Understanding Crop Production for Women – Workshop Series

Local agronomists and agribusiness consultants have supported the days and provide technical advice. This project has been supported and complimented by a similar event to be held in upper Eyre Peninsula. The Workshop series commenced on 30 March 2016 with Workshop 1 “Getting Ready for Seeding” session which included topics such as: What is grown in your paddocks – Amy Gutsche, Lincoln Rural; Understanding Farmers – Mark Modra, LEADA Member; Importance of Healthy Soil – Brett Masters, PIRSA where they got their hands dirty with some soil testing; and the session concluded with The Grain Game – Group session – Naomi Scholz, PIRSA-SARDI.

The workshop series received 13 registrations from the lower Eyre Peninsula including participants from LEADA sponsor organisations. At workshop 3 an additional 5 participants jointed the group. Workshop 2 “Rotations and Management of the Crops” was held in June and provided the participants with the insight into Why is this plant growing in this paddock this year? – Amy Gutsche, Lincoln Rural Supplies; followed by Crop Threats: Diseases – Amanda Cook – PIRSA-SARDI and Crop Threats: Pests and Weeds – George Pedler, George Pedler Ag and concluding a busy day with Nutrition and Fertilisers – Brett Masters – PIRSA.

Held on the first day of spring Workshop 3 had the participants out and about with a “Crop Walk – Seasonal Assessment” theme. Participants brought along weeds for identification and discussion on controls within crops. George Pedler showed the Lupin Trial site at Wanilla while after lunch the group visited a Canola and Wheat crop at Mark Modra’s Edillille property. Amy Gutsche provided details on calculating the yield potential of crops. Everyone enjoyed the day especially being able to get out in the paddocks.

Due to the storm and power outage in late September Workshop 4 “Paddock to Plate” was postponed to 4 November. Stephanie Cook from AWB outlined Grain Marketing including production of wheat Australian wide and on Eyre Peninsula. Robyn Packer, Rabo Bank spoke to the group on the importance of Business Management, including planning, budgeting and analyzing the business performance. James Murray, Viterra explained the bulk handling and export business, including the segregation, quality and hygiene of grain, whilst Kym Scott showed the group around the Viterra bunker site at Cummins. Participants had a tour to the Cummins Bakery and Cummins Mill to understand where there grain goes and the importance of the quality and varieties.

Workshop 5 “Seasonal wrap-up and review” to complete the Understanding Crop Production workshop series will be held in February 2017. The workshop will also include a Work Health and Safety and Economics of Crop Production / Climate Change presentations.

The Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association would like to thank the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board for providing a grant to run the workshop series and sponsorship from Rabo Bank and Australian Wheat Board (AWB).