• Canola trials during 2012 had high plant populations, which may have created atypical crop canopy structures in relation to different row spacings.
• In four canola datasets generated from 2009 – 2012 at Coreen, New South Wales and Bungeet, Victoria the influence of row spacing on yield has been inconsistent.
• During 2012, the narrow row spacing (22.5cm) produced higher yields and a higher harvest index (HI) than wider row spacing, however this has not been the case in previous years. 

• With 537mm growing season rainfall (April- mid-November) wheat yields followig faba beans were 2.2t/ha higher than those experienced in 2009.
• The yield reduction moving from a narrow row spacing (22.5cm) to wide (37cm) was 12% (0.64t/ha), compared with 16% (0.49t/ha) in 2009.

For a summary of key messages and results see the attached trial report.

• With 570mm growing season rainfall (GSR) 2010 wheat yeilds were more than double those experiences during 2009 in the same rotation position (wheat after canola).
• Yield drop-off associated with the wide row spacing (37.5cm) was almost identical to 2009 results, with a 12% yield reduction compared with the narrow row spacing.

• In the 2012 wheat after canola trial, moving from a narrow row spacing (22.5cm) to a 30cm spacing reduced yield by 9%.  Moving from 22.5cm to the widest (37.5cm) row spacing reduced yield by 11%.
• In a season where yields averaged about 3t/ ha overall (based on a GSR of 196mm plus 85mm stored soil moisture), increasing row spacing beyond 22.5cm significantly reduced yield.
• During 2009, in the same rotation position on the same trial site, there was no difference in yield between the 22.5cm and 30cm row spacings (based on 2.5t/ha average yields), although the 37.5cm row spacing still yielded significantly less. 

For a summary of key messages and results see the attached trial report.

• In second wheat after faba beans, moving from a narrow row spacing of 22.5cm to 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings reduced yield by 4% and 10% respectively.  This compares with respective yield reductions of 12% and 14% in the fi rst wheat trial grown in the same paddock at the same time.
• The narrow row spacing (22.5cm) produced greater biomass than the wider row spacing but had a relatively poor harvest index (26%) compared with other row spacings in this trial.
• There was no difference in crop establishment or yield due to drill opener (tine versus disc), however plant establishment was superior with the narrow row compared with the wider spacings tested.
   

• Gauntlet wheat sown as the second wheat crop after canola yielded between 3.84–4.44t/ha with 232mm of growing season rainfall (Apr-Oct) and an estimated 118mm of stored water at sowing (total 350mm).
• Moving from a narrow row spacing (22.5cm) to 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings reduced yield by 13% and 11% respectively in the 2012 season.  In 2011, moving from a 22.5cm spacing to 30cm and 37.5cm spacings reduced yield by 4% and 10% respectively for the second wheat trial grown in the same paddock.
• It was estimated that the narrow row spacing (22.5cm) resulted in better water use efficiency (WUE) than the widest spacing (37.5cm), despite having a lower harvest index (44% vs 47%) than the widest rows.  

• Wheat on wheat (following canola) yielded 4.91t/ha, almost 1t/ha less than the neighbouring first wheat trial after canola, which yielded 5.84t/ha.
• There was no yield drop-off associated with wider row spacings (30cm and 337.5cm) in this wheat-on-wheat situation.

• Plant establishment at a 22.5cm row spacing was signifi cantly superior to 30cm, which in turn was signifi cantly higher than 37.5cm. The disc drill opener gave better establishment than the tine at the narrow (22.5cm) row spacing but not at the wider row spacing. 
• Advantages with the narrow row spacing were seen early in the season in terms of plant population, dry matter (DM) and tiller production. These advantages did not translate to signifi cantly higher yield in this rotation position. This result was identical to the results of the 2010 trial when wheat on wheat yields showed a similar, but not signifi cant, trend for narrow row spacing (22.5cm) to be better than wide row spacing (37.5cm). 

