Vetch produced by the Shirley family on their Bunnaloo farm has again taken out the Feed Central awards for best national vetch — both for feed test and visual appearances.
The farm’s vetch also won the two national vetch awards in 2020, but principal farmer Jerome Shirley is downplaying the achievement.
“You’ve got to remember it’s only against the guys who submit to Feed Central,” Mr Shirley said.
“It was a fluke really. The vetch was ready to bale one day and the next day it rained right across NSW and Victoria.”
With the vetch safe in the sheds, the Bunnaloo farm (west of Moama in southern NSW) had a leg up on the Feed Central competition.
“We had other stuff we baled later that was nowhere near as good,” Mr Shirley said.
He said the entire process was a team effort and acknowledged the work of his parents Katrina and Dick Shirley.
The award-winning vetch was cut in August 2021 and baled in September by the Peacock family of Rochester and Bunnaloo’s Adrian Froon.
Mr Shirley said the steamer used by the Peacocks was another big help.
“The steamer meant we could bale all day,” he said.
“You can adjust the moisture content with a switch.”
The Shirley farm grows about 300ha to 400ha of vetch each season alongside some oaten hay.
When asked about the season ahead, Mr Shirley said the early rains had yield growth looking really good.
“If this weather keeps up right through the spring we’ll get quality hay, it’s just getting a window to dry it off.”
Mr Shirley was awarded the best vetch hay, visual award (national); best vetch hay, feed test analysis (national); best vetch hay, visual award (NSW); and best vetch hay, feed test analysis (NSW).