Southern Farming Systems (SFS) is gearing up for its annual field days, AgriFocus, the leading technical cropping event for southern Victorian growers.
In its seventh year, AgriFocus will include technical trials, industry experts and featured machinery over two days at the Westmere trial site in western Victoria.
Keynote speakers include Steve Marcroft, of Marcroft Grains Pathology, who will talk on blackleg management in canola. Cam Nicholson and Zoe Creelman, of Nicon Rural Services and SFS, will discuss climate variability in mixed farming systems, while the International Plant Nutrition Institute’s Rob Norton will focus on crop nutrition management in a high rainfall season.
As part of a harvest weed seed project managed by Paul Breust of SFS, a Tech Farm chaff deck will be present. There will also be an update on the Integrated Harrington Seed Destructor.
Subsoil manuring from 2015 will be revisited, along with a soil pit to see what’s happening below the surface. SFS variety evaluation trials will feature wheat, barley and canola. Other trials in the program include the use of plant growth regulators in canola, cover cropping, time of sowing faba beans, cultivar disease interactions, herbicide options, the soil moisture probe network and an introductory crop tour for those wanting to fast track their knowledge.
Sponsors and supporters of SFS will also have product displays to provide valuable networking opportunities for growers, agronomists and industry representatives.
SFS will host an on-site dinner for members and sponsors at the end of the first day. Guest speaker is AFL legend Terry Daniher. Football memorabilia will be auctioned to raise money for research into motor neurone disease (MND). Bookings are essential; tickets cost $60.
AgriFocus will be held from October 12-13. A courtesy vehicle will be on hand for weary legs.
Entry is free for SFS members and students. Non-member tickets are $25 for one day; $40 for two. More details: www.sfs.org.au or (03) 5265 1666.
