Ripper Gauge demonstration sites- Albany port zone

2018 - 2020
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nathan Dovey
Contact email dan.fay@scfarmers.org.au
Contact phone 0498278177
Year(s) 2018 - 2020
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Broomehill, WA
Darkan, WA
Kojaneerup, WA
Tenterden, WA
Ripper Gauge demonstration sites- Albany port zone locations
Aims

To evaluate the grain yield and economic benefit of soil amelioration and controlled traffic practices on a broader range of soil types across the grain growing region of WA.

This trial aims to increase the knowldege and adpotion of deep ripping techniques and controlled traffic to allieviate non-wetting soils, compaction and waterlogging. 

The trial aimed to look at the long term effects of ripping on crop yields by monitoring crop performance of the treated plots for three seasons post-ripping. 

The trial aims to raise awareness amoung growers around the decline in the effectivness of ripping over time, and the risk of re-compaction if controlled traffic is not properly implmented. 

Key messages

Soil amelioration is a vital part of farming systems in Albany Port Zone to overcome soil constraints, which limit crop yields. 

The ripping treatments resulted in minimal yield beinifits in the Tenterden and Darakan sites, due to the high gravel content in the soil, which limited compaction.

Ripping treatemtns at the Bromehill site resulted in significantly higher yields in 2018 and 2019 comapared to the untreated control (UTC), however the treatments failed too yielded significantly better then the UTC, in 2020. 

The Kojaneerup sandplain trial site was highly responsive to deep ripping to 50cm in 2020 after clay spreading. 

 

Broomehill WA 2018 Lupins

The plot sizes within the trial varied, as the bar size of the ripping equipment differed for each treatment. 

Broomehill WA 2019 Wheat

Wheat was sown over the existing ripper trial plots, to measure the long term effect of ripping on crop yield. 

Broomehill WA 2020 Canola

Canola was sown over the ripper treatments form 2018, to measure the long term effect of ripping on yields. 

Darkan WA 2019 Barley

Barley was planted over the ripped plots form 2018 to measure the long term effect of ripping on crop yield. 

Darkan WA 2020 Canola

Canola was seeded over the ripped plots form 2018 to measure the long term effect of ripping on crop yield. 

Kojaneerup WA 2019 Canola

Canola was seeded over the ripped plots form 2018 to measure the long term effect of ripping on crop yield. 

Kojaneerup WA 2020 Barley

Barley was seeded over the ripped plots form 2018 to measure the long term effect of ripping on crop yield.

Before seeding in 2020 the farmer spread clay cross the entrie paddock to reduce the risk of erosion, and mitigate the effects of non-wetting sandy topsoil. This resulted in heavy machinery (>40tonnes) moving over the trial site in random directions, re-compacting the soil. Three 50m x 50m quadrants were ripped, which were compared to the surronding unripped areas. 

 

Tenterden WA 2020 Canola

Canola was seeded over the ripped plots from 2019, to observe the long term effects of ripping techniques on yields. 

Lead research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC 9176109
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Lupins Cereal (Grain): Wheat Oilseed: Canola Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Broomehill 2018 Lupins

Sow rate or Target density 100kg\ha - Jurien Lupin
Sow date 23 May 2018
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 200m x 12m
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser

MOP 40kg/ha

MAP 55kg/ha

 

Herbicide

Pre-emergent herbicides Propyzamide600ml/ha, Simazine700g/ha were applied on the 23/05/2018

Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration

4 ripping treatments and a control were appllied in 2018.

Four treatments and a control were applied in 2018.

Treatments:

“Deep Rip”

“Moulboard Plough + Ripping”

“Plozza”

“Plozza + Ripping”

 

Broomehill 2019 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density 100 kg/ha
Sow date 22 May 2019
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 200m x 12m
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser

57kg MAP/28kg MOP applied at 85kg/ha and Flexi N applied at 50L/ha on the 22/05/2019

Urea applied on the 30/07/2019 at 60kg/ha

Trace Elements: Verno copper200gm, Verno manganese500gm

 

Herbicide

Trisulfuron10gm

Fungicide

Ester 680, 800ml

Propiconazol 280ml

Soil amelioration Not specified

Broomehill 2020 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Canola was sown
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 200m x 12m
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Darkan 2018 Canola

Sow rate or Target density 5 kg/ha Mako TT Canola
Sow date 24 May 2018
Harvest date 11 December 2018
Plot size 15m x 200m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser

Lime 2t/ha.

MAPSZC MOP 75+25 100kg/ha,

Urea 100kg/ha,

NS 31 80kg/ha

Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration

Three treatments and a control were applied in 2018.

Deepthcharger 40cm

Mouldboard 

Terreland Depp Ripper 35cm

Darkan 2019 Barley

Sow rate or Target density Planet Barley was sown
Sow date 6 June 2019
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 15m x 200m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration

Lure wetting agent applied across trial site with boom at 10l/ha approximately 21/2 weeks prior to seeding.

Darkan 2020 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 15m x 200m
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Kojaneerup 2018 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 100 kg/ha Rosiland Barley
Sow date 24 May 2018
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 12m x 150m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser

120 kg\ha K-start. 

Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration

The plot sizes within the trial varied, as the bar size of the ripping equipment differed for each treatment. 

Five treatments and a control were applied in 2018.

Treatments:

Depthcharger 40cm

Depthcharger 50cm

Tilco 40cm

Tilco 65cm

Scarifier 15cm 

 

Kojaneerup 2019 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 12m x 150m
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Kojaneerup 2020 Barley

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Tenterden 2019 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 105 kg/ha estimation
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 150m x 12m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration

Three treatments and a control were applied in 2019.

Horsch Tiger Ripper (40cm)

Plozza Plough (30cm)

Shallow Disc (20cm)

Tenterden 2020 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Canola
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 150m x 12m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Plots were laid out to ensure similar growing conditions.
Plot randomisation The plots were randomized
Fertiliser Not specified
Herbicide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Kojaneerup Yields

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Broomehill Yields

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

Trial results Darkan Yields

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Tenterden Yields

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Kojaneerup NDVI

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

NDVI .


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Plant density plants/m2


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Trial results Broomehill NDVI

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

NDVI .


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Trial results Darkan NDVI

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type

NDVI .


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Trial results Tenterden 2020 NDVI

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

NDVI .


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Trial results Tenterden 2019 Average Depth (cm) where Spring Penetrometer reaches 3MPa

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Trial results Tenterden 2019 Barley Quality

# Variety
Treatment 1
Trial site

Colour minimum


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Moisture %


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Trial results Kojaneerup 2020 Barley Yields after Clay Spreading and Deep Ripping

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Trial results Bromehill Average Soil Breakout 07/05/2018

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Soil loosening depth cm


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Trial results Kojeneerup Average Soil Breakout 2019

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Soil loosening depth cm


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Trial results Darakan Average Soil Breakout Depth 2018

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Soil loosening depth cm


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Trial results Tenterden Average Molarity of Ethanol Droplet (MED)

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site

Average Molarity mol L-1


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Darkan, WA 0 - 10cm GR 4.90 0.08 55.00 49.00 14.00 15.00 4.51
Tenterden, WA 0 - 10cm BRBK 5.40 0.10 49.00 201.00 26.00 11.00 4.25
Darkan, WA 0 - 10cm GRBR 4.70 0.07 66.00 73.00 36.00 21.00 4.94
Kojaneerup, WA 0 - 10cm 4.70 0.04 6.00 216.00 16.00 3.00 0.80
Darkan, WA 0 - 10cm GR 4.70 0.07 66.00 73.00 36.00 21.00 4.94
Broomehill, WA 0 - 10cm GR 5.60 0.06 30.00 69.00 20.00 5.00 1.97
Broomehill, WA 0 - 10cm LTGR 5.60 0.16 29.00 74.00 22.00 4.00 1.33
Broomehill, WA 0 - 10cm BRYW 4.60 0.02 15.00 15.00 2.00 1.00 0.93
Broomehill, WA 0 - 10cm GRBR 4.70 0.74 66.00 73.00 36.00 21.00 4.94
Darkan, WA 10 - 20cm GRBR 4.50 0.04 62.00 46.00 18.00 13.00 2.77
Kojaneerup, WA 10 - 20cm 4.10 0.02 2.00 30.00 7.00 0.00 0.02
Darkan, WA 10 - 20cm GR 4.50 0.04 62.00 46.00 18.00 13.00 2.77
Broomehill, WA 10 - 20cm BRYW 4.80 0.02 14.00 24.00 5.00 3.00 0.02
Broomehill, WA 10 - 20cm GRBR 4.50 0.04 62.00 46.00 18.00 13.00 2.77
Darkan, WA 20 - 30cm BRYW 4.50 0.03 20.00 28.00 7.00 2.00 1.84
Kojaneerup, WA 20 - 30cm 5.30 0.01 4.00 18.00 2.00 0.00 0.10
Darkan, WA 20 - 30cm GR 4.60 0.03 20.00 28.00 7.00 2.00 1.84
Broomehill, WA 20 - 30cm BRYW 4.60 0.03 20.00 28.00 7.00 2.00 1.84
Kojaneerup, WA 30 - 40cm 5.23 0.00 3.00 15.00 2.00 0.00 0.10
Kojaneerup, WA 40 - 50cm 5.10 0.01 4.00 44.00 2.00 0.00 0.10
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Broomehill, WA Not specified
Darkan, WA Not specified
Kojaneerup, WA Not specified
Tenterden, WA Brown sandy clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Broomehill, WA Sodosol
Darkan, WA Sodosol
Kojaneerup, WA Tenosol
Tenterden, WA Sodosol
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

Broomehill WA 2018


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 399mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 275mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 318mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 217mm

Broomehill WA 2019


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 399mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 275mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 314mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 236mm

Broomehill WA 2020


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 399mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 275mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 205mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 293mm

Derived climate information

Broomehill WA

Darkan WA

Kojaneerup WA

Tenterden WA

Broomehill WA

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Darkan WA

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Kojaneerup WA

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Tenterden WA

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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

2018 trial report

2018 trial report



Trial last modified: 25-08-2021 13:01pm AEST