• March to April sown winter wheats performed comparably to main season spring wheats. Optimal time of sowing for winter wheats was late March to mid April.
• Early sowing may present opportunities to increase overall farm profitability by spreading the sowing window without excessive risk of frost and heat.
• Longsword (RAC2341) failed to perform at both sites due to unexplained sterility.

• Early sown (10th April) SQP Revenue was significantly more responsive than Manning to a programme of agrichemicals for foliar disease and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus control (BYDV)
• Ungrazed SQP Revenue gave a significant 0.66 t/ha response to a two spray fungicide programme and a further 0.28 t/ha response to an additional insecticide programme for BYDV control, compared to a maximum response of 0.39 t/ha for both fungicide and insecticide for Manning
• Simulated grazing did not significantly reduce yield with either cultivar and gave an average dry matter benefit of 1.89 t/ha with laxed grazing at GS16 & GS30 and 2.39 t/ha with laxed grazed followed by a hard grazing at the GS30
• Leaf rust Puccinia triticina which was the principal disease in the trial was at significantly higher levels in SQP Revenue than Manning and required two foliar fungicides to give control
• In SQP Revenue grazing was not an effective control measure for leaf rust control compared to an early GS31 fungicide when assessed at flag leaf
• At the Westmere site, simulated grazing reduced grain yield by 0.2-0.5 t/ha compared to 1.7 t/ha dry matter removed by grazing
• Low levels of disease at this site did not allow the hypothesis that grazing reduces disease pressure to be tested. 

• Winter wheats sown early can match but not exceed yields of locally adapted spring wheats sown in their optimal window (eg. Scepter sown late April-early May).
• It is only advantageous to sow winter wheats early if they are replacing paddocks that would otherwise be sown too late, or used for dual purpose.
• In a very dry growing season sowing earlier than late April reduced yields when stored soil water was present after a long fallow.

• Pulses are more vulnerable to yield loss from heat and frost stress in a critical period centred around early podding.

• Sowing time and variety choice are crucial to reduce risk of stress at this stage.

• We define the safer window for the critical period as less than 10% chance of frost (0oC in the Stevenson screen) and less than 30% chance of heat (>34oC in the Stevenson screen).

• In environments of upper Eyre Peninsula, such as Minnipa, there is limited frost risk, hence early sowing will minimise heat risk and maximise potential yield.

• However, at sites such as Laura (Mid North), there is a safer window after frost and before heat.

• Results should be considered in conjunction with grower specific conditions and the trade-off between early sowing, weed and disease management and rainfall.

This trial was sown early in May, however despite this relatively early sowing date the longer maturing varieties did not perform significantly better than mid maturing varieties. 

For further information please see attached trial report.

From this trial:

• The site was severely deficient in Cu for wheat. 
• Under these severely deficient conditions, soil applications of Cu were poorly effective compared to foliar sprays but fluid applications performed better than Cu enriched granular fertilisers.  However, soil applications of Cu can persist for decades.
• There was no evidence that a chelated source of Cu as a foliar spray was more effective than a sulphate source and less Cu seemed to end up in the grain with the chelated source.
• A single foliar spray of Cu prior to flowering is often sufficient to protect a cereal crop from Cu deficiency but under the severe deficiency encountered in 2015, two foliar sprays were necessary to overcome the problem completely (one at first node, the second prior to flowering).
• Cu deficiency can make a crop more sensitive to adverse conditions.  In this trial, the hot drying conditions of the early October weekend, severely scorched all plots with no or poorly effective Cu management strategies.
• The soil and leaf tests taken during this trial support that the current guidelines for Cu deficiency are still relevant to modern farming systems and varieties.  A DTPA Cu level in soil of less than 0.3 ppm in the top 10 cm is considered deficient, and 1.3 ppm Cu in YEBS is considered very deficient for wheat.

From the whole project:

Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.

Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.

No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.

Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.

Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

• 40 kg N/ha applied upfront was the best yielding treatment for 2015, with the best protein results where the 40 Kg of N was applied as Urea.
• We found that 20 kg N/ha applied as a Zn enriched Urea product achieved a yield close to 40 kg N/ha as straight urea and we plan to test this treatment again in 2016.
• The timing and form of S application did not have any effect in 2015. 

• The highest yield in 2016 at Loxton could be achieved with either 40 kg N/ha as urea or 20 kg N/ha as Zn-coat urea or Zn-enriched MAP.
• Compared to applying 20 kg N/ha as normal urea, using Zn-coated urea (20 kg N/ha) or Zn-enriched MAP with urea (20 kg N /ha) increased yield by more than 20%.
• Nitrogen was a key driver of wheat productivity again, with 40 kg/ha N at sowing increasing yield by over 20% compared to 20 kg/ha N at sowing, but water use efficiency remained poor on this sandy soil.
• There was also no benefit in delaying N application at Ouyen, however very high rates (60-80 kg/N ha) using higher late application rates increased yield on the midslope.
• This is the second consecutive season that Zn coated Urea at sowing (20kg N/ha) has significantly increased yield compared to normal Urea (20 kg N /ha).
• Applying foliar Zn has not increased yield at this site in 2015 or 2016.
• In 2016 there was a large difference in yield between the midslope (2.90 t/ha) and the nearby sand dune (0.86 t/ha) at Ouyen which could not be closed through the addition of N,S and Zn to the sand.

• This set of trials indicates that SACOA ‘Irrigator’ banded wetting agent can improve crop establishment and grain yield but that responses can be highly variable. The 27-32% yield increase seen in 3 of the trials is very encouraging. Based on these and other trials it can be suggested that banded wetting agents are most likely to be effective when:
• Soils are moderate to strongly repellent and there are few residual roots form the previous year’s crop; and points and tines are used for seeding.
• Banded wetter is applied in a consistent stream to the base of relatively stable furrows. Collapsing furrows, furrow infill and a disrupted band of wetting agent can reduce efficacy. Presswheels with a more rectangular cross section tend to rip up furrow walls and the disturbed soil buries and mixes banded wetting agent. ‘V’ section or round section presswheels with no deep flange reduce such problems.
• The banded wetting agent kit needs to be robust and reliable and needs to accurately apply the wetting agent in a continuous stream into the base of the furrow
• Crops sown early into dry or partially dry soil before opening rains derive more benefit from banded wetter. Banded wetting agents are typically less beneficial when used later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up.
• Growers already using wetting agents are tending to modify their usage of banded wetter to better match the likelihood of significant benefits. Some growers only use banded wetter for the dry seeding or early part of the program and don’t use it later in the program after there has been more rain.  Other growers are planning to use higher rates of banded wetter early in the program but then aim to reduce the rates when sowing later in the season. Both of these strategies will reduce cost while maximising the opportunity for benefits to crop establishment and yield. Current research in the state is showing that different banded wetting agent products can have a wide range of effects of crop establishment and especially on yield. DAFWA is continuing to research a range of products to help growers evaluate which types of banded wetting agent are more suitable for their farming system.

