• Broadleaved break crops increased pre sowing soil nitrogen by up to 40 kg/ha in 2014 while Rhizoctonia inoculum was also significantly reduced following these crops.
• Growing a legume break crop in 2014 increased the grain yield of the subsequent wheat crop by 0.6–0.7 t/ha.
• Wheat crops following legumes were twice as profitable than following another cereal crop in 2015.
• The profitability of paddock rotations that included legume break crops in 2014 were similar to or exceeded the profitability of the cereal intensive rotation in the same paddock.

• Broadleaved break crops increased pre sowing soil nitrogen by up to 40 kg/ha in 2014 while Rhizoctonia inoculum was also significantly reduced following these crops.
• Growing a legume break crop in 2014 increased the grain yield of the subsequent wheat crop by 0.6–0.7 t/ha.
• Wheat crops following legumes were twice as profitable than following another cereal crop in 2015.
• The profitability of paddock rotations that included legume break crops in 2014 were similar to or exceeded the profitability of the cereal intensive rotation in the same paddock.

• Adequate control of weeds and sufficient plant densities resulted in a clean, competitive crop at the Carnamah site. Canola remains a high earning crop that commonly forms part of a crop rotation in many farming enterprises. Robust agronomy packages and prices of the legume types demonstrated by this project, means crops such as field peas and lentils have potential suitability in the Carnamah region.
• The need to harvest chickpeas early to match the logistics of harvest of the trial compromised the results for the chickpea treatments. Use of established management practices for the harvesting of chickpeas is required to reduce the incidence of yield loss at harvest time.
• The ranking of each species on profitability should be viewed in light of the highly variable price of pulses from year to year.
   

• Adequate pre and post emergent weed control is critical for maintaining yield potential and quality of grain legume crops.
• Canola remains the most profitable non-cereal crop type demonstrated at this site in 2018.
• Where vetch grain is not harvested and sold as feed, consideration of this legume crop type for its grazing value may be advantageous for a mixed farming system.
   

• Preparation of paddocks is key to the success of legume crops such as chickpeas and field peas. Control of weeds prior to sowing is crucial and, rolling to level the seed bed post seeding improves the ability to harvest such crop types.
• Field peas and chickpeas are more susceptible to frost damage compared to canola or lupins.
• Canola remains a highly profitable non-cereal crop in Kalannie in 2018.
   

• Significant weed burdens can impact yield of legume crops considerably if not controlled well with rotation or pre and post emergent herbicide options.
• Without control of weeds, soil borne diseases can be carried from legume phase into the cereal phase. 

• Three direct drill seeders were compared (Gason, Jenke, Daybreak) to sow wheat into a canola stubble.
• The season was very dry (decile 2) with an average wheat yield of 1.4t/ha in the demonstration.
• There were no differences in crop yield between the three seeders.

• Yipti wheat is highly adapted to the Mallee environment. It is consistently one of the highest yielding varieties and has excellent quality characteristics.
• Yeipti is not hte best variety for direct drilling into wheat stubble as it is very susceptible to yellow leaf spot.

There was no visual response to applying N or yield. The N rich strips were also not obvious at the time of applying the N to the plots. This may have been a result of the moderate level of N in all zones, the dry spring and the time of application. From the DSN results, 20-60 kg/ha of N would have commended in August in the various zones to achieve the yield targets that were considered achievable at that time. The quality of the wheat produced was low (ASW due to low protein) indicating that insufficient N was applied. The economic analysis showed that the addition of N, lost money. The N rich strips were a useful guide to assessing that there would be no response to applying additional of N but not for assessing differing responses in different zones. It has not been possible to assess if satellite map were a useful guide to possible N response.

• Trial showed legumes to be more susceptible to frosts and high temperatures during flowering than cereals and canola.
• When legumes grain prices are high, the revenues derived are competitive with conventional crops such as wheat, barley and canola.
• Growers can improve the agronomic skills required to successfully grow legume crops on their farms very quickly.
• Ongoing research and demonstration work are required to continue driving grower adoption of legume crops in Western Australia. Increased cropping diversity is an ongoing ambition for the entire grains industry.

