Currently, growers with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) non-RTK, non-subscription autosteer equipment obtain accuracies of ~0.1m. Our original expectations were that this level of accuracy could not be reliably achieved with any of the tested signals. The level of accuracy initially anticipated from the SBAS signals was 0.5 – 1.0m @95%, significantly worse than available from growers COTS systems. These expectations of the SBAS signal were largely confirmed by the testing completed as part of this project. We believe that the testing results and survey feedback clearly demonstrate that the SBAS signals should not be attempting to compete with or replace COTS systems at the <10cm level.

However, whist the COTS systems are widespread and grower’s accuracy expectations are driven by COTS system performance, they are aimed at high value tasks (harvesting, sowing, spreading) and as a result are expensive and lack flexibility. Based on the testing conducted and survey feedback from growers, we believe that growers will need accuracies of <=20cm for less critical high value tasks (such as spreading ameliorants and spraying chemicals) and >20cm for general tasks. It is these areas that we believe SBAS signals will offer the greatest benefit, primarily in terms of cost, reliability, and flexibility.  

Our thoughts with regards to grower’s accuracy requirements changed over the course of the year. In particular we recognised different levels of accuracy are needed for different tasks (although this is not necessarily recognised by the growers). With increasing adoption of cm-level NRTK technology by growers (particularly in WA) future SBAS signals need to deliver as close as possible to cm-level accuracies. If reliable performance at accuracies of<20cm can be achieved, the reduced costs associated with SBAS may encourage some farmers to compromise on accuracy for high value tasks.

• Early application of foliar zinc at the 2 leaf stage may assist with suppressing initial yellow leaf spot infection but unlikely to be enough to overcome any zinc deficiency in crop as leaf area limits capacity for uptake.
• Stubble management techniques that aid stubble breakdown or removal are effective measures to control incidence of yellow leaf spot in crops sown into stubble.

Grain quality results showed very little variation between all treatments with test weights between 60.8 and 63.6, protein between 13 and 13.9, moisture between 11 and 11.2 and screenings between 7.6% for Jockey and 9% for Dividend © 130 mI/l 00kg.

There was no stripe rust development in this trial and as a result no statistically significant responses to fungicide application in terms of yield or quality.

• Results showed 100% of the ryegrass samples and 22% of the sow thistle samples were resistant or developing resistance to at least one herbicide, with multiple resistance common in ryegrass.
• Growers and advisers were accurate 74% of the time when predicting ryegrass resistance. This reduced to 65% for post emergent herbicides.
• No-till continuous cropping rotations hosted higher resistance levels and often to more herbicides than less intensive rotations including pasture. However, in many cases, samples from paddocks that have had minimal herbicides often showed resistance to multiple herbicides.
• Cross resistance between Logran and Hussar in ryegrass was lower than expected.

The pattern of response to fungicide application, whilst not always significant, revealed a more even weighting of benefits from upfront fungicide versus foliar fungicides for the susceptible variety Mitre, but a trend for greater advantage to foliar fungicide in the moderately susceptible variety Kellalac.

• Winter feed options trial to value add to the MFMG day at Keith.
• Range of winter feed options evaluated under specific local conditions.

Post sowing pre-emergent and early post emergent herbicide applications all reduced radish numbers but not sufficiently to be commercially acceptable. High rates of triazines were more effective in controlling radish and were quite well tolerated by the broadleaf lupins in this trial. For effective control of radish in lupins, a post sowing application of triazine followed by a post emergent application of either Brodal or Eclipse is required.

Post-sowing pre-emergent treatments were not active enough to reduce a large radish population to a commercially acceptable level. Early post emergent treatments were more effective in reducing radish populations to a manageable level but did not eliminate the radish problem. Product mixes containing Brodal were the most effective in controlling to low levels quite a dense radish population.

In 2015 mouse monitoring will continue at all of the regional sites. To further identify mouse population dynamics CWFS will also be in contact with further persons from each region to identify mouse activity perhaps not recorded by monitoring activities. To be involved in mouse monitoring, or if you have any observations or queries, don’t hesitate to call Nick Hill at CWFS on 02 6895 1038 or 0437 612 140.

