Welcome to Hart

Agricultural research and extension since 1982

Hart is South Australia’s premier agronomic field trial site, managed by farmers and industry professionals to provide independent research that is timely, relevant and unbiased, as well as cutting edge and innovative.

Located between Blyth and Brinkworth in South Australia’s Mid-North, Hart is situated on 40 hectares owned by the Hart Field-Site Group Inc.

Our event calendar begins with our annual Getting The Crop In seminar (March). Our trial program is then the focus of our remaining events, all held on site; the Winter Walk (July), main Field Day (September), and at our Spring Twilight Walk (October). Other workshops and demonstrations are also run to further extend research projects to growers.
 

Hart, where good farmers gather
Why visit Hart?
Hear from us and other growers in this short video



Soil type at the site is a clay loam grading to calcareous and dispersive clay. Soil pH values which are slighly alkaline are typical for the soil. A number of soil profiles in the area have been characterised for Yield Prophet and in general have a plant available water capacity (PAWC) or 'bucket size' around 180 - 200 mm.

Hart's average annual rainfall is 400 mm with an average growing season rainfall of 300 mm.

What's new?

HART 2022 TRIAL RESULTS - sneek peek

Our 2022 trial results will be available to download for free in March 2023.

In the meantime, we're giving you a sneak peek at at wheat, barley and canola variety yield data. You can find the preview here: 2022 TRIAL RESULTS.

We're going to pre-release the full reports for these trials too, so watch out for that soon.

HART LONG-TERM SEEDING SYSTEMS TRIAL - a summary of 22 years of research

When we produced the first edition of this booklet in 2016, then Hart vice-chairman Justin Wundke wrote the foreword and much of what he said still rings true.

The decisions we make when upgrading our seeding system, whether new or second-hand, can have a significant impact on many aspects of our farming operations.

This trial features comparisons between three seeding systems, considering more than just yield, and after 22 years it has come to an end. Not only have we updated the data, we've also caught up with all five farmers from the original case studies to see how their systems have changed (or not).

We think you'll find it a really interesting read - you can download the latest edition here.
 

HART FIELD DAY
September 20, 2022

It was a milestone, 40 years of the Hart Field Day last Tuesday.

And with loads of nostalgia and plenty of optimism for a bountiful harvest, about 550 visitors gathered across the trial site to hear the very latest research and trials information, all based on a successful format that has truly stood the test of time. Read the full story

FOUR DECADES OF FARMING
A podcast series from Hart

As Hart celebrates 40 years of grains research & extension, our intern, Declan Anderson, chats with a farmer from each of those decades to learn more about their experiences in this 4-part podcast series; 'Four Decades of Farming'.

He asks them what their first years on the farm were like, what's changed, what they learnt in the early days that's really stuck with them, and what they're excited about for the future.

All four episodes are available now:
E4 'Farming in the 1980's with Clare farmer, Peter Coles'
E3 'Farming in the 2010's with Appila farmer, James Heaslip'
E2 'Farming in the 2000's with Spalding farmer, Nat Sommerville'
E1 'Farming in the 1990's with Koolunga farmer, Shane Weckert'
 

HART BEAT #64

It's our final edition for 2022.

For the last fourteen years, we've provided you with yield prediction updates throughout the growing season at eight Mid-North sites, and this year is no different.

You can read the latest release here ► HART BEAT 64

As a bonus, and as shared at our Winter Walk, we've also answered some frequently asked questions about our Hart Beat newsletters as part of a new 'Behind The Scenes' series that will help explain the how and why of some of our trials and research. You can read it here ► BEHIND THE SCENES - ISSUE 1 - HART BEAT AND YIELD PROPHET SIMULATIONS

Previous issues of Hart Beat can be found here ► HART BEAT NEWSLETTERS
(You'll also find links to our annual Yield Prophet performance analysis reports.)

  Podcast series | Getting The Crop In 2022

EPISODE 1: Grain marketing and the war in Ukraine, with Paul Lange, Centre State Exports

EPISODE 2: Revved up and contract to grow with Keith farmer, Glen Simpson

EPISODE 3: Hart trials & research with Rebekah Allen, Hart

We hope you enjoy them!

Find more podcasts from Hart ► VIDEOS & PODCASTS

Grower Guides

► Ten tips for early sown wheat

► How can you improve pre-emergent herbicide spray coverage in stubble retention systems?

► Which seeding system is most effective?

► Why are nitrous oxide emissions an issue?

► Can soil carbon (C) content can be increased through stubble retention +/- additional nutrients to assist the breakdown of stubble?

Read or download your free copies here ► GROWER GUIDES
 

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