The Barossa Improved Grazing Group
The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) is a community-driven livestock and farming network that has its origins from five existing local producer groups; Angaston Ag Bureau, Koonunga Ag Bureau, Mt Pleasant Beef Group, North Rhine Sheep Group and the Barossa Mid North Dairy Discussion Group.
BIGG is committed to delivering greater productivity and NRM outcomes for its members through the adoption of innovative practice. In recognition of this, in September 2017 BIGG were awarded the 2017 Australian Government Excellence in Sustainable Farm Practices Award at the SA Landcare Awards, and the 2018 Ag Excellence Alliance grower group award.
BIGG were also awarded the 2014 Ag Excellence Alliance Sustainability Award by its peers (sponsored by DEWNR), as ‘an outstanding locally based grower group for its achievements in delivering greater NRM outcomes’.
BIGGs vision is to be a trusted and valuable network supporting innovative, sustainable and resilient grazing businesses. BIGG collaborates with state and national stakeholders, industry partners, local businesses and grower groups to deliver innovative and practical solutions for sustainable grazing systems.
BIGG was established in 2012 and receives funding to deliver a range of technical and extension projects. Projects are hosted by local farmers and events are conducted to communicate project results. Projects are managed by Technical Facilitators, Brett Nietschke, Georgie Keynes, Deb Scammell and Janie Evans, under the guidance of our Board.
Latest News
BIGG and University of Adelaide Empower Students with Insightful Farm Tours
BIGG, in collaboration with the University of Adelaide, recently conducted a series of student bus tours visiting Barossa and surrounds producers and industry providers. The tours offered students a unique opportunity to gain in-person insights into sustainable and resilient farming practices, career opportunities in agriculture, and the real-world effects of drought. The first tour occurred […]
‘Core Strength: Pilates for Rural Living’ expands with additional class
Encouraged by a strong start to the Core Strength: Pilates for Rural Living initiative, BIGG in partnership with Pilates Barossa is offering a second five-week class program starting Tuesday 15 October. The new 55-minute mat pilates class is being offered at 7am on a Tuesday as an alternative time slot to accommodate varying preferences, whilst the existing […]
Pasture focus for latest BIGG trials
BIGG has recently commenced two new long-term pasture programs thanks to funding from the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund: Multi-species perennial pastures This trial project was sown at Matt Neldner’s (pictured) Marananga property in late July with the aim to determine the productivity of perennial based multi-species pastures. The trial treatments range from a simple […]