Investigating late winter and early spring cereal cropping opportunities for grain growers following autumn waterlogging – South-Western Australia

2022
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources
<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr> Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc.

Trial details

Researcher(s) Dan Fay
Lizzie von Perger
Contact email dan.fay@scfarmers.org.au
Contact phone 08 9842 6653
Year(s) 2022
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Condingup, WA
Green Range, WA
Munglinup, WA
Needilup, WA
Further information View external link
Investigating late winter and early spring cereal cropping opportunities for grain growers following autumn waterlogging – South-Western Australia locations
Aims

This one-year investment aimed to provide growers and advisers along the South Coast of WA with greater confidence to make decisions on whether to sow a cereal crop later in the growing season (late winter, early spring) after crop failure, or inability to seed, due to early season waterlogging. It also aimed to provide some data on what varieties and nitrogen fertiliser strategies might be required for later sown crops.

 

 

Key messages

The trials implemented demonstrated that crops can be successfully established in late winter and early spring when conditions are favourable, with barley yields as high as 7 t/ha harvested at the Munglinup trial site with a late-August sowing date. The trial data also showed that main season and shorter season varieties, for the most part, yielded similar to each other. Results relating to nitrogen treatments were variable, most likely due to the ‘all up front’ application and the leaching that occurred due to above-average rainfall received.

Condingup WA 2022

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)

Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials sown by experienced trial providers and were monitored throughout the growing season. Measurements for each treatment across each time of sowing included:

Plant establishment (plants/m2)

Growth stages

Harvest yield (t/ha)

Grain protein (%)

The trials were each sown in three ‘time of sowing’ blocks with 12 randomised wheat treatments and 18 randomised barley treatments. This totalled 90 small plots at each site. 

Green Range WA 2022

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)

Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials sown by experienced trial providers and were monitored throughout the growing season. Measurements for each treatment across each time of sowing included:

Plant establishment (plants/m2)

Growth stages

Harvest yield (t/ha)

Grain protein (%)

The trials were each sown in three ‘time of sowing’ blocks with 12 randomised wheat treatments and 18 randomised barley treatments. This totalled 90 small plots at each site.

Munglinup WA 2022

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)

Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials sown by experienced trial providers and were monitored throughout the growing season. Measurements for each treatment across each time of sowing included:

Plant establishment (plants/m2)

Growth stages

Harvest yield (t/ha)

Grain protein (%)

The trials were each sown in three ‘time of sowing’ blocks with 12 randomised wheat treatments and 18 randomised barley treatments. This totalled 90 small plots at each site.  

Needilup WA 2022

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

  • Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)
  • Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)
  • Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials sown by experienced trial providers and were monitored throughout the growing season. Measurements for each treatment across each time of sowing included:

  • Plant establishment (plants/m2)
  • Growth stages
  • Harvest yield (t/ha)
  • Grain protein (%)

The trials were each sown in three ‘time of sowing’ blocks with 12 randomised wheat treatments and 18 randomised barley treatments. This totalled 90 small plots at each site.

Lead research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Host research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial funding source GRDC SCF2208-001SAX
Trial funding source Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc.
Related program Regional Cropping Solutions Network
Acknowledgments

This project received funding support from the Grains Research & Development Corporation. Stirlings to Coast Farmers would like to express its appreciation to South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA), Fitzgerald Biosphere Group and trial site hosts.


Other trial partners South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA)
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Pasture: Mixed species
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
  • Crop: Nutrition
  • Adverse Effects Management: Waterlogging
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Condingup 2022

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date late August, mid-September, Late-September
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

Other trial notes

The South Coast grain growing region of Western Australia is prone to waterlogging events that severely impact grain production.

This one-year investment aimed to provide growers and advisers along the South Coast of WA with greater confidence to make decisions on whether to sow a cereal crop later in the growing season (late winter, early spring) after crop failure, or inability to seed, due to early season waterlogging. It also aimed to provide some data on what varieties and nitrogen fertiliser strategies might be required for later sown crops.

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

  • Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)
  • Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)
  • Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials implemented demonstrated that crops can be successfully established in late winter and early spring when conditions are favourable, with barley yields as high as 7 t/ha harvested at the Munglinup trial site with a late-August sowing date. The trial data also showed that main season and shorter season varieties, for the most part, yielded similar to each other. Results relating to nitrogen treatments were variable, most likely due to the ‘all up front’ application and the leaching that occurred due to above-average rainfall received.