• This set of trials indicates that SACOA ‘Irrigator’ banded wetting agent can improve crop establishment and grain yield but that responses can be highly variable. The 27-32% yield increase seen in 3 of the trials is very encouraging. Based on these and other trials it can be suggested that banded wetting agents are most likely to be effective when:
• Soils are moderate to strongly repellent and there are few residual roots form the previous year’s crop; and points and tines are used for seeding.
• Banded wetter is applied in a consistent stream to the base of relatively stable furrows. Collapsing furrows, furrow infill and a disrupted band of wetting agent can reduce efficacy. Presswheels with a more rectangular cross section tend to rip up furrow walls and the disturbed soil buries and mixes banded wetting agent. ‘V’ section or round section presswheels with no deep flange reduce such problems.
• The banded wetting agent kit needs to be robust and reliable and needs to accurately apply the wetting agent in a continuous stream into the base of the furrow
• Crops sown early into dry or partially dry soil before opening rains derive more benefit from banded wetter. Banded wetting agents are typically less beneficial when used later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up.
• Growers already using wetting agents are tending to modify their usage of banded wetter to better match the likelihood of significant benefits. Some growers only use banded wetter for the dry seeding or early part of the program and don’t use it later in the program after there has been more rain.  Other growers are planning to use higher rates of banded wetter early in the program but then aim to reduce the rates when sowing later in the season. Both of these strategies will reduce cost while maximising the opportunity for benefits to crop establishment and yield. Current research in the state is showing that different banded wetting agent products can have a wide range of effects of crop establishment and especially on yield. DAFWA is continuing to research a range of products to help growers evaluate which types of banded wetting agent are more suitable for their farming system.

• Sowing at the earliest opportunity (which requires rainfall) is an important component of reducing the risk of canola production in low rainfall environments.
• The amount of N available to the crop is critical to productivity in a canola crop that has established well.
• Applying adequate doses of fertiliser N at seeding or early in the crop’s development have produced the highest grain yields but this was less important in a wet spring like 2016.
• Legumes can provide N to a subsequent canola crop, but in many cases, canola growing on legume residue will still respond to fertiliser N inputs.
• Analysis of the profit-risk context for optimal N inputs for canola produced in low rainfall environments is underway.

• Incorporating seed behind press wheels resulted in the best crop establishment and one of the higher yields.
• A split application of seed, some broadcast in front of the seeder and some sown through the seeding boots shows promise.
• Soil wetters were ineffective for increasing emergence or grain yield.

Mn defiiecy patches noted through the experiment al. Nil Mn were more severe 

Topdressed Mn appeared the have similar symptoms to nil Mn

Drilled Mn at the low and high rate had less Mn symptoms

Mn foliar sprays had less Mn yellow patches.

Mn foliar sprays improved dry matter production by about 350 kg/ha in early- September

Mn foliar increased dry matter by 1200- 1500 kg/ha by late-September.

Topdressed Mn less effective than drilled

• In a below average rainfall year, with a very dry finish gravelly sands were still highly responsive to applied P, with 0.6 t/ha response to 60 kg/ha P over the last two years and 30 kg/ha applied this year
• Nitrogen in the absence of phosphorus did not significantly increase yield at either site.  This highlights the requirement to get your P rates tailored to your potential at seeding time, as low P rates may limit N response in a good year.
• There was strong correlation between early vigour and grain yield at both sites, again highlighting the need to establish a strong, healthy crop with sufficient early nutrition.
• Increasing plant numbers did not result in increased grain yield on poor sands.
• This trial shows that on variable light country variable rate fertiliser applications would be a useful tool to improve nutrient use efficiency on variable sands, as both sites had significantly different yield potential and nutrient requirement.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

• Early sowing (22 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2015, similar to results observed in 2013 and 2014. Sowing on 22 April improved yields up to 12%, depending on variety, compared to 29 April sowing date.
• Different management practices are needed to establish canola on different soil types under marginal moisture conditions. On a loamy soil at Minnipa deeper sowing (to 4 cm) produced the highest yields, whereas shallower sowing (1 cm) produced the highest yields at Piednippie, particularly with the smaller seeded variety Stingray.
• Trials at Piednippie in 2015 showed that yields up to 0.8 t/ha are achievable in a below average rainfall season, provided the crop is established early and achieves around 50 plants/m2 in open-pollinated varieties.
• Results from similar trials in 2013, 2014 and 2015 have all shown that the highest yielding canola has consistently come from plots with plant establishments of over 50 plants/m2 for open pollinated varieties and 40 plants/m2 for hybrid varieties.

• Early sowing (22 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2015, similar to results observed in 2013 and 2014. Sowing on 22 April improved yields up to 12%, depending on variety, compared to 29 April sowing date.
• Different management practices are needed to establish canola on different soil types under marginal moisture conditions. On a loamy soil at Minnipa deeper sowing (to 4 cm) produced the highest yields, whereas shallower sowing (1 cm) produced the highest yields at Piednippie, particularly with the smaller seeded variety Stingray.
• Trials at Piednippie in 2015 showed that yields up to 0.8 t/ha are achievable in a below average rainfall season, provided the crop is established early and achieves around 50 plants/m2 in open-pollinated varieties.
• Results from similar trials in 2013, 2014 and 2015 have all shown that the highest yielding canola has consistently come from plots with plant establishments of over 50 plants/m2 for open pollinated varieties and 40 plants/m2 for hybrid varieties.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

• Early sowing had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2013. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate were also important in maximising canola yields, but not to the same extent as time of sowing.

• Grain yield of field peas sown at Hart in 2010 averaged 2.5t/ha across all varieties.
• No time of sowing response was observed in 2010.
• Early sown plots with uncontrolled blackspot showed a 35% yield loss compared to the optimum control (fortnightly chlorothalonil), which yielded 3.6t/ha.
• Prospective releases OZP0703 and OZP0903 show a lot of promise, with OZP0703 performing similarly to Kaspa and OZP0903 yielding 10% greater.
• Chlorothalonil (Bravo), pyraclostrobin (Cabrio) and azoxystrobin plus chlorothalonil (Amistar Opti) increased yields compared to the nil treatment with disease pressure.

There is a difference between maximising biomass and the optimal biomass for maximum yield in a particular environment.

Maximising biomass creates agronomic problems such as increased foliar disease and early weed competition.

Irrigation can supply moisture during grain fill but cannot control the temperature - many of the winter wheats mature too late to avoid heat stress during grain fill. 

There is a difference between maximising biomass and the optimal biomass for maximum yield in a particular environment.

Maximising biomass creates agronomic problems such as increased foliar disease and early weed competition.

Irrigation can supply moisture during grain fill but cannot control the temperature - many of the winter wheats mature too late to avoid heat stress during grain fill. 

