Despite the fact the trial was on beds, there was significant waterlogging in parts of the trial area caused by a natural ground depression. Yield results should therefore be treated with caution. Of particular concern is the poor performance of Gairdner relative to the other varieties. I would suggest that more consideration be given to the results from the DNRE barley trial at the Gnarwarre site. 

• There was a significant difference in varietal performance, in both yield and oil percentage. Generally speaking the grain yield was disappointing, however there were some exceptions including that of Hyola 60 (Non TI) and Surpass 501TT. There was a high level of the Blackleg in the trial, which could have accounted for the poor yield of some varieties. 
• For further discussion please see the attached trial report.

• These results must be treated with caution, as one years results can be fairly misleading. When choosing varieties other factors (such as quality) must be taken into account besides yield. Disease resistance is critical and you should always aim to grow a variety with the best resistance you can possibly get for the type of diseases you could reasonably expect to get. 
• For further information about varieties please see the attached trial report.

For results plese see the attached trial report.

• This protein levels achieved in this trial are very low, indicating possibly an acute nitrogen deficiency problem.
• An N deficiency however was not evident in the trial with no noticeable interveinal chlorosis.
• For further discussion please see the attached trial results.

Placement of soil wetter in the seed contact zone behind the seed boot was the most effective for improving germination and early biomass growth.

Seeding on or near last year’s furrow significantly increased early biomass growth compared to off-row. 

There is a high variability in expression or water repellence across paddocks and soil types along with response to soil wetters. 

Canola plants can compensate for low plant densities and significant difference in grain yields are hard to detect. 

Placement of SE14 into the seed contact zone behind the was the only treatment to have a significant increase in plants per m2.

Increasing rates of SE14 from 2 to 4 L/ha, the most effective placement (behind the seed boot), did not result in a significant increase of plants per m2.

Applying SE14 on the seed or behind the press wheel resulted in no significant difference compared to the untreated control.

When SE14 was applied in combination both behind the press wheel as well and behind the seed boot reduced the effectiveness compared to being applied exclusively behind the seed boot.

High rates of SE14 directly on the seed resulted in the seed sticking together which lead to lower plant establishment then the control.

The addition of clay even at low rates of 75 and 150 t/ha have been very effective in increasing the yield from an average 2.45 t/ha of the Control to about 2.95 t/ha. It is expected that the claying will have a long lasting effect and that the yield increases compared to the control will remain.

• Noodle wheat production was not suited to this paddock due to the high soil nitrogen levels. Milling wheat production was a much better choice for this paddock as evidenced by the performance of Mitre. High soil nitrogen levels resulted in protein levels too high for the noodle varieties to achieve their ASWN potential for all plots at the site except Lorikeet with no urea at sowing.

• Growing Noodle wheat has been perceived as high risk by growers in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) due to the risk of not making ANW1 grade. There are, however, some specialist noodle wheat growers in the HRZ who consistently make better than Mace yields and achieve ANW1 for almost all grain produced. The reasons for this are guiding the HRZ Noodle wheat production package.
• A 30km distance from the south coast within the HRZ, proposed as the ‘Chillinup Line,’ appears to be a critical agronomic cut off point for where the risk of downgrade (or failure to meet specification) is more manageable.
• The 2017 prototype HRZ Noodle Wheat production package is an upgrade on the 2016 version using the project’s trial results and other research and experience by the SCF R&D team in consultation with key stakeholders.
• Intergrain and AEGIC are helping refine the HRZ Noodle Wheat production package to meet market specifications for Noodles and the other alternative products being tested by AEGIC.
• Grower groups recognise that differentiated products aid price stability in times of relative grain oversupply and higher competition. For example, grain for Udon Noodle wheat markets and other specialist new markets are less to be affected by downward price pressures than undifferentiated grade wheat prices.

• The variety Janz outyielded both other varieties at both times of sowing. 
• The earlier time of sowing outyielded the later time of sowing. 

• There were no significant differences in yields between all varieties.
• Dry growing season conditions may have restricted growth of yield components resulting in an evening out of yield between varieties.

