Understanding return on investment of sub-surface water management options for waterlogged areas in the Western Region (Albany Port Zone)

2021 - 2023
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources
<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr> Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc. Preston Farms (WA) Amerillup Pastoral Co

Trial details

Researcher(s) Philip Honey
Contact email philip.honey@scfarmers.org.au
Contact phone 0428768589
Year(s) 2021 - 2023
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Perillup/Forest Hill, WA
Tenterden, WA
Further information View external link
Understanding return on investment of sub-surface water management options for waterlogged areas in the Western Region (Albany Port Zone) locations
Aims

This trial aims to assist growers in making informed decisions around the construction of sub-surface drainage to reduce the impacts of waterlogging on crop production and farm profitability. By 2024, 45% of growers whose properties are affected by waterlogging will have a good understanding of the yield benefits and time to return on investment of installation of on-farm sub-surface drainage and ability to implement on-farm.

Key messages
  • Sub-surface drainage has resulted in improved production results at both demonstration sites located in Cranbrook & Perillup, with an initial economic payback period based on an estimated 2-to-7-year period, dependent upon trial site location and the associated field of influence. 
  • The two demonstration sites had exceptional yield responses in 2021 & 2022, with values circa 47% yield improvement in Barley, 39 – 73% yield improvement in Canola, and a lesser yielding of 3.7-12.2% achieved in 2023 with Wheat in a heat-stressed environment.
  • Whilst yield improvements were seen across both demonstration sites, yield was impacted by heat-stress & drought-stress during flowering & grainfill in 2023.  
  • Sub-surface drainage is a waterlogging management solution that requires substantial upfront investment from growers, with fully “installed” costs typically estimated at around $15,500 - $17,000/km*.
Lead research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Host research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial funding source GRDC 9178044
Trial funding source Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc.
Trial funding source Preston Farms (WA)
Trial funding source Amerillup Pastoral Co
Related program Improving Water Use Efficiency
Acknowledgments

The SCF Sub-Surface Drainage projects have been supported by a combination of individual farm contributions [Amerillup Pastoral Co & Preston Farms], Stirlings to Coast Farmers and Grains Research & Development Corporation funding support, and technical support from Drainage Downunder.


Other trial partners Amerillup Pastoral Co, Preston Farms, Drainage Downunder (Subterranean Services Pty Ltd)
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Oilseed: Canola Cereal (Grain): Wheat Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Adverse Effects Management: Waterlogging
  • Management systems: Precision Agriculture
Trial type
Trial design

Perillup/Forest Hill 2022 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Insecticide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Seed treatment Not specified
Other trial notes

Established in early 2021, the Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) GRDC Sub-Surface Drainage project investigates methods of managing waterlogging within the Albany Port Zone through the use of slotted pipe buried at depth. Since installation, Stirlings to Coast Farmers have been monitoring the demonstration site to determine the effectiveness of slotted pipe in mitigating waterlogging, and also determine its effective potential return on investment to growers. A range of monitoring activities have been conducted throughout 2021 and are planned for the upcoming next two growing seasons, including plant counts, biomass analysis, soil and water analysis and yield analysis to harvest 2023. The results from the Stirlings to Coast Farmers Sub-Surface Drainage site will be collated and compared against those collected from the projects sister-site located in the Esperance Port Zone.

 

Perillup/Forest Hill 2023 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Insecticide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Seed treatment Not specified
Other trial notes

Established in early 2021, the Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) GRDC Sub-Surface Drainage project investigates methods of managing waterlogging within the Albany Port Zone through the use of slotted pipe buried at depth. Since installation, Stirlings to Coast Farmers have been monitoring the demonstration site to determine the effectiveness of slotted pipe in mitigating waterlogging, and also determine its effective potential return on investment to growers. A range of monitoring activities have been conducted throughout 2021 and are planned for the upcoming next two growing seasons, including plant counts, biomass analysis, soil and water analysis and yield analysis to harvest 2023. The results from the Stirlings to Coast Farmers Sub-Surface Drainage site will be collated and compared against those collected from the projects sister-site located in the Esperance Port Zone.

 

Tenterden 2021 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 100kg/ha
Sow date 11 May 2021 11th May 2021
Harvest date 15 December 2021 15th December 2021
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser

Sowing [11 May 2021]

  • 93kg/ha MAP + Zn Fert
  • 20kg/ha Muriate of Potash (MoP)
  • 7kg/ha Manganese Sulphate
  • 50L/ha UAN

N:K Application - 150kg/ha (70% Urea, 30% MoP) - [15 June 2021]

First Node Fungicide spray - 0.3kg/ha RapiSol Copper, 60L/ha UAN - [03 July 2021]

UAN topup - 40L/ha UAN [28 August 2021)

Insecticide

FMC Trojan & Chlorpyrifos 500EC - 5 September 2021

Fungicide

Aviator Xpro  - 3 July 2021

Bumper 625 - 5 September 2021

Soil amelioration

Nil Amelioration.

