• In 2013 in Binnu , Mace was the highest yielding variety what sown on wheat stubble.
• Nitrogen application didn't influence grain yield (t/ha) but did influence protein and grain weight (kg/hL).
• Fungicide application reduced disease levels, which resulted in yield increases.
• Adequate nitrogen is not an alternative to fungicide but an additional measure to make plants less vulnerable to disease.

Early differences in Yellow Spot (YS) infection were evident at seedling/tillering stage, infection was greatest in the susceptible variety Yitpi; however, seasonal weather conditions and WSMV infection reduced any further impact from fungal leaf disease. Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and High Plains Virus (HPV) caused yellowing and stunting of plants across the trial with >75% WSMV infection evident in all plots, differences between varieties in incidence of infection were not significant. However, yield was greatest in varieties with lowest incidence of WSMV infection. WSMV and drought stresses severely reduced yield and as such results are not conclusive for nitrogen and fungicide applications in wheat on wheat systems. Similar DAFWA research in Northern Region (having no WSMV) reported that wheat with sub-optimal nitrogen and no fungicide application is more vulnerable to fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly in a susceptible variety, and may suffer yield losses (compared to optimal N and fungicide) in wheat on wheat systems. Further collaborative work will be planned in 2013 to determine the value of nitrogen and fungicide on the profitability of new wheat varieties with different disease resistances in wheat on wheat system.

• Agronomic management of canola changes considerably when sowing very early.
• There was a large yield benefit from establishing canola in mid-vs late April of approximately 40 kg/ha/day but the additional benefit of sowing in late March vs mid-April was only about 10 kg/ha/day.
• Climatic and agronomic risks increase with early sowing.

• Agronomic management of canola changes considerably when sowing very early.
• There was a large yield benefit from establishing canola in mid-vs late April of approximately 40 kg/ha/day but the additional benefit of sowing in late March vs mid-April was only about 10 kg/ha/day.
• Climatic and agronomic risks increase with early sowing.

The main messages from the agronomy trial work undertaken in 2005 were: ƒ

• After a slow start, our season in 2005 ended up producing excellent yields and quality,
• Grass weeds are becoming more and more of a concern across our region,
• Timely summer weed control is important. Spraying summer weeds over 2004/05 resulted in a 0.5 to 0.7t/ha yield increase, and
• Climate variability is something we need to learn to live with.

• Four field trials in 2018 assessed the influence of plant density, nitrogen timing and grazing on yield and quality of three long maturing wheat varieties sown early April in Western Australia.
• Based on yield, Forrest and Longsword wheat varieties are more suitable for the early sowing opportunities in April than growing a mid winter (ie EGA Wedgetail) earlier.
• If there are establishment issues sowing in early April, there is generally no penalty if establishment is down to 50 plants/m². Some varietal specific responses were observed although these responses were also driven by nitrogen timing.
• For early April sown crops, delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation improved yields at Esperance, Katanning and Yuna.
• Grazing did reduce yields by up to 0.9t/ha depending on environment and variety choice, but could be achieved with minimal yield loss for some varieties and environments.

• Barley yields averaged 1.78 t/ha compared to 1.64 t/ha for wheat.
• The barley and wheat varieties differed in their response to added nitrogen (N). Cobra, Mace and Wyalkatchem yields increased at 40 kg/ha of N as did yields of Compass, La Trobe and IGB1337. The other varieties were not responsive to added N.
• Barley had a higher tillering capacity than wheat.
• Grain quality and price will influence the profitability of added N. The current high prices for barley grain make it a profitable option. However, barley is less tolerant to acid soils and so site selection is important, as is a good understanding of grain quality and end price.

• Crop establishment was good for both sowing times due to good rainfall after seeding in 2011. Seed rates of 40 kg/ha achieved the target plant population of 100 plants/m2 on all sites. With each additional 40kg/ha of seed, plants numbers increased by approximately 50 plants/m2 at Badgingarra.   Ears/m2 increased from 219 to 320 with increasing seeding rate from 40 to 120kg/ha.   Averaged across all seeding rates, the ear numbers of Mace (227 ear/m2) were significantly lower than the other varieties (approx 275 ears/m2).
• At Badgingarra, increasing the seeding rate from 40 to 120 kg/ha increased the mean grain yield of King Rock, Mace, and Wyalkatchem at both sowing times. The mean yields of Fortune and Calingiri were not influenced by seeding rate at the May sowing time, but did increase from 40 to 120 kg/ha at the second sowing time in June (Fig. 1).   Magenta mean yields were higher at the 120 kg/ha than 40 kg/ha seeding rate at the second sowing time, but were highest with the 80 kg/ha seeding rate at the first sowing time in May.   Fungal staining of Mace and Wyalkatchem (data not presented) was greater than 5% at all seeding rates when sown on May 18th at Badgingarra.  

