Break crops pay in the Mallee

2010 - 2012

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Claire Browne (BCG)
James Hunt (BCG)
Therese McBeath (CSIRO)
Year(s) 2010 - 2012
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Hopetoun, VIC
Break crops pay in the Mallee locations
Aims

To identify low risk, profitable break crops and end-uses for the Mallee region, and quantify their benefits to subsequent wheat crops.

Key messages

Wheat yields in 2012 were higher following hay, brown manure or fallow in 2011, probably due to extra water conserved in these treatments. Crop sequences including a break crop are at least as profitable as continuous wheat, with some examples of substantial profit gain. Where continuous cereals are grown, cutting wheat for hay can provide substantial yield and profit benefits to subsequent wheat in seasons with low growing season rain.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC BWD00012
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This project was funded by GRDC project BWD00012 Yielding benefits through partnerships and CPS00111 Identifying farm scale opportunities to improve WUE: A nationally coordinated systems approach. Contributors include: Warakirri Bullarto Downs for hosting the experiments over five years; Ian Delmenico of CropRite Pty Ltd conducted the site EM survey; Damian Mowat and Brett Cox of CSIRO made soil water characterisations; John Stuchbery of JSA Independent for agronomic advice; Mel Cann of DPI Victoria for providing soil descriptions and Grant Hollaway made root disease assessments.


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Wheat Forage: Pea Oilseed: Canola Hay: Vetch
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Rotation
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Hopetoun 2010 Wheat

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2010 Pea

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2010 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2010 Vetch

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2011 Wheat

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2011 Pea

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2011 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2011 Vetch

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2012 Wheat

Sow date 4 May 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

4 May - MAP + Zn 55kg/ha 9 July - 41kgN/ha (Block A, B & C) 14 Aug - 19kgN/ha (Block A & B)

Hopetoun 2012 Pea

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2012 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Hopetoun 2012 Vetch

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Download results

Trial results 2010 crop

@T1: Pre Sowing @T2: December 2011
# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Hay yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Plant available water (mm) Plant available water (mm)
1 2011 Crop Canola 5.4 4.5 170 98
1 2011 Crop Fallow 5.4 5.2 169 117
1 2011 Crop Peas 5.6 4.9 162 100
2 2011 Crop Vetch 5.4 5.3 166 109
2 2011 Crop Wheat 5.2 3.9 163 100
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Grain yield t/ha


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Hay yield t/ha


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Plant available water mm


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Hopetoun, VIC Sand over clay
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Hopetoun, VIC Tenosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Hopetoun VIC
2012 574.9mm
2011 609.6mm
2010 527.8mm
2009 462.3mm
2008 454.1mm
2007 455.4mm
2006 441.2mm
2005 483.1mm
2004 436.8mm
2003 429.3mm
2002 387.1mm
2001 445.0mm
2000 453.4mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Hopetoun VIC 2012


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 150mm

Derived climate information

Hopetoun VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 02-12-2019 10:46am AEST