Weeds external to a cropping area (ie; along fence lines and roadways) are a known problem. They impact negatively upon a cropping operation in a number of ways; ie,

• Pest insects - Weeds can provide refuge for insect pests and act as a point source of distribution into a cropping area.
• Diseases - Weeds can act as a host for crop disease. When an infected weed is fed upon by a pest insect (e.g. aphid) and the pest insect then feeds upon a plant within a cropping zone the disease is transferred to the crop.
• Seed - Weeds external to a cropping zone provide a source of seed that can enter and infest a cropping area.
• Mice - Weeds external to a cropping area provide food, moisture and refuge for mice.
• Herbicide resistance - Weeds external to a cropping area do not generally receive the same levels of control as weeds within a cropping area, which can assist in the development of herbicide resistance.
• Green bridge - Weeds that perpetuate external to a cropping season provide what is termed as a “green-bridge”. This green bridge is known to enable pest insects and diseases to survive as well as provide a source of weed seed for future in-crop infestations.

• In glasshouse trials, which grew normally and produced grain when soil dressings of copper sulphate replied to surface soil from the field sites.
• There is therefore no inherent characteristics of the soils which makes fertiliser copper unavailable for plant uptake.
• The pattern of rainfall at each field site was compared with the rate of development of the wheat. When symptoms of coffered deficiency appeared in negligible grain yields occurred despite fertiliser application no effective rain fell in the 20 days before the plants reach the boot stage of growth.
• When soil dressings improved grain yield effective rainfall occurred within 14 days prior to booting.
• It is postulated that wheat cannot absorb sufficient copper for normal growth and development from a dry fertiliser zone.
• When the zone is dry just before booting wheat suffers an acute deficiency of copper during a critical phase of pollen formation resulting in infertile pollen.

Soil type and topography/drainage will be the major factors that determine the effectiveness of the raised bed system.

• Phillip Adams has been working on raised bed farming for the past seven years and is convinced the system has significant benefits.
• Raised beds increase the quantity of organic matter in the soil which is of great importance in improving soil structure and promoting germination and growth.
• All land is suited to raised beds, however paddocks where excess water is a problem (eg. sodic soils prone to waterlogging) will benefit the most. The aim of raised bed farming is to produce loose soil beds where water can drain off to prevent waterlogging in the root zones, to provide adequate drainage, and to store excess water for use when conditions turn dry.

Please see the attached trial report for results.

The trend to higher grain yield and deeper root growth in the deep rip treatment suggests that in heavier soils deep ripping may be beneficial to encourage deep rooting and deeper infiltration of water following rainfall events. While the observations relate to responses in the year in which the treatments were imposed, it will take further cropping cycles to determine the stability and sustainability of these responses. The pattern of rainfall distribution and the overall soil water dynamics may have also had an impact on the yield responses. While the initial response is promising, further testing would be required before recommendations could be made. 

The first-year response of a shallow cultivation treatment (as bed renovation) was not significant and barley yield was marginally superior in the control.  This is in contrast to the results at Gnarwarre where opposite trends were observed, but on a lighter soil. In the heavier Lismore soils, it may be worth looking at the deep ripping option as the higher rainfall compared to Gnarwarre may result in a different soil water use pattern. The shallow cultivation treatment also should be monitored for a further year or two until the system achieves equilibrium. 

• Raised beds increase productivity on saline, waterlogged land along with fertiliser and fencing our wildlife.
• Potential issues: uneven bed formation can make seeding difficult, saline soil may be brought to the surface, leached salts may cause damage.

• Although there was a very late break to the season, cooler conditions through September and October maintained good yields. Mid to short season varieties performed well, namely EGA-Gregory (at 3.0t/ha), Ventura (at 3.0t/ha) and Strzelecki (3.0t/ha).
• Yield varied from 1.8 - 3.0t/ha.
• The protein levels were all below the Prime Hard receival standards.

• In 2004 the organic system had the lowest wheat yield and the highest screenings.
• The 2004 gross margin showed that the Albrecht, Soil Management Riverina and BioAg systems made a small profit.
• The Conventional, Soil Management Riverina and Organic systems have the best long-term (2000-2004) average gross margins, although they are all negative.

The results are showing up trends and possible differences between treatments, but being a long term trial it may take at least five years before any meaningful data or an accurate assessment of each system can be made.

• Row spacing and seeding rate made no difference to yield when sown on 4 May.
• When sown 24 May, yield decreased with wider row spacing’s, and slightly increased with higher seeding rates.
• The variation in this trial was large due to previous seasons header rows.