Seeding rate did not influence the level of screenings at Badgingarra of the varieties sown on May 18th.   The screenings of Magenta and Fortune declined when seeding was increased from 40 to 120 kg/ha at the June sowing (Figure 2).

Fungal staining of Magenta was greater than 5% for Magenta when sown at the second sowing time.  This influenced the gross income of this varieties (Table 2).   Lower yields and downgrading due to hectoliter weight (<74HLW) influenced the economic returns of Calingiri and Fortune in the first sowing time.

In a season like 2011 with good winter rainfall across all sites and stored moisture at seeding, higher seeding rates either improved maintained high grain yields when sown in May and June in a range of environments in Western Australia.   There was no evidence that increased seeding rate increased screenings risk in a season with good winter and spring rainfall.

• Airborne map images available are generally full colour, four band CIR (Colour Infrared), or manipulations of the CIR spectrums such as NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetative Index) or SVI (Standard Vegetation Index), and can provide good information about crop growth and health.
• All these images are available in digital format from an increasing range of suppliers of precision agriculture services.

Modern noodle wheat verities Kinsai, Ninja and Zen, yielded higher than Calingari in almost every trial conducted by SCF between 2016 and 2018.

Southern HRZ noodle wheat growers reduce the of downgrades resulting form falling numbers and germ ed staining y sowing noodle wheat later in the program. 

Southern HRZ growers try to avoid planting noodle wheat within 30km of the coast to reduce the risk of harvest rain, and the resulting downgrades. 

Southern growers reduce grain quality risks by prioritizing the harvest noodle varieties. Noodle wheat should be harvested once the crop is ripe and the moisture falls below 13%. HRZ growers can harvest noodle wheat at above 13%, and be dried if economically feasible. 

Kinsai had the highest cumulative yield over the span of the project. Kinsai has good physical characteristics and provides a general udon quality improvement compared to Calingari and Ninja. 

A tailored agronomy package is necessary to maximise yields and reduce the risk of missing quality grades in the HRZ. 

Sowing noodle wheat later in the sowing program will mitigate the risk of late-season rain impacting the grain quality. 

High yielding noodle wheat, that achieves ANW grade can result in similar gross margins to barley and canola. 

• No significant difference in any of the treatments.

Albus lupin
• There were no significant differences between varieties for grain yield and no trends between flowering and grain yield. The site mean for grain yield (2.7 t/ha) was above average.
• Murringo was the earliest flowering variety and had the longest flowering duration.
• Rosetta was the last variety to flower and had the highest hundred seed weight.

Faba bean
• PBA Nasma, PBA Nanu and PBA Marne were the highest yielding varieties.
  PBA Amberley, PBA Samira and PBA Bendoc yielded the lowest.
• There was a strong correlation between varieties that flowered early and had a shorter flowering duration, and higher yields.
• PBA Nanu and PBA Nasma were the earliest to flower however, they had the shortest flowering duration. PBA Amberley and PBA    Samira were last to begin flowering but flowered for up to 10 days longer.
• PBA Samira had the highest hundred seed weight whilst PBA Bendoc had the lowest.

Narrow-leaf lupin
• PBA Bateman was the highest yielding variety and had the highest hundred seed weight.
• There was a moderately strong trend that indicated yields were higher in varieties that flowered earlier. There was a moderately strong correlation between high hundred seed weight and grain yield.
• PBA Jindalee was the latest to flower and had the shortest flowering duration, which resulted in the lowest yield and the lowest hundred seed weight.
• PBA Jurien flowered the earliest and had the longest flowering duration (8 days longer than PBA Jindalee).

Chickpea
• PBA Slasher and PBA Striker yielded the highest, compared with PBA Royal,
  Genesis™090, PBA Boundary and CBA Captain, which yielded the lowest.
• Genesis™090 and PBA Royal (kabulis) flowered 5–6 days after desi varieties. Flowering duration was not significantly different between the varieties and there were no trends between flowering and grain yield.
• The kabuli varieties had a significantly higher hundred seed weight, compared with the desi varieties.

