Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

• The performance of the wheat varieties sown at the first sowing time was influenced by drought induced copper deficiency (visual assessment).   These symptoms were not observed in the other sowing times. 
• Noodle varieties Fortune and Calingiri had the highest economic returns due to the exceptional prices received for noodles in 2010.  If noodle prices return to traditional premiums then returns for these varieties will significantly reduce.
• Magenta was the highest yielding variety at the first sowing time however there was a 600kg/ha drop in production when seeding was delayed by 18 days.  Screenings (whole and cracked) were greater than 5% at time of sowing 1 and 2 which influenced economic returns.
• Mace and Wyalkatchem yielded similarly at each sowing time however economic returns were greater for Mace because it is classified as Aust. Hard wheat.

• A new strain of stripe rust has emerged that is virulent against the Yr17 resistance gene present in Derrimut, Young, Pugsley and Carinya. Although resistance data is not yet available for these varieties in the presence of the new strain, the resistance ratings of these varieties may be reduced and growers should be mindful of this in their variety selections.
• Replacement of Yitpi with a stem rust resistant AH alternative is a high priority for Victorian growers. Correll, Derrimut, Young and Catalina should be considered.
• Correll and Derrimut are currently favoured as a Yitpi replacement, although the impact of the new strain of stripe rust on the stripe rust resistance rating of Derrimut needs to be closely monitored.

• The stand-out performer in 2001/02 was the new CSIRO BYDV resistant variety MacKellar with a yield of over 10t/ha at Symmons Plains.
• This was 25% greater than Paterson at Symmons Plains and 12% greater at Campbell Town in an observation plot.
• For further results please see the attached trial report.

Early maturing wheats generally performed well in 2002-03 due to the sharp finish to the season and lack of frosts at flowering. Overall MacKellar (mid maturity) continued to yield well. With one year of evaluation the two late CSIRO lines LH49E2 and LH50M16 showed good potential for Tasmanian conditions. 

At both sites stripe rust appeared relatively late and fungicide sprays were applied to control the disease.

Wheat varieties were evaluated at Campbell Town (dryland) and Longford (irrigated). At Campbell Town frost damage at ear emergence and flowering was the factor most influencing yield. All the later maturing lines avoided some of this damage and were the highest yielding. Grain yields at the Longford site were exceptionally high (average of 10.2 t/ha). The CSIRO line 95102.1 was particularly impressive yielding 12.0t/ha. Two other CSIRO lines also yielded very well and the good run of these lines continues. The best performing “named” varieties were Mackellar and Alberic, the latter also yielded well at Campbell Town being late flowering. An additional 50 kg/ha topdressed nitrogen tended to increase yields of all lines at Longford and this effect was close to significant. The very high yields at Longford, both in the trial and commercial crop illustrate the potential for high input crops with irrigation and provide some light in an otherwise very ordinary season.

• A new strain of stripe rust has emerged that is virulent against the Yr17 resistance gene present in Derrimut, Young, Pugsley and Carinya. Although resistance data is not yet available for these varieties in the presence of the new strain, the resistance ratings of these varieties may be reduced and growers should be mindful of this in their variety selections.
• Replacement of Yitpi with a stem rust resistant AH alternative is a high priority for Victorian growers. Correll, Derrimut, Young and Catalina should be considered.
• Correll and Derrimut are currently favoured as a Yitpi replacement, although the impact of the new strain of stripe rust on the stripe rust resistance rating of Derrimut needs to be closely monitored.

• In 2015, seasonal conditions tended to favour shorter season varieties. When selecting varieties,need to ensure long-term data and varietal disease profiles is considered in addition to the annual trial results.
• The new variety Scepter has the highest long-term production value for the region, followed by Corack, Cosmick and Trojan.
• Foliar disease had little impact on varietal performance in 2015, but frost combined with terminal drought affected south east trials.

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

Data from NVT (National Variety Trials) contains long-term site results. This data should be utilised to reduce the effect of seasonal variability in the decision-making process.

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

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

• Ιn the upper South East the best yielding varieties were the early spring types due to the heat wave conditions in early November.
• In the lower South East, longer season wheats produced high grain yields at Millicent, although longer season varieties were affected by the hot early November at Conmurra.

• Fungicide application did not increase site mean wheat yield.
• In the absence of disease, fungicide application resulted in increased variety protein %. 
• Growers should aim to select resistant wheat varieties, using up-to-date disease guides for varietal choice.

