Getting through the stubble

The difficulty in getting through paddocks has seen committed no-till farmers forced into unpalatable paddock burning, just to get crops sown at the optimum time.

However, in the Wimmera, farmers are having success in managing stubbles by using a strict controlled traffic, wide row system.

NewAg agronomist Andrew Newall said the summer rain had thrown up challenges, but said a combination of wider row spacings and inter-row sowing had made it possible to plant without lodging issues.

"There’s no doubt that with the roots rotting out, the stubble is extremely loose, you only just have to give it a tap and it will come out," Mr Newall said.

"You can see where the seeder’s guide wheel has hit the stubble, it is virtually non-weight bearing, yet it has still knocked the plants over.

"However, if you can get your inter-row sowing set up right, it is still possible to get in and sow, without needing to burn."

Murtoa farmer Andrew Gawith said the difference between the headlands and the cropping runs demonstrated the importance of accurate sowing.

"The headlands are a bit of a mess, with stubble getting knocked over, but out on the runs, we have got through it pretty well," Mr Gawith said.

Mr Newall said wide row spacings, along with straw height, were critical to sowing success.

"You need to be able to get through the stubble, and to give yourself the best chance of doing that, it's best to have wider row spacings," he said.

"A lot of blokes out here on the Wimmera Plains are now out to 15 inch (37cm) spacings, and they have been the ones that have managed the best with planting this year."

Coromby farmer Wayne Adler said the wider row spacings, combined with a disc seeder, had served him well this year.

"We have been able to get through most of our stubbles this year, even though they are extremely fragile," Mr Adler said.

"Each disc has been fitted with a home-designed scraper, which saves a lot of the mud build-up that can be an issue with the disc in wet conditions, so it has gone fairly well."

Mr Newall said attention to detail at harvest could also save a lot of hassle at seeding.

"It’s a bit slower in terms of harvesting speed, but when its possible, getting the straw cut down shorter than the row spacings is a good move, as it cuts out some of the risks of the straw lodging on the bar," Mr Newall said.

Mr Gawith said he was happy to be able to avoid burning.

"Obviously, you’ve got to get the crop in, but its been good that we haven’t had to burn to get into paddocks."

Mr Newall said he hoped with more uptake of controlled traffic, the need to burn heavy stubble loads would not be there.

"It isn’t easy some years, but it is definitely possible to get through standing stubble, and that has a flow-on benefit for your soil."