Key achievements were getting the trial in the ground, harvesting and collection of results. Also successful application for 2nd & 3rd years of funding Project 053042 – Precision Agriculture Systems – Impact on zone management, soil health and surface water management (Years 2 & 3).

Key findings from the trial in 2006 were that the most run off was collected from burnt stubble tramline which suggests that bare ground with tracks, can potentially aid the channelling of water more than with stubbles where water can ‘dam’ with the interference of stubble and foreign matter. As this was the first year of the trial at Corrigin it raised many more questions which will hopefully be answered in the next two years.

Late notification of project approval combined with difficulty in employing a suitable coordinator resulted in the project starting 6 months late (February 2006).

Farmer with tramlining capability easily identified.

Paul Blackwell’s (DAFWA) assistance proved beneficial, were able to combine two trial sites into one paddock to better utilise the farmers controlled traffic system. Minor issue occurred when fire from burning chaff heap destroyed original stubble trial site. New site established.

The biggest issue for the trial in 2006 was lack of heavy rainfall events, while a crop was taken off, there were very few rainfall events greater than 10mm.

Several issues occurred with the design, construction and collection of water from the water traps. After consultation with Paul Blackwell on trap design and a visit to his Pindar site (Liebe project) to visually assess the traps, we had a better understanding of how to construct the Corrigin traps. To bury 20 chemical containers into hard soil it was decided to hire local contractor to use his backhoe/digger to dig them out.

Collection of water from the water traps was a major issue too. A range of equipment and methods was trialled and found to be inadequate. After consultation with the local businesses in town, a powerful suction pump that could be screwed to a battery pack for power and ease of moving was order. The pump proved to be the right combination for the job required. A further issue arose over the 2006 trial year with water traps chemical drums becoming

slimy and animals getting trapped resulting in  blocking and clogging of the pump. To overcome this problem in 2007 we decided to a) place gauze over the hole from the trap to the pipe leading to the drum, so large matter cannot enter the drum. This has worked well so far, however it has restricted some trap’s water from entering the pipe. We are currently working on rectifying this problem. and b) a second filter was put on the water pump so now it has a main filter and a hose filter to sort though the ‘gunk’ before allowing it to enter the water pump.

 

Crop dry matter at maturity and grain yield were significantly higher in the ‘High Yielding’ zones than in the ‘Low Yielding’ zones.

Using precision agriculture (PA) to apply variable rate of fertilise is an easy way to test new idea on farm. Precision agriculture can be used to apply different rates of fertiliser to different areas of a paddock. Wheat responded to applied phophorus, even though soil tests indicated it had a high level of Colwell P (56mg/ka).

Reducing sowing rates to 50 kg/ha did not impact on yield, which is consistant with 2009 trial results. Yield at the site did not respond to applied phosphorus or nitrogen fertiliser even following early plant growth responses.

Precision agriculture can be used to apply variable rates of nitrogen fertiliser; generating fertiliser savings and optimising yields throughout the paddock. Optimising applied nitrogen fertilser results in optimum yields and gross margin.

The higher yielding zone of the paddock did not require more DAPSZC than the lower yielding zones. Such on-farm experiments have a great potential to inform and improve paddock management for increased profits and environmental outcomes by using inputs more wisely.

• Precision soil mapping for pH and nutrients can result in significant cost savings for producers.

• Mapping soil pH has greatest value if the paddocks are into their second or third rotation of lime.

• Consider including sulphur in the testing if mapping phosphorus.

• Establish several sites across the farm to monitor the ongoing pH, P and S status.

• Yields at very low seed rates of 0.3 and 0.5 kg/ha were comparable to yields at higher seed rates of 1.0 and 2.5 kg/ha when using a precision seeding machine.
• Yields in excess of 2.0 t/ha were achieved when sowing at 50 cm row spacing.
• These results suggest we should continue investigating more precise seed delivery systems.

• Yields at very low seed rates of 0.3 and 0.5 kg/ha were comparable to yields at higher seed rates of 1.0 and 2.5 kg/ha when using a precision seeding machine.
• Yields in excess of 2.0 t/ha were achieved when sowing at 50 cm row spacing.
• These results suggest we should continue investigating more precise seed delivery systems.

• There was good correlation between yield predicted from historical yield maps and actual yield data.
• Wind during harvest caused over 0.5t/ha yield loss in the lower yielding areas of the paddock.

