2012 was a set up year for the Rhizoctonia best bets demonstrations. Fungicides banded with fluid fertilisers at seeding did not reduce Rhizoctonia in the following cereal crop.

In 2013 the Rhizoctonia best bets demonstrations using rotations were over sown with cereal and showed break crops which are grass free are the best option to lower Rhizoctonia inoculum levels.

• A survey was conducted in early 2010 to determine the current management practices of farmers and the average water use efficiency of farms on upper Eyre Peninsula.
• The survey will be repeated in 2013 to see if there are changes in the management practices and water use efficiency.

• Using crop growth models to quantify the season to season yield performance on different soil types and predict in-season potential yield can be a very useful tool for managing risk and inputs.
• Given the high spatial variability in soils and grain yield, mapping paddocks into zones of similar soil and yield potential enables farmers to better target input levels as well as understand crop yield potential in different seasons.
• Information about the capacity of a soil to hold water, the water and mineral N levels at sowing are the basic information needed to use Yield Prophet - given this information, grain yield can be accurately predicted.

• Applying MAP with the seed at sowing resulted in a 25% increase in plant emergence compared to using DAP at Piednippie.
• Applying MAP at sowing resulted in higher grain yields and better water use efficiency (WUE) in plots which had high seeding rates at Nunjikompita.
• In combination with a high seeding rate, a blend of DAP and triple super phosphate (TSP) applied at sowing at Piednippie and Nunjikompita (plus urea) resulted in grain yields which were closer to the crop yield potential than the control.

• Intake (on fertiliser) and Jockey (on seed) is current standard practice for lower EP canola and reduced Blackleg stem infection. In 2014 this practice also increased grain yield. This remains the recommended practice.
• The application method for the fungicide, either as seed treatments or in-furrow, did not increase canola yields in 2015 or 2016.
• The source of nutrients and application method, either fertiliser, in-furrow or foliar had no effect on canola yield in 2014, however further research should be undertaken in this area before final conclusions are drawn.

• Phosphoric acid showed a yield response at Streaky Bay in 2014 of 13% and 2015 of 8%.
• Fungicides did not reduce Rhizoctonia infection or significantly increase yield in 2015 at either site despite high levels of inoculum.
• Including fungicides will increase input cost and risk over a cropping program.
• The addition of trace element or manganese treatments did not improve yield at Streaky Bay or Warramboo in 2015.

• In 2016 there was a small yield response to phosphoric acid over granular P at Warramboo.
• Fungicides and the addition of extra 40 kg/ha urea at seeding separately reduced Rhizoctonia seminal root infection compared to the control at both sites.
• Including fungicides will increase input cost and risk over a cropping program.
• The addition of a trace element mix or manganese did not improve yields at Streaky Bay or Warramboo.

• Phosphoric acid as a liquid fertiliser resulted in 13% and 8% higher yields in 2014 and 2015 respectively at Streaky Bay, and an 8% yield increase at Warramboo in 2016 when compared to the same rate of P delivered in granular fertilisers.
• Despite the yield increases at Streaky Bay and Warramboo, the economics showed granular fertiliser had greater returns in $/ha compared to using phosphoric acid at 9 units of P.
• The guidelines for moving to the adoption of phosphoric acid as a P source exist in the Fluid Fertiliser Manual which adequately covers the principles, economics, recommendations and chemistry of adopting fluid delivery systems. The manual is available at www.fluidfertilsers.com.au.
• Knowing the responsiveness of a soil type to phosphoric acid is an important factor to consider before investing in a fluid delivery system. The responsive soil types are generally higher n calcium carbonate (greater than 25%). P source responses may also be driven by soil moisture conditions because in 2016, which had wetter seasonal conditions, phosphoric acid and granular P performed similarly in the same soil type at Streaky Bay.
• The adoption of fluid fertiliser systems to place fungicides in-furrow for rhizoctonia disease management is not recommended in this environment. The addition of fungicides showed small and variable yield advantages at Warramboo in 2014 and 2016 and Streaky Bay in 2016. Using fungicides in above average seasons the greatest yield benefit was only 0.22 t/ha with an in-furrow application with granular phosphorus and trace elements. This is lower than the benefits achieved in other regions where yield increases of up to 0.49 t/ha in wheat with split applications of fungicides were achieved. Inluding fungicides on wheat up front will increase input costs and risk over a large cropping program. 
• Large scale demonstrations by growers across Eyre Peninsula with in-furrow fungicide applications at seeding did not reduce rhizoctonia or produce yield benefits over three seasons.
• The adoption of fluid fertiliser systems will depend in growers' soil types for phosphorus responses, the existence of trace element deficiences and ease or timing of application (in-furrow at seeding) and machinery ability to deliver fluids.

