Evaluation of forage varieties in a cropping system 2009

2009
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Cam Conoby (Seedmark PlanTech)
Reece Hardwidge (Seedmark PlanTech)
Contact email cconboy@planttech.com.au,
Contact phone 0428 134 796
Year(s) 2009
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Frances, VIC
Evaluation of forage varieties in a cropping system 2009 locations
Aims

To investigate using alternative crops in medium to high rainfall zones.

Key messages

With increasing pressure on rotations, there are a number of forage options that can be considered;

  • On higher fertility sites, with better N levels-  Annual ryegrass such as Drummer and Grassmax as well as forage cereals such as Graza 80 and 51 are an option
  • Brassicas (Leafmore) should be avoided on canola stubble
  • On lower N sites, Blaza Crimson Clover,  Laser Persian Clover, Zulu Arrowleaf clover and Bolta Balansa grow reasonable hay and fix Nitrogen
  • Further work needs to be conducted to evaluate competition value (esp with Wimmera RG) and yield benefits to following crops.   
Frances VIC 2009

- A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options at the MFMG site at Frances.

- Drummer Annual tetraploid ryegrass (6.482t/ha DM) grew the largest amount of dry matter, followed by Graza 80 (5.491t/ha DM) and Grassmax (5.099t/ha)

- The annual clovers grew signifcantly less dry matter,  with Laser Persian Clover growing (3.025t/ha DM),  Zulu Arrowleaf (3.008t/ha DM) and Bolta Balansa (2.977t/ha)  
                                               
 - The cereal/grass based options grew more DM and offered more competition, but legume & broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in case of legumes, nitrogen fixation. - More work required to show possible yields, both  as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options  

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial funding source Seedmark
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Martin and Kirsty Flower,  Colloborating Farmers, MFMG  Krysteen McElroy, SARDI Jack Kay,  Seedmark Shane Ebert 
 
 


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type Pasture: Mixed species
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Blocked

Frances 2009

Sow date 28 May 2009
Harvest date 28 September 2009
Plot size 20m x 1.8m
Plot replication 4
Plot blocking Yes
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser

100kg/ha MAP at sowing

Herbicide

 Knockdown;  Roundup & Hammer  Clovers +  Rape -19 Aug 09;  

Liase + Verdict 520 + Select + Hasten  Clovers & Grasses;  19 Aug 09;  Tigrex 

Pesticide

100ml Fastac + 100ml Dimethoate on 11 Jun 2009  

Download results

Trial results Dry matter yield

# Treatment 1
Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Graza 51 Forage oat 4.062
2 Graza 80 Forage oat 5.491
3 Grassmax Dip Annual RG 5.099
4 Drummer Tp Annual RG 6.482
5 Leafmore Forage Rape 2.338
6 Blaza Crimson Clover 2.977
7 Zulu Arrowleaf Clover 3.008
8 Laser Persian Clover 3.025
9 Bolta Balansa Clover 2.687
10 Gairdner Barley 4.115

Dry matter t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Frances, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Frances, VIC Sodosol
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 Frances VIC
2009 400.2mm
2008 347.0mm
2007 332.5mm
2006 375.5mm
2005 434.1mm
2004 538.6mm
2003 531.2mm
2002 455.7mm
2001 488.0mm
2000 445.6mm
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.

Frances VIC

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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: 23-11-2021 13:19pm AEST