Growers and suppliers from across Eyre Peninsula gathered at Lock on 22 October for the third annual field day at the Elders Lock trial site.
The event was designed to showcase practical, regionally relevant research aimed at improving productivity, profitability and sustainability in local farming systems.
Now in its third year, the Lock trial site continues to provide valuable local insights for growers operating in the region.
The site offers a realistic testing ground for a range of agronomic treatments.
Luke Nettle, an Elders agronomist based in Cummins, led a pre-emergent chemistry trial in canola, focusing on ryegrass management.
“We saw strong control on pretty sandy soils and good crop safety with several of the pre-emergents,” he said.
The site, which was sown in June, also featured trials on fertiliser coatings, lentil varieties, knockdowns, inoculants and different farming systems.
Luke highlighted the inclusion of new trait technologies in the canola trials.
“We looked at glyphosate-tolerant canola options alongside Clearfield technology,” he said.
“We’re probably not quite ready for widespread adoption here yet, but we showed growers how the different pre-ems performed across plots and how they can reduce ryegrass numbers.
“We hope it gives farmers useful information to take home for next season.”
For grower Nick Gail, who farms between Ungarra and Yeelanna, the day delivered practical value.
“It was really informative,” he said.
“There was a wide range of trials and speakers, and they relayed the information well, lots of useful knowledge.”
The field day drew strong attendance, a testament to the value local growers place on seeing trials conducted in their own backyard.
“It’s hugely valuable for the Lock region because it’s local,” Luke said.
“The products and practices are being tested right on their doorstep. If something works a kilometre from their farm at the trial site, they can be confident it might work at home.”
Nick echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of applying trial learnings to his own operation.
“A few things stood out, from weed control through to how we place practices strategically within the business so everything flows,” he said.
“Early weed control supports later-season control and helps with logistics like harvest timing. “We’re thinking beyond a single year, a multi-year approach where each decision has flow-on effects.”
One of the more surprising outcomes from the day was the performance of older chemistry options.
“Some of the older pre-em chemistries still held their own against the newer options,” Luke said.
“We’re often chasing the ‘latest and greatest’, but bringing older modes of action back into the mix alongside new chemistry delivered very good results.”
Nick also appreciated the broader systems approach on display.
“The farming systems style of trial they showed is great,” he said.
“Mixing and rotating chemistry is front-of-mind for us, and we’re watching where that goes.
“Regulatory changes are also big, so desiccation strategies, which they touched on, are important too.”
Luke said he is optimistic about the future of the site and its role in the community.
“I hope this continues. It’s positive for the community, and good networking and team- building for everyone involved,” he added.
“[The day] was fantastic, really a win-win for Elders and the wider Eyre Peninsula region.”
