Image Upload


File size must be less than 2Mb

You must have online publishing permission or full ownership of this image

File types (jpg, png, gif)






  • Hero image
    COMPETITIVE: Students from Nhill and Murtoa colleges, including Nhill’s Jobe Dickinson, left, and Archie Zanker, are competing in a Victoria-first crop trial program at Rupanyup, giving them the opportunity to make decisions on growing from sowing to harvest. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
  • Hero image
    Murtoa College's Frazer Garton and William Henley. AgXtra crop rial at Rupnayup with Murtoa and Nhill College students.
  • Hero image
    OBSERVERS: Deegan Clark and Riley White of Nhill College check on the trial crop at Rupanyup.
  • Hero image
    FOLLOWING THE Process: AgXtra’s Tristan Hilbig, left, at the group’s crop trial site at Rupanyup with Nhill College students Izaha Whitehead, Rylan Scheider and Mardi Bone, and Murtoa College’s William Henley and Frazer Garton. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER

AgLife: Nhill and Murtoa students reap farm rewards

Students from Nhill and Murtoa colleges are competing in a Victoria-first crop trial program at Rupanyup, giving them the opportunity to make decisions on growing from sowing to harvest.

AgXtra broadacre manager and senior agronomist Josh Mahoney said the Victorian trial was an extension of interstate programs.

“We’re getting students in the year nine and 10 bracket to make decisions about crops they grow,” he said.

“We guide students in planting wheat and barley varieties in two- by 10-metre plots and support them in managing these crops throughout the season.



Article continues below


“Our aim is to help them make informed decisions to maximise their potential gross margin.

“We give them fertiliser, a fertiliser rate, wheat variety, wheat sowing rate and then some in-season fertiliser options as well. 

“The students then make decisions based on the season, with their teacher and some advice from us and other people.”

Mr Mahoney said the program followed through the cropping season to show students real-life results.

“Come harvest, we’ll measure the yield of each plot and then send the grain from each plot on to testing to get grain quality,” he said.

Mr Mahoney said the program aimed to involve students in agriculture.

“We are training a future work force, and highlighting different career options within agriculture, and in doing so we’re also hoping to keep students local after they leave school,” he said.

“We plan to expand the program next year to include more schools and secure additional funding and sponsorship, allowing us to grow its impact and reach.”

People can visit www.agxtra.com.au for more information.