Brookton Farm Manager Scott Morton Turns True Believer in SE14®
After years of doubting the value of soil wetters, Scott Morton has become a strong advocate for SE14 moisture retention agent. Now managing Coondee Farm near Brookton, WA, Scott credits SE14 with giving him the confidence to dry sow his entire cropping program, achieving even germination and stronger crop performance, even on challenging gravelly soils.
Key Achievements
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Confidence to Dry Sow Entire Program
Successfully dry sown all crops, achieving even germination after just 6mm of rain.
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Improved Lupin Performance on High Gravel Soils
Achieved 85% early germination with SE14, improving to full crop strike after rain, while untreated strips struggled to reach 50%.
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More Uniform Crops and Easier Weed Control
Established more even oat and lupin crops, simplifying post-emergent spraying and improving early weed competition.
The Challenge
After farming in Kondinin and later battling non-wetting soils in Badgingarra, which he described as “the king of non-wetting country,” Scott Morton had seen first-hand how difficult it could be to establish crops on sandy gravel soils. His experience left him sceptical about the value of soil wetters.
When Coondee Farm added a neighbouring block with more gravelly, non-wetting soils, Scott knew the block needed a lot of work to become productive.
“We planted a lot of Margurite clover to help manage rhizoctonia and grass weeds on the gravels.”
— Scott Morton
Early observations of how SE14 helped these clovers establish more evenly gave Scott a reason to reconsider its potential.
The Solution
Encouraged by earlier success using SE14 on Margurite clover, Scott expanded its use across the farm’s cropping program, aiming to improve moisture retention and crop strike across all soil types. With the Ausplow DBS bar on 25cm spacings, he banded SE14 at 3L/ha with all crops. SE14 was applied as part of a liquid mix that included 55L/ha of UAN liquid nitrogen, plus copper, zinc, and manganese trace elements at 250g/ha, placed as close to the seed as possible.
Scott observed that SE14 appeared to support strong early root development and crop health, helping the paddocks perform consistently across variable soil types.
A balanced NPKS compound fertiliser was also banded below the seed at 125kg/ha across all crops. Seeding began around April 10 with lupins, followed by oats for export hay and grain production. Seeding rates included 125kg/ha for export oats, 100-120kg/ha for grain oats, and 85kg/ha for both lupins and barley.
“The export oats all get up nice and even, which is important for cutting time. We grow them on the better country and target high yields.”
— Scott Morton
The farm’s seeding setup included a 12-tonne Simplicity airseeder with a liquid kit mounted on the A-frame, pulled by a 500hp John Deere 9530 tractor. This system enabled Scott to deliver seed, fertiliser, and liquid inputs efficiently across all paddocks.
The Result
On April 28, just 6mm of rain was recorded. Despite the small event, Scott was pleased to see even germination across all crops in the warm conditions.
The benefits of SE14 were especially clear in lupins sown on the high gravelly country. Treated areas achieved about 85% germination, improving to full crop strike after rain. In comparison, untreated strips struggled to reach 50% and took nearly two months to catch up.
“Not only did we get even germination, but increases in total biomass, pod numbers, root mass, and nodulation.”
— Scott Morton
Even establishment also made post-emergent spraying more effective and easier to time, reducing early weed competition—especially important in a season where dry sowing had been a big risk. After seeing consistent results across all paddocks, Scott now considers SE14 a permanent part of his program.
“If you only receive five millimetres, it is good insurance, and if you receive an inch it will be paid for anyway.”
— Scott Morton
Agrion Crop Solutions continues to work with growers like Scott to refine application techniques, helping them get the best results from SE14 across a range of soil types and seeding conditions.
SE14® is a registered trademark of Agrion Crop Solutions Pty Ltd.
