The sum of the parts

Views

Property: “The Ranch”, Scott and Jillian Vaessen, Tabbita in NSW

Enterprises: Cropping (wheat, barley, canola, field peas, oats for export hay and vetch) and livestock (trade lambs)

The value of hosting some of the nation’s best cropping nutrition researchers on his farm was “the sum of the parts” according to Tabbita grower, Scott Vaessen.

Scott jumped at the opportunity to get the latest information delivered in his own paddocks and willingly offered his property as the first stop of the More Profit for Crop Nutrition Roadshow in August 2016. He was one of three farmers who hosted the GRDC funded event which attracted over 70 growers from the Griffith district.

“It was just brilliant having the experts here,” Scott said.

With the support of local consultant Barry Haskins and presentations from Barry, Chris Guppy (UNE), Nigel Wilhelm (SARDI) and Jim Laycock (Incitec Pivot), the Roadshow moved from Tabbita through to Boorga with stops at paddocks along the way.

Prior to moving to his wife’s family farm to run the mixed farming enterprise, Scott worked as a cotton agronomist and says this background and a commitment to improving the system sees him “testing the boundaries” for methods of improving farm productivity.

On-farm challenges

Scott’s production challenges are complex and inter-dependent. “The biggest gains are to be made in genetics then capitalising on those gains with nutrition” he said. Scott believes if plant breeding continues to improve frost or heat stress tolerance, then a farmer can use the new cultivars to integrate other factors like the seasonal outlook, current soil nutrient supply and soil moisture into their decision making. “Then you’re going to be able to feed the crop (accurately) …I reckon that’s going to be a huge winner for us,” he said.

Precision agriculture is also utilised on the property with yield and prescription mapping nominated as important tools. “The holy grail is to get an even yield across the paddock” says Scott. “I haven’t got it right but we’re heading in the right direction.”

Scott does annual soil testing at the start of every production year to get a clear picture of the soil nutrient status. Soil phosphorous levels have been historically low but he says they are rising. The soils are “very low” in zinc and copper and in 2017, nitrogen levels are very low too. Scott will also do tissue testing to confirm deficiency symptoms and more soil tests in the future if necessary.

Tissue testing

Nigel Wilhelm (SARDI) was one of the researchers who visited the wheat paddock at Vaessen’s. Based out of the Waite Institute in South Australia, he managed several of MPCN funded research projects including ‘DAS00146 – MPCN II – Managing micronutrient deficiencies in cropping systems of eastern Australia’ and he shared some if this information at the Roadshow.

Nigel explained to the crowd there are over 16 essential nutrients for crops and that micronutrients, such as manganese, zinc, copper and boron, are as important to a crop as the macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium).

He explained to the crowd that tissue tests are a more reliable and sensitive tool for detecting micronutrient (also known as trace element) deficiencies than soil testing. Further, tissue testing was more reliable for detecting nutrient deficiencies than a visual assessment of crop symptoms because they could be attributed to other factors such as disease.

“Zinc deficiencies appear early in cereals” he said, “you will see broad, pale strips running along the length of the young leaves. A key feature is there are never more than two strips per leaf.” He went on to explain you need to apply foliar zinc early in the crop growth with the two leaf stage being the best time to apply. “When taking samples for tissue testing, try to avoid dirt contamination which may influence test results.”

He added that seed dressing with zinc is a good option for getting an early zinc supply to the crop if you know there is a deficiency in your paddock.

Getting information

Along with getting advice in his own paddock, Scott valued the way the information was delivered. He admits it’s difficult to get around to reading all the material he receives and enjoys finding new ways of learning.

“The hardest thing for farmers to do is to run around all day then sit in a nice warm room listening to presenters in the afternoon” Scott said. “If you’re out in the field talking about the plant that’s in front of you – and researchers are bouncing ideas around in front of you…..I think that is brilliant”

Scott finds it challenging to balance farming activities with attending events and reading relevant information and cites Twitter as an increasingly vital information source to “pick up ideas from the banter between farmers”.

BCG project coordinator Louisa Ferrier explained that the More Profit from Crop Nutrition project had to assess how they went about extending information to growers.

“We have seen some changes in preference for sourcing information over the five years of the MPCN II Southern Region Extension program” said Louisa.

“Online content, shared through social media such as Twitter has become more prolific and is a great tool to support existing written material and face-to-face events like the MPCN Roadshow”.

The GRDC More Profit from Crop Nutrition program finished in June 2017.

References:

https://extensionaus.com.au/crop-nutrition/how-to-choose-the-best-way-to-manage-zinc-deficiency/

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/ground-cover-issue-122-may-jun-2016/symptoms-a-poor-indicator-of-micronutrient-status

Upcoming Events

Become a BCG Member

BCG exists for its members. Research and extension activities are designed to provide members with information and resources that will help them improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farm businesses.

Improve your profitability

Receive the latest research, extension and event news direct to your inbox! For a limited time, receive a free technical bulletin when you subscribe.