• The profitability of any crop is highly sensitive to changes in both yield and price. In past Crop Challenges, cost of production ($/t) and crop yield (t/ha) have been strong indicators of financial return. On average, these indicators have been able to predict 75-90% of the variation in gross margin.
• In 2014 due to low yields and vastly different cost structures across the teams, yield was a substantially better indicator of final gross margin (see Figure 4 in attached trial report).
   

• No bird damage was evident in the trial possibly due to the netting used which may have been a deterrent itself.
• There was a significant effect on plant counts established in the absense of bird damage but htis didn't relate to final yield.
• The two highest yielding treatments, although not significant (P = 0.05), were post emergent products applied to the 2nd true leaf.

• Subsoil manuring continues to attract farmer attention.
• Two new sites will be set up during 2011.
• On a grey Sodosol at Wickliffe, the manure treatments produced significantly higher yields (11-12 t/ha compared to control).
• The above average rainfall in the 2010 season resulted in the lack of response to treatments in many cases.

(i) Rotations are complex and depend on preference, the problem and opportunities- there is no ‘right way’. (ii) The break species can be selected for multiple benefits including grazing value, fodder conservation, nitrogen fixation and improving soil conditions. (iii) If weeds are the problem, focus on targeting the weeds that come late in the season, these are the ones  getting through in a continuous crop rotation. (iv) Weeds can be reduced by up to 90% in two years by stopping weed seed set through fodder removal, while providing ample fodder.

(i) Rotations are complex and depend on preference, the problem and opportunities- there is no ‘right way’. (ii) The break species can be selected for multiple benefits including grazing value, fodder conservation, nitrogen fixation and improving soil conditions. (iii) If weeds are the problem, focus on targeting the weeds that come late in the season, these are the ones  getting through in a continuous crop rotation. (iv) Weeds can be reduced by up to 90% in two years by stopping weed seed set through fodder removal, while providing ample fodder.

• The maximum response to fungicide was 17% (0.65 t/ha) with Bolac, 40% (1.24 t/ha) and Yipti and Chara 73% (2.11 t/ha).
• Impact (flutriafol) was particularly effective at delaying the built up of stripe rust in the Chara which has a susceptible rating to the disease.
• The effect of flutriafol was less evident in more resistant cultivars or where stem rust ws the principal disease (Yipti).
• Foliar fungicides at GS32-33 (2nd - 3rd node) gave their greatest benefits where Impact had not been applied, however, its use was still positive with Impact treated crops.
• A flag leaf spray was the most influential component of the fungicide strategies evaluated irrespecitve of cultivar.
• The flag leaf spray reduced late stem rust pressure and controlled the earlier infection of stripe rust on the flat leaf itself.

• Where Flutriafol in furrow was used at establishment no stripe rust was observed in the MS-S cultivar Chara until approximately 130 days after establishment at third –fourth node GS33-34.
• In Chara Flutriafol alone was still giving 80% control of stripe rust at the end of flowering, the same level of control achieved with a GS32 application of Folicur (145ml/ha). Where the crop had received a flag leaf spray at booting GS45 (late flag leaf spray) there was 99-100% control of stripe rust on the flag leaf throughout grain fill.
• All fungicide programmes applied to the cultivar Chara produced a significant yield increase (0.74 – 1.64 t/ha or 12-27%). The greatest yield increase of 1.64t/ha was the result of Flutriafol in furrow with two foliar fungicides
follow ups at GS32 and GS45.
• Chara gave an 18% yield increase from the use of fungicide, averaged across all fungicide treatments, Yitpi gave a 2.5% yield increase and Beaufort gave no response despite a late low level stem rust infection.
• Three of the eight fungicide programmes produced significantly higher yields than the fully untreated crop and the flutriafol alone when meaned across the three cultivars, they were the two programmes receiving two foliar fungicides and the flutriafol followed by a foliar fungicide applied at booting (GS45).
 