1. The district practice Baseline system is the most profitable to date. However apart from the 2016 winter crop there is very little difference between the seven grain systems.
2. Water use efficiency is higher for cereals than pulses and is highest in high-yielding crops.
3. Subsoil constraints are limiting PAW extraction by pulse crops.

1. Higher soil fertility was the most profitable and highest yielding system for the 2018 sorghum crop.
2. Higher legume is cumulatively the most profitable system thus far.
3. The Baseline system is falling behind four of the six systems in the trial on most comparisons.

1. Summer break crops reduced levels of cereal soil-borne disease and allowed more even and higher yielding wheat crops in 2018, however they were the least profitable.
2. Root lesion nematodes continued to decline, even under susceptible crops due to the dry growing conditions of 2017 and 2018.
3. Higher nitrogen supply did not increase plant uptake or yield due to low in-crop rainfall, but this extra nitrogen is still available in the soil profile for following crops.

• Phosphorus (P) was a limiting factor to chickpea yield at four of the seven trial sites in 2015.
• Zinc (Zn) limited chickpea yield in three trial locations in 2015.
• Waterlogged induced iron (Fe) deficiency was a limiting factor to chickpea yield on a grey–brown vertosol with a 50 year cropping history.
   

Key findings:

• Faba beans sown to target 20 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in northern regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to target 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma get 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.

Conclusions:

Limited data from the first year of trial results in 2015 suggests that for northern and western sites, 20 plants/m2 is a preferred target plant density, while in central areas 30 plants/m2 is a better option to achieve optimum yield with faba bean grown under dryland cropping conditions. Large seed does not necessarily confer higher yield, with PBA Nasma out yielding PBA Warda at only one location, Trangie, in 2015. Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma. Frost tolerance is a key attribute for the faba bean breeding program in northern NSW, with new releases (particularly PBA Nasma) targeted at having better tolerance than Doza, which was apparent in these trials in 2015.

• Severe drought conditions affected the results of this trial (grain yields 0.60 to 1.02t/ha), with only 130 mm for April – October and 171mm for the calendar year recorded at the trial site.
• The wheat variety Ventura, showed the benefits of quicker maturity over Sunstate in such extreme seasonal conditions. 􀂃 Plant density was not found affect grain yield or quality in a very tough year.
• Precision agriculture can be used for on-farm trials to produce statistically valid results, thereby offering an alternative to small plot trials.
• The broadacre trial will be repeated in 2007 at Northparkes Mine.

• Yellowing of wheat leaves, similar to the old ‘Frame yellows’ has been observed again in SA over the last few years.
• There does not seem to be a clear cause of the yellowing.
• Yellowing can lead to yield reductions, but also yield increases!
• The effect of yellowing on the relative performance of varieties is far less than the effect of all the other traits that go into making a good variety.
• If anyone has any ideas on what is causing this yellowing – send them through!

Harvest contrac prices can be high, and depend on the quality of the windrows.

• Sowing date, uniform sowing depth and weed control are just as important to maintain yields in a wide row system as in conventional systems.
• The results in 2001 indicate that the wide-row system has potential at the yield levles typically achieved in the central-northern Mallee.

 Similar yields were achieved at low and higher plant densities. While defoliation reduced yield on average by 0.6t/ha.
 Defoliation at GS32 in Rosalind corresponded to a defoliation date of GS31 in RGT Planet and mid tillering in the winter cultivar Cassiopee. This had profound influences on crop development and delayed flowering by 25 days in Rosalind, 13 days in RGT Planet, and 7 days in Cassiopee.
 Despite a 48% difference in the dry matter removed on 8 July between the spring varieties Rosalind and RGT Planet in contrast to the winter variety Cassiopee there was no significant interaction between variety and defoliation for final yield.
 At harvest while there were significant differences in head numbers between varieties, with Rosalind and RGT Planet having 280 and 240 heads more than Cassiopee respectively, plant population and defoliation did not significantly impact head numbers.

