THE first field day at Petro Station since it was put under new ownership in 2017 has been deemed a great success.
On Thursday, 72 growers ventured out to the expansive broadacre cropping property, around 60 kilometres north-east of Mildura.
Farm manager Tony Cavallaro said five agricultural leaders spoke about the state of the industry, the latest agronomic technology, chemical solutions and insights.
“If no one turns up then it doesn’t turn out to be a day, it’s just great to see everyone,” Mr Cavallaro said.
Managing director of agriculture investment firm goFARM Liam Lenaghan said they’ve been able to trial best practice farming solutions on the 26,673 hectare property under Tony’s leadership, fully utilising operations on the site.
“We don’t have a mortgage on all the good ideas, so we’re trialling stuff and we’re well supported by some great companies … a great learning opportunity is how we see it,” Mr Lenaghan said
“Moving away from just wheat, to wheat and barley, lentils, chick peas, vetch and oats, we’ve got diversity.”
About 9642 hectares of land at Petro Station is arable cropping area, the remainder is dedicated to conservation.
Since taking over ownership of the site, goFARM has significantly changed the farming system by removing stock and ploughs, retaining nutrients through stubble retention, investing in soil health, soil structure and soil fertility, and has diversified the crop with a no-till approach.
“We want to share those ideas and the hope is others will share their ideas with us too,” Mr Lenaghan said.
Attendees came from predominantly low rainfall cropping properties in western NSW and northern Victoria, from as far afield as Wagga Wagga.
They were also able to witness a pulse trial being undertaken at Petro Station by lead agronomist Michael Moodie.
“He’s sort of overseeing it, we provide the paddock and he does all the hard work,” Mr Lenaghan said.
“The pulse trials are very much looking at what’s the optimal time to sew those pulse varieties.
“We’re well supported by the Grains, Research and Development Corporation who are sponsoring that trial.”