• Early sowing increased grain yields in all of the wheat varieties trialed, however, the size of the increase was dependent on the variety.
• Nitrogen application increased grain yield in the early sown treatments and increased grain protein especially in late sown crops.

• There was little difference in the root growth of wheat and canola.
• There was evidence of restricted root development in the 20-40cm soil layer.
• Wheat yield increased with increasing nitrogen but grain size was reduced slightly.
• There was no evidence of declining yield with high nitrogen in this experiment.

• The legume rotations increased wheat yields in the following crop by 1t/ha.
• Ripping gave a higher benefit after the legume rotations than non-legume rotations.
• No significant adverse effect on screenings was detected in the higher yielding treatments.

• Despite the late sowing, wheat yields were reasonable. The hightest yield was for wheat after canola with ripping. With 80kg N/ha, this was 3.1t/ha.
• The benefit of ripping had decreased markedly from the previous season.
• The canola rotation increased wheat yield by about 0.5t/ha. It was greater with ripping.
• The main conclusion from this experiment is that on this soil type, potential yields can be obtained with management tools already available to growers.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

Please see attached trial report for results.

• Common root rot (CRR) is a fungal disease that has the potential to reduce susceptible wheat, barley and oat yields.
• Moderately resistant CRR varieties, such as Strzelecki and Sunstate, did not suffer grain yield or grain quality losses due to CRR
• Drysdale, Combat and Hunter showed moderate resistance to CRR, although as yet they have no disease rating

2003 will be remembered for many as a stripe rust year, however variety selection in 2004 should also be based on agronomic performance and potential grain quality. Varieties with a minimum stripe rust rating of MS-S should be selected, factoring in a single fungicide application if required. New wheats to consider for the Wimmera and Mallee are Drysdale, GBA-Sapphire and GBA-Ruby.

The 2005 season in general suited wheats with mid-late maturity because of the favourable spring following a dry winter. Entries in the National Variety Testing (NVT) system were not sprayed for rust control and stripe rust had a large effect on yield of susceptible varieties in many environments. Growers should keep these two factors in mind when assessing yield data from the 2005 season.

Nitrogen use has resulted in great improvements in crop yield in favourable seasons.
In dry seasons too much applied nitrogen can result in haying-off and lower yields.
Good guidelines are now available for nitrogen use to reduce the risk of crop failure resulting from applying too much fertiliser nitrogen.
The critical factors are:
• Stored soil water (control summer weeds)
• Measure how much nitrogen is in the soil prior to sowing
• Calculate nitrogen requirement from the target yield
• Do not pre-drill more than 60 kg/ha of urea in the 350mm rainfall zone (100kg/ha in the 450mm zone)
• Split applications are safer
• Topdress with urea if the soil test indicates a need, the crop is healthy, and the outlook is for an average to wet season

30 years after application, water soluble P leaches to depth on grey sands but is still effective for the growth of deep rooted blue lupins.  On the one-hand, the citrate-soluble P in C-500 releases more slowly through time and so has a longer term residual effect than water soluble P. On the other hand, higher rates of C-500 are required than superphosphate to reach maximum yield when soil P levels are low.  It is less likely to leach and so pollute ground waters. If cheap enough, C-500 could be used as a maintenance P fertiliser.  Much work is still to be done on this trial site.

Calculating N supply in a highly variable climate is a difficult task and delivering split applications is attractive when aiming to minimise the risk of over- or under-fertilising.

• All oat varieties tested at Kimba in 2018 produced the same dry matter, hay quality and grain yield.
• Durack was the earliest maturing variety (for potential hay cutting and grain), so a good choice in very dry seasons.
• In a dry season Moby barley performed well for early dry matter production compared to oats, but performed poorly for grain yield.

• All oat varieties achieved over 8% protein and estimated metabolisable energy greater than 9 MJ/kg DM in both 2018 and 2019, so would meet export hay quality.
• The recommended oat varieties to grow in the Kimba region are Durack, Yallara, Brusher or Wallaroo. Brusher and Wallaroo performed well in 2018.
• Durack is ready for hay cutting at a much earlier time than other varieties.

