Irrigation Farmer Networks spring trial saw industry representatives, members and sponsors inspect crops and hear directly from researchers and seed industry representatives.
Irrigation Farmers Network operations manager Damian Jones says a strong turnout at a spring trials field day at Kerang recently demonstrates the value farmers and industry place on independent, locally relevant research.
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Farmers, industry representatives, IFN members, sponsors and non-members travelled from across the region to inspect the winter crop trials and hear directly from researchers and seed industry representatives.
Mr Jones said conditions at the Kerang trial site had changed remarkably in just three weeks.
“Only three weeks ago it was too wet to get on to the site, but it has dried up beautifully and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions for today’s field day,” Mr Jones said.
“It has been an exceptionally wet season, but things can turn around very quickly. Our moisture probes, provided to IFN by Schedule It, are now indicating that we actually need to order water and start irrigating.
“That’s exactly why having good, local information matters. Farmers are constantly making decisions in changing conditions, and the more reliable information they have in front of them, the better informed those decisions can be.”
The crowd heard from seed industry representatives who walked through trial plots of wheat, oats, barley and canola, discussing individual varieties, the strongest performers and expected yields.
“There was a huge amount of interest. The questions were coming thick and fast, and that is exactly what we want from these days,” Mr Jones said.
“It gives farmers the opportunity to stand in the paddock, see the varieties for themselves and ask detailed questions of people who know them.”
Attendees were also provided with IFN’s 2025 trial results booklet, allowing them to compare what they were seeing in the paddock with results and data from the previous season.
Following a barbecue lunch provided by the Kerang Lions Club, Mr Jones led an afternoon session examining the GRDC Faba Bean Canopy Architecture Trial.
Mr Jones said IFN’s trials were designed to provide irrigation farmers with practical, credible information they could use when making decisions on their own farms.
“We want farmers to be able to look at independent trial data and use it alongside their own knowledge and experience to make decisions that can reduce unnecessary inputs, improve efficiency and maximise yield,” he said.
“IFN simply could not do this work without our members, sponsors and funders. Their support enables us to establish these trials, collect and share the data and bring farmers and industry together at events like today’s field day.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports IFN, and particularly to those who travelled to Kerang today.”
Amy Miner and Damian Jones inspect canola varieties before the crowd arrives.
Mr Jones said farmers who were not already members should consider joining IFN and taking advantage of the research, trial results and events available throughout the year.
“For $150 a year, membership gives farmers access to locally relevant, scientifically based and trusted information that can genuinely assist with decisions on-farm,” he said.
“One good decision about variety selection, irrigation, inputs or yield can be worth many times the cost of membership.
“The more farmers who support IFN, the more research we can undertake and the more valuable information we can put back into the hands of irrigation farmers.”