• Banding low rates of biochar can reduce cropping input costs and improve profi tability.  
• Biochar can improve the effi cacy of fertiliser but should not be regarded as a fertiliser in its own right.
• More is not better. A rate of around 35kg/ha of biochar plus a modest rate of DAP produced the best economic outcome for all rates of DAP used in the trial (0, 50 and 100kg/ha). 

• Different crop types displayed varying phosphorus (P) use efficiencies (soil and fertiliser demand) under P deficient conditions.
• Crop types that have previously shown to be P efficient did not display the same traits in neutral to slightly alkaline soils.
• Soil testing can have significant economic benefits if the right test is used.

• Early observations of crop vigour (11th July) found that the 0P plots at all rates of nitrogen were significantly less vigorous than the plots that had phosphorus applied, with the plants in the highest rates of P applied showing the highest vigour.
• This response to applied P was still evident at the later observations of crop vigour on 8th August. This demonstrates the need to apply fresh phosphorus to crops at seeding to ensure good plant shoot and root growth during the early stages of crop growth.
• For further results please see the attaached trial report.

• Hi-analysis granular fertiliser required the smallest yield to breakeven in 2009 .
• Hi-analysis granular P and liquid P had a similar response curve and both types of products performed well.
• Rock Phosphate product had a very flat response which slightly improved when 30% DAP was added.

The Rand site was sown on the 12th May 2010 with 8 treatments of various amounts of seed and P fertilizer. The variety was Lincoln and the sowing fertilizer was MAP. The site had grown canola in 2009 and had been summer sprayed for weeds. It was direct drilled into the canola stubble. The site had an N rich strip of 50hg/.ha of N applied about 5 weeks prior to the assessment in July 2010.

The objective of this GRDC / SPAA funded project is to increase the level of adoption of PA 'beyond guidance' by broadacre farmers. The project specifically aims to increase the level of adoption of variable rate (VR) by growers in the project to 30% by 2013.This goal will be achieved by demonstrating how to use PA tools to growers at a regional level and by increasing the skills of growers and industry in PA to a level where they can then use PA tools in their farming systems to achieve economic, environmental and social benefits.

The objective of this GRDC / SPAA funded project is to increase the level of adoption of PA 'beyond guidance' by broadacre farmers. The project specifically aims to increase the level of adoption of variable rate (VR) by growers in the project to 30% by 2013.This goal will be achieved by demonstrating how to use PA tools to growers at a regional level and by increasing the skills of growers and industry in PA to a level where they can then use PA tools in their farming systems to achieve economic, environmental and social benefits. The grower mentioned the importance of correctly identifying the GPS coordinate locations to get reliable soil type information. Yield maps provided showing areas of the paddock with high and low potential assisted this process. Soil analysis verified the trends produced by the yield map.

The apparent better performance of MAP T3 is noted but when looking at the other MAP based products they don't follow the same trend. There was no significant response to applied phosphorus, sulphur or zinc. The CV of the trial is quite high, meaning that a 0.48 Tonnes/ha yield response was needed for anything to be significant. There was no negative effect of applying starter nitrogen in this trial, however there was no positive effect. At current pricing the MAP based products are a very cost effective source of phosphorus and sulphur regardless of the starter nitrogen. Tissue tests indicated all nutrients were adequate see Table 99.
 

• Soil test results indicated that the P levels on the trial site were not particularly low.
• Despite the dry conditions in September, grain yields ranged from 1.59 to 2.16 t/ha.
• Results demonstrate that application of P up to 40 kg P/ha can increase field pea yields. To maximise grain yield, P rates above 40 kg/ha may be needed.

• On light soils, nitrogen is generally the most important nutrient in achieveing optimum cereal yields and maximising return.
• It is important to maintain a balanced approach to crop nutrition.
• In deficient sandy soils, nitrogen can be confidently applied to malting barley, particularly if applied early and to crops free of disease and weed competition.

