A NATIONAL hunt is on for at least 60 growers who use a range of farming practices to assist in a Grains Research and Development Corporation research investment exploring current cropping methods, with a focus on regenerative agriculture.
Regenerative agriculture has become a topical issue in Australia, but there is no regulatory or widely accepted definition of the practice.
GRDC's investment aims to gain a better understanding of the relevant objectives and how they might be changing soil, land and business management.
Using this knowledge, the project team will establish ways to monitor the potential benefits or disadvantages of regenerative agriculture in Australian cropping systems across a range of agronomic, soil health, ecological, social and economic indicators.
GRDC manager sustainable cropping systems - south Giacomo Betti said a balance of viewpoints was essential for the project's success.
"It is important for us to have a broad range of growers involved, whether they see the type of farming they are doing as regenerative, sustainable or something in between," Dr Betti said.
"Studying a comprehensive range of practices is needed to develop a balanced dataset and draw meaningful conclusions."
GRDC has appointed a multi-disciplinary team from the Southern Cross University (SCU) Faculty of Science and Engineering to provide independent scientific rigour.
"GRDC aims to develop properly validated resources, so growers can make an informed decision for their cropping system," Dr Betti said.
"The project team at Southern Cross University will engage the participants, record their farming practices and results and report on the outcomes."
The SCU team includes experts in soil health, agronomy, ecology, cultural geography and natural capital accounting, ensuring the project delivers balanced, evidence-based outcomes.
SCU lecturer and researcher Adam Canning, who is leading the project, said the university would work with participating growers to agree on key metrics for the research.
"These are expected to include profitability, natural capital accounting, soil health, biodiversity and social factors," Dr Canning said.
"We will identify and trial indicators that demonstrate the extent to which grain growers are reaching defined goals.
"Trialling the indicators will let us identify any farm-specific factors that could influence results.
"Participants will also have input on how regenerative agricultural systems are understood and defined."
Growers must be willing to provide some access to their land so measurements can be taken and share relevant economic data.
GRDC will establish privacy protocols to protect the participants and ensure data is de-identified before publication.
Dr Hanabeth Luke, the project's socioeconomic research lead and co-ordinator for SCU's regenerative agriculture program, said participation in the research would generate clarity and scientifically validated guidelines for grain growers.
"This research will help establish the what, as well as the why or why not, of regenerative agriculture in Australian grain production," Dr Luke said.
"Whatever your thoughts, participating in this project will help you and other growers make more informed decisions about the practices you choose to invest in, based on best-evidence."
The project is planned to cover the 2024, 2025 and 2026 growing seasons, concluding in 2027.
More information: Email Adam Canning at adam.canning@scu.edu.au