• Desiccation of lentils is a practice that enables growers to bring forward the harvest date by eliminating unripe green patches, reduces the crops exposure to lodging and grain loss from unfavourable weather and reduces green material in the sample by desiccating late germinating weeds or escapes.
• The results of this trial indicate that the time of desiccation does not have a significant influence on yield once the bottom pods have fully formed.

• Zinc,manganese and copper are the three most important trace element deficiencies for crops in southern Australia.
• Diagnosis from soil testing or symptoms is often unreliable or too late to manage the problem well.  Plant testing is the most reliable, if not fool profft tool to diagnose trace element deficiencies
• Deficiencies can be overcome with cheap sulphate foliasr sprays but boosting soil reserves for copper and zince is a good investment.

• All crops go through stages of development known as critical growth periods (CGP) where stress can reduce yield potential more than at any other time.

• Shading can be used to induce defined periods of stress on a crop to identify CGP.

• The critical growth period for canola was identified as approximately 100–400 degree days (°C.days) after the start of flowering (defined as 50% plants with one open flower).

• There was minimal effect of pre- and post-flowering stress on grain yield.

Individual live‐weight gains were highest at the lower stocking rates, but income per hectare was considerably greater at the higher stocking rates with income over $1000/ha at rates of 40 and 50 lambs/ha. Grain yields tended to be higher for the lowest stocking rate but it is likely this was largely due to increased populations of ryegrass with higher grazing pressure.

• Zinc deficiency caused production losses in cereals of up to 25% and in medic of up to 300% in biomass.
• Critical level for zinc deficiency in wheat was established as 18 mg/kg in YEBs at late tillering.
• Zinc deficiency in crops can be corrected with foliar sprays, zinc coated fertilisers or zinc applied to the soil and thoroughly incorporated by tillage. Fertilisers which are a mix of NP granules and zinc granules are poorly effective.
• Zinc applied to the soil will provide residual benefits for 3-10 years, the longer persistence in sandier mallee soils.
• 70% of cereal crops in the SA mallee were zinc deficient in the early 1990s.
• An application of 2 kg zinc/ha to the soil (as an incorporated soil spray or zinc coated fertiliser) will correct zinc deficiency in broadacre crops and pastures.

• There were good dry matter responses to starter fertilisers at either 16 or 32 kg/ha of P although only certain treatments gave a significant dry matter inrease when raising P rate from 16 to 32 kg/ha. The best dry matter response was from Gree Top which supplied all the nutrients lacking in the soil test report.
• Potassium seed burn was not apparent possibly due to the relatively wet conditions.
• Both DAP and Gree Top grew over 70 kg DM/ha/kg P at the lower rate of 80 kg/ha, which supplied 16 kg/ha of P.
• Only Green Top, Croplift and Superfect+Mo increased yields with increasing rate of application indicating they supplied the lacking nutrient required to make use of the extra P available.

• A combination of old and new technology is being used to detect and analyse airborne fungal spore patterns affecting cereal and pulse grain crops.
• Intense spore showers were detected for blackspot of field pea and NFNB of barley, but negligible for YLS of wheat, at the experimental site at Hart during the 2013 season.
• Spore dispersal patterns of blackspot of field pea fitted with Blackspot Manager predictions.

Drought conditions throughout the Mallee and Wimmera last year (2002) resulted in poor growth in most pulse crops, with many crops failing. It is very tempting to re-sow paddocks to the same crop or another pulse in 2003. However, there are several disease management issues growers should be aware of before deciding to replant on pulses.

Taking account of fungicide costs (both application and product) revealed that untreated Teesdale generated the equal highest margins (Table 6-16). With both Mitre and Kellalac the most cost effective treatments were two applications of fungicide based on a GS32 Bayleton followed by Opus, however as stand alone treatments the flag leaf spray of Opus was substantially more cost effective than either Jockey or Impact. The application of Bayleton at GS32 followed by GS39 Opus was slightly more cost effective than the Impact followed by Opus. Impact had an edge over Jockey in this trial in terms of green leaf retention, yield and margin.

This comparative study focused on the role of livestock in whole farm performance and has shown:

• the Wimmera and Mallee farming systems that achived the highest profits typically operated with approximately 75% cropping and 25% non-cropped, with some livestock
• livestock income is less volatile than crop income;
• farms with livestock use fewer herbicides, livestock being effective as a tool to delay the developmet of herbicide resistance in crops;
• labour costs are higher when runinng livestock
• livestock do not substantially decrease from total farm operating expenses;
• the most profitable farms are not making their profit from thier livestock enterprise.

