The demonstration day will be conducted by Birchip Cropping Group as part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation four-year investment in optimising crop establishment for improved yields and profits.
The purpose of the seeder demonstration day is to compare the performance of commercially available conventional seeders and precision planters in establishing canola at two sowing rates.
Birchip Cropping Group research and extension officer Genevieve Clarke said due to the significant up-front investment in sowing canola, a common grower rate would be compared with a lower seeding rate to determine if there were opportunities to reduce seed costs with precision planters or when seeders were set up to best practice.
‘‘The day will consist of a discussion on the functionality of the different seeders from the manufacturers and a demonstration of each seeder in action,’’ Ms Clarke said.
Beyond the demonstration day, assessments will be carried out in the coming season, including plant establishment counts, normalised difference vegetation index and yield.
Data will be analysed, and the outcomes shared with growers so they can make improvements to seeding machinery and quantify the value of precision planters in optimising plant establishment and yield.
The Birchip Cropping Group seeder demonstration day will be held on Friday, April 12 beginning at 9am and finishing with lunch at 1pm.
It will be held at the Birchip Cropping Group main research site, 8km west of Birchip on Sunraysia Hwy.
■For more information and to RSVP, phone the Birchip Cropping Group office on 5492 2787.
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