Turf Queensland's "Innovation in Queensland Turf Production"

John Keleher, Australian Lawn Concepts MD welcomed and thanked everyone for coming including DAFQ (Ian) and Turf Queensland and Dover and Sons. John then gave his talk on ‘This Is The First Time Variable Rate Irrigation Has Been Utilised For Turf Production In Australia’ along with Bob Dover from Zimatic.

Key Points:

100 plus ha of Turf production50% high price 50% low price25 staff7 centre pivots (8ha to 60 ha)Current owners for 12 years Still learning.

Water Use Efficiency:

Pivots tested – distribution uniformity etcPumps tested - % efficiency, KwH etcSoil Water holding capacity – moisture metersApplication efficiencyPan Evaporation, Crop FactorsPractical Experience, BMP.What’s missing?

Precision Ag/Site Specific Crop Management

Yield MapsGPSApplication technologySoil Map, EM 38Software 

Why VRI for ALC?

Practical technologyNatural Resource ManagementHarvest cycle = $Improved managementSocial conscience Greg Banff Golden Finch Lawns & Danny Weire Precision Ag Solutions) gave their talk on: Tractor mounted Variable-Rate Fertiliser (not Fertigation) is suitable for turf production and used widely in broad acre cropping.Paul Spencer, Sales Agronomist Greenway Turf Solutions gave his talk on: Controlled release fertilisers minimise waste and the latest in fertiliser technologies to provide controlled release of nitrogen and protect nutrient sediment run-off whilst improving yield and protecting the environment.

We would like to again thank everyone who came to this event and hope that you had an informative and enjoyable day. #turf #turfproducers #turfgrass #turfgrassproducers #turffarm #lawn #lawns #perfectlawn #alcturf