2L/ha SACOA SE14 soil wetters utilised.

Seed treatment Hombre Ultra
Other trial notes

Established in early 2021, the Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) GRDC Sub-Surface Drainage project investigates methods of managing waterlogging within the Albany Port Zone through the use of slotted pipe buried at depth. Since installation, Stirlings to Coast Farmers have been monitoring the demonstration site to determine the effectiveness of slotted pipe in mitigating waterlogging, and also determine its effective potential return on investment to growers. A range of monitoring activities have been conducted throughout 2021 and are planned for the upcoming next two growing seasons, including plant counts, biomass analysis, soil and water analysis and yield analysis to harvest 2023. The results from the Stirlings to Coast Farmers Sub-Surface Drainage site will be collated and compared against those collected from the projects sister-site located in the Esperance Port Zone.

 

Tenterden 2022 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Insecticide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Seed treatment Not specified
Other trial notes

Established in early 2021, the Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) GRDC Sub-Surface Drainage project investigates methods of managing waterlogging within the Albany Port Zone through the use of slotted pipe buried at depth. Since installation, Stirlings to Coast Farmers have been monitoring the demonstration site to determine the effectiveness of slotted pipe in mitigating waterlogging, and also determine its effective potential return on investment to growers. A range of monitoring activities have been conducted throughout 2021 and are planned for the upcoming next two growing seasons, including plant counts, biomass analysis, soil and water analysis and yield analysis to harvest 2023. The results from the Stirlings to Coast Farmers Sub-Surface Drainage site will be collated and compared against those collected from the projects sister-site located in the Esperance Port Zone.

 

Tenterden 2023 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Insecticide Not specified
Fungicide Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified
Seed treatment Not specified
Other trial notes

Established in early 2021, the Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) GRDC Sub-Surface Drainage project investigates methods of managing waterlogging within the Albany Port Zone through the use of slotted pipe buried at depth. Since installation, Stirlings to Coast Farmers have been monitoring the demonstration site to determine the effectiveness of slotted pipe in mitigating waterlogging, and also determine its effective potential return on investment to growers. A range of monitoring activities have been conducted throughout 2021 and are planned for the upcoming next two growing seasons, including plant counts, biomass analysis, soil and water analysis and yield analysis to harvest 2023. The results from the Stirlings to Coast Farmers Sub-Surface Drainage site will be collated and compared against those collected from the projects sister-site located in the Esperance Port Zone.

 

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Yield Results - Tenterden

# Treatment 1
Growing season Crop type Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Undrained 2021 Barley 2.21
2 Drained - GRDC Main Location 2021 Barley 3.2
3 Drained - Second Location 2021 Barley 3.29
4 Non Waterlogging - Medium Performing Soil 2021 Barley 3.7
5 Non Waterlogging - High Performing Soil 2021 Barley 5.99
6 Undrained 2022 Canola 1.74
7 Drained - GRDC Main Location 2022 Canola 2.97
8 Drained - Second Location 2022 Canola 3.02
9 Non Waterlogging - High Performing Soil 2022 Canola 4.19
10 Undrained 2023 Wheat 3.45
11 Drained - GRDC Main Location 2023 Wheat 3.44
12 Drained - Second Location 2023 Wheat 3.87
13 Non Waterlogging - Medium Performing Soil 2023 Wheat 3.84
14 Non Waterlogging - High Performing Soil 2023 Wheat 4.45

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Yield Results - Perillup

# Treatment 1
Growing season Crop type Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Control - Undrained, Waterlogging Prone 2022 Canola 3.74
2 Drained - 2022 Canola 5.2
3 Control - Upslope, non-waterlogging prone 2022 Canola 5.42
4 Control - Undrained, Waterlogging Prone 2023 Wheat 4.95
5 Drained - 2023 Wheat 5.13
6 Control - Upslope, non-waterlogging prone 2023 Wheat 4.22

Grain yield t/ha


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Climate

Perillup/Forest Hill WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 709mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 570mm

Perillup/Forest Hill WA 2023


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 640mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 540mm

Tenterden WA 2021


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 480mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 749mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 598mm

Tenterden WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 569mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 463mm

Tenterden WA 2023


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 573mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 443mm

Derived climate information

Perillup/Forest Hill WA

Tenterden WA

Perillup/Forest Hill 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

SCF GRDC Sub Surface Drainage Trial - Final GRDC Technical Report

Sub Surface Drainage Trial - Cranbrook Demonstration Handbook

Benefit-Cost Analysis - SCF Sub Surface Water Management (Albany Port Zone)

Benefit-Cost Analysis - SCF Sub Surface Water Management (Albany Port Zone)

Sub Surface Drainage Trial - Trials Review Booklet (2022 Season)

Sub Surface Drainage Trial - Trials Review Booklet (2021 Season)



Trial last modified: 08-05-2024 17:20pm AEST