Pastoral Field Day - SA Arid Lands

The SA Arid Lands Landscape Board’s Pastoral Field Day is a one-day event designed to support and strengthen the pastoral community. It will focus on drought preparedness, presented in an informative and practical way that is relevant to the SA Arid Lands. It will showcase the latest pastoral practices and products, creating a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, fostering connections, and celebrating community. 

This date has been carefully chosen to maximise attendance of the pastoral community, aligning with the SA Isolated Children’s and Parents Association (ICPA) State Conference and the School of the Air Induction Week. 

The Pastoral Field Day is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and explore. Whether you’re looking to gain practical insights, discover innovative ideas, or catch up with others in the pastoral community, this event has something for everyone. 

To wind up the day, join the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board for a dinner from 6pm. The day’s presenters and ICPA conference attendees will be in attendance.  

Event Highlights 
While the program is subject to changes, some key highlights include:  

• Understanding Pastoral Soils: Explore practical approaches to managing soil health tracking land conditions and recognising responses in pasture growth to enhance the sustainability and productivity of your property.  

• Sheep Productivity Research and Development with MLA: Learn about the latest Sheep R&D projects, presented by Meat & Livestock Australia. 

• Ruminant Nutrition Insights: Gain practical knowledge on optimising sheep and cattle nutrition for improved health and productivity in arid conditions, presented by Deb Scammell. 

• Animal Health in Grazing Livestock: Learn valuable insights into managing and preventing notifiable diseases in sheep, cattle, and goats, focusing on effective disease prevention and early detection. 

• Long-Range Forecasts for Seasonal Decision-Making: Discover how long-range weather forecasts can support smarter pastoral planning with insights from Andrew McLean. 

• Creating hardy Arid Gardens: Learn expert tips for choosing drought-tolerant plants, propagating native species, and maintaining thriving gardens in challenging climates. 

• Monitoring Wildlife with Trail Cameras: Discover how to set up and use trail cameras to monitor wildlife and support land management, guided by the SA Arid Lands Ecology team. 

• Exploring Native Flavours: Watch a live cooking demonstration using ethically sourced South Australian game meats and native ingredients. 

• Horsemanship Demonstration: Experience the expertise of a South Australian master horseman as he demonstrates the foundations of horsemanship. 

• Showcasing Merino Wool Fashion Parade: Showcasing the work of local couture bridal designer and grazier Nikki Atkinson or Horrocks Vale Collections, featuring Merino wool as a sustainable innovation for the bridal industry and supporting Australia's graziers. 

Plenty of delicious food options will be available for purchase throughout the day, catering to a range of dietary requirements. Enjoy offerings from Smokey Uppercuts, Mumma T’s, and Blended Coffee, or keep it simple with a classic barbecue by a local community organisation.  

This is a fantastic event to bring the pastoral community together, share knowledge, and engage in a supportive environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow professionally, build networks, and enjoy a day dedicated to the pastoral community.