 Similar yields were achieved at low and higher plant densities. While defoliation reduced yield on average by 0.3t/ha.
 Defoliation at GS32 in Rosalind corresponded to a defoliation date of GS31 in RGT Planet and mid tillering in the winter cultivar Cassiopee.
 RGT Planet suffered a 0.66t/ha yield penalty with defoliation, and Cassiopee yielded similar to the control.
 Despite the later than recommended defoliation date in Rosalind there was no significant reduction in yield and crop development was delayed. In other experiments Rosalind has responded well to this treatment and in frostier environments or in years where light
conditions were more favorable in October it may be possible to increase yield with this strategy

 Cultivar choice had the biggest influence on head densities. Rosalind reached 965 heads/m2, Planet 746 heads/m2, and Urambie 820 heads/m2. This reflects the genetic ability of these cultivars to tiller and the proportion of tillers that survive.
 Similar yields were achieved at low and higher plant densities, consistent with findings from other experiments that demonstrate limited yield responses at target densities above 150 seeds/m2
 Defoliation reduced yield on average by 0.5t/ha.
 Defoliation at GS32 in Rosalind corresponded to a defoliation date of GS31 in RGT Planet and later tillering in the winter cultivar Urambie
 Despite the later than recommended defoliation date in Rosalind there was a significant delay in crop development. In other experiments Rosalind has responded well to this treatment and in frostier environments or in higher production environments years it may be possible to increase yield with this strategy from earlier planting dates.

• Jumpstart seed inoculant did not increase the yield of treated crops in 2009.
• Jumpstart seed inoculant increased the early vigour of the crop.

• Plant tests indicated marginal potassium (K) supply but there were no obvious visual responses.
• An independent analysis of NDVI imagery showed that K-Till Extra Plus was more effective than the MAP/MoP blend, and this was supported by significant yield differences.
• K-Till Extra Plus outyielded the MAP/MoP blend by 170 kg/ha.
• Grain quality was not affected by treatment – proteins were about 11.4%, hectolitre weights 80 kg/hL and screenings 4%.

 

Three projects are running, one in each of the western, northern and southern GRDC regions. NSW DPI and FarmLInk, together with Southern Farming Systems, the Mackillop Farm Management Group and AgGrow Agronomy, are responsible for the Southern GRDC region.

The project still underway, the analyses of samples will be completed during 2016.

The main messages from BCG work are presented in this report.

• The site was very responsive to nitrogen (N) fertiliser. Increasing N inputs from 12 to 75 kg N/ha increased yields by about 0.36 t/ha
• NUlogic suggested very little response to P and K after soil testing. It is important to be soil testing at least every 3-4 years so that fertiliser rates recommended are applied for maximum economic returns to the grower.
• Tissue tests on the 3rd July indicated marginal S deficiency in the no S treatments but there was no yield response.
• Wind and rain after seeding caused furrow fill resulting in poor germination (5-15 plants m²).
• Yield potential  probably limited by low soil pH
• Decile 1 rainfall year for the area, interpret results accordingly.
• Quality analysis not yet available.

• This preliminary study suggests that both chaff carts and windrow burning removes significant amounts of nutrients from the paddock.  Most of the K left behind in the windrows remains in the paddock.  However, most harvesters now have auto-steer so these nutrients are effectively placed in the same strip each year.  Growers who make windrows and have auto-steer are advised to embark on a program of moving the windrow across approximately 1m each year.  If they do not move the header each year then all of the K is placed in the same strip each year which is essentially lost from the system which is a big cost to the grower (Table 3).
• While the Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD) may be more capital intensive and more costly to run than a chaff cart or windrow burning, all of the nutrients contained in crop residue remain in the paddock.  The true cost of all systems should be considered when deciding which method of harvest weed seed management to adopt.  For a header harvesting 3000ha at an average yield of 3 t/ha the cost of the three systems is similar (assuming the header moves across 1m each year when making windrows) (Table 3).  For a smaller area of crop the relative cost of the destructor and chaff cart increase due to the capital cost being spread over a smaller area. 

• A review of fertiliser responses on different soils in the southern Wimmera.
• Unfortunately the scanned copy I received was illegible, there is only one copy in the Victorian library system and they would not release the printed version.
• Primarily on pastures but some cropping experiments.

