• A single application of Uragan (bromacil) plus paraquat in May gave complete control of all weeds at all sites over both rates. However, the additional expense, soil erosion risk and irsk to remnant vegetation need to be considered.

• A two spray or double knock strategy (including cultivation or another non-herbicide treatment) is often required for complete control in fencelines with the first application early in the season followed by another one later in the season (after the seeding and post-harvest operations are over).
• Tank mixes of residual herbicides plus a knockdown give the best control for the first application.
• A single application of a mixture of Uragan® (bromacil) and paraquat early in the season gives excellent weed control on fencelines.
• The addition of Alliance® (mixture of amitrole and paraquat) as the knockdown gives good broadleaf control.
• Glyphosate can still be used but intensive monitoring and complete seed set control is required to prevent resistance from developing.

 

• In the 2001 season there was no benefit from the application of an alphacypermethrin insecticide application to barley and lentil crops.
• The dry summer of 2000/2001 resulted in very few host plants for aphids and virus diseases and threshold levels for disease carry over potential were not reached.
• In wet summers with many host plants surviving it is possible that preventative spraying with alphacypermethrin could be worthwhile.

In the 2001 season there was no benefit from the application of an alphacypermethrin insecticide application to barley and lentil crops. The dry summer of 2000/2001 resulted in very few host plants for aphids and virus diseases and threshold levels for disease carry over potential were not reached. In wet summers with many host plants surviving it is possible that preventative spraying with alphacypermethrin could be worthwhile.

In the 2001 season there was no benefit from the application of an alphacypermethrin insecticide application to barley and lentil crops. The dry summer of 2000/2001 resulted in very few host plants for aphids and virus diseases and threshold levels for disease carry over potential were not reached. In wet summers with many host plants surviving it is possible that preventative spraying with alphacypermethrin could be worthwhile.

Seed-applied fungicide had no significant effect on plant establishment, yield or grain quality (Refer Table 2). Visual differences in disease levels were not present between the fungicide treatments. Spot Form of Net Blotch was present at low levels in the trial and Leaf Scald was present at very low levels.

A small but significant decrease in black leg infection was observed from the Atrazine applications. Further work will have to be undertaken in this area to confirm these results.

There were no differences in yield between the treatments.

• Roundup alone will not control Flaxleaf fleabane. 
• Addition of Surpass and Ally to Roundup provided the most effective control.
• To avoid the need to use more expensive chemicals and spray more than twice, control fleabane before it begins to elongate (>40cm in height).

• Metribuzin added to Precept® gave good control of all weeds.
• Affinity Force® did not perform to the standard expected.

Medic must be controlled prior to sowing lentils because there are no in-crop herbicide options available.

The best pre-sowing options coming out of this trial were:

• cultivation prior to sowing
• SpraySeed®
• Roundup Power Max® plus Lexone®
• Roundup Power Max® plus Hammer®

Roundup Power Max® alone was not very effective, and Roundup Power Max® plus Dicamba® resulted in extensive lentil damage which resulted in low yields.

Summer rain over the past 3 months has been substantial in some areas; therefore summer weed growth has been vigorous. Rosinweed is a particularly strong summer weed which is very difficult to control. This trial showed that Group B (IMI) herbicides had good control of rosinweed, while Ally® having less control, offered good suppression.

• Glyphosate alone at high rates produced poor control of annual ryegrass along the fenceline.
• Spray.seed + Diuron, Round up Power Max + Diuron and Alliance all gave good control of the glyphosate resistant annual ryegrass.

• The best control of ryegrass was from Roundup Powermax at 1.5L/ha, giving 70% control.
• High rates of glyphosate can be effective, but nevertheless lead to increased resistance. Different modes of action should be used where possible.

• Group D resistance will develop if trifluralin is consistently used without other control practices.
• Trifluralin used in combination with other herbicides such as Avadex Xtra (Group E) and Dual Gold (Group K), may enhance ryegrass control and could prolong the onset of Group D resistant ryegrass populations.
• BoxerGold was very effective on both sites with added crop safety. This herbicide is expected to be released in 2008 and likely to be expensive but should be included in the crop rotation to reduce the likelihood of developing resistance.

