NGN Summer Planter Workshops

Description:

The ability of farmers to achieve optimal plant emergence can be significantly affected by improper setup and maintenance of planters and airseeders. Feedback from growers at various field days across Southern QLD has consistently highlighted the need for training in how to appropriately setup and maintain of planters and airseeders. Proper setup and maintenance of planters and airseeders involve several technical aspects, including the calibration of seed meters, adjustment of row units, and ensuring uniform seed depth and spacing.

Seed meter calibration is crucial for accurate seed delivery, as it ensures that the correct amount of seed is being planted per hectare. Row unit adjustment is essential for maintaining consistent seed-to-soil contact, which is vital for seed germination. Additionally, uniform seed depth and spacing are critical for achieving even plant stands and maximizing plant vigour.

Training in these technical areas would be highly beneficial in ensuring precise seed placement, which is essential for improving seed emergence and enhancing potential plant vigour outcomes. By addressing these setup and maintenance issues, farmers can greatly improve their crop yields and overall productivity.

Outcomes:

By April 2027 Growers across the following regions of Flermont, Spring Ridge, Bellata and Thallon (Identified in NGN 2024) will have the knowledge and confidence to set up their planter and airseeders, through attendance at hands on workshops to create efficiencies at sowing to optimize crop establishment.

8 Workshops will be held over the 2-year lifetime of the project.

Outputs.

Output 1.

Title: Communication, monitoring, evaluation and review

Description:

Development of communication materials as agreed and monitor and evaluate

workshop delivery and impact

Details:

* Agree with GRDC appropriate resulting communication materials such as Editorials, Podcasts,

Social media posts, Media release, factsheets etc.

* Provide a review of the initial four workshops and assessment of need and subsequent

recommendation on potential delivery of a subsequent workshops. Examples of

review methodology may include a survey of participants to develop further management

strategies for planter and airseeder setup and assess impact of the workshops. Provide a

recommendation on any further demonstration and extension required.

Output 2.

Title: Workshop Delivery

Description:

By April 2025 deliver an initial series of 4 agreed planter and airseeder pilot workshops targeted at growers and contractors in Clermont, Spring Ridge, ellata, Thallon. Following delivery, assessment will be made to hold a further workshops throughout the GRDC Northern Region. Details:

* It is envisaged that the half day workshops will be delivered via a hands-on format with interactive presentations.

* It is expected that the workshops will have a range of planter and airseeder types (disc and tyne as relevant to the local farming system) at the workshops where machinery specialist can talk about the planter and airseeder setup and maintenance. The planter and airseeders will be positioned at field stations outdoors where each planter will be talked about by local machinery experts. A requirement of the workshops will be in-kind support by growers bringing along potential 3 different planters or airseeders organised by the contracted advisor.

* Key Topics at workshops to include: 1. Planter and airseeder setup and maintenance focusing on the various ‘machinery mechanisms’. 2. Main issues arising from poor planter and airseeder set-up. 3. Seed quality and planting rate understanding, dependant of crop choice. 4. Impacts of climate and soil type on planter setup and timing. 5. The use of herbicide and fertilizer injection systems on planters