• Virgin "Cypress Pine Sand" was deficient in copper, manganese and zinc.

• The nutrient status of 33 virgin soils were examined in pots in the glasshouse using nutrient additions (omission experiment) and Phaseolus lathyroides as the test plant.
• Molybdenum deficiencies were most common in central and norther black earths.
• There was no apparent relationship between pH and molybdenum deficiency.
• Molybdenum deficiency was more common under grassland than brigalow soils.
• Response to zinc were minor.

• The nutrient status of five virgin soils were examined in pots in the glasshouse using nutrient additions (omission experiment).
• Four of the five soils were deficient in molybdenum.
• Liming to pH 6.5 without trace element addition depressed yields, presumably due to molybdenum deficiency.
• One soils responded to zinc but there were no responses to copper or manganese.

The basic message has been to 'wherever possible maintain your normal management practieces'. Changing rotations, cutting back on yield, generating inputs and taking short cuts only serves to increase the risk of missing out on a return to profitable growing conditions this year.

• Conventional tillage enhances soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover with the potential to simultaneously increase plant available nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S)] in the soil compared with no-till and perennial pasture.
• Across farming management practices and under ideal soil moisture, soil organic matter (SOM) could have supplied up to 45 kg N, 16 kg P and 19 kg S/ha in the absence of plant carbon (C) input.
• Over a longer period (126 days), particularly if there is a lack of plant C input (e.g. a normal fallow period), any P or S released via native SOM turnover over a shorter period (e.g. over 30 days) would have been immobilised by microorganisms and/or adsorbed to soil minerals, hence decreasing P and S availability for crop uptake

Variable rate fertiliser application has a real and profitable place in the Mallee when combined with good paddock science. The precision technology gives the ability to examine the yield data for many effects including other possible influencing factors such as elevation, slope aspect or orientation to the sun, and probably many others.

• Calculate the quantity of key nutrients (N and P) that you removed from your paddocks in grain last year using simple rules of thumb – aim to at least replace this and add more if you can.
• Deep N soil test in paddocks where protein was low.
• Sow into standing stubbles if possible.
• Make more informed nutrient decisions - know your soil organic carbon & PBI.

Peak yields of 10.98t/ha were achieved at 90kg N/ha, whereas 10kg of applied N yielded 9.98t/ha (1 t less), and at 290kg N/ha yields achieved were 10.2t/ha (table 1).
Yield responses match NDVI responses during the critical period reaffirming growth and crops intercepting light during this period is the key to higher yields (figure 1).
Crop biomass increased with Nitrogen rate from 16.1–20.5t/ha, however harvest index declined due to increased lodging and brackling (figure 2).
These results are consistent with other HYC sites in that once crop biomass at maturity in barley exceeds 16t/ha it is difficult to achieve a harvest index above 50%.
Screenings increased and test weight declined at the highest N rates, likely due to lodging and or brackling.

 There was no additional yield benefit of applying N above 126kg/ha in 2021.
 Extra Nitrogen applications increased grain protein, every additional 20 units of N above 126kg/ha increased protein by 0.4% suggesting the N was taken up but nor converting to yield.
 There was little evidence of extra biomass being achieved at any growth stage with extra N.
 Other grain quality parameters were not influenced by N.

- A mean yield of 8.8t/ha was achieved across the experiment and proteins were greater than 10.5% and within malt barley specification.
- There wasn’t any additional yield benefit from an extra 25% and 50% N combined when applied either with or without the additional P and S fertilizer compared to the farmer applied nutrition which totaled 130 Nkg.ha
- The aspirational N treatment of an additional 60 units of N increased grain protein by ~0.4% compared to the current practice.
- All other yield components and lodging were not influenced by N nutrition in this experiment

- Means yields of 8.99t/ha were achieved and despite grain protein levels below 10% there wasn’t any additional yield benefit from and extra 25% and 50% N combined when applied either with or without the additional P and S fertilizer compared to the farmer applied nutrition which totaled 130 Nkg.ha
- The aspirational N treatment of an additional 60 units of N increased grain protein by ~0.3% compared to the current practice.
- Other components such as lodging were not influenced by N nutrition in this experiment
- These findings are consistent with the first sowing date and suggests more N from applied fertilizer is unlikely to significant increase grain yields.

