• Investigation of weed seedbank decline in nine chaff-lining systems of South Australia demonstrated that growers are achieving high concentration of weed seeds and crop residue at harvest.
• Assessment of the viable weed seed fraction after crop harvest suggests that large residual annual ryegrass, brome grass and Indian hedge mustard seedbanks have been established in cropping field because these species did not decay over the summer-autumn period in chaff-lines.
• Evaluation of chaff-tramlining systems showed that annual ryegrass seedbank decline is independent of chaff-line configuration and chaff density.
• The stability in the weed seedbanks in chaff-lines were consistent with the dry conditions over the summer-autumn period.
• Growers should be cautious of the magnitude of viable weed seeds in chaff-lines before the cropping season and expect variability in the effectiveness of this tactic between seasons.

• Yields and protein were generally low across the trial.
• Addition of granular starter had a significant effect on yield vs the untreated for all treatments except treatments 2 and 5.

Small ryegrass (less than 4 leaves) was controlled by Atrizine with oil in crop.

• Trial data from the fast track project is still to be analysed. The following key messages are from trials conducted by Steve Marcroft in conjunction with the fast track project.
• Normal crown canker occurred as predicted, i.e. high leaf infection resulting in crown canker. Fungicides applied at the 4-6 leaf growth stage were effective at reducing crown canker. Cultivar resistance was also very significant.
• Upper Canopy Infection did not develop as badly as anticipated with the many leaf lesions noted early in the season.
• Pod infection was not influenced by fungicide applications up to 30% bloom, but flowering date was very significant.
• Fungicide was effective at reducing Upper Canopy Infection. Fungicide was effective at significantly increasing yield, however the most effective timing for fungicide application was variable for each of the disease symptoms.
• The sclerotinia spray application timing (30% bloom) appeared to be a good timing for Upper Canopy Infection control. However this work needs to be repeated in seasons that are conducive for severe Upper Canopy Infection symptoms.

• A review of soil fertility and fertiliser requirements of different Australian soils.
• Covers each nutrient separately, including micronutrients.
• Gives a good historical perspective on the development of agriculture and crop nutrition.
• Includes details of deficiencies and toxicities for both crop and animal systems.
• Includes maps showing soil nutritional problems in different regions.
• Covers the whole country.

• Summer weed control is proven to increase yield, but is becoming a major cost and some summer weeds are difficult to control.
• Cost savings of 20-90% were achieved across 20 paddocks using the WEEDit™.
• Amajor benefit of using spot spraying technology was the ability to use high rates of chemical targeted onhard-to-kill weeds such as Stinkweed.

The two highest yielding varieties in the trial were the feed barleys Capstan and Yarra, but only Capstan gave a statistically significant yield advantage over the top six varieties.
 

• Cereal stubble contributes only a small percentage of the nitrogen requirement for a following cereal crop (2 to 11% of N from 2014 wheat stubble was taken up by 2015 and 2016 crops).
• Urea fertiliser nitrogen use efficiency of the 2014 wheat crop was 35%.
• The 2015 drought reduced the influence of stubble management treatments on nitrogen cycling, yield and carry over effects on microbial activity.

Prevention of bacterial blight (BB):

• In frost prone areas, sow field pea varieties that have some resistance against BB
• Use seed that was harvested from a crop that was free of BB
• Do not apply herbicides to the crop if there is a risk of frost as this can increase the
• risk of BB

If bacterial blight infects a crop:

• Do not drive over the paddock as bacteria will spread on wheels of vehicle
• Harvest the infected pea crop after uninfected crops, to prevent spread of bacteria
• through the harvester to other pea seed
• Do not spread stubble or hay from the infected crop to other paddocks as bacteria
• will survive in the stubble
• Do not keep pea seed for next years’ crop
• No sprays or seed dressings can control BB effectively

• In 1999, provided we can avoid the problems experience in 1998 with the late sowing and harvesting, Pivot will be looking to contribute to development of the Decision Support System for nitrogen in high rainfall cropping, as proposed by the recent Southern Farming System research forum. 
• For site-specific results, please see the attached trial report.

• The site became very wet in October and the controlled traffic and flat ground was inundated for at least 48 hours.
• However, the water was moving at all times and very little crop damage occurred due to waterlogging.
• The raised beds were above the waterline at all times. 
• For further comments please see the attached trial report.

• There was no difference between the treatments in terms of crop standability.
• The crop lodged quite badly with approximatelly 50% of the plants less than 45 degrees to the horizontal across all treatments.
• For further discussion, please see the attached trial report.

• In 2013, performance of feed barley varieties was better than malt varieties, on average across both sites.
• Even in 2013’s favourable season, malt varieties failed to make any considerable increases in yield over 2012 whereas feed varieties did increase their yields.
• The feed variety Oxford has yielded consistently well across several years of trial data at SFS and NVT.
• Generally, a narrowing of the spread between feed and malt barley prices means less extra yield is required from feed barley over malt barley for the same gross return.
• In 2013, the additional costs involved in managing feed barley trials were only $50/ha.

