Using a combine harvester to manage stubble at harvest was expensive and exposed crops to greater risk of weather damage.  Harvesting tall and inter-row sowing was the cheapest form of stubble management and also gave good establishment.  Burning is cheap and effective at removing stubble, and allowed excellent establishment and greater early vigor for competition with weeds, but may not suit all paddock types.

• In 2017, don’t let stubble compromise the big things (weeds, disease, timeliness).

• • All machines tested in this trial successfully established a no-till wheat crop after pasture
  • On average across all machines, there was no positive response to pre-sowing cultivation on yield

• The trial site suffered from very dry conditions for the first three months after sowing.
• As a result, final grain yields were very low, averaging 0.3 t/ha.
• There was no impact from varying nitrogen rate on any aspect of plant growth or grain yield at this site except for cob number per plant.
• Hybrid selection affected crop yield.
   

• The starting soil nitrogen (N) at this site was 73 kg N, which was sufficient to supply the average crop yield of 2.1 t/ha, which was achieved.
• Consequently, there was no response to any of the nitrogen treatments applied.
• Hybrid selection had a major impact on plant structures, grain yield and quality. Pioneer 1467 produced more tillers than the other two hybrid maize varieties.
• Pacific 606 produced the highest grain yield at 2.65 t/ha and also had the highest 1000 grain weight and lowest screenings of the three hybrid maize varieties examined.
   

• Allowing weeds to grow during summer reduced subsequent wheat yield by more than 50 percent
• Provided summer weeds were controlled, other surface treatments (slashed stubble, standing stubble, cultivation, bare earth) had little effect on crop yield
• Controlling summer weeds is one of the most cost-effective input investments available to growers in the Mallee, returning $5 for every $1 invested in this demonstration.

Crop Year Rainfall (November-October) is contributing up to 61% of variability in gross income received by farmers in southern Mallee but only 23% of variability in the Wimmera. Why? : high rainfall years (1993, 95, 96) were difficult years for Wimmera farmers and they were generally unable to take full opportunity of the rainfall received.

• Including legume crops and pastures in rotations increases soil nitrogen even two years after the legume break was grown.
• Brown manure vetch has proven to be the best break phase for increasing soil mineral nitrogen.
• Crop sequences have had small and variable effects on plant available soil water.
• Rhizoctonia inoculum levels are highest following cereal crops and high Rhizoctonia levels have corresponded with poor root health. Canola decreased inoculum levels to levels similar to a fallow.
• High brome grass numbers re-emerged two years after a one year break.

In years with high summer rainfall, growing break crops is low risk and is an effective management strategy for reducing weeds, while growing profitability. Two year breaks are better than one at achieving favourable returns and reducing brome grass populations. The best brome grass control and gross margins were achieved by two year rotations of Clearfield canola/vetch and continuous Clearfield wheat followed by wheat.

• Another dry season has highlighted the increased resilience that early-maturing cereals express over mid-season-maturing varieties in these adverse years
• Season 2009 will see an increased opportunity for farmers to include new innovative wheat varieties into their farming systems
• Relying on one wheat variety is like ‘putting all of your eggs in the one basket’. New varieties with differing maturity dates and improved agronomics/disease resistance are now commercially available to help offset this potential threat
• Yitpi continues to be the Mallee benchmark, although as Table 1 indicates, a number of new release varieties have grain yields and agronomics that compare favourably with the Mallee icon.

Variety choice was the management decision with the highest impact on grain yield and gross income compared to other management considerations.

Later grazing may have benefits in severely frost prone areas, but in the event that there is no frost, yield will be compromised. Grazing has successfully delayed flowering date and for the early grazing it would appear that there is roughly a 1 day delay in flowering for 2 days grazing.

Later grazing may have benefits in severely frost prone areas, but in the event that there is no frost, yield will be compromised. Grazing has successfully delayed flowering date and for the early grazing it would appear that there is roughly a 1 day delay in flowering for 2 days grazing.

• 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.

• The key to long term Rhizoctonia disease control is to keep inoculum in the soil low in the crop and pasture phases and increase the ability of crops to tolerate the infection (create environments where plant infection is reduced and plant tolerance to infection improved).
• The success of available disease control strategies, e.g. soil disturbance, fertilizer addition or fungicides is greatest at low to medium inoculum levels and their effectiveness declines as inoculum levels increase or where disease suppressive activity is low.
• Overall, effective control of rhizoctonia disease in cereal crops requires both the reduction of the pathogen inoculum in the soil prior to seeding and control of the infection process in the crop itself. This has to be achieved through management practices spread over more than one cropping season and through an integrated management strategy.

