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WARNOCK AGRONOMICS

HOME PROPERTY“Warilea” Narrabri, NSW

OWNERSBrendon Warnock, Jack and Jacqui Warnock

GENERAL MANAGERGeoff Paige

A LEGACY CREATEDWarnock Agronomics is located in the picturesque Namoi Valley, near Narrabri NSW. They farm two blocks with about 40% red sandy loam soils and about 60% of heavy black soils. Started by Jack Warnock and now run by his son, Brendon, the farm “Warilea” is in its 31st year of production. Originally from further west, Jack and Jacqui chose the area before it was a popular cropping location and utilised Jack’s agronomic and cotton industry experience to create a legacy for their future generations.

The property is now fully developed and largely fed by a secure underground water allocation, allowing Brendon and his team the opportunity to deeply analyse all aspects of the operation to seek out efficiencies.

SECURE WATER FULLY UTILISEDOne policy that has stood the Warnocks in good stead is to have as little tail water as possible in their system, preferring to leave allocation in the ground until needed. Their storage dams are used to harvest storm water, and to supplement bores during peak irrigation demand. Irrigation run times are kept to 12 hours. They have altered head height and siphon size to suit this in order to maximise staff efficiency. Some water entitlements are purchased opportunistically from time to time, based on intricate financial analysis.

The key feature of the Warnocks management

style is the ability to identify risks to their system, monitor the situation over time, detect changes early and respond quickly. They are highly mindful of changes to their water table levels and climate.

THE COTTON PRODUCTION SYSTEMCotton plays an integral role in the Warnock’s intensive operation. Every hectare is expected to bear a crop every year, with 30% of the land area put into a rotation crop (usually wheat) whilst in the other 70%, cotton follows cotton.

Analysis has shown a 10-15% increase in the following year’s cotton crop from a wheat rotation. This system works extremely well when spring rain falls increase wheat yield. This year

FARM FACTS...TOTAL ENTERPRISE SIZE1,260 Ha

AREA TO COTTON 2013/2014730 Ha

AVERAGE YIELD 2013/20149.95 bales/Ha

WATER ALLOCATION3,268 ML bore

TYPE OF IRRIGATIONFlood

AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year

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corn will be introduced into the rotation following objective scrutiny of a range of options. Corn is expected to deliver the best gross margin returns.

This season has seen the enterprise produce 7,000 bales which is a lower than average yield, however very few bales were discounted for quality. This was a pleasing result given the less than favourable conditions at picking time this year.

The Warnocks keep a close eye on timing, ensuring the previous season’s trash is incorporated very quickly to allow it to break down as much as possible before planting the next season.

An active choice was made to have and maintain tree lines throughout the farm to help increase the levels of beneficial insects. Brendon is in no doubt that natural predation is better now than it was 10 years ago. This is demonstrated by the staff outcry from spider webs covering the pickers during harvest.

MAN AND MACHINE EQUATION

The enterprise attempts to do as much of the work as possible themselves. Their 5 staff members are fully employed year round with varied and interesting work. This approach also justifies their purchases of good quality equipment that is maintained well and used for as long as possible.

The line is drawn when the cost of maintenance outweighs the cost of purchasing a new machine. The overall aim is to keep overheads as low as possible. They are proud to have purchased one of the last new square pickers in Australia after assessing the cost benefit of changing over to a round picker at this point in time.

DETAILED RECORDING AND ANALYSIS KEY TO THE OPERATION

Warnock Agronomics deeply analyse a range of scenarios allowing them objectivity in their decision making. Brendon believes that even drought can be less emotive when viewed through the lens of an excel spreadsheet. The Warnocks effectively forecast input needs, allowing for more timely and better purchasing choices. Extensive and accurate record keeping are strong elements of the management of the enterprise, ensuring this operation is well run and proactive at all times.

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