August 2022: AccuSpread Oyster Harbour

Oyster Harbour was lucky enough to host two AccuSpread Field days in June Thanks to the DWER Healthy Estuaries program.  Russell Nichol returned from the East after a 2-year absence (COVID) to put local spreaders to the test.

Day 1 was held on the 15th of June at Carroll’s property Lower Kalgan with a wide range of machines to be tested, predominantly Marshall spreaders.  Initial tests showed machines not meeting acceptable spread pattern requirements at the desired spread (bout) width.  Out came the angle grinders, a few kits and adjustments then further testing.  While some machines improved, others will require repairs and further testing/adjustments to get them operating satisfactorily.

Day 2 at Hunt's Property Woogenellup saw some larger machines:  Agrispread and Amazone spreaders which showed good spread pattern on their first test, with 3 machines spreading accurately at a bout width of 33 to 36 metres.  Russell was reunited with some of his modified equipment which was fitted many years ago and still performing well for the age of the machine.

The days highlighted the need for calibration for the environment, production and economic reasons, especially more so with recent increases in fertiliser prices.  For the machines that require further improvements, we need local test kits to determine appropriate bout widths and retesting after modifications/adjustments to achieve more accurate patterns and/or broader bout widths.

Thanks, HEWA, host farmers Carroll and Hunt families as well as Elders for the BBQ trailer.

See more Healthy Estuaries Program Stories 

• Building community capacity to restore waterways - about riparian restoration workshops: https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/building-community-capacity-to-restore-waterways/
• New trials to provide insights for best practice soil management on sandy soils – about Iron Man Gypsum soil amendment trials in the Vasse and Scott River catchments: https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/new-trials-to-provide-insights-for-best-practice-soil-management-on-sandy-soils/
• Digging deep to protect our waterways – about clay soil amendment trials in the Scott River catchment: https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/digging-deep-to-protect-our-waterways/
• Healthy Estuaries WA creates regional jobs – sharing the findings of Green Jobs employment data:  https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/healthy-estuaries-wa-creates-regional-jobs/