Latest News & Resources

Pilates program strives to improve community wellbeing

Accessible and beneficial to all ages and most fitness levels pilates can enhance both body and mind health. To assist our rural community facing challenging conditions and situations, especially in times of drought, the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) has developed the Core Strength: Pilates for rural living program. The program seeks to help spread the word on the benefits of pilates and encourage people to give it a try!

BIGG announces Alexi Kentish as Executive Officer

BIGG recently welcomed new Executive Officer Alexi Kentish. Alexi has a strong connection with sustainable land management with an Honours degree in Agricultural Science, six years working with a large fertiliser company and 16 years farming in the south east of South Australia with her husband, Nic. Alexi’s role on the farm was to monitor the […]

2024 AIA-SA Student Compendium: Unlocking New Opportunities for Young People in Barossa

The 2024 Agricultural Institute of Australia – South Australia (AIA-SA) Division’s Student Compendium serves as an inspirational resource for young individuals considering a career in this vital sector. Featuring contributions that reflect the Barossa’s innovative approach to agriculture, the Student Compendium offers young people the potential for career opportunities within the region. The Student Compendium […]

New pasture case study: sown annual vs regenerated perennial

This latest BIGG case study focuses on an in-paddock pasture comparison at Angaston grape and livestock producer Ben Zander’s property. Ben’s 3.5ha paddock was sown in 2012 with a perennial based pasture mix (phalaris, cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass and sub clover) and in May 2023 3.0ha of the same paddock was sown to a basic annual pasture multi-species mix. The paddock was monitored […]

BIGG producers learn best practice sheep containment feeding 

BIGG delivered a workshop in early April to support sheep producers through the decision-making process and implementation of best practice sheep containment feeding systems. Held in Eden Valley, eight businesses attended the workshop facilitated by BIGG Technical Facilitator Deb Scammell. Attendees also benefited from a visit to sheep producer Pete Mitchell’s newly built containment yards […]

New Case study: Productive multi-species pasture at Marananga

Matt Neldner aims to continually improve the productivity of his feedbase at his Marananga property. After attending a BIGG Soil Health Workshop in 2021, Matt learnt about the benefits of growing and grazing multi-species pastures inspiring him to compare two different pasture types in the one paddock: In 2021 Matt sowed half a paddock to a multi-species pasture and the other […]

BIGG 24 Conference, Farming Ahead: A Changing Landscape
BIGG 2024 conference presents insights and strategies for adapting to changing livestock landscape

Over 95 livestock producers, agriculture students, agribusiness and industry supporters joined together at the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) Annual Conference. Held at Lambert Estate (Angaston) on Thursday 8 February 2024, the conference was facilitated by Janie Evans, BIGG Technical Officer. Seven presenters spoke on topics in response to this year’s theme ‘Farming Ahead: A […]

BIGG 24 Conference youth attendees
BIGG 2024 conference engages young people in Ag – we’re in good hands!

On receiving SA Sheep Industry Fund (SIF) sponsored tickets, fifteen local students and early career professionals attended the BIGG 2024 Annual Conference  ‘Farming ahead: a changing landscape’ on Thursday 8 February at Lambert Estate, Angaston. Senior High school students from years 11 and 12 came from local farms or were new to agriculture, with some […]

BIGG Conference Student and Early Career Tickets

The SA Sheep Industry Fund(SIF) is supporting 10 “free” student and early career tickets to the “2024 BIGG Annual Conference – Farming ahead: a changing landscape” on Thursday, 8th February at Lambert Estate, Angaston.

BIGG welcomes Communications Intern to support drought preparedness

The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) is excited to announce Emily Adams as the 2024 Communications Intern – Drought Preparedness. Emily will gain on-the job training and mentoring in delivering communications materials for farmers and rural communities to improve knowledge on preparing and responding to drought.