 

Vetch is a multi-purpose crop; its versatility allows decisions about its end-use to be made during the year (grain, hay/silage or green manure/grazing) and also can be used as a management tool against resistant weed development. Vetch can improve soil fertility by returning organic matter to the soil, increase yield in the following crop by means of nitrogen fixation and reduce disease and insect risk for the following crop. Two new varieties; SA-34823 and SA-35103 are set for release in spring 2013.

Match the maturity of a variety with sowing date to maximise biomass accumulation, flowering during the optimum time and maximise grain yield potential: – “If sowing early, sow long, or don’t sow wheat at all”.

• There is an opportunity cost and yield penalty of sowing short-mid season varieties too early (early to late April) in the central and southern production zones, similar to sowing mid-long season varieties too late.
• If sowing mid-April in the northern, eastern and southern wheatbelt without frost risk sow mid-long season varieties. If sowing in late May sow short-mid season wheats.
• If sowing in areas of frost risk in the northern, eastern and southern wheatbelt, don’t sow wheat in April, in early May sow mid-long season varieties in areas of low to moderate frost risk and sow areas of severe frost risk in late May to mid-long varieties.
• Highest yields at all sites have typically been achieved by mid-long maturing varieties sown from late April onwards, and short-mid maturing varieties sown in mid-May. At moderate to severe frost prone sites and with disease pressure, however, delaying sowing of mid-long maturities into mid-May, and the use of winter/long wheats when sowing in early to late April, is essential to minimise frost and disease risk.

• Spores travel long distances so reducing stubble will only reduce white grain levels if adjacent paddocks are managed in the same way.
• Spraying fungicides is unlikely to be the answer to white grain problems.
• All the common wheat varieties grown on Eyre Peninsula can be susceptible to white grain.
• If growers observe white grain they may be able to reduce contamination by blowing away lighter grain during harvesting.
• Trials and monitoring will be ongoing on EP during 2012.

Andrew’s management of water repellence demonstrates that a strategy of affordable progressive amelioration and better sowing methods for the rest of the crop can be a successful and profitable approach for managing soil water repellence. On-farm testing of water repellence management options can help confirm which strategies are likely to be successful and profitable on particular soils and landscapes. The use of winged paired-row systems, winged points, banded-wetting agents, on-row seeding or broadcast spreading a proportion of the seed ahead of the bar can all potentially improve the effectiveness of sowing on water repellent soils and this is the subject of ongoing research.

• The Whole Farm Soil Mapping Project addresses the Caring for our Country and the South West Regional Natural Resource Management Strategy (2012 - 2020) targets to reduce the fertilizer and nutrient run off in to water ways through implementation of best practice fertilizer management on farms, as recommended in the Peel - Harvey Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIP).

• In the dry season of 2001, lentils, field peas and canola yielded poorly whereas whet and barley yielded well.
• Hostile subsoil conditions limited the rooting depth of pulses and canola, while wheat and barley were more tolerant and able to extract moisture down to a dep of 1m.
• Pulses and canola will always struggle to perform in dry springs unless they are grown on soils where their roots can extrac soil water deeper than 50cm.

• The only way to accurately know your soil pH is to send a sample for a laboratory test (soil testing kits are available from the PIRSA Office in Kingscote).
• Have a look at the on-line acidity tools . They are easy to use and extremely helpful in guiding liming decisions.
• Liming will pay for itself, often in the first year. 
   

The reasons why barley at high sowing rate has the potential for high screenings are:

• Barley produces significantly more shoots per plant than wheat

• Grain weight decreases for each shoot

Hence because barley has many more shoots than wheat, and these extra shoots have smaller grain, the screening level in barley is often higher than in wheat In both crops it is possible to reduce the amount of tillering by increasing the sowing rate. For Silverstar wheat 2.2 shoots formed at a sowing rate of 60 kg/ha, at 120 kg/ha only 1.5 shoots formed. For Sloop barley the number of shoots also decreased but nowhere near as much (at 60 kg/ha - 5 shoots; and at 120 kg/ha - 2.8 shoots).

Hence even at the high sowing rate of 120 kg/ha barley still produced too many shoots and the contribution of the small grain in the third and subsequent shoots is too large a percentage of the whole sample which results in an overall reduced grain weight for the sample.

• Canola grown in wide rows (50-60cm) yielded well enough to consider this row spacing as an option.
• Canola plants were able to compensate for being sown in wide rows - biomass similar to narrow rows.
• We may be able to reduce input costs, seed and fertiliser by refining the production package in wide rows.
• Wide rows offer benefits of reduced fuel costs at seeding, easy stubble handling and safety of IBS herbicides.