Previous trials and demonstrations have highlighted zinc deficiencies in both cereals and pulses, which could provide farmers substantial profits over the cost of zinc. A trial conducted on wheat at Sea Lake in 2000, on a highly responsive soil type with a poor zinc history clearly defined responses to zinc and demonstrated that responses to phosphorus or nitrogen cannot be achieved if zinc is deficient. This trial also endorsed the conclusions of trials conducted in 1999 that adequate zinc enriched granular fertiliser should be regularly applied

In 2014 – a dry season with limited growth and yield at the trial site – Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) were not economically viable or worthwhile.

PGR use in a tough season may pose more risk than benefit to cereal crops; their use should be gauged on seasonal outlooks.

In 2014, reduction in plant height was greatest with a PGR applied either as a single late, or a split application, not an early application.

The combination of a fungicide such as Amistar Xtra with a PGR such as Moddus Evo, appears to increase the effect of the PGR on plant growth.

• Plant growth regulators had no significant impact on wheat grain yield.
• The only grain quality parameter to be influenced by PGR or nitrogen application was grain protein.

• Plant growth regulators had no significant impact on wheat grain yield in 2012, at four different sites.
• Plant growth regulators can reduce grain yield and quality with incorrect application timing, especially to crops under stress i.e dry, nutrient deficient, frost, waterlogging.

• Moddus Evo reduces lodging and can increase yields
• Application timing and concentration of Moddus Evo is critical
• Moddus Evo should not be applied to plants under stress
• Moddus Evo has improved formulation stability and plant uptake

The key message that came out of these trials is that despite the lack of lodging, a Moddus application at 400ml/ha applied at GS31, with or without a second application of Moddus at 200ml/ha at GS37, had a beneficial effect on yield and reduced crop height. These results are supported by previous research on PGR use in cereals.

Late application and/or higher rates of clethodim pose a high risk to canola yields. Split applications at lower rates do not appear to cause as much damage as a single higher rate. Varieties appear to differ in their tolerance of high rates, but further investigation is required.

• Plant numbers were variable and it is difficult to draw any conclusion from the final grain yields.
• The untreated strip yielded 1.8t/Ha. Both the PAM treatments were assessed as 1.9t/Ha, and the Irrigator soil wetter yield was 2.0t/Ha.
• This was what the remainder of the paddock yielded, and it was treated with Irrigator.

• Preliminary results have shown that post sowing use of some pre-emergence herbicides can improve control of late emerging ryegrass and could be beneficial as a late salvage exercise where ryegrass has escaped earlier control.
• Although no damage to the wheat crop was observed, these treatments present a higher risk to crop safety, depending on soil type and rainfall after application.
• Post sowing use of these herbicides is currently off label & requires further investigation before registration can be granted.

Standard farmer practice of 'pasture topping' in the previous year, followed by a knock down around the seasons break, remain the best practice before sowing saltbush or bluebush by seed.

• This trial produced a 0.9 t/ha yield response to potassium (K) fertiliser (trt 1 v 6).
• Early rains and a wetter than average season contributed to waterlogged growing conditions through June/July and most likely to significant leaching losses of nitrogen (N).
• Topdressed MoP treatments lacked the early vigour of plots sown with potassium (K) banded with K-Till Plus. This was despite about 50mm of rain falling between the date of topdressing (12 April) and sowing (16 May).
• As the season progressed, crop growth improved up to the highest rate of MoP (144 kg/ha) applied.
• There were no significant yield differences between strategies supplying between 9 and 24 kg K/ha (trt 2, 3, 4, 5).
• There was no response to magnesium (Mg) supplied by kieserite (trt 7).

.

• There was no response to topdressed muriate of potash but a 0.3 t/ha response to K banded in K-Till Extra.
• Nitrogen (N) use efficiency was maximised with K-Till Extra.
• Potassium (K) was a more limiting nutrient than N.
• Dry conditions frequently experienced in the Wheatbelt limit the effectiveness of topdressed K.