The forecasting models also have potential to significantly improve production levels in other agricultura, pastoral and horticultural industries.

Although this trial yielded less than half the other NVT trials conducted in AgZone 1 in 2006 there is some consistency with their results and the ranking of these varieties in this trial.

• Nodulation can be very poor and very patchy, and measures to improve both the level and consistency of nodulation are needed.
• Growers are encouraged to take root samples of legume crops in late winter or early spring to assess nodulation. A nodulation assessment guide that includes photos of plants with poor and good nodulation is available online.
• AgKI has received funding through GRDC for bean nodulation trial work in 2015 – so hopefully next year’s Ag Trial booklet will have good news about how to improve nodulation.

• Chaff lining is an evolving harvest weed seed control method
• It presents as a low cost, easy weed management tool
• It is considered to be good control for ryegrass and radish but not as successful for brome grass

This trial has identified that foliar fungicides can provide good control of eyespot but there is variation in fungicide efficacy and that results are seasonally dependent. Fungicides with a higher level of activity on eyespot might give satisfactory control or suppression of eyespot if applied in-furrow.

• Yield Prophet provided good background information to apply nitrogen during the season. Whilst the nitrogen applica-tion treatment based of Yield Prophet reports was the second highest yielding treatment it did provide a delayed spend on nitrogen. Treatment 4 had exactly the same nitrogen application rate but the timing was far early than treatment 7 (Yield Prophet guided treatment). This does prove that Yield Prophet can help growers to make less risky nitrogen de-cisions without sacrificing yield and grain quality. Obviously with the excellent finishing rainfall the highest nitrogen application was the highest yielding treatment.
• This site was very responsive to Flexi-N and some very high yields were produced.

 

The important message from these trials is that any post seeding treatment is better than none at all.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient plant-available P, ultimately results in reduced yield. 

Crops, particularly cereals require a high amount of P for crop production, and P can often be depleted over time if optimal rates are not applied. Given P is an immobile nutrient historical application rates can bank P within the soil profile. 

Variable rates of starter fert were applied over a 4 year period, to assess the cumulative yield effect and P balance, to determine an optimal rate for crop production.

The control rate of 100kg/ha of MAPSZC:MOP (15.8kg/ha P), produced identical cumulative yields across the time span of the project to the 140kg/ha luxury rate. 

The 80kg/ha application provided sufficient P levels to maintain the phosphorus balance for cumulative yields achieved since 2017. However lower P rates will consume stored soil P reserves. 

• Most farmers apply fungicide as a curative rather than preventative measure.
• Foliar fungicides are more effective when applied before the onset of the disease.
• Preventative applications can be applied at lower rates than curative applications thus reducing application costs and potential yield loss.
• Despite the dry spring finish, all plots treated with fungicide demonstrated an increase in yield compared to the control.
• There was a small yield deficit incurred from applying only Folicur at GS39 compared with only Triad at GS32.

• All treatments gave higher yields than the control, where no fungicide was applied.
• Despite the lack of replication, it would appear that Impact at 500 mL/ha gave an increased yield by comparison to the control.
• A yield advantage of 1633 kg/ha would certainly more than pay for the cost of the treatment.
• For further conclusions, please see the attached trial report.

• Unlike wheat, higher seeding rates in malt barley may have a detrimental impact on grain yield and quality. This is particularly the case for Schooner (lower yields) and Vic Sloop (higher screenings).
• The exception to this rule may be Gairdner. Higher plant densities had no impact on yield or grain quality so increasing seeding rates in this variety may be a management tool available to compensate for its poor early vigour.

• Previous BCG results indicated that higher plant densities achieved by increasing seeding rates provided many benefits including stable or increased yields (never a yield penalty), reduced screenings, increased access to moisture, nutrient and light and better competition against weed populations.
• The results of this trial support the findings of previous BCG research.
• For many growers seed of their preferred variety may be in relatively low supply following the 2002 drought but it will be important to maintain or increase current seeding rates in 2003.

• From soil tests we knew that P was going to be the limiting factor.
• This trial shows that there is no substitue for keeping your P rates up. For example a ~$90/ha investment achieved a return of $483/ha.
• It also show the importance of soil testing.
• Plant analysis did not show any improvement in P uptake from either product enhancer and neither of these'enhancers' improved crop yeilds.