• Results from experimentation undertaken in southern NSW in 2011 and 2012, have demonstrated that crop sequences which include a brassica or legume break crops can be as profitable as, and in many instances more profitable than, continuous wheat.
• Canola was consistently the most profitable break crop option. However, the rotational benefits of canola were usually restricted to just the first subsequent wheat crop whereas additional wheat yields can occur for two years after a legume.
• Growing pulses for grain maximises profit, particularly in favourable seasons, but compromises grass weed control and (depending upon species) reduces N available to subsequent crops compared to brown manuring.
• Growing pulses for hay was found to be profitable across a range of season types, achieves excellent grass weed control and provides greater N inputs and higher carry-over of soil water than when the same crop is grown for grain.
• Growing pules for brown manure loses money in the year they are grown, but achieves excellent grass weed control, high N inputs, residual carry-over of soil water, provides more ground cover, and requires less labour than when grown for hay or grain.

• Zinc is an essential nutrient to crops on alkaline soils in hte Mallee and Wimmera zinc deficiencies are common.
• The regular (once every three to four years) use of a fertiliser with a zinc additive overcomes most of these dificiencies.
• Some crops such as faba beans may require more zinc.

• Winter habit canola was successfully sown in spring 2011, grazed over summer and harvested for grain in 2012.
• Grazing over summer increased grain yield compared to no grazing. Ungrazed yield was 1.9 t/ha, grazed was 2.7 t/ha. Taurus sown at the conventional time (April) yielded 2.3t/ha. 
• Number of grazings had a small effect on yield. Grazing twice produced the best result, yielding 0.1t/ha more than grazing once and 0.2t/ha more than grazing three times. Although there was a yield penalty by grazing 3 times compared to two times, the third grazing supplied an additional 1t/ha of high quality feed at the beginning of May.
• Heavy grazing reduced yield compared to light grazing irrespective of the number of times it was grazed. However the reduction in yield was small and the heavy grazing produced 4t/ha of feed compared to 1.4 t/ha when lightly grazed. 
• Applying nitrogen over summer has no yield benefits except for multiple (3) heavy grazings. In this case yield went from 2.0 t/ha to 2.7 t/ha

• The results of this demonstration indicate that by reducing fertiliser granule size, while maintaining the amount of fertiliser applied, can be beneficial to crop yield.
• It is assumed that this benefit is derived from better spatial arrangement of the fertiliser allowing crop roots better access to the nutrients.
• Crops with fibrous root systems (cereals and pulses) are better able to exploit this than those with tap roots (canola).

• The results of this demonstration indicate that by reducing fertiliser granule size, while maintaining the amount of fertiliser applied, can be beneficial to crop yield.
• It is assumed that this benefit is derived from better spatial arrangement of the fertiliser allowing crop roots better access to the nutrients.
• Crops with fibrous root systems (cereals and pulses) are better able to exploit this than those with tap roots (canola).

• The results of this demonstration indicate that by reducing fertiliser granule size, while maintaining the amount of fertiliser applied, can be beneficial to crop yield.
• It is assumed that this benefit is derived from better spatial arrangement of the fertiliser allowing crop roots better access to the nutrients.
• Crops with fibrous root systems (cereals and pulses) are better able to exploit this than those with tap roots (canola).

• Stubble height did not affect fallow efficiency at Weethallee following the 2013 or 2014 harvests.
• Stubble height during the 2014 fallow did not impact on 2015 crop yields.
• Leaving higher stubbles may reduce harvest cost but may also cause issues during fallow sprays and sowing. Individual producers need to target a stubble height that best suits their equipment and techniquies.

• Novel legume species and genotypes have the potential to reduce feed gaps and provide other farming systems and livestock benefits in low to medium rainfall regions of southern Australia.
• The five-year large scale grazing systems trial established at Minnipa in 2018 is the main livestock field site for the national Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project. Five annual legume species are being tested.
• The priority for this trial in 2018 was to optimise seed set given the poor seasonal conditions, and therefore no grazing was undertaken in the establishment year, but instead will commence with sufficient pasture growth in 2019 to determine the best legume option for livestock production. 

