There are no NVT Canola sites in the lower South East and MFMG growers identified that it was important to evaluate canola varieties in the high rainfall zone of the South East. 

The long season winter canola varieties require a vernalisation period (cold requirement) before they become reproductive and
bud elongation starts to occur. This gives these varieties the ability to be sown early and then grazed without significantly affecting
grain yields. In 2016, three winter canola varieties were sown at Conmurra. They were sown at the same time as the spring sown
canola variety trials, and as a result, their full yield potential has not been achieved (Table 3). To try and maximise the benefits,
need to be prepared to sow early. There was no significant difference in yield between the three varieties sown.

• MFMG funded variety trials at Conmurra and Millicent on high yield potential wheat and barley lines.
• Released cultivars and experimental lines were evaluated.
• This trial provided growers the opportunity to increase their knowledge on the management and performance of high yield potential wheat and barley varieties for the high rainfall zone (HRZ).
• Trial planning for 2018 is underway focusing on elite lines.

• Trial work in other states suggests plant growth regulators (PGR’s) can manipulate plant architecture in early sown cereal crops.
• MFMG funded PGR trials at Conmurra and Millicent on wheat and barley.
• The application of PGR’s on wheat increased yield overall at Conmurra, but did not alter plant architecture, flowering or grain quality.
• This trial provided growers the opportunity to increase their knowledge on the use of PGR’s.

No grain yield or quality differences for the dual purpose wheat Manning were observed at Millicent with additional N and S treatments.

 With four distinctly different seasons, the results reiterate the importance of reviewing long-term data when making varietal choices.

• MFMG and SARDI funded a wheat nutrition (Granular vs. Liquid) scoping study at three sites (Sherwood, Frances and Conmurra).
• The aim was to evaluate wheat production with either granular or liquid fertiliser inputs.
• Planning is underway to expand this study in 2019 and an application for additional funding submitted.

The Sherwood trial (Table 2) benefited from a long growing season and mild spring conditions with the mid-late maturing variety Trojan being the highest yielding variety (6.91 t/ha). Beckhom and Scepter followed closely (6.78 t/ha and 6.73 t/ha respectively). Both of these mid-season varieties also performed in the best at Sherwood in 2015, demonstrating their ability to perform in this environment under different seasonal conditions.

• MFMG funded variety trials at Sherwood and Frances to enable growers to evaluate a selected number of varieties under specific local conditions. 
• Varieties included released cultivars and experimental lines. 
• At Sherwood, the AH varieties Scepter (5.59 t/ha), Vixen (2018 release; 5.56 t/ha) and RockStar (2019 release; 5.33 t/ha) were the highest yielding. 
• At Frances, Scepter (7.23 t/ha), recent releases Vixen (7.12 t/ha), RockStar (7.02 t/ha) and Sheriff CL Plus (6.63 t/ha) and the experimental line LPB15-2485* (6.47 t/ha) were the highest yielding. 
• At both sites, some AH varieties failed to reach the minimum protein level required to achieve maximum grade. 

Neither zinc, boron, copper or molybdenum applied to wheat on these two sites showed any significant effect on grain yield. The late application of zinc increased grain Zn content, but no other nutrient concentrations were noted due to the application of micronutrients.

On these two sites, the addition of copper or zinc supplements to MAP had no effect on grain yield or grain Cu or Zn content. Based on the soil test, the Horsham site could have been considered marginal for Cu, but Zn levels were not considered limiting. Soil tests for micronutrients are unreliable and diagnosis of paddocks where crops can benefit from micronutrient supplements is also unpredictable.

The applied micronutrients had no effect on grain yield or nutrient concentration.

• A literature review of micronutrient limitations to nodulation and N2 fixation in tropical legume crops.

• During the extremely dry 2006 season the addition of micronutrients had no significant effect on crop performance and there was no benefit, in terms of grain yield, from the application of nitrogen, regardless of product.
• There is no benefit to apply micronutrients when levels are adequate at GS30 and when there is a good history of applications.

• Wheat grown on highly calcareous soils responded to zinc and manganese applications.
• Micronutrients were most effective when they were applied in fluid form which provided economical responses.
• There was no grain yield response when granular micronutrients were applied as a dry blend with granular NP fertiliser or as a coating on granules.

Please see the results tab.

For a list of variety information and results please see the attached trial report.

Mid-row banding nitrogen at 133 kgN.ha⁻¹ gave a similar response to topdressing the same rate at GS31. It increased yield by 1.38 t/ha and grain N by 38 kgN.ha⁻¹ to give an ANRE of 30%. Mid-row banded N created a highly-concentrated band of ammonium which appeared to mostly survive a water-logging event.

Mid-row banding N appears to be a valid application method for nitrogen in a southern Riverina irrigated context, allowing all nitrogen requirements to be placed in the soil at sowing. This is applicable where a higher yield potential is known with some confidence, and seeding equipment can handle larger amounts of fertilizer at sowing. Hence, it may also be a useful technique in higher rainfall zones, where yield potential is high and waterlogging is more common.

