Welcome to our world of farming
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CROPPING
As the Southern Mallee offers up a variety of soil types and climatic conditions, Longtrail Farms uses a rotation of crop types to manage the risks that a broadacre and horticulture business may encounter.
Its 10,000-hectare dryland broadacre program comprises crops of barley, wheat, canola, lupins, vetch and hay, while potatoes, lucerne and livestock forages are some of the crops grown under irrigation.
Longtrail Farms made the transition to no-till farming in the early 2000s to better protect its soils, while significant irrigation investments since the late 1990s has further cemented the sustainability and prosperity of the business' diversified farming portfolio.
Crops are sown in April/May and harvested in November/December, with the majority of the grain exported. The rest is retained on-farm or sold domestically for stock feed, seed and hay.
The aggregation comprises mainly owned land, with some leased, plus a share farm arrangement with long-term broadacre employee David Philbey and his wife Kat with their farms located in Parilla and Lameroo. -
LIVESTOCK
Sheep and cattle are also run as part of Longtrail Farms' diversified approach and to further strengthen risk management.
Our self replacing Merino flock, focusing on wool quality, fertility and finishing lambs on our lucerne pasture stands as a testament to our commitment to quality and sustainability in animal husbandry.
An Angus herd also helps to add value to the hay, grain and potatoes produced on-farm, while trade steers are considered throughout the year, when the season permits.
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POTATOES
Our dedication to quality begins in the paddock, where we carefully select premium potato varieties suited to our climate and soil conditions. Through best practice cultivation and leading technology, we ensure that our potatoes meet the highest standards, consistency, and flavour. Planting to harvest takes approximately four to six months and we are growing approximately 600ha for the processing, fresh or seed market combined. Our spuds are harvested with the customer in mind and carefully graded to ensure only the best make it to restaurants and your kitchen.
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LUCERNE
Our lucerne is more than just a crop; it's a sustainable solution that enriches our soil, promotes biodiversity, and ensures the health and productivity of our livestock. By incorporating Lucerne into our irrigation rotation, we improve soil fertility and reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, fostering a healthier ecosystem.
At Longtrail, we're committed to sustainable agriculture, and our partnership with Duxton Bees helps our lucerne fields to set seed for harvest. The robust and adaptable plant then provides essential forage for our livestock through the grazing phase. Keeping on eye on ground cover at all times to maintain and improve some of our lowest producing area’s with a little help from the water underneath!
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ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS
Read more about Jetty's flower journey in an article HEREThe recent acquisition of Geraldton Park at Karte saw us become the newest custodians of the historic flower farm. The property boasts 40 hectares of stunning Geraldton wax, tetragona bushes and banksia trees which are being rehabilitated and used by local florist, Jetty Baks at Jet's Flowers. You can direct message Jetty for a bunch of flowers on 0477 123 606.
