Trevor Hannig Lifts Profitability on Ex-Blue Gum Soils with SE14®
Managing 7,000 hectares near Green Range, east of Albany, Trevor Hannig works with some of the most challenging soils in the region: sandy, gravelly, and heavily compacted ex-blue gum country. After trialing SE14 across 1,000 hectares in what became one of his driest years on record, Trevor saw a clear return. That season’s trial block became his most profitable. Since then, SE14 has become a staple across every seeded hectare on the farm.
Key Achievements
-
Most Profitable Block in a Drought Year
SE14 helped deliver the only crop to successfully establish during one of Trevor’s driest seasons.
-
Full Program Adoption After Proven Value
Following a successful trial, SE14 is now applied across all cereals, canola, and pastures.
-
Record-Breaking Canola Yields on Gravelly Soils
Canola exceeded 1.5 t/ha for the first time on ground previously underperforming.
The Challenge
Much of Trevor’s program runs across ex-blue gum plantation land. The removal process, particularly stump grinding, left behind severely compacted, hydrophobic soils. The structure of these sandy and gravelly paddocks was badly damaged, making them almost waterproof. In dry starts, this made germination highly unreliable and crop establishment difficult without intervention.
The Solution
Trevor first trialed SE14 on 1,000 hectares three years ago. Despite being one of the driest seasons on record, that trial block ended up as his most profitable area for the year. Encouraged by the result, he expanded SE14 to his entire cropping program the following season.
“Without it that year, we would not have had a crop, as the test strips just simply didn’t germinate.”
— Trevor Hannig
He now applies the full recommended rate. That includes 3L/ha across cereals and pastures, and 5 L/ha on canola. SE14 is blended with 40 L/ha of Flex-N and 30 L/ha of water. Trevor is also testing a push toward 100 L/ha in total liquid to improve soil wetting and boost early crop emergence under dry conditions.
“If the seeder was going through, I put SE14 in there.”
— Trevor Hannig
SE14 has integrated smoothly into his system with no mixing issues or blockages through the bar.
The Result
The improvement in crop establishment has been clear and consistent. Trevor now achieves even canola germination for the first time, with yields reaching well above 1.5 t/ha on country that had never gone above 1 t/ha. The benefits are evident across the entire program, including cereals and pasture paddocks that now show earlier and stronger strikes.
“That is absolutely record-breaking.”
— Trevor Hannig
From Trevor’s perspective, the economics are simple. At approximately $35 per hectare, the cost of SE14 is far outweighed by the yield uplift. Some paddocks that previously produced under 1 t/ha are now pushing toward two tonnes per hectare.
“I think anyone can work out those sums to say it’s well and truly worth the effort for us. Can’t fault it.”
— Trevor Hannig
SE14® is a registered trademark of Agrion Crop Solutions Pty Ltd.