MRB in combination with topdressing was the most effective treatment for improving of NUE and yield

The small plot trial resulted in improved yields and NUE resulting from midrow banding, whilst the broadacre trial did not produce significant differences.

Higher wheat yields were achieved for some of the N treatments that included mid-row banding on N at South Stirlings, however, the same results were not seen at Kendenup.

At South Stirlings the combination of mid-row banding applications of N yielded significantly higher than the other treatments.

MRB of N at both seeding and tillering yielded significantly less than both combinations of mid-row banding and top dressing. 

At South Stirlings the two highest yielding treatments resulted from a combination of MRB and topdressing. These treatments also resulted in the greatest NUE. 

On heavier soil types with higher levels of organic matter, using a speed tiller to incorporate a wheat stubble may assist in increasing canola yields. If incorporation occurs immediately post-harvest, then the addition of nitrogen may not be required if the soil nitrogen levels are adequate. If incorporation is delayed and occurs immediately prior to sowing, then the addition of nitrogen should be considered.

Bannister was the highest yileding variety from either sowing date.

• Yields were excellent considering the dry (T/ha)  conditions during early spring.
• No frost damage occurred and while leaf rust was present on all varieties (except Goldmark) it did not appear to affect the yield greatly. 
• Weather damage occurred due to the rain that fell in late December, with Goldmark and Rosella appearing to be the worst affected.
• To date, grain quality evaluation has not occurred. 

• Molybdenum fertiliser increased wheat grain yield in 2 of 5 years and grain weight in 3 of 5 years, indicating a deficiency of molybdenum in the soil.
• Manganese concentration in wheat grain was high but was greatly reduced following liming.

• Grazing did not change grain yield or quality. Rather, moisture stress was more important in a dry finish
• In a dry year, the ratio of grain yield to crop biomass at flowering is 0.40. In an average year it is around 0.55
• Grazing slows crop maturity by one to two weeks, which meant Revenue (long season variety) was still booting during the October heat wave 

• District Practice beat the farmers for grain yield and profit!
• Researchers may blitz the field yet, just watch this space…
• Oh, and by the way, the farmers are still winning, just.

• A comparison of 2001 and 2010 soil analysis suggests that organic carbon levels may have declined over the 9 year competition, irrespective of the rotation utilised and production achieved.
• However to suggest that there is a continuing long term decline in soil health in the face of improved “sustainable” farming techniques is premature.
• The competition ceased in its current form in 2010 with all paddocks sown to an oilseed (canola or juncea).

• Depending on seasonal influence, stored soil moisture, soil nutrition, stocking rate management and correct timing (early tillering at growth stage (GS) 18-22, rather than later tillering at GS 24-28), grazing can be done with no detriment to crop yield.
• However, preceding paddock history had a significant impact on subsequent crop success and needs to be considered when planning future rotations.

• The repeated Gairdner control plots showed variation across the site and therefore it is difficult to draw conclusions from this data.
• All varieties yielded well – especially given the below average growing season rainfall.
• All varieties had low test weight. Low test weights were also observed at the Marnoo site. The Minyip and Marnoo sites both had lower growing season rainfall and had grain discolouration as a result of rain damage before harvest, compared to the Rupanyup sites. These factors may have contributed to low test weights at the Minyip & Marnoo sites (harvested January 3 and January 6, 2004 respectively). 
• All varieties had protein levels above the malt receival standards of 12%. The high protein coupled with high yields at this site suggests high soil nitrogen levels.

• Hyola 60 was the highest yielding variety by a small margin.
• Pioneer45C05 and Pioneer 44C11. These are early maturing conventional varieties suited to the northern Wimmera and southern Mallee respectively. They may have a place for late sowing in medium to high rainfall districts.
• Within the top performing varieties at this site, there was a mix of varieties with conventional blackleg resistance and those containing resistance derived from Brassica sylvestris. This demonstrates that there are high yielding alternatives to B. sylvestris varieties, suited to this district, which carry a very much reduced risk of blackleg resistance breakdown. For example; ATRBeacon is an excellent early-mid season option with triazine tolerance, however it carries a blackleg rating of 6.5, so should be treated with Jockey if sowing in high rainfall areas.
• Although AVSapphire had significantly higher protein than other varieties tested, with 25.1%, all varieties had oil contents above 40% at this site.

The moisture probe network has been a great tool to teach growers in the region how to read moisture graphs and use this data to make informed managements decisions.  Growers can see how various urea application rates and stubble cover effect soil moisture.

• Crop intensive farming systems are running down soil carbon.
• Mixed species cover cropping offers a new approach that may address the issue.
• Local guidelines need to be developed so that farmers can make informed decisions about incorporating cover crops into their farming systems.

• Crop intensive farming systems are running down soil carbon. 
• Mixed species cover cropping offers a new approach that may address the issue.
• The cover crop species grown in 2019 had no influence on the growth, yield and grain quality of the wheat over-sown in 2020.