• In year 1 of this experiment, we demonstrated that genetically diverse wheat cultivars performed differently in two locations with varying rainfall patterns. Significant differences in crop biomass, LAI, weed count and biomass between  cultivars was also location dependent. These results show that although weed suppression in wheat is influenced by genotype, the genotypic response in wheat is clearly influenced by environmental factors as well, when it comes to growth, yield and weed suppression. However, certain cultivars were excellent performers in both locations in terms of weed suppression and crop yields and these included Espada and Condo and to a lesser extent Janz. Additional results will be obtained from metabolomic analyses to evaluate both primary and secondary biosynthetic pathways operational in crop genotypes and to determine if these pathways influence weed suppression in either location over time. The role of hydroxamic acids in weed suppression will be further examined in detail through targeted metabolic profiling in both soils and plant tissue. Additional field experiments will be repeated over the next 3 years to determine impacts of year and location upon wheat cultivar performance and weed suppression.

• The trial is showing clearly that the early years of no tillage come with a significant yield penalty in most treatments.
• This is most significant when coming out of a spray fallow as seen in both the ley/fallow/wheat treatment and the wheat/fallow/wheat treatment.

• All cultivars gave their highest yield under higher fungicide and nitrogen input (High input management), but cultivars differed in their response to increasing input with Westminster being the least responsive (1.69t/ha increase from low to high input) and Oxford the most responsive (3.09t/ha).
• RGT Planet was the highest yielding cultivar, although its advantage over Westminster was only apparent at higher levels of input, under low input both yielded similarly.
• Disease control resulting from the later fungicide application at GS37 and GS59 was strongly implicated in the yield differences, particularly between low and standard input where there was no difference in N input.
• Disease (net form of net blotch) in Oxford was uncontrollable in this trial even under high input where yield was maximised.
• RGT Planet, RGT Conquest and Westminster showed no significant difference in grain protein across the three management levels, whilst the proteins of Granger and Oxford decreased as yield increased from low to high input.
• Granger and RGT Planet recorded the lowest grain screenings. There was no significant effect of management level on screenings with these two cultivars or Westminster.
• In contrast, Oxford and Conquest that gave the largest responses to higher input showed significant decreases in grain screenings as input was increased.
• The devastating effect of NFNB on Oxford in this HRZ environment was very evident in both yield and screening results. As later fungicide input was removed from the management program so was the yield with significant reductions in yield and increased screenings.
• Under the lowest input RGT Planet and Westminster were significantly higher yielding than other cultivars tested.
• Under the highest input RGT Planet was significantly higher yielding than all other cultivars tested and produced the highest gross margins at each management level.
• With the very high disease pressure in this trial, the higher fungicide input associated with the High Input management made this the most cost effective management program of the Crop Technology Centre trials.
• As a result of higher disease pressure unlike wheat (Protocol 1) higher inputs of fungicide were generally more cost effective in barley sown early, irrespective of cultivar.

Of the malting/food grade varieties evaluated, all varieties were above the required receivable standards for hectolitre weight of 65 kg/hL but protein levels were outside the receivable standard of 9.0 % to 12.0 % for MALT1. Only RGT Planet fell below 12% and although classified as a feed variety for the 2018/2019 season, this variety has received malt accreditation in early March 2019. Yields averaged 3.41 t/ha and were reduced overall compared to 2017. Spartacus CL was the highest yielding (3.83 t/ha) closely followed by Rosalind (3.81 t/ha) and RGT Planet (3.79 t/ha) but as in 2017, yields were not significantly different

The importance of reviewing long term data when making varietal choices was evident at both Sherwood and Frances.
Some varieties yielded well in both 2016 and 2017 demonstrating their ability to perform well under different seasonal conditions in
the environments at the respective sites. The Frances site was sown on 16 May 2017. All varieties except
Westminster were F1 classification. Of the malting/food grade varieties evaluated, Buloke, Compass and Commander were below the required receivable standards for hectolitre weight of 65 kg/hL whilst Westminster protein level was outside the receivable standard of 9.0 % to 12.0 % for MALT1 and would have been MALT COMP. Rosalind, a new feed barley, has the potential to yield well in high rainfall environments. As in 2016, Rosalind was the highest yielding (6.18 t/ha) but in 2017 yields did not differ significantly between varieties at Frances (Table 1).

The Sherwood site was sown on 19 May. Yields ranged from 3.10 to 4.74 t/ha (Table 2) and were reduced overall compared to the
2016 season where more favourable growing conditions prevailed throughout the season. All varieties were feed quality due to the
high protein levels. RGT Planet, a new variety evaluated for the first time at Sherwood, showed its potential being the highest
yielding variety (4.74 t/ha) outperforming all other varieties. Rosalind, a new feed barley, that has demonstrated broad adaption, followed closely yielding 4.16 t/ha. Compass and Spartacus CL have recently received malt accreditation in March 2018; as segregation is an issue for malting barley it is important growers ascertain if the variety chosen is able to be stored and marketed in your area.

• Two Mackillop Farm Management Group trials were sown to evaluate two BYDV management options across four wheat varieties.
• High Rainfall zone growers should be pro-active and develop a BYDV management plan.
• Up to date disease guides should be consulted when selecting varieties.
• Growers are encouraged to check for aphids regularly, especially early in the season.

The long season winter canola varieties require a vernalisation period (cold requirement) before they become reproductive and
bud elongation starts to occur. This gives these varieties the ability to be sown early and then grazed without significantly affecting
grain yields. In 2016, three winter canola varieties were sown at Conmurra. They were sown at the same time as the spring sown
canola variety trials, and as a result, their full yield potential has not been achieved (Table 3). To try and maximise the benefits,
need to be prepared to sow early. There was no significant difference in yield between the three varieties sown.

• Trial work in other states suggests plant growth regulators (PGR’s) can manipulate plant architecture in early sown cereal crops.
• MFMG funded PGR trials at Conmurra and Millicent on wheat and barley.
• The application of PGR’s on wheat increased yield overall at Conmurra, but did not alter plant architecture, flowering or grain quality.
• This trial provided growers the opportunity to increase their knowledge on the use of PGR’s.

• MFMG funded variety trials at Sherwood and Frances to enable growers to evaluate a selected number of varieties under specific local conditions. 
• Varieties included released cultivars and experimental lines. 
• At Sherwood, the AH varieties Scepter (5.59 t/ha), Vixen (2018 release; 5.56 t/ha) and RockStar (2019 release; 5.33 t/ha) were the highest yielding. 
• At Frances, Scepter (7.23 t/ha), recent releases Vixen (7.12 t/ha), RockStar (7.02 t/ha) and Sheriff CL Plus (6.63 t/ha) and the experimental line LPB15-2485* (6.47 t/ha) were the highest yielding. 
• At both sites, some AH varieties failed to reach the minimum protein level required to achieve maximum grade. 

• Yields were excellent considering the dry (T/ha)  conditions during early spring.
• No frost damage occurred and while leaf rust was present on all varieties (except Goldmark) it did not appear to affect the yield greatly. 
• Weather damage occurred due to the rain that fell in late December, with Goldmark and Rosella appearing to be the worst affected.
• To date, grain quality evaluation has not occurred. 

• A comparison of 2001 and 2010 soil analysis suggests that organic carbon levels may have declined over the 9 year competition, irrespective of the rotation utilised and production achieved.
• However to suggest that there is a continuing long term decline in soil health in the face of improved “sustainable” farming techniques is premature.
• The competition ceased in its current form in 2010 with all paddocks sown to an oilseed (canola or juncea).