• Controlling low to moderate levels of stripe rust (15-20% infection severity) on top leaves of crop canopy did not result in a significant increase in yield.
• The best control of stripe rust was given by disease management programmes that included a mid-stem elongation spray applied at GS 33 (third node). A spray for stripe rust applied at booting (GS 45) was too late to give good control.
• Conversely, the booting spray gave significantly better control of stem rust than the third node spray. The two spray approach gave the best control of all three rusts: stripe, leaf and stem.
• There was no evidence that the disease control correlated to yield, since the response to fungicide was no different whether the variety was generally resistant (Bolac) or susceptible (Chara).

Please see the attached trial report for results of this trial.

Please see the attached trial report for results of this trial.

Please see the attached trial report for results of this trial.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Average Canola yield in the trial was 2.47 t/ha
• Disease pressure at the site was high initially during winter, but after a dry spring Stem Canker didn’t develop into a serious problem.
• The highest yielding treatment was Jockey® seed treatment + Intake in furrow®.
• The addition of Intake in furrow® to Jockey® seed treatment was significantly higher yielding than Jockey used alone.
• Intake in furrow® or Jockey® seed treatment used separately showed no significant difference in yield.
• The earlier foliar fungicide timing significantly reduced blackleg lesions on the leaf compared to delaying the application by a further 21 days.

Both the Jockey seed treatment (Group B) and the Impact fertiliser treatment (Group C) gave added protection against stripe rust and leaf rust compared to Group A which relied solely on foliar sprays.

Disease assessment was not undertaken in this trial however the trial does reveal that treatment no. 6 with a conventional fungicide application yielded the highest, had the highest test weight, the lowest screenings and the highest thousand grain weight.

• This trial was infected with a reasonable level of leaf rust and all treatments yielded higher than the untreated.  The Amistar Xtra and Tilt Turbo treatments both yielded significantly higher than the control. When considering grain quality, Tilt turbo was best overall with significantly lower screenings. 
• For further discussion please see the attached trial report.

• This trial had relatively low levels of leaf rust and although there were no significant differences, most treatments yielded higher than the untreated. 
• For further discussion plesae see the attached trial report.

Leaf rust started to impact on Mackellar wheat from GS29 onwards. Grazing of the wheat and barley reduced the amount of leaf rust visible. Leaf rust was rife in theYerong barley, particularly late in the season. The forage material was analysed for quality with very high levels of metabolizeable energy and protein being recorded in both the wheat and barley (Table 5-8)

• A single application of GS39 (flag leaf) of either Opus at 250ml/ha or Amstar Xtra at 100ml/ha to control fungal leaf disease, gave superior yield in Kellalac wheat by comparison to other treatments. There was no significant benefit of applying 2 sprays (GS30 and GS39) compared to a single application at GS39. This was no doubt due to the late onset of disease. The best spray treatment gave and extra 1082 kg/ha of grain compared to the unsprayed control. This gave a net return of approximately $130 per hectare for the best fungicide treatment compared to the control.
• In terms of grain quality, screenings were reduced where a fungicide was used. 

The effect of nitrogen manipulation on grain yield and quality was masked by the inability to control foliar disease in the trial and the effect on yield of the dry October period. High base soil nitrogen levels resulted in high grain protein levels with little difference between treatments. The best net return was achieved using only the 10 kg/ha nitrogen at sowing. It did not pay to apply any post sowing nitrogen. Grain quality parameters such as test weight and thousand grain weights were extremely disappointing.

Delaying nitrogen application increased grain protein as would be expected. Treatment 5 which had 75 kg/ha nitrogen applied at GS39 (flag) had 2.19% more protein than the control and was higher than the other earlier applied nitrogen treatments, although not significantly higher. The cost involved in chasing this higher grain protein could not be justified

With no significant difference in yield across this trial (Table 4-11) it appears that the high soil nitrogen and variable season may have been too influential to repeat previous years’ results. Findings from this trial should still be reviewed, but not used solely to make strategic nitrogen management decisions in the future. Possibly one key finding may be that high N paddocks need little if any follow up N past crop emergence, depending on paddock history and seasonal outlook. Late leaf rust was present throughout this trial,
however it is not known if this was influential in determining yield outcomes. 