Because a crops ability to produce and finish is so tightly linked to how much water is available to it a simple yield forecast combined with how much water a crop still has left to access in the soil is surprisingly informative when it comes to reducing risks associated with forward selling decisions. At any point in the growing season it is surprisingly easy to use the data to see if the crop has access to enough water to finish, or if more rainfall is needed to reach a target yield. The graph below shows and compares the yield forecasts from each of the sites this year from when the soil probes were installed up until 20 Jan 2017.

• 2007 results showed two varieties experienced statistically significant yield penalty from mowing when medium maturing varieties were mowed at growth stage 30 (given appropriate crop management).
• Early sowing thought to be very critical to minimizing yield penalty from grazing - to be researched .
• Crop management will be different for both graze/grain versus pure grain crops - to be researched.
• Grazing crops gives pastures a chance to establish and grow at optimal growth rates during winter.
• Sheep can be used to selectively graze weeds - to be researched.

• Project aimed to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Biomass production was greater at the earlier sowing date.
• Feed tests are important to determine feed quality.
• There were no yield differences between the two times of sowing.
   

Wheat grain yields following grazing were surprisingly high and it would appear grazing was not detrimental to grain yield. Reduced dry matter from grazing may have resulted in less water useage early in spring with more then being available during grain fill. Of the wheat varieties, the grain yield of the line 1SR594-34 was particularly high. Dry matter production (from the one cut taken) was significantly lower for the wheat varieties but given the current high grain price dual purpose wheat is an attractive option. 
 

Most varieties showed a significant reduction in biomass protein levels following grazing. This was particularly the case for Monstress triticale.

• Grazing once early in the season did not affect grain yield.
• Grain yields were reduced when varieties were grazed late in the season.
• Oats and barley showed better early vigour than the wheat varieties.

• Grazing once early in the season did not affect grain yield.
• Grain yields were reduced when varieties were grazed late in the season.
• Oats and barley showed better early vigour than the wheat varieties.

Dual purpose cropping can have a role in an intensive grazing operation if crops can be sown on an early break – early growth is essential whilst conditions are still warm. The season will have to have a mild finish otherwise yield will be lost from the early grazing. More work needs to be done in the Wimmera and Mallee to see whether it is commercially viable to graze cereal crops early in the season, without suffering a yield penalty at the end of the season. It might only be a proposition in those areas which have a regular early start to the season and a longer wetter finish.

• Second year of a 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in variable results, interpret results with caution.
• Feed test results appear to vary between varieties and varieties at different times of sowing, indicating the importance of feed tests.
• Conventional canola varieties dry matter (DM) production was greater at time of sowing (TOS) 1 compared to TOS 2. Grain yield differences were not measured between varieties or TOS.
• There was a significant difference in DM production between the Triazine Tolerant varieties and TOS. Average grain yield was greater at TOS 2, than TOS 1.
• Greater DM was removed at TOS 1 compared to TOS 2 for Clearfield canola. Hyola 970 CL showed a significant difference in grain yield between TOS, with TOS 1 having a greater yield compared to TOS 2.

• Initial year of a new 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in high variability and confounding results, which should be interpreted with caution.
• Difference in feed test results were measured within a variety at different TOS and grazing dates, indicating the importance of getting feed quality tested.
• Dry matter production was low, maximum production recorded was Conventional 434 kg/ha, Triazine Tolerant 357 kg/ha and Clearfield 589 kg/ha.
• Conventional and Clearfield canola grain yields did not vary between TOS or varieties. • Triazine tolerant varieties had higher yields at TOS 1 and Hyola 750TT was the highest yielding TT variety.

• Hyperno (3.44 t/ha) and WID802 (3.50 t/ha) were the highest yielding durum varieties in this trial at Hart.
• Nitrogen application timing did not influence grain yield at Hart in 2009.
• Durum grain yield was reduced by 17% in the presence of ryegrass.
• Grazing in the absence of ryegrass increased durum grain yield.

• Delayed sowing provided no advantage over early sowing in reducing ryegrass plant or head number.
• In two out of three seasons, later sown crops were lower yielding and did not provide as good crop competition allowing ryegrass head number to increase.
• Sowing time had no effect on the performance of pre-emergent herbicides for ryegrass control.

