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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New podcast series | EPISODE 3
Rebekah Allen is Hart's research & extension manager.

In 2022, that means planning and managing 30 on-site trials on a 40 hectare site in the Mid-North of South Australia - among other things!

Host Sandy Kimber chats with Bek about how her in career in agriculture began before delving into some of the exciting things happening at Hart in 2022.

Bek also gives an overview of some key findings from Hart's 2021 trial results, while Sandy tells you how to access the full reports (for free!).

It's a casual conversation but there's plenty of information to help broadacre farmers as they strive to make their farming enterprises as productive, profitable and sustainable as possible. LISTEN HERE

Find more podcasts from Hart ► VIDEOS & PODCASTS

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New podcast series | EPISODE 2
Glen Simpson farms in SA's south east, running broadacre cropping and sheep enterprises and a farm contracting business.

He’s also heavily involved in an annual community event held at Keith that’s quite unique – and it features jet boat racing!

Join our host Sandy Kimber as we learn more about Glen, how he 'drifted' into farming, how his overdraft saved him in the early days, how he manages staff and machinery maintenance and he tells us exactly what happens at the Keith Diesel & Dirt Derby.

It's a unique and fascinating story that we think you'll really enjoy! LISTEN HERE

Find more podcasts from Hart ► VIDEOS & PODCASTS

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New podcast series | EPISODE 1
Join host Sandy Kimber as she speaks candidly with Paul Lange, operations manager at Centre State Exports, about what farmers do right and what we struggle with when it comes to selling our grain.

Paul also explains how the war in Ukraine, the drought in Canada and complications with India are affecting grain pricing in Australia.

The conversation starts with a behind the scenes look at how a grain trading business operates. LISTEN HERE

We hope you enjoy it!

Find more podcasts from Hart ► VIDEOS & PODCASTS

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Hart 2021 Trial Results

The full publication is now available to download FREE, either in full or article by article.

2021 HART TRIAL RESULTS
 

 

 

 
 

 

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WHEAT IN THE BIRDCAGE

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) - what is it really and why should you care?

And what is the birdcage reference all about...?

Find out more about this new research project, including a fascinating look behind the scences and other Hart news in a report from Declan Anderson, Hart's regional intern.

► WHEAT IN THE BIRDCAGE | Issue 4 | March 1, 2022 - out now

► WHEAT IN THE BIRDCAGE - all editions

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The heart of Hart, Kevin Jaeschke OAM farewelled

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of one of our founders.

Kevin was such an important part of Hart's beginnings; in fact he hosted the first Hart Field Days on his farm and went on to volunteer hundreds of hours over many years to help make the Hart group what it is today.

The Hart team, both past and present, pass on our most sincere condolences to Lorna, Michael, Louise, Chris, & Graham and their families, and to his friends.

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, we will remember him with respect and gratitude. RIP Kevin.

Read more about Kevin and his valuable contribution ► THE HEART OF HART, KEVIN JAESCHKE OAM FAREWELLED
(extended version with additional photos) 

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Rainfall variability at Hart in 2021

"How much rain did you get...?"
It's a common question, but the answer is sometimes perplexing; your neighbour got 16 mm, yet you only got 10 mm.

We regularly hear growers expressing uncertainty around the varying amount of rainfall recorded across short to medium distances and we've also noticed variation across our own site at Hart.

So we set up a very simple trial to track how much variation occurs. We're presenting the data in some really easy to interprete, colour coded maps (thanks Declan!) and it's really interesting.

You'll find them here (under the 'Live Weather' tab in our main menu) ► RAINFALL VARIABILITY TRIAL

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Our video catalogue keeps growing...

Recent additions include:
► Wheat & durum variety update
► Evaluation of chaff lining systems in South Australia
► Improving oaten hay production & quality
► Legume & oilseed herbicide tolerance
► Managment tips for wheat & awnelss variety options
► Using crop competition for effective ryegrass control

You'll find them here ► VIDEOS AND PODCASTS

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  HART HEALTHY FARMERS

Looking after your physical and emotional health is important to us and we hope it's important to you too.

We have a designated page on our website to share health and wellbeing resources and while it hasn't been updated for a while, we have lots of new content from local health services and other partners ready to roll out.

So watch out for updates around the 5th of each month ► HEALTHY FARMERS

Tell us what you'd like to see next ► admin@hartfieldsite.org.au
 

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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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