2022 Trial Review and Crop Update

A full day of research insights for growers

The first major Liebe Group event of the 2022 season was successfully held on the 2nd March in Dalwallinu. The annual Crop Updates and Trials Review Day attracted 75 local grain growers and industry representatives to participate in this interactive forum that provided insight to prepare for the year ahead.

Concurrent morning sessions launched the day with various research partners presenting on their trial results from last season. This included focus areas such as the control of grass and broadleaf weeds in cereals, knockdowns and crop safety, wheat varieties sowing depth, cereal National Variety Trials, grain losses at harvest, nitrogen strategies for long season wheat, grower demonstrations and discussions on new chemistries.

These sessions provided the opportunity to discuss how these results can be implemented in local farming practices. Thanks to our members and expert industry representatives from Bayer, Imtrade, AGT, Longreach Plant Breeders, DPIRD, Adama, CSBP and Farmanco for their participation.

Following a short lunch break, the afternoon continued with whole-of-audience presentations that showcased local priorities for the farming community, including issues faced throughout the 2021 season.

Wickepin grower, Gary Lang made the trip up to explore his experiences with frost, providing an outline of management strategies including how a change of mindset can be beneficial. Take home messages included assessing the risk on an individual paddock level and having a plan in place for seeding to suitable crop types and ensure the crop is flowering at appropriate times.

Dylan Hirsch, Liebe Group R&D Committee Chair and Latham Grower, presented alongside DPIRD research scientist Wayne Parker to explain the research currently being done around post emergent deep ripping. It is important to understand the benefits and risks related to this farming practice, which Dylan is currently exploring through a GRDC invested grower-scale demonstration.

Farm business management was also a key focus area with Rabobank’s Andrew Warren joining virtually to provide insight into how land values are holding up, and CSBP’s Rusty Burke delving into the fertiliser market and its impacts on the global supply chain.

Reagan Manns, Senior Manager at RSM Moora presented on farming business structures and the subsequent tax considerations.

This led well into the final presentation of the day with Preston Hamersley from Indian Pacific Funds Management. Preston outlined the opportunities for establishing a long-term investment strategy, and how investing via an investment fund can provide a sizeable off-farm nesting egg.

The day was completed with a lovely outdoor sundowner which was kindly sponsored by AGT. Thanks to REED Dalwallinu Parents Committee for cooking up the burgers.

The Liebe Group would like thank event partner GRDC for their support in the event this year, valued Diamond partners Rabobank, RSM, CBH Group and CSBP, member volunteers who helped the event run smoothly, as well as the research and industry partners who presented on the day.