MAKING informed winter cropping decisions – based on detailed local research – is what is driving the 2026 Irrigation Farmers Network (IFN) Winter Variety Trials Research Results Discussion Day in early March.
IFN general manager Matthew O’Farrell said local irrigators across the region were being encouraged to base those decisions on local evidence and proven success.
Mr O’Farrell said the event’s focus on findings from the 2025 Winter Irrigated Variety Trials and related research would provide growers with practical insights to help lift yields, manage input costs and improve whole-farm profitability.
“Our organisation’s priority this year is delivering independent actionable research for real world farming systems in the region,” he said.
“Growers are making high-stakes decisions while having to operate on increasingly tight margins.
“They need information that’s relevant to their specific soils, their water and their systems – not just generic data from somewhere else.
“The quality and relevance of IFN’s work recently helped secure funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation to lead a two-year project focused on improving faba bean performance, particularly around yield and crop lodging.
“This is an area where growers have told us they want better, more targeted agronomy advice.
“Which is why this project will bring together strong grower demand, solid funding and the capability within IFN to deliver meaningful outcomes.”
Mr O’Farrell said the upcoming discussion day would cover variety performance from the 2025 trials, soil health findings from the C4 Milk Project, long-term legume trial results, and RiskWise nitrogen insights following faba bean crops.
He said this session was “all about showing the data, having the conversation and helping growers make confident decisions for the coming season”.
The IFN Winter Variety Trials Research Results Discussion Day will be held on Thursday, 5 March, from 9.30am to 12 noon at Cadell on the Murray, 325 Perricoota Road, Moama. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Attendance is free, with RSVP required by 24 February for catering purposes.
