Australia
December 2, 2025
Snapshot
Owners: Ethan, Hannah, Roger and Jenny Vogelsang
Location: Padthaway, South Australia
Area cropped: 1,821 to 2,023 ha
Annual rainfall (2024): 305 mm
Mean rainfall (long-term): 502 mm
Soil types: heavy black soil
Topography: flat
Soil pHCa: 7
Crops grown: wheat, canola, lentils, faba beans and barley
Enterprises: cropping and sheep
A 2024 paddock-scale trial of durum wheat versus bread wheat produced some interesting results on the Vogelsang family’s farm in South Australia.
Ethan Vogelsang and his family tested Patron durum against Scepter bread wheat in 2024 on their Padthaway farm in South Australia, aiming to discover which variety would yield more profit. The trial was part of the Southern Australia Durum Growers Association project supported through GRDC’s National Grower Network (see Trials support durum as a profitable alternative to bread wheat). The Vogelsang family’s cropping strategy is centred around optimising durum production, with a focus on managing Fusarium crown rot and annual ryegrass threats.
To mitigate Fusarium crown rot risks, Ethan sends soil samples for PREDICTA® B analysis. If pathogen levels are too high in a paddock, he opts out of sowing durum there.
In late May 2024, the paddocks earmarked for Patron were treated with Crucial® (glyphosate), Voraxor® (saflufenacil and trifludimoxazin), MCPA, LVE plus adjuvant. The paddocks set aside for Scepter were treated with Spray.Seed® (paraquat and diquat) and Voraxor® (saflufenacil and trifludimoxazin) plus adjuvant.
For their trial, the 50 ha Patron and Scepter were treated with Boxer Gold® (prosulfocarb plus metolachlor) and Overwatch® (bixlozone) for Patron, and Luximax® (cinmethylin) and Avadex® (triallate) for Scepter.
Also applied was sulfate of ammonia to bolster soil nutrients. Seed treatments included Cruiser® 350 (thiamethoxam) and Vibrance® (difenoconazole, metalaxyl-M, sedaxane), supplemented with trace elements.
In late May, the 2 varieties, Patron and Scepter, were sown dry into lentil stubble at 100 kg/ha with 80 kg/ha monoammonium phosphate. The crops emerged in mid-June.
Post-emergence, Scepter received Mateno® Complete (aclonifen, pyroxasulfone and diflufenican) to control grasses.
At tillering, Ethan applied 100 kg/ha of urea to both crops, with a second application at booting. He says the second urea application was probably unnecessary, affected by the dry season, which boosted grain protein and screenings.
In early September, Aviator® Xpro® (prothioconazole and bixafen plus solvent dimethyldecanamide) plus Radial® (azoxystrobin plus epoxiconazole) was applied to Scepter, and epoxiconazole to Patron.
Results
Harvesting in December yielded 4 t/ha from Scepter and 3 t/ha from Patron. Financially, Scepter sold at $352/t for a gross margin of $342/ha after costs. Patron achieved a higher sale price of $475/t.
Western Ag Supplies Research and Extension Agronomist Adrik Wright independently verified that Patron’s gross margin of $455/ha outperformed Scepter in a tough, dry year. Ethan credits variety improvement as key. Patron durum outperformed Scepter by $113/ha.
Ethan says consistent spring rainfall remains crucial for high yields on his family’s farm, especially given their shallow 30 cm topsoil.
While 2024 proved to be a challenging year for comparing with 2022, Ethan recalls achieving up to 7 t/ha of durum, surpassing bread wheat at 5 t/ha.
He encourages first-time durum growers to run a trial over 2 or 3 years to better assess its performance across a variety of seasons.
It’s a bit of a learning curve, but you don’t need as many fungicides for durum. The margin can be rewarding if your urea timing is right.
More information: Ethan Vogelsang, 0419 842 289, ejvogelsang@gmail.com
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