The grains industry’s pioneering spring motorcycle crop trials tour took to a national stage in South Australia this year, attracting riders from four states to view a range of research, visit leading local growers and cruise one of the country’s most popular regions.

The ADAMA Australia 2-Wheel Trials Tour has been an annual success in Western Australia for the past seven years, however riders from WA, NSW and Victoria joined fellow motorbike enthusiasts in SA this year, based from Freeling in the state’s Mid North region.

Tour leader Bevan Addison says in addition to the research and farmer networking across key growing regions of SA, the iconic Flinders Ranges area, which is on the bucket list of many adventure riders, was a big drawcard this season.

“We spent a day-and-a-half exploring the Flinders Ranges and it gave riders a taste of some true outback riding,” Bevan says.

Fortunately, the weather conditions were ideal for riding, and the group avoided heavy downpours through the region soon after, which can make some roads impassable.

A visit to Milang and the ADAMA Australia Solutions site provided insight into ongoing research, including herbicide trials assessing weed control in pulse and canola crops. The group explored the trials after making its way through the winding roads of the Adelaide Hills.

These trials focused on the use of Ultro herbicide in pulse crops and Tenet herbicide in canola, their robust weed control and the benefits they provide in whole farm weed management programs.

While some of the growers had not previously viewed the effectiveness of the herbicides, they were showing similar results to various other trials conducted across the country.

ADAMA Australia SA market development manager Andre Sabeeney says Ultro was a superior grass control product for all key pulse crops.

“While in WA it has primarily been used in lupins, in other states Ultro is ideal for use in field peas, faba beans, lentils and chickpeas,” Andre says.

“Ultro performs well in all these crop types on key weeds including ryegrass, brome grass, barley grass and self-sown cereals, as well as a couple more that will be added to labels for next year, wild oats and phalaris.

“Pending APVMA approval, the Ultro label will be expanded for the 2026 season to include split application, with some product applied pre-sowing followed by a post-sowing pre-emergence application. 

“This will aid in control of in-furrow weeds to greatly lower the weed burden, making any ‘post-em’ applications of grass control products more effective and, ultimately, reducing weed seed set back into soils.”

He says, similarly, ADAMA Australia was seeking a wider post-emergent registration for Tenet that would allow an increased rate for the early post-emergent use, an extended application window and a reduced plantback for following crops.

“Trials have shown this results in more effective weed control in canola crops, as well as a better outcome for rotations, with less weed seeds topping up the seed bank.”

At a Pioneer Seeds trial site at Freeling, the group covered a range of topics from variety selection, herbicide systems and rotations.

They also visited the Hart Field Day site, located between Blyth and Brinkworth in the Mid North, where they discussed Hart’s history and inspected several key trials showcased at the 40-hectare site.

Bevan says connecting with several leading farmers in the region was a highlight of the tour.

“At Balaklava, Brett Roberts gave us a rundown of his farming operations and grain trading as part of the AGD (Australian Growers Direct) business model.”

“At the top of the Yorke Peninsula, Mark Schilling discussed the expansion of their family farm to include machinery supplies and food processing arms.

They also host a major lentil breeding site on their property as part of Grains Innovation Australia, which prompted some great discussion about the unique nature of the independent breeding program.

“Near our base at Freeling, where we received great support from the local community and the Freeling Football Club catered for us magnificently, we also caught up with Corbin Schuster, whose family runs a diverse business.

“With around 40 immediate neighbours, it would be a full-time job keeping relationships intact, however they also manage to run Ezy Bale, a huge hay operation, and the iconic Barns of Freeling reception venue.”

As part of the diversification and retention of some of the local history, the family invested heavily in restoring dilapidated barns, while also adding some silos to create a unique events venue on the farm.

During the tour, the group enjoyed traversing a range of landscapes, from the mighty Murray River at Mannum through to the Adelaide Hills, where they visited the Australian Motor Museum and, of course, its extensive motorcycle display, all the way up to the Flinders Ranges.

Bevan says the diverse group of riders from all over Australia, as well as the great support from the local growers involved and the Freeling and Hawker communities, made it an event to remember.

“We had a few minor breakdowns and flat tyres on the ride home, but it’s something the group will never forget.”

He says the ADAMA Australia team had not yet decided on next year’s location for the popular annual motorcycle tour, but it was sure to be another memorable experience for riders.