• Most suitable summer crop species for Kangaroo Island soils are tillage radish, French white millet, sunflowers, turnips and buckwheat
• Bees have a higher preference to forage on sunflowers and tillage radish flowers compared with buckwheat.

Manypeaks

At the Manypeaks site, Pallaton Raphno had a higher nutritional value than the ryegrass control, resulting in higher crude protein, digestibility, and metabolic energy. 

The raphno and ryegrass at the Manypeaks site produced similar levels of biomass. 

The raphno resulted in a weight gain advantage of 62.5g/head/day over the ryegrass. 

Raphno produced higher biomass levels under grazing pressure, allowing for much higher stocking rates than the ryegrass, with 1400 lambs on 45ha (31 lambs/ha), compared to 360 lambs on 30 hectares (12 lambs /ha).

Lamb live weight gain measured in kg/ha/day was 5.35kg/ha/day for the raphno compared to 1.31kg/ha/day achieved on the ryegrass.

North Manypeaks

The summer crop (Millet) had a higher nutritional value, crude protein, digestibility, and metabolisable energy than barley stubble.

The control (stubble) produced 3.5t/ha compared to the millet which produced 1.2t/ha. 

The millet growth was highly variable and showed signs of heat and moisture stress before the grazing period. 

Despite the environmental stress, the millet resulted in an average ADG of 253g/head/day, compared to 120g/head/day on the barley.

Green Range

Successful cattle induction to raphno was challenging to achieve. Best results were attained when weaner cattle were moved off Raphno onto pasture each day over the first week, slowly introducing them to longer grazing periods.

Poor induction the first grazing event saw steers reduce their ADG from 2kg/day on rye clover pasture down to 0.08kg/day on raphno.

Second grazing event by growing weaner cattle received a better induction and Heifers slowly built up to and maxed out at 1kg ADG.

Optiweigh system is a game-changer to better understand different forages and how different grazing systems influence weight gain and pasture utilisation.

• Mn deficiency increases infection by take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis) of wheat.
• Mn deficiency reduces lignin production in wheat which increases the rate of infection by Ggt hyphae into wheat roots.

• Mn deficiency reduces the tolerance of barley to infection by CCN (ie increases the damage caused).
• Mn deficiency does not change the resistance of barley to infection by CCN (ie multiplication of CCN is the same).

• There was an effect of Moddus on plant height, the length of node interval and cell wall thickness when compared to the untreated area.

• A slight reduction in height can be seen throughout the trial. Samples of Corack (early-mid season), Mace (mid-season) and Justica (mid-late season) were taken from both the Moddus and untreated area.
• The Moddus did not affect the maturity of the varieties.

Allowing ewes access to some of the dual-purpose wheat sown on a mixed farm can increase gross margins
from the sheep operation by increasing stocking rates and the amount of lamb and wool produced and reducing supplementary feeding requirements.

• Grazing vetch and lucerne can be used as a management strategy to improve lamb dry matter intake and growth rates during the late spring and early winter feed gaps.
• The Grazfeed decision support tool has predicted that while both legume forages (vetch and lucerne) will increase methane output (gCH4/day), there is a reduction in methane output per unit of animal product (gCH4/day/100gADWG).
• Moisture limitations can affect herbage production of lucerne, which in turn reduces the chances of growing lambs to achieve the full potential dry matter intake in low rainfall mixed farming systems.

• The difference in soil organic carbon (SOC) changes between nine sites across eastern Australia was largely characterised by mean temperature and rainfall.
• High temperature strongly interacted with management practices (stocking rate, nitrogen application and residue incorporation) to reduce carbon sequestration despite favourable rainfall.
   

Slow pasture growth rates during winter limit the potential gross margins from autumn and early winter
lambing in southern New South Wales (NSW) by limiting stocking rates and/or increasing supplementary feed
requirements. Dual-purpose crops can reduce the winter feed gap in mixed-farming systems by increasing
the available feed in winter. The simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system
at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture
over a 41-year period. A paddock of dualpurpose wheat was then added to the system, and ewes were
allowed to graze the wheat crop when feed on offer reached 850 kg DM/ha and before GS31.

• In sand over clay soils, bleached A2 horizons restrict root growth.
• Incorporation of clay and organic material into the A2 horizons delivered greater dry matter production but yield results varied.

Experiment started in 1983

1986:

80 g Mo/ha in 1983 was as effective Mo topdressed in 1986.

320 g/ha of Mo gave maximum dry matter production of clover; about a 12% increase

Experiment started in 1983

1996:

80 g Mo/ha in 1983 was as less efective than Mo topdressed in 1997.

320 g/ha of Mo in 1996 gave maximum dry matter production of clover; about a 20% increase.

Residual value of Mo for subclover growth at recommended rates lasted about 13 years.

Soil pH was 4.4 with low soil extractable Al; residual value would be expected to be less as soil pH decreases & Al increases

Experiment started in 1992 reddish brown sandy loam ; soil pH (CaCl2) of 5.7.

1992:

Small (15%)  response to limesand at 1.5 t/ha & to Mo application applied as sodium molybdate.

