• There are no standout wheat varieties for the Wimmera.
• Scout yielded well in this trial but limited data are available.

• Trojan and Beckom were the highest yielding in the Mallee and Trojan, Cosmick and Scepter topped the yields in the Wimmera.
• There was a 0.5t/ha advantage in having earlier sowing varieties in the Wimmera (sown on 18 May), over later sowing
• Cosmick, Corack and Mace have performed consistently well over the last six years in NVT, showing their adaptability to these regions regardless of sowing time.

Corack, Cosmick and Correll were soild performers in the Mallee in 2014.

Mace and Shield were the highest yielding varieties in the Wimmera (Horsham).

Mace, Scout an Corack topped the variety trial in the West Wimmera (Nhill). 

Corack and Mace have been solid performers for the past three years across the Wimmera and Mallee regions. 

 

• The most intense of three heat events avegarged 35.5 degrees celcius and reduced grain numbers per spikelet by 21%.
• Significant genetic variation was observed for floret sterility induced by natural heat events. The variety Halberd was identified as most heat tolerant and Westonia as most heat sensitive.
• The results indicate a genetic variation that could be exploited to improve wheat crop resilience under heat stress. 

The best performing varieties at the Berriwillock trial site (central Mallee) in 2003 were Annuello, H45 and Yitpi. The worst performing variety in the trial was JNZ Clearfield.

• Scepter was the highest yielding variety (or equal highest) at Berriwillock, Quambatook and Pira (based on one year of data only).
• Earlier maturing varieties such as Corack, Mace, Derrimut and Hatchet CL Plus tended to be higher-yielding than later maturing varieties.
• In Mallee National Variety Trials (NVT) Corack, Mace, Cosmick and Shield have been higher than the site mean for the last five years. 
• When averaged over the last five years, Mace, Corack, Cosmick, Scout and Derrimut have yielded better than the site mean in Wimmera NVTs. 

There was no influence of seeding rate on crop production in 2012 at Mullewa when the crop was sown close to the break. However there was a yield penalty with the higher seeding rate when the sowing time was delayed by a month. These results are in contrast to 2011 at Mullewa . Increasing seeding rate increased crop production when sown close to the break and there was no effect on  roduction with increasing seeding rate when seeding was delayed.

Emergence: 

Emergence was staggered for the first sown treatments only. This is because seeding was on the 11th May into a drying seed bed. It had rain ed in April and early May. The second sowing time was on the 7th June. Rainfall in June was 56 mm.The seeding rate treatments targeted 100, 200 and 300 plants/m2. The actual plant population was 100, 147 and 200 plants/m2 respectively (averaged across variety and sowing time). The range in ears produced across treatments was not large however it was a significantly different between the highest (145 ears/m2) and the lowest seeding rate (137 ears/2) (ave across variety and sowing time).

Yield:

At Mullewa, there was no interaction between seeding rate, sowing time and variety on crop yield. However, there was an interaction between seeding rate and sowing time on crop production for all varieties. When sown close to the break of the season, changing seeding rates did not affect crops yields significantly. In contrast to the first sowing time, the grain yield (averaged across all varieties) was significantly reduced at the higher actual plant population compared to the middle and lower targe ted plant populations of 100 and 147 plants/m2. Delaying seeding by a month later, reduced crop production by 500 - 600 kg/ha. This equates to 20kg/day/ha.

Emu Rock, Mace and Corack were the higher yielding varieties at each sowing time. Emu Rock and Mace are AH varieties, Corack is an APW variety.

Quality:

There was no influence of seeding time, plant density or variety on grain protein (P>0.05). Initial assessment of grain screenings includes whole and cracked grain. Except for Emu Rock, screenings of all varieties were lower than 5% when sown at the first sowing time (P<0.05). Observations of Emu Rock at harvest suggest the screenings are a result of mechanical damage, rather than small grain (further measurements are to be undertaken to assess this).

.