• Field peas were the stand out crop in terms of both dry matter production (5.8-6.5 t/ha) and grain yield (1.7-2.3 t/ha)
• Excellent grain yields were generally achieved for the other pulse crop options; chickpea (1.5-1.6 t/ha), lentil (1.5 t/ha), faba bean (1.4 t/ha) and lupins (0.9-1.2).
• Over two seasons at the site, Kabuli chickpeas have been the most profitable crop option followed by Desi chickpeas and field peas. Lentils were the most profitable option in 2014.
• There were no significant dry matter differences between treatments in the Brown Manure trial with all producing about 4.5 t/ha.

•  There were no significant yield effects of fungicide application at either V8 (8 leaf) or VT.
• No disease was observed in the trial and there was little evidence to suggest that fungicides improved green leaf retention when assessed at V14, V15 and V16.

• There was a significant interaction between fungicide product and the timing of application with propiconazole being more effective than prothioconazole at the later VT timing and visa versa at V8, however there is no evidence that this is a real effect.
• Application of three different fungicide active ingredients (four products) at either V8 (8 leaf) or VT tasselling produced no yield response at the Kerang site
• Application of a fungicide at either 8 leaf or tasselling did not result in an extended period of green leaf retention during grain fill.
• No disease was evident in the trial for the duration of the season. 

• Application of three different fungicide active ingredients (four products) at either V8 (8 leaf) or VT tasselling produced no yield response at the Yenda site.
• Application of a fungicide at either 8 leaf or tasselling did not result in an extended period of green leaf retention during grain fill.  
• No disease was evident in the trial for the duration of the season.

Two significant weather events that had an important influence over the results in this project, in 2016, frost and 2017, summer rain. In 2016, there were multiple severe frost events during the critical, flowering stage of the growing season. Oats being a relatively frost tolerant species proved to be the best performing species for yield and gross returns in 2016. The broadleaf crops, both legumes and canola were severely impacted by frost.

For barley in 2016 the accumulated gross returns for two years was higher in rotation, fallow 2015; barley 2016 when compared with wheat 2015 barley 2016. This supports previous work by CFIG that including fallow in the rotation can increase gross returns over a two year period.

In season 2017 frost damage was minor when compared to 2016. Season 2017 was dominated by heavy summer rainfall and a very dry start to winter. The fallow plots were impacted by the summer rain due to lack of soil cover. The loamy, morrell soil set hard at the surface as a result of the heavy summer rain which severely impacted penetration of the seeding equipment and subsequently, crop establishment was poor. The very dry start to the season likely exacerbated the poor establishment on the fallow plots.

Oats performed well again in 2017 in terms of yield but barley produced higher gross returns. Chickpeas and lentils were the best performing of the broadleaf crops in 2017.

When the gross returns in 2017 were compared by rotation (2015-2017), it is interesting to note that 2017 cereals grown in rotation with legumes in 2016 generally performed well.

The gross returns for every rotation tested in the trial were compared on an accumulative return over 3 years (2015-2017) and the rotation with the highest accumulative return was year 1; wheat year 2; chickpeas and year 3; barley. This demonstrates the value of a legume in a rotation which contributed to the highest yielding plot, which was barley in 2017.

The top two highest total gross return rotations over three years had a legume crop in one year of the rotation. The third highest return rotation had a fallow phase which confirms fallow as a rotation option. In the top 10 highest returning rotations, 4 had fallow in one year of the rotation.

•  Legume break crops reduced populations of RLN (Pratylenchus neglectus) in the soil while canola increased the population.
• RLN levels increased across the site after one season of Scepter wheat (a susceptible host) to medium risk levels on legume plots and high risk levels where canola had been a break crop.
• A single break crop in the rotation may be insufficient to effectively reduce disease inoculum beyond the season following a break crop year.

• The results from experimental comparisons of crop sequences of at least two and three years’ length undertaken over the last five years in the SE Australian cropping belt were consistent with findings from previous local and global research
  that has demonstrated that sequences including break crops tend to be more productive than continuous wheat.

• Canola is not a break crop in paddocks if root lesion nematodes (RLN) and Rhizoctonia solani are both present
• Weed free legumes, pulses and pastures are the best options where RLN and R. solani co-exist in a paddock
• Cereals substantially increase RLN and R. solani levels while canola will also increase RLN

The outcome from this project will be more reliable and more productive low rainfall farming systems through the increased use of less risky broad leaved break phases.

This will be achieved through the promotion of the following outputs from the proposal in low rainfall regions of south eastern Australia 1. More reliable management strategies for the production of broad leaved phases.