• There were no differences in canola Blackleg infection or yield using fungicides as seed treatments or in-furrow in 2015.
• In 2014 combined protection of a fungicide on seed and in the furrow as a banded fluid reduced Blackleg infection and increased yield.
• The selection of Blackleg resistant varieties in the rotation is important.

• Fungicides as seed treatments or in-furrow did not increase canola yield in 2015 or 2016.
• In 2016 Intake (on fertiliser) and Jockey (on seed) which is current standard practice, lowered Blackleg stem infection, and in 2014 this treatment increased yield.

• Simulated grazing up to early tillering on cereals caused only a minor reduction in grain yield.
• There are broad leaf field crop alternatives, forage peas and vetch, that as a monoculture or as component of a cereal or oilseed mixture can increase total (anthesis) biomass production.
• There are further opportunities to develop farming systems around the multipurpose break crops on upper Eyre Peninsula.

• There has been no evidence of any soil health or production losses with grazing after seven years, irrespective of whether crop or pasture inputs were increased or kept at district practice levels.
• In 2014 higher input systems showed how increased inputs and costs throughout the season can result in increased productivity and subsequent profitability.

• There has been no measured grain production or soil health decline associated with grazing sheep on pastures and crop stubbles over a 4 year pasture-wheat rotation. Grain yields were higher as a result of increased wheat seed and fertiliser rates in 2013.
• Higher applied crop seed and fertiliser rates with an improved medic pasture increased estimated gross margins by $16/ha/annum over a 6 year wheat-wheat-pasture-wheat-pasture-wheat rotation

• Grazing sheep have not damaged soil health over eight years of several crop/pasture rotations.
• In 2015 total annual biomass was greater in higher input and grazed rotations. High input grazed systems carried twice the stocking rate of a low input system.

• Over nine seasons, incorporating livestock into the rotation improved overall system outcomes in this trial, including; increased nitrogen cycling and water use efficiency, reduction in weed and pest populations and no negative effects on cereal performance or soil health, while value adding to stubble and pastures by grazing.
• The high input grazed farming system had a gross margin of over $100/ha/year more than lower input and ungrazed treatments over the nine-year trial period.

• Green cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a tap-rooted herb grown extensively in India and the Middle East for its grain.
• It survived trials on Eyre Peninsula in 2015 sufficiently well to encourage another look.
• Alternaria fungal disease is a major threat.
• Its low and slow growth will complicate harvesting and weed control.

• Harvest weed seed collection showed barley grass is harder to capture using harvest weed seed collection techniques due to its habit of shedding seed early.
• Burning windrows decreased the number of weed seeds present in the soil seedbank at Minnipa in 2017.
• Harvest weed seed collection allows for the capture of ryegrass weed seed and cereal screenings, potentially increasing feed utilisation for stock when placed in chaff dumps or rows.

• Trafficking on wet soil in 2015 resulted in substantially less Rhizoctonia in barley in 2016.
• After two years of cereal production, there is little evidence that heavy vehicle trafficking is severely depressing grain yield on a Minnipa soil.

• Nodulation and shoot dry matter in medics is depressed by poor phosphorus (P) nutrition and in-crop application of certain herbicides.
• Applying P when establishing a medic pasture boosts shoot and root dry matter and improves root health.
• The timing of application of certain herbicides can have an important effect on maximum shoot dry matter.
• High soil nitrogen levels can reduce nodulation in medic pastures.

• Growers should be aware that the application of certain broad-leaved herbicides can result in a reduction in shoot dry matter of medic pastures.
• Application of a full label rate of Agritone 750 (late) resulted in the largest reduction of shoot dry matter.
• Applying P to a soil with low P reserves when establishing a medic pasture boosts shoot and root dry matter, improves root health and improves N fixation.
• Growers should also be aware that the use of herbicides can reduce nodulation and N2- fixation in medic pastures.

• Applying phosphorus to a soil with low P reserves when establishing a medic pasture boosts shoot and root dry matter, improves root health and improves N fixation.
• The addition of urea at seeding can reduce nodulation in medic pastures.
• Residues of the herbicide Logran can severely stunt medic growth.
• Applying a full label rate of Agritone 750 (late) decreases pasture production and N fixation in actively growing pastures.
• Any management practice that reduces medic biomass will reduce N fixation, such as the late application of certain herbicides, eg Agritone 750.
• In a dry growing season when medic plants are already moisture stressed, herbicides will have little impact on medic production and N fixation.
• Regardless of seasonal conditions, the management of newly established medic pastures with regard to herbicides and nutrition, appears to have no impact on the yield and protein levels of the wheat crop in the following year.

