Profitable Crop Rotation Choices

2016 - 2017

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Simon Wallwork
Contact email eo@cfig.asn.au
Contact phone 0476046100
Year(s) 2016 - 2017
Contributor Corrigin Farm Improvement Group
Trial location(s) Corrigin, WA 6375, WA
Profitable  Crop Rotation Choices locations
Aims

The aim of this project is for the Corrigin Farm Improvement Group (CFIG) to compare the profitability of a range of crop rotations, including chemical fallowing, on a medium textured, loamy soil type east of Corrigin. Gross returns are assessed both on an annual basis and on an accumulative multi-year basis.

This project was designed to test the relative benefit of chemical fallow with a range of different crop types. The trial compared different crop types on chemical fallow with the aim to identify which crop is likely to produce the highest return. The project also aims to investigate the profitability of different rotations over multiple years which include both chemical fallows and continuous crop.

Key messages

Two significant weather events that had an important influence over the results in this project, in 2016, frost and 2017, summer rain. In 2016, there were multiple severe frost events during the critical, flowering stage of the growing season. Oats being a relatively frost tolerant species proved to be the best performing species for yield and gross returns in 2016. The broadleaf crops, both legumes and canola were severely impacted by frost.

For barley in 2016 the accumulated gross returns for two years was higher in rotation, fallow 2015; barley 2016 when compared with wheat 2015 barley 2016. This supports previous work by CFIG that including fallow in the rotation can increase gross returns over a two year period.

In season 2017 frost damage was minor when compared to 2016. Season 2017 was dominated by heavy summer rainfall and a very dry start to winter. The fallow plots were impacted by the summer rain due to lack of soil cover. The loamy, morrell soil set hard at the surface as a result of the heavy summer rain which severely impacted penetration of the seeding equipment and subsequently, crop establishment was poor. The very dry start to the season likely exacerbated the poor establishment on the fallow plots.

Oats performed well again in 2017 in terms of yield but barley produced higher gross returns. Chickpeas and lentils were the best performing of the broadleaf crops in 2017.

When the gross returns in 2017 were compared by rotation (2015-2017), it is interesting to note that 2017 cereals grown in rotation with legumes in 2016 generally performed well.

The gross returns for every rotation tested in the trial were compared on an accumulative return over 3 years (2015-2017) and the rotation with the highest accumulative return was year 1; wheat year 2; chickpeas and year 3; barley. This demonstrates the value of a legume in a rotation which contributed to the highest yielding plot, which was barley in 2017.

The top two highest total gross return rotations over three years had a legume crop in one year of the rotation. The third highest return rotation had a fallow phase which confirms fallow as a rotation option. In the top 10 highest returning rotations, 4 had fallow in one year of the rotation.

Lead research organisation Corrigin Farm Improvement Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source COGGO 20162017
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Barley Forage: Oats Cereal (Grain): Wheat Oilseed: Canola Grain Legume: Chickpeas Grain Legume: Lentils Grain Legume: Lupins
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Rotation
Trial type Unknown
Trial design Replicated

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 100kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing

 

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

9th May  2016  Fathom Barley

MAPSCZ / SOA Blend

132kg/ha

 

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8th July 2016    Fathom Barley

UAN

100L/ha

&
Herbicide

9th May 2016  Fathom Barley

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 1.5L/ha Trifluralin + 150g/ha Metribuzin

 

13th June 2016  Fathom Barley

670ml/ha Velocity + 0.5% Hasten

Insecticide

9th May 2016  Fathom Barley

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Oats

Sow rate or Target density 100kg /ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing                   

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May

Carrolup Oats

MAPSCZ / SOA Blend

132kg/ha

8th July

Carrolup Oats

UAN

100L/ha

Herbicide

9th May

Carrolup Oats

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 500g/ha Diuron + 1kg/ha Terbyne

13th June

Carrolup Oats

1L/ha Precept + 0.5% Hasten

 

 

Insecticide

9th May

Carrolup Oats

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density 100kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing                   

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May

Mace Wheat

MAPSCZ / SOA Blend

132kg/ha

 

8th July

Mace Wheat

UAN

100L/ha

Herbicide

9th May

Mace Wheat

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 1.5L/ha Trifluralin + 350g/ha Diuron

13th June

Mace Wheat

670ml/ha Velocity + 0.5% Hasten

 

Insecticide

9th May

Mace Wheat

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Canola

Sow rate or Target density 3kg / ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May 2016    44C79 IT Canola

MAPSCZ / SOA Blend

132kg/ha

 

&l

8th July 2016     44C79 IT Canola

UAN

100L/h

Herbicide

9th May  

44C79 IT Canola

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin

13th June

44C79 IT Canola

500ml/ha Select + 0.5% Uptake

Insecticide

 

9th May

44C79 IT Canola

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Chickpeas

Sow rate or Target density 80 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing                                                                                          &am

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May

Chickpeas

Triple Super

30kg

 

Herbicide

9th May

Neelam Chickpeas

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

13th JUne

Neelam Chickpeas

500ml/ha Select + 0.5% Uptake

 

Insecticide

9th May

Neelam Chickpeas

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Lentils

Sow rate or Target density 60kg / ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May

Hurricane Lentils

Triple Super

30kg

 

 