• Sowing mid to late maturing barley varieties in May was pivotal when optimising yield in this trial. May sown varieties yielded 0.6 t/ha more on average over their June sown counterparts.
• Sowing with a lower seeding rate reduced yield and increased protein concentration, with the optimum plant population being 180 pl/m2.
• Navigator had the lowest grain protein at 12.8% when sown at TOS 1 with 180 plants/m2.
• Navigator had the highest grain protein at 14.7% when sown at TOS 2 with 120 plants/m2.
• Navigator had the highest yield of all varieties, at 5.84 t/ha, when sown at TOS 1 with 180 plants/m2.

• In the 2012 season, barley variety and nitrogen rate had a greater impact on yield and grain quality than plant population
• There was no significant increase in grain yield from increasing the N rate beyond a 5t/ha yield potential in this season. Any additional applications did not increase the yield enough to justify the cost of the fertiliser.
• All varieties displayed significant positive responses to the increasing rates of N
• The 62 kg N/ha rate (for 5t/ha crop) gave us the maximum grain yield return.
• Optimum plant populations for grain yield were 200plants/m2. In 2012 although increasing plant densities tended to reduce grain quality but they still made malting quality.

• Highest grain yields were produced at the earlier sowing date at both sites.
• Commander produced the highest grain yields at both sites with the lowest protein content.
• Increased N application rates increased grain yield at both sites but significantly increased protein content at Frances.
• Increased sowing rates have been shown to slightly increase grain yield but reduce screenings and protein so may assist in attaining the malting grade. 
   

• Varietal differences in disease ratings will be reflected in the level of response achieved to a fungicide application.
• Even with a dry spring, inclusion of a fungicide in the program improved the effectiveness of a nitrogen application.

• Highest grain yields were produced at the earlier sowing date at Frances but the later sowing date at Conmurra.
• Commander produced the highest grain yields at both sites with the lowest protein content.
• Increased N application rates had no effect at Conmurra but a small increase yield at Frances.
• Increased sowing rates have shown to slightly increase grain yeild but reduce screenings and protein so may assist in attaining the malting grade.
• Disease control ws critical to allow high grain yields to be acheived. 

• Varietal differences in disease ratings will be reflected in the level of response achieved to a fungicide application.
• Even with a dry spring, inclusion of a fungicide in the program improved the effectiveness of a nitrogen application. 

• Crop establishment was not affected by row spacing, regardless of barley variety or row width.
• Barley grain yield and quality were unresponsive to row spacing at Hart in 2009.

• Annual ryegrass did not affect crop establishment, but did reduce grain yield.
• Increasing the seed rate from 80 seeds/m2 to 150 seeds/m2 had no significant impact on grain yield, however, increasing the seeding rate to 220seeds/m2 significantly reduced grain yield, by 13%.
• At 220 seeds/m2 25% of the annual ryegrass survived, compared to 45% at 80 seeds/m2.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

With the crop under severe water stress for much of the growing season the yields were very low - 1 t/ha or less.

Growing season rainfall at this site was well below average (approximately 350mm) with 264mm for April - November. October was particularly dry with only 7.5mm

Gairdner barley gave significant yield responses to applied nitrogen of 1t/ha at 50kg/ha N and 1.27t/ha at 100kg/ha N applied.

For results and discussion please see the attached trial report.

• Both barley scald and leaf rust were observed at high levels in the trial this year. 
• There were significant differences between the treatments with the best results obtained from the treatments with three separate applications. This equated with the levels of leaf disease in the plots. The plots with the highest levels of disease (and the lowest percentage of green leaf area) were generally the treatments with the lowest yield. 
• For further discussion plese see the attached trial report.

• The ungrazed paddock yielded 1.2t/ha more than the grazed paddock.
•  The grazed paddock was grazed intensively to approximately 1-2 cm in height where only the white stems could be seen, the green foliage had all been removed. It was observed that after sheep were removed from the paddock, the barley crop re-grew rapidly and out competed the radish that was also recovering from the grazing.
• It was also observed in the demonstration that the grazing delayed the maturity of the cereal with the grazed paddock haying off later than the ungrazed paddock.
• The quality of the grain from both treatments has not been tested for quality but it has been observed that the grain from the grazed paddock is a better colour than the ungrazed paddock.

The unusually dry and hot seasonal conditions in October impacted on both the development of barley disease and the final barley yields. Both Impact In furrow ® and Bumper ® appeared to provide varying degrees of visual control of the barley disease scald. The yield of the barley variety Gairdner appeared to react to disease pressure more than Baudin, with the most likely reason being the longer growing season of Gairdner and the date of sowing of the two varieties. Nufarm's Fungicide systems program will continue to analyze the affect of different fungicides on wheat and barley varieties to determine the most strategic fungicide regime.

