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WANTFA survey reveals changing practices
The number of Western Australian No-Tillage Association (WANTFA) members running livestock in addition to their cropping program has declined significantly in the past five years.
This is one of the findings from a recent survey of 169 farmers, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country initiative.
With the results of the survey, WANTFA aims to better understand its member base and help growers overcome barriers to no-till adoption.
Just 69 per cent of respondents had both livestock and crop enterprises, compared to 85 per cent in a 2003 survey.
Other interesting findings from the 2009 survey include a significant increase in the number of growers using disc openers for seeding, although half those still retained a tyne seeder.
Most growers surveyed – 83 per cent - used GPS guidance systems on their farms, but controlled traffic or tramlining was lagging behind with only 15 per cent of growers using this technique in addition to GPS.
The survey revealed a big decrease in the number of growers burning crop residues – 38 per cent in 2009 compared with 68 per cent in 2003.
More farmers reported never cultivating paddocks prior to seeding – 83 per cent compared with 76 per cent in 2003.
WANTFA scientific collaborator Ken Flower said economics was the main reason for some WANTFA members eliminating livestock from their enterprises.
“The second factor could be that, in some instances, growers feel that livestock do not fit in to their no-till systems and they want to maintain full stubble retention,” he said.
“However, many others do feel livestock fit into a no-till system.
“Lifestyle issues are the third reason why some growers have gone out of livestock.”
WANTFA project officer Jade Dempster said it was interesting that disc seeders had gained in popularity – in 2003, 8 per cent of survey respondents had disc seeders, compared with 25 per cent in 2009.
“Although half of the growers that operate a disc seeder also operate a tyne machine, there was a significant increase in the use of disc seeders,” she said.
“Lower soil disturbance, greater stubble handling ability and operational savings such as lower fuel usage were reasons given by respondents for wanting to use a disc seeder.
“Some concerns that still surround disc seeders are related to weed control, suitability to soil types, crop establishment and high maintenance requirements.”
Mrs Dempster said it was surprising that only 15 per cent of survey respondents had adopted tramlining.
“Money and the need for machinery alternations or upgrades were the main barriers to adoption,” she said.
“This indicates that growers cannot see a significant return on investment for this practice and also highlights that the transition is a gradual one due to the high capital expenditure.”
Mrs Dempster said it was pleasing that the percentage of growers burning stubbles was substantially lower compared to 2003.
“This seems to be attributed to the fact that stubbles are being managed well at harvest. 95 per cent of survey respondents find stubble retention manageable and 100 per cent believe residue cover improves long term soil health,” she said.
GRDC Project Code: WAN00012
Contact: Natalie Lee
Cox Inall Communications
08 9864 2034; 0427 189 827
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