National Landcare Programme trials

To report on a case study of lessons learned about growing perennial pastures.

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield over a two year period in the To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield over a two year period in the eastern wheatbelt

To investigate the potential of using a modified delving operation, which rips the clay and allows topsoil/gravel to fall back into the clay slot, to create a subsurface drainage line through the clay and reduce waterlogging.

To test the ability of composted poultry litter blended with biochar (80%:20%) to act as an alternative fertiliser.

To compare the impact and profitability of the inclusion of broadleaved break crops in paddock rotations in the Northern Victorian Mallee.

To develop agronomic packages and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

To look at grinding our local limesands to see if it made them more effective.

To look at the effectiveness of grinding our local limesands and comparing the changes in soil pH against unground lime.

To examine the impact grazing at different stages of growth would have on dry matter, grain yield and stubble yield post harvest.
 
 

To re-establish plant diversity on salt affected soils on a large farm scale trial using “seeded” clay balls.

To identify suitable lucerne varieties for the Mallee and test if there are differences in establishment, persistence and production between them.

To determine:

• Which dual purpose cereal varieties respond favorably to Gippsland’s climatic conditions.
• Which new varieties may have commercialization potential.
• Which varieties are best suited to forage and grain production.

• Which dual purpose varieties respond to Gippsland’s climatic conditions?
• Which new varieties may have commercialization potential?
• Which varieties are best suited to forage and feed grain production?

The Grain and Graze program was keen to test the findings from extensive trial work with a group of farmers to see if the theories of grazing cereals provided the desired response under a range of conditions and farming situations. The financial gain from the exercise was also calculated.

• To assess P application rates and its effects on pasture growth and soil P levels.

To investigate the different responses on pasture growth to triple, single and gold phosphorus fertiliser application.

• To investigate the different responses on pasture growth to triple, single and gold phosphorus fertiliser application.

• To investigate the different responses on pasture growth to triple, single and gold phosphorus fertiliser application.

• To investigate different responses to the application of single, triple and gold phosphorus fertiliser on pasture growth.

• To determine if fluid sources of phosphorus (P) have a greater efficiency for cereal production in the Southern Mallee.
• To ascertain whether the effectiveness and delivery of micronutrients, such as Zinc (Zn), is improved when supplied as a fluid.

• To investigate the potential use of ProGibb SG as a growth promoting agent.

• To investigate the potential use of ProGibb SG as a growth promoting agent.

To discuss how to get the most out of kikuyu pastures on Kangaroo Island.

To test the impact of adding gypsum, lime or fertilisers to the subsoil.

• To identify within paddock variability (subsoil limitations) and its effects on production and recharge.
• To identify different paddock ‘zones’ and the effect of rainfall (amount and distribution) on production.

Trials and demonstrations involving soil mixing either with a spader or ripping with inclusion plates have been shown to increase yields on sandy soils on Eyre Peninsula (EP). Many of these trials have included the addition of organic material incorporated at rates of 5-10 t/ha. Whilst generally these treatments have provided yield increases for a number of years post application, the rates applied have proven to be uneconomic (EPFS 2019, p 71). This project was originally developed by the Lower Eyre Ag
Development Association (LEADA) with two major objectives being:
1. To test ripping with inclusion plates on a wider range of soils.
2. To trial rates and sources of organic matter that are practical for broadacre use.

• To assess the yield response using honey bees for pollination in dryland faba beans.

A recent N LP2 investment, Adapting cropping systems to changing climatic conditions to reduce inputs and maximise water use through improving crop competitiveness, is a demonstration and extension project which started in late 2019. An initial grower survey of current management practices and attitudes towards barley grass was undertaken in March 2020 to be used as the baseline to assess changes in grower attitudes and changes in practices at the completion of the project. 

To investigate inter row sowing and no-till.

• To investigate the potential of kikuyu as a hardy pasture species on Kangaroo Island.

The integration of cropping and grazing remains a major management challenge in the Mallee. Technology such as portable fencing systems and virtual fencing potentially offer a solution to improve grazing management in large Mallee paddocks with high soil variability. However, to effectively design and deploy these innovative grazing techniques, the grazing behaviour of livestock in these paddocks needs to be understood and quantified.

The trial aimed to address the lack of long-term lime trials taking place in the Albany Port Zone. 

