It was mixed emotions for the Gersbach family as they accepted one of Central Queensland’s most revered cropping awards for the second time in three years.
Winning the Mark Donaldson Memorial Shield for a bumper crop of sorghum in a tough season was both exciting and sombre for Garry Gersbach and son Tim, who farm at Kurrajong, Capella, as it reminded them of the mate they lost in 2010.
Respected Capella farmer Mark Donaldson died in a tragic accident at family property, Neelia. The competition, which judges sorghum crops from the Capella district, began the following year.
The shield was presented to Garry and Tim at a recent Capella district pre-season meeting after a sample strip from their May-harvested crop of MR-Apollo returned a yield of 5.4 tonnes per hectare.
Garry said it was rewarding to win a second time and be a part of the competition because it kept his mate’s memory alive.
“Every year when the competition comes around we get to talk about Mark. That’s the best part about it,” he said.
“It’s also a good challenge and keeps the younger generation involved.
“Mark was always interested in the next generation and what they were doing. He would ring me up and have a half-an-hour chat with Tim before he spoke to me.”
Mr Gersbach said he was happy with this year’s sorghum, especially since it received just 40mm of growing season rainfall.
“We had a good result given the dry season, with big, quality grain. Our average yield across the sorghum was 3t/ha, so Apollo was the standout this year.
“Planting on a full profile is what got it through.”
The family planted 1375ha to sorghum - consisting of 360ha of MR-Apollo - as well as 410ha of sunflowers.
Their other summer crops include mung beans, while their winter program consists of wheat and chickpeas.
Focussing on the 2016 summer plant, Mr Gersbach aims to get underway in early January.
He said the recent patchy rain had not been reassuring, but their 480ha of fallow country with good subsoil moisture should be sufficient.
“We like to start sowing in the first couple weeks of January, so let’s hope we get some more rain.
“We’ll be sticking with Apollo this year. It’s a bit slower than other varieties, so it needs an early plant.”
In a new direction for the competition, shield organisers recently announced it would be open to growers from the Central Highlands in 2016.
“Mark’s base was Capella but he was well known throughout the Central Highlands and Central West,” Mr Gersbach said.
“It will be good to see more quality entrants.”