The trial shows clearly the impact of Stripe Rust on wheat yield and grain quality. All varieties had their yield depressed as a result of Stripe Rust, with an average yield reduction of approximately 21%. Those varieties with lower levels of resistance to Stripe Rust were more severely affected, with Silverstar for example suffering a 44% yield penalty. The extra profit generated by controlling foliar disease was on average $81.30 per hectare. The worst affected variety by fungal leaf disease (Silverstar) generated a further
$207.72 per hectare profit when sprayed with a fungicide. Stripe Rust had a significant effect of grain quality. Grain test weights and one thousand grain weights were reduced significantly in the unsprayed treatments. There was less effect on grain protein.

The trial was subject to a moderately dry finish and 2-3 week dry period in October, which curtailed grain fill, and resultant yields. Despite this, under moderate Scald (Rhynchosporium) pressure, a 2-spray fungicide programmes based on Tilt (propiconazole) and Tilt plus Amistar (azoxystrobin) gave a 6 and 7% yield increase (0.22 —0.25 t/ha) over the untreated (mean of nitrogen treatments). Though individual nitrogen levels differed, the 2-spray Tilt programme showed a small margin improvement, however the
strobilurin was not cost effective in this trial.

There was no evidence that the use of strobilurin fungicides lowered grain protein relative to untreated crops, despite yield increases of over 30%, contradicting European work where strobilurin application lowered grain protein through yield dilution. In this study strobilurin treatment was associated with either no effect or higher grain protein levels relative to untreated crops fertilised with the same amount of nitrogen. However, there was a slight trend to suggest that strobilurin treated crops utilised higher N rates better than untreated crops since where there was a margin advantage to nitrogen application it tended to be greater with the strobilurin treatments.

The two highest yielding varieties in the trial were the feed barleys Capstan and Yarra, but only Capstan gave a statistically significant yield advantage over the top six varieties.
 

• In 1999, provided we can avoid the problems experience in 1998 with the late sowing and harvesting, Pivot will be looking to contribute to development of the Decision Support System for nitrogen in high rainfall cropping, as proposed by the recent Southern Farming System research forum. 
• For site-specific results, please see the attached trial report.

• The site became very wet in October and the controlled traffic and flat ground was inundated for at least 48 hours.
• However, the water was moving at all times and very little crop damage occurred due to waterlogging.
• The raised beds were above the waterline at all times. 
• For further comments please see the attached trial report.

• There was no difference between the treatments in terms of crop standability.
• The crop lodged quite badly with approximatelly 50% of the plants less than 45 degrees to the horizontal across all treatments.
• For further discussion, please see the attached trial report.

• In 2013, performance of feed barley varieties was better than malt varieties, on average across both sites.
• Even in 2013’s favourable season, malt varieties failed to make any considerable increases in yield over 2012 whereas feed varieties did increase their yields.
• The feed variety Oxford has yielded consistently well across several years of trial data at SFS and NVT.
• Generally, a narrowing of the spread between feed and malt barley prices means less extra yield is required from feed barley over malt barley for the same gross return.
• In 2013, the additional costs involved in managing feed barley trials were only $50/ha.

• Sowing mid to late maturing barley varieties in May was pivotal when optimising yield in this trial. May sown varieties yielded 0.6 t/ha more on average over their June sown counterparts.
• Sowing with a lower seeding rate reduced yield and increased protein concentration, with the optimum plant population being 180 pl/m2.
• Navigator had the lowest grain protein at 12.8% when sown at TOS 1 with 180 plants/m2.
• Navigator had the highest grain protein at 14.7% when sown at TOS 2 with 120 plants/m2.
• Navigator had the highest yield of all varieties, at 5.84 t/ha, when sown at TOS 1 with 180 plants/m2.

• In the 2012 season, barley variety and nitrogen rate had a greater impact on yield and grain quality than plant population
• There was no significant increase in grain yield from increasing the N rate beyond a 5t/ha yield potential in this season. Any additional applications did not increase the yield enough to justify the cost of the fertiliser.
• All varieties displayed significant positive responses to the increasing rates of N
• The 62 kg N/ha rate (for 5t/ha crop) gave us the maximum grain yield return.
• Optimum plant populations for grain yield were 200plants/m2. In 2012 although increasing plant densities tended to reduce grain quality but they still made malting quality.