• In 1997 it was not safe to use the knockdown Gramozone at the half leaf stage on wheat or barley (this has been a relatively safe practice in previous years).
• The crop did not recover from the spray due to the dry conditions.

• Group 1 (A) selective herbicide in 2019 gave good barley grass control, with an early application (2-4 leaf) better than a late application (Z31). Group 2 (B) herbicide in 2021 pasture gave similar results but control was not as effective.
• Paraquat spray topping in 2019 did not reduce seed set.
• Slashing in 2021 gave excellent seed set control.
• Effective Group A weed control in 2019 combined with Sakura® + Treflan® in 2020 successfully reduced this very dense barley grass population by 98% compared to a rotation of grazing (no herbicide) in 2019 and Treflan® alone in 2020, but barley grass was still dense in 2021.
• The seedbank lasts 3-4 years, particularly in dry years where not all seed has the opportunity to emerge.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

• Barley grass can have late, staggered cohorts, and so full control requires pre- and post-emergent control.
• Clearfield® crops or pasture ‘break crops’ allow excellent in-crop control and reduction of barley grass seed production.
• Resistance remains very low at this site. A diverse crop rotation allows a rotation of herbicide groups to avoid resistance development.

There were no differences in grass weed numbers in paddock N7/8 between cereal crop treatments imposed of Sakura, East West and North South sowing, cross sowing and ‘15 cm nudge’.

• Weed seeds were found in narrow windrows and chaff dumps, ryegrass was more prevalent than barley grass which is more prone to shedding seed early.
• Burning reduced the viable ryegrass and self-sown cereal seed density by 85%, reducing the overall weed seed bank, but results for barley grass were lower at 38%.
• Conditions (i.e. temperature and humidity) and timing of burn were shown to strongly influence the effectivenessof this cultural management tactic.
• Burning windrows resulted in fewer weed seeds returning to the weed seed bank.
• There is a cost associated with windrow harvesting due to lower harvesting height requiring reducing the harvest speed with larger throughput of straw.
• A better understanding of burning and the weather conditions needed to sterilise barley grass seed is needed.

• The 2016 trial results looking at cultural control techniques on barley grass largely confirmed the 2015 findings.
• Increasing the seeding rate of barley in the presence of barley grass can provide substantial benefits to both yield and reduced weed seed carry-over. This applies particularly to competitive varieties such as Fathom, but also to less competitive varieties such as Hindmarsh.
• In contrast, doubling the seeding rate of wheat had no beneficial effect on yield or weed carry-over.
• Doubling the district practice seeding rate in barley substantially reduced the competitive effect of barley grass to the stage where crop yields were similar to those check plots where herbicide was appliedD.
• uring the trials, barley has consistently outperformed wheat in its ability to compete with barley grass, particularly when sown at high seeding rates.

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• The Ethrel @ 500ml and 750 ml @ flag leaf emergence produced the shortest crops, and therefore in broad acre situations this product may be the most effective at reducing crop height and preventing lodging. 
• For further conclusions plese see the attached trial repor.t

• Growth regulators had no effect on reducing crop lodging, since crop lodging was not evident due to seasonal conditions and low soil nitrogen levels.
• Some growth regulators had an effect on reducing plant height.
• Growth regulators had no effect on barley yield or grain quality.

The control, and both Cycocel ®treatments produced very similar results, and there appears to be no major difference between any of these treatments. The Terpal ® treatment had a slightly lower yield, lower retention and much higher screenings than the control and Cycocel ® treatments, however this may be due to disease hotspots in these treatments. I believe the use of growth regulators in barley still requires more work to confirm product selection, rates and timings for Australian conditions.

• Sub-tropical perennial grasses have persisted and produced good quantities of biomass over several years in the Mallee.
• Due to low early winter rainfall and reliance on stored summer moisture, cropping into a summer-growing pasture base led to high yield penalties in 2011. 
• Further research and development is needed to fine-tune management of the pasture cropping system before it can be deployed in the Mallee.

• In the wet winter of 2016, a single irrigation of a barley crop increased grain yield and grain quality but resulted in reduced water productivity.
• The 50 kg/ha seeding rate improved grain quality and reduced lodging compared with the 80 kg/ha seeding rate with no negative impact on grain yield.
• The waterlogged treatment (ponded for 48 hours) used an additional 0.41 ML/ha or 55% more water in one irrigation than the treatment that was ponded for only five hours.

• Disease levels were low to moderate with significant suppression from all fungicides 
• Timing 1 applications were made ~2-3 weeks prior to ‘more rapid’ disease build-up 
• Tilt Xtra 250 mL x 2 applications and Amistar Xtra 400 mL provided the most effective leaf rust control  
• Triazole Teb and Triazole Pro (both at the high label rate) provided significantly lower levels of leaf rust suppression than all fungicides other than Tilt Xtra 250 mL
• There was no significant impact from any fungicide treatment on yield 
• There was no significant impact from any fungicide treatment on grain quality

• There was significant rain in early April.
• The paddock was cultivated wet at the time of seeding.
• Seeding was delayed due to seed supply problem.
• There were some dry periods but adequte rainfall overall. Some frosts occurred in July/August.
• Main weed problem was radish.

