In this episode, Bruce shares his reflections on a season that’s been anything but ordinary. After enduring the driest 18 months on record, conditions flipped dramatically in June, bringing above-average rainfall but also fresh challenges with cold day time temps, and enough wind to last a life time. Bruce opens up about nutrient constraints—particularly phosphorus uptake under dry sowing—and the surprises he’s seen in crop performance on lentil stubbles compared to medic pastures.
He discusses what worked (like delayed seeding, dry-sown wheat on lentils, and a winning move with barley) and what didn’t, including lessons around early sowing and second-year wheat. Nitrogen management, moisture conservation, and navigating uneven crop development remain front of mind as he looks for upside in a compressed season.
Despite the complexities, Bruce stays grounded, finding positives in strong crop patches and the resilience of his system, while also keeping balance with family and life off the farm.
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