• Early sown Planet with a plant population of 200 pl/m2 was the highest yielding treatment.
• Increased plant populations were not shown to significantly increase yields.
• Early sowing times showed a significantly higher yield results (p=0.05) however this results could be influenced by frost events.

While the idea of early timings for improved tillering and survival of the key primary tillers was not necessarily any worse or better
than standard timings in 2016, when applying this practice into a large farming system the cost of doing two nitrogen applications
does need to be taken into account.

• Earlier times of sowing for barley in the HRZ can have many advantages, but should be carefully weighed up in terms of added costs involved with an earlier time of sowing
• Westminster was once again a standout variety across all sowing dates, performing well in both April sown and May sown conditions
• The use of PGRs can significantly reduce the height of early sown crops, and significantly improve yields across all varieties

For results and discussion please see the attached trial report.

• Both barley scald and leaf rust were observed at high levels in the trial this year. 
• There were significant differences between the treatments with the best results obtained from the treatments with three separate applications. This equated with the levels of leaf disease in the plots. The plots with the highest levels of disease (and the lowest percentage of green leaf area) were generally the treatments with the lowest yield. 
• For further discussion plese see the attached trial report.

In the absence of disease at all three sites, some fungicide treatments still gave a significant yield increase over the nil treatment.

The unusually dry and hot seasonal conditions in October impacted on both the development of barley disease and the final barley yields. Both Impact In furrow ® and Bumper ® appeared to provide varying degrees of visual control of the barley disease scald. The yield of the barley variety Gairdner appeared to react to disease pressure more than Baudin, with the most likely reason being the longer growing season of Gairdner and the date of sowing of the two varieties. Nufarm's Fungicide systems program will continue to analyze the affect of different fungicides on wheat and barley varieties to determine the most strategic fungicide regime.

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• The Ethrel @ 500ml and 750 ml @ flag leaf emergence produced the shortest crops, and therefore in broad acre situations this product may be the most effective at reducing crop height and preventing lodging. 
• For further conclusions plese see the attached trial repor.t

• Growth regulators had no effect on reducing crop lodging, since crop lodging was not evident due to seasonal conditions and low soil nitrogen levels.
• Some growth regulators had an effect on reducing plant height.
• Growth regulators had no effect on barley yield or grain quality.

The control, and both Cycocel ®treatments produced very similar results, and there appears to be no major difference between any of these treatments. The Terpal ® treatment had a slightly lower yield, lower retention and much higher screenings than the control and Cycocel ® treatments, however this may be due to disease hotspots in these treatments. I believe the use of growth regulators in barley still requires more work to confirm product selection, rates and timings for Australian conditions.

• There was no yield benefit to late irrigation past the soft dough stage
• Reducing the irrigation rate from 90% of pan evaporation to 68% oof pan evaporation did not significantly reduce yield. 

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

For a full ist of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• Row spacing was found to be a signifcant factor in crop yield and development.
• The nitrogen timing had a signifiant effect on the quality of parameters of grain, however did not affect the yield outcome of the trial. 
• There were significant differences observed between five barley varieties used in this trial. 

Leaf rust, net blotch and barley scald were evident in the trial. The average yield response as a result of spraying with a fungicide was 900 kg/ha. Controlling leaf disease with the use of a fungicide significantly increased grain retention, reduced screenings and increased test weights. There was no significant effect on grain protein.

There are 2 commercially available varieties, namely Fleet and Capstan that performed very well in the trial. The effect of a foliar fungicide to control leaf disease (scald and spot form of net blotch) gave on average an additional 340 kg/ha yield which was cost effective on most varieties, even in a very low disease pressure situation.

Gairdner still remains a good performing variety, although both W 13586 and Baudin yielded well. The variety Sloop (Vic) had the highest grain test weight, however yield was down compared to Gairdner. There was no significant disease pressure in the trial, so varietal response to disease could not be assessed. Please consult your agronomist and seed supplier for further information about the barley varieties.