• There was no yield benefit to late irrigation past the soft dough stage
• Reducing the irrigation rate from 90% of pan evaporation to 68% oof pan evaporation did not significantly reduce yield. 

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

For a full ist of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• Row spacing was found to be a signifcant factor in crop yield and development.
• The nitrogen timing had a signifiant effect on the quality of parameters of grain, however did not affect the yield outcome of the trial. 
• There were significant differences observed between five barley varieties used in this trial. 

• LaTrobe, GrangeR, and Skipper had reduced emergence from deeper sowing under both dry and wet sowing conditions. 
• Varieties differed in their sensitivity to sowing time; variety choice and sowing time influenced grain yield and quality more than sowing depth.
• LaTrobe and Fathom were the highest yielding varieties across both sowing dates.
• Commander and Skipper were the only varieties to suffer a yield penalty from early dry sowing.
• GrangeR yielded similar to Commander at earlier sowing but less when delayed.
• Screenings were greater than 7% and retention less than 70% in LaTrobe across both sowing times, and in Commander and GrangeR at earlier sowing only.
• Skipper was the only variety to achieve malt specifications across both sowing times.

• Flagship and Buloke are new malting variety alternatives to Schooner and the Sloop varieties and segregation options for these varieties will increase during 2008. Flagship has the advantage of CCN resistance and more developed markets, whilst Buloke has the advantage of higher yields.
• Hindmarsh, Fleet and Keel are the highest yielding feed varieties. Choice between these varieties will be based on the relative importance of test weight (Hindmarsh superior), resistance to the spot form of net blotch (Keel and Fleet superior), resistance to leaf rust (Hindmarsh and Fleet superior), and tolerance to deep sands (Fleet and Hindmarsh superior).

• Barley trials have been conducted at many of the CWFS regional sites over the last three years.
• Barley is a valuable rotation crop as it is not susceptible to many wheat foliar diseases (yellow spot, stripe rust, septoria), suffers less yield loss from root diseases, and competes well with weeds.
• Schooner and Gairdner are the preferred malting varieties in central NSW. Schooner generally achieves better quality in the lower rainfall parts of the cropping belt

• Fathom, Spartacus CL and Rosalind have performed consistently well at most sites in 2016.
• Compass performed poorly when sown early, with substantial lodging and head loss. When sown later, it was one of the top performers with little to no lodging observed.
• Fathom, Hindmarsh, La Trobe, Spartacus CL, Rosalind and Compass are consistently the top yielding varieties over a range of different seasonal finishes in the Mallee and Wimmera.

• Data can be used to identify herbicide by variety combinations which minimise yield loss and best suit individual farming practices, primarily to obtain weed and herbicide resistance control.
• Information on varieties which have been tested in one year, only should be treated with caution pending further trials.

• La Trobe was the highest yielding malt variety in 2015.
• Compass has consistently produced high yields in the Mallee and Wimmera. 
• New varieties Rosalind and IGB1334T were high yielding in their first year of trials.
• Short (early) season varieties performed better than long season varieties in 2015.

• Annual ryegrass did not affect crop establishment but did reduce grain yield.
• Seed rate did not influence grain yield or levels of annual ryegrass populations.
• Annual ryegrass populations were found to be significantly lower in Flagship and Maritime plots.

Both Baudin and Gairdner continue to be lines worthy of growing, however a strict fungicide management programme is required for both varieties in order to achieve good yield result. 

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• The average yield for the barley variety trial at Dunkeld was 6.53 t/ha. 
• The highest yield was achieved by Westminster (7.52 t/ha) followed by cv. 4262 (7.40 t/ha) and Fleet (7.20 t/ha).
• Gairdner and Baudin were the lowest yielding varieties achieving 5.16 and 5.23 t/ha.
• Providional malt varieties Westminster, 4262 and Oxford topped the gross margin results with high yields, good retention and low screenings.
• Leaf scald pressure was high with all varieties showing some susceptibility when no fungicide was used.

• The average yield for the barley variety trial at Bairnsdale was 3.81 t/ha. This was higher than the predited 3.2 t/ha based upon the growing seasons rainfall.
• The highest yielding variety was Capstan with 4.45 t/ha, maling varieties Oxford (provisional malt) and Gairdner also yielded well.
• Protein and test weight were the key reason for grain to be downgraded. No variety recorded a test weight above 60 kg/hl, thus all were graded as feed.

• Several new varieties have been released for the 2012 season that look promising; they are only feed quality at this stage, but undergoing malt evaluation.  NVT Trials weren’t sprayed for leaf rust in 2011.
• This will change in 2012 to reflect farmer practice.
• Unsprayed v Sprayed varietal data is available for both Frances and Conmurra and it gives a good indication of effects of disease on yield across different varieties. 

