ALTERNATIVE IRRIGATED SUMMER CROPS

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) James Heffernan (Cox Rural)
Felicity Turner (MacKillop Farm Management Group)
Contact email jheffernan@coxrural.com.au and projects@mackillopgroup.com.au
Year(s) 2014
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Naracoorte, SA
ALTERNATIVE IRRIGATED SUMMER CROPS locations
Aims

The project aimed to identify the potential for alternative summer crops in increasing the $return/ML water. It looked at demonstrating summer pulses (suitable for human consumption), summer grain crops (suitable for livestock consumption) and also various grazing fodder species. 

Key messages

• Sow as soon as soil temperatures reach the recommended minimum for the crop type
• Moisture probes are a valuable tool for irrigation scheduling and monitoring soil moisture
• Understand and plan agronomic and irrigation requirements of your selected crop. Short season crops will require less water and may fit into a ‘double cropping’ program.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

South East Natural Resources Management Board (funding body )James Heffernan, Cox Rural, Naracoorte
Bruce McLean, Landholder, Bool Lagoon
Tim Powell, Integrated Irrigation
Bruce Badman (Precision Seeder) and SARDI NVA Team, Struan (spraying and seeding assistance)


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Sorghum Cereal (Grain): Millet Oilseed: Sunflower Grain Legume: Cowpeas
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
  • Irrigation: Rate
  • Irrigation: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Naracoorte 2014 Sorghum

Sow date varied - please see report
Harvest date varied - please see report
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Naracoorte 2014 Millet

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

Naracoorte 2014 Sunflower

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

Naracoorte 2014 Cowpeas

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
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
Naracoorte, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Naracoorte, SA 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 Naracoorte SA
2014 255.5mm
2013 266.8mm
2012 259.3mm
2011 316.9mm
2010 278.3mm
2009 275.0mm
2008 250.3mm
2007 246.7mm
2006 227.2mm
2005 269.2mm
2004 298.0mm
2003 280.5mm
2002 209.4mm
2001 243.9mm
2000 248.0mm
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

Loading

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.

Naracoorte SA

CAUTION: Trial site locality unknown; Climate data sourced from MacKillop Farm Management Group office location
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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 23-11-2021 12:58pm AEST