Fast, Simple, and Profitable — Liquids Done Right in Gippsland
A father-son team from Gippsland, Victoria made the switch to liquids that made their operation simpler and faster.
Claudio and Seb Segafredo run a mixed farming operation alongside a busy contracting business servicing beef and dairy producers. Each season, they’re direct drilling pastures and cereals for silage across jobs ranging anywhere from 20 to 200 hectares per client, often under tight seasonal pressures. In a contracting environment like this, there’s no room for complexity or downtime; the equipment needs to be simple, reliable, and ready to go.
| ABOUT |
|---|
- WHO: Claudio & Seb Segafredo
- BUSINESS: Mixed farming and contracting (beef & dairy clients)
- LOCATION: Traralgon, Victoria
- INPUTS: 1:1.5 ratio of 30-40 L/ha Structure by Loveland
- EQUIPMENT: Liquid Systems (SA) MSR Hydraulic with a Two Stacker manifold and terminal assemblies
| KEY OUTCOMES |
|---|
- More hectares covered per day
- Less setup time and fewer delays
- Consistent, accurate application
- Greater efficiency during tight planting windows
The move away from traditional granular fertiliser started with the trigger of fertiliser pricing, particularly DAP
“We did the numbers—and it was a no-brainer. The economics stacked up straight away.” Said Claudio
Working with local Nutrien agronomist Jim Colquhoun, it didn’t stay a cost conversation for long. Once they started seeing how crops responded, the focus shifted.
“The price got us looking, but the performance is why we’re staying. The crops are just stronger—faster out of the ground, better vigour—even in a tough, dry autumn.”
Claudio doesn’t dress it up when comparing liquids to traditional granular programs like MAP or DAP. The results in the paddock have been the real turning point for the father and son team. The difference shows up early and in a season with limited opening rain, that early advantage becomes even more important.
Once you see the crop response, you can’t go back. Liquids are the future
Removing the Complexity Barrier
Claudio first came across Liquid Systems at a field day, speaking directly with the team. Like many contractors, he was cautious about adding complexity to an already demanding operation. That hesitation changed with the introduction of the MSR Series.
We didn’t want more controllers, more screens, more things to go wrong.
Installation and setting the bar up was straightforward — a tank and frame was mounted onto the seeder and the Segafredo’s were ready to go with minimum of fuss. The addition of a simple transfer pump played a big role in the reloading process. Being able to quickly refill the tank means less time stopped and more time covering ground.
Claudio also advises, “Think about where you’ll mount your tank and how you’ll refill it. Get that right and the rest is straightforward.”
In a contracting business, that’s where efficiency is either won or lost. With the 4-metre bar running up to around 12 km/h, the Segafredos covered roughly 1,500 hectares in a month.
“That’s a fair bit of work for a 4m machine — we just kept moving.” Said Claudio
Using the Liquid Systems Hydraulic MSR to apply Loveland Structure in-furrow across cereals and fodder crops, the results have been impressive. Claudio and Seb were able to install the system and get out in the paddock very quickly.
It’s plug-and-play. Everything turns up in the box ready to go — no chasing parts, no delays, no mucking around. We highly recommend it. It’s simple, it’s accurate, and it delivers where it counts.”
When conditions are tight, simplicity matters just as much as performance. They were able to get more hectares in less time, with fewer interruptions, and deliver stronger crop establishment for their clients. That combination builds confidence—not just for them, but for the farmers they’re working with. “There’s no messing around—it just works. That’s what you need when you’re contracting.” Said Claudio
Backed by Support That Delivers
For Claudio, the experience hasn’t just been about the system—it’s been about the support behind it. Good backup support is critical in keeping their operation running smoothly during peak periods.
They were always available on the phone. We were never left in the dark.
For the Segafredos, this hasn’t just been a change in fertiliser type. It’s been a shift to a system that’s easier to run, delivers a product that is easier to handle and is more accurate, faster to operate, and delivers a stronger result in the paddock.