Green Range 2022

Sow rate or Target density varied
Sow date late August, mid-September, Late-September
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

Other trial notes

The South Coast grain growing region of Western Australia is prone to waterlogging events that severely impact grain production.

This one-year investment aimed to provide growers and advisers along the South Coast of WA with greater confidence to make decisions on whether to sow a cereal crop later in the growing season (late winter, early spring) after crop failure, or inability to seed, due to early season waterlogging. It also aimed to provide some data on what varieties and nitrogen fertiliser strategies might be required for later sown crops.

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

  • Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)
  • Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)
  • Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials implemented demonstrated that crops can be successfully established in late winter and early spring when conditions are favourable, with barley yields as high as 7 t/ha harvested at the Munglinup trial site with a late-August sowing date. The trial data also showed that main season and shorter season varieties, for the most part, yielded similar to each other. Results relating to nitrogen treatments were variable, most likely due to the ‘all up front’ application and the leaching that occurred due to above-average rainfall received.

Munglinup 2022

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date late August, mid-September, Late-September
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser

Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

Other trial notes

The South Coast grain growing region of Western Australia is prone to waterlogging events that severely impact grain production.

This one-year investment aimed to provide growers and advisers along the South Coast of WA with greater confidence to make decisions on whether to sow a cereal crop later in the growing season (late winter, early spring) after crop failure, or inability to seed, due to early season waterlogging. It also aimed to provide some data on what varieties and nitrogen fertiliser strategies might be required for later sown crops.

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

  • Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)
  • Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)
  • Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials implemented demonstrated that crops can be successfully established in late winter and early spring when conditions are favourable, with barley yields as high as 7 t/ha harvested at the Munglinup trial site with a late-August sowing date. The trial data also showed that main season and shorter season varieties, for the most part, yielded similar to each other. Results relating to nitrogen treatments were variable, most likely due to the ‘all up front’ application and the leaching that occurred due to above-average rainfall received.

Needilup 2022

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Late August, Mid-September, Late September
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser

Two Nitrogen Treatments - High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen

Other trial notes

The South Coast grain growing region of Western Australia is prone to waterlogging events that severely impact grain production.

This one-year investment aimed to provide growers and advisers along the South Coast of WA with greater confidence to make decisions on whether to sow a cereal crop later in the growing season (late winter, early spring) after crop failure, or inability to seed, due to early season waterlogging. It also aimed to provide some data on what varieties and nitrogen fertiliser strategies might be required for later sown crops.

Four small plot trials, with similar treatments and trial designs, were implemented along the South Coast of WA in 2022. Two of these were located in the Albany Port Zone (Green Range and Needilup) and two in the Esperance Port Zone (Munglinup and Condingup).  Each trial site included:

  • Three times of sowing (late August, mid-September, Late-September)
  • Two wheat (Vixen and Scepter) and three barley varieties (Maximus, Planet and Rosalind)
  • Two nitrogen treatments (High - 80 units of nitrogen, Low - 40 units of nitrogen)

The trials implemented demonstrated that crops can be successfully established in late winter and early spring when conditions are favourable, with barley yields as high as 7 t/ha harvested at the Munglinup trial site with a late-August sowing date. The trial data also showed that main season and shorter season varieties, for the most part, yielded similar to each other. Results relating to nitrogen treatments were variable, most likely due to the ‘all up front’ application and the leaching that occurred due to above-average rainfall received.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Summary Results - Green Range