• Canola grown in wide rows (50-60cm) yielded well enough to consider this row spacing as an option.
• Canola plants were able to compensate for being sown in wide rows - biomass similar to narrow rows.
• We may be able to reduce input costs, seed and fertiliser by refining the production package in wide rows.
• Wide rows offer benefits of reduced fuel costs at seeding, easy stubble handling and safety of IBS herbicides.

• Canola grown in wide rows (50-60cm) yielded well enough to consider this row spacing as an option.
• Canola plants were able to compensate for being sown in wide rows - biomass similar to narrow rows.
• We may be able to reduce input costs, seed and fertiliser by refining the production package in wide rows.
• Wide rows offer benefits of reduced fuel costs at seeding, easy stubble handling and safety of IBS herbicides.

• The main difference in yield may have been due to poor tillage in the 500mm spaced crop.
• The entire crop was reliant on the soil nutrition from the pasutre as no fertiliser was applied to the paddock prior to and following seeding.
• Later sowing of the trial may have jeopardised the wide row's yield capacity therefore it would be encouraged that when considering sowing in wide rows early seeding is preferable.
• It may be noted that if nutrition was not a limiting factor for the 500mm crop, the water supply from the wide row may have increased yield to similar or better than that of the 250mm crop.

The wide row treatments were closer to achieveing potential yield according to the French-Schultz equation.

• Amira albus lupin is a good break crop option for high and medium rainfall areas of the northern region
• Albus lupin grown in 44 cm rows yielded 81% of 22 cm rows.
• Maintaining a high seed rate maximised yield at both 22 and 44 cm row spacing’s.
• In dry conditions fungal disease were not evident, therefore we could not assess the impact of row spacing and density on foliar diseases.

The results, even after relatively good spring rains, support the idea of conserving soil moisture between wide rows and reducing drought effects.

• A combination of Monza and Sakura applied PSPE provided the highest levels of wild oat control (68%)
• Even with good control a high weed density remained (>200 plants per square metre) which would still be expected to cause significant crop yield losses (90%)

• Sakura alone or in combination with Avadex Xtra provided the highest levels of wild oat control (75%).
• Although Sakura treatments provided the highest level of wild oat control the high weed density remaining (>50 plants per square metre) would still be expected to cause significant crop yield losses (50%).

In 2014, an estimated 61 per cent of the seed bank germinated throughout the season, enabling a rapid reduction of the wild radish population and having a positive effect on grain yield. However, due to the long dormancy of the seed (six to eight years), 100 per cent control would be needed to eradicate the entire seed bank.

Approximately 30 per cent of the seed bank germinated as a result of summer rainfall; best practice is to make the most of seasons that deliver a summer break to get a good knockdown.

Aim to control 100 per cent of seed set by using multiple cultural, chemical and mechanical practices to eradicate the seed bank and stop resistance development.

Overall control of wild radish:

• 2-leaf only treatments achieved total control of the treated population, but with some minor subsequent germination after treatment final control was rated 91-92 percent.
• 6-leaf only treatments failed to control the treated population achieving final control of 80-86 percent.
• 2-leaf followed by 6-leaf treatments achieved total control of the original treated population and total control of radish that subsequently germinated.

 

• In many areas wild radish control requires two applications of herbicide.
• The first is early in the season to reduce the competition of the radish and the second is late in the season to reduce seed set.
• The choice of product required to reduce competition should be based on cost and potential for crop damage.
• For the late application to reduce seed set, 2,4D Amine is the preferred product.

Heavy trafficking did not reduce the grain yield of wheat in 2015 and crop development appeared faster with some trafficking.

Corack and Mace have topped BCG and NVT trials since 2011. Both have very good resistance to yellow leaf spot, making them suitable for wheat on wheat paddocks. Although Corack provides a lower risk for stripe rust, its APW quality rating will reduce its uptake by growers. Crown rot affected wheat yields in southern Mallee. Emu Rock has slightly better tolerance to crown rot than other varieties, which could also be linked to maturity. Grain quality (test weight and screenings) was exceptional across all trials however, low proteins would reinforce that crops required more N in 2013.

A number of consequenes of wind erosion are discussed.

Stubble height can have a significant impact on wind speed close to the soil surface. This can increase soil erosion in vunerable environments (sand hills).