• Plant analysis indicated marginal potassium (K) status in July. Although there were visual responses to K during the season, there were no yield or grain quality responses.
• Grain protein was low which suggests that Nitrogen (N) supply may have limited responses to K.

Crop vigour: the low input treatments showed the least amount of vigour; a direct result of minimal nitrogen and a low seeding rate.

Trifluralin use has increased in the last decade and the threat of ryegrass developing resistance to group D herbicides (including trifluralin) is real, already occurring on some farms. In this trial a number of herbicides with activity on ryegrass were tested as mixes with trifluralin on their efficacy in controlling ryegrass as well as on grain yield.

• Group A resistant ryegrass populations are becoming more prevalent across south Australia, increasing the reliance on the use of Group D (trifluralin) for ryegrass control.
• Group D resistance will develop if trifluralin is consistently used without other control practices.
• Trifluralin used in combination with other herbicides such as Avadex Xtra (Group E) and Dual Gold (Group K), may enhance ryegrass control and could prolong the onset of Group D resistant ryegrass populations.

Standard farmer practice of 'pasture topping' in the previous year, followed by a knock down around the seasons break, remain the best practice before sowing saltbush or bluebush by seed.

Standard farmer practice of 'pasture topping' in the previous year, followed by a knock down around the seasons break, remain the best practice before sowing saltbush or bluebush by seed.

• Variable rate nitrogen management has great potential; particularly in the higher rainfall areas of the region with good responses being received in years where rainfall hasn’t been limiting.
• EM38 technology is useful in detecting depth to limestone; the benefits of this however will depend on if the yield is being constrained by rock or not (and in a lot of cases this isn’t occurring)
• In most cases, NDVI biomass readings have been highly correlated with yield.

• Knowing the amount of moisture that is available in the soil profile is invaluable when making nitrogen management decisions.
• Previous crop history (particularly hat of pulses) can have a very large impact on the levels of nitrogen required in following seasons. 

The data received from the 2007 trial year proved similar results to 2006. Although we received an extra 50mm more growing season rainfall than 2006, it was still 50mm short of the Corrigin average rainfall. With yields over 3t/ha, no-one can complain though, especially with barley prices around $480/t cash, at harvest in 2007. In terms of the trials’ aim – to find which stubble treatment better suits downhill tramlinning, the jury is still out as for the two years that the trial was run; 2006 & 2007, with limited rainfall we can only draw conclusions on the results that have been found; and for both years it was found that the burnt stubbles had higher yields over all. The burnt plots [having barer ground to seed into] collected more runoff than the other treatments in 2007. Removing the stubble can allow for light falls of rain to be more useful for a crop in such years, hence the better yield whereas having high levels of stubble in such cases can often intercept this moisture making it not available to the crop; rainfall that ponded on the stubbles evaporated before the plant could acess it [Jeff Russell pers.comm]. Subsoil moisture could have played a part in the earlier establishment of the burnt stubbles too as these plots would have got away sooner having no surface restrictions [stubble or organic matter] and therefore these plots would have had a chance to tap into the summer rainfall earlier than the other treatments [Glen Reithmuller pers.comm]. According to Dan Carter [DAFWA], burning stubbles removes valuable nitrogen, soil carbon and other nutrients and leaves the ground vulnerable to damage from wind erosion. In most cases, retaining stubbles will contribute to long-term soil fertility, through both preservation of nutrients and better moisture-holding capacity.

 

In saying this however, we found in 2007 [as we did in 2006] that the burnt [bare] stubble treatments yielded higher than any of the other stubble treatments as seen in trials. To compare against the control treatment, which has the least runoff, we use the 5%LSD = 2.14*3.94 = 8.4, which suggests that the burnt/bare and raked are significantly higher than the control since the difference between the means is higher than the LSD.