• Depending on seasonal influence, stored soil moisture, soil nutrition, stocking rate management and correct timing (early tillering at growth stage (GS) 18-22, rather than later tillering at GS 24-28), grazing can be done with no detriment to crop yield.
• However, preceding paddock history had a significant impact on subsequent crop success and needs to be considered when planning future rotations.

• Hyola 60 was the highest yielding variety by a small margin.
• Pioneer45C05 and Pioneer 44C11. These are early maturing conventional varieties suited to the northern Wimmera and southern Mallee respectively. They may have a place for late sowing in medium to high rainfall districts.
• Within the top performing varieties at this site, there was a mix of varieties with conventional blackleg resistance and those containing resistance derived from Brassica sylvestris. This demonstrates that there are high yielding alternatives to B. sylvestris varieties, suited to this district, which carry a very much reduced risk of blackleg resistance breakdown. For example; ATRBeacon is an excellent early-mid season option with triazine tolerance, however it carries a blackleg rating of 6.5, so should be treated with Jockey if sowing in high rainfall areas.
• Although AVSapphire had significantly higher protein than other varieties tested, with 25.1%, all varieties had oil contents above 40% at this site.

• Crop intensive farming systems are running down soil carbon. 
• Mixed species cover cropping offers a new approach that may address the issue.
• The cover crop species grown in 2019 had no influence on the growth, yield and grain quality of the wheat over-sown in 2020.

• A slight reduction in height can be seen throughout the trial. Samples of Corack (early-mid season), Mace (mid-season) and Justica (mid-late season) were taken from both the Moddus and untreated area.
• The Moddus did not affect the maturity of the varieties.

Allowing ewes access to some of the dual-purpose wheat sown on a mixed farm can increase gross margins
from the sheep operation by increasing stocking rates and the amount of lamb and wool produced and reducing supplementary feeding requirements.

• Grazing vetch and lucerne can be used as a management strategy to improve lamb dry matter intake and growth rates during the late spring and early winter feed gaps.
• The Grazfeed decision support tool has predicted that while both legume forages (vetch and lucerne) will increase methane output (gCH4/day), there is a reduction in methane output per unit of animal product (gCH4/day/100gADWG).
• Moisture limitations can affect herbage production of lucerne, which in turn reduces the chances of growing lambs to achieve the full potential dry matter intake in low rainfall mixed farming systems.

Slow pasture growth rates during winter limit the potential gross margins from autumn and early winter
lambing in southern New South Wales (NSW) by limiting stocking rates and/or increasing supplementary feed
requirements. Dual-purpose crops can reduce the winter feed gap in mixed-farming systems by increasing
the available feed in winter. The simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system
at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture
over a 41-year period. A paddock of dualpurpose wheat was then added to the system, and ewes were
allowed to graze the wheat crop when feed on offer reached 850 kg DM/ha and before GS31.

• On a low molybdenum soil the seed molybdenum concentration in the sown seed had no effect on the molybdenum concentration of the harvested seed.
• Application of nitrogen decreased seed molybdenum concentrations in a low molybdenum soil but not in an adequate molybdenum soil.

• Two first-wheat trials sown early-mid May showed significant increases in yield where nitrogen was applied. However, the timing of nitrogen application or whether the nitrogen was applied as a single or split application, gave no difference in yield.
• Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) assessments showed no difference in crop reflectance (crop canopy greeness) due to timing of nitrogen application. However, there were NDVI differences due to the rates of nitrogen applied at the key growth stages (GS31 and GS33) where additonal nitrogen could still be applied to the crop to assist in reaching yield potential.
• Nitrogen timing had no effect on tiller and head numbers; however, a split application produced a taller crop canopy.
• Higher rates of nitrogen produced more dry matter (DM) and increased plant uptake of nitrogen, but the timing of application did not affect DM and nitrogen uptake.

• Monza efficacy on brome grass has not been reduced by the addition of these herbicides and insecticides at the final assessment.
• Some of the treatments were significantly different at the early timing, but the final assessment showed no significant difference.
• Crop phytotoxicity and crop yield were not measured.

• The last application of nitrogen was applied on the 20th July. At this stage Yield Prophet indicated that to meet full potential an application of nitrogen was required. The plant available water (PAW) was 37mm at this time giving us approximately 30 days before the crop became moisture stressed. This gave us confidence to apply nitrogen knowing that the crop would continue to grow well for 30 days even without rain.
• This site was very responsive to Flexi-N. Three applications (banded, Z13, and Z30) of 40 L/ha Flexi-N in creased yield from 1.8 t/ha to 3.2 t/ha. The nitrogen use efficiency from applied Flexi-N was 27 kg grain/kg N.
• There were early responses to 85 kg/ha Agstar before N supply became limiting.
• Plant tests in July indicated that molybdenum (Mo) was deficient (as low as 68 ug/kg with 85 kg/ha Agstar Extra), so 100 g/ha sodium molybdate was applied across the trial.
• Grain protein was low (8 to 9%) due to yield dilution. Grain tests showed marginal sulphur (S) concentrations (average 0.10 mg/kg) which may have been detrimental to baking quality characteristics such as dough strength and extensibility.

• The trial at Morawa compared a canola-wheat sequence to a wheat-on-wheat sequence with either high or low input levels. Low input had lower fertiliser, lower seed density and cheaper herbicide options. We also incorporated a comparison of a very early wheat cultivar (Zippy) to a medium maturity cultivar (Wyalkatchem).
• Water use by the crop was estimated from the sum of the in-season rainfall and the change in soil water between sowing and harvest. By estimating the amount of soil evaporation as one third of in-season rainfall, we determined the amount of water used by the plant as transpiration. The ratio of crop yield to transpiration is the transpiration efficiency of the crop which has a potential of around 20-22 mm/kg/ha.
• The yield of Zippy was more stable than that of Wyalkatchem, but the earlier maturity resulted in a substantial yield penalty. Zippy yielded around 2 t/ha each year whereas Wyalkatchem responded more in better years. The yield penalty associated with the earlier maturing variety was not offset by the higher input level. Higher input actually increased the variability in annual gross margins.
• So far Wyalkatchem has a substantially greater cumulative gross margin than Zippy and there is little difference between the high and low input strategies.

• The trial at Morawa compared a canola-wheat sequence to a wheat-on-wheat sequence with either high or low input levels. Low input had lower fertiliser, lower seed density and cheaper herbicide options. We also incorporated a comparison of a very early wheat cultivar (Zippy) to a medium maturity cultivar (Wyalkatchem).
• Water use by the crop was estimated from the sum of the in-season rainfall and the change in soil water between sowing and harvest. By estimating the amount of soil evaporation as one third of in-season rainfall, we determined the amount of water used by the plant as transpiration. The ratio of crop yield to transpiration is the transpiration efficiency of the crop which has a potential of around 20-22 mm/kg/ha.
• The yield of Zippy was more stable than that of Wyalkatchem, but the earlier maturity resulted in a substantial yield penalty. Zippy yielded around 2 t/ha each year whereas Wyalkatchem responded more in better years. The yield penalty associated with the earlier maturing variety was not offset by the higher input level. Higher input actually increased the variability in annual gross margins.
• So far Wyalkatchem has a substantially greater cumulative gross margin than Zippy and there is little difference between the high and low input strategies.

