RUNNING two cropping operations more than 300 kilometres apart means seeding time is an especially hectic period for Jeff and Kate Stoney.
The pair run the Stoney family’s property at Gnowellen and lease Kate’s family property at Pingelly with the help of her parents Graeme and Anne Watts.
Running properties at the two locations means the risk is spread and this year is a good example of that with good moisture available at Gnowellen and the need for rain at Pingelly.
The couple is based at Gnowellen but they like to get to Pingelly regularly during busy times to help out the full-time employee they have managing it.
This year they will plant a 3000 hectare cropping program across both properties.
“We will put in 2000ha at Gnowellen and 1000ha at Pingelly,” Jeff said.
A third of the program will be canola, a third barley and wheat will make up the remainder of the program at Gnowellen and oats at Pingelly.
Thumper canola will be planted at the southern property and Stingray at Pingelly.
Bass barley is used and Calingiri will make up the majority of the wheat program with some Zen also being planted.
The seeding program started on Monday last week after 13 millimetres of rain was received on the previous weekend.
“We have been lucky down here with rain,” Jeff said.
“We had good summer rain with 100mm in February and 30mm for March, so there is good moisture and the recent 13mm means we will be right for a little while.
“This is not the case in Pingelly where we are looking for a good drop to get things moving up there.”
