Improving farm productivity

is the goal of most farmers, so when Wayne Smith (who spoke at the AgKI Conference last year) claimed he could do it on Kangaroo Island, he was challenged to prove it.

So Wayne is in the process of establishing five demonstration sites on KI to prove that his ‘High Input High Output’ farming system works.

There will be two cropping and three grazing sites with a range of soil types in locations across KI. The project will run for five years and all sites will be monitored to make sure that the system is productive both financially and environmentally.

Wayne is enthusiastic about what can be achieved. “These ‘demos’ will clearly demonstrate what is possible. I believe that >40 DSE with minimal or no hand feeding is possible on KI”, he said.

“The grazing sites will be able to increase productivity in a short space of time; the cropping sites will take longer to show the benefits of a good rotation, stubble retention”.

Sounds impossible? Are you cynical that it will work? There’s an opportunity to ask Wayne the tough questions at his presentation at the Parndana Golf club on Monday 30 June at 7.30 pm.

His presentation will cover what is being planned for the demonstrations and why, and what he expects will be achieved. He will discuss the results he has already achieved for other producers and give advice as to what you should be doing now to maximise productivity this year.

On Wednesday 2 July there is an opportunity to visit any or all of the demonstration sites:8.30 am at the Bell’s property ‘Bellevista’ on Springs Rd11 am at Stanton’s (5 km down Pratts Rd from Stokes Bay Rd)1:30 pm at Heinrich’s (Stokes Bay Rd)3:30 pm at Morgan’s (South Coast Rd, approx. 5 km west of Mt Stockdale Rd).

Wayne will also be available for private (fee-for-service) visits on Thursday 3 July. If you would like to have a visit from Wayne please contact him directly on 0428 188 479 or email wayne@agronomy.com.au

Natural Resources Kangaroo Island would like to thank the following sponsors who have made this project possible: the Australian Government, Kangaroo Island Futures Authority, AgVet Services, Agriculture Kangaroo Island, Wayne Smith and Elders Pty Ltd. Most importantly this project could not be provided without the assistance of the farmers who host the demonstration sites, the Bell Family (Bellevista), the Stanton Family, A & T Heinrich and S & L Morgan.

For further information about this project please contact Lyn Dohle from PIRSA on 0419 846 204.