MSF Overview
leading research providers and consultants to deliver quality outcomes.
Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc. (MSF) is a farmer driven, not for profit, organisation delivering research and extension services to the less than 350mm rainfall Mallee cropping regions of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. MSF operates within a region of over four million hectares, extending beyond Balranald (NSW) in the east to Murray Bridge (SA) in the west.
MSF has identified key areas for work as a guide for investment in research, development and extension in this region;
Our Vision Dynamic, profitable, and sustainable farming.
Our Mission Provide excellence in research, development and extension initiatives for the dryland Mallee of Southeastern Australia.
Principal Purpose To protect and enhance the natural environment by the encouragement of sustainable dryland farming practices.
MSF Tri-State Region Map
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MSF has a strong emphasis on farmer extension, and with a 24-year history is well networked to engage farmers and stakeholders in the region. MSF uses multiple approaches to facilitate the easy flow of information to farmers, advisors and researchers including: • • •
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The MSF Advantage MSF operates to ensure that the vital research development and extension that will underpin the future productivity and sustainability of farming in the low rainfall Mallee continues. Our partnership approach facilitates the application of key research and development activities within the region. This brings together national, regional and local research and development capabilities to create an impact far greater than if we operated independently. The scientific rigour of this program is something that MSF is very proud of and is critical for providing a sound basis for the MSF extension program. Annually MSF directs between $1.5 and $2 million into farming systems research and extension aimed at meeting the specific needs of farming in the Mallee, working with
Supporting the adoption of break crops Sandy soil improvement Preventing and managing Mallee seeps Frost research Innovative pasture systems Integrating stock and grazing systems Supporting improved farm management Supporting adoption of integrated weed management Innovative extension platforms
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Field days and field walks to view and discuss research in the field Farmer discussion groups to facilitate peer to peer learning Mallee Research Updates to deliver the latest research results and connect researchers with farmers and advisers E-news updates to promote project activity and important dates, currently 950 subscribers Compendium of research – research papers available on-line summarising the relevant work in the region Immersive Ag – 360o virtual tours and videos of trial sites, soil pits, machinery demonstrations, farm infrastructure, livestock Social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube platforms with daily posts and project promotion Video snapshots – Providing project overview or delivering key messages or results Podcasts – MSF Farm Talk podcast series capturing topical and timely content
All of this is backed up by the MSF website www.msfp.org.au which houses all of the information produced by MSF making it available whenever industry requires it. MSF has a significant membership of around 950 people. This gives MSF significant reach when it comes to promotion and engagement through extension activities. Feedback is also regularly sought from MSF members to provide input and direction on future research requirements, and this helps to guide our project focus.
The MSF Board strives to maintain a no cost membership policy which allows MSF to engage freely with all members of the farming communities in the region. In September 2014 Mallee Sustainable Farming won the National Landcare People’s Choice Award which recognised MSF at a national level, for its innovative approach in assisting farmers to achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability for current and future generations. The “David Roget Award for Excellence” has been created by Mallee Sustainable Farming in memory of the late David Roget who worked with the CSIRO for over 30 years as a Sustainable Ecosystems Researcher. The award recognises an individual, business or group who has made a significant contribution to dryland farming production systems in the Mallee Sustainable Farming region. The most recent winner was Millewa farmer, Malcolm Lynch for his investment in innovative solutions to diversify and strengthen his mixed farming business during a time of extreme challenge in the region, whilst maintaining a strong focus on conservation farming principles.
In 2021 MSF will be involved with at least 15 trial and demonstrations sites on farms across SA, Vic and NSW covering a wide range of research topics and engaging a wide group of growers. A key strength of MSF is the established grower and stakeholder audience that is seeking cutting edge research information, therefore organisations choosing to partner with MSF will have a defined audience and ready made delivery pathway for communications and extension. Multiple communications pathways and extension programs can be tailored to suit different projects and the needs of collaborators to maximise extension outputs and encourage rapid adoption. MSF is governed by a farmer Board and invited specialist Directors providing strategic oversight of the organisation and ensuring a culture of good governance.
