The Rowans“The crop quickly grew away from the disease, and with the cost of an aerial fungicide application at around $20.00 per hectare for the plane alone, this is a significant cost saving.”
Summary Report
Neyliona Station, owned and operated by Darryl and Lee Rowan, has achieved remarkable success using BEST Terramend Agricultural (TM Ag) on their irrigation block. This innovative approach has delivered outstanding results across both pastures and crops. Over the past two years, their rotation has included faba beans grown with TM Ag and reduced fertiliser inputs.
In the local region, agronomists generally advise applying fungicides three to five times during the growing season for faba beans, depending on the variety. However, the Rowans have defied this norm for two consecutive years, entirely eliminating the need for fungicide applications. While minor signs of infection were noted, the crops recovered swiftly without any negative impact on yield or quality. This significantly reduces input costs by eliminating both fungicides and aerial application at around AU$ 20 per hectare.
The Rowans’ faba bean crop delivered an impressive yield of 3.8–4 tons per hectare. In addition to boosting yields, TM Ag has greatly enhanced the crops’ lodging resistance by strengthen both stems and roots—a crucial factor for preserving quality and ensuring a smooth harvest. Lodging, which can slow harvesting and complicate operations significantly increases the cost of contract harvesting, which estimated at around AU$500 per hour, plus fuel. By fostering stronger stems and roots, TM Ag not only improves harvest efficiency but also provides a significant economic advantage for growers like the Rowans.