Field pea
• There was a moderately strong trend that indicated yields were higher in varieties that began flowering later and had a shorter       flowering duration.
• PBA Percy was the earliest flowering variety, followed by Sturt. PBA Butler was the last to begin flowering.
• PBA Butler, PBA Pearl, PBA Taylor and PBA Wharton were the highest yielding
  varieties. PBA Percy and Sturt were the lowest yielding varieties.
• PBA Percy had the highest hundred seed weight and Sturt had the lowest hundred seed weight.

Lentil
• The highest yielding varieties were PBA Kelpie XTA, PBA Jumbo2A, PBA Greenfield and PBA Ace. Nipper was the lowest yielding variety. There were no trends between flowering and grain yield.
• PBA Blitz and PBA Kelpie XTA were the earliest flowering varieties. However, varieties such as PBA AceA, PBA Highland XTA and PBA Hurricane XTA flowered for a similar duration as PBA Blitz (53 to 54 days) despite flowering 3–6 days after PBA BlitzA.
• PBA Kelpie XTA matured earliest and PBA AceA, PBA Jumbo2 and PBA Hurricane XTA matured last.

Faba bean
• PBA Amberley was the highest yielding variety, while PBA Samira, PBA Nanu, PBA Marne, PBA Bendoc and Nasma had similar  grain yields.
• PBA Marne and PBA Nasma had the highest hundred seed weight.
• PBA Nanu and PBA Nasma were the earliest to flower and continued to flower for over 50 days. PBA Amberley and PBA     Samira were last to begin flowering and had two of the three shortest flowering durations.
 

Albus lupin
• The early flowering Murringo was the highest yielding variety, while Luxor and Rosetta yielded similarly.
• Murringo was the earliest flowering, followed by Luxor then Rosetta.
• Rosetta had the highest hundred seed weight, while Luxor had the lowest.

Vetch
• Timok and Volga were the highest yielding varieties. Studenica and Morava yielded the lowest and were not significantly different from each other.
• There were no significant differences in peak dry matter between varieties.
• Studenica was first to flower and had the longest flowering duration. Morava flowered last.
• Studenica was the earliest to mature, followed by Volga, and Timok. Morava matured significantly later.

Lentil
• The highest yielding variety was PBA Ace. There was some loss of pod/seed due to weather conditions before harvest, but this did not influence grain yield values.
• PBA Blitz and PBA Kelpie XT were the earliest flowering varieties and had the longest flowering duration. Nipper and PBA Flash flowered last.
• PBA Kelpie XT and PBA Hallmark XT matured earliest, while Nipper, PBA Ace and PBA Jumbo2 matured significantly later.

Chickpea
• Average chickpea grain yield was significantly lower than all other pulse species at this site. This is attributed to the cooler than average mean daily temperatures affecting pod set during the critical reproductive window.
• While all varieties yielded above average for this environment, PBA Slasher was the best performing variety with a grain yield of 2.8 t/ha.

Lupin
• RosettaA was the highest yielding variety with 3.39 t/ha, with a later start and finish date to flowering as well as a longer flowering duration, than either Luxor or Murringo.
• Luxor and Murringo were similar for grain yield, days to flowering and flowering duration in 2021.
Lentil
• PBA Jumbo2 was the highest yielding variety in 2021 with 2.46 t/ha, more than 0.5 t/ha higher than all other varieties.
• PBA Bolt and PBA Kelpie XT were first to flower, with all varieties flowering within 6 days of each other.
Chickpea
• PBA Slasher was the highest yielding variety with 2.93 t/ha, with CBA Captain and PBA Boundary having similar yields.
• There was 5 days difference between the varieties in time to the start of flowering.
Field pea
• Grain yield was similar for all the field pea varieties at Wagga Wagga in 2021.
• Early flowering was seen in PBA Percy and Sturt at 101 to 103 days after sowing, and late flowering in PBA Butler at 130 days after sowing.
• Flowering duration ranged from 30 to 49 days across all varieties. PBA Butler had a very short flowering duration of 30 days while PBA Percy and Sturt flowered for over 48 days.
Vetch
• Timok grain yield was 2.14 t/ha, similar to Volga at 1.85 t/ha yet higher than the other varieties.
• Sixteen days separated the earliest flowering variety from the latest. Early flowering Studenica flowered 111 days after sowing, 16 days earlier than Morava.
• Flowering duration ranged from 30 to 43 days, for Timok and Studenica, respectively.
Faba bean
• Cairo was the highest yielding variety with 5.7 t/ha, with PBA Marne, PBA Nanu and PBA Nasma having similar yields.
• There was 12 days difference between the first variety to flower, Doza at 96.7 days after sowing, and the last variety to flower, Nura at 109 days after sowing.

