Spitfire wheat crop

Rodney Job, owner of ‘Condamine’ Tooraweenah was one of the very few farmers to harvest a crop in 2018. The crop yielded 1.1t/ha and despite only receiving between 60 and 75mm of in-crop rain. The Spitfire wheat crop was 13.8% Protein, 1.4% Screenings and 82.4% test weight. The paddock was sprayed with TM Agricultural back in March 2018 then dry sown at the end of April. A storm on 30^th June that produced 30mm of rain across the paddock germinated the crop in July. Rodney also applied 1kg/ha of Best Foliar Fertiliser to the crop along with the second TM application in September.

Rodney, who has been using TM for three years commented that the TM has allowed him to improve the structure, tilth and moisture holding capacity of the soil. Which has made him able to successfully dry sow due and grow a good crop on the lowest rainfall ever. Despite the fact that Rodney did not start with a full moisture profile, the soil biology which has been repopulated by the use of TM Agricultural for the past three years is increasing the moisture holding capacity of the soil. Allowing Rodney to germinate, grow and harvest a crop in such a low rainfall year.

Sudan Crop

On 5^th December 2018 Rodney received 55mm of rain in a storm and sowed Sudan speed feed on the 8^th December in the same paddock where the wheat crop was grown and harvested. A further 30mm of rain fell on the 12^th December and the Sudan was all fully germinated by the 13^th December. Rodney commented that he had not ever seen such a fast germination in 20 years of farming at Condamine. On the 23^rd December, TM Agricultural at 250ml/ha and 1kg/ha Best Foliar Fertiliser were applied, there was not a herbicide application due to there not being any weed pressure in the crop.

The cattle were introduced to the Sudan on the 25^th January and are still grazing as of late February. Rodney is amazed at how the Sudan crop has been able to withstand the extreme temperatures (weeks above 40 degrees). During the time the Sudan has been able to retain good colour and bulk from minimal moisture. Some of Rodney’s neighbours are unsuccessfully trying to bale failed sorghum crops that were grown in fallow paddocks. Rodney has been able to grow two good crops back to back due to the fact that he is harnessing the benefits generated by activating soil biology.

Active soil microbiology benefits crops by:

– Regulating soil temperature
– Improving soil structure enabling a greater root density and depth reducing the susceptibility of plants to root diseases
– Increasing water holding capacity through increased organic carbon levels in the soil
– Increasing nutrient availability and fertiliser efficiency
– Improving the resilience of the crop to environmental stress such as lack of rain, high day temperatures and pests

These benefits all play a key role in increasing the yield quality and mineral density of each crop as well as reducing input costs.