Post Seeding Field Walk Inspires Collaboration at Kalannie

On the 1st of July, The Liebe Group welcomed growers, researchers and industry representatives to their annual Post Seeding Field Walk at the 2026 Main Trial Site in Kalannie, hosted by the Nixon family (Bunketch Ag).

The afternoon was a chance for growers to get an early look at the 2026 Main Trial Site, and provide feedback to the project staff on the trial’s progress.

There was also a focus on identifying key business and agronomic challenges being faced by farmers in 2026, and prioritising topics that could be added into future research projects

Key focus areas of the trial program for the year included optimising nutrition rates, time of sowing, lentil weed control strategies, soil amelioration and nitrogen use efficiency.

Liebe Group Project Officer, Daenia Dundon, led two trial discussions based on GRDC National Grower Network investments into Early Sown Canola and Herbicide Packages in Lentils.

In the Early Sown Canola Trial, the focus was on how Nitrogen and Phosphorus rates could be optimised at an earlier sowing date to capitilise on the increased yield potential.

In the Lentil trial, the focus was on the crop safety of various different herbicide mixes, a relevant topic given the uplift in lentil production in the last couple of years and due to the susceptibility of lentils to herbicide damage from different chemicals.

Given good early rains in the district, Nitrogen strategies in wheat remain an important talking point in 2026, with CSBP senior account manager Lois Kowald exploring strategies that increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Summit Fertiliser area manager Saritha Marais covering Nitrogen application timing and losses.

The effects of time of sowing on crop performance was also discussed at trials that looked at Early Sown (March) Crops and Late Sown Crops with Deep Ripping. This sparked conversation about this year’s seeding conditions between growers as they compared rainfall from summer weather events that affected their crop selections, seeding and possible economic results of these decisions this year.

Crop safety and efficacy of a range of pre- and post-emergent herbicides in relation to damage on emergence, effects on final plant establishments and yields was also discussed at Independent Rural and FMC’s in-paddock trial.

The final trial presentation gave attendees an insight into grower-scale re-engineering of acidic Wodjil Sands, presented by DPIRD and Sam and Bob Nixon. Growers assessed emergence differences on the incorporation of lime sand, Morell lime and cow manure with or without deep ripping and spading.

The afternoon was wrapped up with a sundowner and dinner, moving the conversation from the paddock to the fire pit, to solidify ideas surrounding areas of significance for research prioritisation for both The Liebe Group and the Grains Research & Development Corporation.

The success and attendance of the day, showcases the value of grower-led research and extension, allowing industry collaboration at a paddock scale level to drive research opportunities in the region.

The Liebe Group would like to thank the Nixon Family from Bunketch Ag for hosting the 2026 Main Trial Site, as well as all who attended, presented and supported the Post Seeding Field Walk.

The group also appreciates the support of the Grains Research & Development Corporation for their support of the event and the groups trial partners for their efforts in getting trials in the ground and presented well.

Big thank you to Kalannie Contractors for donating the toilet for the event.

The next event at the site will be The Liebe Group’s Spring Field Day on the 10th of September 2026, which is the group’s showcase event for the year.