Farmers are now better equipped to ensure their crops are adequately fed thanks to an interactive spreader calibration workshop held in Nhill recently.
Accu-spread calibration specialist Russell Nichol delivered the workshop to 30 farmers who gathered in a paddock just outside of Nhill on June 28.
Six machines were put to the test on the day including a Bredal K85, a Landico, a Marshall, a Sulky and two Amazone spreaders.
Mr Nichol, assisted by BCG staff, set up trays across the paddock to capture the urea as the machines ran across them. The captured urea was then weighed to determine output and spread pattern.
After a first run-through (before calibration) the results were enlightening with all spreaders, except for the Bredal, not performing to their expected capabilities.
Commonly, the machines were shown to be not throwing as widely as expected and the delivery of urea across the width was not even.
The machines were re-tested post calibration. Improvements were achieved but some needed more than one adjustment to achieve a satisfactory result.
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive.
“We expect (or are told) that our machines can spread 36 metres, but we can see from the day this is not always the case,” one farmer said.
“Some care is required to achieve the best results from our top-dressing.”
The day, which was supported by the GRDC through the stubble initiative, included a presentation by BCG staff on nutrition research being conducted as part of the project.
Farmers joined a robust discussion about nitrogen tie-up in their stubble and how they determine levels of mineralisation throughout the season.
BCG research manager Claire Browne said the event exceeded expectations both in terms of engagement and support from attendees.
“Russell passed on some great advice about crop nutrition and how to calibrate fertiliser spreaders to do the best job they are capable of,” she said.
“I think everyone will approach top-drerssing with much more confidence as a result of this day.”