• Rosalind yielded the highest or equal highest at all three sites, while Bass was consistently a good earner
• Rosalind, Fairview and Bass yielded above the site mean at all 3 sites
• Hot weather in October at Streatham limited yield and quality

Both Baudin and Gairdner continue to be lines worthy of growing, however a strict fungicide management programme is required for both varieties in order to achieve good yield result. 

Some Tasmanian lines showed much better yield potential than the main control, Gairdner. T1677 and T1623 have shown consistently higher yields in the last few years. The malting quality of these two lines is also better than Gairdner with generally higher extract and similar DP. The variety T1677 will soon be released as an autumn sown variety in Tasmania.

For a full list of take home messages please see the attached trial report.

• The average yield for the barley variety trial at Dunkeld was 6.53 t/ha. 
• The highest yield was achieved by Westminster (7.52 t/ha) followed by cv. 4262 (7.40 t/ha) and Fleet (7.20 t/ha).
• Gairdner and Baudin were the lowest yielding varieties achieving 5.16 and 5.23 t/ha.
• Providional malt varieties Westminster, 4262 and Oxford topped the gross margin results with high yields, good retention and low screenings.
• Leaf scald pressure was high with all varieties showing some susceptibility when no fungicide was used.

• The average yield for the barley variety trial at Bairnsdale was 3.81 t/ha. This was higher than the predited 3.2 t/ha based upon the growing seasons rainfall.
• The highest yielding variety was Capstan with 4.45 t/ha, maling varieties Oxford (provisional malt) and Gairdner also yielded well.
• Protein and test weight were the key reason for grain to be downgraded. No variety recorded a test weight above 60 kg/hl, thus all were graded as feed.

• The variety with the highest yield was Westminster at 6.85 t/ha.
• The site mean was 5.39 t/ha.

• Westminster and Oxford were the highest yielding varieties.
• Hindmarsh was the lowest yielding variety.

• The trial yielded an average of 6.1t/ha for the 2011 season. A late time of sowing and saturated soil profile that led to waterlogging effects may partly explain the lower than expected yield based on water use efficiency values.
• The highest yielding variety were the feed cultivars with Oxford topping performance at 6.96t/ha.
• Spring rainfall (September-November) was considerably lower in 2011 at 135.2mm compared with the long-term aerage for Dunkeld of 196.9mm. This shortfall will partly expalin the reduction in yields across all varieties at this site compared with the Inverleigh and Lake Bolac.

• The trial yielded an average of 6.5t/ha for the 2011 season. This is marginally under its water limited yield potential of 6.65t/ha.
• The highest yielding variety was the new long season feed cultivar Oxford, yielding 0.83t/ha over the site mean. Gairdner was the lowest yielding cultivar at 5.79t/ha - this was statistically different from the top two performing varieties of Oxford and Capstan.
• Commander has once again shown its value in being a consistent performer and was the only cultivar to achieve malting quality.
• This season, after considering yield and market value, you are better off growing feed over malt varieties.

• The trial yielded an average of 6.4t/ha for the 2011 season, which closely matched the potential yield of 6.39t/ha based on growing season rainfall.
• The highest yielding varieties were the feed cultivars with Oxford topping performance at 7.6t/ha.
• The popular malting variety, Gairdner, was the lowest ranked in this trial at 4.84t/ha.
• The 2011 season has highlighted the financial cost of the yield penalty that can be experienced when growing malting varieties.

At Conmurra there was significant net blotch. In this case GairdnerPlus produced greater grain yields of better quality grain than Gairdner. No other diseases were recorded. At Frances, no significant disease was noted and higher yielding varieties were
Capstan, Flagship and Gairdner.

• It was cost effective to apply an insecticide for the control of BYDV in wheat.
• The best treatment was the split application of insecticide at approximately 4 weeks and 10 weeks post sowing.
• Chara was a superior variety to Kellalac for yield at the Gnarwarre site. 
   