Sowing time has a greater influence on production of all wheat varieties than seeding rate. Weed competition is one factor which can limit early sowing and increasing crop competition through increasing plant density has been demonstrated as a useful non chemical tool to reduce weed growth. The research has demonstrated that increasing plant density did not adversely affect crop yield or grain quality of crops sown close to the break of the season in May however higher plant densities of varieties sown in June did reduce yield of wheat varieties.There was no influence of seeding rate on crop production in 2012 at Mullewa when the crop was sown close to the break. However there was a yield penalty with the higher seeding rate when the sowing time was delayed by a month. These results are in contrast to 2011 at Mullewa. Increasing seeding rate increased crop production when sown close to the break and there was no effect on production with increasing seeding rate when seeding was delayed.

A very dry year resulted in wheat yields being depressed, particularly with the later maturing varieties. Despite this, a number of varieties, both commercial and experimental, yielded very well.

A very dry year resulted in wheat yields being depressed, particularly with the later maturing varieties. Despite this, a number of varieties, both commercial and experimental, yielded very well.

The trial was very well grown, with no problems that may have impacted on the quality of the data generated. There were significant visual differences observed between the sprayed and unsprayed treatments, particularly in varieties such as Mitre and Chara.

With many varieties showing a high level of rust resistance throughout this trial (see Figure 3-2), it also appears that those varieties have lower quality or are classified feed. The only variety to show significant yield benefits from using fungicide is the only variety to have AH classification - Mitre.

• Carnamah was the highest yielding variety and returned the greatest gross margin.
• Two recently released varieties, Blanco and Shenton, don't appear to be well suited to this environment.
• There was no rust seen in this trial. If disease was present some of the newer varieties may have performed better than Carnamah and Wyalkatchem.

• All of the Durum wheats yielded lower than the bread wheats.
• This trial suggests that Durum wheat won't perform as well as bread wheats in the low rainfall areas.
• The other issue with Durum is that it can only be received at the Metro Grain Centre.

• There was no significant yield difference between the hard wheats, however, Carnamah did have a higher yield than both Drysdale and Ashenton.
• Calingiri outperformed Arrino in this particular trial.

Yitpi performed well in this trial and looks the most promising of the newer varieties.

• Carnamah, Wyalkatchem and Yitpi all yielded extremely well.
• Shenton and Land had yields that were significantly lower than the other three varieties.

For results and discussion please see the attached trial report.

In spite of a warm and very dry October combined with 3 frosts over the site, the winter wheat varieties performed well. Tennant, with the longest maturity of the 4 winter wheat varieties was the variety most affected by the dry, hot October. MacKellar performed extremely well, with a yield of 5.9 t/ha. The spring wheat varieties all produced high screenings as well as high protein. This was the result of the later sowing coupled with the seasonal conditions. Silverstar, an early maturing variety, produced an outstanding yield, possibly being affected less by frost than the other varieties.

As previously stated, the trial was purely for demonstration purposes. Due to rainfall and seasonal constraints, varieties such as Sentinel and Pugsley possibly did not go through to full potential. Intially these varieties looked to have good in crop vigour, and Pugsley seemed to have some in built stripe rust defence. Half the plots were sprayed with Folicur, but there is no yield data available. All varieties are worth pursuing in a replicated trial next year, but possibly try some more milling (AH) types also.

• Axe yielded significantly lower than Mace and Espada in the demonstration.
• Due to the early maturity of Axe relative to Mace and Espada, Axe did not receive the full iquid nitrogen program before coming to head which may have had an impact on final yield.
• High screenings were the result of cracked grain rather than small grain.
• Interpret results of farmer demonstrations carefully and utilise numerous sources of data to make final decisions regarding varieties.

It would appear that the use of an insecticide has increased the yield of the varieties. A two spray programme appears to be better than a one spray programme. The problem is that MacKellar is resistant to BYDV and there should not be any increase in yield due to the insecticide sprays, assuming that the spray was only controlling the aphid population causing BYDV. It is either a trial anomaly or there is some other beneficial effect from the use of the insecticide spray.

Best options for the 2003 season are:

• Yitpi for low rainfall, sodic or light textured soils, particularly where boron levels are high.
• Annuello for low to medium rainfall areas where the domestic market is targeted to achieve a price premium.
• Mitre for medium rainfall, alkaline to slightly acid soils.
• Chara for medium to high rainfall and irrigation on neutral to acid soils.
• H45 as a late sowing option where CCN is controlled. Be aware of the stripe rust risk.