• Nodulation was reduced when pea seeds were coated with P-Pickel T fungicide before inoculation.
• Reductions in rhizobia numbers on fungicide-coated seeds occurred very quickly, within two hours, but the toxic effect of the fungicide continued after sowing.
• Dry soil conditions are likely to have exacerbated fungicide toxicity to the rhizobia.

• The yield of both pulse crops decreased in general when delaying sowing.
• Modifying sowing time produced changes in the phenology that affected main yield components and grain yield.
• In general, the later sowing dates reduced grain number/m2 and produced a lower thousand grain weight.

• The impact of 13 different soil wetter treatments ranged from none to more than a doubling of wheat establishment.
• Grain yield benefits ranged from zero to 21% (or 0.22 t/ha).
• While higher grain yield generally correlated with better crop establishment, some treatments with low crop establishment were able to generate substantial yield responses, suggesting specific chemistries may promote later season effects.
• Combinations of some soil wetters interacted positively to maximize grain yield response.

• The paddock utilised for the trial had a significant number of effective naturalised medic rhizobia. There was no rhizobial inoculation response.
• Total annual biomass was higher in the regenerating medic plots versus sown treatments due to earlier germination and growth of naturalised medic.
• Grazing increased overall medic production.

• The paddock contained a population of effective rhizobia and so the number of nodules on lateral and taproots was not affected by the addition of different rhizobial inoculants.
• Improved soil nutrition did not affect dry matter production and nodulation.
• Grazing (simulated) reduced the total dry matter produced by the medic pasture, however the use of sheep would provide a more realistic assessment of grazing on DM production, nodulation and N2-fixation.

• Canola in rotation reduced Rhizoctonia inoculum levels and increased following cereal yields.
• Fluid fertiliser increased plant dry matter and yield on highly calcareous grey soils.
• A barley/vetch brown manure increased soil mineral nitrogen and this appears to have exacerbated Rhizoctonia disease symptoms on a following barley crop.
• Added carbon (10 t/ha/yr) has increased microbial respiration and microbial nitrogen.

• Differences in C input (dry matter production plus any additions) between the treatments were 24 t/ha at Minnipa, and 31 t/ha at
• Poochera over the last two seasons.
• Wheat at Minnipa produced between 0.5 t/ha of stubble in a poor season (2008) and 8.8 t/ha in a good season (2009).
• Doubling the seeding rate of wheat at Minnipa produced 1.4 t/ha extra stubble compared to the wheat control in 2009.
• Barley and vetch brown manures produced the lowest dry matter at both sites.

• The fluid fertiliser system increased yield and dry matter production at both sites.
• The added carbon treatments with increased microbial activity have not increased grain yield in 2011.

• Minnipa Agriculture Centre results showed significant yield advantage with earlier sowing in trial data even in a great season.
• Weeds can have a large effect on early sown crops, but most farmers try to have some paddocks set up to sow early.
• If early sowing is an option take advantage of it.

• Interactions between herbicide and application rate did not have differing responses for grain yield, biomass yield, or gross margin at Minnipa, 2018.
• Combined herbicide and application timing treatments did show differences in grain yield, biomass yield and gross margin.
• Metribuzin and Diuron treatments indicated increased safety levels (58-466% higher biomass and 6-161% higher grain yield) and lower economic risk compared to Terbuthylazine treatments.
• For herbicide applications incorporated by sowing, Metribuzin was of lower economic risk (45% higher gross margin) than Diuron.

• Disease suppression has not developed in this soil type after 8 years.
• Higher nutrition treatments allowed crops to cope better with high disease levels in both 2010 and 2011.
• Canola will reduce Rhizoctonia inoculum but only one year of wheat will result in high levels of Rhizoctonia inoculum again.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is limited by poor nutrition.

• Changing rotation and nutrition have changed the microbial population activity and diversity but not developed disease suppression after seven years.
• One year of wheat in 2009 resulted in high Rhizoctonia inoculum regardless of previous rotation or fertiliser histories.
• Take-all has increased in the continuous cereal district practice treatment to severe levels; higher nutrition treatments give the plants the ability to cope better with these increased disease levels.
• The high input systems have continually yielded higher than the other systems, but inputs of N have not matched production levels completely so soil reserves of mineral N are now lower in these treatments.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is severely limited by inadequate nutrition.

