Kiwi growers will get the chance to check out farms across the Tasman on a FAR/GLC study-tour in July.
FAR is running a short study tour to Victoria and New South Wales from 21-24 July.
The tour will have two key learning areas:
- Soil health and biology
- Managing herbicide resistant weeds
It will include arable farm visits and meetings with researchers and industry. An initial itinerary for the trip is provided below (subject to final confirmation).
Growers pay for their own flights, accommodation and meals. FAR and the Growers Leading Change (GLC) programme will co-ordinate the trip and visits, including internal transport via mini-van.
The trip begins after the Vic No Till Conference, should growers wish to attend this.
Please contact Donna Lill, donna.lill@far.org.nz for further details.
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17-20 July |
Vic No-Till Conference, Moama (if attending) |
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21 July |
Visit Grant Sim (Moama), then travel to Wagga Wagga Grant Sim is a sixth-generation farmer from north central Victoria. His family focuses on soil biology and managing inputs using a diversity of cash crops, covers crops and cattle. Grant has built a bio-fertiliser plant on farm so he can brew his own mixes to match the specific needs of his crops. Grant is a Vic No-Till member, owns Down Under Covers, and travels widely advising other farmers. |
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22- 23 July |
Wagga Wagga based visits Farm Visits: Dan Fox farms with three generations of his family in Marrar, NSW. They are working together to implement a regenerative system while maintaining financial sustainability. Dan is the Vic No-Till President. Brendan Pattison is an early adopter of no-till farming with a focus on building soil biology. Taking a whole-of-system approach, at the heart of Brendan’s vision is a strong desire to reduce inputs. Brendan is a Vic No-till board member. David & Jenny Thompson, Weekly Times Coles 2022 Cropping Farmer of the Year. The Thompsons farm 2200ha of crop and sheep breeding. They are innovating their cropping systems with companion crops and mixed variety wheat to manage climate challenges of their area. They have also built a state of the art woolshed which is a ‘pleasure to work in’ – gotta see that! Industry & Research Visits: Matt Dunn, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Farm Systems Research site, looking at identifying agronomic and management factors that drive profit and optimise returns from a long-term, whole system approach. Dr John Broster, Charles Sturt University, Graham Centre's Integrated Weed Management, has completed trials on Dan Fox’s property and will join us there to discuss herbicide resistance management research. Melissa Gooseman, DLF Seeds, Production Manager. Melissa will explain how DLF seeds manage breeding, entry and exit of ryegrass seed into the Australian market. Ben Morris, FAR Australia, Hyper Yielding Crops Site. GRDC funded research which aims to push the economically attainable yield boundaries through variety selection and input management. |
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24 July |
Wangaratta then return to Melbourne Farm Visit: Fraser Pouge - Fraser continually investigates and trials different techniques on his Riverina irrigated mixed farming property, all with the intention of increasing biomass and species diversity. Along the way Fraser has built a knowledge of making and using biofertilizers and biostimulants which he regularly shares through his involvement in various catchment and industry groups. Industry Visit: Hybrid Ag Agronomists will explain how they are using differential leaf extract testing to influence crop management. They will also share with us work on fungicide trials and managing plant nutrition to improve the nutritional value of grain. |