• Seed colour change (SCC) is slower to develop on branches compared with primary stems, with the primary stem only contributing ~22% of grain yield.
• Relying solely on SCC on the primary stem can underestimate overall seed development on the plant, negatively affecting seed size, oil concentration and yield potential.
• Windrowing earlier than 40% SCC on the primary stem was shown to reduce yield by up to 36% and oil concentration by 6.5%.
• Results clearly demonstrated the penalties associated with an early windrow timing, before 40–60% SCC on the primary stem, and the benefit of delayed windrow timings related to SCC, with yield optimised at the upper end of current industry guidelines.
• Ideally, SCC should be measured on a whole plant basis, not based solely on the primary stem, as branches contribute a large proportion of grain yield. There is also a further need for a clear definition as to what constitutes actual SCC in order to develop robust industry guidelines around windrow timing.

• The recommended field pea industry practice of P-Pickel T® seed treatment and 2 foliar fungicides of Mancozeb failed to significantly reduce disease infection levels or increase grain yield over untreated control treatments under high blackspot disease pressure in 2016.
• Early disease control applications (four weeks after sowing) were important for reducing initial blackspot infection levels at Minnipa, conversely later spring applications were important at the higher rainfall site of Hart.
• Over two consecutive years, a yield benefit of at least 15% has been obtained from application of new experimental fungicide actives over the current industry practice treatment of two foliar sprays of mancozeb.
• Further research is required to understand the interaction in efficacy between fungicides and timing of disease infection, together with the drivers of Ascochyta blight onset and progression in different field pea growing environments.

• The recommended industry practice of P-Pickel (PPT) seed treatment and two foliar fungicides of mancozeb failed to significantly reduce disease infection levels or increase grain yield over untreated control treatments under high blackspot disease pressure in 2016.
• Early disease control applications (four weeks after sowing) were important for reducing initial blackspot infection levels at Minnipa, conversely, later Spring applications were important at the higher rainfall site of Hart.
• Over two consecutive years, a yield benefit of at least 15% has been obtained from the application of new experimental fungicide actives over the current industry practice treatment.
• Further research is required to understand the interaction in efficacy between fungicides and timing of disease infection, together with the drivers of ascochyta blight onset and progression in different field pea growing environments.

• There are large differences in virulence at the seedling stage in southern NSW (sNSW).
• The variety grown in a region influences timebased changes in virulence.
• Strategic variety choice can affect the existence of virulent pathotypes.

• Heavy infestation of aphids caused significant yield loss to canola in a high rainfall environment.
• The length of cabbage aphids on spikelets at flowering was directly proportional to yield loss.
• The function yield (kg/ha) = -141x + 1114 where x= spike length colonised in cm explained yield loss R2 0.9.
• Aphid colonisation also reduced seed quality: oil content and seed size.

• Economic gains can be made by applying higher than typical replacement P rates on soils with the ability to fix applications of P.
• Highest gross margins are obtained by growing the most suitable variety for your region assuming P nutrition is corrected.

• Liming and spading had a significant effect on soil pH. The untreated plots (no spading and no lime) had a soil pH that declined from 5.5 to 4.3 down the soil profile.   Simply spading the soil, without lime application, lowered the soil pH of the topsoil to because acidic subsoil is mixed with the top soil.  Liming, without spading, has significantly increased pH levels on topsoil to 5.8 but no effect at depth. Liming together with spading has improved the soil pH at depth.
• Due to variability at seeding and weed control the impact of soil amelioration on productivity of the wheat varieties is not conclusive (CV = 16%). Liming (averaged across variety and spading), reduced yield from 3.2 t/ha to 2.9 t/ha (p=0.009, LSD =0.2). Spading treatments affected seeding depth. This resulted in variable and poor emergence in the spaded treatments. Wheat plant  densities established were 85 plants / m2 in the spaded treatment and 105 plants / m2 in the un- spaded treatment.  Brome grass control was not highly effective and variable across the site. These factors will have influenced the large variability in treatment effects. However future cropping across the trial area may indicate the treatment effects.
• Corack and Mace were significantly higher yielding than Emu Rock, however black point is a risk factor for Corack. The other varieties performed similarly.
• Spading treatments were carried out within a short period prior to seeding and plots were not rolled. This will have had a large influence on the variability of grain yield at the site. To improve future trial research liming and spading need to be carried earlier in the year for soil to settle before seeding or roll soil after spading to prevent machinery from sinking in soft soil.