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Wheat - Vixen Late August Lower N (40N) 9.27 172 5.47
2 Wheat - Vixen Late August Higher N (80N) 9.63 168 5.54
3 Wheat - Scepter Late August Lower N (40N) 9.6 131 4.93
4 Wheat - Scepter Late August Higher N (80N) 9.37 148 4.94
5 Barley - Maximus Late August Lower N (40N) 11.87 175 3.13
6 Barley - Maximus Late August Higher N (80N) 11.5 155 4.44
7 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Lower N (40N) 9.93 173 5.58
8 Barley - RTG Planet Late August Higher N (80N) 9.6 152 5.42
9 Barley - Rosalind Late August Lower N (40N) 10 129 4.26
10 Barley - Rosalind Late August Higher N (80N) 10.37 145 5.66
11 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Lower N (40N) 9.8 181 3.73
12 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Higher N (80N) 9.63 179 4.39
13 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Lower N (40N) 9.27 134 3.16
14 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Higher N (80N) 9.67 142 3.92
15 Barley - Maximus Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.4 168 1.86
16 Barley - Maximus Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.53 173 3.5
17 Barley - RGT Planet Mid September Lower N (40N) 9.3 178 4.05
18 Barley - RTG Planet Mid September Higher N (80N) 9.83 183 4.22
19 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Lower N (40N) 10.77 171 2.71
20 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.73 154 3.68
21 Wheat - Vixen Late September Lower N (40N) 9.9 165 2.8
22 Wheat - Vixen Late September Higher N (80N) 10.07 156 3.32
23 Wheat - Scepter Late September Lower N (40N) 9.57 162 2.76
24 Wheat - Scepter Late September Higher N (80N) 10.2 130 2.75
25 Barley - Maximus Late September Lower N (40N) 11 163 1.73
26 Barley - Maximus Late September Higher N (80N) 11 167 2.15
27 Barley - RGT Planet Late September Lower N (40N) 10.33 173 2.14
28 Barley - RTG Planet Late September Higher N (80N) 10.3 176 2.68
29 Barley - Rosalind Late September Lower N (40N) 9.73 162 2.88
30 Barley - Rosalind Late September Higher N (80N) 11.13 162 1.14

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Emergence plants plants/m2


Loading

Protein %


Loading

Trial results Summary Results - Needilup

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Wheat - Vixen Late August Lower N (40N) 10.33 137 2.79
2 Wheat - Vixen Late August Higher N (80N) 11.93 145 2.86
3 Wheat - Scepter Late August Lower N (40N) 10.87 144 2.91
4 Wheat - Scepter Late August Higher N (80N) 10.93 128 2.87
5 Barley - Maximus Late August Lower N (40N) 10.57 130 2.67
6 Barley - Maximus Late August Higher N (80N) 10.97 139 2.67
7 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Lower N (40N) 9.93 136 2.55
8 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Higher N (80N) 12.83 127 2.52
9 Barley - Rosalind Late August Lower N (40N) 11.03 116 2.59
10 Barley - Rosalind Late August Higher N (80N) 11.83 136 3
11 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.93 175 2.69
12 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.87 175 2.91
13 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Lower N (40N) 10.93 164 2.64
14 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.33 167 2.77
15 Barley - Maximus Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.03 191 2.69
16 Barley - Maximus Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.57 182 2.47
17 Barley - RGT Planet Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.8 179 2.55
18 Barley - RTG Planet Mid September Higher N (80N) 12.03 197 2.58
19 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Lower N (40N) 10.37 175 2.57
20 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.37 185 2.98
21 Wheat - Vixen Late September Lower N (40N) 12.2 139 2.22
22 Wheat - Vixen Late September Higher N (80N) 12.07 126 2.07
23 Wheat - Scepter Late September Lower N (40N) 12.2 144 2.11
24 Wheat - Scepter Late September Higher N (80N) 11.6 164 2.15
25 Barley - Maximus Late September Lower N (40N) 11.03 129 2.01
26 Barley - Maximus Late September Higher N (80N) 11.3 131 2.14
27 Barley - RGT Planet Late September Lower N (40N) 10.8 137 2.15
28 Barley - RTG Planet Late September Higher N (80N) 10.1 159 2.43
29 Barley - Rosalind Late September Lower N (40N) 10.37 149 2.17
30 Barley - Rosalind Late September Higher N (80N) 11.63 140 2.13