2. Identification of more reliable break phase options.

3. Guidelines to identify trigger points for when, for how long and which break phases to use for improved farming systems outcomes.

4. Reliable estimation of risks with break phases as well as their total impacts on following cereal crops.

A break of two years can produce a better financial outcome than continuous wheat over a four year period of production where there are substantial pressures on wheat performance (eg. grassy weeds). Wheat yields after a two year break were a significant step up from wheat crops following a one year break, which were in turn, much better than the continuous wheat. Large break crop benefits of 0.5-1.25 t/ha were achieved following a two year non-cereal break phase compared to continuous wheat. The break crop benefit of a one year break may only last one season if grass weeds are a significant factor. The major benefit of breaks in these long term cereal paddocks was to reduce grassy weed pressures for subsequent wheat crops phases. The benefit of a two year break had little to do with the phases chosen for those two breaks, providing that excellent grass weed control could be achieved in both. Many of the most profitable crop sequences over the four year period often started with a two year break phase.

• Continuously cropping cereals has increased grass weeds and root disease to a point that it is no longer the most economical option, due to decreased yield and costs associated with addressing weed and disease issues.      
• Two year breaks starting to pay their way in the third year of the rotation. One year breaks have lifted wheat performance but have not kept grassy weeds or diseases under control.

When compared to fallow, the 2005 grain yields from the field pea more than compensated for the subsequent 2006 wheat grain yield reduction.

• Crops can be established and grown in 6.6 t/ha of retained stubble in the HRZ without compromising establishment
• Stubble retention in the HRZ requires careful systems based planning and attention to detail
• Seasonal conditions will strongly influence outcomes of stubble retention through factors such as pest pressure and conserving soil moisture
• Burning may not be an option in the near future because of unacceptable risks of litigation 

• The standard treatment in this trial, namely Sencor (metribuzin) 750WG plus TriflurX, provided no more that weak suppression of brome allowing substantial seed set.
• The trial demonstrates a new option for brome control in barley crops now available to growers, namely growing Scope barley and using Clearfield herbicides such as Intervix or Midas. Both products provided excellent to absolute control of brome, as well as silver grass.
• The trial also demonstrates that while the pre-emergence treatments alone provide only modest control of brome, their use in combination with Clearfield herbicides has the potential to improve the overall Clearfield performance. Their use is recommended for resistance management purposes and as a means of securing yield by reducing early weed competition.
• Achieving absolute control of brome grass by treatments that pay for themselves and deliver a surplus to users (of $45 – $150 per hectare) should make most Clearfield treatments highly attractive. Atlantis, Crusader and Monza each only provided strong suppression that in the long run cannot be expected to overcome brome. Regardless of their return on investment, they failed to deliver satisfactory brome control (i.e.. >90% so that the seed bank is not dramatically reduced) and are useful only in terms of managing brome within the current crop at best.
•  

For take home meeages please see the attached trial report.

• At application the canola was growing well although there were blackleg lesions on the older leaves across both varieties in the paddock which was the reason the 450 mL/ha rate was selected.
• There had been no canola grown in the trial paddock in recent history with the only canola grown on farm back in 2009 in a paddock located ~ 2 km to the North West.
• With both varieties rated as MS or moderately susceptible to Blackleg and given the seasonal conditions with a High blackleg disease risk an application of Prosaro would be beneficial.
• The advantage of using a seed treatment under these conditions can be seen with the Jardee HT treated with Jockey Stayer not having as severe infection early and losing the plant stand. This can be seen in the differences between Prosaro treated Cobbler and untreated with a much bigger yield increase (see attached report).

• Proximal sensing reflectance data predicts soil moisture with reasonable accuracy at depths (0-10, 10-30, 30-90 cm) on upper Eyre Peninsula in 2018.
• Reflectance data may also be useful for predicting the amount of soil nitrogen and crop macronutrients, including but not limited to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.
• Further experimental data is required to use soil and crop reflectance as a means to predict nutrient content because environmental parameters can confound results.

• Proximal sensing reflectance data predicts soil moisture with reasonable accuracy from samples taken at depths (0-10, 10-30, 30-60, 60-100 cm) across 46 Eyre Peninsula locations.
• Moderate relationships were found between % organic carbon, pH(water) and soil spectral data.
• Reflectance data have been proven useful for predicting the amount of crop macronutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.
• Further experimental data is required to test the reliability of the existing predictive models of soil absorbance and crop reflectance as a means to predict nutrient content.

