Spring stubble walks to discuss frost, moisture use

The walks are part of the GRDC investment Maintaining Profitable Farming Systems with Retained Stubble in the Riverine Plains Region and will take place at on-farm trial sites at Coreen, Henty, Yarrawonga and Dookie.

“Stubble management is a major challenge for grain farmers in this region and the project trials compare the performance of stubble management techniques including mulching, incorporation, burning and standing stubble” Riverine Plains Inc Research and Extension Officer, Dr Cassandra Schefe said.

“This is the final year of large scale on-farm trials for this project, and next week’s spring paddock walks provide an opportunity for growers to visit these trial sites and see how crops sown under the different stubble management techniques are responding to the current seasonal conditions” she said.

“The lack of rainfall over the past month or so, combined with frost damage across the region, means that yield potential is highly variable, so these paddock walks also present an opportunity for farmers and advisers to come together to discuss frost risk and moisture availability under the different techniques, as well as nitrogen response this season.” 

The focus farms are spread throughout the Riverine Plains, allowing farmers and advisers to attend the site closest, and most relevant to them.

The dates for the on-farm discussion groups are:

 Coreen: Tuesday 10 October, 10am – 12noon at Tomlinson Ag’s property, Emu Park Rd (gate is on the western side of the channel, between Minns and Straherne Roads), Coreen.

 Henty: Tuesday 10 October, 2pm – 4pm at Peter Campbell’s property. Meet at the sheds, 452 Henty-Pleasant Hills Road, Henty (“Avondale” on the mailbox).

 Yarrawonga: Wednesday 11 October, 10am – 12noon at Telewonga Ptd Ltd, 292 Reillys Road, Yarrawonga.

 Dookie: Wednesday 11 October, 1:30pm – 3.30pm at the Ludeman Brothers property, Dookie-Devenish Road (gate is between Dookie-Nalinga Road and Proctors Road), Dookie.

Speakers will include Michael Straight from FAR Australia and Cassandra Schefe from Riverine Plains Inc.

These events are free and all are welcome.