The Young Show Society has again run a very successful wheat crop competition on November 15. Organised by Jesh Smith the competition attracted nine entries from Milvale to Greenethorpe with crops of high standard and above average yield.
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Judge, Andrew Daley commented the crops ranged in maturity and were from two to six weeks off harvest.
“Most showed signs of some leaf damage due to fungal disease but Adult Plant Resistance had kicked in later in the season,” Andrew said.
“The wet year has made weed control difficult but most of the crops presented were of high standard.
“Crops have received up to 700mm of rain throughout the growing season and although there is some waterlogging crops have stood up well to the wet conditions with yields ranging from 4.75 T/Ha – 7 T/ha. Rhizoctonia and take-all were noticed but the incidence of these soil borne diseases was minimal.”
A crop of Gregory wheat grown on Mike and Gail Shannon’s family property ‘Ardnaree,’ Tubbul was the winner. Currently farmed by the Hardie Pastoral Company from Wallendbeen it was estimated to yield 7 T/Ha. The direct drilled paddock followed a canola crop in 2015.
Sown into the gently sloping red basalt soil at 55 Kg/Ha on May 15, the crop showed good canopy management and it appears that lodging will not be an issue. Sown with 85 Kg/Ha of MAP the crop had 120 Kg/Ha of Urea applied June 26 and received 620 mm of rain during the growing season.
A total of 208 points was scored with top marks for yield, trueness to type, freedom of disease, weeds and farming practices. The competition was run under ASC guidelines making the winner now eligible to be judged in the zone final and potentially onto the state finals.
David Clarkes “Billaboola” crop of Gregory at Maimuru came a close second with 203 points and Julie Brien’s “Ardnai” crop of Lancer at Greenethorpe took third with 197 points. A new encouragement award was introduced this year awarded to Mick Reynolds of Reynolds Pastoral Company “Toompang”.
A dinner and presentation took place in the canteen at the Young Showground Pavilion. Andrew Daley spoke on the crops he judged and Marina McMillan, 2016 Young Showgirl, presented the winning sash. Jesh said he is pleased with the new entrants this year, a first time for some.
Jesh would like to thank the ASC and all sponsors. Lowes Petroleum awarded a fuel voucher to the winner of each district across the state. Incitec Pivot in conjunction with Nutrient Advantage Laboratory supplied soil and tissue tests while Australian Grain Technologies supplied half a tonne of seed wheat.