• There was no interaction between variety and treatment in this trial
• Glyphosate treatments were the highest yielding, being comparable with the direct harvested (and nil) treatment.
• In this trial, none of the treatments had an adverse effect on germination.

This trial has run for the past 3 years at the SFS Gnarwarre site. Chick peas have shown consistently good returns. We now have the local knowledge to help grow pulses in this area.

• Sowing depth had no effect on emergence, biomass production or grain yield in lentils and field peas.
• Field peas - Early sowing (early - mid May) beneficial at the Mallee sites for newer varieties (PSL4, Snowpeak and Excell).
• Lentils - Later sowing (mid June - early July) beneficial this year due to late rainfall.

• The use of pulses in the southern regions show some potential- further trial work needs to be done to examine this fit.
• Follow up Sub soil and Deep N tests need to show +/- effect of N in system
• Pulses could be economically viable as a crop, disease and weed break.

The potential advantages of growing pulse crops are well recognised, such as: increasing soil nitrogen,
breaking disease cycles for cereal crops, providing a high nitrogen feed grain and being a cash crop in their
own right. Field peas are well suited to the Central West and other pulses are useful, depending on pH,
drainage and weed control.

Cassab lentils provided the best yield results; howerver, these results weren't consistent due to herbicide drift.

Pulses have a major role to play in the cropping rotation in the high rainfall zone. Many growers are already achieving good results due to sound management and the ability to ensure that operations such as sowing and spraying are done on time. These growers have shown that if done successfully, pulses can form a profitable part of the rotation. In the high rainfall zone they can be high yielding and produce a sound gross margin, as well they provide opportunities for disease breaks and herbicide rotations and the grazing value of some pulse stubbles, such as beans and peas, should not be under estimated

• This trial was initiated at the request of growers, to allow an improved understanding of the effects on yield and germination of different methods of dessication of beans.
• There was no interaction between variety and treatment in this trial.
• Glyphosate treatments were the highest yielding, being comparable with the direct harvested (and nil) treatment.
• In this trial, none of the treatments had an adverse effect on germination. 

• Peas are the most robust pulse option in low rainfall environments, but erosion risks must be well managed.
• Early sowing is essential for maximising pulse yields.
• Kaspa is an option for low rainfall regions, but has generally performed best in the more favourable years.
• No significant yield difference occurred in Kaspa by increasing plant density from 45 to 55 plants/m2 in 2003.
• Beans and chickpeas are opportunity crops only in low rainfall environments and suited to better years and more favourable conditions.

• Peas are the most robust pulse option in low rainfall environments, but erosion risks must be well managed.
• Early sowing is essential for maximising pulse yields.
• Kaspa is an option for low rainfall regions, but has generally performed best in the more favourable years.
• No significant yield difference occurred in Kaspa by increasing plant density from 45 to 55 plants/m2 in 2003.
• Beans and chickpeas are opportunity crops only in low rainfall environments and suited to better years and more favourable conditions.

• A range of agronomic and variety trials for pulse crops were sown at sites across the High Rainfall Zone
(HRZ) of the South East in 2018.
• Trials across this zone are part of national breeding program trials (adding varietal information to GRDC
National Variety Trials database) or funded by MFMG.

• A range of agronomic and variety trials for pulse and alternative crops were sown at sites across the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) of the South East in 2017.
• Trials across this zone are part of national breeding program trials (adding varietal information to GRDC National Variety Trials database) or funded by MFMG.
• Results suggest a variety of pulses and alternative crops may be adapted to the south east. 
• Agronomic treatments applied at Millicent did not alter broad bean performance.
• Trial planning for 2018 is underway.

• A range of pulse agronomic and variety trials were sown across the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South
East in 2018

• New faba bean PBA Bendoc, may be an option for growers in the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South East

• The use of Gaucho®600 on lentil to reduce the occurrence and impact of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus was evaluated at Keith
• Chickpea yields of over 1.0 t/ha were obtained at Sherwood
• At Keith average field pea yields were similar between a May sowing and a July sowing
• Average lupin yields of 2.68 t/ha at Sherwood, show it is a productive pulse option on suitable soil types

 

• A range of pulse agronomic and variety trials were sown across the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South East in 2017.
• Trials across this zone are either part of the GRDC-SARDI Bilateral Agreement, the GRDC National Variety Trials program, or funded by the MFMG.
• Results suggest a range of pulses may be adapted to this region.

