Noel Cook, Kindon, says the earlier his crops are in the ground, the better.

"I can see the difference (in the crops) that four or five days can make," he said.

So nine planting rigs, and their matching tractors, have to be in tip-top condition if the 16,000ha (40,000 acre) crop is to be established within a targeted 10-day sowing programme.

Most of the planting rigs span about 16m (54ft).

"We don't use massive rigs because we've got a lot of contour banks," Mr Cook said.

"Going night and day we can plant about 4,500 acres in 24 hours."

When the pressure's really on, Kindon's tractor drivers are working 12-hour shifts with its permanent staff augmented by casuals who may come from as far afield as New Zealand.

"Everyone has to pull their weight – and if a machine breaks down then we’ll even repair it at night - to get it going," Mr Cook said.

"As well, we have back-up, spare tractors."

Noting that it was "really great" to score back-to-back summer and winter crops, Mr Cook said Kindon's subsoil moisture was ideal when planting began in mid-June, although he likes to get the crop in a little earlier.

However, a May storm that dumped on a 404ha (1,000 acre) paddock saw the planting team fine-tune its skills, ready for the '08 winter season.

Subsequently, the preferred wheat varieties of Strezlecki, Gregory and Baxter received a useful 37mls some 10 days ago.

With about one-third of the crop forward sold in January/February, it's encouraging to hear this year's crops are "in great shape", according to Kindon's resident agronomist.

* Extract from a full report in Queensland Country Life, August 7 edition.