- A mean yield of 7.25 t/ha was achieved across the experiment and proteins were greater than 10.5% and within malt barley specification.
- There wasn’t any additional yield benefit from and extra 25% and 50% N combined when applied either with or without the additional P and S fertilizer compared to the farmer applied nutrition which totaled 148kg N/ha
- The aspirational N treatment of an additional 35 units of N increased grain protein by ~1.7 % compared to the current practice.
- These results are consistent with other experiments across the high rainfall zones, were limited responses to applied N fertilization are measurable when application rates exceed 150 units of N.

- A mean yield of 4.24t/ha was achieved across the experiment and proteins were greater than 11.4% and outside of malt specifications suggesting N was not limiting in this experiment.
- There wasn’t any additional yield benefit from an extra 25% and 50% N combined when applied either with or without the additional P and S fertilizer compared to the farmer applied nutrition which totaled 86kg N/ha
- The aspirational 25% and 50% more N treatments both increased grain protein by 1.1% and 1.9% which indicates the N was taken up but not contributing to yield
- These results are consistent with other experiments across the high rainfall zones, were limited responses to applied N fertilization are measurable when application rates exceed 150 units of N.

- A mean yield of 10.21 t/ha was achieved across the experiment and proteins were greater than 10.5% and within malt barley specification.
- There wasn’t any additional yield benefit from 60 kg N/ha (extra 25%) and 120 kg N/ha (50% extra N) combined when applied either with or without the additional P and S fertilizer compared to untreated control
- The aspirational N treatment of an additional 60 units of N increased grain protein by ~1 % compared to the untreated but did not increase yield.
- These results are consistent with other experiments across the high rainfall zones, were limited responses to applied N fertilization are measurable on fertile soils.

 There was no yield response in winter feed wheat cv RGT Accroc to additional nutrient input above the standard N input of 168kg N/ha, which included a standard of 120kg/ha MAP at sowing (12N, 24P) despite yields of 9.5-10t/ha.
 The average yield of the trial in RGT Accroc was 9.47t/ha compared to 7.83t/ha in the milling wheat Rockstar trial (in surrounding commercial crop).
 Protein levels in the zero N plots (control) were significantly increased from 9.5% to 11.7 – 12.0% with the additional nutrients, but the increases were not associated with higher grain yields above standard nutrition (168N, 24P) in the feed wheat RGT
Accroc.
 With the farm crop milling wheat trial in Rockstar additional nutrition increased both yield and protein, even though protein was over %12.6.
 On average, protein levels were higher in the milling wheat Rockstar (13.6%) compared to the feed wheat RGT Accroc (11.3%).
 At harvest there were increased head numbers and dry matter production associated with greater nutrition input (cv RGT Accroc – feed wheat) but this did not lead to increased grain yield.
 There was no effect of additional nutrition on harvest index (data not presented), however the milling wheat Rockstar had higher harvest index (40.5%) compared to the feed wheat RGT Accroc (34.2%).
 The unfertilised crop of RGT Accroc had a N offtake in the grain of 129kg N/ha based on 7.74t/ha and 1.66% N in the grain (9.5% protein). If it is assumed that 25% of the N at harvest is in the straw and chaff then the unfertilised crop would have removed
approximately 172kg N//ha of which 59.3 kg N/ha was recorded in the soil core on 29th July (0-60cm) with 12kg N/ha provided by the MAP.
 This residual fertility in the farming system would explain why the standard nutrition control removed 242kg N/ha in the canopy (based on the same calculations) when only 168kg N/ha was applied as fertiliser.

 There was a significant response to N application in the trial with a 2.41t/ha yield increase associated with a 200kg N/ha application applied in three splits.
 200kg N/ha produced a crop canopy of 23t/ha dry matter
 There was no significant increase in yield over and above 200N or from the application of additional P and S, although grain protein continued to increase up to 291N the highest rate of nitrogen fertiliser applied.

