Risk management strategies for growing canola in the low rainfall zone

2015

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Mick Brady (DEDJTR)
Therese McBeath (CSIRO)
Michael Moodie (MSF)
Andrew Ware (SARDI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor CSIRO - Agriculture and Food
Trial location(s) Minnipa, SA
Risk management strategies for growing canola in the low rainfall zone locations
Aims

This project was undertaken to identify strategies that minimise the risk of canola production in the low rainfall zone.  This will improve the long term profitability of canola in low rainfall farming systems.
 

Key messages
  • Contrasting canola yields were observed at two sites in 2015 highlighting both the potential and the risks of growing canola in the southern Australian low rainfall zone.
  • Sowing at the earliest opportunity and applying N at seeding or early in the crop’s development produced the highest grain yields.
  • Purchasing hybrid canola instead of using farmer retained open pollinated canola provided no advantage in 2015. 
Lead research organisation Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC CSP00187
Related program Optimised Canola Profitability Project
Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) for providing the funding. Thank you to Alan Crook and the Minnipa Agricultural Centre for providing the land to the trials. Thank you to Dr. Ray Correll (Rho Environmetrics) for completing the statistical analysis for these trials. ATR Stingray is a registered variety of Nuseed Pty Ltd. Hyola 450TT is a registered variety of Pacific Seeds.


Other trial partners DEDJTR - Vic, SARDI, CSIRO
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
  • Fertiliser: Timing
  • Sowing: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Minnipa 2015

Sow rate or Target density 2.5 kg/ha
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Nitrogen was applied as urea at the same rate (150 kg urea/ha) at all application times. N timing matched the target growth stage for each time of sowing treatment. Nitrogen was applied to the fixed sowing date treatments on 12th June, 7th July and 21st July and the later sowing date on 7th July, 31st July and 10th August for the respective post emergent, bolting and flowering N application. 

100kg/ha of single superphosphate was applied at sowing to supply phosphorus and sulfur.

Herbicide

Weeds were controlled in each trial using group A, C and D herbicides.

Insecticide

Multiple products were used during the season to control insects including aphids in spring.

Other trial notes

Further Information - Michael Moodie:

  • Email: michael.moodie@msfp.org.au
  • Phone: 0448612892 
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
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
Minnipa, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa, SA 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 Minnipa SA
2015 289.3mm
2014 336.5mm
2013 290.8mm
2012 330.8mm
2011 383.4mm
2010 385.3mm
2009 391.3mm
2008 330.4mm
2007 331.2mm
2006 334.5mm
2005 288.0mm
2004 296.1mm
2003 293.2mm
2002 283.3mm
2001 343.9mm
2000 389.0mm
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

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Minnipa SA

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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 last modified: 14-05-2023 08:13am AEST