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.

           

 

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What's new?

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JOIN OUR TEAM! - TECHNICAL OFFICER (Field Trials)

With some exciting new projects on the Hart program, we've created a brand new role to support our team!

Based in the beautiful Clare Valley, you'll work with a passionate, driven and welcoming staff and board of management and make your contribution to research projects benefiting broadacre agriculture.

This role has its strongest focus on field trials, but the successful applicant will also have the opportunity to participate in Hart's extension activities (events & communications), as well as collaborating with wide range of farmers, external researchers and other key stakeholders.

Want to know more...? Feel free to get in touch via phone or email - we'd love to hear from you.
Enquiries:
Rebekah Allen  |  Research & Extension Manager
0428 782 470   l   rebekah@hartfieldsite.org.au

Please familiarise yourself with our full Information Sheet & Roles and Duties document before applying.

Applications close June 14, 2023.

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SPONSORSHIP NOW OPEN

A partnership with Hart can provide unique and valuable exposure opportunities for your business.

Packages start at $3K and all include display space in the main marquee at the Hart Field Day.

Support from our sponsors allows us to run demonstrations and trials that are not otherwise funded by RD&E investment bodies. It also allows us to provide farmers with access to our research via events, workshops, publications, videos and podcasts at the lowest cost possible so your contribution is put to very good use!

Please contact one of our sponsorship team if you would like more information.

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GRADUATES OFFERED A HART-START IN GRAINS RESEARCH

A regional internship program being offered in the state’s Mid North is giving agricultural science students a chance to land boots-first in a career in applied grains research and development.

The Hart Field-Site Group – one of Australia’s leading agronomy trial and research organisations – supported by the South Australian Drought Hub and SARDI, is providing one young job-starter the opportunity to kick-start their career.

Now in its eighth year, the benefits are flowing on to the state’s cropping industry. Read more here...

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HART 2022 TRIAL RESULTS

Our 2022 trial results are available to download for free right now!

You can select either the full publication (132 pages) or just the article(s) you want to read right now.

Find all our 2022 Trial Results here.

 

  

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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.
 

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GETTING THE CROP IN MAKES ITS RETURN

Thanks to all who attended our Getting The Crop In seminar on March 8.

A special thank you to all our guest presenters, too. It was great to be able to present such a diverse program.

You can read the wrap up here.

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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'
 

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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.)

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  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

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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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Your feedback
We love hearing from you, it helps us make sure we're delivering exactly what you need to make farm businesses better. Feel free to get in touch! PROVIDE FEEDBACK

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Search the Hart website
Have you noticed the search bar at the top right hand side of our website? We hope it you'll find it useful, particularly if you're researching trial results for a particular topic.

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Social Media
You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. Click on the icons at the top of the page.

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