 

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

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

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

Farmer with tramlining capability easily identified.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

2. Identification of more reliable break phase options.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Residual effects from soil nitrogen can be observed in the following cereal crop whcih makes a good case for utilising pulse innoculants

• This trial yielded 3.4 t/ha without fertiliser but there were still good responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The application of both nutrients increased yields up to 4.5 t/ha.
• There was a 0.6 t/ha response to 80 kg N/ha and a 0.7 t/ha response to 24 kg P/ha.
• 24 kg P/ha applied in both years produced 0.4 to 0.5 t/ha more than where 16 kg P/ha applied both years.
• Residual responses to N and P applied in 2011 were not significant.
• NS 41 applications increased protein from about 12.3% to 13.3%. Hectolitre weights were about 77 kg/hl and screenings averaged 1%.
• The most profitable treatment over the two years of the trial was 24 kg/ha (136 kg/ha Double Phos) applied both years.

• 10 chickpea genotypes were grown in the field with and without added zinc.
• Zinc sulphate was applied to the soil at sowing and later as a foliar spray at the start of flowering.
• Zinc fertilisation increase shoot dry matter by 13% at maturity.
• There were differences between cultivars in zinc efficiency.
• Gains in yield by improved to sink efficiency are possible in chickpeas.
•  The ranking of cultivars was consistent between sites and in pot studies in the glasshouse.
•  Significant responses to zinc fertiliser confirmed that zinc deficiency was a limitation to chickpea yield.

• The Italian ryegrass responded well to phosphorus additions in the range of 15-60 kg P/ha and required the higher rates to be applied unless nitrogen, potassium and sulphur were also included.
• In regard to the addition of potassium, the relatively wet year meant there was unexpectedly no negative affect on plant establishment by banding potassium fertiliser in the soil at sowing which is generally not recommended.

Potassium levels are low in this soil and this site should have been responsive to applied potassium, however due to seasonal and soil conditions there where no differences between treatments in this trial. The very dry June-August had a marked impact on crop growth, particularly tillering. This can be seen by the lack of differences in the head counts taken in September. Very hot conditions in early August also affected flowering in wheat and limited any response in grain yeild with later rains. Soil penetrometer readings in the paddock near the trial site showed hard pan and this in conjunction with the pH and Aluminium levels below 10cm would have restricted root growth and limited the wheat plants ability to access soil miosture at depth during the dry winter period. Without yield responses to applied treatments, crop return decreased as fertiliser rates increased.

• Wtih three continuous wheat years, all the varieties were very responsive to 120kg N/ha. 
• Increasing seed density is a good management tool for weeds in wheat. At this site, yields increased with increasing seed density without a reduction in grain quality.

• Short season variety, Condo yielded the highest (5.75 t/ha).
• There was no significant difference between applying 40 + 40 kg N/ha (5.77 t/ha) split application and the single 80 kg N/ha (5.75 t/ha).

• Trial sowing at 11 June was later than optimal but plant growth was showing strong response to nitrogen (N) and some response to potassium (K) at 28 August.
• By harvest, Mace wheat showed significant grain yield response to nitrogen application but potassium response had moderated.
• No significant differences were seen from Cu application.
• Late sowing decreased yield potential from the start. Harvest yields ranged from 2 to 3 t/ha, with maximum yield and $/ha return at 80 kg N/ha and 12.5 kg K/ha.

• In a good growing season, wheat performed equally well in zones identified as good, medium or poor however they achieved only 50% of their yield potential water use efficiency.

• Sowing in early June 2009 resulted in wheat yields on 3 soil types being similar but only achieving 50% of potential water use efficiency.

• The profitability of VRT, excluding capital outlay, was just better than standard practice over the last two seasons at Minnipa.
• The long term impacts of reducing inputs and any consequent yield reductions in above average seasons are yet to be determined.

