In early March landholders in the North Burnett headed off to tour farms in Kingaroy and the Darling downs. The tour was a great chance to explore what producers in other regions are doing and how we can incorporate new ideas into our own practice. It was also an opportunity for the group to have some downtime together and recharge after some pretty tough years.
Leaving early from Monto on day one, the first stop was the Enkelmann’s property at Heathlands—flood irrigated Cotton, Maize and Pop Corn— where agronomist Wayne Seller from BGA was the guide.
The tour continued to Kingaroy Research Station where Peter Want (DAF) provided a tour of the cropping trials currently underway. Then moving on to Julian Cross’s property “Ellesmere” at Kumbia where we had Ian Crosswaite (BGA Agronomist) as the guide.
After an overnight stay at Toowoomba with plenty of reflection on the day’s events, day two commenced at David Brown’s Talgai Feedlot—Cattle feedlot and grain production, Talgai.
Lunch was at the Jondaryan Woolshed where the tourists were treated to a tour of the woolshed and then continued on to Mayfield’s irrigated and dryland grain and cotton farm. Owner Shawn Fresser guided us through his operations. The final stop on the tour was at Jimbour Station.
Manager Karl Graham guided us through the history of the property and the current farming practices.
Producers provided positive feedback to the event—wanting to know when the next one would be held. Thanks to Nick Christodoulou (DAF agronomist) who assisted developing the comprehensive itinerary.