• The higher input brassica break system had higher cereal yields than the other systems in 2009.
• Rhizoctonia inoculum levels were higher under the continuous cropping systems compared to the medic pasture and brassica break crops.
• The different rotations and fertiliser systems have resulted in differences in the microbial community (number) and microbial diversity (their ability to use different sources of carbon).
• Disease suppression is still the same in all rotations.

• At present, group A herbicide resistance in barley grass is relatively low at a district level on the EP. However, growers need to act now to integrate multiple control tactics to prolong the effectiveness of these cheap and effective herbicides.
• In the absence of group A herbicides, it is still possible to achieve large reductions in barley grass seed bank in a legume pasture phase.
• When using moderate efficacy-low cost herbicides (Treflan + Logran) for barley grass control in wheat, effective control of the weed in previous pasture phase was critical.

• There was no increase in wheat (2015) or barley (2016) performance with application of manganese on highly calcareous sands, even though these environments have regularly produced severe Mn deficiency in the past.
• Current industry guidelines still appear to be relevant for diagnosing trace element deficiencies in cereal crops and how they are best managed.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

• Early sowing (22 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2015, similar to results observed in 2013 and 2014. Sowing on 22 April improved yields up to 12%, depending on variety, compared to 29 April sowing date.
• Different management practices are needed to establish canola on different soil types under marginal moisture conditions. On a loamy soil at Minnipa deeper sowing (to 4 cm) produced the highest yields, whereas shallower sowing (1 cm) produced the highest yields at Piednippie, particularly with the smaller seeded variety Stingray.
• Trials at Piednippie in 2015 showed that yields up to 0.8 t/ha are achievable in a below average rainfall season, provided the crop is established early and achieves around 50 plants/m2 in open-pollinated varieties.
• Results from similar trials in 2013, 2014 and 2015 have all shown that the highest yielding canola has consistently come from plots with plant establishments of over 50 plants/m2 for open pollinated varieties and 40 plants/m2 for hybrid varieties.

• Early sowing (22 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2015, similar to results observed in 2013 and 2014. Sowing on 22 April improved yields up to 12%, depending on variety, compared to 29 April sowing date.
• Different management practices are needed to establish canola on different soil types under marginal moisture conditions. On a loamy soil at Minnipa deeper sowing (to 4 cm) produced the highest yields, whereas shallower sowing (1 cm) produced the highest yields at Piednippie, particularly with the smaller seeded variety Stingray.
• Trials at Piednippie in 2015 showed that yields up to 0.8 t/ha are achievable in a below average rainfall season, provided the crop is established early and achieves around 50 plants/m2 in open-pollinated varieties.
• Results from similar trials in 2013, 2014 and 2015 have all shown that the highest yielding canola has consistently come from plots with plant establishments of over 50 plants/m2 for open pollinated varieties and 40 plants/m2 for hybrid varieties.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

Early sowing (15 April) had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2014, similar to results observed in 2013. Sowing on 15 April improved yields up to 45%, depending on variety, compared to 13 May sowing date. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate proved important in maximising canola yield at the sites trialled in 2014, but not to the same extent as time of sowing. Sowing at 4.5 kg/ha at a 2 cm depth gave a 13% yield improvement over sowing at 1.5 kg/ha at 1 cm depth. Achieving approximately 50 plants/m2 of triazine tolerant varieties and 40 plants/m2 of Clearfield tolerant varieties was needed to maximise canola yields in trials conducted at Minnipa Agricultural Centre in 2014. Using farmer retained open pollinated seed did not cause a yield penalty when compared to commercially purchased seed in trials conducted at Minnipa in 2014.

• Early sowing had the largest positive impact on canola yield when comparing a range of treatments trialled in 2013. Good seeding depth and the correct seed rate were also important in maximising canola yields, but not to the same extent as time of sowing.

• There is the potential to increase plant dry matter production and grazing using mixtures of plant species.
• Kaspa peas produced the greatest dry matter overall with 1.7 t DM/ha, and an oats/medic mix also did well (1.3 t DM/ha). The short season oats variety, Durack, produced the greatest dry matter for oats with 1.1 t DM/ha. Toreador disc medic (bred for sandy soils) produced the best dry matter (0.75 t DM/ha) amongst the pasture species.
• In a poor season like 2018, dry matter production in pastures could be improved compared to the current district practice of volunteer annual medics.
• Further research needs to be done on regeneration and herbicide tolerance of newer pasture species.

• Despite three years of above average rainfall, a red calcareous sandy loam at Minnipa with soil phosphorus reserves of 27 mg/kg of Colwell P has not required any added P fertiliser for maximum cereal grain yields.

A site with high phosphorus (P) reserves needed no applied P fertiliser in 2010 to produce a 2.5 t/ha wheat yield.

