February 2019 Converte Newsletter
February 2019
CONVERTE NEWSLETTER
A Message from the Managing Director
January flew by and we are just getting into 2019 proper. In December we put together a presentation capturing the very latest scientific findings on the function of soil biology and the specific role of Converte products. This included the very latest research on soil and plant health and also parallels between soil and gut health which have remarkably similar modes of action. Both the soil and the gut are essentially digesters which process matter and release nutrients vital for growth and health. On the 10th January we gave our first presentation with a corporate client in the NSW Riverina and we plan to give further presentations throughout 2019. If you have a grower group, corporate entity or just want to get some farming mates together and are interested in a talk and discussion on soil health, get in touch and we will do our best to either organise or participate in your event.
Need a positive change to your farm operations? Maybe the timing is right considering that weather and climate records are falling across the country, our rivers are suffering due to a combination of negative factors and our communities on the Murray Darling are going without some fundamentals such as access to clean water. Getting on board with biological farming or regenerative Ag can be a very rewarding journey and we believe it can help in bringing the joy back into working the land. At Converte our aim is to help farmers introduce manageable change - tweaks that over time can result in significant changes in soil and plant productivity and big savings on inputs. Call us to find out more and perhaps we can help bring positive changes to your farm.
From all the team at Converte we wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2019.
Best Wishes,
John
Research: Giving Seeds a Healthy Start
Independent research shows that Converte Seed Primer applied to wheat resulted in a 58% weight gain in heads immediately prior to harvest. In combination with Plantfood the result was a 33% increase in weight gain in heads. This is a consequence of some nutrients and biological action being diverted to support soil health and function which adds value year on year. We recommend integrating Converte Seed Primer (CSP) and Plantfood (UNP) into your broad-acre cropping program to get the full system-wide benefits. The full report, IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF AGRO‐CHEMICAL FERTILISERS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ENHANCED SOIL TREATMENTS, can be found here and a one page summary here.
And checkout these images of a pumpkin crop treated with Converte Seed Primer and Plantfood. In this trial we have four varieties of pumpkin and four different nutrient combinations including our seed primer, plantfood as well as synthetic fertilisers. Watch for results on yield, quality and profit to be published soon on the Converte web site.
Converte Featured Product
Converte Seed primer works by a combination of biological and chemical actions which make nutrients available at optimum levels. Converte seed primer provides benefit up to 4 weeks post-germination by providing phosphorus, minor and trace elements to the growing plant. Converte primed seeds support early root vigour improving access to nutrients and moisture at critical times.
Our trials and tests over the last 10 years have show what an effective product the seed primer is and its cost effective too at only $60 / tonne of seed. If you want healthy germination and extensive early root development then look no further than Converte Seed Primer, buy online or give us a call on 1800 108 940.
Call Julie on 1800 108 940 to order today and receive a 20% discount on your order when you mention the newsletter.
Important Read: Why Regenerative Agriculture
is the Future of Food
With a run of 40+ temperatures, fish kills and wild fires it feels like our food production and livelihood is under threat. At Converte, we are dedicated to helping our farmers build resilient farms. Occasionally we come across an article that is worth sharing on our facebook and twitter feeds, and we thought that this article helps to better define what is meant by regenerative agriculture. We do believe that all farmers practise some elements of regenerative Ag, reading this might encourage you to take further and faster action along this path. Ultimately its about soil and water management and this helps to underpin long-term farm viability and profitability.
In this Care2.com article, Mary Daly explains how regenerative agriculture helps fight (and reverse) climate change. Read it here.
Update: Riverina Grape Trial
Our vineyard trial on Savignon Blanc, Semillon, Durif and Shiraz grape varieties in the NSW Riverina is coming along nicely.
Early observations and findings show that Converte Seed Primer used on young vines and Converte Plantfood via drip irrigation and foliar application is building stronger, healthier vines, with greater resilience to drought and high temperatures.
More information on this study and findings will be shared in our next newsletter and via our website.
Biodiversity is an important component in building a resilient food system. Despite this many dollars are spent each year on killing pests and weeds. With this focus we can forget that biodiversity is actually critically important for productive farm function. Plant exudates or secretions via the roots feed the microbiology in the soil and thereby determine the quality and function of the soil. The more variety of plants grown therefore means more diversity in soil microbiology which in turn means more nutrients available. Healthy plants also have their own resistance mechanisms to pests and can respond rapidly to infestations and other stresses. So healthier more diverse farm systems actually need less pesticides.
The 4 R's in this conservation hierarchy can help all growers to build stronger, more resilient systems that will be more profitable.
Visit Converte at These Upcoming Events
Wimmera Machinery Field Days
5th – 7th March 2019
Horsham, Victoria
Riverina Field Days
10th & 11th May 2019
Griffith, NSW
Spotlight: Luke Peacock
Luke is an Independent Distributor for Converte in Western Australia, based in Perth. His prior experience in Ag is with Advanced Pest Control a business serving farmers across the state with their pest control needs. Through his work in pest control Luke has built a solid farmer network across the state. Luke has big plans for Converte in WA and after only a year is seeing the benefits that Converte products offer in helping to regenerate farming systems. .
Want to find out more information about Converte in WA - please contact Luke on 0428542776 or email on
luke.peacock@converte.com.au
Don't miss a quarterly newsletter! Read our current and recent issues online anytime.
Your Converte Support Network
Julie Vereker – Griffith, 1800 108 940, julie.vereker@converte.com.au
Mark Vereker - Griffith 0412 420 103 Product Enquiries and Orders NSW
Greg Thompson – Yoogali 0429 623 824
Andrew Nelson – Wagga Wagga, 0427 551 160
Grahame Routley – Narrandera / Lockhart 0428 271 550
Luke Peacock – Perth WA 0427 080 052, luke.peacock@converte.com.au
Geoff Peacock – Lake Bolac, Victoria, 0408 364 526, geoff.peacock@converte.com.au
John Ridley – other areas and international, 0419 120 447, john.ridley@converte.com.au
For information on Converte distributorships in your local area, please contact John.
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