MEDIA RELEASE
August 1, 2011
Ref: 17/11
LANDCARE WINNER ADOPTS NO-TILL APPROACH
Shelford’s Troy Missen is an advocate for no-till cropping and not just because it’s helped earn
him Corangamite Landcare’s Primary Producer Award for 2011.
The crop farmer has seen the benefits it has brought to his operation in terms of value and
production, and believes it’s the way of the future if primary producers want to remain viable in
the industry.
Accepting the accolade at Corangamite Landcare’s celebration dinner in Geelong with wife
Paula, Mr Missen said he had undergone a steep learning curve in sustainable farming since
introducing GPS technology for controlled-track sowing.
The switch means stubble from the previous crop can remain in the ground, the biggest
advantage to Mr Missen’s successful operation, which he started in 1994.
Mr Missen said he could see no-till and controlled-traffic farming becoming a must in his
industry, with spin-offs such as fertiliser savings and moisture retention in soil.
“Over time there’s a lot of benefit to retaining the stubble because there are a lot of nutrients in
the residue,” he said.
“No till is becoming the mainstream system really because burning stubble year after year is not
going to be possible, either because it will be outlawed altogether or the cost that will be
imposed on it will be too great.”
Mr Missen, a member of the Woady Yaloak Catchment Group and the Victorian No-Till Farmers
Association, has also noticed improvements in the Woady Yaloak Creek which runs through his
property, Riverside.
Improved soil structure and groundcover has reduced water run-off into the creek, helping
improve its water quality rating from average in 2003 to good in 2009.
For further information contact:
Johanna Wade, Communications Manager, 5232 9116 or 0427 005 187
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029
PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250
t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759
e: [email protected] w: www.ccma.vic.gov.au