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Emergence plants plants/m2


Loading

Protein %


Loading

Trial results Summary Results - Condingup

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Wheat - Vixen Late August Lower N (40N) 11.9 101 5.36
2 Wheat - Vixen Late August Higher N (80N) 11.23 111 5.37
3 Wheat - Scepter Late August Lower N (40N) 11.5 104 4.91
4 Wheat - Scepter Late August Higher N (80N) 11.23 119 5.18
5 Barley - Maximus Late August Lower N (40N) 13.65 122 8.037
6 Barley - Maximus Late August Higher N (80N) 13.05 157 7.39
7 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Lower N (40N) 10.7 128 5.192
8 Barley - RTG Planet Late August Higher N (80N) 10.23 114 5.366
9 Barley - Rosalind Late August Lower N (40N) 11.267 148 7.844
10 Barley - Rosalind Late August Higher N (80N) 11.233 138 8.285
11 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Lower N (40N) 9.9 99 5.85
12 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.4 113 5.36
13 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Lower N (40N) 9.83 106 5.93
14 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.97 103 5.46
15 Barley - Maximus Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.933 122 5.587
16 Barley - Maximus Mid September Higher N (80N) 12.6 114 5.796
17 Barley - RGT Planet Mid September Lower N (40N) 10.73 104 3.47
18 Barley - RTG Planet Mid September Higher N (80N) 10.5 101 4.495
19 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Lower N (40N) 10.83 110 6.714
20 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.63 111 6.854
21 Wheat - Vixen Late September Lower N (40N) 10.13 105 4.83
22 Wheat - Vixen Late September Higher N (80N) 11.27 104 4.36
23 Wheat - Scepter Late September Lower N (40N) 9.87 104 4.95
24 Wheat - Scepter Late September Higher N (80N) 10.27 99 4.66
25 Barley - Maximus Late September Lower N (40N) 11.7 126 3.372
26 Barley - Maximus Late September Higher N (80N) 12.3 121 4.089
27 Barley - RGT Planet Late September Lower N (40N) 9.7 114 4.262
28 Barley - RTG Planet Late September Higher N (80N) 9.8 118 4.996
29 Barley - Rosalind Late September Lower N (40N) 10.2 116 4.97
30 Barley - Rosalind Late September Higher N (80N) 9.967 119 5.555

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Emergence plants plants/m2


Loading

Protein %


Loading

Trial results Summary Results - Munglinup

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Wheat - Vixen Late August Lower N (40N) 11.1 98 6.01
2 Wheat - Vixen Late August Higher N (80N) 11.4 98 5.99
3 Wheat - Scepter Late August Lower N (40N) 10.63 91 5.95
4 Wheat - Scepter Late August Higher N (80N) 11 100 6.02
5 Barley - Maximus Late August Lower N (40N) 12.33 91 6.471
6 Barley - Maximus Late August Higher N (80N) 13.4 98 7.251
7 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Lower N (40N) 11.87 88 6.413
8 Barley - RGT Planet Late August Higher N (80N) 12.7 85 5.554
9 Barley - Rosalind Late August Lower N (40N) 11.73 100 7.12
10 Barley - Rosalind Late August Higher N (80N) 12.43 104 6.885
11 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Lower N (40N) 12.07 86 4.15
12 Wheat - Vixen Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.64 87 3.85
13 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Lower N (40N) 11.87 96 3.77
14 Wheat - Scepter Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.57 94 3.77
15 Barley - Maximus Mid September Lower N (40N) 13.4 109 5.456
16 Barley - Maximus Mid September Higher N (80N) 12.47 94 5.14
17 Barley - RGT Planet Mid September Lower N (40N) 13 88 3.932
18 Barley - RTG Planet Mid September Higher N (80N) 12.133 100 4.363
19 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Lower N (40N) 13.367 102 4.963
20 Barley - Rosalind Mid September Higher N (80N) 11.967 106 5.083
21 Wheat - Vixen Late September Lower N (40N) 11.07 96 2.52
22 Wheat - Vixen Late September Higher N (80N) 11.2 108 2.62
23 Wheat - Scepter Late September Lower N (40N) 10.67 104 1.37
24 Wheat - Scepter Late September Higher N (80N) 11.37 105 1.69
25 Barley - Maximus Late September Lower N (40N) 11.633 129 4.077
26 Barley - Maximus Late September Higher N (80N) 12 127 3.797
27 Barley - RGT Planet Late September Lower N (40N) 11.67 108 2.835
28 Barley - RTG Planet Late September Higher N (80N) 12.6 119 2.468
29 Barley - Rosalind Late September Lower N (40N) 11.267 134 3.906
30 Barley - Rosalind Late September Higher N (80N) 12.033 136 3.61

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Emergence plants plants/m2


Loading

Protein %


Loading

Climate

Condingup WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 399.2mm

Green Range WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 715.6mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 359.7mm

Munglinup WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 344.4mm

Needilup WA 2022


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 179.5mm

Derived climate information

Condingup WA

Green Range WA

Munglinup WA

Needilup WA

Condingup WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Green Range WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Munglinup WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Needilup WA

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

Final Technical Report



Trial last modified: 06-06-2023 14:40pm AEST