Earlier maturing lines tended to yield well and this may relate to a large daily temperature gradient at flowering for the later lines.

• Average grain yield from wheat varieties was 5.1 t/ha but due to differences in disease resistance there was a broad range from 6.9 to 1.6 t/ha.
• For further take home messages please see the attached trial report.

Grain yields were very high due to the reasonably good finish to the season (see Table 1 in attached trial report.).

For further results and discussion please see the attached trial report.

• Top three hard wheats were EGA Bonnie Rock, Annuello and Wyalkatchem.
• Top noodle wheat: Calingiri.

• Experiments investigating the tolerance of crop varieties to herbicides are conducted by State agencies throughout Australia, supported by funding from GRDC. Details and results of the studies can be found in State publications, and also on the NVT web site, www.nvtonline.com.au.
• Information provided summarises this work in SA since 1993.

Eleven of the 14 sites were harvested. All the participating farms received well below their average growing season rainfall and consequently the average yield per site varied from 0.3t/ha at Rainbow and Rupanyup North to 2.3t/ha at Goroke. Protein ranged from 12 to 17% and screenings varied from 1 to 15%. Most sites had screenings below 5%. There was little varietal difference for protein and screenings.

• On-farm demonstrations were used to compare wheat variety performance in the Wimmera. Wyalkatchem, Ventura, Pugsley, Mitre and GBA Sapphire all performed well in this year’s trials.
• It is difficult to make a decision about which variety is best. If a change in variety is required be sure to consider all characteristics about the variety, considering long term yield data and make sure it is suited to your environment with the desired quality characteristics.

• Axe, Wyalkatchem and Gladius appear to be the wheat varieties that use added P efficiently.
• Scout is able to maintain yield when no P is added.

• There was no yield response to increased P rates in any variety tested suggesting that adequate available soil P masked any purported difference in P use efficiency between varieties.
• However, there was a trend in that the grain yield of the variety Axe increased in response to higher levels of P in both the replicated and broad acre studies.

• Sowing date, particularly for mid–late maturing varieties, was found to be a significant determinant of grain yield potential, with yield reductions of >25% observed due to a delayed sowing date (8 May vs. 7 June).
• Variety and sowing date in particular affected grain quality parameters, with a significant increase in the level of screenings for all varieties when the sowing date was delayed.
• Higher plant populations had a greater influence on grain yield when the sowing date was delayed. Yield potential was optimised at 200 plants/m2 for a 7 June sowing date vs. 100 plants/m2 for the earlier 8 May sowing date, supporting the principal of increasing targeted plant populations when sowing is delayed.
• Altering variety and maturity type, and increasing targeted plant population in response to a delayed sowing date did not fully compensate for yield losses associated with a delayed vs. timely sowing date.

Conclusions:

Results from this experiment highlight the importance of timely sowing, particularly for mid–late maturing varieties. Yield reductions of approximately 1.3 t/ha averaged across plant population treatments were recorded for the mid–late maturing varieties LRPB LancerA and EGA GregoryA with delayed sowing, which equates to a 25% and 26% yield decline, respectively. Similarly, the late maturing variety EGA EaglehawkA suffered a yield penalty of around 22% (0.98 t/ha) whilst the mid maturing variety SuntopA suffered a 14% (0.70 t/ha) yield reduction due to delayed sowing. In comparison, the earlier maturing varieties LRPB DartA and LRPB SpitfireA suffered only minimal yield reductions when SD was delayed. Importantly however, the earlier maturing varieties did not exhibit any yield advantage over the later maturing varieties in SD 2 and were significantly lower yielding than these varieties at SD 1. Temperature and plant available water during anthesis/grain fill would also have affected both yield potential and grain quality parameters, with limited effective in-crop rainfall in September/October, and temperatures exceeding 35 °C for an extended period from 4 October. The longer season variety EGA EaglehawkA in particular had high screenings for both SDs, and also produced a low yield in SD 2, reinforcing the need to sow this variety early due to its lack of adaptability under unfavourable conditions. Increasing plant population had a greater influence on GY when SD was delayed, with yield potential optimised at 200 plants/m2 in SD 2 vs. 100 plants/m2 in the earlier SD 1, supporting the principal of increasing targeted plant populations with delayed sowing. These findings further emphasise the advantage of planting early in the sowing window compared to delayed sowing just simply in terms of input seed requirements. Variety selection and sowing date particularly affected grain quality parameters and screenings. There was a significant increase in the level of screenings for all varieties when sowing was delayed. LRPB LancerA was the only variety in this experiment that achieved screenings of <5%, but only at SD 1. All other varieties, including LRPB LancerA in SD 2, exceeded the critical 5% screenings receival standards level. LRPB LancerA appears to have excellent grain stability with significantly lower screenings than either EGA GregoryA or SuntopA. Findings from this experiment indicate that there were differences between varieties in terms of grain stability, due possibly to variations in kernel shape/plumpness and or kernel weight stability. These results also highlight the adaptability of some of the mid–late season 16 | NSW Department of Primary Industries varieties, and the yield and quality advantages of sowing these varieties early, compared with sowing earlier maturing varieties later

Maturity of wheat varieties and their associated phenological traits need to be considered when making decisions about
variety selection and seeding programs. The correct combination is required to achieve yield potentials across different seasonal
conditions. In seasons with an early break or situations which require early feed, winter wheat varieties have shown the ability to mature, provided they are sown early. High rainfall zone growers should be aware of disease pressures when sowing early.
If sowing later, mid-maturity spring wheats that have a moderate vernalisation and moderate photoperiod requirement have out-performed the early maturing varieties with weak vernalisation and weak photoperiod, regardless of the spring finish.

• Average treated (foliar fungicide) wheat yields in the trial were 6.23 t/ha.
• The late timing of the rain in November tended to favour the longer season varieties.
• The highest yielding commercially available variety was Mackellar at 116% of the site mean.
• The top two yielding varieties were red grained wheat.
• Stripe rust pressure was extremely high at the site giving an average yield increase of 0.21t/ha from applying a two spray fungicide programme.

Wheat varieties were evaluated at Epping Forest (dryland) and Hagley (irrigated) and average yields were 4.1 and 8.3 t/ha respectively. The CSIRO line 95102.1 was again a consistent performer with very high rankings at both sites and has been high yielding across 5 years of evaluation, in both dual purpose and grain‐only trials. Tenders are currently being called for and multiplication of this line has commenced. Alberic also yielded well and commercialisation arrangements need to be initiated,
particularly for growing under irrigation and high yield potential sites. Overall the performance of the European and NZ lines was reasonably good but less than that of the better CSIRO lines. New lines from overseas will be evaluated in 2008‐09 however it is unlikely these varieties will provide the instant panacea that many believe to be the case. A number of CSIRO lines performed reasonably well and will be further evaluated.

• The trial yielded an average of 6.87t/ha. This was above the water limited yield potential* of 6.65t/ha, suggesting that as a mean figure across all varietal performance the trial outperformed its capability based on the growing season rainfall it received.
• Revenue was the highest yielding variety at 8.37t/ha and Lincoln was the lowest variety at 5.60t/ha.
• The majority of varieties were graded to the feed market, with Lincoln the only one achieving quality (H2).
• Harvest prices this season and the higher yield performance of feed varieties indicate there was no financial benefit in chasing quality premiums.

• The trial yielded an average of 5.88t/ha for the 2011 season. This was below the water limited yield potential* of 6.39t/ha suggesting that as a  mean figure across all varietal performance the trial under-performed against its capacity based on the growing season rainfall it received.
• Revenue (7.45t/ha) was the highest yeilding wheat and was significantly different from all other wheat varieties except Beaufort (6.2t/ha).
• Lincoln was the only variety that achieved a quality premium (APW1), the rest went for feed.
• Harvest prices this season and the higher yield performance of feed varieties indicate there was no financial benefit in chasing quality premiums.

