcomes for Australian agriculture, with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) proudly supporting the award for the first time in 2026.
The winning initiative demonstrated three contrasting commercial automated weed control systems at Hart Field Day, drawing 223 attendees across three sessions.
Live demonstrations, facilitated discussions and dedicated networking gave growers and technology developers the chance to learn directly from one another. The project also brought developers from Adelaide to the event, where they heard first-hand about the challenges growers face and the solutions they need — helping bridge the gap between innovation and practical on-farm adoption.
GRDC Chair and South Australian grain grower, Mrs Sharon Starick, said GRDC was proud to support the 2026 awards, with the winning initiative highlighting the invaluable role grower groups play in connecting research, technology and on-farm practice.
“Weeds are one of the most costly and persistent challenges facing grain growers, which is why initiatives such as the Automated Weed Control Day, are so important in bringing innovative weed control technologies closer to on-farm adoption.
“The collaboration between Agritech Meetup SA and the Hart Field Site Group to deliver this weed control day was an excellent example of how partnerships can accelerate and support the adoption of new technologies by growers.”
The $10,000 prize will support Agritech Meetup SA to continue building stronger links between farmers, researchers and technology developers, and to expand opportunities for grower groups to collaborate on emerging agricultural technologies.
Ag Innovation Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) has taken out the coveted PIRSA Grower Group Award for 2024. Presented at Monday night’s Gala Awards Dinner at the Marion Hotel in front of an enthusiastic audience, the group demonstrated why it epitomises the critical role grower groups play in South Australia’s agricultural industry.
In keeping with the forum theme ‘Future Farming – Turning Trends into Practice’, Executive Officer Naomi Scholz said, “the recently developed EP Ag Vision 2050 strategic plan outlines a long-term commitment to the future of agriculture across the Eyre Peninsula”.
Developed in partnership with Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, this comprehensive vision aims to ensure the region’s agricultural sector remains competitive and sustainable by addressing key challenges and capitalising on emerging opportunities across the five key elements of profitability, productivity, environment, social and governance.
“EP Ag Vision 2050 is a testament to AIR EP’s proactive approach in planning for the future and its commitment to fostering a thriving agricultural community for generations to come”, said Ms Scholz.
Hannah Brown, Executive Officer for South Australian Research Development Institute (SARDI) commended AIR EP for their impressive track record since only merging in 2020.
“The future of AIR EP and the Eyre Peninsula farming community is in safe hands. The demonstrated dedication and success in acquiring funding to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of projects, underscores its effectiveness in advocating for the needs of the local agricultural community.
In its short 4-year operation, AIR EP’s dedicated team has been successful in securing funding for 60 projects with a cumulative value of nearly $8million.
Upper North Farming Systems(UNFS) has taken out the coveted PIRSA Grower Group Award for 2022. Presented at Monday night’s Gala Awards Dinner at the Marion Hotel infront of an enthusiastic audience, the group was a popular winner.
In keeping with the forum theme ‘Building Collaborative Capacity’, Executive Officer Ruth Sommerville said, “the recently launched Young Farmers Hub aims to bring together thosenew to the industry to support each other, learn with each other and ultimately grow the future of our industry”.
UNFS intends to deliver a series of workshops which will bring the next generation off armers together to build their skills and confidence. Context will be developed in consultation with the UNFS Young FarmersHub representatives and include crop establishment and development; the basics of planning, managing and monitoring a farm business; and understanding farm chemistry.
Mehdi Doroudi, Chief Executive Officer for Primary Industries and Regions South Australia(PIRSA)lauded the group for embracing a new generation of farmers, stepping in to the role of mentor and collaborating to ensure our young farmers have the peer support necessary tol earn and prosper.
UNFS is celebrating 21 years of leading farmers to improve the productivity, profitability andsustainability of the agricultural industry in low rainfall areas.
The Mid North High Rainfall Zone (MNHRZ) group has taken out the highly regarded PIRSA Grower Group Award for 2021. Awarded during the recent Ag Excellence Virtual Forum and Awards, Ag Ex was thrilled to have the opportunity to host both worthy winners in person.