Nitrogen concentration of medic increased from 4.2 to 5% with Mo application @ 200g/ha, 1.5 & 3 t/ha limesand.

limesand with Mo did not increase yield or N content compared with 200 g of Na molybdate alone.

Critical Mo concentratin in clover tops appeared to be 0.09 mg/kg

Combination of lime sand (1.5 t/ha) and 200 g Na molybdate recommended: increased dry matter produced by 30% above the control.

3 t/ha limesand produced the same yield without Mo.

 

Experiment started in 1992 reddish brown sandy loam ; soil pH (CaCl2) of 5.0.

1994:

Small (12%)  response to Mo application applied as sodium molybdate.

Nitrogen concentration of medic increased from 5.8 to 6.1% with Mo application.

limesand with Mo did not increase yield or N content compared with 200 g of Na molybdate alone.

Critical Mo concentratin in medic tops appeared to be 0.1 mg/kg

Combination of lime sand (1t/ha) and 150 g Na molybdate recommended

 A series of experiments started in 1981 and 1982 on acidic yelllow sands that are deficient in Mo.  

Yellow  sandy earths with  soil pH (CaCl2) of <4.7.

1982: Nil & 6 rates of Mo applied over 2 years

Nil Mo grain yield was about 20% of the maximum. 

Critical Mo concentratin in wheat YEB s appeared to be 0.05 - 0.06 mg/kg

The evaluation of Mo in the YEB as a reliable tissue test but suggested continuing testing into future years.

 

 A series of experiments started in late 1970'S to the earlier 1980 on very acidic yelllow sands that are deficient in Mo.  

Yellow  acidic sandy earths with  soil pH (CaCl2) of <4.5. Mo trioxide at nil, 140 & 280 g/ha was applied on original nil Mo plots.

Summary of the Mo on very acidic yellow soils:

 With ammonium nitrate the recommended rate of Mo (140 g Mo trioxide) was  inadequate for wheat grain 2 -3 years later.. 

Mo effectiveness rapidly declines with 2 to 3 years after the application.

A general conclusion for this experimental series:_  The residual effectiveness of Mo for cereal is likely to vary widely in different situations depending on soil pH, soil content of free iron, aluminium and manganese and the rate and type of nitrogen fertliser applied to the crop.

Critical Mo concentratin in wheat YEB s appeared to be 0.03 - 0.06 mg/kg. The evaluation of Mo in the YEB as a reliable tissue test but suggested continuing testing into future years.

 

 A experiment started in 1965 on acidic yelllow sands that are deficient in Mo.  

Yellow  sandy earths with  soil pH (CaCl2) of <4.5. Mo trioxide at nil, 140 & 280 g/ha was applied in 1965

Mo application of 1965 continued to supply Mo to the 1980 wheat crop, but with only about one-tenth the effect of the 1980. Ammonium sulfate depressed Mo uptake ; sodium nitrate enhanced uptake. With ammonium sulfate the recommended rate of Mo (140 g Mo trioxide) in 1965 appeared inadequate for wheat 15 years later.. 

Critical Mo concentratin in wheat YEB s appeared to be 0.03 - 0.05 mg/kg. The evaluation of Mo in the YEB as a reliable tissue test but suggested continuing testing into future years.

 

• On a low molybdenum soil the seed molybdenum concentration in the sown seed had no effect on the molybdenum concentration of the harvested seed.
• Application of nitrogen decreased seed molybdenum concentrations in a low molybdenum soil but not in an adequate molybdenum soil.

• A deficiency of molybdenum was found on acid soils on 43 trial plots throughout 2 million acres in the Central Highlands and Goulburn districts Victoria.
• The problem can be corrected with the addition of a small amount of molybdenum to superphosphate and some of lime on very acid soils.

• Although the seed molybdenum content of maize is very low, there is a minimum critical level needed for healthy seedling growth.
• A seed molybdenum concentration of 0.02ppm is required for healthy seedling growth.
• Once the seedlings are established they become efficient extractors of molybdenum from soil.

UAV imagery with appropriate analysis has the potential to identify weed issues in paddocks quickly, reliably and cheaply over large areas.

• UAV imagery with skilled specialist analysis and programs has the potential to identify and map weed issues in paddocks.
• Grass weed patches are easier to identify in legume and pasture crops than cereal crops.
• Variability in germination and crop growth makes it harder to identify grass weed areas.
• Data capture and analysis for analytical purposes such as grass weed mapping in individual paddocks will be beyond the skills of most farm businesses unless farmers have a special interest in this area.
• Group A resistant barley grass has once again been detected at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre. Barley grass resistance to Group A herbicides has been detected three times in three years, so be aware it is present current farming systems.

• UAV imagery with skilled specialist analysis has the potential to identify weed issues in paddocks.
• It was easier to identify grass weed patches in legume and pasture crops than cereal crops.
• Data capture and analysis for analytical purposes such as grass weed mapping in individual paddocks will be beyond most farm enterprises unless farmers have a special interest in this area.
• Grass patches were more reliably identified using UAV data captured at higher resolutions.
• Barley grass resistance to Group A herbicides has been detected several times throughout the project, so be aware it may be present in current farming systems. 