• In 2009 47 ha of barley sown for feed at the break of the season sustained 300 ewes and lambs for 3 months during the period of late autumn-winter, a traditional period of pasture deficit.
• Hay freezing the forage crop ensures grass weeds are controlled.
• Use of strip grazing better utilises feed on hand and helps control erosion (especially around watering points).

• Winter cereal varieties differ in their levels of yield loss and responsiveness to crown rot and growers can use these rankings to improve production in the presence of this disease.
• Grain yield and responsiveness to crown rot appear strongly correlated in these experiments.
• Grain yield losses vary between seasons with up to a 25% reduction measured in southern NSW.

The hybrid canola 44Y84 (both certified and retained generations) yielded better than the open-pollinated variety 43C80, by an average of 0.3t/ha (20%). The hybrid established better than the OP variety. On average, 40% of seeds established as plants and plant densities above 20 plants/m2 maximised grain yield. The use of certified seed for both open-pollinated and hybrid canola did not increase yields compared with retained seed for both hybrid and open-pollinated. However, view results with caution as the variability within the trial was high.

• Very high yields were achived in Revenue which indicates the benefit of an early sowing (23rd April). To achieve high yields in Revenue sowing should be undertaken as early as possible. this variety has a strong vernalisation requirement which means that flowering will occur at approximately the same time of year irrespective of sowing date, thereby not increasing the frost risk.
• For further take home messages please see the attached trial report.

Rhizobia type or rate had no effect on yields. However a small adjoining trial showed a trend to increased yield due to rhizobia inoculation when plants were stressed by waterlogging. This is in keeping with results from last year's trial where large differences between inoculated and uninoculated treatments were attributed to waterlogging stress in winter and spring. This year's trial was sown on raised beds. The absence of waterlogging stress and the release of nitrogen from stubble from the previous poppy crop may account for the lack of yield response to inoculation. Yields were high this year, with some adjoining irrigated plots reaching 7 t/ha.

Inoculation on a paddock that had not grown pulese for at least 10 years increased Faba bean yield by 1t/ha and shoot nitrogen fixed by 130-180kg N/ha). The numbers of rhizobia deline ini the soil over time. The improvements in wheat yield after faba beans and lupins were not associated with enhanced nitrogen supply.

There has been a major response to ripping but little response to nitrogen above and beyond the farmer dressings.  The ripping treatment markedly improved crop emergence numbers and timing.  The very dry nature of the season after seeding has meant no leaching of nitrogen and therefore no improvement in nitrogen uptake efficiency due to faster root penetration on the ripped plots. Plant counts, estimated biomass levels and yield components are shown in the table of results, above.

There was a marked establishment and growth response to ripping and variability was much more marked on the non-ripped plots than on those which were ripped.  Measures of surface soil wettability showed no difference between ripping so the better establishment was probably due to better and more uniform wetting on the rougher, more disturbed, ripped soil. 

Ripping gave better early growth but also better finishing conditions as reflected in higher harvest indices and lower screenings.  The ripped strip samplings emphasized this point so it seems that the ripping allowed better access to stored sub-soil moisture over the harsh finish to the season. Plant samples from on and off the ripped strips showed no difference in K status.

We sampled on and off visually obvious windrows north of trial (2) on 10 July and south of trial (3) on heavier country on 18th August.  Both sites showed unambiguous K deficiency which again was reflected in better grain size and lower screening measures on the K adequate windrow.  The sandy site had more severe K deficiency and bigger responses than the loamy site which had a higher soil K status.  Both areas would respond to K fertilizer applications.

The results in this years risk management trial emphasised the importance of knowing:

• the nutrient status of your soils prior to sowing, and
• potential of the soils. The starting soil nitrogen at Birchip was particularly low (55kg/ha N) resulting in a significantly lower yield for the Low Input scenario compared to the High Input and Best Bet treatments.

