Around 75 people attended the Highleaze Seeds Field day at Smeaton on Friday 26th Oct. Nearly 50 local farmers together with agronomists from far and wide had the chance to see the operations of Highleaze Seeds.

On display at Highleaze Seeds trial site were cereal varieties from AWB Seeds, Waratah Seed Co, GrainSearch, GrainTrust, Wrightson Seeds, Heritage Seeds, PlantTech and Unigrain and included Wheat, Barley, Oats and Triticale. Cereal varieties tolerant of grazing were keenly observed as were varieties suited to hay and silage production. Frelon Winter Wheat was observed to be very disease resistant and a sound potential dual purpose grazing and grain crop. AWB Seeds had demonstration plots of their varieties comparing new wheats and Barleys to the existing range of products and the common controls. New 2007 releases Hindmarsh and Buloke barleys and Catalina wheat were discussed by Simon Crane, AWB Seeds Manager.

Pasture seed companies including Wrightson Seeds, SeedForce, Specialty Seeds Australia, Stephen Pasture Seeds and Heritage Seeds had pasture varieties on display and were in attendance with information on existing varieties and some new ryegrasses, cocksfoots and rapes discussed. Of particular interest seemed to be varieties that would stand up to tough and dry conditions and persist in years like 2006 and 2007.

A feature of the day was a tour of the cleaning, processing and treating facilities and details of the plant upgrades. David Toose outlined how the plant works and why professional seed cleaning is so important to farmers and farm profitability, the range of seed treatments that are available and how the supply of seed was likely to be for 2008 sowings.

Farmers and Agronomists had the chance to talk to experts who attended the day including Frank Mickan – DPI Ellinbank - Fodder Conservation Specialist and Jeremy Roake – University of Sydney - Triticale Plant Breeder as well as seed company representatives.

Jeremy Roake told the group how to get the most out of two new dual purpose, rust resistant Triticale varieties Tobruk and Endeavour; Tobruk suits early sowing and grazing, locking up and harvesting grain or taking an early silage cut before summer cropping paddock with a Rape etc. whereas Endeavour is later maturing and suited to grazing and then silage production.

Ben Brown from Mason-Brown IT launched the Highleaze Seeds website www.highleazeseeds.com.au where farmers can get up to date information and printable fact sheets on cropping and pasture varieties suited to the local area. Ben explained that priority had been placed on fast loading times and an easy to use format when developing the site. Farmers are encouraged o provide feedback on the site once they have logged on.

Farmers can get an information pack if they missed the day by calling Highleaze Seeds on 53456431.