It must be noted that these results have not been statistically analysed, and due to the uneven nature of frost and hail damage, results must be viewed with caution.

It must be noted that these results have not been statistically analysed, and due to the uneven nature of frost and hail damage, results must be viewed with caution.

• An H45 crop affected by stripe rust was treated with Tilt. There was no significant difference between the yield of the sprayed and unsprayed sections.
• The crop was badly hit by frost and moisture stress in September and October.
• 2003 was not a typical year in the Parkes area, so the results from this demonstration should not be used until more work is carried out in more typical seasons.

• Malting: Consider Gairdner, Schooneer, Buloke, Baudin, and Fitzroy.
• Feed grain: Consider Tantangara, in western areas consider Tilga, in the northern part of the central west also consider Binalong, Mackay and Grout, in acid areas consider Tulla.

Crop damage can occur with some of these chemicals and a good understanding of how these chemicals work and their registration status is essential before commercial use.

• Ten different crops were sown at the Birchip site on the 11th of May. None of the crops were harvested.
• If you would like further information about any of the crops described below contact Sue Knights at University of Melbourne, Longerenong campus.

• The best yielding crops were undersown barley, at l t/ha, and wheat at 0.8 t/ha.
• Excel field peas were the only alternative crop to yield similar to wheat, but like all other alternative crops, its yield was statistically different from undersown barley.
• Wheat and undersown barley were the only trial entries to have positive gross margins.
• Kaspa field peas had the lowest gross margin in the alternative crops because of high seed costs

• This experiment demonstrated the benefits of long coleoptile wheats for deep sowing.
• While there was some reduction in yield with deep sowing, the reduction in yield is likely to be much greater with short coleoptile, semidwarf wheats.
• Fewer tillers arising from a reduced number of emerged seedlings will limit yield in most environments. However, fewer tillers combined with dry conditions after emergence benefited Janz and Hartog by slowing water use at Condobolin in 1999.

• Sow as soon as soil temperatures reach the recommended minimum for the crop type
• Moisture probes are a valuable tool for irrigation scheduling and monitoring soil moisture
• Understand and plan agronomic and irrigation requirements of your selected crop. Short season crops will require less water and may fit into a ‘double cropping’ program.

There were no significatn differences in canola yields from the biological seed dressings, organic and inorganic fertilisers applied.

• In 2003 the BCG-WFS tested the bio fertiliser ‘Extra Life’ and compared it to using MAP as a standard fertiliser, at the Birchip site. There were no wheat yield or quality benefits from using the alternative nutrition product ‘Extra Life’.
• Over the many years that the BCG-WFS have been testing a wide range of alternative bio nutrition products we have never found a yield or quality benefit.

No significant differences were observed in wheat yield from the application of a range of alternative products.

• Alternative nutrition products have been tried at several trial sites over 2 years.
• There have been no yield responses to any of the products in these trials.

• Alternative nutrition products have been tested for the last 3 years at several locations around Birchip and Donald.
• In the third year of the trial, the growing season rainfall was average at Birchip and still there was no significant yield response from the products used.

• Juncea canola varieties, with the advantage of lower production costs, are being bred for the lower rainfall districts to provide a Brassica break crop option. Further breeding is required to improve the yield potential of these varieties.
• Identity preservation schemes, involving the contracted production for a particular market, are required for the production ofspecialty oils, either for human consumption (eg Monola™) or industrial use (eg Hemola™). Growers need to carefully consider the price premiums (above canola) and the agronomic performance of these varieties. Unfortunately, currently there is very limited independent evaluation of this material.