In keeping with the forum theme ‘A Climate of Opportunity in Ag’, Chair Jarred Tilley says, “the group’s key objective is to demonstrate a robust baseline sampling strategy for determining the Soil Organic Carbon Stocks (SOCS) on a property using direct sampling and measurement”.
Building on an existing project, MNHRZ will put the funding toward applying this methodology across a number of paddocks, utilising data collected from established Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs), ensuring accurate sampling and measurement.
Daniel Casement, Executive Director Rural Solutions “commended the group for contributing to the sector’s efforts in lowering emissions and seeking ways to achieve carbon neutrality and greater climate resilience across its regions”.
“The efforts of MNHRZ will go toward meeting a growing demand for education and awareness of the soil organic carbon methodologies and its relevance to farming systems and business profitability”, said Mr Casement.
A progressive group of farmers, advisors and researchers, the MNHRZ aims to bring research and extension into the Mid North with its trial sites at Giles Corner and Farrell Flat. The MNHRZ represent cropping and mixed farmers who farm in a reliable but cold environment and face challenges with variable soil constraints, frost damage, crop nutrition, weed competition and crop diseases.
The highly valued 2019 Grower Group Award, sponsored by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), went to Women Together Learning (WoTL) for putting forward an educational proposal to benefit their members, the local and broader agricultural communities. WoTL will put the $5,000 towards two initiatives to build linkages between women that participate in WoTL regional activities and the Stepping into Leadership Alumni. Firstly, members will be invited to take part in a ‘Video Tips and Tools’ workshop to enhance their presence on social media platforms. Secondly, a field trip is to be organised within the Barossa and Adelaide Hills regions to gain further insight in to how Alumni participants have put their learnings into practice within their own businesses.
Chair Sharon Honner and Executive Officer, Kim Blenkiron accepted the award from PIRSA Deputy Chief Executive, Tim Goodes on behalf of WoTL. Sharon acknowledged Kim as the driver behind the project as well as being a significant contributor to WoTL. “Kim has led the Group during its time as the South Australian branch of Partners in Grain right through the transition process to what is now known as WoTL”, said Sharon. Tim Goodes congratulated the group on finding their niche and playing such an important role in further developing and strengthening the Ag space for all women in agriculture.
Download the Activity Report here.
Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) put forward an educational proposal to benefit their members, the local and broader agricultural communities. BIGG will put the $5,000 towards two ‘soil health’ webinars and attendance of 25 members at a ‘soil health’ field day to be held by Fleurieu Forward Farming.
Chair Graeme Keynes accepted the award from PIRSA Chief Executive, Scott Ashby on behalf of BIGG. Graeme acknowledged Brett Nietschke as the driver behind the project as well as being a significant contributor to BIGG.
“Healthy soils are fundamental to the sustainability of farming systems. They store and cycle water and nutrients effectively and provide optimal conditions for plant growth and health”, said Graeme.
Scott Ashby congratulated the BIGG group on their quest to up-skill local producers in soil health practice and praised their collaborative approach to supporting and working with fellow grower groups.
The Upper North Farming Systems was awarded the 2017 PIRSA Grower Group Award for their proposal to investigate appropriate 1 - 2 year pasture options for improving the profitability of break-crops for grazing in the Upper north of South Australia.
The aim is to demonstrate on 2 sites the value of implementing an improved pasture into the rotations rather than utilising a self-sown pasture for the break crop. They intend to sow a number of different pasture types, both annual and perennial at the two sites to explore their suitability for growing in the region and the role different varieties play in filling nutritional feed gaps in the livestock enterprise. This research will be further supported by incorporating a workshop and technical support for farmers to explore these options for their enterprise.
Hart Field Site Group focussed their winning submission on two of the five strategic issues identified by groups for their long-term sustainability.
Hart's sustainable financial modelling included partnering with Central West Farming Systems Group to adopt their proven costing model template when quoting on project applications and event requests to ensure they deliver the best value to both funding providers and members.
Another critical issue facing grower groups is their governance and organisation development. Hart is in the enviable position of attracting surplus applications to join their board. Staff numbers are also increasing resulting in the need to further define these roles and the structure around them.
2015 | Mackillop Farm Management Group
2014 | Partners in Grain [now known as WoTL]
2013 | Mallee Sustainable Farming Systems
2012 | Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group
2011 | Northern Sustainable Soils
