More than 130 farmers flocked to the BCG main research site west of Birchip last Friday for the Seeder Demonstration Day.
The event, led by the University of Adelaide and funded through a $2M GRDC investment aiming to optimise plant establishment, density and spacings to maximise crop yield and profit, was a huge success for BCG and GRDC.
Six seeders were on display including three tyne machines and three disc machines, and two of the disc machines were precision planters.
BCG research and extension officer Genevieve Clarke said the broad representation of machines provided an excellent opportunity for growers to interact with the seeder owners, ask questions about their performance including limitations and modifications they have needed to make to suit the farming system.
“The four farmers that brought machines have firsthand experience about how the seeders perform, so questions were applied, and the information shared between growers was very practical for those attendees considering purchasing a new machine,” Ms Clarke said.
“Aside from the initial cost of the machine, other factors discussed were trash flow, weed management differences between disc and tynes in relation to soil throw and herbicide incorporation, the influence of row spacing on weed management, affordability and accessibility of spare parts and how tractor size and upgrades may need to be factored in to the purchase of a new seeder.”
Each seeder sowed three replicates of canola and BCG will take plant establishment counts and other assessments throughout the year including yield to share the results with growers at the conclusion of the season. The trial will be open for inspection at the BCG Main Field Day on Wednesday 11 September.
BCG would like to thank each of the farmers and manufacturers who brought their seeders to demonstrate and participate in the trial, as well as Lachlan and Andrew Barber for hosting the trial site.