The trial was conducted near Goondiwindi on a population of ~6 barnyard grass/m2. Majority of weeds were at flag leaf emergence with first flowers visible on ~20% of the population. Average weed size was ~20cm diameter and 15cm tall.
The 1st knock application was applied commercially (Roundup + Clethodim + Starane + LVE + Banjo) with 2nd knock treatments applied 8 days later.
All 2nd knock treatments significantly increased % weed burndown, when assessed 5 days after application with Gramoxone 2.4 L/ha providing significantly increased burndown compared to all other treatments.
Assessment of regrowing barnyard grass was conducted 28 days after the 2nd knock application. The 1st knock alone had provided ~85% control with no significant improvement in control from any 2nd knock treatment. In this situation, when sprayed on advanced barnyard grass growth stages, there was no significant improvement in control from any 2nd knock treatment.

The trial was conducted near Goondiwindi on a population of ~6 barnyard grass/m2. Majority of weeds were at flag leaf emergence with first flowers visible on ~20% of the population. Average weed size was ~20cm diameter and 15cm tall.
The 1st knock application was applied commercially (Roundup + Clethodim + Starane + LVE + Banjo) with 2nd knock treatments applied 8 days later.
All 2nd knock treatments significantly increased % weed burndown, when assessed 5 days after application with Gramoxone 2.4 L/ha providing significantly increased burndown compared to all other treatments.
Assessment of regrowing barnyard grass was conducted 28 days after the 2nd knock application. The 1st knock alone had provided ~85% control with no significant improvement in control from any 2nd knock treatment. In this situation, when sprayed on advanced barnyard grass growth stages, there was no significant improvement in control from any 2nd knock treatment.

• No significant increase in yield from applying Kelpak.
• No significant difference in yields between different rates of Kelpak.
• Other preliminary trials have shown responses to high rates of Kelpak.
• Need to repeat trials where environmental factors are not restricting.
• May only have a fit when we have a good finish to the season.

• Alternative forge cereal and legume pastures offer grazing opportunities at different times during the season.
• Choose varieties according to your needs: their ability to fill feed gaps, what they offer to your rotation in terms of nutrition, root and foliar disease management, weed control and suitability for hay production.

• Phosphorus fertilisers are expected to get more expensive as demand overtakes supply.
• Fertiliser applied phosphorus can be lost rapidly on some sandy soils. There are some simple tests that can be done to indicate the risk of this happening.
• In other soils, phosphorus is fairly immobile and won’t be lost to leaching.
• Building up the soil reserves of phosphorus will make P more plant-available, regardless of how or when it is applied.
• The total phosphorus in the soil has value to you, not just the more readily available phosphorus.
• Generally if you maintain a balanced phosphorus regime, you will use everything that you apply in the long run.
• Phosphorus is fixed by most soils. This is generally a good thing as it prevents leaching losses, so unless you have ‘high risk soils’, don’t be concerned about “lockup”.
• Don’t buy into alternatives to phosphorus fertilisers that claim to improve access to phosphorus stored in the soil.

• Water repellence resulted in low plant numbers on the control plots. Ripping with inclusion plates substantially increased crop establishment which were further increased by spading, with the greatest plant density on spaded plots with lucerne pellets added.
• Physical intervention increased wheat yields on a deep water repellent sand. The controls using best practice agronomy on unmodified sands, yielded 0.5 t/ha. Ripping with inclusion plates to 30 cm doubled yield, ripping deeper to 41 cm delivered an additional 0.4 t/ha and spading to 30 cm delivered a further yield increase of 0.5 t/ha, or 1.4 t/ha better than the control.
• The addition of 5 t/ha of lucerne pellets or high rates of fertiliser increased wheat yields when incorporated by ripping to 41 cm or spading, and delivered the highest yields of 3.1 t/ha.

There was no evidence of gypsum application and deep ripping interacting to improve overall soil structure and crop growth.

Under the low rainfall conditions experienced in the 2006 wheat-growing season (particularly during grain fill) at Balliang and Mt Pollock, increases in yield could not be expected using the treatments in this experiment.

Two rates of ameliorants were applied. Data collected in early Spring showed that both treatments led to increased soil water at varying depth in soil compared to the control. Different soils responded differently. 

• Treatments combining deep ripping with surface applied nutrition (synthetic fertiliser or chicken litter) delivered the highest marginal returns, ranging from $934 - $1249/ha over three years.
• Depending on treatment cost these delivered return on investment ranging from 142 – 521%, over three years.
• Placement of high rates of chicken litter (20t/ha) or matched synthetic fertiliser in the subsoil did not provide any yield increase over surface application.

