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 works in collaboration with a range of state and national stakeholders, industry partners, local businesses and grower groups to cultivate a measurable improvement in Barossa farming communities’ practices through effective delivery of 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.
Check out our
Upcoming Events
Trigger Point Workshop and Pasture Walk
With the season forecast to cut out early, BIGG will be running a workshop to help manage this risk and develop strategies going forward including: Seasonal conditions and making decisions. Trigger points to determine if and when to containment feed. Forecasting of ration costs. Workshop will be followed by a free lunch and pasture walks: …
Trigger Point Workshop and Pasture Walk Read More »
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Latest News
BIGG seeks Executive Officer
We are seeking an Executive Officer (EO) to join our team on a part-time, contractor basis working under the direction of the Board. The EO provides a range of networking, project development, and project support services to the BIGG Board. The successful applicant must demonstrate: For more information, including the position description and application process, …
Winter Beef Snapshot
Over seventy beef producers and local rural business representatives came together on Wednesday 21st June in Mt Pleasant to learn and network at the Winter Beef Snapshot Event. The event drew beef producers from the Barossa and surrounding regions including Mt Compass, Murray Bridge, Rhynie and Clare to hear from industry experts to provide graziers with tools …
Water Innovations Farm Tour
On Thursday 8th June, the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) held an On-farm Water Innovations Field Trip. This free BIGG event welcomed 25 attendees, and showcased various water supply and monitoring strategies that have been implemented on three properties in the Flaxman and Eden Valley districts. These included a desalination plant which has produced optimal water quality for irrigation, an electronic device to monitor tank water …
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