The Low Input scenario also resulted in significantly lower protein and significantly higher screenings. These results suggest that there was not enough nitrogen to sustain a crop even in a dry finish, eventually affecting the final gross margin of the Low Input system.

As the climate is changing to warmer conditions and the atmosphere contains more CO2 (also called CO2 fertilisation), crops grow more quickly and mature earlier. It is important to be aware of these effects on crops so that the risk of frost or heat shock reducing crop yield can be better managed. Even though the climate is warming, it is not clear whether the occurrences of frosts are reducing. In fact, there is anecdotal evidence that frost severity and frequency are not changing, which could be because there is reduced moisture in the atmosphere. If this is the case, it will have implications for sowing time and variety choice. Through the use of PA and VR, growers are able to sow different varieties on more frost prone areas. Without this technology, growers would either need to sow different zones separately, reducing efficiencies, or treat the paddock as a whole, which may see reduce yields and risk in various zones. To demonstrate the advantages of this strategy, over the past two seasons, BCG and SPAA have undertaken paddock scale trials. Two demonstrations were undertaken to compare two varieties of different maturity at two different sowing times.

During 2010, trials were carried out on a number of paddocks near Dookie, Vic and Yarrawonga, VIC to explore the relationship between in-season crop reflectance, crop biomass and crop nitorgen content. In-season crop reflectance was measured using CropCircle snesors, which use NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index). The ultimate goal is to assess the suitability of the data to assist in making decisions on crop nitrogen requirements as the season unfolds. In this reprt one of the paddocks at Dookie is used as an example.

• High Density Legumes (HDLs) offer a profitable 1 year (potentially 2 year) break crop option for cropping rotations, as an alternative to the traditional pulse break crop.
• HDLs offer greater flexibility in that they can be grazed, cut for hay/silage or green manured. They also have the potential to produce significant quantities of regrowth after cutting or grazing, extending the period of high quality green feed on offer after other pastures have dried off.
• HDLs offer substantial benefits to the following crop(s) in the rotation, including high nitrogen input, disease break and weed control (if managed correctly). Their superior economic returns, compared with pulses, depend on the grower's ability to rotationally graze HDLs throughout winter and spring (and early summer if the season permits), and/or the capacity to use or sell large quantities of hay or silag

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

• In a dry season, there was a small grain yield benefit (90kg/ha) for wheat that followed terminated vetch and field peas (1.5-2.4t/ha of biomass), compared with fallow and terminated medic.
• Soil water benefits from fallow and legume termination don’t occur with dry spring finishes.
• Using soil tests to measure nitrogen mineralisation helps you to properly evaluate the benefit of a legume crop or pasture in a rotation.

Results from this demonstration suggested that in the dry season of 2006, there were yield benefits from wider row cropping. Whilst the results showed no significant differences between the nil nitrogen by row spacing treatments for yield (see Table 1. shaded plots), correct placement of nitrogen during the season for wider row spacings showed a yield advantage.

Whilst the year was dry, there appeared to be a significant yield difference between varieties, no matter what the row spacing or nitrogen treatment. When analysis was undertaken to compare row spacing, nitrogen and variety responses, there still appeared to be significant differences within one variety, suggesting the importance of row width and nitrogen placement.

The relatively new herbicide Sakura is currently registered for use in wheat only; in barley this product caused a yield penalty. Effects may not be seen in early stages of plant growth, as Sakura affects the root system. Deep sowing did not have an interaction with Sakura application.

• SARDI funded and managed a barley nitrogen trial at Conmurra to value add to the MFMG field day.
• A nitrogen response was observed at Conmurra in 2016.
• Bass out-yielded Compass at the two lower N rates.
• Applying 100 kg N/ha to Bass resulted in a similar yield to applying 200 kg N/ha, whilst maintaining maximum grade, MALT 1.
• Compass was highest yielding at 7.0 t/ha and 200 kg N/ha.
• All Compass treatments achieved F1.