Over 180 grower and industry representatives attended the 2021 Liebe Group Spring Field Day to witness one the best seasons in the district in the last 10 years.
The Liebe Group Main Trial Site, hosted on the outskirts of Dalwallinu by the Hyde family, included 20 trials and demonstrations covering a knockdown and crop safety matrix, National Variety Trials, machinery demonstrations, herbicide resistance trials and more.
With the marque nestled amongst the wheat crop and surrounding trials, attendees had opportunities to wonder the paddocks to listen to presentations and engage with leading researchers, industry partners and local growers.
The soil pit was popular, with Wayne Parker, DPIRD, describing the challenges of deep ripping heavy clay soils. The soil pit highlighted a visual display of both ripped and unripped treatments, along with a clear society layer at depth. Growers were able to discuss some of the potential amelioration options for this type of soil.
Angus McAlpine, CSBP, walked growers through Water Use Efficiency calculations, describing how yield potential of different long season wheat varieties impacted by different nitrogen strategies. There was a lot of interest to see how the treatments results will differ in a high rainfall year for the region.
Liebe Group Research and Development Coordinator Judy Storer presented on the Liebe Group soil pathogen trial with DPIRD researchers Sarah Collins and Daniel Huberli. The trial looked at various methods of addressing soil borne pathogens, which is a growing issue effecting crop performance in the region. Some interesting results have been seen to date, and the trial will continue to be monitored through 2022.
Along with learning about the new agronomic technologies and practices, the field day provided attendees with an opportunity to think about how they look after themselves. Hosted on R U OK? Day, Jo Drayton from Holyoake, spoke about the importance of men looking after themselves with the same level of attention that they give to their machinery. Highlighting that it is a sign of courage rather than a sign of weakness to admit that you are feeling overwhelmed and by seeking help you are working towards being the best partner, mate, colleague and team-mate that you can be. Finishing with some of the signs of stress and tips on how to manage it, Jo gave the group some important things to think about in the lead up to a busy harvest period.
The field day concluded with Southern Cross grower and innovator, Callum Wesley, providing insights into low rainfall farming in the far eastern wheatbelt. He talked about the continued need to adopt new ideas and practices, and not being afraid to fail. Callum walked the audience through his process of developing the Wesley Wheel and highlighted other concepts he has trialled on farm.
The Liebe Spring Field Day is an annual event open to all members of the public, and provides growers with opportunities to access locally relevant research and development, and talk with their peers about what they have seen and how they can implement their learnings in their own business.
The Liebe Group greatly thanks and appreciates the support from Harry, Jane, Matt and Emily Hyde for hosting the site, event partner Elders Scholz Rural, and event supporter the National Recovery and Resilience Agency. The group also recognised the support of Diamond partners; CBH, CSBP, Rabobank and RSM, gold and silver partners, the Rapid Relief Team, REST a While Coffee, all the volunteers, the presenters and all those who attended the day to make the event a success.