• If crown rot is a concern, conduct a DNA test before sowing a susceptible cereal in 2007.
• Break crops and grass free fallows are still the best practice for reducing crown rot inoculum levels.
• If inoculum levels are high, it will take at least two years free from grass and volunteers, to reduce levels significantly.

• Crown rot has become an important disease to manage in Victorian wheat crops.
• A soil test can be used to identify paddocks most at risk of crown rot.
• In the presence of medium crown rot levels crop losses can be reduced by chosing tolerant crops.

(i) Managing slug populations is unlikely to be successful unless both cultural and chemical control strategies are used. (ii) Research has found burning, light cultivation and rolling improves slug control. (iii) Control measures must be carried out before slug damage is observed. (iv) Paddocks with a previous history of slug damage are always a good place to start monitoring in a susceptible crop like canola. (v) Slug bait should be applied at a rate to provide sufficient bait points per m2 relative to slug populations in the paddock. (vi) Check the accuracy of your bait spreader to make sure there is an even distribution of bait across the spreading width. This width may not be the same as the width you spread urea. (vii) Identify slug species present in a paddock for the most effective control. Different species demonstrate different behaviours.

• Incorrect identification could be costly as with Take all and Crown rot require different management.
• Check the bases of plants for symptoms, don’t rely on whiteheads (which need not even be disease related).
• Even where whiteheads are not present, significant yield losses can occur.
• Know the risk of yield loss in your paddocks before sowing. For 2012 crops, this will mean sending summer/autumn soil samples to the Predicta B testing service for analysis.
• The most effective management tool for both diseases is host-free breaks.
• Where old cereal rows have medium to high inoculum levels, sowing between those old rows can reduce yield losses from these diseases, but only if the inter-row has low levels of inoculum.
• When Take-all inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a 12 month break from hosts. If susceptible cereals must be sown, keep the paddock(s) weed free and sow the atrisk paddock(s) last in the cereal cropping program.
• When crown rot inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a break from hosts (2-3 years may be needed). If cereals must be sown then barley is least likely to show yield loss, followed by oats and bread wheat. Do not apply excessive nitrogen early in the season.

Barley can be successfully grown on retained wheat stubble, but it is advisable to burn wheat stubble when growing wheat on wheat. If stubble is retained then Yellow Leaf Spot can be a devastating disease in a wet winter. The most important management practices when growing a cereal on cereal are as follows:

• Select paddocks with low numbers of grass weeds.
• Retain wheat stubble for barley, burn the stubble for wheat.
• Control summer weeds to ensure summer rainfall can be used by the crop.
• Use varieties with good disease resistance such as Silverstar or Krichauff.
• Disease - select paddocks with low disease pressure (monitor the previous crop) and DNA test the paddock prior to sowing.
•  Apply sufficient nitrogen for a good crop (soil test to know how much to apply).
• Barley on barley can lead to serious problems with leaf diseases such as net blotch.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2017 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Different PGR treatments and application timings did influence grain yield at Conmurra in 2017.
• Trial planning for 2018 is underway.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2016 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Agronomic treatments applied at Conmurra in 2016 did not alter plant canopy size or plant architecture.
• Trial planning for 2017 is underway.

Canola can be successfully grown on cereal stubble if the stubble is removed and nutritoin (especially N) is adequte.

• Two seasons of trials have demonstrated there are differences in crop vigour / biomass production within open pollinated varieties ATR Stingray (less competitive) and ATR Bonito (more competitive) relative to a competitive hybrid variety Hyola559TT.
• In 2017, at Hart and Roseworthy both OP and hybrid varieties provided similar crop competition for ryegrass control.
• A combination of effective pre-emergent herbicides with competitive canola varieties combines two tactics to reduce ryegrass seed set.

• Ryegrass seed production was reduced by more than 50% for the hybrid cultivar compared to open-pollinated.
• Pre-simazine or pre-propyzamide/simazine with post-atrazine, were more effective than herbicide strategies that relied just on pre-emergent herbicides.
• Combination of effective pre-emergent herbicides with competitive canola cultivars of canola can significantly reduce ryegrass seed set.

• The decline in ryegrass has been greater after field peas.
• The high intensity herbicide strategy was the most effective option in both rotations.

Whilst most of the herbicide strategies in field peas and canola were effective against ryegrass, resistant-survivors still were present late in the season. The seed set contribution of these individuals to the seedbank will not be fully realised until seedbank sampling is again undertaken in April of this year.