 The unfertilised crop (100 MAP only at sowing) resulted in a 9.37t/ha crop and 8.9% grain protein.
 Based on the N concentration in the grain the N offtake in the grain alone was approximately 146kg N/ha. If 25% of the N typically resides in the straw and chaff at harvest, then crop uptake in the unfertilised plot was approximately 195kg N/ha.
 On this basis of soil N available in May (103N) and 10N from the MAP it would indicate 82kg N/ha from mineralisation.
 Increasing grain protein did not increase crop canopy size beyond 23.8t/ha dry matter at harvest. Application of 291N produced significantly lower yields than 204N and 252N applied.
 Although grain protein increased with higher N fertiliser input screenings gradually increased with test weight and thousand seed weight showing a decreasing trend.

• There was no response above the standard N input of 130kg N/ha, which also received a standard of 100kg/ha MAP at sowing (10N, 21.9P).
• Protein levels (12.1% in the standard) and dry matter at harvest indicated that yield was maximised at this level of nutritional input.
• Protein was increased by more N applied but yield was unaffected.
• Test weight was significantly reduced but differences were small (1kg/hL)

• There was no response above the standard N input of 148kg N/ha, which also included a standard of 100kg/ha MAP at sowing (10N, 21.9P).
• Protein levels in the standard control were increased from 9.7% to 11% with additional N application but the increases were not associated with higher grain yields.
• At harvest there was no evidence of dry matter increases associated with greater nutrition input.
• Test weight was unaffected by the nutrition strategy in this trial, but there was a very slight increase in screenings.

• There was no yield response with nutrient input above the standard N input of 152kg N/ha, which included a standard of 120kg/ha MAP at sowing (12N, 26P).
• The average yield of the trial in RGT Accroc was 10.06t/ha compared to 7.47t/ha in the milling wheat Coolah for the same treatments.
• Protein levels in the standard control were significantly increased from 10.8% to 11.3 – 11.6% with the additional nutrients, but the increases were not associated with higher grain yields (cv Accroc – feed wheat).
• With the farm crop milling wheat Coolah additional nutrition neither increased protein or yield, although protein levels with the milling wheat were higher overall (standard 11.9%).
• At harvest there was no evidence of dry matter increases associated with greater nutrition input.
• Test weight with the feed wheat was significantly reduced by the additional nutrition applied in this trial, but the differences were small and screenings were unaffected.

• Nutrient omission experiment at 7 sites.
• Take homes messages were that phosphorus was a limiting factor to grain yield in 2015. Zinc was limiting yield at three locations.
• Iron was a limiting factor on a grey-brown vertosol with a 50 year cropping history.
• 12 treatments were; Zero nutrients, All nutrients, - N, - P, - K, - Ca, - B, - Cu, - Zn, - Mn, - Mg, - Fe.
• Application method varied between nutrients. Both P and N were applied at sowing, at 10 kg P/ha as Trifos and 10 kg N/ha as urea, respectively. Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe were applied as chelates in a foliar spray. K was applied as Potassium citrate and B as Boron ethanolamine as foliar sprays. N and P applied at sowing, all other nutrients sprayed at mid vegetative stage. PBA HatTrick was sown at all sites at 30 plants/m2.
• Sites differed in responses.
• Rowena showed no significant responses to applied nutrients.
• The Trangie, Edgeroi and Coonamble sites showed yield responses to applied Zn of, 28, 18 and 7%, respectively. Coonamble, Nowley, Moree and North Star had responses to applied P of, 4, 15, 15 and 11%, respectively.
• Also at the Coonamble site, a grey-brown vertosol which has been cropped since the early 1960s, also showed an 8% yield response to applied Fe.
• Older cropping country is showing responses to applied P as well as Zn and in one instance Fe.

