Page 13 - DAF 254 Peer 2 Peer Case Studies

IN THE NEWS
Tour sows seeds for legume boost
A group of Herbert cane farmers recently travelled to the Burdekin to help build their confidence to incorporate legumes into their farming system. Legume cropping leads to improved soil health, ground cover and reduced nitrogen application through budgeting of nitrogen contributions. Organised by DAF Extension Officer Brock Dembowski and co-funded by the Enhanced Extension Coordination in GBR project and Crop and Food Sciences, the 17 growers began their two-day tour at the DAF legume field day in Giru.
From here they visited a DAF trial site nearby that showcases several different soybean varieties and planting dates.
The group then travelled to Kovacich farms where brothers Cy and Boz gave insight into the pros and cons of adopting alternative crops in their farming system.
Brock said growers were particularly interested in the soil health benefits farmers had experienced in their subsequent cane crops following a harvested legume crop.
``Cy and Boz answered a number of questions which produced a take home message – if you want to incorporate legumes into your farming system, owning a planter will enable timely planting in regions that rely on rainfall for establishment.’’ The group then travelled to Home Hill to meet grower Willy Lucas who had planted peanuts on his lighter soil - a new crop being grown locally to improve soil health and profitability.
That night Grain Trade Australia’s Lyndall Philbey hosted an event where the growers were given advice for dealing with contracts for grain. The next day the group travelled to Rocky Ponds Station. The station is a newly developed property which incorporates both cattle and dryland cropping.
The bus trip concluded with a tour of the Sunrice processing facility in Brandon.
Brock said the trip had been a success with positive feedback from the growers. ``Hopefully December 2021 should see an increase in soybeans planted in the Herbert.’’