Whilst most of the herbicide strategies in field peas and canola were effective against ryegrass, resistant-survivors still were present late in the season. The seed set contribution of these individuals to the seedbank will not be fully realised until seedbank sampling is again undertaken in April of this year.

• Lucerne target establishment density for dryland environments should not exceed 50 plants/m2; or 28 plants/m of drill row.
• Changing row configuration did not increase lucerne persistence.
• Sowing lucerne with a cover crop reduced final lucerne density by 39%.
• Lucerne mortality is affected more by summer conditions than the presence of wintergrowing companion species, such as phalaris or subterranean clover.

• The highest yielding treatments were the early high nitrogen rate (2.80t/ha) or the high nitrogen rate (2.91t/ha).
• Treatments imposed to manipulate crop growth were unable to save more soil moisture for grain fill

• Wheat dry matter production and total crop nitrogen was significantly lower in wider row spacing treatments.
• For the all the crops grain yield was significantly lower in the wider row spacing treatments.
• Treatments imposed to manipulate crop growth were unable to save more soil moisture for grain fill.

• Results from this study, clearly demonstrated that sowing timing is important. For example, delayed sowing (30 June vs 9 May) reduced the grain yield potential for EGA GregoryA by 1.75 t/ha or ~24%.
• Agronomic management factors that affected yield potential from the early sowing time (9 May) included response to nitrogen (N) input (~9% variation), with genotype and crown rot disease pressure both individually accounting for ~8% variations in grain yield.
• When the time of sowing was delayed to 30 June, agronomic factors had a larger impact/variation on grain yield potential. With both genotype (variety selection) and crown rot disease pressure responsible for a 13% variation/decline in grain yield.
• Delayed sowing also affected yield response to N with no increase in grain yield potential due to N input, whilst targeted plant population affected grain yield, with the low population treatment accounting for ~9%
   

• Early sown (10th April) SQP Revenue was significantly more responsive than Manning to a programme of agrichemicals for foliar disease and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus control (BYDV)
• Ungrazed SQP Revenue gave a significant 0.66 t/ha response to a two spray fungicide programme and a further 0.28 t/ha response to an additional insecticide programme for BYDV control, compared to a maximum response of 0.39 t/ha for both fungicide and insecticide for Manning
• Simulated grazing did not significantly reduce yield with either cultivar and gave an average dry matter benefit of 1.89 t/ha with laxed grazing at GS16 & GS30 and 2.39 t/ha with laxed grazed followed by a hard grazing at the GS30
• Leaf rust Puccinia triticina which was the principal disease in the trial was at significantly higher levels in SQP Revenue than Manning and required two foliar fungicides to give control
• In SQP Revenue grazing was not an effective control measure for leaf rust control compared to an early GS31 fungicide when assessed at flag leaf
• At the Westmere site, simulated grazing reduced grain yield by 0.2-0.5 t/ha compared to 1.7 t/ha dry matter removed by grazing
• Low levels of disease at this site did not allow the hypothesis that grazing reduces disease pressure to be tested. 

• Winter wheats sown early can match but not exceed yields of locally adapted spring wheats sown in their optimal window (eg. Scepter sown late April-early May).
• It is only advantageous to sow winter wheats early if they are replacing paddocks that would otherwise be sown too late, or used for dual purpose.
• In a very dry growing season sowing earlier than late April reduced yields when stored soil water was present after a long fallow.

• Know the risk of yield loss from eyespot before sowing a cereal - inspect stem bases (lodging does not always occur) in a previous cereal crop or take soil samples pre-sowing and submit them to PREDICTA B for analysis.
• When selecting varieties with some resistance to eyespot, check their susceptibility to leaf/stem diseases to ensure they are not very susceptible to diseases such as stem rust.
• Where eyespot pressure is low, varietal resistance alone will assist in reducing yield losses, but at medium to high level eyespot pressure, resistance alone may not be sufficient to provide good protection from eyespot.
• Varieties with weak straw strength are more likely to lodge if affected by eyespot.
• If applying fungicides for eyespot control - use the correct rate; apply before canopy closure (GS30-31); use high water rates; target the plant base (note that Aviator® Xpro® @ 500mL/ha is registered for eyespot control).

• Pulses are more vulnerable to yield loss from heat and frost stress in a critical period centred around early podding.

• Sowing time and variety choice are crucial to reduce risk of stress at this stage.

• We define the safer window for the critical period as less than 10% chance of frost (0oC in the Stevenson screen) and less than 30% chance of heat (>34oC in the Stevenson screen).

