GROWERS keen to be up-to-date with the latest trial research results, commodity market trends and to get themselves in the seeding mindset, gathered in Clare recently for the annual Getting the Crop In seminar.
Hosted by the Hart Field-Site Group, and sponsored by Rabobank, the free seminar attracted 135 participants, who were the first to get their hands on the 2016 Hart Trials Results book, available to download free at hartfieldsite.org.au.
In 2016, 30 trials across 2000 plots were hosted or conducted by the Hart Field-Site Group.
Outgoing Hart regional intern Rochelle Wheaton spoke about some of the results, including a new project looking at managing early sown wheat, as well as joint research with the University of Adelaide on nutrient stratification.
She also spoke about chicken litter trials conducted in the past 10 years at Marrabel, Hill River and Hart, with findings suggesting application of chicken litter appears to complement traditional chemical fertiliser application by increasing the phosphorus availability in the soil.
Yeelanna farmer Randall Wilksch was well-received by the audience who were given an insight into his farming operations, as well as his Nuffield Scholarship study into encouraging women into a career on-farm.
Local consultant Mick Faulkner spoke about Frost and Farming and the unpredictable nature of it, sharing some strategies to consider to assist forward planning including plant and temperature monitoring.
Rural Directions director Chris Heinjus provided the latest international commodity market trends information, looking at how overseas production was tracking and what impact that would have for SA farmers.
Finally, an on-the-couch session was held for the first time, with three farmers taking to the stage for a Q&A style insight to give a broad perspective on a range of farming issues.
Keynote speaker Randall Wilksch, Narridy farmer Linden Price and Farrell Flat farmer Rob Purvis fielded questions from the floor which ranged from wellbeing and juggling family time, to how they manage grain storage, summer weeds and succession planning.
Following the Getting the Crop In seminar, the GRDC hosted its Farm Business Update, with many staying on for the afternoon session.