AROUND 100 local farmers, researchers and other industry participants took the opportunity on Thursday to visit a field research site on broad acres at Rendelsham.
Owned by the Gilbertson family, the site is dedicated to supporting mainland high rainfall zone growers in their efforts to achieve higher yields of wheat and barley through genetic improvement and management.
The South Australian Crop Technology Centre is a Grains Research and Development Corporation and Landmark co-investment.
The research is being led by FAR Australia in collaboration with the SA Research and Development Institute which is the research division of Primary Industries and Regions SA and the MacKillop Farm Management Group.
During the field day, there were 30-minute addresses from six guest speakers.
Marie Marion and James Heffernan discussed soil fertility along with Kenton Parker (high protein barley), Nick Poole (management strategies), Professor Chris Preston (integrated weed management) and Kat Fuhrmann (ramularia).
Earlier in the day there was an inspection of trial canola crops at Chris and Andrew Skeer’s farm at Hatherleigh.
Similar inspections of trial crops at Rendelsham and Hatherleigh had been held a year ago.
Professor Preston told The South Eastern Times that he could not offer a “silver bullet” for farmers.
“However, there are a number of bronze bullets which can be used together,” the professor said.
“For farmers to succeed, it is about doing the one-percenters.”
Trevor Rayson was on deck at both venues on Thursday to gain knowledge about his mixed farming practices at his Hatherleigh properties where he raises livestock and grows beans, wheat and canola.
“It was worth my while,” Mr Rayson said.
“We pay levies per tonne to the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the money is being well spent on research activities in our own area.
“We can see how the fungicides are tested here.
“It is also exciting to see the new grain varieties.”