• In the dry conditions there was no significant differences between the two pea varieties and no significant difference between the faba bean varieties. The yields for all of the varieties was disappointing and is due in part to the hot dry conditions at flowering but also due to the late sowing of the beans. There are also some indications that a frost may have had some affect on the final yields.
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

After two years of trials it appears that the 30cm row spacing is the better option sowing width for both field peas and faba beans. These results should still be treated with caution however as disease levels were extremely low in both years and 2002 was an extremely dry year.

The 1998 season in the southern mallee of Victoria was characterised by an early break, a dry winter and spring, and severe frosts in October.

• Faba beans appear to be the most promising pulse crop for raised beds in the Geelong area. Field peas have been grown for decades in this district and if varieties with improved standability can be found, they should be a second viable pulse. The present semi-leafless varieties offer a crop architecture that is almost suitable for our requirements. 
• It is suggested that faba beans and field peas be commercially trailed on raised beds in 2000
• For full discussion and comments from 1999 observations, please see the attached trial report.

• Chickpeas were consistently amongst the highest yielding pulses at this site across all soil types and EM39 ranges.
• They produced the highest gross margins on both the deep sand and the mid-slope soils.

• Height to lowest pod was greater in wider rows for beans compared to peas or chickpeas.
• Beans were higher yielding on narrower row spacing.
• Standing stubble did not increase grain yield in any pulse crop trialled.
• Standing stubble improved bean yields only at the wide row spacing.

• In the dry conditions there was no significant differences between the two pea varieties and no significant difference between the faba bean varieties. The yields for all of the varieties was disappointing and is due in part to the hot dry conditions at flowering but also due to the late sowing of the beans. There are also some indications that a frost may have had some affect on the final yields. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• The effect of sowing dates and rates on lentil, field pea and chickpea cultivars was investigated. The only experiment that was harvested was field peas; yields ranged from 0.2 to 0.7t/ha.
• The lentil and chickpea trials were not harvested due to the drought conditions. Similar trials were also conducted at Rupanyup, but were not harvested due to the drought and several frosts.

• Faba beans had the highest grain yield (average 5.7 t/ha Canowindra and 5.8 t/ha Parkes) and produced very high biomass (average 14.9 t/ha Canowindra and 13.6 t/ha Parkes) at both sites. The high biomass indicates a high amount of nitrogen fixed (N-fix samples currently being processed), but the beans also had very high removal in the grain with an average removal of 229 kg N/ha at Canowindra and 262 kg N/ha at Parkes.
• Faba beans out-yielded both canola and wheat at Canowindra and Parkes, even with high N input.
• MurringoA (albus) and PBA BatemanA (narrow-leaf) lupins produced very high biomass at Canowindra (17.6 and 15.6 t/ha respectively), but grain yield was lower than faba beans. Biomass of lupins was lower at the Parkes site (3.0 and 7.9 t/ha for MurringoA and PBA BatemanA respectively) which had intermittent waterlogging. Grain yield followed a similar trend with high yield for MurringoA (4.3 t/ha) and PBA BatemanA (3.4 t/ha) at Canowindra but low yield for MurringoA (0.8 t/ha) and moderate yield for PBA BatemanA (2.6 t/ha) at Parkes.
• The dry matter production from vetch was relatively low at both sites but vetch was cut at an earlier growth stage (before podding) to simulate hay cut timing.
• CBA CaptainA chickpeas had relatively low biomass compared to faba beans at both sites, with moderate grain yield (2.2 and 2.6 t/ha at Canowindra and Parkes respectively). CBA CaptainA chickpeas yielded more than lentils at both sites. Lentils (like MurringoA albus lupins) suffered from waterlogging at Parkes and had low biomass and yield.
• Lupins had the highest seed N content, removing 90% more N than chickpeas (lowest seed N content) per tonne of grain produced.
• An assessment of total nitrogen derived from fixation is being completed on the biomass samples to determine a nitrogen balance of each species at these sites and other sites in the project.