• Several new varieties have been released for the 2012 season that look promising; they are only feed quality at this stage, but undergoing malt evaluation.
• NVT Trials weren’t sprayed for leaf rust in 2011.This will change in 2012 to reflect farmer practice.
• Unsprayed v Sprayed varietal data is available for both Frances and Conmurra and it gives a good indication of effects of disease on yield across different varieties. 

• Commander looks to be a replacement for Gairdner in the higher rainfall areas.
• Disease control needs to be good to maximize grain yield and quality.
• Oxford may have potential in higher rainfall areas but needs to be further evaluated for yield and also whether it will get malting quality. 

• Both scald and Leaf Rust had a major effect at Conmurra.
• Varieties like Capstan and Oxfod lodged less than other varieties, resulting in a tendency to yield better. 

Seasonal conditions favoured early maturing varieties, particularly at the Wimmera sites. The relative performance of Gairdner in the Wimmera was the worst since its first inclusion in trials in 1996. In particular the grain plumpness levels of Gairdner were extremely low. Baudin (“Bow-dan”) is the latest malting variety available to Victorian growers. The variety is best suited to the 375 – 450mm average annual rainfall districts where Gairdner is currently the preferred variety. Yields of the two varieties were similar in the Wimmera during 2003 despite an increased susceptibility of Baudin to leaf rust. In a year where grain size was a major issue, grain plumpness levels of Baudin were substantially superior to Gairdner.

• In the presence of disease, fungicide application increased grain yield (kg/ha).
• Grain quality improved with fungicide application.  
• In conjunction with a fungicide management strategy, growers should aim to select resistant barley varieties, using up-to-date disease guides for varietal choice. 

• In the presence of disease, fungicide application increased grain yield (kg/ha).  
• Grain quality improved with fungicide application.  
• In conjunction with a fungicide management strategy, growers should aim to select resistant barley varieties, using up-to-date disease guides for varietal choice. 

• In the presence of disease, fungicide application increased grain yield (kg/ha).

• Grain quality improved with fungicide application.

• In conjunction with a fungicide management strategy, growers should aim to select resistant barley varieties, using up-to-date disease guides for varietal choice.

• Applying Insecticide Seed Treatments to the Wheat variety Brennan showed a significant increase in yield compared to the untreated control in 2011.
• There was a yield response to using Cruiser Opti however was not significantly different to other insecticide seed treatments in 2011
• The use of Ambush did show a yield response but was not significantly different from other seed applied Insecticide. Treatments and would not be economical or practical for commercial farming operations.
• Aphid and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Management Starts from Day Zero.

• It was cost effective to apply an insecticide for the control of BYDV in wheat.
• The best treatment was the split application of insecticide at approximately 4 weeks and 10 weeks post sowing.
• Chara was a superior variety to Kellalac for yield at the Gnarwarre site. 
   

An extremely highl level of barley yellow dwarf disease was recorded in Victorian cereal crops in 2013; 40-70 per cent infection.

A high number of aphids flying into crops from neighbouring vegetation reduced the effectiveness of the insecticides.

Regular crop monitoring is essential to maximise yield while minimising the effects of aphids and BYD spread.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

All labs had their results back to us within a two-week period, which is highly desirable. We have had numerous comments over the years of extremely long turn around times experienced – this test has highlighted that it can be done within an acceptable time.

• Increasing plant density resulted in increased plant height, pod height and subsequent yield. 
• Early sowing resulted in an increase in bottom pod height and total plant height, however the plants were more liekly to lodge. 

• The Middle East human consumption market prefers Australian faba beans, but competition from France and the UK for market share occurs.   
• For further information: Variety Management Packages (VMP) for all varieties, except Aquadulce, are available on the Pulse Australia Website http://www.pulseaus.com.au/Search_Result_ Publication.aspx 

• NVT yields ranged from 0.39 t/ha at Wolseley to 2.70 t/ha at Millicent.
• New PBA Zahra was the highest performing variety in the high yielding environment of Millicent and has the highest long-term yield for the south east region.
• 2015 seed sizes are smaller than previous years; need to adjust seeding rates in 2016 accordingly to avoid excessively high plant densities.
• Disease guides should be consulted when selecting varieties to ensure correct management to maximize yields.

• Water use can be estimated easily with the (IrriSAT 2017) app.
• First flower, cut out and defoliation can be predicted.
• Cotton water productivity could be up to six bales per hectare below its potential.

• The Minnipa self replacing merino flock is being included in the national “Sheep Genetics” database with the aim to provide Eyre Peninsula sheep producers with a benchmark to judge their flock performance at a national level.

• Positive relationships (R2 = 0.6) were observed between water and grain yield (t/ha) across 14 Eyre Peninsula (EP) paddocks.
• Yeelanna (Pooh Bear paddock, clay loam over light clay) had the highest grain yield (5.8 t/ha) across the 14 EP paddocks and 100% of yield potential achieved.
• Karkoo, Yeelanna (South West) and Witera had similar grain yield (3.82-4.70 t/ha), but only Witera had over 100% yield potential achieved.
• Paddock yields were also affected by soil constraints and other abiotic stresses.

