A dry start and finish to the 2018 season, along with average winter rainfall and some frost damage has seen mixed success for growers across south-west Victoria, and this outcome was reflected in trial research undertaken by Southern Farming Systems (SFS).
SFS managed more than 100 trials across southern Victoria and Tasmania during the 2018 season. Results have been analysed and will culminate in the release of the 2018 trial results book featuring key research findings at the SFS Trial Results Day in Lake Bolac on March 20.
Speakers will discuss topics of importance for high rainfall zone (HRZ) farming systems, including SFS’s Lisa Miller talking on the results of trial work to manage subsurface and subsoil acidity; NSW Department of Primary Industries' Rohan Brill will talk about canola management; University of Adelaide's Dr Gurjeet Gill will discuss the effect of sowing time, seed rate and pre-emergent herbicides on annual ryegrass management in wheat; and Dr Mike McLaughlin will lead a fertiliser forum.
Other project work presented will include MLA’s Pasture Paramedic project by Jess Brodgen, SFS. The management of cereal cultivars in the HRZ will be discussed by Jon Midwood, SFS and the new development of virtual fencing and its application for broad-acre farming will be discussed by Dr Rick Llewellyn of the CSIRO.
Winners of the 2018 Crop Challenge Competition will be announced on the day. During the 2018 growing season SFS members submitted paddock inputs and yield data. SFS officers collected the data and calculated gross margins for each paddock with standardised input costs. The SFS member with the highest gross margin will be awarded the coveted 2018 Crop Challenge Award.
Southern Farming Systems results day will be held at the Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre on March 20, SFS members and sponsors can attend for free. Non-members can attend for a small fee. Contact SFS on 03 5265 1666 or www.sfs.org.au for more information.
