Luke Milgate of Serpentine in Victoria joined Pioneer Seeds Territory Sales Manager Tim Lovell to discuss Luke’s experience growing Pioneer brand Clearfield canola for over 10 years. Spanning over 1600 hectares, the farm integrates mixed grazing, irrigated and dryland crops, cereals, grain legumes, and oil seeds.
Luke detailed their current crop rotation, which includes wheat, barley, canola, and vetch for fodder. He emphasised the success of Clearfield canola in their system, particularly in managing brome grass and achieving impressive average yields of up to 4 tonnes per hectare. "Clearfield yields have been really good. We had a favourable year, I think it was 2021, when we got a really good finish and we cracked four tonnes per hectare with it," Luke said. With the farm's agronomic practices remaining standard, with a focus on capitalising on favourable seasons, the grower credits the progression in technology with the yield success.
The conversation also touched on the benefits of early sowing, with Luke aiming for an ideal window between April 10th and 15th. "Historically, we would start [sowing] on ANZAC day. Now, we want it all in by ANZAC day... so we can hit optimal timing with all our crop types that we’re growing," Luke said. This strategy has proven beneficial, with early-sown crops outperforming later-season crops due to the solid early establishment into moisture before conditions took a turn. Looking ahead, Luke plans to continue using Clearfield canola varieties like 44Y94CL and PY421C, which have shown excellent performance in their area.
Pioneer brand canola hybrids offer a choice of standalone or combined herbicide tolerance systems. The Clearfield trait is available as a standalone in a range of Y series canola hybrids, in addition to PY424GC and PY520TC, which offer the Clearfield trait alongside the Optimum GLY ® and Triazine Tolerant traits respectively. Enquire with your local Pioneer Seeds Territory Sales Manager to learn which hybrid canola is right for your farm.
With dedicated and highly skilled team members located throughout Australia you can be sure of accessing the best local knowledge to help you maximise your investment in Pioneer® brand hybrid seed. Get in touch with your local Territory Sales Manager or Farm Services Consultant today.