Big crowd rolls in for 2024 Hart Field Day
Hart executive officer Sandy Kimber said about 550 people attended the field day, with participants eager to both learn from this years’ challenging weather patterns, and be armed with the latest research ahead of planning for next season.
“The Hart team were so pleased to see growers, advisors and industry representatives from across South Australia and interstate meet at the Hart Field Day again this year, especially in such a challenging season”, she said.
“While our core business is cropping research and extension, we’re also about binging people together to learn from and network with each other.
“Seeing the farming community embrace our program and all it offers in terms of driving improved productivity and profitability, is very humbling”.
The new Hart Research Hub, funded by a GRDC infrastructure grant, was officially opened on the day by GRDC manager agronomy, soils and farming systems – south, Stephen Loss.
The former ‘shed’ was redeveloped to create the new hub, with a more comfortable indoor/outdoor meeting and learning space, hot water and kitchenette, as well as storage room among the features.
Platinum sponsor of the Hart Field Day, Rocky River Ag was on-site with machinery displays, celebrating a milestone 20-year partnership with Hart in 2024.
The field day featured 20 rolling sessions throughout the day.
Some of the highlights included ‘Emergence and rainfall: getting to the basics; and ‘Crop establishment after a dry start’.
Nitrogen-efficient fertilisers, oaten hay agronomy and export markets, and advancements in technology to support better on-farm decision-making were also on the program.
The new technologies sessions generated plenty of interest, with drone imaging, ag-tech for soil monitoring and the autonomous Trektor and precision soil sampling on display.