• Magenta and Baudin barley were the most competitive cultivars at Eradu, reducing ryegrass seed set by 65% compared to Wyalkatchem.  UA40 reduced ryegrass seed set by 51% which was a similar result to UA47, Mace and Bonnie Rock.  Leaf disease in UA47 reduced its competitive ability.  The cultivar UA39 is a very tall variety, and visually it appeared to significantly compete with ryegrass.  However, tiller counts and biomass measurements reveal that this cultivar is not as competitive as it appears. 
• While the UA cultivars may be useful as germplasm for future breeding programs, perhaps the most significant aspect of this research is the competitive ability of currently available cultivars.  Magenta is a high yielding, competitive wheat variety that is a useful tool for weedy paddocks.  Baudin Barley was very high yielding at Eradu and also very competitive with weeds.  This weed competition of barley is consistent with past research.  Future research will focus on ribbon / twin row seeding of competitive cultivars at higher seeding rates to maximise yield, profit and weed suppression.

It is estimated that by sowing grazing oats the stocking rate can be increased from 5 DSE/ha to 8 DSE/ha, which has a financial benefit of $60/ha.

• The high level of grain yield response to soil inversion is very exciting.  However, some sites have had little or no yield response while others have achieved an excellent yield response.  The key to the future success of this technique is to improve our ability to pick responsive soil types to maximise the return on investment in this technology.
• The very high level of weed control, which in some cases has been maintained for two to three years, is also very exciting.  There is no doubt that a mouldboard plough has enormous potential to decimate a weed seed bank.  However, it is imperative that the plough is set up correctly to achieve good weed seed burial.  The Smart CV site is a good example of how it can go wrong.  This site was ploughed in a rush during seeding in 2010 with a tractor that was not ideally suited to the plough (ie. not enough horsepower).  Consequently, full soil inversion did not occur and many wild radish weed seeds were left in the topsoil.  The grower knew this at the time but persisted with the trial to test the potential of the plough.  This soil is extremely non-wetting and a very big yield response was achieved. 
• The Brennan site was established in 2009 at West Moora by Dave Gartner (AgLime) using the DAFWA three furrow plough to assess the potential for lime burial with a mouldboard plough.  The site is deep yellow sand with moderate to high water repellence (water droplet penetration time 180 seconds).  Treatment with the mouldboard plough corrected the water repellence (water droplet penetration time 0 seconds).  The site was sown to wheat in 2009 and canola in 2010.  Large yield responses were measured in both years.  As yet there has been no response to lime.
• In summary, all of the growers that have purchased mouldboard ploughs have been very happy with the performance of ploughed paddocks in 2010.  Using a plough to invert the soil of a sandy, poor performing paddock every 10 to 15 years appears to be a fast, effective and economical way of renovating a paddock back to a point of high production.  Of course this machinery will have its limitations and is not a universal panacea.  However, our early studies are very encouraging.  Research into this area is ongoing and will eventually answer some of the long term questions that continue to arise.
•  
• Some of the practicalities
• Most of the growers so far have accessed machinery directly from Europe and then shipped it to Australia in sea containers.  Some growers have purchased second hand ploughs for $30,000 to $50,000. These machines have been completely dissembled and cleaned to meet quarantine standards so there are many hours of assembly work involved.  Some growers have accessed new machines for $90,000 to $130,000 for 9 to 14 furrow machines.  The cheaper machines have sheer bolt break out while the more expensive machines have hydraulic break out.  Sheer bolt machines have their limitations when it comes to rocks and stumps but have performed well nonetheless.  All ploughs imported so far are reversible and so are suited to up and back ploughing.
• A fourteen furrow machine can be set to cut 5.5 to 7 metres.  They work to a depth of 30 to 35 cm at 8 to 10 kph.  So the large machines can plough 4.5 to 7 hectares per hour at a cost of $70 to $100 / hectare (these are figures from growers).  The power requirement is 30 to 35 hp per furrow depending on soil conditions and working depth.  In good conditions a 450 hp 4WD wheel tractor can pull a 14 furrow plough but it will struggle in low soil moisture conditions.  4WD tractors often have the problem of the wide dual wheels running over the furrow which affects the depth and form of the first furrow.  Track tractors are preferred for pulling large ploughs.
• The large ploughs (12 to 14 furrow) have mainly been set up with a tool carrier that allows them to be connected to a large tractor without three point linkage.  This allows the tractor to run on level ground.  The smaller ploughs (8 to 11 furrow) are typically pulled by front wheel assist tractors in the 300 to 350 hp range with three point linkage.  In this situation, one wheel of the tractor runs in the furrow.
• There is clearly a large wind erosion risk immediately after ploughing.  Paddocks should be sown to wheat for cover immediately after ploughing (preferably the same day).  Wheat is more acid tolerant than barley and in many cases a profitable crop can be grown in the year of ploughing.  Cereals are more tolerant to sand blasting than broadleaf crops and so are the obvious choice as a cover crop.  Pay careful attention to seeding depth as it is easy to sow deep into soft soil.  Rolling of the paddock is essential after ploughing unless your hobby is towing tractors out of bogs.  Some growers are spreading seed / fertiliser and then rolling with coil packers to establish the wheat cover crop.  Relatively light rolling (eg. coil packers) is all that is necessary to firm the top 5 to 10cm of soil after ploughing.

• Of the herbicides tested, Glyphosate is the most cost effective and reliable herbicide. ‘FOP’ grass selectives appeared to give poor control at the rates used on mature button grass. Intervix appeared to give poor results at the rates used on mature grass.
• A tankmix of Glyphosate with other broadleaf and melon herbicides reduced control by 13% at 17 days after spraying. Spraying in the dark appeared to give the best control, spraying in the early morning daylight gave no significant improvement in control.
• Choice of adjuvant proved important, with LI700 and Amsul giving the best performance by 17 days after application. The use of Hot-Up oil and Supercharge oil + Amsul gave slightly poorer control of Button Grass. Paraquat at 1L & 2L/Ha and Alliance at 3L/Ha achieved impressive initial burndown at 10 days, but weed regrowth occurred shortly after and was unacceptable at 17 Days after application.

 

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole paddock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of herbicide resistant weeds.
• Robust rates of Glyphosate provided the most acceptable levels of control across the 3 winter weeds species tested.
• Gramoxone and Sprayseed at rates of 2L & 4L gave good control of brome grass, but both annual ryegrass and wild radish grew back and at the final ratings showed unacceptable levels of control.
• In a region where Glyphosate tolerant ryegrass populations have been identified, the lack of alternative modes of action to reliably control annual ryegrass and wild radish in fallow is of real concern.

