Machinery and optimising crop establishment for improved yield will be at the centre of a seeder demonstration day on April 12.
Funded through a four-year GRDC investment identifying ways to optimise plant establishment, density and spacings to maximise crop yield and profit, the purpose of the demonstration is to compare the performance of commercially available conventional seeders and precision planters in establishing canola at two sowing rates.
Due to the significant up-front investment in sowing canola, a common 'grower' rate will be compared with a lower seeding rate, to determine if there are opportunities to reduce seed costs with precision planters or when seeders are set-up to best practice.
BCG research and extension officer, Genevieve Clarke, said the driver behind this investment is to help growers improve sowing practices and optimise the performance of their seeding machinery to increase crop establishment rates in canola.
"Research outcomes will enable growers to consider the costs and benefits of precision planters, which are designed to reduce seed costs and lift crop yields by sowing in a uniform pattern," she said.
"The day will consist of a discussion on the functionality of the different seeders from the manufacturers and a demonstration of each seeder in action."
Assessments will be carried out during the year, including plant establishment counts, NDVI, and yield to name a few. The data will be analysed and shared with growers so they can make improvements to seeding machinery and quantify the value of precision planters in optimising plant establishment and yield.
The event is funded through the GRDC investment 'Optimising plant establishment, density and spacings to maximise crop yield and profit in the southern and western regions'.
The event will begin at 9am and conclude with lunch at 1pm. It will be held at the BCG main research site, 9km west of Birchip on the Sunraysia Hwy. For information and to RSVP call 03 5492 2787.