• In environments of upper Eyre Peninsula, such as Minnipa, there is limited frost risk, hence early sowing will minimise heat risk and maximise potential yield.

• However, at sites such as Laura (Mid North), there is a safer window after frost and before heat.

• Results should be considered in conjunction with grower specific conditions and the trade-off between early sowing, weed and disease management and rainfall.

The occurrence of frost and subsequent frost damage to grain crops is a complex phenomenon. The factors affecting frost damage in wheat crop include seasonal conditions (temperature, humidity, and wind), soils characteristics (topography, soil type), variety (maturity and flowering window) and agronomic management (sowing date, row spacing, and seed and fertiliser inputs). In 2012, frost had significantly damaged and reduced the grain yield for all varieties at two different sowing dates at Wickepin. On average the later sowings (8 June) yielded 1 t/ha greater than the earlier sowings (18 May). Comparatively longer season varieties such as Magenta and Calingiri flowered late, avoided some of frost damage and yielded the highest at both sowings. Preliminary results indicate varieties differed in their relative performance and resilience (i.e. ability to yield) in response to stresses of radiant frosts in both time of sowings. More comprehensive results on variety performance and frost damage will be available after measuring grain quality and sterility estimates.

• Cropping frequency and ryegrass resistant to Group A herbicides have mutually increased in HRZ
• Long-term management of Group A-resistant ryegrass can be achieved where appropriate crop phases and herbicide strategies are utilised; the first year is crucial when weed density is highest
• Seasonal influences can impact management, ryegrass is a prolific seed producer and failure to provide effective control in wetter years (i.e. 2016) can lead to large rebound in weed infestation; consider tactics like crop-topping and windrow burning that offer an opportunity to reduce seed set

• Residual herbicides can restrict crop rotation options and is often more prominent following dry seasons.
• To minimise the potential impact on the following crop it is import to understand the product that has been used, the soil pH and the amount of rainfall received from application until the time of sowing the follow crop.
• It is also highly recommended to follow and adhere to the recommendations on the product label.

Hostile subsoils can significantly constrain crop growth and water use in the Mallee and Wimmera. Although the subsoil constraints are effectively fixed, the impact they have on grain yields can vary markedly with crop type and seasonal conditions (particularly the pattern of rainfall). Electromagnetic survey (EM) techniques offer the potential to assess the distribution and extent of subsoil constraints within a paddock. Management options however are currently limited and the most financially viable strategy may be to ‘live with the problem’ where inputs such as N fertiliser are limited and crop selection restricted to more tolerant types and varieties.

Hostile subsoils can significantly constrain crop growth and water use in the Mallee and Wimmera. Although the subsoil constraints are effectively fixed, the impact they have on grain yields can vary markedly with crop type and seasonal conditions (particularly the pattern of rainfall). Electromagnetic survey (EM) techniques offer the potential to assess the distribution and extent of subsoil constraints within a paddock. Management options however are currently limited and the most financially viable strategy may be to ‘live with the problem’ where inputs such as N fertiliser are limited and crop selection restricted to more tolerant types and varieties.

From this trial:

• Soil applications from 2015 were poorly effective at improving grain yield. Foliar applications of sulphate increased yield by about 1t/ha. Best yield increases of more than 2t/ha were achieved with a combination of soil and foliar applications. 

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• The site was severely deficient in Cu for wheat. 
• Under these severely deficient conditions, soil applications of Cu were poorly effective compared to foliar sprays but fluid applications performed better than Cu enriched granular fertilisers.  However, soil applications of Cu can persist for decades.
• There was no evidence that a chelated source of Cu as a foliar spray was more effective than a sulphate source and less Cu seemed to end up in the grain with the chelated source.
• A single foliar spray of Cu prior to flowering is often sufficient to protect a cereal crop from Cu deficiency but under the severe deficiency encountered in 2015, two foliar sprays were necessary to overcome the problem completely (one at first node, the second prior to flowering).
• Cu deficiency can make a crop more sensitive to adverse conditions.  In this trial, the hot drying conditions of the early October weekend, severely scorched all plots with no or poorly effective Cu management strategies.
• The soil and leaf tests taken during this trial support that the current guidelines for Cu deficiency are still relevant to modern farming systems and varieties.  A DTPA Cu level in soil of less than 0.3 ppm in the top 10 cm is considered deficient, and 1.3 ppm Cu in YEBS is considered very deficient for wheat.

From the whole project:

Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.

Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.

No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.

Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.

Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial: 

• No crop response to the addition of copper. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project: 

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.
•  

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No change in crop performace with the addition of Manganese. As a foliar spray, sulphate was as effective as an EDTA chelate at increasing leaf manganese at Z30. Halving the recommended rate of sulphate decreased leaf manganese levels.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. As a foliar spray, sulphate was as effective as two chelate sources for increasing leaf zinc at Z30.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• Grain yield increased by 7% with the addition of zinc. Effectiveness of fertiliser strategies could not be assesed with such a small increase in yield. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. At Z14 zinc enriched fertilisers at sowing increased leaf zinc. At Z30 a sulphate as a foliar was as effective as an EDTA chelate. 

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. Zinc applied at seeding either as a granular fertiliser or as a fluid fertiliser increased leaf zinc Z14.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

• Yield losses caused by Pratylenchus are still being defined, in the meantime growers should focus on implementing management strategies to reduce impact of Rhizoctonia; most of these also reduce impact of Pratylenchus.
• Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is a potential risk this year, particularly in continuous cereal paddocks with high frequency of susceptible varieties e.g. Wyalkatchem.
• Take-all risk is also increasing in continuous cereal and cereal/grassy pasture rotations; this is driven by above average growing seasons on Eyre Peninsula for the past few seasons.
• Field trials are underway to assess the yield losses caused by Pratylenchus in current varieties. Results of the first trials indicate yield losses caused by Pratylenchus in 2011 were relatively small; this program is continuing to determine if losses are higher in different seasons.
• Pratylenchus multiplication varies between varieties, check the 2012 Cereal Variety Disease Guide for the latest resistance ratings. Note; some barley varieties are better hosts for P. neglectus than previously thought.

• The Yield Prophet uses the APSIM model to estimate wheat yields based on seasonal growing conditions and inputs.
• The outcomes of the Yield Prophet allow farmers to make better pre-sowing and in-crop management decisions which reduce risk and optimise returns.
• The Yield Prophet reports on crop growth during the season; availability of soil water and soil N; likely responses to N fertiliser; and calculates probabilities for yield and protein.
• The Yield Prophet is a web based service and accessible to subscribers and visitors on www.yieldprophet.com.au/yieldprophet.

Cultivation and variety selection affects the performance of a crop when root lesion nematode numbers are high. Removing medic fallow by cultivation in October increased wheat yields significantly. Lower disturbance methods such as short cultivation (February) and direct drill did not yield as high.

• This set of trials indicates that SACOA ‘Irrigator’ banded wetting agent can improve crop establishment and grain yield but that responses can be highly variable. The 27-32% yield increase seen in 3 of the trials is very encouraging. Based on these and other trials it can be suggested that banded wetting agents are most likely to be effective when:
• Soils are moderate to strongly repellent and there are few residual roots form the previous year’s crop; and points and tines are used for seeding.
• Banded wetter is applied in a consistent stream to the base of relatively stable furrows. Collapsing furrows, furrow infill and a disrupted band of wetting agent can reduce efficacy. Presswheels with a more rectangular cross section tend to rip up furrow walls and the disturbed soil buries and mixes banded wetting agent. ‘V’ section or round section presswheels with no deep flange reduce such problems.
• The banded wetting agent kit needs to be robust and reliable and needs to accurately apply the wetting agent in a continuous stream into the base of the furrow
• Crops sown early into dry or partially dry soil before opening rains derive more benefit from banded wetter. Banded wetting agents are typically less beneficial when used later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up.
• Growers already using wetting agents are tending to modify their usage of banded wetter to better match the likelihood of significant benefits. Some growers only use banded wetter for the dry seeding or early part of the program and don’t use it later in the program after there has been more rain.  Other growers are planning to use higher rates of banded wetter early in the program but then aim to reduce the rates when sowing later in the season. Both of these strategies will reduce cost while maximising the opportunity for benefits to crop establishment and yield. Current research in the state is showing that different banded wetting agent products can have a wide range of effects of crop establishment and especially on yield. DAFWA is continuing to research a range of products to help growers evaluate which types of banded wetting agent are more suitable for their farming system.