Herbicide

9th May

Hurricane Lentils

1.5L/ha Paraquat +2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

13th June

Hurricane Lentils

500ml/ha Select + 0.5% Uptake

Insecticide

9th May

Hurricane Lentils

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

Corrigin, WA 6375 2016 Lupins

Sow rate or Target density 120kg/ ha
Sowing machinery

Machine: Living Farm small plot trial seeder with Ryan tine and split boot on 25.4 cm row spacing    

Sow date 9 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

9th May

Amira Albus Lupins

Triple Super

30kg

 

 

Herbicide

9th May

Amira Albus Lupins

1.5L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

13th June 

Amira Albus Lupins

500ml/ha Select + 0.5% Uptake

Insecticide

9th May

Amira Albus Lupins

1L/ha Chlorpyrifos + 200ml/ha Bifenthrin

 

 

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 80kg / ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Barley

Fathom

Cereal Extra

70 kg/ha

Herbicide

Barley

2L/ha Paraquat + 1.5L/ha Trifluralin + 150g/ha Metribuzin

 

 

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Oats

Sow rate or Target density 100 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Oats

Banister

Cereal Extra

70 kg/ha

Herbicide

Oats

2L/ha Paraquat + 500g/ha Diuron + 1kg/ha Terbyne

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density 100kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Wheat

Mace

Cereal Extra

70 kg/ha

Herbicide

Wheat

2L/ha Paraquat + 1.5L/ha Trifluralin + 350g/ha Diuron

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Canola

Sow rate or Target density 3kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

IT Canola

44C79

Cereal Extra

70 kg/ha

Herbicide

IT Canola

2L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Chickpeas

Sow rate or Target density 80 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Chickpeas

Neelam

Triple Super

30 kg/ha

Herbicide

Chickpeas

2L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Lentils

Sow rate or Target density 60 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Lentils

Hurricane

Triple Super

30 kg/ha

Herbicide

Lentils

2L/ha Paraquat + 2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

Insecticide Not specified

Corrigin, WA 6375 2017 Lupins

Sow rate or Target density 120kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Machine; Kalyx Australia small plot trial seeder with 6 tynes on 24cm spacings with 1.44m wide plots and 12 m long

Sow date 28 April 2017
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Albus Lupins

Amira

Triple Super

30 kg/ha

Herbicide

Albus Lupins

2L/ha Paraquat +2.5L/ha Trifluralin + 1.4kg/ha Terbyne

Insecticide Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Plant establishment 2nd June 2016

# Variety
Average plants / m2 on chemical fallow 2015 (m2) Target Density plants/ m2 (m2) Average plants/m2 on Wheat 2015 (m2)
1 Canola 34 40 38
2 Albus Lupins 33 40 23
3 Wheat 158 150 217
4 Barley 183 150 206
5 Lentils 159 150 161
6 Chickpeas 41 40 39
7 Oats 213 160 263

Average plants / m2 on chemical fallow 2015 m2


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Average plants/m2 on Wheat 2015 m2


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Target Density plants/ m2 m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Corrigin, WA 6375, WA 7.60 22.00 999.99 21.00 0.93
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Corrigin, WA 6375, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Corrigin, WA 6375, WA 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 Corrigin, WA 6375 WA
2017 369.4mm
2016 323.4mm
2015 299.7mm
2014 291.0mm
2013 312.7mm
2012 329.6mm
2011 287.4mm
2010 280.8mm
2009 305.7mm
2008 271.4mm
2007 268.2mm
2006 335.3mm
2005 289.1mm
2004 288.6mm
2003 306.2mm
2002 277.0mm
2001 311.6mm
2000 382.6mm
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

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 366.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 209.5mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Corrigin, WA 6375 WA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 309mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 235.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 384.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Derived climate information

Corrigin, WA 6375 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

2016 trial report

Event Date Type Effect
Frost Damage

In 2016, there were multiple severe frost events during the critical, flowering stage of the growing season. Oats being a relatively frost tolerant species proved to be the best performing species for yield and gross returns in 2016. The broadleaf crops, both legumes and canola were severely impacted by frost.

\r\n\r\n

There was a significant number of damaging frost events at the trial site during the vulnerable stages (crop flowering and grain fill). Between July and October the minimum temperature for a 24 hour period fell below zero on 29 occasions (Appendix 1).  Assessments of frost damage to wheat and barley are included in the results section. The severity and number of frosts during the season is likely to have cause weakening of stems, particularly the canola, and subsequent lodging of plants. The frost also caused major flower abortion of all the broadleaf crops including canola, Albus lupins, lentils and chickpeas.

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July - October 2016 Severe frost N/A
Summer Rain

The total rainfall (Jan to Dec 2017) of 384.5mm is above average when compared with the long term average of 309mm at Bendering weather station (25km east of trial location). While the growing season rainfall (April to October 2017 of 187mm is below average when compared to the long term average of 235.2mm at Bendering. (Appendix 1) 35mm and 30mm of rain fell in September and October respectively. This would be considered a desirable finish to the season by local growers. Summer rain prior to the season was plentiful, between January and March 2017 total rainfall amounted to 172.75mm.

It is likely that the heavy summer rain (172mm) caused compaction on the bare surface of the 2016 fallow block. These morrell loam soil types can be susceptible to slaking, due to low organic matter. During the soil moisture testing it was observed that the topsoil for the bare fallow blocks was hard set and difficult to penetrate with auger. Also the small plot seeder did not have capability to penetrate the hard topsoil and place seed into moisture – this was exacerbated by a very dry start to the growing season.

Jan - Dec 2017 High rainfall N/A


Trial last modified: 15-12-2021 11:17am AEST