This report has been prepared in good faith on the basis of information available at the date of writing without any independent verification. While the information in this report is believed to be correct, no responsibility is accepted for its accuracy. No liability is accepted for any statement, error or omission. The Corrigin Farm Improvement Group will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information in this report. Readers are responsible for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content of this report. Please note that permission by the author is required for articles being reproduced or presented. The Corrigin Farm Improvement Group does not endorse or recommend any product, manufacturer or service included in this publication. It is intended for growers to use the information to make more informed adoption decisions about these practices, products, or services.
| Researcher(s) | N/A |
|---|---|
| Contact email | admin@cfig.org.au |
| Contact phone | 0476046100 |
| Year(s) | 2006 |
| Contributor | Corrigin Farm Improvement Group |
| Trial location(s) |
Corrigin, WA
|
To better match fertilizer inputs to productivity zones to increase whole paddock profitability.
To document and evaluate a practical procedure utilizing tools and services that are readily available for zoning paddocks and matching fertilizer inputs to productivity zones.
Variable results were achieved in 2006 when matching fertiliser inputs to productivity zones. Results ranged from an increase in paddock returns of $2700 to a loss of $4500 compared to a blanket application of fertiliser.
After 8 trials over 4 years it remains unclear if the adoption VRT and applying fertiliser according to the performance of each productivity zone is likely to generate significant profits when compared to blanket applications of fertiliser in the Corrigin district. The information gathered in the process does however allow farmers to better understand their paddocks and their crops fertiliser requirements to assist in making profitable fertiliser decisions.
Where soils have a high nutrition status (N, P, K, S) and low reactive iron there is scope for farmers to significantly reduce fertiliser inputs in the short term and still achieve profitable grain yields.
The Corrigin Farm Improvement Group (CFIG) has replicated these types of trials more than 8 times over 4 years with similar results and as yet it is unclear if the adoption of VRT and applying fertiliser according to the performance of each productivity zone is likely to generate significant profits when compared to blanket applications of fertiliser in the Corrigin district. The information gathered in the process does however allow farmers a better understanding of their paddocks and the crops fertiliser requirements to assist in making profitable fertiliser decisions. In most situations there are trends or small increases in profit that suggest that zone management may have merits, however the seasonal variability in yields (Wet, dry, drought, frost) seems to prevent the treatments achieving their full response. Our previous trials have indicated that zone management to ameliorate soils and correcting potassium deficiencies can be highly profitable. It would appear logical to use VRT to assist growers to play the season with post emergent applications of nitrogen. The paddock could be sown with blanket nutrition and if there is an above average season addition nitrogen could be applied to the higher yielding zones in the paddock. CFIG will focus on this in the final year of the project.
| Lead research organisation |
Corrigin Farm Improvement Group |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation |
Corrigin Farm Improvement Group |
| Trial funding source | GRDC |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
Corrigin Farm Improvement Group and participating farmers, GRDC, James Easton CSBP. |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Unknown |
| Trial design | Unknown |
| Sow date | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
| Fertiliser |
Zoning Paddocks and Estimating Crop Nutrition Requirements The Corrigin Farm Improvement Group in conjunction with ConsultAg and DAFWA conducted 5 trials looking at Precision Agriculture and Variable Rate Technology. Summarised within this paper are 2 trials from 2006. The rest of the trials performed in a similar manner. Paddocks were zoned using Silverfox’s biomass imagery analysis. The analysis incorporated biomass data from 5 seasons of crop performance. This produces a biomass stability map. The biomass stability map identifies zones in the paddock that consistently show poor, average or good performance. This is a useful tool in precision agriculture because it also helps to identify those areas which are unstable in their performance through time. Target yields for each productivity zone were set using the biomass images and farmer experience. Soil testing was undertaken in each zone at a depth of 0-10cm and 1 |
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.
Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR)
Some crop varieties used in research trials may be covered by Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR). Users should confirm PBR status of relevant varieties by searching the IP Australia PBR database, http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/pbr_db/ or Variety Central (http://varietycentral.com.au/) and contacting variety owners for further information if required. Where possible, varieties have been listed according to their registered PBR name, although OFT cannot and does not guarantee that the information is accurate or complete.
Note that PBR cover is administered through the Plant Breeders’ Right Act 1994 (