• Yield increases were small in the first year of this demonstration.
• Bigger increases may be expected in subsequent years.

• Deep ripping had an adverse effect on crop establishment and crop yield in the establishment year.

• Both lime and magnesium silicate (a blended product of 70% Doonba dunite and 30% F70 lime) were capable of increasing soil pH and decreasing exchangeable aluminium (Al) at the 20–30 cm depth where the soil amendment was applied.

• Deep placement of gypsum had no effect on soil acidity and did not improve grain yield.
 

These grower scale on-farm soil amelioration demonstrations have been managed by the growers according to standard practice. Both soil types are highly water repellent and in general the amelioration treatments have improved crop establishment, vigour and grain yield. Economic analysis indicates that the return on investment has been large as the benefits from the treatments have tended to last for at least 5-years or more at these sites. While it is possible to improve establishment, water and nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity using these techniques it is important to recognise that other constraints such as poor water and nutrient holding, soil acidity and compaction can still limit the yield potential of these soils and this needs to be considered when investing in amelioration. Liming to improve the soil pH and very deep ripping to remove compaction below 30-40 cm may well provide further yield gains beyond those achieved through amelioration of the top 10-30 cm only, and this may also help sustain the benefits of amelioration over a longer time.

These grower scale on-farm soil amelioration demonstrations have been managed by the growers according to standard practice. Both soil types were highly water repellent and the amelioration treatments have generally improved establishment but have probably had an even bigger impact on crop vigour. While it is possible to improve establishment, water and nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity using these techniques it is important to recognise that other constraints such as poor water and nutrient holding, soil acidity and compaction can still limit the yield potential of these soils. Pale sands which overly a clayey gravel or clay base within the top 1 m often have greater potential than the very deep sands.

Most treatments that altered the wetting properties of the soil improved the grain yield also. The mould board ploughing treatment was an exception due to the introduction and inter-locking gravel in the topsoil which might have impeded the germination. Once established the crop on the ploughed plots did very well. None of the treaments were able to economically improve the yield because the Control plots yielded exceptionally well.

• Deep ripping with deep nutrients was the most effective subsoil amendment in the field in 2006 and glasshouse in 2007.
• Deep ripping increased the amount of soil water deeper in the profile, but subsoil treatments did not affect soil water quality properties in this soil.

• No visual difference amongst treatments until flowering.
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• With a favourable season the later maturity of the English wheat germplasm did not give a yield increase above that of Revenue from the early (April) sowing.
• In the later (May) sowing there was a substantial yield decline from the English wheats compared with Revenue.
• Revenue appears to have a distinct advantage in being slightly earlier maturing yet still high yielding, similar attributes were not see in English wheats which were all later maturing and more prone to a dry finish.
• Both Revenue and Tennant showed tendancies to oldge despite a double applicaiton of growth regulators, no lodging was observed in the English wheats.

Within this trial, there was only a significant difference between two treatments for yield, within all 11 products applied. MV Breakdown was the highest yielding treatment at 2.995t/ha vs the 750ml/ha rate of Stubble Aid, which was the lowest yielding treatment at 2.623t/ha. All other treatments were not statistically different for yield.
All in-crop monitoring of stubble breakdown products showed that there was no significant difference within any of the treatments when compared to the control (Data being held at Melbourne University).

The reduced yield output from the pulse trials reflects the drier spring and late rains, but also appears to fit with what would have been expected from experiences elsewhere over time. Lupins and beans respond to early sowing, with yields and growth showing a drop off with the delayed sowing. Nura beans yielded significantly more when sown early (2.88t/ha vs 1.57t/ha), whilst the Farah in this trial did
not show a significant response to sowing date. Peas and chickpeas need to be sown later, and in 2007 the time of sowing differences between June and July was relatively small. Bundi peas sown at both timings yield highest at 3.44t/ha and 3.19t/ha respectively, while Kaspas did not show a significant difference in yield. The trials have therefore adequately demonstrated that pulses can be grown in the district if variety choice, best management practices and optimum sowing dates for the crop are used.

• Over all there were no significant N responses despite a high yield potential and leaching rains.
• Tissue tests did indicate some differences in the timing of N uptake (later in the case of the coated urea), however none of these differences resulted in differences in N efficiency.