• The site chosen for the trial was a red sandy loam soil with inherent low fertility and an acidic topsoil, pH (CaCl2) 4.5.
• In the lentil trial PBA Hallmark had the highest grain yield (2.6 t/ha), higher than both PBA Highland and PBA Kelpie. There was no difference in peak biomass between any of the varieties.
• Sturt had the highest grain yield in the field pea trial (5.3 t/ha), with PBA Wharton lower yielding (3.9 t/ha). PBA Wharton also had a lower peak biomass (9.9 t/ha), compared to Sturt (12.5t/ha) and PBA Taylor (12.7 t/ha).
• CBA Slasher yielded the highest in the chickpea trial (2.7 t/ha), with both CBA Slasher (5.0 t/ha) and CBA Captain (4.9 t/ha) having higher peak biomass than the kabuli variety PBA Royal.
• There were no differences in yield between varieties in the faba bean variety trial. PBA Samira had the highest peak biomass of the faba bean varieties (9.4 t/ha).
• The Albus lupin variety Luxor was the highest yielding variety in the lupin trial (3.0 t/ha), higher than both Murringo and PBA Bateman.
• There were no differences in yield or biomass between varieties in the vetch trial.

• Four variety screening trials were sown at each site; one in late April, an Early screen including faba beans, vetch and lupins; three further trials were sown in mid-May – Chickpea screen, Field pea screen and Lentil screen.
• In the Early screen, PBA SamiraA grew the most biomass (17.4 and 12.0 t/ha) and had the highest grain yield (5.7 and 5.2 t/ha) at both Caragabal and Ganmain, respectively.
• There were large differences in seed size (grain weight) for faba beans at both sites which is important from a marketing perspective (larger grains generally more desirable) and for use as seed when calculating sowing rate.
• Faba beans yielded more than double the lupin varieties at Caragabal, primarily due to their ability to tolerate intermittent waterlogging.
• At both Ganmain and Caragabal the desi chickpea varieties CBA CaptainA, PBA DrummondA and PBA SlasherA grew more biomass than the kabuli variety PBA RoyalA. The desi varieties also had higher yield than the kabuli variety PBA RoyalA at Caragabal. Grain size of the kabuli PBA RoyalA was approximately 70% larger than the desi varieties.
• There was no difference in grain yield between the four lentil varieties at each location (Caragabal average 1.7 t/ha, Ganmain average 2.0 t/ha). Intermittent waterlogging at Caragabal likely reduced grain yield compared to Ganmain. PBA KelpieA produced larger seed than the three other varieties PBA HallmarkA, PBA HighlandA and GIA LeaderA.
• In the field pea trial, PBA ButlerA and PBA TaylorA (both 3.4 t/ha) yielded more than PBA WhartonA (2.9 t/ha) and PBA PercyA (2.6 t/ha) at Caragabal. There was no yield difference in the field pea trial at Ganmain (average 2.9 t/ha).
• Grain N concentration was generally highest for vetch and lupins; intermediate for faba beans, field peas and lentils and lowest for chickpeas. Calculated N removal (yield × grain N %) was highest for the high yielding faba beans, averaging 235 kg N/ha removed.
• Biomass data is being processed to determine N-fix of each species which will be used to calculate the N balance for each pulse species.

• Wheat and field peas had the highest yields and gross margins compared with lupins and vetch.
• Field peas have the potential to be an alternative crop in western cropping rotations.

• Chickpeas - New ascochyta blight resistant varieties of chickpeas continue to offer great promise, but the 2006 drought severely reduced seed availability for 2007. Large seed production areas are planned for 2007 and large quantities of seed should be available in 2008 of all chickpea varieties listed below.
• Fieldpeas - Varieties Sturt and Bundi (limited seed supply) will be available to growers in 2007. Both provide yield advantages over Kaspa. New early flowering Kaspa type field pea varieties have been identified and will be available to growers by 2009-10.
• Lentils - The 2006 drought has delayed the release of Nipper to growers until 2008. The green lentil Boomer will also be released in 2008 and offers an opportunity for development of a green lentil industry in Victoria.

PBA Striker has a good fit in Mallee rotations, but ascochyta needs to be more carefully managed than with resistant varieties like PBA Slasher and Genesis 090. Early sowing was still beneficial for all pulses, but particularly lentils, despite the dry start. PBA Percy and PBA Gunyah are showing good potential for the Mallee, as is PBA Wharton.

Sea Lake was extremely poor and the vetch was unharvestable. Laura fieldpeas yielded 1.01t/ha, respectable for the season.

Earlier sown beans and lupins proved that pulses can yield in a very dry year. Although yields were comparatively low, an economic analysis has revealed that this enterprise selection was still profitable. Later sowing of peas, chickpeas and lentils showed little benefit due to the lack of follow up rainfall.

