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“If it Works, Stop Doing it” - Aussie Grain Growers Visit SAC

Aussie Grain Growers visit SAC (opens in new window)

The contrasting approach to arable farming in Australia and Scotland was highlighted recently when an Aussie grower explained his rule of thumb. One of a group of growers and grain industry representatives on a visit to SAC, he stressed that success in Australian arable farming demanded constant innovation and adaptation to change.

“If it works stop doing it, because you can’t afford to stand still” he said.

The visitors to SAC were half way through a world tour funded by the Grains Research and Development Council (GRDC), which had organised a competition amongst growers to celebrate their 20th anniversary and mark the contribution industry funded R&D has made to Australian production.

The growers, all regional winners, were Anne and Ray Williams from Coonamble in New South Wales and Craig and Helen Reynolds from Congupna in Victoria were accompanied by GRDC Communication Manager Kylie Paulsen and rural journalist Gregor Heard. The winner from Western Australia had another engagement.

After short presentations at King’s Buildings, it was out to the rain and sodden fields to see Crop & Soil research at the Bush Estate and Gilchriston Farm, East Lothian. Undeterred the group discussed barley disease control and the GRDC funded project at Boghall Farm. SAC’s Neil Havis and Jaan Ratsep explained how GRDC work on foliar applied polymers was being used to develop alternative crop protection strategies.

Throughout the day there was much discussion about the contrasting, or sometimes similar, challenges faced by growers in Australia and Scotland. Whereas progress in Scotland, and the UK, was based on targeted agronomic improvements, much of increased production in Australia had been through changes in the farming system – with the introduction of new crops and greater emphasis on nutrient management, often without the high level of fertiliser used here.    

After lunch the group was joined by Keith Maxwell – host to SAC trials at Gilchriston. At the spring barley plots, Bob Rees spoke about SAC’s latest work on climate change, in particular the new studies on greenhouse gas emissions from arable crops. Bruce Ball explained how visual soil assessment could be used to describe soil structural problems.

Common interests were crop improvement and new varieties. Steve Hoad and Peter Hoebe discussed new barleys and how novel traits in barley landraces could benefit growers in a more sustainable farming system. The group looked at the latest wheat varieties and new work on nitrogen use efficiency. The contrast was drawn between ten tonne wheat crops in East Lothian and the three tonnes per hectare across much of Australia.

The day trip to SAC followed visits to Singapore, France and England. Next on the itinerary will be Canada, USA and Mexico.

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