Seed treatment turbocharges pasture establishment in Queensland’s tropical north
North Queensland farmers are taking pasture seeding to new heights with the increasing use of drones, made even more effective when combined with a seed treatment improving spreading and early establishment.
Mackay-based Agronomist Scott Bennett says he’s seen a marked improvement in the evenness of signal grass seed placement using AgriCOTE® treated seed during aerial sowing.
“In the hilly grazing country around Mackay, traditional seeding equipment is often impractical,” Scott says, “That's why aerial sowing with drones is the preferred method for pasture establishment and AgriCOTE treated seed definitely flows through the drones better and spreads more evenly compared to bare seed.”
Having consistently recommended the use of AgriCOTE throughout his 16 year career, starting in the Hunter Valley, Scott says he was surprised to see some growers still trying to establish pastures using bare seed when he moved to the region five years ago. “It had me questioning why growers weren't using AgriCOTE treated seed,” Scott says, “Verse bare seed, it’s night and day. For spreading and bridging-up, flowability, evenness - it’s so much better.”
Once the seed hits the ground, the benefits of AgriCOTE’s insect and fungicide protection, combined with micro-nutrients helps ensure an even pasture establishment.
“We consistently see that AgriCOTE treated seed establishes far better than bare seed, which is critical for setting-up a productive long term pasture,” Scott explains, “Because signal grass doesn't spread or creep to fill in gaps, getting a thick, even establishment to start with is really important.”
Scott says AgriCOTE has been field proven in north Queensland’s hot, wet and humid conditions and that its lime based coating presents an advantage over other talc based alternatives.
“In my experience talc based seed treatments can be problematic due to their hydrophobic nature, which limits moisture uptake and delays nutrient availability, therefore impacting early establishment,” Scott explains.
“AgriCOTE’s lime based coating dissolves readily, ensuring the seed can access the nutrients, and protection treatments immediately. “This leads to stronger early plant vigour, improved root development and reliable establishment.
“Mackay has a tropical climate with high humidity. If there were going to be any issues with humidity we would see it here.”
Scott believes that with the price of seed increasing, using AgriCOTE treated seed can also help growers reduce their costs.
“It doesn't matter what crop you grow, establishment is the key to its success and growers often find that AgriCOTE’s superior establishment means they can sow less seed,” he says, “People think bare seed is cheaper, however improvements in establishment when using AgriCOTE treated seed allows less seed per hectare to be sown, which actually works out cheaper.
“AgriCOTE treated seed delivers strong, reliable establishment, setting the foundation for a productive long-term pasture that’s not full of weeds. Getting that right from the start means growers avoid costly resowing, achieving maximum performance and a better return on investment in the long term.”
