Broadacre Cropping

A more Regenerative approach to broadacre Cropping.

We are currently transitioning towards a more regenerative approach to growing grains, oilseeds and legumes. With concerns about the future health of our farm ecosystem and the increasing costs and inputs annually we have started exploring ways to manage our land for the long term. To date we have:

Implemented a zero till system using single disc openers,

Set up our airseeder on narrow row spacings to encourage early canopy closure and reduce reliance on pre-emergent herbicides,

Built a liquid kit specifically designed for biologicals, biofertilisers, compost extract etc that operates between 50-100l/ha,

Done some experimenting with multi species cropping with varying results,

Stopped using fungicide/insecticide based seed dressings, instead we are using biological seed dressings and getting good results,

Begun subdividing large cropping areas back into more manageable sizes for effectively stocking stubbles and grazing through the growing season,

Started regular sap testing through the growing season. In crop nutrients, including N, are mixed on farm and applied as a foliage spray as per test results.

Under a regenerative cropping system we are not aiming for comparable yields to a conventional synthetic system, but due to lower cost of production and more resilient soils our bottom line should be comparable.