Doug Harrington Boosts Pasture and Cropping Results with Lure H2O®
For nearly a decade, Williams grower Doug Harrington has relied on Lure H2O to make better use of marginal moisture in the non-wetting soils around his property. What began as a search for a way to capture early rainfall has evolved into a system-wide solution. The results include better clover germination, stronger early feed, improved nutrient efficiency, and measurable productivity gains across both pasture and cropping programs.
Key Achievements
-
Stronger Clover Establishment and Early Feed
Clover production has increased significantly, supporting a major lift in feed availability and pasture reliability.
-
Higher Stocking Rates and Top-Tier Productivity
Improved water use has enabled the farm to run 12–13 DSE per winter hectare, ranking in the top 1–2% in the state during benchmarking.
-
Reduced Fertiliser Use and Improved Nutrient Efficiency
Fertiliser applications now occur every second year, thanks to more consistent germination and nutrient uptake.
The Challenge
Operating in an area with highly non-wetting, hydrophobic soils, early rainfall events were often lost at the surface. Despite rain, moisture wasn’t reaching the seed zone, limiting early germination and pasture establishment. Doug recognised that without an effective soil wetter, he was missing a critical opportunity to capture opening rains.
The Solution
After working with SACOA (now Agrion Crop Solutions) to test a range of options, Doug adopted Lure H2O at a rate of 10 litres per hectare, diluted in a total mix of 100 litres per hectare, and applied with number five jets through a standard boom spray. Application is timed in April, either just ahead of or during early rainfall.
“Applying it in the rain actually helps — it gets that moisture into the ground more effectively.”
— Doug Harrington
The system was adopted across both pasture and cropping phases, with application alternating year to year. In cropping, Lure is typically applied ahead of canola to promote early weed germination and knockdowns before planting.
To ensure smooth application, Doug developed a two-pump setup that helps Lure H2O flow easily, even on cold days. One pump draws the product through a large-diameter pipe from the drum, while a second pump adds water during transfer to assist with mixing.
Watch Doug’s mixing setup in action:
The Result
Over time, Doug’s farm has changed significantly. Clover populations have increased, and the early feed has improved out of sight, supporting a stocking rate of 12 to 13 DSE per winter hectare. Even in growing seasons with just 240 mm of rainfall, water use has remained highly efficient.
In the 2015–16 From the Sheep’s Back programme, the farm ranked in the top 1–2% across Western Australia, highlighting outstanding pasture productivity.
With better establishment, Doug also observed greater nutrient uptake, allowing fertiliser to be applied only every second year. By alternating Triple Phos and Lure H2O in a balanced rotation, soil test levels have remained stable while maintaining input efficiency.
“The cost of the material became irrelevant compared to the production increase.”
— Doug Harrington
He also highlighted the value of setting up an effective cropping window:
“The product only costs the equivalent of 0.1 tonnes of barley or 0.05 tonnes of canola, so it doesn’t take much of a production lift to cover it.”
— Doug Harrington
After nearly a decade of use, Doug sees Lure H2O as a foundational part of both his pasture and cropping programs. For him, the results are clear: reliable establishment, higher production, and better returns season after season.
Lure H2O® is a registered trademark of Agrion Crop Solutions Pty Ltd.