• In 2004, late sowing and dry spring conditions had a greater effect on canola yield than any disease or insects pests.
• Jockey seed treatment provided significant control of blackleg at Alectown. However, Jockey did not increase grain yield.
• No disease control benefits were recorded from Maxim® or Jockey canola seed treatments at Wirrinya, Gunning Gap or Red Bend.
• Maxim seed treatment resulted in a significant grain yield increase in canola at Alectown.
• Gaucho and Cosmos did not reduce earth mite damage to canola seedlings under very high populations at Red Bend. Other control measures are needed when earth mite populations are very high

Gairdner barley averaged the highest yield for the late sown ‘Spring’ barley variety trial, recording 4.5t/ha, significantly more than VBO432 (3.66t/ha) and Copeland (3.54t/ha). Gairder barley did not yield significantly more than Flagship (4.48t/ha) or Vlamingh (4.19t/ha) Yield, test weigh and screenings were not significantly different for all varieties.Thousand grain weights (grams) were significantly higher for Vlamingh (41.58g) when compared to VBO432 (40.58g) and Copeland (37.85g) All varieties were downgraded to feed based on very high protein and low test weights.

Overall, there was a positive relationship with coleoptile length and wheat emergence in both 2021 and 2022 trials, where Halberd, Rht13 variety Magenta-13, and Rht18 varieties Mace-18 and Yitpi-18 consistently had 95-100% emergence when sown at depth. Shorter coleoptile varieties had significantly less plants emerge by comparison, such as Scepter (60-75% emergence from depth), and Mace (50-70% emergence from depth). Emergence was significantly faster for Mace-18 compared to varieties such as Scepter and Calibre when sown at depth (120 mm) into soil temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Mace-18’s coleoptile elongated twice as much as Calibre’s at 8 DAS.
The 2022 Muntadgin trial exhibited how longer coleoptile wheat had significantly more plants emerged and emergence at faster rates than shorter coleoptile varieties (100mm+ sowing) across uneven soil platforms following soil amelioration.
Rhizoctonia was prevalent in most shallow-sown plant samples (sown 35 mm dry) compared to deep sown wheat (100 mm into moisture) which exhibited very few spear-tipping symptoms in various 2021 trials, and at Ballidu in 2022.
More vigorous Rht18 varieties such as Mace-18 had significantly less annual ryegrass weeds in deep sown plots compared to Mace sown deep across three assessed locations (2022). Shallow-sown Mace-18 was more vigorous than Mace, also leading to weed out competition in conventional sowing situations. In Ballidu, deep-sown mace had significantly higher weed infestation (nearly three times the weed counts) than Mace-18 sown deep.
Overall, there was the same yield result (100-200 kg/ha difference) between shallow sown Mace and Mace-18 at 5 locations. At three of the five locations, Mace-18 yielded better than Mace when sown deep in 2022.
There were few differences in emergence and yield where various IBS and EPE herbicides were applied to shallow and deep sown wheat. Long coleoptile wheat was shown to improve crop safety where trifluralin was applied IBS, with 90 mm sown wheat, demonstrating reduced coleoptile thickening and greater seedling vigour across multiple treatments compared to 35 mm sown plots. Field walk discussions were made around exploiting the absence of nodal roots with pre-emergent herbicides when sowing deep, as mobile pre-emergent herbicides (Sakura, Luximax and Overwatch) may cause greater crop damage when washed into the root zone of shallow sown crops.

The herbicide screen in Meckering found no significant difference in emergence rates for any sowing depth or any IBS herbicide applied on the 28th of May. Plant sampling found coleoptiles to be thicker for most treatment containing Trifluralin in shallow (35 mm) sown plots (figure 20). Thickening was not as pronounced for the same treatments where sown deep (100 mm).
Similarly, coleoptile lengths showed shortening for various treatments for shallow sowings, particularly for 500 mL/ha Luximax + 2 L/ha Trifluralin treatment, and for 120 g/ha Terrain + 2 L/ha Trifluralin treatment. Deep sown treatments had little to no coleoptile shortening effects (figures 21 and 22).

• “The correlation between returns and nitrogen rates shows that applying nitrogen fertiliser can provide good value in wheat in responsive situations,” said Mr Walker.
• He said advisers examining the combined data should consider the nitrogen rates generally used in their region.
• Mr Walker encouraged advisers to base their nitrogen recommendations on sound information.