• This set of trials indicates that SACOA ‘Irrigator’ banded wetting agent can improve crop establishment and grain yield but that responses can be highly variable. The 27-32% yield increase seen in 3 of the trials is very encouraging. Based on these and other trials it can be suggested that banded wetting agents are most likely to be effective when:
• Soils are moderate to strongly repellent and there are few residual roots form the previous year’s crop; and points and tines are used for seeding.
• Banded wetter is applied in a consistent stream to the base of relatively stable furrows. Collapsing furrows, furrow infill and a disrupted band of wetting agent can reduce efficacy. Presswheels with a more rectangular cross section tend to rip up furrow walls and the disturbed soil buries and mixes banded wetting agent. ‘V’ section or round section presswheels with no deep flange reduce such problems.
• The banded wetting agent kit needs to be robust and reliable and needs to accurately apply the wetting agent in a continuous stream into the base of the furrow
• Crops sown early into dry or partially dry soil before opening rains derive more benefit from banded wetter. Banded wetting agents are typically less beneficial when used later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up.
• Growers already using wetting agents are tending to modify their usage of banded wetter to better match the likelihood of significant benefits. Some growers only use banded wetter for the dry seeding or early part of the program and don’t use it later in the program after there has been more rain.  Other growers are planning to use higher rates of banded wetter early in the program but then aim to reduce the rates when sowing later in the season. Both of these strategies will reduce cost while maximising the opportunity for benefits to crop establishment and yield. Current research in the state is showing that different banded wetting agent products can have a wide range of effects of crop establishment and especially on yield. DAFWA is continuing to research a range of products to help growers evaluate which types of banded wetting agent are more suitable for their farming system.

• Significant crop biomass responses were observed on wheat, barley and canola crops at anthesis.
• The large crop biomass responses under organic amendment treatments were largely due to extra nutrients from lucerne pellets.
• The dramatic crop biomass responses observed at anthesis on canola and barley crops did not translate into grain yield under treatments with lucerne pellets applied, due to severe lodging.
• Soil chemical, physical and biological properties will be monitored to understand the soil-plant interactions, the factors driving the differences in crop response to the various treatments and the residual value of the amendments.

• Subsoil acidity is a major constraint to crop productivity in the high rainfall zone (500–800 mm) of southeastern Australia.
• More aggressive methods, such as deep ripping in conjunction with lime or other amendments, are being tested to achieve rapid changes to pH at depth.
• A long-term field experiment was established to study changes in the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil under vigorous soil amelioration techniques.

• Sowing at the earliest opportunity (which requires rainfall) is an important component of reducing the risk of canola production in low rainfall environments.
• The amount of N available to the crop is critical to productivity in a canola crop that has established well.
• Applying adequate doses of fertiliser N at seeding or early in the crop’s development have produced the highest grain yields but this was less important in a wet spring like 2016.
• Legumes can provide N to a subsequent canola crop, but in many cases, canola growing on legume residue will still respond to fertiliser N inputs.
• Analysis of the profit-risk context for optimal N inputs for canola produced in low rainfall environments is underway.

• Incorporating seed behind press wheels resulted in the best crop establishment and one of the higher yields.
• A split application of seed, some broadcast in front of the seeder and some sown through the seeding boots shows promise.
• Soil wetters were ineffective for increasing emergence or grain yield.

Increasing plant density is a tool to improve a crop’s competitiveness against weeds. This strategy did not adversely affect the yield of the varieties at the Liebe Main Trial Site in 2012. 

Nitrogen treatments did not significantly influence crop yield however, did influence grain protein. The soil nitrogen levels and season are likely to have influenced this result. Soil testing and understanding the crops requirements as the season unfolds are useful strategies to manage crop performance economically.

The environment is likely to have had the bigger influence on the performance of the varieties than plant density or nitrogen. Growing season rainfall for 2012 was lower than average and disease patches (likely Rhizoctonia) were evident at the trial. The water use efficiency at the site was 13 kg/mm given growing season rainfall (April to October) was 133mm (plus 34mm in January) and grain yields of 1.98 t/ha across whole trial.

• Trials in the Condobolin area have shown excellent responses to topdressing in wetter years when the nitrogen requirement of the crop is higher than initially expected.

• In wheat an application rate of 20 kg N/ha in-season was sufficient to achieve the highest yield at Hart in 2017. However, it was the 80 kg/ha treatment which maximised yield and protein to achieve the best return on nitrogen fertiliser invested.
• For barley an application of 40 kg N/ha was adequate to produce the highest yield and quality within the trial.

• Manganese deficiency has been identified on light volcanic soils from Mounts Gambier and Schank, and heavy black soils from drained swamps near Penola.
• These soils are alkaline.
• Symptoms first appear as oval dead spots on the second leaf, especially along the margins (not on the first leaf).
• Availability of manganese is reduced in the alkaline soil.
• The deficiency can be cured by the application of manganese sulphate.

