Lentils the focus for 2026 Derisking the Sowing Program demonstration

After two successful seasons of work through the Derisking the Sowing Program on EP project, the work is continuing in 2026 with a new lentil demonstration site established at the Minnipa Ag Centre.

The project is focused on supporting Eyre Peninsula growers to make more confident decisions around dry and early sowing. In 2024, the demonstration site explored fertiliser toxicity and time of sowing, while the 2025 season focused on herbicide strategies. Wheat was the focus crop across both demonstrations.

In 2026, the project has shifted focus to lentils, with treatments examining lentil seeding systems, herbicide interactions and time of rolling.

The demonstration site was sown at the Minnipa Ag Centre on 4 May 2026. Herbicide treatments and rolling have now been completed, although wet paddock conditions have delayed establishment counts. These will be undertaken as soon as conditions allow. The SARDI team at Minnipa will continue monitoring the site throughout the season.

3 Treatment Factors - Seeding system, Rolling time & Herbicide mix 

2x Seeding systems: Horwood Bagshaw PSS, RootBootRazor

3x Rolling times: Straight after seeding, 5 node (above furrow), late

5x Herbicide mixes: Mix 1 IBS, Mix 2 IBS, Mix 3 IBS+PSPE, Mix 4 IBS+PSPE, Mix 5 IBS