• Angel will tolerate residual levels of SU herbicides.
• Angel can be controlled to the same degree as Herald using a MCPA and Lontrel mix.

• Angel shows excellent tolerance to summer SU herbicide application.
• After using SU herbicides for summer weed control Angel can be grown with minimal effect on pasture productivity.

• Despite the lower yield of Tanjil compared to some other varieties Tanjil is still recommended in the high rainfall area because it is the variety with the best resistance to anthracnose.
• Mandelup performed well however it has lower tolerance to antracnose than Tanjil so should not be used in blue lupin areas.
• While Jenabillup has good resistance to black pod syndrome which is thought to be associated with bean yellow mosaic virus it only has moderate resistance to anthracnose and tolerance to metribuzin so should be used with caution if sowing in high rainfall blue lupin areas or in paddocks suspect of having large broadleaf weed seed banks.

• Jenabillup performed well across the state in 2009.
• This variety has good resistance to black pod syndrome which is thought to be associated with bean yellow mosaic virus.
• Jenabillup has only moderate resistance to anthracnose and tolerance to metribuzin so should be used with caution if sowing in high rainfall blue lupin areas or in paddocks suspect of having large broadleaf weed seed banks.
• This detracts from Jenabillup in the NAR as broadleaf weeds and blue lupins are the staple for many paddocks.

Pre-harvest: some aborting of flowers due to hot conditions.

• A regenerated medic pasture in conjunction with a sown forage crop provided the production to sustain a 1000 DSE flock on 200 hectares in 2009.

• The study has shown benefits from the medic as a break crop and a high quality forage source.
• There was no wheat quality loss in 2010 as a result of high soil N from 2009 medic production.

In 2003 at the Berriwillock site, higher seeding rates resulted in higher yields (2.6 to 2.9t/ha) but had no affect on screenings (all sowing treatments less than 3%).
Numerous BCG-WFS seeding rate trials since 1997 have found that higher seeding rates often resulted in higher yields and better quality, never resulted in lower yields or reduced quality and always resulted in more competitive crops (fewer weeds).

• Highest aphid pressure in EGA Bellaroi durum (13/tiller) followed by Fitzroy barley and Livingston bread wheat (8/tiller)  
• Both seed treatment rates gave significant levels of control until ~mid September 
• Foliar application just prior to natural population collapse

• Nitrogen fertilisers significantly contribute to on-farm emissions.
• Emissions vary depending on fertiliser type, yields, previous crop and region.
   

The objective of this GRDC / SPAA funded project is to increase the level of adoption of PA 'beyond guidance' by broadacre farmers. The project specifically aims to increase the level of adoption of variable rate (VR) by growers in the project to 30% by 2013.This goal will be achieved by demonstrating how to use PA tools to growers at a regional level and by increasing the skills of growers and industry in PA to a level where they can then use PA tools in their farming systems to achieve economic, environmental and social benefits.

Urea is not a magic white powder. Other yield limiting factors must be addressed before the full benefit can be obtained from nitrogen. The amount of nitrogen applied must be balanced with the moisture availability and yield potential. The balancing act is more difficult when trying to achieve prime hard protein levels.

Using 2008 prices with 2000-07 data, the keys to modest, less variable profits with minimal complexity and less reliance on skill or luck have been

• moderate intensity (60-80%) of profitable, reliable crops cereal after fallow or a forage break, and
• a modest but profitable livestock enterprise.

Applying urea with the seed, even deep banded, can affect establishment and slow growth and development. There was no advantage in applying N at sowing (deep banded). The effects of seed burn on canola are much greater on sandier soils than clay. Dry soils are also more susceptible than wet soils: if applying up-front N, rates should not exceed 10kg N/ha (22kg/ha urea) on 30cm spacing, and seed should be separated by at least three to four centimetres from the nitrogen fertiliser.

• In 2012, early fungicide application at Z22 did significantly reduce leaf spot disease levels at two out of three low rainfall sites in the northern agricultural region.
• Most effective disease control was provided by a double spray strategy (early tillering spray plus an application at flag leaf, Z39) or a single high rate fungicide application at Z39, as they performed equally well.
• However, disease levels were only high at one site (east Nabawa), and the very dry spring meant none of the sites responded yieldwise to the fungicide application, although there were some grain quality benefits.
• So in 2012 fungicide application was not profitable at any of these low rainfall sites.