• A site with high phosphorus (P) reserves needed no extra P fertiliser to maximise the yield of wheat in 2009 at MAC.

• The trials across agro-ecological zones have highlighted differences between varieties in their ability to respond to a range of production drivers over varied environments and seasons.
• There was no varietal difference between Mace and Trojan at Minnipa with both yielding an average of 1.7 t/ha, and the ungrazed treatment yielded 0.2 t/ha higher than the grazed. There was no difference in grazing response between cultivars.
• Nitrogen (N) can provide assistance in plant recovery through higher yields and grain quality with in-season application of N after grazing.

• District Practice beat the farmers for grain yield and profit!
• Researchers may blitz the field yet, just watch this space…
• Oh, and by the way, the farmers are still winning, just.

• A comparison of 2001 and 2010 soil analysis suggests that organic carbon levels may have declined over the 9 year competition, irrespective of the rotation utilised and production achieved.
• However to suggest that there is a continuing long term decline in soil health in the face of improved “sustainable” farming techniques is premature.
• The competition ceased in its current form in 2010 with all paddocks sown to an oilseed (canola or juncea).

• Depending on seasonal influence, stored soil moisture, soil nutrition, stocking rate management and correct timing (early tillering at growth stage (GS) 18-22, rather than later tillering at GS 24-28), grazing can be done with no detriment to crop yield.
• However, preceding paddock history had a significant impact on subsequent crop success and needs to be considered when planning future rotations.

UAV imagery with appropriate analysis has the potential to identify weed issues in paddocks quickly, reliably and cheaply over large areas.

• UAV imagery with skilled specialist analysis and programs has the potential to identify and map weed issues in paddocks.
• Grass weed patches are easier to identify in legume and pasture crops than cereal crops.
• Variability in germination and crop growth makes it harder to identify grass weed areas.
• Data capture and analysis for analytical purposes such as grass weed mapping in individual paddocks will be beyond the skills of most farm businesses unless farmers have a special interest in this area.
• Group A resistant barley grass has once again been detected at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre. Barley grass resistance to Group A herbicides has been detected three times in three years, so be aware it is present current farming systems.

• No stand out varieties with peas at Mt Cooper in 2009.
• Av-Garnet conventional variety yielded the best at Mt Cooper followed by the two Clearfield varieties, Hyola 571CL and 43C80.

• Wheat varieties respond differently to increasing rates of fluid phosphorus.
• The season suited Gladius and Yitpi over the very short season variety Axe.
• Mace yielded 5% better than Wyalkatchem.
• Seeding rate did not affect yield in 2009.

Only medic based systems from 2008 and 2009 resulted in higher wheat yields in 2011.

• At Cummins, an increase of up to 100% grain yield in wheat to 5 t/ha over the control was reached by applying 120 kg N/ha (two split applications of 60 kg/ha each at emergence and before GS31) and extra irrigation (50 mm) at GS31.
• At Lock, up to a 19% higher grain yield to 5 t/ha was achieved compared to control by adding extra irrigation (50 mm) at GS31.
• At Minnipa, an increase of up to 31% grain yield to 3 t/ha over the control was achieved by adding extra irrigation (50 mm) at GS31 and applying 120 kg N/ha in two split applications of 60 kg/ha at emergence and by GS31.
• Water use efficiency (WUE) improved with N fertilisation by GS31 at Minnipa and Cummins.
• The split application of 120 kg N by GS31 may only be a good investment in paddocks where crops with N requirements (e.g. canola) were grown in the previous season or soil N at sowing was low (less than 44 kg/ha) and with average or above average seasonal soil moisture at GS31.

• Canola yields of 2 t/ha are possible in an average growing season (decile 5) at Minnipa Agricultural Centre.
• The total application of 85 kg/ha N and 108 kg/ha N exceeded the 2 t/ha target, producing 2.13 t/ha and 2.22 t/ha respectively, and 62 kg/ha N very nearly achieved 2 t/ha (1.96 t/ha).
• Soil tests determined that 70-80 kg/ha N was available in the soil, including mineralisation, which predicted a potential yield of 1 t/ha.

• At Minnipa the late sown (resown due to mice damage) wheat gave a yield response to 20 units of up-front N, but not to N applied in-crop in 2010.
• At Mudamuckla there was no response to applied N above base rates on soil with adequate N content in 2010.