While aphids were observed on early sown oat crops in the Hamilton district during April and early May, they did not appear to breed up and cause problems by spreading BYDV through later sown crops. BYDV was not reported as a major problem in the western
districts in 2003 and the symptoms of the disease were not observed in the trial at Hamilton. While there was a slight increase in yield where insecticide was applied on the plots it did not relate to a significant difference between any of the insecticidal treatments. The only significant differences were between the two varieties.

This trial has run for two years with no significant responses obtained, due to extremely low aphid numbers early in the season. It is hoped to continue this trial this coming season.

• Irrigation resulted in a 60% and 400% increase in grain yield for broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively.
• Irrigation resulted in a 17% and 3% increase in seed size in broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively. This is critical in producing for markets requiring large seed size.
• It is likely that the dry finish to the season (decile 1) enhanced the positive effects of irrigation particularly for the marrowfat peas and other spring sown crops.
• In addition to the capacity to irrigate and a cool seasonal finish, Tasmania has other advantages in marrowfat pea production that can be capitalised upon ie - excellent adaptation of overseas spring germplasm and freedom from pea weevil.

• The high input plots all generally yielded below their comparable normal input plot (in the case of the raised beds it was quite significant) and this may also be due to the higher inputs resulting in excessive growth making the crops more prone to lodging.
• For further results please see the attached trial report.

In 2008, the optimal strategy for yield was the spilt application treatment of 40kgN/ha (urea) at GS33 and 40kgN/ha (urea) at GS39, which yielded 5.96t/ha. However, the optimal strategy for profitability was the single application treatment of 40kgN/ha (urea) at GS33, which returned a profit on investment of 15% or $10.76/ha. Therefore, it is questionable whether it was worth applying any nitrogen at all in this particular case, as the profit is marginal compared addition risk and outlay. Growers should be aiming for at least a 50% profit on investment, if not higher. As a result, the untreated nitrogen strategy appears the most rational decision given the 2008 scenario.

Cereals can be successfully established into existing stands of lucerne to increase winter production without compromising summer
production of the lucerne. The choice of cereal will influence the amount of winter and spring production.

• Incorporation of lime has not shown a yield response above that of surface applied lime in the first year with wheat or canola in a wet year.
• Acid layers exist within soils and are mainly confined within the topsoil on basalt soils and can extend deeper in other soil types.
• Sampling soil in 5 cm increments is useful for identifying exactly where acidity is the profile so that lime can be potentially incorporated within the acid area.
• Surface-applied lime takes time to move down the soil profile and ameliorate acidity.
• To minimise yield losses where acidity issues exist (pH less than 5.0), sow acid tolerant cereals (eg. wheat) following liming or look to incorporate lime. 

Based on this year's results, there was no benefit to be gained in applying Cultar to reduce lodging in canola. The variety ATR Grace appears to have very good lodging resistance, superior to Pinnacle, the variety used in previous trials. Hopefully lodging resistance will be given a high priority by plant breeders in the future, thereby reducing the need to chemically manipulate the height of the crop. 

• The results suggest that there was no significant impact on yield or oil content of the canola following the application of growth regulators. This was again demonstrated in the economics, with only a $ 24/ha difference in the price of canola received from the plots. The only exception to this was the Cycocel @ 1.3 L/ha, which produced slightly less yield. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

Where radish is not a problem and where Simazine and Atrazine does not need to be used, then it may be useful to try some of the better yielding varieties of the non TT type, because of their higher oil percentages and early seedling vigour. If weeds are a problem then stick with the TT varieties. There was not a large amount of difference between the TT and non TT varieties with regards to yield.

• Tissue test results from all sites showed no trace element deficiencies and nitrogen levels were all adequate however 1% higher on plots receiving 80 kg of nitrogen. There was no significant differences in yield in response to zinc or sulphur rates across all sites. 
• For further results please see the attached trial report.

• Soil analysis obtained from the site indicated that most nutrients were in adequate supply with the exception of Phosphorus. Gypsum was applied to both sites in 1995 at 2.5 T/Ha. DAP was applied to the crop at sowing at the rate of 100 kg/ha. 
• For further discussion please see the attached trial report.

