Loxton farmer receives excellence award

The Bulla Burra collaborative farming venture co-owner was presented the prestigious award at the recent Mallee Sustainable Farming Research Update in Karoonda by CSIRO research scientist Therese McBeath.

he award recognises an individual, business or group who has made a significant contribution to dryland farming production systems in the MSF region.

Mr Schaefer is also one of the founding directors of MSF and his nomination was received from a NSW member, highlighting the far-reaching impact of his contributions and achievements.

"Robin has always been considered an innovative farmer and has been instrumental with his enthusiasm and participation in the grains industry, having given many presentations and featured in many case studies and feature articles, hosted groups to his properties, staged countless field trials and encouraged youth in agriculture," Dr McBeath said.

"Bulla Burra has been a leader in incorporating new crops, rotations and technology into their system, including pulses, deep ripping and advanced precision ag technology, which is an integral part of the business."

RELATED READING: Spray technology helps Bulla Burra make most of inputs

RELATED READING: Grain growth program atop GPSA's priorities

Upon receiving his award, Mr Schaefer spoke fondly of the early days of MSF as a founding member of the Board and acknowledged the respect and friendship he had with David Roget.

"Robin and David, amongst many others, worked together to establish MSF for all Mallee farmers, which has left an enduring legacy of improved farming systems 25 years on," MSF executive officer Tanja Morgan said.

The Award for Excellence was created by MSF in 2014 in memory of late David Roget worked with the CSIRO for over 30 years as a Sustainable Ecosystems Researcher.

As far back as 1997, Roget and a number of significant Mallee growers developed an initiative to encourage the uptake of no-till farming and continuous cropping in the Mallee - to improve grain production and simultaneously reduce the loss of topsoil. Thus, MSF was formed.