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Simplicity key to profits

Frank Nield.

With most farmers now nervously waiting for much needed opening and follow up rains, there is some good news from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Seasonal forecasting for the May to July period suggests a higher than average chance of exceeding average rainfall.

However, some areas across the agricultural region may be in for a bit of a wait, with the forecast much more convincing for the later part of the three-month period.

Bureau media and communication manager Neil Bennett said rain from a winter front that came through on Sunday night was patchy throughout the Wheatbelt, with the lion's share received in the South West.

"For the next week or so we will be under the influence of a high pressure system," he said.

"What we need to see is a good frontal feature which is able to pull down some moist north-westerly air and there is nothing on the horizon in that regard for the short-term."

Despite this, Hyden farmers Frank and Carlia Nield are experiencing a rare wet seeding in April, and Mr Nield is positive about the start to the season.

While he said the start date of April 18 wasn't early for his area, the 30mm they received in March had been a handy kick-start to his program.

But with the last rainfall event on April 9, Mr Nield is keen to see more top-up rain very soon.

"It's certainly been a decent start that's for sure, but yes we need more rain very soon," he said.

The Nields are planning 1100ha of wheat, 400ha of canola, 800ha of barley, of which 90 per cent is Scope, and 500ha of Wandering and Williams Oats.

The canola is up and out of the ground and the whole farm has received a double knock already.

According to Mr Nield, frost has not been much of an issue for him since he came to the area in 2013, so Mace and Clearfield Stiletto will be planted in this year's program.

Mr Nield said nitrogen would be applied at various stages throughout the season, with 100kg/ha of sulphate of ammonia applied up front.

"We play the season a little bit, I'm not a big fan of sticking it all out up front.

"Since we have a smaller than average program for this area, we can afford to do that. We have a little bit more time to play with than others."

The Nields also run 1100 breeding ewes across their 3900ha property.

While Mr Nield said sheep were still important in his rotation, particularly to fill the income gap, he said he was careful not to over stock.

"I think that that just ends up compromising the cropping program, and crops are where the main income for the business comes from, so we have to protect that," he said.

Mr Nield said his farming strategy was to keep it simple.

"We only received 100mm throughout the growing season in 2013, so I think we all learnt to minimise our losses and keep our farming very simple," he said.