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

• Standard inoculation practices are unlikely to deliver satisfactory nodulation where pulses are sown into dry soils.
• Pea and chickpea sown late (26 June) had the higher nodulation and crop production than those sown dry. Where the soil remained dry for 20 days after sowing nodulation was poor, regardless of the inoculation strategy used.
• Nodulation of pea was low regardless of sowing time at Minnipa in 2018. Both peat applied to seed and granule formulations resulted in similar nodule numbers per plant.
• Nodulation can be improved when dry sowing if inoculation rate of peat is increased. Doubling the rate of inoculation significantly improved pea nodulation. 
• The performance the rhizobial granules was inconsistent. A granule produced at SARDI was more effective in one experiment, but not the other. Two commercial granules provided no advantage compared to peat applied to seed.

• Inter-cropped peas and canola return higher gross income than monoculture peas or canola.
• The addition of canola to field peas reduced post harvest wind erosion risk.

A break of two years can produce a better financial outcome than continuous wheat over a four year period of production where there are substantial pressures on wheat performance (eg. grassy weeds). Wheat yields after a two year break were a significant step up from wheat crops following a one year break, which were in turn, much better than the continuous wheat. Large break crop benefits of 0.5-1.25 t/ha were achieved following a two year non-cereal break phase compared to continuous wheat. The break crop benefit of a one year break may only last one season if grass weeds are a significant factor. The major benefit of breaks in these long term cereal paddocks was to reduce grassy weed pressures for subsequent wheat crops phases. The benefit of a two year break had little to do with the phases chosen for those two breaks, providing that excellent grass weed control could be achieved in both. Many of the most profitable crop sequences over the four year period often started with a two year break phase.

• Continuously cropping cereals has increased grass weeds and root disease to a point that it is no longer the most economical option, due to decreased yield and costs associated with addressing weed and disease issues.      
• Two year breaks starting to pay their way in the third year of the rotation. One year breaks have lifted wheat performance but have not kept grassy weeds or diseases under control.

• Proximal sensing reflectance data predicts soil moisture with reasonable accuracy at depths (0-10, 10-30, 30-90 cm) on upper Eyre Peninsula in 2018.
• Reflectance data may also be useful for predicting the amount of soil nitrogen and crop macronutrients, including but not limited to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.
• Further experimental data is required to use soil and crop reflectance as a means to predict nutrient content because environmental parameters can confound results.

• The recommended field pea industry practice of P-Pickel T® seed treatment and 2 foliar fungicides of Mancozeb failed to significantly reduce disease infection levels or increase grain yield over untreated control treatments under high blackspot disease pressure in 2016.
• Early disease control applications (four weeks after sowing) were important for reducing initial blackspot infection levels at Minnipa, conversely later spring applications were important at the higher rainfall site of Hart.
• Over two consecutive years, a yield benefit of at least 15% has been obtained from application of new experimental fungicide actives over the current industry practice treatment of two foliar sprays of mancozeb.
• Further research is required to understand the interaction in efficacy between fungicides and timing of disease infection, together with the drivers of Ascochyta blight onset and progression in different field pea growing environments.

• Canola can be an expensive crop to grow.
• Yields can be maximised by planting early in low rainfall environments.
• Retained seed from open-pollinated varieties has the potential to match yields of some hybrid varieties.
• Delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation (bolting) was not as effective as applying at seeding or early post-emergence.

• Wheat yields in the poor, medium and good zones in response to low, medium and high inputs respectively did not differ significantly in 2011.
• Over a 3 year wheat-canola-wheat rotation there has been no measured production benefit from applying 6 kg/ha of P on the good soil type as opposed to nil P on a shallow constrained soil.

• 4 kg/ha of P as a blanket application increased grain yields and gross margins over nil P in all 3 soil zones, however applying a variable rate to the medium soil zone of 8 kg P/ha improved gross margins over the 4 kg/ha rate.

• In a good growing season, wheat performed equally well in zones identified as good, medium or poor however they achieved only 50% of their yield potential water use efficiency.

• Annual medic plant establishment density limited by 2008 drought, mice and possibly a false break.
• Pasture production restricted by low plant numbers but increased by 2010 P applications.

• In an above average season a high input system was the “best bet”.
• Variable rate had reduced production but at a lower risk.

• Sowing in early June 2009 resulted in wheat yields on 3 soil types being similar but only achieving 50% of potential water use efficiency.

• After two good seasons a variable rate approach is as profitable as a low input blanket approach and more profitable than a standard blanket approach.

• The profitability of VRT, excluding capital outlay, was just better than standard practice over the last two seasons at Minnipa.
• The long term impacts of reducing inputs and any consequent yield reductions in above average seasons are yet to be determined.

• WI3806-1 is an early maturing line equivalent to Keel in the good years and better in the bad ones.
• Very early maturing barley varieties will provide farmers with more cropping options.

