Minnipa Agricultural Centre

Map showing the location of the Minnipa Agricultural Centre

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), previously known as the Minnipa Research Centre, Minnipa Seed Wheat Farm or Minnipa Experimental Farm, was established on the 13th May 1915.

MAC is situated 600km by road north-west of Adelaide in County Le Hunte on Central Eyre Peninsula.

The centre, which is operated by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, occupies 1200 ha of light sandy loam with occasional patches of limestone and lighter rises. Granite outcrops are a prominent geographical feature. Minnipa Agricultural Centre serves the cereal growing (<350 mm p.a.) areas of Eyre Peninsula - an area which produces on average 40-45% of South Australia's wheat

The main roles of the Minnipa Agricultural Centre are;

Broadacre demonstration of innovative, best practice, farm management practices for low rainfall environments.
Build up seed of new cultivars and also produce certified seed for new cultivars being released.
Contribute to the operation of R&D and extension programs projects based at the centre.

The SARDI low rainfall agricultural RDE team has 21 staff based at MAC (NB: there are also some PIRSA/ SARDI staff based in Pt Lincoln, Streaky Bay and Cleve that contribute to the low rainfall RDE programs on Eyre Peninsula). These staff colaborate with grower groups and conduct RDE activities across upper Eyre Peninsula from Nundroo in the west to Cowell in the east and Murdinga/Wharminda in the south.

The Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation (EPARF) is an independent advisory group providing strategic support and planning for the MAC. EPARF is composed of elected members from the EP farming community and representatives from SARDI and the University of Adelaide. EPARF has a membership base of approximately 300 (mostly EP growers) and is an independent fundraising body for MAC programs and activities.

Aerial view of the Minnipa Agricultural Centre

MAC is operated by SARDI. SARDI is the research division within the Department of Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia. Historically, the major MAC investment partners have been the South Australian State Government through SARDI, the Grains Research & Development Corporation(GRDC) and the South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT). This partnership base has expanded over recent years to include several other partners, outlined in the detail within this prospectus.