• Frost and heat shock events can cause significant damage to grain crops during flowering and grain filling.
• To reduce the risk of frost or heat events reducing yield, it is advisable to sow different varieties with different maturity lengths right through the sowing window to ensure that not all he wheat sown on hte farm flowers at the same time.
• An alternative practice would be to sow a mix of two different maturity length varieties in the same paddock. 

• Canola can be an expensive crop to grow.
• Yields can be maximised by planting early in low rainfall environments.
• Retained seed from open-pollinated varieties has the potential to match yields of some hybrid varieties.
• Delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation (bolting) was not as effective as applying at seeding or early post-emergence.

• For the 3 phases of methane measurement reported, methane emission intensity (L CH4/hr/100g ADWG) was significantly lower for lambs on a better quality forage with high metabolisable energy, digestibility and crude protein.
• Feedlotting is an option that gives producers the flexibility to finish lambs when pasture availability is limited or light soils are at risk of erosion.
• Spray-topping cereal crops is a good management strategy for weed control and feed management for livestock, however, livestock productivity gains can be compromised when spray-topped cereals are grazed without offering lambs better quality fodder supplements.

• Benefit cost analysis using the small yield benefit (up to 100kg/ha) found on shallow ironstone areas in this paddock (0-3cm topsoil over ironstone sheet) showed a nil to negative return on investment.
• In 2019, the season was too dry to measure a yield response.
• In 2020, in-season data was collected but the season was dry with a hard finish (0.7t/ha paddock average) and no yield difference was measured. While the Reefinator may increase plant available water capacity, recent seasons have provided very little moisture.
• Yield maps are critical for ongoing monitoring of paddock machinery-scale treatments where soil variability can confound treatment effects.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the barley variety CommanderA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.

• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line LPB12-0494.

• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in
2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum
levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot
infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown
rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this
disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• High background crown rot inoculum levels existed at this site in 2015, resulting in high infection levels in all plots, so the actual extent of yield loss within each variety could not be determined.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being between 0.34 t/ha to 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties CommanderA and La TrobeA and were 1.03 t/ha and 1.28 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona® Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in four of the bread wheat varieties up to 14.9% in the barley variety CompassA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with eight entries being between 0.29 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.9% in BeckomA up to 14.7% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other entry.
• Screening levels varied from 4.4% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat variety CoolahA up to 9.3% in the barley variety SpartacusA. Crown rot did not affect screenings in any other entry.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and LRPB FlankerA.

• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 10.5% in the barley variety La Trobe up to 61.1% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.55 t/ha to 1.18 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe and were 1.66 t/ha and 2.37 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 over the use of no seed treatment at planting.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 2.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Gauntlet up to 21.9% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.34 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.75 t/ha and 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown ot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the variety DBA LillaroiA and seven of the 13 bread wheat varieties, up to 32.9% in the durum variety JandaroiA.
• Only the bread wheat variety MitchA was higher yielding (0.41 t/ha) than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection.
• Grain protein levels were low across the site and varied from 7.7% in MitchA up to 10.1% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–2%), but significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA, and 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.
   

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 6.9% in the bread wheat variety Viking up to 31.9% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Suntop, Sunguard, Beckom and Viking, being between 0.37 t/ha to 0.62 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties La Trobe and Commander were 0.62 t/ha and 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley variety CompassA, durum entries 190873 and JandaroiA and six of the bread wheat varieties, up to 19.7% in the barley variety CommanderA.
• Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA was higher yielding (by 0.58 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were very low across the site (average 8.2%) and varied from 7.5% in LRPB ReliantA up to 8.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Screening levels were very low across entries, but crown rot infection caused a small (0.5–1.3%), yet significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley varieties CompassA and CommanderA, as well as in the bread wheat varieties CoolahA and LRPB SpitfireA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of added crown rot inoculum, which differed by 1.41 t/ha and 1.30 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA provided a yield benefit (15%) over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Merriwa in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.6% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 15.2% in the bread wheat variety Sunmate.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Lancer, Suntop, Beckom and Mitch being between 0.31 t/ha and 0.51 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.59 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 11.0% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 70.0% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.46 t/ha to 1.69 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 2.08 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.29 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 63% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 1.4% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Suntop up to 35.0% in the bread variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with all 12 entries being between 0.33 t/ha to 1.53 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The yield of the two barley varieties was impacted by late rain at this site in 2015 which resulted in considerable lodging, especially in La Trobe. The barley data from this site should be considered with caution.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.22 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection (added CR) at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 29% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 0.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Sunguard up to 47.3% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with eleven entries being between 0.65 t/ha to 1.35 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.64 t/ha and 2.47 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat varieties MitchA and BeckomA up to 18.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB FlankerA.
• The two barley varieties Spartacus A and La TrobeA along with nine of the bread wheat entries were higher yielding (0.28 t/ha to 0.86 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low at across the site which varied from 9.2% in CoolahA up to 11.5% in the barley variety SpartacusA . Protein levels in all other entries were not affected by crown rot infection.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (0.6 to 1.4%) but significant increase in the level of screenings in the four barley varieties and four of the thirteen bread wheat entries but remained below 5% for all entries.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 6–20% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Parkes in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in five of the bread wheat varieties, the barley variety CommanderA and the durum variety JandaroiA up to 12.9% in the bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• The recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA produced a protein level of 15% which was over 1% higher than the two other durum entries JandaroiA and 190873.