 

• Irrigation resulted in a 60% and 400% increase in grain yield for broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively.
• Irrigation resulted in a 17% and 3% increase in seed size in broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively. This is critical in producing for markets requiring large seed size.
• It is likely that the dry finish to the season (decile 1) enhanced the positive effects of irrigation particularly for the marrowfat peas and other spring sown crops.
• In addition to the capacity to irrigate and a cool seasonal finish, Tasmania has other advantages in marrowfat pea production that can be capitalised upon ie - excellent adaptation of overseas spring germplasm and freedom from pea weevil.

• Crop germination was poor on the mouldboard plots and compaction is still a big issue on these plots.
• Bentonite clay has shown no effect on organic carbon %.

 

• The treatment plots with low or no potassium were observed to have less vigour (visual assessment) and plant density from emergence.
• High potassium treatments had lower screenings and higher yields independent of the rate of nitrogen applied.

 

• This site was unresponsive to nutrient treatments in 2017
• Treatments were adjusted to reflect grower standard practice due to drier than normal conditions at the beginning of winter.

 

• Wheat yields were low, around 1 t/ha, as a result of low growing season rainfall in 2017.
• Treatments were adjusted to reflect standard grower practice due to drier than normal conditions at the beginning of winter.
• This site was unresponsive to nutrition treatments in 2017.

 

• The Mooneys Gap phalaris site has shown that productive perennial grass and sub clover pastures can double the carrying capacity of a paddock when compared to a rundown annual pasture. The Mooneys Gap phalaris pasture has had an average increase in carrying capacity of 157% compared to the control annual pasture over the three years of the trial.
• The introduction of deep rooted perennial pastures has environmental as well as production benefits. Perennial pastures are more efficient users of water as they are able to access available moisture at deeper levels and for longer periods than annuals and therefore assist in lowering water recharge reducing the risk of salinity. Perennials slow the soil acidification rate by the increasing nitrogen uptake thereby reducing nitrate leaching. Well managed phalaris pastures maintain a level of ground cover well in excess of annual grass based pastures reducing the risk of wind and surface water erosion. The Mooneys Gap phalaris site clearly demonstrates the enhanced environmental outcomes that come with well managed perennial pastures.
• Soil testing is important to test for nutrient deficiencies and pH prior to phalaris establishment. Adequate lime and fertiliser should be applied to address deficiencies prior to establishment. Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that aluminium levels are suitable for phalaris production prior to sowing.
• Weed control is of critical importance before and during the establishment phase of phalaris pastures. Periodic annual weed control measures enhance the production of phalaris based pastures after establishment.
• A suitable fertiliser regime needs to be implemented to replace nutrients removed by the enhanced production of the phalaris based pasture.
• Rotational grazing increases the persistence of the phalaris pasture.
• The addition of phalaris pastures extends the period of available green feed when compared to an annual grass system.
• The recent availability of the Holdfast GT Phalaris variety is an important addition to the perennial grasses that can be established in the region.
• The claims that Holdfast GT will persist as well as Australian phalaris have not been tested due to the time required to obtain results from a new variety.
• PPS will continue to test the persistence of Holdfast GT in the PDS trials as well as other pastures in the project.

This research highlights how important a tactical approach to STNB management is in the medium rainfall zone.  In dry seasons there is lower disease pressure, resulting in a potentially expensive fungicide strategy which can be marginal in returns.  Conversely, where there is high disease pressure usually from wet conditions early in the season, then a double spray strategy can improve grain quality, yield and returns to the grower.

Where growing barley on barley, growers should budget for a fungicide spray at Flag-1 every year to protect the top 3 leaves in the canopy.  Where conditions are wet early post emergent (especially if stubble is retained) allowing early disease pressure and high yield potential then a fungicide spray at Z31-Z32 can reduce disease pressure and protect the canopy until the Flag-1 spray is applied.

Under high disease pressure situations (wet conditions early post emergent) removing stubble prior to sowing barley on barley can reduce inoculum levels and the build up of early disease pressure.  This will also help to reduce the selection pressure for fungicide resistance.

Where there is a dry start to the season and a slow build up of disease then stubble management has minimal impact on the buildup of STNB levels.

Burning barley stubble prior to planting barley on barley has shown to increase yield buy between 325 and 400kg in 2017 and 2015. While removing stubble can reduce early disease pressure, not all the yield increase can be accounted for by disease.  Other factors are involved that may require additional work to understand (N mineralization, allelopathic impacts of stubble or improved seed bed).  Where erosion risk is low growers should consider burning to remove barley stubble if planting consecutive barley crops.

We feel that there is no further work required to investigate the hypothesized link between STNB levels and pre-harvest head loss.