• Amarok yielded highest out of the TOS1 wheat varieties. Bolac and Wedgetail had the highest protein content.
• Preston produced the highest yeild of the TOS2 wheat varieties.
• For varieties grown in both TOS1 and TOS2, their combined average yields were significantly highter in TOS2 thatn TOS1. The test weight for TOS2 wheat also tended to be higher thatn the test weight of the varieties of wheat grown at TOS1.
• Longer maturity varieties in each trial tended to out-yield shorter season cultivars.

• Look at stripe rust scores and yield with and without stripe rust control.
• Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) had a large effect on yield at many sites.

• Look at stripe rust scores and yield with and without stripe rust control.
• Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) had a large effect on yield at many sites.

• Look at stripe rust scores and yield with and without stripe rust control.
• Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) had a large effect on yield at many sites.

Consistent performance from Cobra, Beaufort and Scout.

The wet winter and subsequent waterlogged conditions through June and July resulted in reduced tillering, particularly in the earlier maturing varities, and overall yield performance was reduced.

• Emu rock is well suited as a replacement for Bonnie Rock in lower rainfall areas.

• Wyalkatchem wheat reinforces its position in the cropping rotation.
• Annuello and Magenta also performed well.
• Biscuit and noodle wheats performed well but market access needs to be checked.

• Grain quality can be as important as yield.
• Need to consider gross margin.
• Falling numbers test not well correlated with sprouting.
• Long term results show a number of varieties with similar high performance.

• Need to consider gross margin.
• Grain quality can be as important as yield.
• Some newer varieties have better yields and gross margins.

Two seasons data reaffirms newer varieties preforming well.

• Variety relative performance consistent last two seasons.
• Need to consider gross margin.
• Gross margin driven by yield and quality.
• Canobolas Trit high yielding feed option.

• Average treated wheat yields in the trial were 4.81 t/ha.
• The late timing of the rain in November tended to favour the longer season varieties which were just starting to grain fill at this time.
• Of the 20 varieties included in the trial, 5 are not commercially available at present.
• The highest yielding commercially available variety was Amarok at 111% of the site mean.
• The top four yielding varieties were red grained wheat.
• Stripe rust pressure was extremely high at the site giving an average yield increase of 0.21t/ha from applying a two spray fungicide programme.

• Average treated wheat yields in the trial were 4.2 t/ha.
• The late timing of the rain in November tended to favour the longer season varieties which were just starting to grain fill at this time.
• Of the 14 varieties included in the trial 6 are commercially available at present.
• The highest yielding commercially available variety was Mackellar at 120% of the site mean.
• Stripe rust pressure was extremely high at the site giving an average yield increase across all varieties of 0.2t/ha from applying a two spray fungicide programme.
• Chara increased yield from 1.93t/ha to 3.83t/ha with a $30/ha fungicide programme.

• These trials are carried out each year to assess the range of wheat varieties at several sites across the South-East.
• The regular use of fungicides for disease control within wheat NVT has reduced the impact of disease on grain yield performance, placing greater importance on the use of disease guides for varietal choice.  
• Need to minimise or avoid sowing of susceptible varieties which do not meet minimum disease standards unless a vigilant and successful disease control strategy is in place.
• Data from the NVT (National Variety Trial) data contains long-term site results. This data should be utilised to reduce the effect of seasonal variability in the decision-making process. 

• Importance of a sound fungicide strategy is highlighted at sites where there are unsprayed plots. The variation in yield between sprayed and unsprayed plots depends on the disease rating of the variety, and this should always be  taken into account when selecting new varieties.
• Long term site results should also be utilised to reduce the effect of seasonal variability in the decision making process. 

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

• These trials are carried out each year to assess the range of wheat varieties at several sites across the South East.
• Cosmick, Trojan and Corack are the highest long-term yielding varieties across all of the South East NVT sites.
• Variety trial sites are selected and managed to maximise the full genetic potential of each variety; when selecting varieties ensure that the disease profile of varieties is taken into account.
• Early vs late sowing at Conmurra highlighted the importance of matching the variety to the time of sowing to maximise yield.