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole paddock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of herbicide resistant weeds.
• Robust rates of Glyphosate provided the most acceptable levels of control across the 3 winter weeds species tested.
• Gramoxone and Sprayseed at rates of 2L & 4L gave good control of brome grass, but both annual ryegrass and wild radish grew back and at the final ratings showed unacceptable levels of control.
• In a region where Glyphosate tolerant ryegrass populations have been identified, the lack of alternative modes of action to reliably control annual ryegrass and wild radish in fallow is of real concern.

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole paddock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of herbicide resistant weeds.
• Robust rates of Glyphosate provided the most acceptable levels of control across the 3 winter weeds species tested.
• Gramoxone and Sprayseed at rates of 2L & 4L gave good control of brome grass, but both annual ryegrass and wild radish grew back and at the final ratings showed unacceptable levels of control.
• In a region where Glyphosate tolerant ryegrass populations have been identified, the lack of alternative modes of action to reliably control annual ryegrass and wild radish in fallow is of real concern.

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole paddock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of herbicide resistant weeds.
• Robust rates of Glyphosate provided the most acceptable levels of control across the 3 winter weeds species tested.
• Gramoxone and Sprayseed at rates of 2L & 4L gave good control of brome grass, but both annual ryegrass and wild radish grew back and at the final ratings showed unacceptable levels of control.
• In a region where Glyphosate tolerant ryegrass populations have been identified, the lack of alternative modes of action to reliably control annual ryegrass and wild radish in fallow is of real concern.

• Gramoxone at 1.0L/Ha is the best & most cost effective treatment for fast grass control in the short period before sowing
• If the sprayed grass paddock is left un-sown for several days, the Glyphosate and Boxer Gold treatment proved to have slower visual control but more reliable grass control over the longer period (95%).
• The high rate of Glyphosate CT (2.0L/Ha) was also quite good at the later time of rating (24DAA), 1.0L/Ha did not provide acceptable control (77%)
• Rainfall after application would have greatly enhanced the activity of the soil residual herbicides such as Boxer Gold, Sakura and Outlook
• The possible foliar absorption of Boxer Gold when mixed with Glyphosate made it a clear winner in this trial. It was by far the cleanest treatment at 24 DAA in the absence of tillage. Gramoxone + Sakura(92%) & Gramoxone + Outlook (90%) were very close behind (no tillage).
• Addition of Logran B Power or Hammer did not improve ryegrass control when mixed with Roundup CT or Gramoxone.
• Addition of 500ml Alliance to 1.0L Gramoxone may improve broadleaf weed control, particularly small capeweed, but no improvement in grass control.

• The TT OP canola system presented the most profit and least expense option in this dry season.
• Deciding to use hybrid technology should be aimed at early starts and higher rainfall years to improve return on in-vestment for the farmer.
•  Both RR and TT systems provided excellent weed control.
• TT hybrids exhibit handy tolerance of warm dry conditions at the finish of the season.

• The moisture results indicate that canola uses more water at a greater depth than wheat. There is less water remaining in the soil profile below 40cm under canola sown at 1 and 6 kg/ha than for the same depth under wheat. There will be less moisture accessible to a wheat crop in 2012 on the canola plots than on the fallow plots.
• The use of fallow for moisture storage alone is unlikely given the volume of stored soil moisture at the beginning of May 2011. Indications for the use of a break crop were positive from early April. Summer rainfall had refilled the soil profile, fol-lowing the wheat of 2010, giving some surety to crop yield. Only a small rainfall event was required to break the season and join the soil moisture fronts.
• Season length and consistent rainfall has favoured yield of canola regardless of its plant density. A very plastic species as the yield from 22 plants/m2 is only 200 kg/ha less than that from 68 plants/m2. The canola plots received all required inputs as a result was a more expensive crop to grow than either the wheat or fallow.

• Of the varieties planted, the hybrid variety CB Eclipse provided the highest grain yield per hectare of 2.59 t/ha, and achieved the highest grain value/Ha.
• The nitrogen treatments showed that providing more than 82N/ha increased grain yield. 108kg/ha N increased yield by approx. 0.3t/ha. The 122kg/ha N rate did not increase grain yield however, suggesting that perhaps this rate was over the top of the Nitrogen response curve. Both the higher N treatments reduced oil content.
• Hybrid vigour was evident early in both the Eclipse and 502 plots, but was less noticeable at the end of the season.
• Hyola 502RR had a slightly poorer establishment compared to Eclipse and GT61.
• Seed Costs are a consideration, with RR hybrids around $28-$30/kg and RR Ops around $16-18/kg.

• The season was characterized by above average rainfall conditions which provided good growing conditions for crops and also ideal conditions for weed establishment, particularly medic which was difficult to control at the site and may have masked variety differences from crop topping application timings in the trial.
• Crop topping lentils 10 days prior to the recommended ARG milky dough stage led to a significant (>50 %) yield loss when compared to the respective Nil treatments across all lentil varieties. This indicates that correct timing of this practice in critical in this crop and may be difficult to achieve in long favorable growing seasons like 2016.
• Grain yield of lentil varieties was affected similarly across the crop top timings in 2016. This conflicted with previous findings, which had shown that varieties like PBA Blitz were better suited to this practice, and highlights the large effect seasonal conditions have on this agronomic practice in lentil. Further varietal development work is required in lentil before the industry has a robust variety which is well suited to effective crop topping of ARG across environments and seasons.
• All varieties of field peas showed a high level of adaption to the agronomic practice of crop topping in the long and favorable season of 2016 which is consistent with previous findings in this crop (Southern Pulse Agronomy Results Summary, 2015)
• A significant grain yield loss was observed from crop topping chickpeas 10 days earlier and at the recommended ARG milky dough stage highlighting the poor relative suitability of this crop to the agronomic practice of crop topping. PBA has developed early maturing chickpea varieties which may be better suited to crop topping in some environments and seasons. Further evaluation is required with these lines as the ability to reduce ARG seed set in this highly uncompetitive crop is essential for its continued uptake in southern farming systems.

• 2 kg/ha seeding rate produced a plant density of 37 plants/m2; 4 kg/ha seeding rate 68 plants/m2
• Canola plant density had no effect on Nitrogen response
• 2 applications of 80Kg/Ha NS41 increased yield from 1.34 to 1.70 t/ha
• Plant test results showed low Boron (B) levels (about 14mg/kg) at the 6 leaf stage but there was no response to Bortrac 150 applied at early flowering.
• Large number of ryegrass plants, particularly in 2kg seeding rate plots.

• Unfortunately, crop was only sown at 40kg/ha, half the intended seeding rate. Low seeding rate and sever sub-soil compactions resulted in relatively low yields.
• There were only low levels of yellow leaf diseases.
• The site responded to N and K. With fungicide applied, there was a 0.7t/ha response to 85 kg N/ha (trt 3 v 4), and a 0.5t/ha response to 68kg K/ha (trt 2v9).
• There was a significant response to fungicide at the high rate of N, but only with K applied. This suggests the benefits of fungicide are greatest where nutrient deficiencies are overcome.
• Hectolitre weights were 74-77 kg/l and screening less than 5%
•  

Please see attached report.

