Shaun Thomas is looking forward to harvesting his first first Neo barley crop in a few months’ time.
It might still be a few weeks away from harvest but early indicators for Shaun Thomas’ Neo barley crop are looking pretty good.
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This is the first time Shaun has ever grown this particular variety on the property he farms in the Noorong-Tullakool region, north of Barham.
Irrigation Farmers Network’s Damian Jones and John Lolicato inspect the barley crop.
“We decided to grow Neo after seeing the results from our neighbours the previous year who trialled it and noted a 1.2 tonne per hectare difference, so we thought we would give it a go, and we are very impressed with it so far,” Shaun said.
The Neo crop has performed well in the sodic soils at Noorong-Tullakool.
“Visually it looks to be a tonne per hectare better than anything else we have grown but we will know more after harvesting.”
Over the summer months, Shaun had the block EM38 surveyed and Veris soil mapped.
He said the data indicated lime application ranged from 0t/ha to 2.4t/ha and gypsum 0t/ha to 2.7t/ha.
“This is the first time I have used this technology and variable rate sowing and I am glad we did,” he said.
The crop has received two waterings via the lateral over the growing season.
“We probably used a similar amount overall but we were able to target the right area and put the input where it was needed and it looks like it has paid off – I don’t think I have ever grown such an even crop before.”
The Neo was sown into both lentil and barley stubble.
It received a 30mm irrigation via the lateral on completion of sowing, along with a 15mm application due to the availability of supplementary water.
It also received above average rainfall over the season.
Farmers check out the field day trial, which looked at the impact of sodic soil on a variety of different crops, including wheat, barley, field peas, lentils, vetch, faba beans and chickpeas. The trail was sponsored by Riverina Sustainable Land and Water Management Plan.
“You can see water-logging damage in the low areas where water sat for too long but overall we are really happy.
“The crop will harvested for grain and we will bale the straw as well.”
Shaun said they purchased the 625ha property back in 2018 after he returned home to the family farm. He farms with his parents, Jan and Norm, and brother Anthony.
It was dryland cropped for the first two years then 400ha was developed under two laterals.
“We then grew wheat for two years followed by a break crop of lentils, another two years of wheat and then the barley this year,” Shaun said.
He said they had also purchased a couple of additional blocks to now bring the landholding over 5000ha.
“We are looking at economies of scale, and today’s land is always cheaper than tomorrow’s, and if my son comes home on the farm I want him to have a sustainable business and not have to work as hard as we have,” Shaun said.
The block was also part of a field day trial looking at the impact of sodic soil on a variety of different crops, including wheat, barley, field peas, lentils, vetch, faba beans and chickpeas.
The trail was supported by Riverina Sustainable Land and Water Management Plan.
“It is always beneficial to trial crops and it is even better if the trial is on your own land so you can see first hand the results,” Shaun said.
“Because the trail was a bit late to get in the ground, one of the big take-homes was the importance of getting your crops in the ground at the right time.”
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