• Group D resistance will develop if trifluralin is consistently used without other control practices.
• Trifluralin used in combination with other herbicides such as Avadex Xtra (Group E) and Dual Gold (Group K), may enhance ryegrass control and could prolong the onset of Group D resistant ryegrass populations.
• BoxerGold was very effective on both sites with added crop safety. This herbicide is expected to be released in 2008 and likely to be expensive but should be included in the crop rotation to reduce the likelihood of developing resistance.

• Trifluralin was more effective at reducing ryegrass numbers in the cereal phase than in break crops.
• There are more benefits from good rotation than improved weed control alone, but benefits (in this case additional nitrogen) may not be apparent until several years after the non-cereal break crop or pasture phase.

This trial looked at protecting the crop from excessive sun and wind during the spring when crops are flowering and setting seed by covering it in shade cloth in early September. It was expected that this would improve yield and grain size but in fact it had the opposite effect with reduced yields and poor grain quality.

• Two years of full wild oat control did not exhaust the seedbank to a manageable level.
• A selective post emergent herbicide or an early hay cut were the most effective strategies for reducing the wild oat seedbank.

• One year of full wild oat control reduced the wild oat seedbank to 8 seeds per square metre in 2010.
• A selective post emergent herbicide or an early hay cut were the most effective strategies for reducing the wild oat seedbank.

The trial determined that Tigrex, Paragon, Glean, Affinity + MCPA500, Eclipse + MCPA LVE , and Jaguar + MCPA LVE provide good early post emergent control of radish in wheat. To ensure that no radish sets seed it is still important to follow up with a phenoxy herbicide later in the season. In this trial Jaguar + MCPA LVE had the highest wheat yield.

• A benchmark of cropping income of $275/ha or $100-120 income per 100mm rainfall was derived from an analysis of the performance of two Birchip farms over 12 years. ƒ
• Up to 80% of variability in gross income can attributed to annual rainfall

There are no magic solutions in these times of rural difficulty. We need to find positive ways to work our way through. Hopefully some of this information will assist you to understand yourself and avoid some pitfalls.

Results 4 & 5 years after the initial Cu application on a gravelly soil near Wandering indicate responses to copper but clover persisted without Cu applied.

Zinc applied as a basal.

The Cu concentration in October 1967 was low [possbily due to sampling time].

Design is a incomplete factorial and Cu residual measured as a run down rather than comparisons to new or current applicationa of Cu

• Copper concentrations in tissue on sandy soils declined with the age of the plant, with indications of copper deficiency for older plants.
• Patches of crop with partially empty heads were observed while the rest of the head was still green.
• Suggested that EDTA extractable copper might give indication of likely copper deficiency in sandy soils.
• Deficiency can be overcome by applying copper fertilisers to soil (long term solution) or a foliar copper spray (short term solution).

• Main areas at risk from Inglewood and Yelbaron in the south to Tara and Condamine in the north.
• Occurs on grey or grey brown clays or sandy clays which carried belah and brigalow in their native state.
• Variance in triticale varieties in responsiveness to copper sulphate.
• When copper fertiliser was placed in dry soil it was unable to be taken up by plants and grain yield, but not straw production, was severely compromised.

• 21 field trials across Southern Wimmera.
• At 18 trials the treatments included 2 kg ha of copper spray-applied to soil and incorporated at sowing; foliar applied copper (75 g Cu/ha) at late tillering; and 150 g Cu/ha at booting; a nil treatment.
• The other 3 trials investigated correction of previously diagnosed Cu deficiency.
• One of the most responsive sites in 1984 was reinvestigated in 1985 using similar treatments on an area which had not previously received copper.
• Grain yield and micronutrient of YEBS for Cu were measured.In 1984 grain yield response to applied copper was 0146 t ha-1 for wheat grown on the Yellow Duplex soils and 1.32 t ha for the Deep Sand site.
• The Red Duplex and Non-Friable Clay soils were not Cu deficient.
• In 1985 responses on yellow duplex soils (important cropping soils in region) were much smaller: attributed to fact it was a drier year than 1984 (no waterlogging).
• In 1984, leaf Cu concentration was initially sufficient but fell below the critical minimum after the onset of waterlogging and remained low until the soil dried out.