Sponsorship
Partner with MSF
MSF provides partnership opportunities through sponsorship with a range of options from main sponsor to event or field day sponsor.
Mallee Sustainable Farming’s current project portfolio has over 20 projects with many different partners. MSF is lead organisation on several large southern region wide projects and is a delivery partner on many others.
Main sponsors are promoted on MSF’s website, in every electronic newsletter and via social media as well as having the opportunity to develop podcasts, videos or speak at field days and events. Tailored packages can be negotiated.
For organisations looking to establish trials in the region, MSF can help identify sites and cooperators offering linkages to growers, or researchers and consultants in NSW, VIC and SA.
To discuss project opportunities or partnerships with MSF please reach out to us at admin@msfp.org.au
General promotions MSF is often approached to promote the work of others through our existing networks and we are pleased to do so especially where MSF has an existing relationship on a project. However, to ensure our sponsors receive value for their investment MSF has a basic charge to deliver promotions for other organisations looking to extend non-project specific communications through our networks. E-update promotion, quarterly - $500/ year or $125/ issue. Podcast development and promotion through MSF network, web hosting and transcript - $1150 episode. Videos – social snaps, promotional or documentary from $600-$3000. MSF region news & events noticeboard - $90/ post includes monthly promotion on a shared calendar of events across Facebook, Instagram (including stories) and Twitter.
MSF has an established project delievery partnership with CSIRO, universities, government agencies, agribusiness and natural resources management organisations and other farming systems groups.
Promotion at field days – of non-project specific products or services - $250 for trade display or $500 for speaker slot at events includes field day sponsorship acknowledgements. All prices quoted are GST exclusive.
Immersive Ag
Contact us for a quote
Immersive Ag is a new flagship product that allows the viewer to access virtual reality field walks and 360o videos of trial sites, soil pits, farm machinery and infrastructure online or via smart phone.
Immersive Ag products are priced per photo and the number of functions and data that need to be embedded in to a product.
MSF, in partnership with key research provider Frontier Farming Systems, launched Immersive Ag in 2019 to promote and extend ag research and make it more accessible to a wider audience. As farmers become increasingly time poor, Immersive Ag has become an important extension tool allowing farmers to access research sites or demonstrations that may be too far away to visit or can’t be seen in person due to busy day time schedules. Immersive Ag products are being developed for most MSF projects and can be viewed on the MSF website, but can also be developed for other organisations and groups to promote products, trials or as a training tool. Different types of camera footage can be offered including still, 360o with embedded data and voice over as well as aerial drone and 3D drone footage. With 24 years’ experience in farming systems research and extension, MSF can also help to develop content and provide ideas to convey messages with maximum impact. To view an example of existing Immersive Ag products, visit the www.immersiveag.com.au
There is no limit to the possibilities that can be developed to create a virtual agricultural experience for an online audience. To discuss ideas and options and for detailed pricing contact MSF at admin@msfp.org.au
MSF Board
Robert Pocock Chair SA Farmer Director since 2009
Gavin Howley Deputy Chair NSW Farmer Director since 2019
Chris Hunt Treasurer VIC Farmer Director since 2018
Ron Hards VIC Farmer Director since 2009
Andrew Biele SA Farmer Director since 2014
Nicole Byrne NSW Farmer Director since 2021
Therese McBeath Invited Specialist Director since 2021
Kenton Porker Invited Specialist Director Director since 2019
Key Personnel
Lachlan Sutton Executive Officer
Tanja Morgan Program Manager
Kylie Aikman Business Admin Manager
Tegan Buckley Media & Comms Manager
Michael Moodie Research Agronomist
MSF Partners MSF would like to acknowledge our current investors, research partners and collaborators for their support.
Bates Ag Trengove Consulting