Growers, advisors and the wider barley industry are the key beneficiaries of this research.  Being able to manage disease to maintain grain quality, yield and economic returns to the grower is critical for a competitive barley industry.

This research highlights how important a tactical approach to STNB management is in the medium rainfall zone.  In dry seasons there is lower disease pressure, resulting in a potentially expensive fungicide strategy which can be marginal in returns.  Conversely, where there is high disease pressure usually from wet conditions early in the season, then a double spray strategy can improve grain quality, yield and returns to the grower.

Where growing barley on barley, growers should budget for a fungicide spray at Flag-1 every year to protect the top 3 leaves in the canopy.  Where conditions are wet early post emergent (especially if stubble is retained) allowing early disease pressure and high yield potential then a fungicide spray at Z31-Z32 can reduce disease pressure and protect the canopy until the Flag-1 spray is applied.

Under high disease pressure situations (wet conditions early post emergent) removing stubble prior to sowing barley on barley can reduce inoculum levels and the build up of early disease pressure.  This will also help to reduce the selection pressure for fungicide resistance.

Where there is a dry start to the season and a slow build up of disease then stubble management has minimal impact on the buildup of STNB levels.

Burning barley stubble prior to planting barley on barley has shown to increase yield buy between 325 and 400kg in 2017 and 2015. While removing stubble can reduce early disease pressure, not all the yield increase can be accounted for by disease.  Other factors are involved that may require additional work to understand (N mineralization, allelopathic impacts of stubble or improved seed bed).  Where erosion risk is low growers should consider burning to remove barley stubble if planting consecutive barley crops.

We feel that there is no further work required to investigate the hypothesized link between STNB levels and pre-harvest head loss.

Growers, advisors and the wider barley industry are the key beneficiaries of this research.  Being able to manage disease to maintain grain quality, yield and economic returns to the grower is critical for a competitive barley industry.

• The average yield response to TM21 for the three replications was 26%.
• Yield response from N application also recorded a significant yield increase between 7.5% and 35% but the cost benefit was significantly more for the TM21.
• The highest rate of N without TM21 gave a lower yield response than the TM21 without N. The above graph shows the comparative return from the treatments of urea and TM21. It should be noted that this paddock has a very soft history having only grown oats as a crop prior to this year’s wheat. It has rarely been treated with fungicides or harsh chemicals.
• Worm activity was obvious throughout the trial area with higher worm counts in the treated areas.

• Widening row spacing reduced established plants per area for a given seeding rate.
• At a yield of 1.5 t/ha there was no yield difference between 19 and 42 plants/m2 or between 18 and 30 cm row spacing in 2008 • At a yield of 0.44 t/ha the low plant population (28/m2) yielded best in 2009
• In the Victorian Better Canola trial farmer-saved hybrid seed reduced crop uniformity (variable plant height), delayed maturity and increased blackleg infection

• We have identified a small group of material with excellent agronomic performance exceeding our benchmark strand medic cultivars, Herald and Angel, by up to and over 30% for dry matter production and seed yield.
• The lines are bred from a cross between Angel strand medic and a line originally selected for powdery mildew resistance. They also have SU herbicide tolerance, aphid resistance and larger seed size.
• If the level of agronomic improvement can be confirmed at regenerating sites, there are good prospects for a future commercial release.
• Unexpected responses to Rhizobium inoculation confirm some grower observations of poor medic nodulation in the Mallee, but the reasons for this remain unclear.
• Root lesion nematode number was substantially reduced following a season of medic growth.

• Rhizoctonia solani AG8 inoculum levels were reduced over summer and this may be associated with summer rainfall events.
• Crop rotation does affect Rhizoctonia inoculum levels, i.e. levels were lowest immediately after canola compared to that after wheat.
• The incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia bare patch disease in cereals depend on the amount of pathogen inoculum, soil microbial community activity and crop/root vigour.
• Seed treatments did not reduce rhizoctonia levels in 2009 trials undertaken on EP and the Mallee.
• To reduce risk of yield loss caused by Rhizoctonia:

Control summer weeds to stop build-up of inoculum,

Encourage early seedling vigour, sow early,

Cultivate deep sow shallow (avoid disc seeders).

• Canola can help reduce inoculum for the following wheat crop.
• Barley and wheat are the most intolerant crops.
• Minimise N deficiency at seeding, particularly for cereal on cereal rotations where summer rainfall has been low, by deep banding N and minimising stubble incorporation at seeding.

Intensive cropping systems rely on a high level of production management and prudent financial mangment to be successful, particularly in such a variable climate. Furthermore, such systems are increasingly reliant on agricultural chemicals. As well as being costly, the flow on effects of this reliance such as herbicide resistant weeds and changes to pest populations invokes thoughts about the long term environmental and financial sustainability of such a system.