• Trials on Yellow Duplex Soils at 3 sites in the Southern Wimmera.
• At one site commercial chelated copper was foliar applied.
• Treatments were Nil; 75 or 150 g Cu/ha at late booting; 37.5 or 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering and; split applications of 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering plus either 75 g or 150 g Cu/ha at late booting.
• At two sites formulations of copper were compared, these treatments included Nil; copper oxychloride; copper sulphate and a commercial chelated copper. All were applied at 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering plus 150 g Cu/ha at booting. All plots were sown to wheat. Dry matter cuts were used at anthesis and maturity to estimate crop growth and yield components.
• Since copper is important in wheat for production of viable pollen the late booting treatments (applied after pollen set): resulted in only an 18% increase in grains/ear and grain yield.
• Whereas copper applied at late tillering increased grain yield by 1.55 t/ha or 93% (resulting from 60% more grains/ear and 20% more ears/m2 • Split applications did not result in higher yields.
• Both copper oxychloride and the chelated product resulted in grain yield increases between 0.94 and 1.26 t/ha but the chelated product is approximately seven times as expensive.

• Copper deficiency is common in wheat in South Australia and yield increases are common after copper is applied.
• Responses are observed on a range of sandy soils, especially siliceous and calcareous sands, sand over clay and soils containing ironstone.
• Symptoms of copper deficiency include wilting during early growth, leaf dieback after wilting, withertip (sterile ear tip and yellow/white ear tips), whiteheads, curved ears and heads pointing toward the ground, and blackening (melanism) of lower parts of leaves.

The program demonstrated that:
• At some sites where copper deficiency was historically assumed, no response to any form of copper application was observed. Copper response is likely to vary by site and season.
• Yield loss caused by copper deficiency can be devastating to wheat yield.
• Soil and tissue testing can be useful in helping to detect low levels, but are not always definitive. Copper response appears to be dependent on other complex interactions such as soil moisture, yield potential and other constraints (N fertility etc.) and thus soil/tissue tests alone are not a definitive guide to future responses.
• Foliar applications performed better than in-furrow liquids.
• Chelate and sulphate products performed equally well when applied as foliar applications.
• Timing did not appear to be critical, with a wide band of opportunity from mid-tiller to early head emergence providing similar results

Copper treatments had no effect on crop establishment.

Soil DTPA was 0.27 mg/kg soil.

Grain yield increase by 32 % for both granular and fluid applied Cu.  About 1.3 kg Cu /ha was required for maximum grain yield of 3.2 t/ha.

Foliar application reached 85% of the maximum yield when applied at flag leaf before flowering; earlier application at first node was effective but only reached about 75% of the maximum.  

At this site seed coating had a small effect on germination of seedlings and was insufficient Cu for wheat seedling to recover from Cu deficiency.

Flag leaf Cu concentrations were 1.3 mg Cu/kg and grain Cu concentration from nil Cu treatments were 1.3  mg/kg

Soil DTPA was 0.32 mg/kg soil.

Grain yield increased by 2 % for both granular and fluid applied Cu.  About 1.5 kg Cu /ha was required for maximum grain yield of 3.32 t/ha.

Foliar application reached 97% of the maximum grain yield when applied at flag leaf before flowering; earlier application at first node was effective but only reached about 95% of the maximum.  GY

At this site seed coating had no effect on germination of seedlings..

Flag leaf Cu concentrations were 1.5 mg Cu/kg and grain Cu concentration from nil Cu treatments were 1.4  mg/kg

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1959.

• Barley responded to Cu; applied as Cu ore @ 35 kg/ha.

• ZnO at 3.3 kg/ha depressed yield without Cu for both levels of N, applied as ammonium sulphate

• Cu increased yield by about 30% with nil ammonium sulphate applied.

• Application of Ammonioum sulphate appeared to decrease the respponse to Cu.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1957.

• Oats responded to Cu

• Area very Cu deficient as responses in grain yield to Cu in oats are not frequently obtained

• Cu additions in aabsence of Zn induced more sebere Zn deficierncy in oats.

• However, yields showed no Cu x Zn interaction.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1953.

• !953 experiment a Cu & Zn experiment on oats.

• In 1959 Cu and Zn reapllied on half plots.

• Zn applied in 1953 had the same grain yield as  Cu & Zn applied in 1959

• Residual value of previous applied Cu & Zn were  good

• No further response  of oats to second addition of Cu and or Zn after 6 years.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1957.