Windrow burning can reduce small pointed snail populations by over 90%. If there are weeds or fallen stubble that are not burnt then snails can still be present in the paddock.

Windrow burning can reduce small pointed snail populations by over 90%. If there are weeds or fallen stubble that are not burnt then snails can still be present in the paddock.

To effectively establish windrows requires forward planning and potentially slows harvest tand increases harvest costs. Burn as early as conditions allow. Make it a priority job. Small rainfall events may germinate weeds in burnt areas that require attention before the whole paddock area.

• Under overhead irrigation in a relatively fertile rotation position (first barley after canola) the spring barley RGT Planet significantly out yielded the winter cultivar Cassiopee (10.07 vs. 8.98t/ha).
• Applying Moddus Evo at 400 ml/ha either as a single application (GS31) or split (GS31 & GS33) led to a significant increase in grain yield (9.87 – 9.92 t/ha) compared to the grazed or untreated plots (8.97 & 9.35 t/ha), averaged across both varieties.
• There was no interaction between variety and PGR application or grazing on plant height, lodging or yield indicating that both the spring and winter cultivar responded similarly.
• Cassiopee grew taller and was subject to significantly more lodging than RGT Planet.

• Both varieties showed positive responses to PGR applications of Moddus Evo (trinexapac ethyl) in terms of reduced crop height, lodging control and final grain yield.
• Grazing achieved a significant reduction in crop height (6cm) at harvest; statistically the same as the effect of Moddus Evo at either rate however it was associated with reduced yield and grain protein (data not shown).
• Grazing winter barley at GS30 produced significantly more dry matter than grazing spring barley that reached GS30 earlier in the winter (1928 vs 726kg DM).
• Unlike other trials conducted on cereals at the Finley site grazing did not reduce lodging in this experiment.
• A single application of Moddus Evo 400mL/ha at GS31 had significantly less lodging than the untreated plots.

• Spring barley germplasm cv Planet following canola with an estimated 146 kg N/ha available soil mineral N (0-90cm) gave a small response to applied nitrogen fertiliser with yield maximised (9.74 t/ha) with 80 kg of applied nitrogen per hectare.
• The highest yield (10.1 t/ha) was achieved with an application of 240 kg N/ha; however, this was not significantly higher than the yield achieved (9.74 t/ha) when 80 kg N/ha was applied.
• No lodging was observed in this trial.
• When 200kg N/ha or more was applied grain protein was higher than 12.0% and grain was no longer classed as malt quality.
• There was a significant increase in final dry matter production associated with 80 kg N/ha in comparison to the unfertilised (14.83t/ha increased to 17.7 t/ha).
• At higher rates of nitrogen, the dry matter steadily increased to 20.8 t/ha at the highest rate of 320kg N/ha.
• Since there were no significant yield increases associated with higher N rates harvest index (proportion of harvest dry matter harvested as grain) decreased at higher N inputs, however the differences were not statistically significant varying from 51.8 to 42.3%.
• There was no statistical difference in nitrogen offtake in the crop canopy at harvest in the grain & straw between 200-320kg N/ha applied an uptake of 238-292kgN/ha assuming straw and grain was removed from the paddock.
• N uptake associated with applied N rates above 160N were not translated into higher grain yields but were associated with higher grain protein.
• N offtake in the crop canopy peaked at 292kg N/ha when 280kg N/ha was applied.
• Head number was significantly increased by nitrogen applied although there were no yield increases associated with head numbers above 840 heads/m2 in this trial.

• Lodging began in early October with the general trend being more lodging as the N rate increased but not necessarily as a lineal progression.
• The uptake of N by the crop did increase as rates applied increased. This resulted in higher total biomass but not necessarily higher grain yield. Of the two rates assessed, the uptake of applied N was approximately 45%.
• Highest yielding treatments were those that received 80 – 280 kg N/ha. 0 kg N/ha or the highest rate of 320 kg N/ha resulted in decreased yield.
• While 120 kg N/ha did not see a yield increase over the 80 kg N/ha treatment, it did see grain protein high enough to meet malting specification.
• As a general trend, higher applied N resulted in higher grain protein and lower retention. Using the yield results from the 120 kg N/ha treatment, the Nitrogen Use Efficiency was 30 kg N required per tonne of grain.
• WUE of the trial averaged 19 kg/mm.