• The early maturing pea variety Celine was the highest yielding pulse when compared to beans, chickpeas and lentils.
• Celine peas yielded 2.54t/ha significantly higher than 1.64t/ha for the variety Kaspa. In 2006 at the Inverleigh trial site, peas failed with an average yield of 0.36t/ha, wheras in 2007 an average yield of 3.14t/ha was achieved.
• Bean yield reponses in 2008 were reasonable for the dry finish. Farah beans yielded 1.8t/ha signficantly higher than Nura beans which yielded 1.7t/ha. In the past 2 years beans have yielded an average of 2.25t/ha at the Inverleigh trial site.
• Both chickpeas and lentils failed due to the dry season, with onlyl minor rainfall event occurring during their growing season.

• In 2009, field peas were the only pulse crop to produce measurable yields in the trials run at Condobolin and Euabalong.
• All field pea varieties produced similar yields at Condobolin.
• Harvest was difficult due to stunted plant height and lodging.
• Sowing pulse crops early is essential to maximise yield.

• Five new pulse varieties were released for southern Australia in 2013. It is important to carefully assess the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety, and their overall role in the farming system.
• The warm, wet winter favoured biomass production and early botrytis grey mould onset in lentil and faba beans in 2013. Timely canopy closure fungicide application was critical for reducing yield loss in varieties with intermediate resistance.
• Weed competition was a major constraint to pulse production in 2013. A GRDC funded project has successfully developed alternative herbicide tolerances in lentil and faba bean and field validation is expected in 2014.  
• Clethodim resistant ryegrass is becoming a major issue in pulse production and alternative weed control strategies require investigation.

• In 2009, field peas were the only pulse crop to produce measurable yields in the trials run at Condobolin and Euabalong.
• All field pea varieties produced similar yields at Condobolin.
• Harvest was difficult due to stunted plant height and lodging.
• Sowing pulse crops early is essential to maximise yield.

• Yarrum peas have been the highest yielding variety over the past several years.
• PBA Flash is a red lentil that has performed well, probably because it is earlier maturing and springs have often been poor.
• PBA Slasher and Genesis 079 are the highest yielding desi chickpeas, although Genesis 090 also did well at Struan where late rainfall helped.
• Farah beans generally performed well in the South East in 2009 and the hot finish did not suit Nura as it is later flowering than Farah.
• Jenebillup outperformed Mandelup again and small quantities of seed should be available in 2011.

• Five new pulse varieties were released for southern Australia in 2013. It is important to carefully assess the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety, and their overall role in the farming system.
• The warm, wet winter favoured biomass production and early botrytis grey mould onset in lentil and faba beans in 2013. Timely canopy closure fungicide application was critical for reducing yield loss in varieties with intermediate resistance.
• Weed competition was a major constraint to pulse production in 2013. A GRDC funded project has successfully developed alternative herbicide tolerances in lentil and faba bean and field validation is expected in 2014.
• Clethodim resistant ryegrass is becoming a major issue in pulse production and alternative weed control strategies require investigation.

• While KASPA peas did well in 2010, several new varieties show great potential
• PBA Jumbo is a large-seeded red lentil that performed well in 2010.
• PBA Slasher was the highest yielding chickpea in 2010.
• PBA Kareema is a large seeded broad bean that has done well in the lower South-East for several years. 
• Janabillup lupins perform better than Mandelups in 2010.

• Pulses last season were affected by both drought and frosts.
• Prices were exceptional in 2006/07, with high demand and low supply.
• Herbicide residues may influence crop rotations more than diseases in 2007.
• Seed quality and availability will also be a big issue for pulses in 2007.
• Timeliness of sowing is becoming a greater issue with pulses.
• Pulses cut as forage proved to be a worth while option last season .

• Winter habit canola has been successfully sown in spring, grazed over summer and harvested for grain in 2012 and 2013.
• Establishing canola in spring means larger, more resilient plants in autumn with less impact from slugs and waterlogging.
• Forage value comparable to commercially available dedicated forage rapes over summer and autumn with added benefit of oil seed production.
• In 2012, grazing over summer increased grain yield compared with no grazing.  Ungrazed yield was 1.9 t/ ha; grazed was 2.7 t/ha.  Taurus sown at the conventional time (April) yielded 2.3 t/ha.