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Western, 28 Nov 2023
Tammin grower demonstrates benefit of peer learning
Farming an expansive property at Tammin in Western Australia, Brad Jones is a pioneer in the adoption of precision ag tools. Using a problem-solving approach to adopting the tools, Brad generously shares his learning with his peers. Most recently illustrated with a demonstration of his newly purchased SwarmFarm bot ‘Vinnie’ at the September Symposium of the Society of Precision Agricultura Australasia.
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Western, 21 Aug 2023
The intricacies of a tall stubble system
Through the adoption of tall standing stubble, Dylan Hirsch is exploring the potential to retain more moisture in his medium to low cropping system at Latham in Western Australia. Changes are complex not only agronomically but also requiring modified equipment.
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Western, 10 Jul 2023
Amelioration solution to cropping laterite land
Reefination is a novel mechanical form of soil amelioration specific to lateritic rock formations. It is finding a role in Western Australian cropping systems where improvements in paddock performance are being achieved, as illustrated by Scott Young at Cuballing.
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Western, 31 May 2023
Tool to assist nitrogen decisions tested on the ground
For Nick Gillett and his wife Tryphena, farming in the low rainfall zone of Western Australia, where crop performance can be thwarted by frost, every input decision is critical. Tools that can better inform these decisions are constantly being sought by Nick, including ground truthing those from start-ups such as Laconik.
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Western, 28 Mar 2023
Fallow integral to fluid decision-making
Flexible decision-making is becoming more informed for Benj Graham, who farms in the low to medium-rainfall zone of Western Australia. Fallow is an important risk mitigation tool for him, and his understanding is being bolstered by being part of a GRDC National Grower Network project assisting with on-farm trials.
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Western, 27 Nov 2022
Tag-team batch and fill improves spray efficiency
Efficiency gains in the mixing and batching process are one of the most effective ways to maximise hectares sprayed in broadacre agriculture and growers are finding innovative ways to achieve this. Tom and his father Phil have shared their learning experiences in the new GRDC Mixing and Batching for Agricultural Chemical Application Guidebook.
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Western, 15 Sep 2022
Benefits abound for long-season wheat
Long season wheats and, in particular, feed wheats are proving advantageous for high-rainfall mixed grower Ben Webb, based near Muradup, WA. Ben says they are more than dual-purpose with income from graze and grain but fill a management need to mitigate frost.
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Western, 13 Jul 2022
Peers and advisers guide novel pasture pursuit
Research, support and new species developed from the five-year operations of the Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project have been credited for the production improvements in a low to medium rainfall mixed farm in Western Australia. Anna-Lisa Newman and husband Craig took on an ambitious plan to renovate pastures in their expanding mixed farming business and were guided by peers and advisers in the successful adoption of novel legume species and new farming practices.
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Western, 30 May 2022
Summer crops’ potential to lift system sustainability
With rainfall events becoming more intense and waterlogging more prevalent in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia, summer sowing options are being revisited. Jolene and Peter Daniel see many benefits of summer cropping as they also increase plant diversity and production system sustainability. They have been hosting a demonstration site overseen by Stirlings to Coast Farmers investigating the tactical role and economics of summer crops.
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Western, 04 Apr 2022
Mineral mulch – a new moisture-saving frontier
A flood in 2017 that saw sand deposited across Peter Daw’s cropping country at Ravensthorpe turned into a learning experience with longer-term benefits. Peter spread that sand more evenly and the crops yielded much better than average, he has now extended his mineral mulching to gravels with similar gains in yield.