WITH more than 30 per cent of the crop in the ground, seeding operations have been smooth sailing on Steve and Suzanne Woods’ property at Calingiri.
The team has finished dry sowing 700 hectares of canola, made up of Bonito and genetically modified varieties.
Canola plantings increased slightly on the farm in 2017, but the remainder of the program was similar to previous years.
Son Reuben Woods said wheat was next on the agenda.
“We’ll put in about 400ha of Calingiri and Mace, and put the oats in last,” he said.
About 1500ha of Winjardi and Williams oats will be planted on the property, while 350ha of Bass barley will make up the rest of the program.
Since the beginning of the year, about 160 millimetres of rain had fallen on the Calingiri farm that averages 350mm annually.
All of the paddocks were sprayed once prior to seeding for melons, radish and volunteer cereals.
Reuben said no rain had fallen since the start of seeding on April 20, and there was no significant rainfall in sight for the rest of the month.
“We’re putting everything in dry, as far as subsoil moisture goes it’s wet but it’s a fair way down,” he said.
A Stiletto seeding system was added to their operations this year.
“We’ve got a Morris Concept 2000 with a nine inch Stiletto splitter to put the hay in,” Reuben said.
The Woods’ are also trialling the incorporation of gypsum, lime and chicken manure to improve soils.
Reuben said he hoped to be finished seeding by early June.