• Crown rot infection did not significantly impact on the level of screenings in any of the entries due to limited expression under the wet seasonal conditions at this site in 2016. However, genetic differences were evident with screening levels which ranged from 3.2% in the durum line 190873 up to 17.6% in the bread wheat variety BeckomA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of crown rot infection, which differed by 2.26 t/ha and 2.24 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. The three durum entries were higher yielding relative to bread wheat and barley entries in both the added CR and no added CR treatments at this site in 2016. This was likely due to seasonal conditions (near full soil water profile at sowing plus 472 mm of in-crop rainfall), which limited crown rot expression.

Cereal crop and variety choice still provided a 9% to 35% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Tamarang on the Liverpool Plains in 2016. This can maximise profit in the current season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat variety LRPB ReliantA up to 16.9% in the barley variety CompassA

 • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with three entries being between 0.45 t/ha and 0.85 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels were low across the site (mean of 9.8%) and varied from 8.7% in MitchA up to 10.6% in LRPB SpitfireA Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–4%), but significant increase in screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA and all of the 13 bread wheat entries.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.2% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 12.7% in the bread wheat variety LRPB Flanker.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Spitfire and Beckom being 0.30 t/ha and 0.48 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory, respectively.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 9.9% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Spitfire up to 60.1% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.54 t/ha to 1.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.56 t/ha and 2.27 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Seasonal conditions reduced stress during grain fill at this site in 2016, which limited the effects from infection on yield.
• Although the effect of crown rot infection on yield was not significant, there was still a 52% (1.76 t/ha) difference between the overall yield of the best and worst entries.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low across the site, varying from 7.8% in MitchA up to 9.8% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other variety.
• Crown rot infection caused a moderate (2–6%) increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield at this site in 2016, which differed by 1.76 t/ha (52%) between the best (SpartacusA) and worst (DBA LillaroiA) entries when averaged across CR treatments. CR treatment did not significantly affect yield in any of the entries due to seasonal conditions (~120 mm of plant available water at sowing plus 555 mm in-crop rainfall), which limited stress during grain filling. The added CR treatment also did not affect grain protein levels, but resulted in a modest 2–6% increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

It should be remembered that cereal crop and variety choice in paddocks with a medium crown rot risk can maximise profit in the current season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease. 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 5.3% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 31.0% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Beckom, LRPB Lancer and Suntop being between 0.30 t/ha and 0.41 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.93 t/ha and 1.65 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

 For results please see trial report attached.

Please see article

This year's site, being responsive to nitrogen, fits with the other responsive sites at the lower end of the range of deep nitrogen test results. However, as the site with the highest deep nitrogen test result recorded a response to nitrogen in another year, more sites are required to further clarify the relationship. 

The incidence of stripe rust was severe at Hamilton and far lower at Mininera and Inverleigh. Subsequently, differences in grain yields of stripe rust susceptible varieties with and without fungicides was particularly dramatic at the Hamilton site whilst there was no difference at Mininera and only five varieties differed at Inverleigh.

Row Spacing: Most pulse crops are adapted to wider row spacings:

• Lupins 18 - 50cm
• Chickpeas 18 - 75cm
• Faba beans 18 - 75cm

Wider rows can reduce foliar fungal disease incidence (increasing airflow) and allow better stubble clearance by sowing machinery. However, good weed control is essential with wider rows.

