Barwicks take home Premer Shield

A SORGHUM crop described by Premer Shield judge Loretta Serafin from NSW Agriculture as "a beautifully even crop with extremely high yield and good plant stand" has earned southern Liverpool Plains farmers Neil and Geoff Barwick, Yarrabah, Willow Tree this year's prestigious award.

The crop of Pacific Seeds Buster was judged best in the Quirindi district before beating six other district winners to take out the top award for best sorghum crop produced in the 'blue ribbon' Liverpool Plains area.

Neil Barwick said he was "absolutely thrilled" to receive the award after paying particular attention to weed control, soil fertility and planting the "correct variety at the correct rate at the correct time".

"We were able to achieve excellent establishment using our Excel Stubble Warrior zero till planter even though we were planting into heavy stubble from last year's barley crop - that provides a foundation for a very high yielding crop," Mr Barwick said.

"The quality of the seed produced this season by our Buster is magnificent, weighing up to 80 kilograms/hectolitre and with just 1.5 per cent screenings."

The Barwicks planted the crop at a rate of 55,000 seeds per hectare and achieved an establishment of about 40,000 seeds per hectare. They planted in mid-November into a full profile of 1.5-2 metres of moisture and applied 250kg/ha of urea between the rows at planting.

Another 60kg/ha of starter fertiliser was applied with the seed at planting and the crop received good rain in December but only 108 mm from January to March. The crop yielded an estimated 8.5t/ha.

"Our zero till program played a major role in the crop's success," Mr Barwick said.