ONE of the region’s farmers who has turned to deep ripping for improved production is Carwarp’s Clay Gowers.
He says this is his third season of deep ripping and is confident it is helping his enterprise.
“Our subsoil moisture has been adequate this season across our farms although with the rain that fell around April 6 our farm only received 5mm,” he said.
“Whereas one of our neighbours, less than a kilometre away, received more than 100mm.
“Fortunately, they had sown their stock feed before the rain and their pasture is certainly up now.
“It was a very odd rain band that came over with small lakes out in some paddocks even weeks after; it’s very interesting seeing the water laying around, there are more lakes out there than we realised.
“The drone photos we have provided were taken at ‘Willah’, in the Millewa area of the Mallee that experienced that substantial early April rainfall.
“They show large puddles and lakes, which are rarely seen here in these drier flats, and they have persisted for several weeks now following the odd rainfall event.”
This year Clay is sowing cereals and legumes – mostly barley, wheat, lupins, lentils and peas.
“We are also having a try with the Tomahawk wheat variety to bulk up seed for next year,” he said.
