It is with great pleasure that we announce the winners of the 2008/09 Australian Mungbean Association Crop competition
It was fantastic to see, from the quality of district winners - who varied from first-time growers to those with 40 years experience - that so many farmers throughout Queensland and New South Wales grow mungbeans successfully and see them as an important fit in their farming systems.
Ken Stallman of Hawthorn Farming, Pittsworth was awarded 'The Australian Mungbean Association - Production Award for Excellence 2008/09'. While there were many quality contestants this year, it was ultimately Ken's attention to detail that was the deciding factor.
As Ken stated "after growing mungbean for 40 years, you would hope I would have developed some skills in growing and marketing this highly specialised crop".
Ken has a very strong association with his agronomist of ten years, Mike Balzer of B&B Agricultural Services, and with his grain marketer, Selected Pulse Foods (who nominated him for the competition), to both of whom he attributes his success in growing profitable mungbeans.
It was Ken's crop of the new mungbean variety, Crystal, that won the award. He also planted White Gold and Regur. Ken was very happy with Crystal, "it had much better yield, it was more erect, the pods were higher and the overall grain quality was superior to the other varieties". As a result, he plans to grow only Crystal and Regur next year.
Over the years Ken has dramatically changed his attitude towards mungbeans. "In the past, there would be a bit of rain, I would plant, kep an eye on weeds but never really go back into them until harvest, and then wonder why the results were so erratic. Now I treat mungbeans the same as I treat cotton, where I plan for it to be managed as an intensive crop. you need to do everything right, right from the start and on time to ensure a good result at the end".
Ken pays particular attention to the nutrition of his soil. He treats his whole farm with chicken manure on a 3 years rotation, ensuring that there is at least a 12 month gap after the manure is applied before planting mungbeans. This is a food safety issue and a requirement of the mungbean industry as outlined in the AMA's Code of Hygienic Practice. the use of animal manure ensures that the mungbeans have plenty of phosphorus and potassium. He has seen this improve crop nutrition "building bigger, more robust plants, which lifts the yield potential". Ken also pays particular attention to sulphur on his Box country and will spray sulphate of ammonia as a a foliar fertiliser where required. He inoculates his seed by water injection.
"Good quality beans need an even establishment to ensure timeliness of insect control, weed suppression and ease of harvest".
"You need to have a good relationship with your marketer prior to planting the crop. I have a very long-standing relationship with Selected Pulse Foods, and I see this as a critical part of successfully growing mungbeans. I talk with them prior to growing the crop and discuss what varieties they need, and what markets are available each season".
Ken see mungbeans as a critical part of his rotation.
"For the past four years, mungbeans have been the most farm profitable crop I have Grown".
2008/09 excellence in mungbean production.
| Champion | |
| Ken Stallman - Darling Downs, Qld | Agronomist: Mike Balzer - B&B Agricultural Services |
| District Finalist | |
| Central Highlands | |
| Mark Basford - Emerald, Qld | Agronomist: Graham Spackman - Spackman & Assoc. |
| Dawson Callide | |
| Norman & Desley Becker - Theodore, Qld | Agronomist: Stuart Olson - AGnVET, Theodore |
| Western Downs & Maranoa | |
| Scott Brimblecombe - St George, Qld | Agronomist: Jamie Street - Street Ag. Services |
| Liverpool Plains | |
| Xavier Martin - Mullaley, NSW | Agronomist: Adam Bensch - Pursehouse Rural |
| North West Plains | |
| James Kahl - Wee Waa, NSW | Agronomist: Shane Kable - AGnVet, Wee Waa |
We would like to thank all of the Members and Associates who were involved in the Crop competition either through sponsorship, nominating participants, judging or assisting in the running of the event.
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Sponsorship for the 2009/10 competition made by; |
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Regal Seed & Grain |
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Blue Ribbon Seed & Pulse Exporters |
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Mt Tyson Seeds |
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Champion Seeds |
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FIS Consultancy |
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Associated Grain & Gosden Jorgensen Seeds |
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Bean Growers Australia |
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B&L Seed & Grain |
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Selected Pulse Foods |
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CANZ Commodities |
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Additional Support by; |
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Pulse Australia |
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DEEDI |