• Zn applied in 1957 reduced grain yield where Nil Cu.

• Zn oxide was not reduced until 4 kg/ha was applied

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Residual value of previous applied Cu & Zn were  good

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• No further response  addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1955.

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• No further response ti addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1955.

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• No further response ti addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1952.

• Cu  applied in 1959 increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• THe response of wheat  to Cu in 1959 was not annticipated .

• As there was very large responses to Cu in 1959, doubts arose as to whether Cu was originally applied. However, clover grew well in 1952 suggestion Cu had been applied, along with the plain supper Zinc 

• Conclusion a second application of Cu is required to the soil type.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1953 was adequate in 1959. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore

• Further additions in combination or alone had no further effect on grain yileld 

• 6 years of clover ley; Addition N as ammonia sulphate (112 kg/ha) increased grain yield by 300 kg/ha; profitable application

• Nitrogen did not induce Cu & Zn deficiency.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1953.

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• No further response ti addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1957.

• Cu ore, Cu sulfate and zinc chloride source used.

• In 1957 Zn chloride reduced yields. There were no reduction in yield in 1959

• Zn applied in 1957 reduced grain yield where Nil Cu.

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Residual value of previous applied Cu & Zn were  good

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha. There was no difference between Cu ore and bluestone [Cu sulfate] compared at the same rate of Cu applioed.

• No further response  addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1953 was adequate in 1959. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore

• Further additions in combination or alone had no further effect on grain yileld 

• 6 years of clover ley; Addition N as ammonia sulphate (112 kg/ha) reduced seedling stands & reduced grain yield.

• Anticipated a response to Cu

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied Cu was applied in 1953.

• !953 experiment a Cu & Zn experiment on wheat.

• Zn reduced yield in 1953 when applied without Cu 

• Cu & Zn applied in 1953 had the same grain yield as  Cu & Zn applied in 1959

• Residual value of previous applied Cu & Zn were  good

• No further response  of wheat to second addition of Cu and or Zn after 6 years.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1956.

• Cu  applied in 1959  did not increased grain yield of wheat. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore equivalent to about 5 kg Cu sul/ha.

• No further response ti addition of Cu and or Zn.

• The addition of copper and zinc fertiliser applied in 1954 was adequate in 1959. 

• Copper was applied as Cu ore

• Further additions in combination or alone had no further effect on grain yileld 

• 5 years of clover ley; Addition N as ammonia sulphate (112 kg/ha) no effect on  grain yield by 300 kg/ha; profitable application.

• Wheat, rye and triticale were grown in three Australian soils at low and high levels of trace elements.
•  All basal nutrients were supplied in copper and zinc added at 4 mg/pot.
• Addition of copper alone greatly increased pollen viability.
• Addition of zinc alone either decreased pollen viability or had no effect.
• The results confirm the tolerance of rye to extremes of soil pH and to both copper and zinc deficiency.
• In all environments adding zinc alone aggravated copper deficiency.
• Genotypic differences in copper zinc interaction showed up most strongly in soils of pH 7 and 9.

• In 2005 the Farming Systems Comparison Trial, the Core Site, came through its 8th season and has a further two years to complete the second, and final, rotation,
• A dry start to the growing season resulted in another late sow.
• The decision to refrain from sowing canola due to the late sowing date was repeated in 2005.
• For the first time since the initiation of the project we see a difference in the grain yields between farming systems.
• Projection of fleece weights suggests that fleece production may have approached performance of previous years.
• The perennial pasture was the highest profit making system based on crude estimates of gross margins.

• There is little difference between the three cropping systems in terms of grain yield and quality.
• The drought over recent years has particularly affected the livestock data.
• Differences between the systems prior to the drought no longer exist as the sheep have spent about half their time off the trial due to lack of feed.
• Other research across Australia is supporting the management issues of some farming systems that have been highlighted by this trial.

• There was no statistical increase in yeild with the addition of CoRoN at GS31.

Crop was sown as part of a rotational trial, examining the effects of Group B residues on the following maize crop.

• Zinc applied as a 0.5% zinc sulphate spray completely corrected symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials.
• Increasing the concentration of zinc sulphate (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) or applying twice did not affect plant response.
• To be fully effective sprays had to be applied two weeks after emergence.
• Soil applications of 125 kg/ha zinc sulphate were fully effective but not lesser rates.

