Queensland Country Life

Barley crop exceeds yield potential

Russell Zahnow of Zahnoonah Pastoral Co at Mundubbera, Queensland is pleased with his forage oats crop production.
Russell Zahnow of Zahnoonah Pastoral Co at Mundubbera, Queensland is pleased with his forage oats crop production.

This article is sponsored by Pasture Genetics

Russell Zahnow of Zahnoonah Pastoral Co at Mundubbera, Queensland, has grown Pasture Genetics’ Moby forage barley for several years now across various regions of Queensland.

Mr Zahnow has seen enormous success with Moby forage barley at Kalbar and Boonah in the Fassifern Valley region of south east Queensland, and had no hesitation in sowing it again for hay production on his new farm at Mundubbera in the Wide Bay–Burnett region.

In June 2017, Moby forage barley was sown into eight hectares under centre pivot irrigation at a rate of 85 kilograms per hectare.

It established quickly with rapid growth, whilst experiencing very dry conditions through the months of June, July and August.

Sulphate of Ammonia was applied mid-season to promote growth and enhance the quality of the pasture.

Dry conditions continued into early September and the Moby forage barley was cut mid-September to ensure maximum quality was maintained in the bale.

“225 high quality round bales were made, which was very pleasing considering the dry conditions the crop endured,” Mr Zahnow said.

“Moby forage barley has shown it’s very adaptable to a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions across Queensland, and it will continue to play an important role in our hay production system,” he concluded.

This article is sponsored by Pasture Genetics