 

• Six sites in north-east Victoria on acid duplex soils were sampled monthly to monitor manganese concentrations in soil and weed crops in relation to changing seasonal conditions.
• Cool and/or moisture conditions were associated with exchangeable manganese of less than 50 ppm.
• High concentrations of exchangeable manganese (120 – 250 ppm) were associated with waterlogging or prolonged hot dry conditions.
• The rate of increase in exchangeable manganese was greatest under waterlogged conditions in winter there was a lack of more than one month before significant increases were observed.
• Manganese concentrations in wheat tops reached 800 – 1200 ppm at the 3 sites most severely waterlogged during 1981.
• At the better drained sites the concentrations were less than 400 ppm.
• It seems that high levels of exchangeable manganese during summer have little effect on subsequent wheat crops.
• Waterlogging may result in increased concentrations of plant manganese but perhaps only in young plants or after prolonged exposure, by which time other effects of waterlogging may already have severely limited growth.

• Moderate mouse abundance in some small pockets of north-west Victoria.
• Low mouse abundance in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

• Moderate to high mouse abundance in some Yorke Peninsula, Adelaide Plains, parts of Eyre Peninsula and Macalister.
• Low mouse abundance elsewhere in South Australia and Queensland, and low across Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
• The National Mouse Census Week is set for 13=19 April 2015.

• Powdery mildew severity at the WMG field site, maximum of only 7% leaf area affected on Baudin, did not allow differences between varieties to be seen, other than VS and S types (Baudin, Stirling, Vlamingh, Gairdner)
• Laboratory seedling tests indicate that some of the genes postulated to provide resistance to powdery mildew in some commercial barley varieties may be compromised by some powdery mildew isolates.
• Field screening of these varieties has shown that local differences in variety responses can occur but no widespread regional variation, or ‘breakdown’ in the field resistance of varieties to powdery mildew was observed in 2013.
• The field response of commonly grown varieties at the WMG site and across the seven trials generally reflected the resistance rankings published in variety guides.
• The differences identified in 2013 were of minor impact, or occurred in non-commercially relevant varieties, however they indicate that regional differences in variety response are possible due to variability within the pathogen population and continued monitoring is important to facilitate appropriate disease risk assessment and in-crop management.
•  

• Sclerotinia stem rot is a very sporadic disease in southern NSW. Variations in the level of disease can occur between districts, between years and between paddocks.
• The best indicators of a high Sclerotinia risk district are a high intensity of canola production, frequent development of Sclerotinia stem rot (e.g. every year) and reliable spring rainfall during flowering.
• Results indicate that prolonged (at least 48 hours) durations of relative humidity above 95% can trigger Sclerotinia stem rot development.
• A high level of petal infestation with Sclerotinia ascospores does not guarantee that stem rot will develop.

• Aim to bait from mid-March to mid-April before seeding, and consider baiting again immediately post seeding. This timing will increase bait efficacy, increase likelihood of conditions suitable for snail movement, and be timed before most snails lay eggs.
• Bait in autumn not summer even if there is a lot of summer rain as control from baits can be low during summer
• Relative humidity above 85% is when snails are most active, so plan baiting to be before forecast periods of extended high humidity. Throw out test area before baiting whole program to be sure.

• In 2018 and 2019 Sothis increased soil levels of the root lesion nematode P.neglectus when compared to chemical fallow trial strips.
• During the 2020 season Rhizoctonia levels increased from zero to high risk levels in oats with Sothis germinating underneath.
• Monitoring of soilborne diseases through different rotations and seasons helps increase understanding of the impact on our farming systems

• At both Yarrawonga and Dooke, Victoria, there was no yield response to nitrogen application, with yields of 4.34 and 3.88t/ha respectively.
• Although there was no yield response, there was a significantly higher dry matter (DM) production and greater nitrogen offtake as a result of applying nitrogen at both sites.
• The maximum nitrogen offtake in the unfertilised crops at both sites equated (approximately) to the level of available nitrogen at the start of the season during April (assessed 0-60cm).
• The normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) response assessed at first node stage (GS31) and the subsequent divergence of NDVI suggested that both sites would benefit from additonal nitrogen; however, late moisture stress and high temperatures compromised any potential yield response.
• The NDVI canopy scores taken at Dookie during October 2015 from the 120kg N/ha plots clearly show are more rapid senescence than unfertilised crops (control) or those crops fertilised with 60 kg N/ha.

The use of Monty’s Plant Food had no significant effect on wheat yield or quality.

• Monza efficacy on brome grass has not been reduced by the addition of these herbicides and insecticides at the final assessment.
• Some of the treatments were significantly different at the early timing, but the final assessment showed no significant difference.
• Crop phytotoxicity and crop yield were not measured.