• A study was made of various factors influencing the microbiological assay of available iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum.
• Aspergillus niger was the test organism.
• The availability of 15 micronutrients was determined by bioassay from 278 surface and 164 subsoil samples from eastern Australia.
• The commonest deficiency detected was that of zinc, followed by copper, then by molybdenum, but deficiencies of iron and manganese were rarely found. Usually surface soils with a well-developed root zone were less deficient than subsoil.
• There was a fair correlation between the availability of zinc, copper, and molybdenum to A. niger (M.) and availability to plants, but none for iron and manganese • The fungus was able to obtain adequate amounts of micronutrients from a variety of insoluble salts or oxides of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum, some of which were known to be unavailable to plants .
• A number of soils inhibited the growth of the mould in complete medium. This effect was due to active fixation of added micronutrients, especially in soils rich in calcium carbonate and in "red loams".
• No evidence was obtained that microbial fixation of trace elements occurred in deficient soils; but most major and minor elements were fixed by microorganisms in very deficient, acid-washed, quartz crystals, with the exception of calcium, which was not significantly affected, and of iron and zinc, which were released by microbial activity from the minute amounts of contaminants present.

The trial was dogged by non-wetting and kangaroo grazing problems and so the bioassay of the residual effect of the original source of P treatments was poor..

Recoveries of applied phosphorus in the surface layers was poorest for the water soluble, plant available source superphosphate which had large leaching losses below 50 cm.  the less immediately available but citrate soluble source retained more P in the surface layers while the very insoluble C ore source produced poor growth but had only very low P leaching to depth.  The compromise in choice of source, between plant availability and leaching into the ground water and subsequently the waterways, is  well illustrated by this trial

As a rule, soil fertility factors (non-wetting, organic carbon, CEC, soil organic nitrogen, acidification etc were all more affected by length of pasture ley than by pasture composition and cumulated production.  Cross plot transfer of surface soil may well have affected this finding..

• Plant density counts were estimated on the 3rd August 2012 by counting 8 x 1 metre rows along each treatment.
• The treatment without Bio Char, there were counted 126 plants per square metre
• Where Bio Char was applied, there were 130 plants per square metre. 
• There were no replications of the treatment applied, so it is difficult to conclude if biochar application was beneficial in plant establishment.
• Subsequent visual observations and ratings were done on the 25th September 2012 with no difference noticeable.  The inherent variation across the site mad it difficult to gain adequate measurements at this site.
• We were not able to detect any difference in grain yield between untreated (nil) and the biochar plot.

The laboratory results suggest that the inoculum load of the crown rot pathogen, which is normally stubble-borne, may be significantly reduced in the soil within 3-6 months of application of the control fungus to the stubble.

The West Midlands site had an average yielding year for the Moora area. The Liebe Long Term Research Site had a good growing season in terms of rainfall and seasonal distribution. The average yield was about 50% higher than previous wheat trial years. This was similar to Forrestdale which also had good rainfall and seasonal distribution.

On average, all Bioprime treatments combined resulted in a 4% yield increase. Treatment 2 (foliar Bioprime and granular fertiliser) performed best, achieving a 10% yield increase averaged across the three sites). At the WMG site, five Bioprime treatments resulted in positive yield responses whereas this number was lower at the Liebe site (2 treatments). With data corrected for outliers, all Bioprime treatments resulted in a positive yield response. Given that the Liebe site, relative to the WMG site had a higher soil pH, and higher pre-seeding phosphate and exchangeable cations concentrations (Table 2), an average higher yield was expected and achieved here compared to the WMG (3.36 t/ha and 2.15 t/ha, respectively in unamended control treatments). Thus, the higher soil quality and soil health present at the Liebe site combined with the good 2016 season in terms of rainfall likely narrowed the yield gap.

As such any management options aiming to close the gap between actual and potential yield, would have had less scope to achieve this at the Liebe site in 2016. In contrast, the lower soil fertility at the WMG allowed Bioprime to more consistently improve crop production. The 2016 data suggest the opportunity to improve yield on a poor soil in a poor year is greater than on good soil in a good year.

Ongoing research will continue to further develop Bioprime technology as a tool to improve soil biology and maintain plant health and yield. There is a substantial database of microbiological and yield results which continues to expand with the expectation of understanding the links between root and plant colonization by beneficial bacteria and fungi with Bioprime application and growth improvements.

For the current information please contact Nimesha Fernando - 0434871969

• Where blackleg disease pressure is low, fungicide application is not necessary.
• The greater the amount of canola grown, the more likely is an infestation of blackleg.
• Consequently, in 2012, blackleg disease pressure may increase in the Wimmera and Mallee.
• A buffer of 500m from the previous year’s canola stubble is desirable when selecting canola paddocks.
• Growers should utilise the “Blackleg Risk Assessor” and the current “Blackleg Ratings” on the GRDC website.

• Blackleg internal infection was found in many varieties inclding some varieties that had higher levels than would be expected. 
• Due to teh good winter and spring, the level of yield loss as a certain level of internal infection was much lower than measured in 2008.
• Farmers need to cut canola stems at windrowing time to assess the level of blackleg.