• Plant breeders have done a good job in reducing the lodging tendency of canola varieties. AIR Grace is a particularly good standing variety.
• Unless you are dealing with very high nitrogen soils and the growing season is particularly favourable, growth regulators should not be required in canola.
• Chlormequat had no effect on reducing plant height.
• Chlormequat appeared to have no adverse effect on grain yield and grain quality. 

• The results suggest that there was no significant impact on yield or oil content of the canola following the application of growth regulators. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

The physical height difference between the treatments was very small and unable to be measured. None of the plots in the trial lodged.
None of the growth regulator treatments in the trial significantly increased or decreased the yield or oil content of the canola compared to the control treatment.

For results of this work please see the attached trial report.

• Split application of nitrogen at green bud and full flower produced the highest yields.
• The risk of a dry season can be reduced by using split fertiliser timings.
• Applying nitrogen consistently increases levels of protein in canola but reduces oil content.
• Using flutrifaol-treated starter fertiliser and in-crop fungicides increased yields of canola by an average of 0.42 t/ha.
• Fungicide use had no consistent impact on grain quality.
   

While the 2003 series of trials is largely inconclusive, they do highlight a number of take-home messages:
• Do not expect nutrients like nitrogen to work effectively where other essential nutrients like phosphorus are lacking.
• Site selection for nutrition trials is vital - conduct of trials on recently constructed beds is advised against. Ideally, trials will be conducted in situations where beds have been in a normal cropping rotation for at least 5 years.
• The jury is still out on best approach to N management for canola, but where reasonable profile N is present before sowing a crop, split applications are advisable to mitigate risk.

Unfortunately this trial was quite patchy and the other results from Victoria were also variable so it is difficult to make much comment.
Although there were no disease symptoms at this site, an observation that was made at a number of locations in Victoria and South Australia in 2003, was that the Jockey ® seed treatment was effecting plant vigour and slowing development of the canola.
This is reflected in the Victorian average yield figures and has led to the development of a potential alternative product known as Maxim ®. While trials will continue in 2004, Maxim will be available to some extent this year for activity on both Blackleg and Pythium.

• Average site canola yield in the trial was 1.24t/ha.
• The dry spring and late frosts significantly reduce yield potentials.
• The top yielding canola was the new 46Y81 (CL) hybrid.
• The average yield of the commercial Clearfield hybrids was not significantly different to the Roundup Ready hybrid tested. 
• The Roundup ready hybrid was 34% or 0.46t/ha higher yielding than the TT check variety.
• Weed pressure at the site was low. 

• Average site canola yield in the Dunkeld trial was 1.98 t/ha.
• The record high temperatures during late spring significantly reduced yield potential.
• The top yielding variety at Dunkel was the new 45Y82 (CL) hybrid.
• Average of the Clearfield and Roundup Ready hybrids at the Dunkeld site was 32% of 620 kg/ha higher than the average of the TT check varieties compared to the difference of 34% or 460 kg/ha reported in 2008 at the Ross Bridge site.
• The average in gross income at the site was $266 per ha more than TT canola. 

• TM4 is a variety that has proven to have better early vigour than Pinnacle and 1% Oil advantage.
• Release of this variety is dependant on further evaluation. TM5 is a variety with a maturity similar to Rainbow and therefore could be a possible future Clancy replacement. It has better oil quality and yield. 

It would appear that there are a number of new varieties showing promise in relation to yield. Beacon, 603 CL and NS04397 are stand out varieties in the TT category and Ag Castle, P98125, 46C04 and 45C05 in the non IT category. The seed treatment Jockey ® appeared to give a yield increase to the varieties Beacon and Grace, although depressed the yield of Sapphire. This cannot be explained.

The results of the trial should be viewed in light of a high CV (Co-efficient of Variation). This indicates that there was a high degree of variation within the trial, mainly caused through harvesting difficulties and the amount of grain shattering.

The results clearly indicate the need for ongoing variety testing as new lines are being developed. More varieties are being developed that are suitable to Tasmania's climate and growing conditions, however, on the basis of one trial and site most new lines evaluated cannot be excluded from further testing. The yields of the better performing varieties suggest material is available for Tasmanian growers for potentially good yields.