• The last application of nitrogen was applied on the 20th July. At this stage Yield Prophet indicated that to meet full potential an application of nitrogen was required. The plant available water (PAW) was 37mm at this time giving us approximately 30 days before the crop became moisture stressed. This gave us confidence to apply nitrogen knowing that the crop would continue to grow well for 30 days even without rain.
• This site was very responsive to Flexi-N. Three applications (banded, Z13, and Z30) of 40 L/ha Flexi-N in creased yield from 1.8 t/ha to 3.2 t/ha. The nitrogen use efficiency from applied Flexi-N was 27 kg grain/kg N.
• There were early responses to 85 kg/ha Agstar before N supply became limiting.
• Plant tests in July indicated that molybdenum (Mo) was deficient (as low as 68 ug/kg with 85 kg/ha Agstar Extra), so 100 g/ha sodium molybdate was applied across the trial.
• Grain protein was low (8 to 9%) due to yield dilution. Grain tests showed marginal sulphur (S) concentrations (average 0.10 mg/kg) which may have been detrimental to baking quality characteristics such as dough strength and extensibility.

• The harvest results proved that the fallow treatments did out-yield the continuous wheat treatment with the full / residual herbicide fallow yielding 1.82T/ha the highest of any of the treatments.
• The continuous wheat treatment yielded 1.02T/ha and also had the lowest protein of all the treatments.

• The trial at Morawa compared a canola-wheat sequence to a wheat-on-wheat sequence with either high or low input levels. Low input had lower fertiliser, lower seed density and cheaper herbicide options. We also incorporated a comparison of a very early wheat cultivar (Zippy) to a medium maturity cultivar (Wyalkatchem).
• Water use by the crop was estimated from the sum of the in-season rainfall and the change in soil water between sowing and harvest. By estimating the amount of soil evaporation as one third of in-season rainfall, we determined the amount of water used by the plant as transpiration. The ratio of crop yield to transpiration is the transpiration efficiency of the crop which has a potential of around 20-22 mm/kg/ha.
• The yield of Zippy was more stable than that of Wyalkatchem, but the earlier maturity resulted in a substantial yield penalty. Zippy yielded around 2 t/ha each year whereas Wyalkatchem responded more in better years. The yield penalty associated with the earlier maturing variety was not offset by the higher input level. Higher input actually increased the variability in annual gross margins.
• So far Wyalkatchem has a substantially greater cumulative gross margin than Zippy and there is little difference between the high and low input strategies.

• The trial at Morawa compared a canola-wheat sequence to a wheat-on-wheat sequence with either high or low input levels. Low input had lower fertiliser, lower seed density and cheaper herbicide options. We also incorporated a comparison of a very early wheat cultivar (Zippy) to a medium maturity cultivar (Wyalkatchem).
• Water use by the crop was estimated from the sum of the in-season rainfall and the change in soil water between sowing and harvest. By estimating the amount of soil evaporation as one third of in-season rainfall, we determined the amount of water used by the plant as transpiration. The ratio of crop yield to transpiration is the transpiration efficiency of the crop which has a potential of around 20-22 mm/kg/ha.
• The yield of Zippy was more stable than that of Wyalkatchem, but the earlier maturity resulted in a substantial yield penalty. Zippy yielded around 2 t/ha each year whereas Wyalkatchem responded more in better years. The yield penalty associated with the earlier maturing variety was not offset by the higher input level. Higher input actually increased the variability in annual gross margins.
• So far Wyalkatchem has a substantially greater cumulative gross margin than Zippy and there is little difference between the high and low input strategies.

• The older herbicide mixes of 25g/ha Logran and 25g/ha Logran + 800ml/ha LVE MCPA provided unsatisfactory levels of control whilst the new herbicides Velocity, Precept and the more robust Jaguar mixes provided far greater levels of control.
• Whilst the Jaguar treatments gave lower levels of control than the Precept or Velocity treatment, Jaguar has a heavier reli-ance on moisture and good growing conditions for better levels of control.
• This could explain the slightly lower levels o control with the Jaguar treatments.

• The older herbicide mixes of 25g/ha Logran and 25g/ha Logran + 800ml/ha LVE MCPA provided unsatisfactory levels of control whilst the new herbicides Velocity, Precept and the more robust Jaguar mixes provided far greater levels of control.
• Whilst the Jaguar treatments gave slightly lower levels of control than the Precept or Velocity treatments, Jaguar has a heavier reliance on moisture and good growing conditions for better levels of control.
• This could explain the slightly lower levels of control with the Jaguar treatments.

• Magenta and Baudin barley were the most competitive cultivars at Eradu, reducing ryegrass seed set by 65% compared to Wyalkatchem.  UA40 reduced ryegrass seed set by 51% which was a similar result to UA47, Mace and Bonnie Rock.  Leaf disease in UA47 reduced its competitive ability.  The cultivar UA39 is a very tall variety, and visually it appeared to significantly compete with ryegrass.  However, tiller counts and biomass measurements reveal that this cultivar is not as competitive as it appears. 
• While the UA cultivars may be useful as germplasm for future breeding programs, perhaps the most significant aspect of this research is the competitive ability of currently available cultivars.  Magenta is a high yielding, competitive wheat variety that is a useful tool for weedy paddocks.  Baudin Barley was very high yielding at Eradu and also very competitive with weeds.  This weed competition of barley is consistent with past research.  Future research will focus on ribbon / twin row seeding of competitive cultivars at higher seeding rates to maximise yield, profit and weed suppression.