• The omission (absence) of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser inputs at the Inverleigh canola trial site caused a statistically significant reduction in canola grain yield
• Visual biomass differences at the Glenthompson wheat site were noted during the season, but did not translate to yield
• Low rainfall and high temperatures in the 2015 spring reduced the response of crops to the presence or absence of nutrients

The main messages from the trial work undertaken in 2005 for nutrient management in 2006 are summaried in this report.

• Grain & Graze is helping farmers increase their knowledge about nutrition of sheep.
• Don’t wait for the ‘magic’ supplements.
• Find out what your sheep lack and supplement their feed.
• Energy is usually the most limiting nutrient.
• Protein may be limiting for young or growing stock.
• Liquid molasses (e.g. Molofos) may encourage sheep to eat dry feed

• Wheat fertilised with DAP placed with seed yielded 0.5 t/ha (20%) less than wheat with DAP placed below seed in 2017 at Loxton but had no effect at Karoonda.
• Using 50 kg DAP/ha with the seed and 35 kg Urea/ha deep was better than 50 kg DAP/ha and 35 kg Urea/ha all below the seed on sand at Loxton.

• Previously observed benefits of improved N use efficiency where Zn is supplied with the N were not captured in the 2017 season.

• Grain sorghum is the staple food of lowland farmers in semi-arid tropical areas of Africa and Asia, but crop yields are commonly less than 30% of those in developed countries.
• Nutritional disorders frequently diminish yields because grain sorghum is grown in areas with impoverished soils and little fertiliser.
• This handbook describes a range of micronutrients deficiencies and toxicities of grain sorghum, drawn from field work in India and glasshouse trails in Queensland.
• The most common nutritional disorders observed in sorghum growing on alkaline soils are deficiencies of iron, zinc, and manganese.
• The major nutritional problems for sorghum growing on acid soils are toxicities of aluminium, iron, and manganese, and deficiencies of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, and zinc.

• Zn status in wheat may need to be monitored where lime is used, as the addition of high lime rates depressed Zn concentrations.
• However, lime application increased K and had no effect on Mg concentrations.

There may be an opportunity to enhance phosphorus uptake in wheat following an albus lupin crop.

• The extremely late break to the season highlighted maturity differences very clearly. The fast maturing varieties like H45 and H46 yielded highest, while the long season varieties like Rosella, EGA-Wedgetail and  Marombi yielded the lowest.
• Yield varied from 0.96 -1.9t/ha.
• The protein levels varied from 12.9% (H45) to 17.1% (Marombi). Protein levels were all high because of the short grain filling period.

• The main issue that needs to be kept in mind when interpreting the results is the relative maturity of varieties.
• The 5 June sowing date means that faster maturing varieties like Grout, Hindmarsh, Tilga and Schooner have an advantage over slower varieties like Gairdner and Tantangara and the results need to be interpreted in this context.

• This trial was a bit of a mixed bag with conventional, clearfield and TT varieties of varying maturities evaluated.

• Hail in early October negated the effect of early sowing due to increased shattering losses in the early canola over the later sown canola.
• Aphids were very damaging in the podding stages and would have significantly reduced yield and possibly oil content also.

• Seasonal conditions of 2003 limited the yield of pulse crops, with the average yield below 0.5 t/ha.
• The highest yielding pulse crop was Field Peas. Vetch was the lowest yielding crop.
• The highest yielding variety was Dundale field peas, whilst Excel field peas were the lowest yielding variety.

• It was difficult to see the carryover of residual P into 2003 in this trial as some plots were affected by crown rot or common root rot (still to be determined).
• The maximum wheat yield was achieved when 5 kg P/ha was applied in 2003 on top of 11 kg P/ha applied in 2002.

• Results were not conclusive, probably due to late topdressing stage and little rain
  following (5 mm).

• Variety differences were not statistically significant other than the lower yielding Sunkota which was the most severely affected by Yellow leaf spot.
• Despite the early sowing of several of these varieties, frost was of minor significance in this year.

• Canola yields in 2003 were below average, mostly less than 0.5 t/ha.
• No yield response was reported with increased rates of P and N fertiliser.

• Unfortunately in contrast to quality measurements grain yield results were not statistically significant.
• Caution should be taken when assessing the performance of faster maturing varieties like Ellison in an early sown trial situation like this.