• Applying N at GS31 increased yield but no response to manganese was measured.

• There was a dry matter response measured at anthesis to all treatments with application of manganese but due to dry season this was not translated into yield increases.

• In a below average rainfall year, with a very dry finish gravelly sands were still highly responsive to applied P, with 0.6 t/ha response to 60 kg/ha P over the last two years and 30 kg/ha applied this year
• Nitrogen in the absence of phosphorus did not significantly increase yield at either site.  This highlights the requirement to get your P rates tailored to your potential at seeding time, as low P rates may limit N response in a good year.
• There was strong correlation between early vigour and grain yield at both sites, again highlighting the need to establish a strong, healthy crop with sufficient early nutrition.
• Increasing plant numbers did not result in increased grain yield on poor sands.
• This trial shows that on variable light country variable rate fertiliser applications would be a useful tool to improve nutrient use efficiency on variable sands, as both sites had significantly different yield potential and nutrient requirement.

• 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.

• Average grain yield was higher at Hart in 2011 (2.9t/ha) compared to 2010 (2.5t/ha) and 2009 (2.4t/ha).
• Similarly to previous favourable seasons, no sowing time response was observed in 2011.
• Blackspot severity was low in 2011 because spore release was high prior to sowing and emergence.
• A 4% yield increase was achieved through fungicide applications but this was not economical in 2011.
• Recently released PBA varieties Gunyah, Twilight, Oura and Percy all performed similarly to Kaspa.
• Potential releases OZP0819 and OZP0903 both yielded 8% higher than Kaspa, while Alma was the lowest yielding variety, 7% below Kaspa.

• Grain yield of field peas sown at Hart in 2010 averaged 2.5t/ha across all varieties.
• No time of sowing response was observed in 2010.
• Early sown plots with uncontrolled blackspot showed a 35% yield loss compared to the optimum control (fortnightly chlorothalonil), which yielded 3.6t/ha.
• Prospective releases OZP0703 and OZP0903 show a lot of promise, with OZP0703 performing similarly to Kaspa and OZP0903 yielding 10% greater.
• Chlorothalonil (Bravo), pyraclostrobin (Cabrio) and azoxystrobin plus chlorothalonil (Amistar Opti) increased yields compared to the nil treatment with disease pressure.

There is a difference between maximising biomass and the optimal biomass for maximum yield in a particular environment.

Maximising biomass creates agronomic problems such as increased foliar disease and early weed competition.

Irrigation can supply moisture during grain fill but cannot control the temperature - many of the winter wheats mature too late to avoid heat stress during grain fill. 

There is a difference between maximising biomass and the optimal biomass for maximum yield in a particular environment.

Maximising biomass creates agronomic problems such as increased foliar disease and early weed competition.

Irrigation can supply moisture during grain fill but cannot control the temperature - many of the winter wheats mature too late to avoid heat stress during grain fill. 

For take home messages in regards to fungicide, nitrogen and growth regular results please see the attached trial report.

• 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.

• In year 1 of this experiment, we demonstrated that genetically diverse wheat cultivars performed differently in two locations with varying rainfall patterns. Significant differences in crop biomass, LAI, weed count and biomass between  cultivars was also location dependent. These results show that although weed suppression in wheat is influenced by genotype, the genotypic response in wheat is clearly influenced by environmental factors as well, when it comes to growth, yield and weed suppression. However, certain cultivars were excellent performers in both locations in terms of weed suppression and crop yields and these included Espada and Condo and to a lesser extent Janz. Additional results will be obtained from metabolomic analyses to evaluate both primary and secondary biosynthetic pathways operational in crop genotypes and to determine if these pathways influence weed suppression in either location over time. The role of hydroxamic acids in weed suppression will be further examined in detail through targeted metabolic profiling in both soils and plant tissue. Additional field experiments will be repeated over the next 3 years to determine impacts of year and location upon wheat cultivar performance and weed suppression.

• The trial is showing clearly that the early years of no tillage come with a significant yield penalty in most treatments.
• This is most significant when coming out of a spray fallow as seen in both the ley/fallow/wheat treatment and the wheat/fallow/wheat treatment.

• Issues such as diseases and weeds are now starting to affect the profitability of the continuous wheat system.
• Minimum tillage needs ideal conditions at sowing to be successful on these soils.
• Seasonal variation has influenced cropping system comparisons, hence the need for the trial to continue into the future.

Continuous cropping has remained the most profitable rotation since the trial began, especially continuous wheat. This system however will not last, and will be less profitable in the next few years, as suggested by the GM variations in figures 6 and 7. For continuous cropping to be sustainable, a break crop is needed to keep the system working.