The aim was to evaluate five different lime sources from the southwest to determine were differences in their effect on soil pH and yields. 

The trials aim was to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of mid-row banding (MRB) nitrogen, to improve N use efficiency and yields.

The trial involved both a small plot trial at South Stirlings and a broadacre site at Kendenup. 

The broadscale trial contained two treatments where 125kg/ha of Urea was applied at seeding. Treatment one was via MRB, treatment two was via top-dressing.

The small plot trial contained 6 treatments, which had a N application seeding and at tillering. Treatment 1, MRB 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 2, MRB 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. Treatment 3, Top-dressing 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 4, Top-dressing 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. Treatment 5, nil Urea at seeding, & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 6, Nil Urea & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. 

This article reports a trial at Minnipa which investigated mixed species cover crops grown over winter and their impact on wheat production the following year. 
 

• To look at nitrogen application on pasture. The focus was: “Does it pay to apply nitrogen?”

To answer the following questions:

1. Does it matter what form the nitrogen is in? (i.e. granular vs foliar), and
2. Is it best to apply a little often or can you get away with just one big application?

Onion weed (Asphodelus fistulosusis) is a significant pest of crops and pastures on many soil types on upper EP. Onion weed that germinates in the pasture phase often results in thick stands of large plants that require repeated herbicide application and/or cultivation to control prior to a crop phase. Cultivation prior to sowing is a widespread practice to control the weed and reduce the residues to manageable levels. However, cultivation can expose the soil to erosion.

Onion weed in pastures regularly sets seed prior to the end of the growing season, ensuring the seed bank is replenished and the weed persists in every phase of the rotation. A key strategy to reduce the impact of onion weed, and the need for cultivation, is to reduce growth and seed set in the pasture phase of the rotation. Non-selective herbicides can control actively growing onion weed plants, but pasture growth is also affected.

Previous trials by the UNFS group, MDB NRM, and PIRSA have shown the following herbicides can provide adequate control of onion weed in non-selective situations:

                    Paraquat and double knocks of paraquat

                    Glyphosate plus metsulfuron methyl mixtures (+/- paraquat second knock)

                    Glyphosate plus LVE ester 2,4- D plus metsulfuron methyl,( +/- paraquat second knock)

                    Chlorsulfuron

                    Spray Seed

                    Alliance

This trial was established to investigate herbicide control of autumn/winter germinating onion weed in the pasture phase, while maintaining the productivity of the medic pasture. This trial evaluated the herbicide control of young actively growing onion weed in a vigorous medic pasture. The herbicides, with the exception of paraquat, were chosen to minimise the impact on the medic biomass production.

To discuss options for pasture management.

To conduct ground truthing for the Pastures from space program, which provides estimates of pasture growth rate during the growing season by mean of remote sensing.

Perennial pastures are being investigated for their potential fit in the Wimmera Mallee region.

This project looked at the long-term effect of P rates on crop production in the APZ. 

• To investigate the potential of preventative fungicide applications on wheat crops to provide longer protection and potential saving of yeild.

The project aims to unlock value in existing data to drive innovation in agronomy and livestock management by bringing together data from a range of sources including satellite, soil moisture probe networks, weather stations, proximal sensing and yield models. By working with farmers and advisors to link data with decision making, the project aims to make more informed and significantly improved land management decisions. 

The aim of this trial is to evaluate and analyse the effect of deep ripping with inclusion plates on moving surface-applied lime into acidic sub-soil of deep sandy duplex. Additionally, this trial tested farm-sourced lime against commercial grade lime. 

• To investigate the role of a range of nutrients applied both on the surface and at depth, on crops grown on sandy soils.

• To demonstrate how Pastures from Space technologies can be used to increase grazier’s skills in sustainably increasing stocking rates.

To assess the emergence and vigour of wheat sown with a zero-till system with:

• press wheel
• in-furrow wheel (seed-lock)
• in-furrow seed firmer (nylon)

To assess the effectiveness of a range of soil ameliorants.

To report on two demonstration sites to investigate the use of pH nutrient mapping (using PrecisionAg, in the top soil) with pasture growth monitoring (using Decipher) and sub soil contraint mapping (using the EM38).

To assess the effects of trace elements on anuello wheat production.