Two year break phases can boost wheat yields and profits

2013

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Todd McDonald (MSF)
Michael Moodie (MSF)
Peter Telfer (SARDI)
Nigel Wilhelm (MSF)
Year(s) 2013
Contributor Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.
Trial location(s) Wargan, VIC
Two year break phases can boost wheat yields and profits locations
Aims

The GRDC Low Rainfall Crop Sequencing project is identifying the effects that different break crops and rotations have on Mallee farming systems. Farmers have increasingly adopted continuous cereal cropping strategies as non-cereal crops are perceived as riskier than cereals due to greater yield and price fluctuations. However, break phases can enhance productivity and profitability of subsequent crops and it important the frequency and magnitude of these rotational benefits are measured so that so that farmers can be confident of the long term benefits of more diverse crop sequences.

Key messages
  • There was a significant step up in 2013 wheat yields from rotations which included a one year break previously compared to where there had been a two year break.
  • The break crop benefit of a one year break may only last one season if grass weeds are a significant factor.
  • Large break crop benefits of 0.5-1.25 t/ha were achieved following a two year non-cereal break phase compared to continuous wheat.
  • The benefit of a two year break had little to do with the phases chosen for those two breaks.
  • The eight most profitable crop sequences over a three year period in this trial had two year breaks in them.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAS00119
Related program Low Rainfall Crop Sequencing
Acknowledgments

This trial is a collaboration between MSF and SARDI with funding from the GRDC.


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Rotation
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Wargan 2013

Sow date 15 May 2013 15 May 2013
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

• There was a significant step up in 2013 wheat yields from rotations which included a one year break previously compared to where there had been a two year break • The break crop benefit of a one year break may only last one season if grass weeds are a significant factor. • Large break crop benefits of 0.5-1.25 t/ha were achieved following a two year non-cereal break phase compared to continuous wheat • The benefit of a two year break had little to do with the phases chosen for those two breaks. • The eight most profitable crop sequences over a three year period in this trial had two year breaks in them.

Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Wargan, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Wargan, VIC Calcarosol
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 Wargan VIC
2013 265.8mm
2012 337.4mm
2011 402.5mm
2010 355.6mm
2009 281.4mm
2008 255.7mm
2007 252.4mm
2006 258.7mm
2005 310.7mm
2004 277.7mm
2003 283.5mm
2002 219.2mm
2001 270.8mm
2000 231.8mm
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

Loading

Climate

Wargan VIC 2013


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 130mm

Derived climate information

Wargan VIC

Loading
Loading
Loading

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: 23-07-2019 15:45pm AEST