An end-of-year meeting and social gathering was held for GAPP group members on Tuesday, December 15.
Twenty-one farmers attended and enjoyed an afternoon of discussion, information and farmer-to-farmer networking.
BCG systems and agronomic services manager Tim McClelland, spoke about Yield Prophet® and how to use the crop modelling program to its full potential. Tim also led a review of the GAPP Yield Prophet® focus paddocks, showcasing how Yield Prophet® predictions compared against actual yields. Many of the Yield Prophet® focus paddock owners were on hand to talk about any discrepancies or provide comment about how they felt Yield Prophet® performed.
In summary:
- Choosing the correct soil characterisation is essential
- Both Manangatang paddocks had slopes and flats generating variability in the yield outcomes
- At Berriwillock and Bangerang, crops were effected by heat stress and Yield Prophet® forecasts were out 0.2t/ha
- At Hopetoun, Yield Prophet® was spot on
- Canola phenology data is hard to integrate into Yield Prophet as new varieties are released each year; it is best to select maturity for the variety
- Anthony Schache’s paddock at Hopetoun suffered a bit of frost damage
- At Rupanyup, actual yields were much lower than the forecasted yields
- Information that is generated is only as good as the info that you put in such as fertiliser inputs, rainfall and the soil characterisation
BCG commercial services manager Cameron Taylor, highlighted the importance of knowing how different herbicides work (contact versus systemic), what mode of action group you are using and what each particular herbicide is targeting. Good record keeping is essential and reading chemical labels is important for responsible herbicide use and to avoid herbicide residue damage in crops the following year.
Cameron reminded growers that product labels DO NOT use consistent terminology or put warnings in the same place, so you need to read the entire label carefully.
“For every family of herbicides, there are different factors as to how long they take to break down,” he said.
Cameron also emphasised the importance of responsible herbicide use, to preserve their efficacy into the future to avoid resistance.
He said Clearfields are at a high risk of resistance (Group A’s and B’s) as they are widely used chemicals.
“It’s a herbicide group you shouldn’t solely rely on. Growers need to be incorporating a range of tools for an integrated weed management (IWM) strategy, using techniques such as the inclusion of harvest weed seed management.”
Allan Mayfield was the final presenter for the afternoon. Allan, who hails from Clare in the mid north of South Australia where he runs a well-respected consulting business, shared his thoughts on ‘agronomic strategies to minimise costs in cropping ….. and key attributes for success’.
Water use efficiency has improved over the years despite some low rainfall seasons. Some of the contributing factors may be due to:
- earlier and more dry sowing;
- intensive cereal rotations;
- control of summer weeds, and better agronomy in the drier seasons;
- adoption of auto-steer systems and inter-row sowing; and
- use of variable rate inputs.
According to Allan, successful farmers:
- Trust their instincts
- Have flexibility in their approach ( they don’t get stuck on the plan they have developed with their agronomist, but rather flex with the season)
- Aren’t usually the first to adopt the new technologies – they watch and learn from early adopters
- Keep focus on the main thing they’re working on
- Have a coach (or two). Having mentors and people you look up to can help you achieve your goals. They can help you set yourself a target and have a plan in farming and in your life as well!
- Have a plan for the wet years
- Get the best out of their adviser whom they use for independent advice and sometimes as a motivator, facilitator, and sounding board
- Focus on getting “the best return for the least cost and the least effort”.
Allan said younger farmers tended to focus more on production but he strongly encouraged farmers to ‘do their own sums’!
He said late morning teas and afternoon teas was when the best information is exchanged and farmer-to-farmer learning occurs.
GAPP coordinator Linda Walters, drew the event to a close by thanking everyone for attending, their input throughout the year and outlined the plans for 2016.
The event concluded with a social barbecue tea and participants were able to get to know the other GAPP members from different groups.
