March 2024: AccuSpread visits South Coast

Accuspread workshops to test and calibrate local fertilizer spreaders were held across the three South Coast catchments, Wilson Inlet, Torbay and Oyster Harbour in March thanks to the Healthy Estuaries WA program.  For the Oyster Harbour workshop, we gathered at the Hourston property in Redmond and ran three different machines over the trays then checked the graphs produced showing spread pattern and recommended bout width for each machine.  Typical Bunuru weather, with a light misty rain prevented further testing so we postponed the remaining tests to the following day at Norton's place.

Over 14 calibration runs were carried out with 2 machines on various settings to try and achieve the best spread pattern.  Thanks to Russell Nichol for carrying out the testing, host farmers, DPIRD and DWER staff for assisting during the day.  Many of us were a bit stiff and sore on the second day after bending over to empty all the trays numerous times.