A number of consequenes of wind erosion are discussed.

Yields at this site were high, ranging from 6.1-7.2t/ha. There was a large spread in protein across the varieties (10.6-13.4) and screenings were below 5% for all varieties.

Sclerotinia stem rot (sometimes known as white mould) is an important disease of many crops around the world. On canola it can cause substantial losses, but a number of fungicides (mostly benzimidazoles and dicarboxamides) have been used in different countries for control. To date, sclerotinia has not been a major problem on canola in the Wimmera, but in adjacent areas it does cause losses. Furthermore, it may become more important in the Wimmera in wet years because of the increased cultivation of broad-leaved crops. All broad-leaved crops are susceptible to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the fungus pathogen that causes stem rot.

Agricultural crop film may be the future of agriculture. This project aims to understand the degradation process of polyethylene, as well as understand the effects on crops when covered with polyethylene.

Similar to trials undertaken in previous years, the fungicide trials undertaken in 2005 indicated there was no fungicide activity on Yellow Leaf Spot (YLS) when applied early post emergent (GS13 – three leaf stage). Fungicides applied to fertiliser or as a foliar application did not reduce the level of YLS in the crop and showed no yield benefits. Zincsol® applied to crops in paddocks which have had a good zinc fertiliser history also showed no benefit in reducing YLS pressure. After several years work the BCG conclude that spraying fungicides for YLS is not a successful practice.

Similar to trials undertaken in previous years, the fungicide trials undertaken in 2005 indicated there was no fungicide activity on Yellow Leaf Spot (YLS) when applied early post emergent (GS13 – three leaf stage). Fungicides applied to fertiliser or as a foliar application did not reduce the level of YLS in the crop and showed no yield benefits. Zincsol® applied to crops in paddocks which have had a good zinc fertiliser history also showed no benefit in reducing YLS pressure. After several years work the BCG conclude that spraying fungicides for YLS is not a successful practice.

The best strategy against yellow leaf spot is to avoid sowing susceptible varieties in a wheat-on-wheat situation. The effectiveness of foliar fungicides for the control of yellow leaf spot is often variable; appropriate timing is crucial. In a low rainfall environment, it is rare to achieve an economic response when applying fungicides to control yellow leaf spot. Under the right seasonal conditions, YLS can reduce yields by between 5-10%.

• APSIM, as a crop simulation model, can accurately estimate actual crop yield.
• The Yield Prophet builds on output tools based on APSIM simulations.
• Inputs returns that can be modelled to build a likely profit profile based on probability functions.
• Climate risk (hence production risk) can be modelled to project forward the likely seasonal outcome.

• Yield Prophet® in 2005 had many new features and capabilities and was delivered to 338 paddocks that were subscribed Australia-wide. From 5 April to 1 December, 6813 reports of various types were generated by subscribers, with most around time of top-dressing.
• Final simulated yields for wheat crops, using appropriately measured soil characterisation and initial soil data, fitted observed yields comparable to previous seasons (R2=0.74, 67% of simulated yields within 0.5 t/ha of observed, 98 % within 1.0 t/ha).
• Yield Prophet simulates yield more accurately than it does grain protein content.
• However, overall accuracy for all subscribed crops was lower due to expansion into new regions with less soil characterisation data available.

• 2007 was an unusual year and one in which playing the odds as they looked at the start and middle of the growing season did not pay off.
• When making decisions based on probability, be aware of the likelihood and consequences of downside risk.
• Our climate is changing; climate science is moving away from forecast systems that rely on the past to predict the future and investing its efforts in improving general circulation models.
• Yield Prophet in 2008 will be capable of simulating paddock-specific yields under climate change scenarios for 2030.

• APSIM simulations, accessed through the Yield Prophet web interface, were evaluated for their ability to forecast nitrogen fertiliser responses at the canopy management trial in the Wimmera.
• Yield Prophet accurately simulated crop yield and protein for a range of nitrogen fertiliser application rates and timings.
• Yield Prophet was able to estimate likely nitrogen fertiliser responses and dollar returns during the season.
• For accurate simulations Yield Prophet requires good soil characterisation data (crop lower limit, drained upper limit and bulk density) and pre-sowing measurements of soil water and available nitrogen.

Yield Prophet® saved many subscribers from over investing in inputs during the 2006 season. From early in the 2006 growing season, Yield Prophet® predicted that profitable yields in our region were unlikely.

The value of Yield Prophet® as a risk management tool is often overlooked because of a common perception that Yield Prophet® is only a nitrogen management tool to be used in good seasons. An analysis of Yield Prophet® predictions made throughout 2006 busts this myth.

• Average simulated wheat yields of the current ten year period are the worst on record since 1899 at the Birchip site.
• A comparison of the impacts of climate change in the past 30 years compared with earlier years provides no evidence of an effect on the wheat yields at this site.
• Given the ‘worst case’scenario itisforecastthat climate change will cause an increase in temperature and reduction in rainfall in the year 2030 reducing potential crop yields at this site.

Registered Yitpi seed came in two sizes in the 2000 season (small - 36g/1000 grain and large - 43g/1000 grain). The general concern for those who purchased Yitpi with small seed was that it was of poor quality. A demonstration investigating emergence and crop yield showed that there was no difference between the small and large sized grain in emergence and crop yield. The harvested grain from the small and large sown seed was the same size (40g/1000 grain).
It is advisable to know grain size and emergence potential so that optimum sowing rates can be determined.

There were no differences in yield obtained between the control (no zinc applied) crop and the four differenct zinc treatments.

In previous years, trials and demonstrations have highlighted zinc deficiencies in both cereals and pulses, which could provide farmers substantial profits over the cost of zinc. Six trial sites were chosen, all with adequate zinc histories, to demonstrate advantages of supplying extra zinc to wheat crops. As there were no significant yield responses to the various applications of zinc, it was concluded if adequate zinc enriched granular fertiliser had been regularly applied in previous years there was no benefit from the application of additional zinc.