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Profit from Correct Seeding Depth
Previous work by SA University and YP ASG shows a 5 to 10 % yield loss from poor seed placement and up to 15 to 20% in extreme cases. As soil moisture and soil types change during seeding, soil throw and penetration changes significantly. Farmers need to constantly monitor seed placement across the machine to achieve optimum plant establishment. Changes in soil throw patterns result in seed soil cover differences between front and rear sowing rows. Changes in machine penetration often vary seed depth between the machine centre sections and wing sections. SAGIT funded YP ASG Trials in grey mallee loams resulted in optimum yields at 30 to 40mm seed depth in Krichauff Wheat. A seeding depth of 60 mm reduced yields by 5%, 80 mm seeding depth reduced yields by 13% and 100 seeding depth reduced yields by 21%. Plant establishment was reduced by 12% at 15 mm seed depth with a yield reduction of 3%. A seeding depth of 100 mm delayed plant emergence by up to 6 to 7 days when compared to the 30 to 40 mm seed depth.

November/New Year 2009 Grain Marketing Report by Rob Rees
Listen to Victorian Farmer Rowan Peel's IPM presentation at our Spring Tour on 9th September 2008.

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