• Native pastures can provide valuable forage for stock.
• Barley can be sown into native pasture and taken through to harvest.
• Native pasture cropping can be managed as a viable mixed farming system in the Wimmera and Mallee.

Growing season lengths did not necessarily influence variety feed value; both early and late maturing varieties performed equally well in the 2012 dry season. Hindmarsh barley was one of the best varieties: it consistently produced valuable feed at both sites and had highest grain yield at Birchip (ungrazed 3.1t/ha). Keeping plants fresh through rotational grazing will ensure stock nutrition requirements are being met.

Growing season lengths did not necessarily influence variety feed value; both early and late maturing varieties performed equally well in the 2012 dry season. Hindmarsh barley was one of the best varieties: it consistently produced valuable feed at both sites and had highest grain yield at Birchip (ungrazed 3.1t/ha). Keeping plants fresh through rotational grazing will ensure stock nutrition requirements are being met.

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

Conclusions:

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy(19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood.

RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales.

The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

Key messages: 

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

Conclusions:

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy (19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood.

RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales.

The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

 

KEY MESSAGES:

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

CONCLUSIONS; 

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy NORTHERN NSW RESEARCH RESULTS 2017 | 53 (19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood. RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales. The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

• Early disease control is important for reducing initial AB infection levels in field pea crops with a yield potential above 1.5 t/ha.
• A late fungicide spray is important to control AB in spring when rainfall is conducive to disease spread and pod and seed infection.
• Early sowing into a high disease risk window with new fungicide actives evaluated in this project, were demonstrated to have improved yield benefits over later sowing in the 2017 season.

• Early disease control is important for reducing initial AB infection levels in field pea crops with a yield potential above 1.5 t/ha.
• A late fungicide spray is important to control AB in spring when rainfall is conducive to disease spread and pod and seed infection.
• Early sowing into a high disease risk window with new fungicide actives evaluated in this project, were demonstrated to have improved yield benefits over later sowing in the 2017 season.

• New powdery mildew resistant hybrids have performed very well agronomically at three sites in SA (despite absence of significant powdery mildew infection this year).
• The insecticide/nematicide aldicarb, increased medic dry matter at Arthurton by 15%.
• Lines with putative tolerance to root lesion nematodes showed reduced root damage but overall were not as productive as the powdery mildew resistant hybrids.

• With a soil nitrogen (N) content of 103 kg N/ha at sowing, Mace wheat yielded 3.1 t/ha with no N fertiliser applied and contained 6.6% protein.
• Optimum gross margins were recorded with 75 kg N/ha, though none of the N levels up to 100 kg N/ha reached 9% protein.
• Yield response was greatest for N application timings at sowing, GS31, or a split application between GS31 and GS39.
• A crop sensor was used to measure in season nitrogen responsiveness and was able to predict the optimal N rate.

• At Minnipa the late sown (resown due to mice damage) wheat gave a yield response to 20 units of up-front N, but not to N applied in-crop in 2010.
• At Mudamuckla there was no response to applied N above base rates on soil with adequate N content in 2010.

• Small differences in yield with extra N under conditions at this site.
• Very dry spring needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting results.
• High rates of N early did not have significant impact on number of tillers.
• Grain quality higher for all N treatments.
• Further work required with ENTEC, eNtrench and Biopolymer urea coated product.

• Paddock variance was measured across two paddocks through EM (electromagnetic) surveys. Based on this variance, high and low EM zones were identified.
• Two small plot trials compared nitrogen (N) response in a high and low EM zone of two paddocks sown to Trojan wheat, one in Yarrawonga (sown 22 April) and the other in Dookie (sown 12 May).
• • Both paddocks had high levels of nitrogen available in the soil (120–200kg N/ha 0–60cm) irrespective of zone.
• The largest response to nitrogen (1t/ha) was observed in the high EM zone at Dookie, where the highest levels of available soil nitrogen were recorded (200kg N/ha).
• Dry matter (DM) differences and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) readings at the Dookie site suggested the crop canopy was responding to applied nitrogen; this indicates the crop did not benefit from the high levels of soil nitrogen present (possibly as a result of later sowing or subsoil constraints).
• At the Yarrawonga site there were no significant indications from NDVI readings that a response to nitrogen fertiliser was likely; this was supported by high grain yields in the nil nitrogen plots (5.8t/ha and 6.4t/ha in the high and low EM zone respectively).
• At the Dookie low EM site, grain protein of 11.9% in the lowest-yielding treatment suggested there was sufficient soil nitrogen available to meet crop yield and protein requirements; this contrasts with in-crop NDVI measurements, which suggested the crop would respond to applied nitrogen.
• At Yarrawonga nitrogen application strategies based on NDVI readings meant nitrogen application was
• delayed until third node (GS33) in the high EM zone, which resulted in only limited uptake. A slightly earlier second node (GS32) application in the low EM zone resulted in an excellent response (0.39t/ha)to the NDVI-based approach.

• Later applications of nitrogen (GS30 & GS37) were the most profitable with the highest yield and quality, for malt barley in 2010.
• There was no significant differences in yield of varieties between early and later sowings.
• Crop sensors provide a good measure of nitrogen response and can improve nitrogen use efficiency.

The site at the BCDS looked the most promising of all 14 sites, unfortunately the frosts in late September and early October reaped havoc on grain yield.

• With an average grain yield of 18.28t/ha there were no significant differences in header grain yield from varying nitrogen rate or timing of prilled urea (46%N).
• Where no nitrogen was applied early in the season a significant decrease in nitrogen content was observed in the stalk of the plants at harvest, but there no influence on grain N content.
• Test weight was significantly reduced when only 207kg N/ha was applied to the crop, there was no significant benefit in test weight when the highest rate of nitrogen was applied.

•  Delaying post sowing applications of nitrogen (92 kg/ha N) to the flag leaf stage for both Kellalac and MacKellar at the Gnarwarre site, resulted in the best grain yield and grain quality.
• Application of nitrogen (35 kg/ha N) to barley at the early jointing stage (GS32), gave the best grain yield and quality at Gnarwarre.
• Late nitrogen applications appeared to result in more flower sites (florets) filling with grain for both wheat and barley. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• Early sulphur application supported higher tiller numbers although this did not translate into yield
• Site was very responsive to at least 79kg nitrogen application.
• An additional 50kg urea (23kg N), resulted in slightly higher protein readings.
• Site was unresponsive to sulphur application.
• Timing and splitting of in-crop fertilisation conferred no yield advantage • Good utilisation of applied N and S in spite of high rainfall year.

• These results must be treated with caution, as one years results can be fairly misleading. When choosing varieties other factors (such as quality) must be taken into account besides yield. Disease resistance is critical and you should always aim to grow a variety with the best resistance you can possibly get for the type of diseases you could reasonably expect to get. 
• For further information about varieties please see the attached trial report.

Key findings:

• Faba beans sown to target 20 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in northern regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to target 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma get 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.