• Zinc applied as a 0.5% zinc sulphate spray completely corrected symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials.
• Copper, boron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus applied as foliar sprays did not correct deficiency symptoms.
• Increasing the concentration of zinc sulphate (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) or applying twice did not affect plant response.
• Some evidence that spraying seven weeks after emergence is too late, the optimum appears to be about five weeks after emergence.
• Responses were of the order of 24-76% above the control.

• Zinc sulphate applied as a 1% spray 2-4 weeks after emergence, or drilled with the seed, alleviated the symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials • Applications five weeks after emergence were not effective.
• The disorder can also be alleviated by double cropping.
• Although responses to residual zinc were apparent it is considered more economic to use sprays each year.

• This year was unusual in that red legged earth mite pressure at sowing was very low and no damage was done to the control plot.
• Wireworm damage had been observed previously in the paddock but in 2000 there was no evidence of wireworm damage.
• Cosmos seed dressing showed good tolerance in canola.
• There was also some spray drift on to the site, which may have affect yield.

• In poorer seasons there is no positive economic reward for high nitrogen fertiliser inputs.
• Oats and vetch for either grazing or hay consistently provided positive gross margins.
• Wheat crops which followed a chemical fallow provided the best gross margin in both trials.
• Aim to maximise profits, not necessarily yields.

• Cover cropping did not improve cotton yields in this experiment.
• High stubble loads from spraying out the cover crop after the cereals reached growth stage Z39 negatively affected established cotton plant numbers and consequently lint yield.
• Cover crops terminated at growth stage Z39 had no yield penalty, but stored more soil water than the fallow treatment.

Hundreds of crops have been domesticated and cultivated by humankind during the history of agriculture, utilised for food, forage, fibre and medicine. However, only a small number provide the bulk of the raw material necessary for human survival. The limited diversity has increased the vulnerability of crops to adverse climatic conditions and fluctuating markets.

• Drought is exacerbating the already complex issues.
• Drought is heightening the uncertainty and risk many farming families are dealing with.
• Individuals, families and communities exhibit anxiety and resilience differently.
• Importance of the wider community for farming families.
• There is a positive feedback cycle that an emerge between issues as well as the rapid rises in optimism that can result from small improvements in conditions.

• Ornithopus sativus (French serradella) was capable of yielding as much as Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) with 30% less phosphorus (P).
• Ornithopus compressus (yellow serradella) required 30% less P than T. subterraneum to produce the maximum yield, however its maximum yield was often lower than that of T. subterraneum

• As far as we can reliably ascertain, all the other 8 essential elements required for normal wheat growth are supplied by EP soils in adequate amounts under most circumstances.

• 3 field experiments were conducted in the mallee district to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing copper deficiency in wheat  grown over 3 seasons.

 • The results of the experiments of Scaddan Mt Ridley area indicated a diagnostic critical level of 2,2-2. 4 mg Zn/kg  in whole shoots.

For the youngest fully emerged blades (YEB) a diagnostic critical level of 1.2 mg Cu/kg at mid-tillering indicated a critical level.

•The whole shoot appeared less reliable than the YEB over the growing season..

• 5 field experiments were conducted in the Lake Grace - Newdegate district to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing copper deficiency in wheat  grown over 3 seasons.

 • The results of the experiments  indicated a diagnostic critical level of 2.3 mg Cu/kg  in whole shoots while for the youngest fully emerged blades (YEB) a diagnostic critical level of 1.2 mg Zn/kg at mid-tillering indicated a critical level.

•The whole shoot appeared less reliable than the YEB particulalrly of the wheat growth stages.

• 5 field experiments were conducted in the mallee district to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing zinc deficiency in wheat  grown over 3 seasons.

 • The results of the experiments of Scaddan Mt Ridley area indicated a diagnostic critical level of 17-18 mg Zn/kg  in whole shoots.

For the youngest fully emerged blades (YEB) a diagnostic critical level of 12 mg Zn/kg at mid-tillering indicated a critical level.

•The whole shoot appeared less reliable than the YEB over the growing season..

• 9 field experiments were conducted in the Lake Grace - Newdegate district to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing zinc deficiency in wheat  grown over 3 seasons.

