Discover how the Messina family in WA’s northern wheatbelt optimized their seeding operations with the Morris 10 Series air cart, enhancing productivity and precision amidst challenging seasonal conditions.
This season has presented challenges for many Western Australian growers, but the Messina family of Spring Park Farms found a silver lining with the introduction of the Morris 10 Series air cart. Spanning 16,000 hectares across Mullewa to Dongara, the Messinas grow wheat, canola, and lupins, managing to maintain productivity despite having to leave 3,000 hectares fallow due to dry conditions.
Primarily operating on sandplain and red loam soils, the family has extensive experience with seeding systems. This year, they integrated the Morris 10 Series alongside their existing equipment, including John Deere air carts and drills, to test its capabilities.
Rod Messina highlighted several advantages of the Morris 10 Series over its predecessors. The inclusion of load cells and a small seeds box directly addressed previous limitations of the Morris 9 Series. This upgrade facilitated more accurate seeding rates and improved productivity by aligning tank capacities with common application rates for wheat and fertilizer, allowing for efficient operation over larger areas.
“The conveyor used to fill the cart is quite amazing. It’s so fast to fill such a big cart – it’s unbelievable,” Rod remarked, emphasizing the practical benefits of the new design in field conditions.
The integration of electric metering with brushless motors and the Morris spiral-fluted metering wheels ensured precise application rates, critical for crops like canola seeded at low rates of 1.2-1.4 kg/ha. This precision, coupled with automatic calibration correction and section control features, significantly reduced downtime and optimized input costs.
Rod praised the robust construction of the Morris 10 Series air cart, noting its performance on deep-ripped terrain and its compatibility with their controlled traffic farming system. The cart’s frame, incorporating Morris Duraloc technology and tailored axle design, provided stability and flotation necessary for effective seeding in varying soil conditions.
The accompanying 24-metre Morris Quantum air drill further enhanced their efficiency with features like automatic variable-pressure packing, lifting of tines, and end-of-row turning capabilities. This integration allowed for seamless operation, enabling the operator to maximize productivity while ensuring precise and uniform seeding across their extensive farm.
Distributed by McIntosh Distribution, the Morris 10 Series offers a range of models with capacities tailored to meet diverse farming needs. From enhancing trash flow to improving flotation and handling, the Morris 10 Series represents a significant advancement in seeding technology, supporting growers like the Messinas in achieving optimal seeding efficiency.
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