INVESTING in new sowing technology made for a highly efficient 2020 seeding program for South Australian farmer Brock Jolly.
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Mr Jolly and his brother Mitchell operate a mixed cropping and livestock operation about 40 kilometres north of Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula.
The Cummins district has been enjoying a bumper season with many farmers poised to harvest a range of potentially high-yielding winter grain crops.
The Jolly family's property is 2900 hectares arable, with a further 800ha leased, and sits in an average rainfall belt of 300-330mm.
A typical cropping program for the third-generation farmers comprises 2800ha of wheat, barley, canola, lupins and beans with the occasional crop of oats and vetch. They also run 2200 Merino breeding ewes.
Prior to 2019 the Jollys seeding program was completed with a 12-metre DBS bar and 5000-litre Gason air cart as well as an 18m Morris 9000 bar with Morris 7240 air cart.
In 2019 they decided to upgrade their old Morris bar to a new 18m Morris Quantum air drill.
"That saved us a lot of downtime, not having to fix something every box full," Brock Jolly said.
"We got the Quantum to replace the old Morris bar which had served us well. Our soil types vary so much between paddocks and the new Quantum just did the job that bit better."
On the back of a solid season the Jollys decided to trade into a 15m Morris Quantum air drill and Morris 9 Series air cart to compliment their existing Morris equipment.
Mr Jolly said they now run the larger bar with the Morris 9 Series air cart while the smaller bar is teamed with the Morris 7240 air cart.
"As far as getting grain in the ground, having the two Quantums and Morris air carts accelerated things even more for us," he said.
"We were able to do a few extra hectares per day, and, on a really good run, you could easily get 200ha a day in an easy paddock."
Crop germination was noticeably even according to Mr Jolly and particularly on the canola there had been an even germination across most soil types.
He said their non-wetting sands took longer to emerge but overall they noticed a far more even germination.
"The Quantum was a lot smoother going through rocky areas. It was much less aggressive in picking up rocks compared to our older bars and which means less maintenance."
Their machinery was sourced through their local dealer, Ramsey Bros Cummins.
"They have been good. It's been a learning curve for them as well I think but we've had support whenever we've needed it," he said.
"It's also much easier for parts having two of the same model bars."
The frame and openers are one of his favourite features on the Quantum, particularly the improved strength and folding ability.
"The frame is a big plus for us, having less parts and just being stronger in general.
"It's a good-looking frame and the bigger wheels seem to help float it through those non-wetting sands.
"It folds up nice and narrow, so it's good for shifting between farms."
