Jil JIl VIC trials

To consider how the system choices in the BCG farming systems trial over the past eight years would play out with likely 2008 prices, and to highlight some of the consistent lessons that can be applied on-farm, to farming systems change in 2008.

To investigate:

• the efficacy of the pre-emergent herbicide treatments on brome grass,
• the weed competitiveness of different varieties at different row spacing configurations, and
• the relative yields of the different varieties with the different herbicide applications and row spacing configurations.

To demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of new pre-emergen chemistry, Bayer 191, in reducing resistant ryegass populations in winter cereals.

To investigate pre-emergent trifluralin mixes for the control of Group A resistant ryegrass.

To assess the ryegrass control ability of crop rotation, in combination with pre- and post- emergent herbicides.

To evaluate the crop safety and efficacy on annual ryegrass of soil-incorporated pre-emergent herbicides in dry and wet sowing conditions.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

• To assess the ability of conventionally sown Hindmarsh barley crops at Jil Jil and Nullawil to recover from grazing, the effects on straw and grain yield production and on grain quality.
• To consider the place of early sown feed versus grazing crops in low rainfall farming systems.

To investigate pasture production and utilisation by sheep.

To present results from BCG's Farming Systems trials.

To compare the yields of crops in southern Mallee farming systems in 2009.

To compare the yields of crops in the southern Mallee under various farming systmes in 2010.

To compare the yields of crops grown under four different farming systems common to the southern Mallee region.

• To compare performance of four different farming systems, over the years 2003-08, using prices appropriate for 2009.
• To use a machinery inventory and relevant costings compared with contract pricing for operations.

To assess the Farming Systems trial for changes in the soil properties/health that may have occurred between each of the four systems since 2000.

To monitor the feed value and grain production from different types of grazed cereal crops in Northern Victoria.

To monitor the feed value and grain production from different types of grazed cereal crops in Northern Victoria.

To test if no-till crops grown on clay soils in the low rainfall, southern Mallee environment would yield better if more straw could be retained on the soil surface from the previous crop.

To improve the management of grain crops in the Mallee region of Victoria using precision agricultural technology: and more specifically, to improve the understanding of the causes of spatial variability within a paddock and its interaction with seasonal conditions as this knowledge is regarded as essential to developing appropriate management strategies in precision agriculture.

To determine the effectiveness of weed seed set control strategies in driving down the seedbank without reducing yields in cereal-intensive cropping systems.

To determine whether maintaining stubble cover in low rainfall environments increases summer moisture conservation, and, to establish the minimum stubble quantity or threshold necessary to ensure maximum moisture conservation over the summer.

To demonstrate the feed value of a forage brassica as spring/early summer grazing option and to measure lamb growth rate performance.

To assess the long-term impat of a rnage of P fertiliser rates on crop yield and economic returns.

To assess the long-term impact of a range of P fertiliser rates on crop yield and economic returns

To assess the implications of different P fertiliser rates on crop growth and profitability over time.

To establish the most economical rate of phosphorus usage in a southern Mallee cropping systems over time.

To determine the most economical rate of phosphorus (P) in a southern Mallee cropping system over time. 

To ascertain the long-term benefits in crop growth and profitability as a result of regular phosphorus (P) applications.

To evaluate the response of different barley varieties to various management aspects of no-till farming systems. Variables examined include row spacing, pre-emergent herbicides and nitrogen timing.

To measure the trade-off between medic pasture growth and yield of a following cereal crop, with different termination timing of the medic pasture.

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

To compare two soil phosphorus (P) tests (Diffusive Gradient Thin Films (DGT) and Colwell P) for their prediction of crop responses to applied-P in farmer paddocks.

To investigate pre-emergent tifluralin mixes for the control of Group A resistant ryegrass.

To determine if sowing direction and row spacing can be used to reduce grass weed populations, growth and seed set, and their impact on crop performance in the Mallee.

To determine the effect of stubble management (standing, slashed or burnt) on the crop safety of pre-sowing herbicides, and their efficacy against Group A-resistant annual ryegrass.

To measure the loss of soil water attributed to summer weeds and to quantify the impact of summer weeds on lost production.

To measure the trade-off between medic pasture growth and yield of a following cereal crop, with different termination timing of the medic pasture.

To evaluate the agronomic and economic benefits of using different rotations and management strategies to deal with Group A resistant ryegrass in a farming system.

To determine if sowing direction and row spacing can be used to influence grass weed populations and growth, and their impact on crop performance in the Mallee.

To assess the relative tolerance of new cultivars of field pea, lentil and chickpea to a range of commonly used herbicides.