• Seeding date had a greater influence on oat grain yield, oat grain quality and return per hectare ($/ha) than variety selection or seed rate in 2015.
• Delaying seeding from early May to early June reduced grain yield by 32% and return per hectare by 45%.
• In lower rainfall environments Bannister is a better option than Carrolup, Williams and Yallara.
• When released, WA02Q302-9 will be a useful oat variety in situations where low hectolitre weight is consistently a problem or with later seeding opportunities.
• Maximum return per hectare was achieved between a target density of 100 to 200 plants/m2, which is in line with the suggested target density for grain oats in low rainfall areas of 160 plants/m2.
• The return per hectare of Bannister oat was maximised at a higher density than for Carrolup, WA02Q302-9, Williams and Yallara, suggesting Bannister should be sown at a higher target density than those varieties. This is a preliminary observation and more research is needed to confirm the optimum target density for the new milling oat varieties.

• Time of sowing had a greater influence on oat grain and hay yield, and oat grain quality than variety selection or level of applied nitrogen in 2015.
• High screenings limited the ability of grain to meet Oat1 quality standards, this was due to the detrimental impact of delayed seeding and/or applied nitrogen in excess of that required in lower rainfall environments.
• Applying more than 20 kg N/ha did not improve the return per hectare ($/ha); rather, applying 80 kg N/ha consistently reduced return per hectare ($/ha).
• Screening of Williams and Carrolup were more sensitive to applied nitrogen than WA02Q302-9, Bannister and Yallara.
• WA02Q302-9 appears a suitable replacement for Yallara and Carrolup, and should achieve a better hectolitre weight than Bannister at similar or lower yields.

 New variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) out-yielded Carrolup (by 0.3 t/ha), but did not out-yield Williams, and was between Williams and Carrolup in grain quality. 

Similar to 2017, a mild finish to the growing season meant all varieties met Oat1 quality specifications, and reduced the response of varieties to changes in plant density and applied nitrogen.

 

 New variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) out-yielded Carrolup (by 0.7 t/ha), but did not out-yield Williams , and had lower grain quality than Carrolup in grain quality. 

Similar to 2017, a mild finish to the growing season meant all varieties met Oat1 quality specifications, and agronomy had a reduced impact on grain quality.

 Kowari and Williams yielded similarly, and out-yielded newly accredited variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) (by 0.15 t/ha) and Carrolup (by 0.25 t/ha).

Bilby was the most sensitivity to increasing nitrogen, with N increasing from 0 to 60kg N/ha significantly reducing Bilby’s hectolitre weight.

• Bogong has been the highest yielding triticale variety over the past few years
• Mitika, Possum and Potoroo have been high yielding oat varieties, Wandering produced high yields in 2009 but has some disease issues that may affect yield in other years.

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

Nitrogen application to optimise waterlogging recovery

Please see attached trial report for results.

Nitrogen application to optimise waterlogging recovery

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.

Nitrogen application to optimise waterlogging recovery

When making oat varietal decisions, it is important to consider various factors. These include the environmental suitability, end use (milling, feed grain, grain and graze or hay production) and likelihood that the required grade/quality will be achieved, potential disease issues (both root and foliar leaf diseases) and yield potential.

When making varietal decisions with oats, need to take into account various factors, including the environmental suitability, end use (milling, feed grain, grain and graze or hay production) and likelihood that the required grade/quality will be achieved, potential disease issues (both root disease and foliar leaf diseases) and yield potential.

In a year with an outlook of a dry finish and lack of grain fill due to limited moisture, high temperatures or frost, the ability to take advantage of early crop growth through oaten hay is a reasonable risk management tool to consider.

High yielding export quality oaten hay crops were successfully grown in the Charlton district (Echidna yielded 6.5 t/ha dry matter) in the 2001 season.

Oaten hay production is an opportunity to intensify the cereal proportion of a cropping rotation without increasing root disease burdens provided a CCN resistant variety is grown. With current prices of $120-140/t oaten hay production is a viable option.