• Barley yields cv RGT Planet of over 6t/ha were achieved in 106 days from sowing to harvest with no applied nitrogen.
• Yield was maximised with no addition of nitrogen fertiliser.
• At the highest rate of 240 kg N/ha, there was a significant reduction in yield (6.03t/ha) compared to where no nitrogen was applied (6.24 t/ha).
• There was no difference in grain yield when nitrogen application timing was varied.
• Grain protein increased as higher rates of N were applied up to 160 kg N/ha. Between 160 and 240 kg N/ha, there was no difference in grain protein.
• The grain protein was too high to achieve malt quality in all application timings and rates of nitrogen in this trial.

• There was no interaction between nitrogen rates and nitrogen timing in this trial.
• With moderately high soil fertility following canola (146 kg N/ha available mineral N (0-90cm)) there was no significant difference in grain yield at N rates between 80 – 240kg N/ha (identical result to Trial 1).
• Delaying nitrogen application to GS32 (second node) and GS37 (flag leaf visible) gave a significantly higher yield (9.95 t/ha) than applying nitrogen at sowing and GS30 application (9.37 t/ha).

• Delaying the nitrogen applications to the development window GS32-GS37 increased protein slightly and although the effect was not statistically significant the risk of not achieving malt quality is increased at higher N levels.
• Grain protein increased as higher rates of N were applied, at 160 - 240 kg N/ha, protein was above the maximum 12% required to achieve malt quality irrespective of N timing.
• There was no significant differences in test weight (data not shown), although it was a factor in some treatments not achieving a malt quality grade.
• N uptake in the crop at harvest indicated that over 200kg N/ha had been taken up in the crop.

• Winter Graze n Grain Hybrids provide huge yields and multiple cropping & grazing opportunities
• SuperHyola® late Spring Hi-Biomass Hybrids show very high yield potential in the HRZ
• Triazine Hybrids show similar performances to the best Clearfield Hybrids
• RT® dual herbicide tolerant Hybrids show their value as a new competitive IWM management tool

1. Winter cover crops can improve ground cover, increase plant available water and improve subsequent cotton yields in pivot-irrigated systems.
2. The early spray-out treatment was the best cover crop for storing water over the short fallow in this study where cover did not have to last very long. However, the extra cover in the mid-terminated cover treatment continued to boost infiltration in the cotton’s
early growth stages.
3. All cover crop treatments improved the yields of cotton by approximately 3 bales/ha; well in excess of any gains expected from the increased fallow soil water storage.

• There is no significant difference between any of the sowing rates over 100 kg/ha this year, although the higher yields were obtained with the higher rates.
• This is probably due to the dry conditions killing off a large number of secondary tillers at the lower rates, while the increased plant densities at the higher rates with fewer secondary tillers resulted in more grain per hectare.

• While there is little difference between the results it would appear that the best sowing rate for winter wheat in the Hamilton District is between 100 - 120 kg/ha.
• Interestingly the higher rates were not significantly different from the standard rate in a dry year.
• What was evident was the increased number of weeds in the plots with the lower rates despite the plots all being sprayed at the same time. 

Early sowing resulted in excessive vegetattive growth and also provided excelelnt conditions for ryegrass that proved difficult to control.

• The average foliar fungicide treated wheat yields for the Mininera winter wheat trial were 4.60 t/ha. Rust activity was moderately low at the site in 2008, resulting in an average yield increase of 0.26 t/ha across all varieties from the one spray fungicide programme, with 2 of the 8 varieties achieving a 19% or more yield increase from a single fungicide applicaito - when compared to the untreated check.
• All 8 varieties achieved the F1 specifications basedo n the NACMA classifications, consequently quality had no effect on profitability. The highest yielding variety was CS95102.1 at 111% of the site mean, also the most profitable variety obtaining a gross margin of $776.40/ha.

• The average foliar fungicide treated wheat yield for the Dunkeld winter wheat trial was 5.24 t/ha. Disease pressure was high at the site resulting in an average yield increase of 0.75 t/ha across all varieties from the two spray fungicide programme, with 5 of the 8 varieties achieveing a 20% or more yield increase.
• The highest yielding variety was Mackellar at 126% of the site mean, also the most profitable variety returning a gross margin of $1,136.40/ha.
• BYDV management must be considered when growing susceptible varieties of wheat, employing techniques that also minimise the impacts on the predatory environment.