Held at the Cleve Showgrounds in early August 2007 the Annual SPAA EXPO attracted more than 130 farmers and PA industry representatives from as far as Victoria and the south east of SA to attend the SPAA EXPO.
The event was well supported by sponsors and exhibitors.
Displays of new PA technology were presented by SARDI and the
Premium Sponsors: gps-Ag, Terrabyte Services, CaseIH, John Deere and Omnistar.
Trade Sponsors: Landmark, Rinex, Precision Cropping Technologies and Topcon
Participants had the opportunity to hear presentations by PA farmer and consultant Clive Blacker from the UK, Michael Wells on the Value of EM and Matt McCallum on the Economics of PA Technologies.
In addition, three farmers who are ‘PA pioneers’ Randall Wilksch, Graeme Baldock and Ashley Wakefield shared their practical experiences in using PA technologies
Thanks must go to all who encourage farmers to attend especially - EP PA Group coordinators Graeme Baldock
and Randall Wilksch, and the Ag Excellence Alliance for co-funding a bus from the YP.
Some of the key points made at the EXPO:
• The need to keep it simple;
• RTK yield monitors can provide both yield and topography maps;
• Focus on increasing production not just reducing costs;
• Nutrient replacement as a fertiliser strategy can provide rapid returns;
• Produce gross margin maps
• EM38 surveys can help in targeting soil sampling points for nutrition;
• Guidance and auto-steer deliver cost savings but also reduce fatigue and increase productivity.
• Inter row sowing helps deal with stubble at seeding and improves crop emergence.
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