Improved crop establishment through
technological innovation
Robert Pocock, Lampata Poll Merinos
Key messages
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Demonstrate the ability of implement steering systems to accurately sow crops.
Benefits of edge row seeding through increased emergence.
Benefit to soil through increased stubble residues and cover.
Background
The project is trialling innovative precision seeding technology which uses a steerable
drawbar and customised seed boot to precisely place the seed in the moisture zone alongside the previous year’s
stubble row, while minimising stubble disturbance or blockage, thereby minimising soil erosion. The technology is a
significant improvement on “current” ‘guidance technologies used by farmers which only ‘steer’ the tractor. This
technology has only recently been developed and there is scope for broad adoption within the Mallee region.
The project directly addresses the need within the low rainfall, non-wetting, sandy soil cropping systems of the SA
Mallee for alternative seeding technologies which allow for maximum farm business profitability and environmental
sustainability.
Figure 1 demonstrates the water pathways effect in non-wetting soil where this method is going to be of most
advantage to many Mallee farmers.
Figure 1: Moisture below previous year’s crop in non-wetting soils.
Source: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/water-repellence/effective-furrow-sowing-water-repellent-soils
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The trial is sown to demonstrate the ability of implement steering to be used in consecutive years to enable planting
against the previous year’s crop residue/row to gain access to water and nutrients and therefore enhance seed
establishment. The trial site has been sown with two different crops in separate machinery passes to enable a
comparison of edge row and mid row sowing within the one season.
This method could be used to more reliably plant break crops in dryer soils than usual and also consider latticing
legumes such as peas onto high cut cereals to aid with harvesting and increase ground cover post-harvest.
Demonstration Design
Further information
Robert Pocock, Lameroo
[email protected] or 0438824758
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