On his 1800 hectare aggregation based at “Bendemere”, Urangeline East, third-generation farmer Graeme Morey in partnership with his wife Carole, runs a mixed-farming operation where 1300ha winter crops are complimented by 1100 ewes with lambs.
Mr Morey said his focus was on cropping, with a rotation of canola/wheat/barley/canola designed to spread market, disease and weed risk.
“We usually have two years of cereals in between canola, and lupins can be interchanged with canola depending on the season, or if we have a problem with a paddock,” he said.
“Lupins are a good break crop to avoid any issues with disease or weeds.”
Mr Morey is aware of some ryegrass resistance, and he took seed samples for analysis to assist in managing control through his crop rotation and chemical applications.
Mr Morey had sown Wedgetail, Gregory and Suntop varieties of wheat to spread sowing time and reduce frost risk, and this season has a small area sown to Lancer.
Depending on weight of grain, between 60 and 65 kilograms per hectare seed is direct drilled, along with 80kg MAP and once established the crops are top-dressed with two lots of 80kg to 90kg urea depending on season.
When the crops have full tillering, a foliar application of one litre/ha MaxiFoliar and 20 litres/ha Blu Trace are applied: and a fungicide is included if rust presents itself.
“We want to be certain we apply as much foliar spray on the leaf as we can,” Mr Morey said.