• Proper rotations (irrespective of tillage methods) incorporating no more than two cereal crops in sequence with the addition of either a break crop or a fallow once in every three years is ideal. This rotation allows a very productive and sustainable farming system in our environment.
• The most profitable system since 1999 has been two years of cereal followed by a break crop such as peas under no till.
• No till systems are now becoming more profitable in the trial than cultivated systems under every rotation.
• No till will work on our problem soils so long as effective weed control is achieved.
• Under a continuous cereal rotation, the impact of weeds, diseases, poor nutrition and subsequently lower yields has lowered profitability

• No-till has performed on average 5% higher in yield and increased profits over cultivated farming systems in continuous cropping rotations.
• Adding cultivation to the system has increased both yield and profit in the 18 month fallow rotations.
• Thirteen years of continuous wheat has produced the most grain per hectare, closely followed by a wheat–barley–field pea rotation.

• No barley varietal differences in tolerance to metribuzin applied either pre-sowing or post-emergent have been detected in 3 years of trials on sandy loam soils at Walpeup and Woomelang.
• Crop damage from metribuzin has been known to occur in some commercial situations so label advice should be adhered to.

• All cultivars gave their highest yield under higher fungicide and nitrogen input (High input management), but cultivars differed in their response to increasing input with Westminster being the least responsive (1.69t/ha increase from low to high input) and Oxford the most responsive (3.09t/ha).
• RGT Planet was the highest yielding cultivar, although its advantage over Westminster was only apparent at higher levels of input, under low input both yielded similarly.
• Disease control resulting from the later fungicide application at GS37 and GS59 was strongly implicated in the yield differences, particularly between low and standard input where there was no difference in N input.
• Disease (net form of net blotch) in Oxford was uncontrollable in this trial even under high input where yield was maximised.
• RGT Planet, RGT Conquest and Westminster showed no significant difference in grain protein across the three management levels, whilst the proteins of Granger and Oxford decreased as yield increased from low to high input.
• Granger and RGT Planet recorded the lowest grain screenings. There was no significant effect of management level on screenings with these two cultivars or Westminster.
• In contrast, Oxford and Conquest that gave the largest responses to higher input showed significant decreases in grain screenings as input was increased.
• The devastating effect of NFNB on Oxford in this HRZ environment was very evident in both yield and screening results. As later fungicide input was removed from the management program so was the yield with significant reductions in yield and increased screenings.
• Under the lowest input RGT Planet and Westminster were significantly higher yielding than other cultivars tested.
• Under the highest input RGT Planet was significantly higher yielding than all other cultivars tested and produced the highest gross margins at each management level.
• With the very high disease pressure in this trial, the higher fungicide input associated with the High Input management made this the most cost effective management program of the Crop Technology Centre trials.
• As a result of higher disease pressure unlike wheat (Protocol 1) higher inputs of fungicide were generally more cost effective in barley sown early, irrespective of cultivar.

• Two Mackillop Farm Management Group trials were sown to evaluate two BYDV management options across four wheat varieties.
• High Rainfall zone growers should be pro-active and develop a BYDV management plan.
• Up to date disease guides should be consulted when selecting varieties.
• Growers are encouraged to check for aphids regularly, especially early in the season.

• During the extremely dry 2006 season the addition of micronutrients had no significant effect on crop performance and there was no benefit, in terms of grain yield, from the application of nitrogen, regardless of product.
• There is no benefit to apply micronutrients when levels are adequate at GS30 and when there is a good history of applications.

• Wheat grown on highly calcareous soils responded to zinc and manganese applications.
• Micronutrients were most effective when they were applied in fluid form which provided economical responses.
• There was no grain yield response when granular micronutrients were applied as a dry blend with granular NP fertiliser or as a coating on granules.

On heavier soil types with higher levels of organic matter, using a speed tiller to incorporate a wheat stubble may assist in increasing canola yields. If incorporation occurs immediately post-harvest, then the addition of nitrogen may not be required if the soil nitrogen levels are adequate. If incorporation is delayed and occurs immediately prior to sowing, then the addition of nitrogen should be considered.

• Grazing did not change grain yield or quality. Rather, moisture stress was more important in a dry finish
• In a dry year, the ratio of grain yield to crop biomass at flowering is 0.40. In an average year it is around 0.55
• Grazing slows crop maturity by one to two weeks, which meant Revenue (long season variety) was still booting during the October heat wave 

• 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.