• In 2009 47 ha of barley sown for feed at the break of the season sustained 300 ewes and lambs for 3 months during the period of late autumn-winter, a traditional period of pasture deficit.
• Hay freezing the forage crop ensures grass weeds are controlled.
• Use of strip grazing better utilises feed on hand and helps control erosion (especially around watering points).

• The early to mid season varieties Wyalkatchem and Mace performed well if sown early, while Axe performed well against the other varieties if sown later, facing a shorter growing season.
• Matching wheat variety selection with sowing date and soil type can help to maximise returns.

• Canola and medic will reduce Rhizoctonia inoculum but only one year of cereal will result in high levels of Rhizoctonia inoculum again.
• Disease suppression has not developed in this environment despite it happening within the same time frame in other environments.

• E-W sowing direction yielded 0.24 t/ha higher than N-S on 18 cm row spacing in the 2009 season, despite consistent trends in the opposite direction over the last 4 years.
• Burning stubble (2005-08) yielded 0.2 t/ha higher than retained stubble at 3 t/ha, and had higher protein levels, also an opposite trend to previous years.
• Rhizoctonia was similar in all stubble treatments.

• In low rainfall seasons, (2005-08), north-south sowing increased grain yield by an average of 8.4% compared to east-west.
• Narrow row spacing with retained stubble also showed increased grain yield.
• In 2009 (decile 9+ season) there was a 0.24 t/ha yield advantage in wheat with sowing east-west.
• In 2010 (decile 8-9 season) with Kaspa peas, row direction at sowing had no effect on grain yield.
• Ultimately direction of sowing will depend mostly on paddock shape and direction of sand hills.

• An east-west (E-W) sowing direction increased yield over north-south (N-S) sowing direction in an average season.
• The results showed a decline in yield due to weed competition, but no effect on weed competition due to row direction. Sowing in an E-W direction may give a yield benefit with no difference in weed seed set.
• The wider row spacing of 30 cm resulted in a yield reduction and greater weed biomass at harvest.
• There were no differences in yield with ribbon seeding with either 18 or 30 cm row spacings, but ribbon seeding reduced ‘weed’ biomass.

• There was no detectable direct effect of sowing direction this season at Minnipa with a mild spring.
• Using a narrow row spacing of 18 cm instead of 30 cm resulted in wheat yield increasing from 3 t/ha to 3.6 t/ha (19% increase).
• Light interception was very sensitive to sowing direction, and not having ‘weeds’ resulted in higher light within the canopy in the north-south direction compared to east-west.
• Knife point and ribbon seeding systems achieved similar crop establishment and crop performance.

• SAGIT funded trials over the last 3 years have shown the potential of vetch on Eyre Peninsula, leading to the selection of an early flowering (90-95 days) line with increased winter vigour (SA 34876) as a new variety for low rainfall mixed farming systems.
• The last three seasons have been particularly good at Minnipa for both grain and hay production of vetch.
• Piednippie trials have not been as successful as Minnipa, but have still shown with the right management vetch could produce good hay, fodder or grazing on the grey calcareous soils.
• On Eyre Peninsula early sowing (mid- April) can achieve good yield and hay production but is heavily reliant on either good subsoil moisture or late follow-up rain.
• Herbicide choices for vetch are very dependent on local conditions so talk to your local agronomist about the best options available.

• 18 cm (7”) systems showed better plant establishment in a drier seeding than the 30 cm (12”) system.
• Higher seeding rates resulted in higher grain yield but also higher screenings and lower protein.
• Grass weeds were lower in the higher seeding rate and in the 18 cm row spacing indicating crop competition is a non-chemical weed reduction method.
• Single row or spread row seeding boots showed little differences in plant establishment, grain yield and quality or grass weed competition.

• Reducing row spacing to 18 cm from 30 cm increased grain yield of wheat by more than 0.5 t/ha in 2015 and 2016.
• Increasing seeding rate also increased grain yield in 2015 and 2016.

• Late grassy weed dry matter was 65% lower, and barley grass weed seed set was 57% lower, with a higher seeding rate.
• 18 cm row spacing had 42% lower grass weed dry matter than 30 cm row spacing.
• Single row or spread row seeding boots showed little differences in plant establishment, grain yield and quality or grass weed competition.

• Grain yields reached 80% of their potential water use efficiency in a decile 5 growing season.
• Variable rate strategies did not result in improved yields over blanket strategies and the costs of the inputs ensured the blanket nil fertiliser treatment was at least economically comparable to the other options evaluated.