• Summer weed control is proven to increase yield, but is becoming a major cost and some summer weeds are difficult to control.
• Cost savings of 20-90% were achieved across 20 paddocks using the WEEDit™.
• A major benefit of the Spot Spray Technology was the ability to use high rates of chemical to spot spray hard-to-kill weeds such as fleabane and stinkweed.

Climate and production risk management can have a large impact on profit. We live in an area with highly variable rainfall from year to year and it is difficult to reliably predict winter and spring rainfall.

It is estimated that by sowing grazing oats the stocking rate can be increased from 5 DSE/ha to 8 DSE/ha, which has a financial benefit of $60/ha.

Crop topping timing and delayed harvest timing can reduce faba bean seed quality.
 

• Cereal rye has done an excellent job of providing ground cover on poor windblown sand.
• Approximately 4 t/ha of biomass was produced by the cereal rye.
• Using a mouldboard plough to incorporate cereal rye has increased soil organic carbon in the subsoil but decreased topsoil levels.

• The high level of grain yield response to soil inversion is very exciting.  However, some sites have had little or no yield response while others have achieved an excellent yield response.  The key to the future success of this technique is to improve our ability to pick responsive soil types to maximise the return on investment in this technology.
• The very high level of weed control, which in some cases has been maintained for two to three years, is also very exciting.  There is no doubt that a mouldboard plough has enormous potential to decimate a weed seed bank.  However, it is imperative that the plough is set up correctly to achieve good weed seed burial.  The Smart CV site is a good example of how it can go wrong.  This site was ploughed in a rush during seeding in 2010 with a tractor that was not ideally suited to the plough (ie. not enough horsepower).  Consequently, full soil inversion did not occur and many wild radish weed seeds were left in the topsoil.  The grower knew this at the time but persisted with the trial to test the potential of the plough.  This soil is extremely non-wetting and a very big yield response was achieved. 
• The Brennan site was established in 2009 at West Moora by Dave Gartner (AgLime) using the DAFWA three furrow plough to assess the potential for lime burial with a mouldboard plough.  The site is deep yellow sand with moderate to high water repellence (water droplet penetration time 180 seconds).  Treatment with the mouldboard plough corrected the water repellence (water droplet penetration time 0 seconds).  The site was sown to wheat in 2009 and canola in 2010.  Large yield responses were measured in both years.  As yet there has been no response to lime.
• In summary, all of the growers that have purchased mouldboard ploughs have been very happy with the performance of ploughed paddocks in 2010.  Using a plough to invert the soil of a sandy, poor performing paddock every 10 to 15 years appears to be a fast, effective and economical way of renovating a paddock back to a point of high production.  Of course this machinery will have its limitations and is not a universal panacea.  However, our early studies are very encouraging.  Research into this area is ongoing and will eventually answer some of the long term questions that continue to arise.
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• Some of the practicalities
• Most of the growers so far have accessed machinery directly from Europe and then shipped it to Australia in sea containers.  Some growers have purchased second hand ploughs for $30,000 to $50,000. These machines have been completely dissembled and cleaned to meet quarantine standards so there are many hours of assembly work involved.  Some growers have accessed new machines for $90,000 to $130,000 for 9 to 14 furrow machines.  The cheaper machines have sheer bolt break out while the more expensive machines have hydraulic break out.  Sheer bolt machines have their limitations when it comes to rocks and stumps but have performed well nonetheless.  All ploughs imported so far are reversible and so are suited to up and back ploughing.
• A fourteen furrow machine can be set to cut 5.5 to 7 metres.  They work to a depth of 30 to 35 cm at 8 to 10 kph.  So the large machines can plough 4.5 to 7 hectares per hour at a cost of $70 to $100 / hectare (these are figures from growers).  The power requirement is 30 to 35 hp per furrow depending on soil conditions and working depth.  In good conditions a 450 hp 4WD wheel tractor can pull a 14 furrow plough but it will struggle in low soil moisture conditions.  4WD tractors often have the problem of the wide dual wheels running over the furrow which affects the depth and form of the first furrow.  Track tractors are preferred for pulling large ploughs.
• The large ploughs (12 to 14 furrow) have mainly been set up with a tool carrier that allows them to be connected to a large tractor without three point linkage.  This allows the tractor to run on level ground.  The smaller ploughs (8 to 11 furrow) are typically pulled by front wheel assist tractors in the 300 to 350 hp range with three point linkage.  In this situation, one wheel of the tractor runs in the furrow.
• There is clearly a large wind erosion risk immediately after ploughing.  Paddocks should be sown to wheat for cover immediately after ploughing (preferably the same day).  Wheat is more acid tolerant than barley and in many cases a profitable crop can be grown in the year of ploughing.  Cereals are more tolerant to sand blasting than broadleaf crops and so are the obvious choice as a cover crop.  Pay careful attention to seeding depth as it is easy to sow deep into soft soil.  Rolling of the paddock is essential after ploughing unless your hobby is towing tractors out of bogs.  Some growers are spreading seed / fertiliser and then rolling with coil packers to establish the wheat cover crop.  Relatively light rolling (eg. coil packers) is all that is necessary to firm the top 5 to 10cm of soil after ploughing.