In this paper, a simple, robust method for quantitatively mapping fPV, fNPV and fBS across the Australian tropical savanna region was deveoped.

Lime increased soil pH and decreased the exchangeable aluminium percentage (Alex%) significantly.
• Organic amendments could be used to ameliorate soil acidity, but they were not as effective as lime.
• Crops responded more to nutrient addition than amelioration of soil acidity with organic amendments in the short term.
• The long-term effect of organic amendments on soil acidity and crop yield response needs further investigation.

• Lime is the most effective amendment to increase pH and reduce exchangeable aluminium (Al).
• Deep placement of organic materials had a limited effect on soil pH, but reduced exchangeable aluminium percentage (Al%) significantly.
• The combination of lime with organic materials could facilitate alkalinity downwards in the soil profile in the short term.
• However, applying a large amount of organic materials could acidify soil over a longer term due to nitrification.
• No crop response was observed over the past three years due to severe drought conditions.

• Deep placement of organic amendments (e.g. lucerne pellets) did not increase soil pH as high as measured in laboratory/glasshouse experiments, but it did reduce exchangeable aluminium (Al) significantly at 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm, indicating that the organic amendment would relieve Al toxicity by combining Al3+ to form insoluble compounds, hence reducing toxicity to plant growth.

• There was a large crop yield response to deep organic amendments in year 1 due to extra nutrients supplied from the lucerne pellets, but no crop response was detected in year 2, partly due to lack of soil moisture during the crop growing season. To date, soil treatments have had little effect on soil water.

• Soil chemical, physical and biological properties will continue to be monitored to understand the soil–plant interactions, the factors driving the differences in crop response to the various treatments, and the residual value of the amendments over the long-term.
 

• Subsoil nutrition placed at 20cm has provided a residual yield benefit in the second year after application at Edillilie.
• Yield increases were greater where trace elements were also applied.

This trial was conducted to evaluate the residual control of button grass in fallow. An establishment of button grass was already present at the site with the majority of weeds ~15-25cm in diameter. These weeds were controlled with Roundup 450 @4L/ ha + Liase @1%. Residual treatments were applied on the 19/11/18, 5 days after the Roundup application.
Significant rain events occurred 3 days after residual application (52mm) and 29 days after application (30mm). There was no new emergence of button grass even in the untreated areas. A second maintenance spray of Roundup was applied to control any surviving mature button grass plants ~30 days after the residual herbicide application. Assessment on the 5/2/19 (77 days after application) still showed no new button grass emergence.
Additional rain events occurred in March 2019 (85mm on 16/3/19 and 35mm on 30/3/19) with an assessment of control conducted on the 1/5/19 (163 days after application). The majority of button grass at this assessment were flowered, up to ~30cm in diameter and expected to have emerged following the March rainfall. Dual Gold 2L provided ~99% control of the emergence flush with Flame at 150-200 mL/ha in excess of 90% control. Stomp Xtra and Valor provided useful levels of suppression and controlled ~70-80% of the emergence. Neither Balance 100 g/ha nor Terbyne Xtreme 1.2 kg/ha provided any button grass control and there was no obvious indication of biomass suppression.

This trial was conducted to evaluate the residual control of button grass in fallow. An establishment of button grass was already present at the site with the majority of weeds ~15-25cm in diameter. These weeds were controlled with Roundup 450 @4L/ ha + Liase @1%. Residual treatments were applied on the 19/11/18, 5 days after the Roundup application.
Significant rain events occurred 3 days after residual application (52mm) and 29 days after application (30mm). There was no new emergence of button grass even in the untreated areas. A second maintenance spray of Roundup was applied to control any surviving mature button grass plants ~30 days after the residual herbicide application. Assessment on the 5/2/19 (77 days after application) still showed no new button grass emergence.
Additional rain events occurred in March 2019 (85mm on 16/3/19 and 35mm on 30/3/19) with an assessment of control conducted on the 1/5/19 (163 days after application). The majority of button grass at this assessment were flowered, up to ~30cm in diameter and expected to have emerged following the March rainfall. Dual Gold 2L provided ~99% control of the emergence flush with Flame at 150-200 mL/ha in excess of 90% control. Stomp Xtra and Valor provided useful levels of suppression and controlled ~70-80% of the emergence. Neither Balance 100 g/ha nor Terbyne Xtreme 1.2 kg/ha provided any button grass control and there was no obvious indication of biomass suppression.