• Different methods of stubble handling had little impact on yield.
• Early soil testing allowed good decision making for crop nutrition and budgeting.
• Soil biota were more active in the in-row root zone, as opposed to the mid row zone.

• No significant differences noticed in sheep supplemented with La Trobe pellets and grazing medic compared to sheep grazing medic only, however the sheep added 8 kg liveweight in 4 weeks.
• Trial to be repeated next year earlier in the season on rapidly growing medic with younger animals.

• In 2016 only 40% of the barley grass was greater than 17 cm tall and had the potential to be collected by early swathing, or 60% of the barley grass seed had already shed or was below harvest weed seed collection height.
• Sampling of the swathed paddock area showed slightly better barley grass weed seed collection using swathing than from the rest of the paddock which was harvested normally.
• Seed capture at both swathing and harvest is higher with annual ryegrass than with barley grass.

• From the 10% challenge came a feast of ideas, usually with one or two key focus points considered valuable to the farming operation, with farmers agreeing with or discussing other ideas as they were shared within the groups.
• The information arising from these sessions has been presented at farmer meetings for local groups to discuss in relation to their own farming systems. Further development and extension of this work and ‘rules of thumb’ will be investigated with the discussion
• groups and delivered at local farmer meetings.

• Grain yields increased with higher crop inputs and following grazing, they were further improved following a sown legume pasture and a more intensive grazing system.
• There has been no measured change in soil organic carbon over the 4 year project as a result of varying crop and pasture inputs or grazing compared to not grazing crop stubbles or pastures.

• The high input pasture treatment provided the opportunity to carry 8 DSE/ha with an estimated gross margin of $240/ha, however it was unable to utilise plant available water above 50% of potential water use efficiency (WUE).

• The 2009 production has provided the opportunity for grazing over the 2009/10 summer to commence comparative grazing treatments.
• Over the next few seasons appropriate analysis will be carried out to measure any changes to soil or crop performance in the farming systems, followed by financial assessment to evaluate the merits of each system.

• It appears that once disease suppression is achieved in low rainfall farming systems of upper EP and inoculum levels are low, it is quite robust and will be maintained despite systems with substantially different amounts of mineral N.
• Fallow, Medic/Fallow and Peas all lowered rhizoctonia inoculum levels in 2010, and Fallow and Peas lowered levels in 2009.
• Continuous cereals produced the highest inoculum levels but all levels were low at this site.
• Even high mineral N (118 kg N/ha) in the top 60 cm (measured in April after spraytopped medic) did not increase Rhizoctonia patches in 2010.
• Trichoderma fungus and the beneficial PEM microbes are present in the MAC N12 system.

• Early sowing of cereals, wheat, barley or oats, gave excellent grazing, hay or grain outcomes in 2009.
• The barley gave similar or better all round performance than the wheat or oats.

• Over the last four years, trafficking at any level has not decreased crop production on a heavy Minnipa soil so moving to controlled traffic farming on this soil type is not likely to increase crop production due to less trafficking in the paddock.
• Trafficking on a deep sand (trial at Loxton in the northern mallee) has substantially reduced crop production for at least 4 years so CTF may have additional benefits on deep sands, especially if ripping is used to correct existing compaction.
• Similar to many previous trials, ripping has not benefited production on the heavy Minnipa soil.

• Vigorous growth in all crops and pasture treatments in 2009 has set up the trial for 2010, when the impact of soil mineral N on disease suppression will be assessed.
• At the start of the 2009 season there were already small differences in mineral nitrogen levels in the soil profile, spray topped medic having the highest with 63 kg N/ha and the control wheat the least with 44 kg N/ha.
• Since healthy medic will fix around 25 kg N/t DM, the medic spray topped treatment should have fixed around 125 kg N/ha during 2009.
• There were slight changes in Rhizoctonia inoculum in some treatments early this season but there were no visual differences in Rhizoctonia patches in the cereal plots in 2009.

• Vetch grain and dry matter yields were very good at Minnipa in 2015, the grain trial mean was 1.4 t/ha with the top lines achieving 2.1 t/ha, mean dry matter yields were 4.1 t/ha with the top line achieving 4.3 t/ha.
• The Piednippie SAGIT trial was poor, suffering from moisture stress post emergence which stunted growth and limited the potential once the crop received rain in mid-June, the site mean was only 1.1 t/ha of dry matter.
• Early sowing (mid-April) can achieve good results but is heavily reliant on either good subsoil moisture or follow-up rain.
• The new varieties, Volga and Timok continue to out yield all existing varieties in both grain and hay production on the EP.
• Herbicide choices for vetch are very dependent on local conditions so talk to your local agronomist about the best options for your conditions.