Seeder helps Schulz to increase sowing area

The Schulzes, Foxwood Contracting, have just finished seeding about 2850 hectares - a mix of sharefarming, leased land and about 800ha contracting.

This was the first year they have done so with their second-hand John Deere 1890 disc seeder and 360 bushel 1910 triple box tow behind cart.

Mark said he had used disc seeders in the past but was not a fan of their design so had been using a tyne seeder for the past few years.

But he said this disc seeder had made their overall operation easier with better top soil retention, accurate seed placement and even improved machinery movement between properties.

Last year they cropped about 730ha but with the new seeder considered expanding to 1200ha or 2000ha, which turned into 2850ha.

The John Deere disc cuts deeper than seed placement, which reduces root disease issues, while still maintaining stubble and ground cover.

"This year it seems we can't stop drift but we don't create it," Mark said.

"We don't work it up and dry it out, which is important in years like this."

He said this helped conserve all available moisture with seeds germinating and emerging within seven days.

They have sown Grenade wheat, Spartacus barley, canola and oats, with the main focus hay production.

Mark said they will cut at least 1000ha for hay, but may do more, depending on how the season progresses.

With that in mind, they sow at a high rate, to ensure good bulk, of 80 kilograms/ha for cereal and 110kg/ha in oats. They sow on 19 centimetre row spacings.

The efficiency of the seeder has also allowed them to tick off one task early.

They were able to roll paddocks for stones in January and February - "the quiet time" - to have them ready to start seeding the day before Anzac Day, without the need to roll again after sowing.

"Since we rolled, we've got 2600ha ready to cut for hay if the year turns out a drier one - but hopefully it doesn't," Mark said.

He said efficiency was a core focus in all decisions.

"Everything we do is about labour-saving, since it's just the two of us," he said.

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They dry sowed 1200ha of Spartacus barley before starting on Clearfield hybrid canola once the rains came in early May.

They finished their seeding program at the weekend, with the focus turning to spraying.

Mark estimates they are running about 1.5 months ahead of last year.

THERE can be several hundred kilometres between paddocks for Mark and Bradley.

Based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, they crop locally at Strathalbyn, Tolderol, Hindmarsh Island, Langhorne Creek, across the River Murray at Malinong, then out to Geranium and Copeville in the Mallee.

Mark said the diverse locations had helped split risk somewhat, which was demonstrated in the 2018-19 season.

The areas they crop are predominantly sandy loam soils, with some clay near Strathalbyn.

The soil types mean weather has caused few delays, while the range of locations also helps.

"We're better off shifting two or three hours down the road than pulling up," he said.

With such a vast range of locations, Mark said they have to be quite meticulous in planning each day.

"The biggest logistics is vehicles - we don't want to get to Geranium with seeder and sprayer and not be able to get home," he said.

Two years ago they invested in a truck and drop deck to cart hay to NSW and this year have added a new tipper, which holds triple the amount of seed and fertiliser than their previous unit.

"You can't go to Copeville with just one bucket full of seed," he said.

It has remote control access to be safely operated by one person.

With so much time spent on the road, the size of their seeder also works as a bonus.

It stretches 11 metres wide but on a 4.6m base so is able to travel on roads with one escort and on ferries.