Conclusions:

Limited data from the first year of trial results in 2015 suggests that for northern and western sites, 20 plants/m2 is a preferred target plant density, while in central areas 30 plants/m2 is a better option to achieve optimum yield with faba bean grown under dryland cropping conditions. Large seed does not necessarily confer higher yield, with PBA Nasma out yielding PBA Warda at only one location, Trangie, in 2015. Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma. Frost tolerance is a key attribute for the faba bean breeding program in northern NSW, with new releases (particularly PBA Nasma) targeted at having better tolerance than Doza, which was apparent in these trials in 2015.

• Sowing date, uniform sowing depth and weed control are just as important to maintain yields in a wide row system as in conventional systems.
• The results in 2001 indicate that the wide-row system has potential at the yield levles typically achieved in the central-northern Mallee.

• Jumpstart seed inoculant did not increase the yield of treated crops in 2009.
• Jumpstart seed inoculant increased the early vigour of the crop.

• Nutrient omission experiment at 7 sites.
• Take homes messages were that phosphorus was a limiting factor to grain yield in 2015. Zinc was limiting yield at three locations.
• Iron was a limiting factor on a grey-brown vertosol with a 50 year cropping history.
• 12 treatments were; Zero nutrients, All nutrients, - N, - P, - K, - Ca, - B, - Cu, - Zn, - Mn, - Mg, - Fe.
• Application method varied between nutrients. Both P and N were applied at sowing, at 10 kg P/ha as Trifos and 10 kg N/ha as urea, respectively. Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe were applied as chelates in a foliar spray. K was applied as Potassium citrate and B as Boron ethanolamine as foliar sprays. N and P applied at sowing, all other nutrients sprayed at mid vegetative stage. PBA HatTrick was sown at all sites at 30 plants/m2.
• Sites differed in responses.
• Rowena showed no significant responses to applied nutrients.
• The Trangie, Edgeroi and Coonamble sites showed yield responses to applied Zn of, 28, 18 and 7%, respectively. Coonamble, Nowley, Moree and North Star had responses to applied P of, 4, 15, 15 and 11%, respectively.
• Also at the Coonamble site, a grey-brown vertosol which has been cropped since the early 1960s, also showed an 8% yield response to applied Fe.
• Older cropping country is showing responses to applied P as well as Zn and in one instance Fe.

• This trial was a bit of a mixed bag with conventional, clearfield and TT varieties of varying maturities evaluated.

• Hail in early October negated the effect of early sowing due to increased shattering losses in the early canola over the later sown canola.
• Aphids were very damaging in the podding stages and would have significantly reduced yield and possibly oil content also.

• Variety differences were not statistically significant other than the lower yielding Sunkota which was the most severely affected by Yellow leaf spot.
• Despite the early sowing of several of these varieties, frost was of minor significance in this year.

• Unfortunately in contrast to quality measurements grain yield results were not statistically significant.
• Caution should be taken when assessing the performance of faster maturing varieties like Ellison in an early sown trial situation like this.

• Seeding date had a greater influence on oat grain yield, oat grain quality and return per hectare ($/ha) than variety selection or seed rate in 2015.
• Delaying seeding from early May to early June reduced grain yield by 32% and return per hectare by 45%.
• In lower rainfall environments Bannister is a better option than Carrolup, Williams and Yallara.
• When released, WA02Q302-9 will be a useful oat variety in situations where low hectolitre weight is consistently a problem or with later seeding opportunities.
• Maximum return per hectare was achieved between a target density of 100 to 200 plants/m2, which is in line with the suggested target density for grain oats in low rainfall areas of 160 plants/m2.
• The return per hectare of Bannister oat was maximised at a higher density than for Carrolup, WA02Q302-9, Williams and Yallara, suggesting Bannister should be sown at a higher target density than those varieties. This is a preliminary observation and more research is needed to confirm the optimum target density for the new milling oat varieties.

• Time of sowing had a greater influence on oat grain and hay yield, and oat grain quality than variety selection or level of applied nitrogen in 2015.
• High screenings limited the ability of grain to meet Oat1 quality standards, this was due to the detrimental impact of delayed seeding and/or applied nitrogen in excess of that required in lower rainfall environments.
• Applying more than 20 kg N/ha did not improve the return per hectare ($/ha); rather, applying 80 kg N/ha consistently reduced return per hectare ($/ha).
• Screening of Williams and Carrolup were more sensitive to applied nitrogen than WA02Q302-9, Bannister and Yallara.
• WA02Q302-9 appears a suitable replacement for Yallara and Carrolup, and should achieve a better hectolitre weight than Bannister at similar or lower yields.

When making oat varietal decisions, it is important to consider various factors. These include the environmental suitability, end use (milling, feed grain, grain and graze or hay production) and likelihood that the required grade/quality will be achieved, potential disease issues (both root and foliar leaf diseases) and yield potential.

In a year with an outlook of a dry finish and lack of grain fill due to limited moisture, high temperatures or frost, the ability to take advantage of early crop growth through oaten hay is a reasonable risk management tool to consider.

All tillage treatments had a little effect on the management of SWR and plant establishment in the severe water repellent gravel sand at Moora. Nevertheless, yield improvements were recorded, in particular with the “Large offsets” and the “Modified one-way with standard discs” treatments.

At this stage, it is not possible to clearly state what changes drove the yield increase. Given the little effect that the cultivations had on the SWR it is possible that improved soil structure, increased nutrient availability and nitrogen mineralisation may have played a role on the increased productivity.

The yield potential of the canola crop in 2015 was low given it was sown relatively late, plant numbers were low and there was a dry finish, this may have compromised the response to the tillage treatments. Observation of the trial in the following growing seasons and the response of a cereal crop in 2016 will help us to better understand the long term effect of the treatments on crop growth.

There was no significant difference in the grain yield from cut and uncut early sown Mackellar wheat and May sown wheat, all sown at 200 plants/m2. Early sown uncut wheat at a density of 50 plants/m2 yielded significantly lower than 125 and 200 plants/m2. With lower plant densities and cutting treatments imposed, there were less tillers and ears/m2, however this resulted in reduced soil water usage and more moisture being available for grain fill. Plant height was significantly greater with the highest plant density in early sown wheat and the incidence of lodging was significantly greater for this treatment.

• The highest yielding treatment was Trojan sown on the 26th May at 5.96 t/ha.
• RAC2341 has shown good adaption to SA conditions as a Winter variety and its potential release could provide growers with an earlier sowing option.

• Despite damage from frosts, the highest wheat yield in this trial came from Trojan sown in late April at Hart.
• Based on two years of trial data across SA, Trojan complements Mace in a cropping program and allows growers to sow earlier and achieve higher yields (0.7 t/ha) than could be achieved with Mace alone.
• Across nine trials in SA (2014 and 2015) there was an average yield penalty of 28 kg/ha per day for every day sowing is delayed past the end of the first week of May.

Barley yield is less sensitive to time of sowing than wheat and in this trial highest yields came from faster maturing cultivars sown in early-mid May