•  Yields showed a trend towards higher yields in mouldboard treatments compared to controls however, differences were not statistically significantly.
• Trial will be monitored in 2013 to discover any longer term impacts.

• This trial was an un-replicated farmer demonstration, results should be interpreted with caution.  
• Observations: 13/7/12: Crusting of the surface reduced germination in mouldboard ploughed strips.
• For further comments please see the attached trial report.

This is the 3rd wheat crop where there has been no benefit in yield or quality due to mouldboard ploughing.

 

The highest yield in the trial was produced by the 2012 Mouldboarding treatment (1st crop) and the yield advantage dropped off for the second crop (2011 mouldboard treatment)

• We are working hard on upgrading models for predicting mouse plagues. MouseAlert information is vital for these improvements.
• Use MouseAlert to report activity and damage: it can be downloaded from http://itunes.apple.com.au/app/id9754-7187 or via computer at www.mousealert.org.au
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Management strategies at sowing essentially revolve around making the mice work harder to find seed.

• No stand out varieties with peas at Mt Cooper in 2009.
• Av-Garnet conventional variety yielded the best at Mt Cooper followed by the two Clearfield varieties, Hyola 571CL and 43C80.

• Wheat varieties respond differently to increasing rates of fluid phosphorus.
• The season suited Gladius and Yitpi over the very short season variety Axe.
• Mace yielded 5% better than Wyalkatchem.
• Seeding rate did not affect yield in 2009.

Mulesing itself should not result in higher lamb death rates than marking alone, but there are several reasons why mulesing may cause death. The reason for significant numbers of lambs dying should be investigated, and the following list may help you identify the cause of lamb deaths. However, to accurately identify the cause of lamb deaths on a property a farm inspection and lamb post-mortem is generally required.

Prosaro Fungicide was the best option for reducing Sclerotinia disease pressure during the season. The treatments were applied at 50% Flowering, before any petal drop had occurred. The return on investment was still very good, with Pro-saro returning an additional $116/ha above the untreated control. Perhaps a larger response to fungicides would have been evident if the sprays had been applied at 20-30% flowering, as infection was very evident before spraying. The Rovral fungicide treatment was disappointing in this trial.

• Of the herbicides tested, Glyphosate is the most cost effective and reliable herbicide. ‘FOP’ grass selectives appeared to give poor control at the rates used on mature button grass. Intervix appeared to give poor results at the rates used on mature grass.
• A tankmix of Glyphosate with other broadleaf and melon herbicides reduced control by 13% at 17 days after spraying. Spraying in the dark appeared to give the best control, spraying in the early morning daylight gave no significant improvement in control.
• Choice of adjuvant proved important, with LI700 and Amsul giving the best performance by 17 days after application. The use of Hot-Up oil and Supercharge oil + Amsul gave slightly poorer control of Button Grass. Paraquat at 1L & 2L/Ha and Alliance at 3L/Ha achieved impressive initial burndown at 10 days, but weed regrowth occurred shortly after and was unacceptable at 17 Days after application.

 

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole pad-dock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of weeds.
• Alliance, Gramoxone, Basta, Roundup Powermax and Ally provided acceptable levels of control on large Roly Poly at high rates suitable for selective spot spraying.
• Hammer and Sharpen did not provide acceptable control of Roly Poly after initial impressive weed burndown.
• Roundup Powermax, Garlon, Grazon, Kamba 500 and Tordon 75D all provided excellent Afghan Melon control.
• Grazon, Kamba 500 and Tordon 75D caused herbicide toxicity issues in the wheat crop as per trial report.

• Weed sensing and selective spot spraying with machinery such as the WEEDSEEKER and WEED-IT selective spot sprayers has allowed for very cost effective broadacre spot spraying of weeds without spraying the whole pad-dock area.
• Selective spot spraying of hard to kill summer weeds is one application where this technology has a potential to save growers significant funds usually allocated to herbicides.
• Elevated rates of non-traditional or previously cost prohibited herbicides of a different resistance group can now be used to achieve much more reliable and faster control of weeds.
• Alliance, Gramoxone, Basta, Roundup Powermax and Ally provided acceptable levels of control on large Roly Poly at high rates suitable for selective spot spraying.
• Hammer and Sharpen did not provide acceptable control of Roly Poly after initial impressive weed burndown.
• Roundup Powermax, Garlon, Grazon, Kamba 500 and Tordon 75D all provided excellent Afghan Melon control.
• Grazon, Kamba 500 and Tordon 75D caused herbicide toxicity issues in the wheat crop as per trial report.