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Trevor Caithness Gippsland
Chairman welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the new National Landcare
Programme funding and briefly outlined the outcomes of the previous project.
He encouraged members to register for the next ‘soil project’.
Overall objective of the NLP
project is to encourage more sustainable farming practices which include
controlled traffic and minimum tillage. Trevor gave members an overview of
Branch business & introduced the guest speakers.
Brendan Williams gps-Ag began
the presentations. He outlined the benefits of auto steer and the range of
products available.
Benefits
Greater efficiency, less
fatigue, safer, less skill required, savings on machinery, saves time,
improves organization and saves money. (Brendan said that overlap adds an
average of 5% to the cost of growing a crop)
Key points
Guidance systems start as low
as $1,800.
Consideration of Base station
important. Everything needs to be measured. You need to allow two
years to get the system working effectively. Should not consider new
machinery without auto-steer/gps
More information:
Brendan Williams M: 0428428708 E:
bwilliams@gps-ag.com.au
We also had the opportunity
to experience the different systems ‘in the tractor’ and look at the base
stations. (I have some product brochures)
Morris’ demonstrated ‘filling
& sealing’ the Silo bags. All the work takes place on the ground. Bags water
proof, airtight (no weevils) and the system allows the grain to be stored in
the paddock. The silo bags require a flat even surface and it is essential
to prepare the site so there are no sticks or stones under the bag. No
trucks needed, bags are filled from the chaser bin. You can store any amount
of grain. The Morris’ are using 250 ton bags, harvest one paddock (20 ton
etc), cut bag, seal and move to next paddock. System requires a bagger
& ideally an extractor and chaser bin. Morris’ have also used the system to
store fertilizer.
More information: Neil
Phillips P: 0427535677 E:
nendy@dragnet.com.au W:
www.silobags.com
Paulets brought their air
seeder with pasture disc seeder attachments across and demonstrated its
operation. The seeder has been designed specifically for their raised beds &
pasture sowing.
We finished the day with a
crop walk and discussion of treatments. Cereal looked good & the Canola
looked fantastic (Hybrid 45Y77). It had just had an inch of rain!
Thanks to the Morris & Paulet
families for sharing their time, expertise and resources.
Thanks to gps- Ag for a great
lunch.
The day was part of the SFS
Gippsland’s National Landcare Project.
Ends….. |