 • The results of the experiments  indicated a diagnostic critical level of 17 mg Zn/kg  in whole shoots while for the youngest fully emerged blades (YEB) a diagnostic critical level of 12 mg Zn/kg at mid-tillering indicated a critical level.

•The whole shoot appeared less reliable than the YEB.

• Field experiments were conducted in SA to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing zinc deficiency in wheat under field conditions.
• The combined results of 12 experiments conducted over five seasons indicated a diagnostic critical level of 18 mg Zn/kg (DW basis) in YEBs (youngest fully emerged blades) of wheat at mid-tillering.

A range of field experiments were conducted to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing Zn deficiency in wheat under field conditions • The combined results of 6 experiments conducted over 3 seasons indicated a diagnostic critical level of 11-12 mg Zn/kg in youngest fully emerged leaves. Whole shoot Zn concentration varied with growth stage.  Using whole shoots an growth stage was required to disgnosis the Zn 

A range of field experiments were conducted to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing Zn deficiency in wheat under field conditions • The combined results of 3 experiments conducted over 3 seasons indicated a diagnostic critical level of 12 mg Zn/kg (DW basis) in youngest fully emerged leaves.

A range of field experiments were conducted to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing Zn deficiency in wheat under field conditions • The combined results of 5 experiments conducted over 3 seasons indicated a diagnostic critical level of 12 mg Zn/kg (DW basis) in YEBs (youngest fully emerged blades) of wheat at mid-tillering to boot stage.

• Grain yields were increased 20-30% by the soil or foliar application of zinc, provided that phosphorus was also supplied.
• Critical zinc concentrations determined in the glasshouse and field were the same, being 19-24 mg/kg throughout the life of the crop and 13-15 mg/kg zinc in grain.

• Initial barley growth was increased 40-50% and final yield by 10% when using seed with greater nutrients, even on soils not associated with manganese deficiency.
• Crops can drop into manganese deficiency late in the season with symptoms being pale, floppy leaves.
• Sufficient concentraiotns are Copper 2-3 ppm in grain and 5ppm in leaf, and for zinc 15ppm in grain and 23-25 ppm in leaf.
• Zinc is so cheap thatbit is worthwhile treating than taking any risk, at Wudinna this year a headland area not receiving zinc died while the remainder of the crop which received zinc survived the water stress.
• Trace element deficiencies seem to beexacerbated in dry years.

• This was a large scale demonstration using Impact applied to the sowing fertilizer at the two label rates of 400m/ha and 200mL/ha. The two other areas were sown with no Impact on the fertilizer but one was sprayed with Impact at 250mL/ha at stem elongation. 
• There were no obvious signs of leaf diseases or other symptoms in the plots but the two Impact in furrow' treatments delivered economic yield benefits. The previous two crops grown in the area were wheat, which may mean Take-all was a factor. 

• Wheat on wheat following canola is an alternative that will enable more cereal crop to be grown in a rotation.
• Raising inputs on cereals to increase yield returns well in $/ha.
• Alternative crops such as canola and lupins are not high income earners compared to cereals with optimum (higher than average) inputs.

• Wheat on wheat following canola is an alternative that will enable more cereal crop to be grown in a rotation.
• Under dry conditions there was no response to additional nitrogen or fungicide treatments.  
• Alternative crops such as canola and lupins yield very poorly in drought seasons.

• Wheat on wheat following canola is an alternative that will enable more cereal crop to be grown in a rotation.
• Barley yields best under dry conditions.
• There were responses to additional nitrogen (N) or fungicide treatments in all cereal crops.
• Alternative crops such as canola and lupins yield very poorly in drought seasons.

• Wheat on wheat following canola is an alternative that will enable moer cereal crop to be grown in a rotation.
• Wheat or cereal after wheat has given a better return than more canola for the trial period 2004 - 2008.
• Barley yields and returns better profits than wheat or triticale under dry conditions.
• There were ersponsees to fungicide treatments and added nitrogen in barley during 2008 and in all cereals during the long term.

• Decreasing row spacing and increasing plant density improved chickpea and faba bean competitive abilities.

• The improved competitive abilities improved yields and reduced sowthistle biomass and seed production, which will improve weed control in subsequent crops.
 

