The farmer-to-farmer learning session at the annual BCG Trials Review Day, held on February 15 at Birchip, again highlighted the importance of reflecting, planning, communicating and taking a holiday.
This year Ultima farmer, Ben Merritt, and St Arnaud farmer, Ben Batters, took to the stage and were interviewed by BCG chairman and Birchip farmer, John Ferrier.
Merritt and Batters said last year wasn’t a great year for yields, but there were lessons learnt to take into coming seasons.
“I was amazed at the crop we were able to grow with the amount of rainfall we did get,” Mr Batters said.
Mr Merritt explained he put out fertiliser that he doesn’t believe was used by the crop. His fertiliser applications in 2019 will be reviewed with this in mind.
“We will be holding off on some fertiliser this year, given what is left over from last year.”
I am interested in soil moisture probes to better understand our soil types and water holding capacity.
- Ben Batters
Nitrogen fertiliser purchase and scheduling is something both growers felt had challenged them in the past.
“It is a challenge to make nitrogen decisions. Hopefully nitrogen decisions will be easier this year with higher subsoil moisture,” Mr Batters said.
Soil sampling will be undertaken on both farms this year, with Mr Batters finding the information very helpful for determining inputs for their export oaten hay paddocks.
Mr Merritt carries out soil sampling across multiple paddocks and zones, but with sampling only occurring in recent weeks, analysis information will be available a bit late.
“I wish we had tested earlier as we are making our fertiliser purchases now,” he said.
Technology was also a hot topic.
“I am interested in soil moisture probes to better understand our soil types and water holding capacity,” Mr Batters said.
Mr Merritt said, “I am looking into more of the weed technology where there is a physical chipping of the weed.”
BCG members can listen to recordings from all the presentations online at www.bcg.org.au
