Agricultural
11 November, 2024
Oakey Show Society 2024 Dryland Winter Crop Competition winners announced
President of the Oakey Show Society Judy Byers, has advised that the judging of the 2024 Dryland Field Winter Crop Competition entries has been completed.
Mrs Byers advised that the Show Committee was very pleased to hear that there were several entries received across the wheat and barley sections.
There were no entries in the chickpea category.
As in recent seasons, the gentle, soaking summer and autumn rain had built up very good plant available water reserves in the soil profile.
Following ideal planting conditions through late autumn and early winter, the sown cereal crops established very well.
Though the winter and spring rainfall consisted of smaller falls only, plant establishment was excellent with crop growth and density above average.
The colder frosty weather in July and early August also provided a good platform for potential yields.
At the time of crop inspection and judging from mid-September to early October, the maturity status of the crops was very advanced due to the drier end of season weather pattern and the fact that the crops were sown in an earlier than usual window, from mid-April through to June.
The potential and assessed yield for all entries was very surprising with many similar to 2022 and 2023.
There was some evidence that leaf and stem rust disease though crown rot has become more visible and present due to the sequence of improved winter crop seasons.
Harvesters commenced in September in isolated locations, with others to commence from early-to-mid October.
Overall, the main harvest will be much earlier than seen in previous decades.
Participating growers have expressed their satisfaction with the capacity of the current varieties to grow and perform in a range of conditions.
Newer varieties are being released each year.
Additionally, the disease pressures can be managed primarily due to close monitoring and availability of fungicide to minimise such impacts.
In the barley section, first place was taken out by the Kummerow family (known as Girraween Farming), Bowenville with the Fandaga variety.
Second place was jointly shared by three entries: the Rosenberger family of Silverleigh with La Perouse, Polzin Farming of Jondaryan with Neo, and the Anderson family (Arcadia Rural) of Brimblecombe’s Road with Fandaga.
Several other entries in the barley section impressed the organisers with the crop condition and estimated yields.
For the prime hard wheat category, first place was won by the Kummerow Family (Girraween Farming) with Sundancer, and second place also to Girraween Farming, with Leverage.
In the durum wheat category, there was one entry only by the Kummerow family of Bowenville with Westcourt variety.
On behalf of the Show Society, Mrs Byers congratulates the winners on their success and all entrants for their efforts and participation.
The continuing adoption of new technology, good varietal selection, in conjunction with good nutrient management and crop husbandry has been a critical factor with the consistently higher yields.
The winners of the prime hard wheat and barley categories will now represent the district at the 2024 Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) Darling Downs Field Wheat and Barley competitions, at which local growers have enjoyed success.
Growers of these winning crops will be presented with their prizes at the next Annual Oakey Show, to be held in March 2025.
Show Society President Mrs Byers thanks all participants and the co-ordinator/judge for their ongoing support to the Oakey Show Society Dryland Winter Crop competition.
She said the Society looks forward to the next competition in 2025.
- Graham Cooke