• Crop establishment was not improved by on-row seeding or by increasing seeding rate in 2016.
• Higher seeding rate increased early dry matter but this effect declined during the growing season.
• In 2016 row placement or seeding rate did not affect grain yield or grain quality.
• Sowing on-row may be an advantage on non-wetting soils with low moisture at seeding.

Neither crop establishment, grain yield nor quality were changed by on-row seeding or by increased seeding rate in 2017, similar to results in 2016.

Crop establishment in the non-wetting soil was poor in 2017.

In 2015, with low moisture at seeding, improved crop establishment from on-row seeding in the non-wetting soil increased crop competition and lowered brome grass weed seed set.

• Deeper sowing at 3-4 cm achieved better early dry matter and increased grain yield in a later sowing.
• Frost damage may have lowered yield with early sowing, but inter-row placement at TOS1 had the highest yield.
• TOS 3 placement in row achieved better early plant growth and higher grain yield.
• Later sowing reduced brome grass numbers, and the size of the panicles, so it substantially lowered returns to the seed bank.

• Crop establishment increased with on row sowing. Stubble from the previous season helps soil moisture infiltrate into non-wetting sands and into a position closer to the seed.
• Initial germination of brome grass weeds was higher with inter row sowing.
• Late brome grass weed numbers was also greatest with inter row sowing. Sowing on row may also increase crop and weed competition as will a higher seeding rate.

• 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.  

• High rates of applied N increased plant height and leaf area. Multispectral imaging using an unmanned aerial vehicle clearly showed thermal, infrared and NVDI differences between N treatments.
• Grain yield of barley following perennial ryegrass increased with applied N, most likely as N was tied up in stubbles at the start of the season and unavailable for plant growth.
• WUE estimated by computer modelling was high (approx. 20 kg/ha.mm) and similar to the potential for wheat grown in Tasmania. However, grain yield and WUE of barley following forage rape was unresponsive to applied N.

• The Tottenham area seemed to have the best season in the central west.
• The huge seasonal variation across the central west in 2003 overshadowed any other effects in the data.

Overall, the information shown in this report is only a very small portion of what is available from the crop monitoring program. 

Harvest results for this trial show a yield and quality improvement for areas where the TM21 was applied. One of the replications was adversely impacted by mechanical damage incurred during either spraying or fertilizer application in the later stages of crop development.

Paying close attention to this year's program will save on inputs, whilst maintaining the best chances for a good return.

2005 was not an easy year – it started off brilliantly with very good summer rains (1 in 30 year event) in the southern and central Mallee. The Wimmera did get some rain but nothing like the Mallee. Then it stopped raining until the second week in June - there were dire predictions in the media about the season, some learned scientists were even arguing that cropping in our area was not sustainable! Many people took heed from the negative predictions regarding the season and did not sow much crop dry. Sowing started in earnest in the middle of June and by mid July most of the planned cropping area was sown.

Over 3 years of crop production (2009-2011) applying replacement phosphorus (P) rates have been the most economic.

• A replacement P strategy produced similar yields to 10 and 20 kg/ha P rates in 2010.
• The trial indicated an economic benefit in increasing P rates up to 20 kg/ha on a deep sandy loam in 2010.

• The rotation involving peas out-yielded all other rotations.  The continuous barley was not surprisingly the lowest yielding plot. In replicated small plot trials at Riccarton yields from continuous barley have only been 50% of annual clover/barley plots. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• All 4 rotations produced good gross margins for 2014.
• KI rotation plus broad beans’ best gross margin based on 2 year average.
• Need to compare data over 3 years of crop rotation.

• Trifluralin use resulted in significant crop damage at this site.
• Crusader can cause early crop damage, and the label does warn about crop yellowing, but in general the crop with 'grow out' of this damage in a matter of weeks.

Crop selection in 2003 is complicated by the conditions in 2002. The main issues that can affect your crops this year are:

Cereal Root Disease levels in 2002 were very low and disease levels from 2001 will be carried over - 2002 was NOT a disease break year. The last time we saw CCN in the southern Mallee was after the 1994 dry year when eelworm did not hatch but was carried over from 1993 and affected wheat crops in 1995.

Foliar Disease levels were low in 2002 and stubbles from 2001 will be the main source of inoculum outbreak for diseases in 2003.

Residual Herbicides used in 2001 and 2002 can have a large impact on susceptible crops in 2003.