• Two trials with first wheat sown during mid-April 2014 showed no difference in grain yield or quality as a result of being grown on 22.5cm or 30cm row spacings.
• Crops grown on a 37.5cm row spacing were 5-6% lower yielding than crops on the 30cm spacing.
• Although these are single-year results, they indicate that yield advantages of a narrow spacing (22.5cm) over 30cm, measured with later-sown wheat crops, may not be apparent when wheat crops are sown early (during mid-April).
• Trends suggesting higher dry matter (DM) produciton with a narrow row spacing, which were observed with later-sown crops, were still apparent in these earlier-sown crops; however, this did not translate to higher grain yields.

• Two wheat trials sown during mid-April 2015 showed no difference in grain yield or quality as a result of being grown on 22.5cm, 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings, when averaged across four varieties.
• Although crops grown on a 22.5cm row spacing produced more dry matter (DM), this did not correspond to increased yield.
• The results were identical to that seen with wheat sown in mid-April 2014.
• There were no differences in yields of the four wheat varieties, although Bolac produced higher screenings than the other three varieties in both trials.
• There was no difference in the overall water use efficiency (WUE) between narrow and wide row spacing, although calculated water losses (soil evaporation, drainage or unused water) were greater with wide spacing than the narrow spacing.

• Four wheat trials sown during mid-April 2014 and 2015 showed no difference in grain yield or qualityas a result of being grown on 22.5cm, 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings, when averaged across four varieties (Bolac/Kiora, Lancer, Trojan and EGA Wedgetail).
• The 2016 trial sown during mid-April again showed no difference in yield between 22.5cm and 30cm row spacings, however yields were significantly less with the widest row spacing (37.5cm).
• Trial yields in 2016 were 1.5t/ha higher than 2014 and 2015 (3–4.25t/ha), with the higher yield potential likely to be a key factor in the poor performance of the widest row spacing (37.5cm).
• The Riverine Plains Water Use Efficiency (WUE) project (2009–13) showed that when crops weresown in the traditional sowing window, the 22.5cm spacing was more successful than the 30cm spacing, except in drier years with lower yield potential (2.5–3.0t/ha).
• In the three years (2014–16) of trialling row spacing on early-sown crops, crops grown on a 22.5cm row spacing produced more dry matter (DM) than crops grown on wider rows. However, the 2016 trial was the first to show a yield disadvantage to the widest
row spacing (37.5cm) when sown early.
• As a result of lower yields, the 37.5cm row spacing gave significantly poorer water use efficiency (WUE) than 30cm row spacing, with a greater proportion of calculated water losses (soil evaporation, drainage or unused water).
• A barley row spacing trial, sown at the same time alongside the wheat, provided some usefulcomparative observations during 2016, with La Trobe barley producing higher DM and yields thanwheat with a harvest index (HI) of approximately 50% compared with wheat at 40%.

Winter wheat cultivars Wedgetail and Rosella sown on 1 April were higher yielding than LRPB Scout sown on 6 May.

Reducing plant density to 50 plants/ m² did not reduce the ability of winter wheats to compete with a simulated weed population (tame oats) when sown on 1 April

Winter wheat sown early produced more dry matter for grazing than spring wheats sown in May.

• Disease pressure Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), and Zymoseptoria triticii is going to restrict sowing of susceptible varieties earlier than mid-May in the South East High Rainfall Zone.
• Growers who wish to sow early (dual purpose crops) should select BYDV resistant varieties (eg.Manning), and use resistant cultivars, fungicides and grazing to manage Zymoseptoria triticii.
• The photoperiod (daylength) requirements of Trojan increase its suitability to earlier time of sowing compared with other spring cultivars

• Disease pressure - Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), and Zymoseptoria triticii is going to restrict sowing of susceptible varieties earlier than mid-May in the South East High Rainfall Zone.
• Growers who wish to sow early (dual purpose crops) should select BYDV resistant varieties (eg. Manning), and use grazing/fungicides to manage Zymoseptoria triticii.
• The photoperiod (daylength) requirements of Trojan increase its suitability to earlier time of sowing compared with other spring cultivars.

There was little effect on grain yield from the cutting treatments in Mackellar whereas cutting resulted in an 18% reduction in yield of
Breakwell.

• An early sown cereal crop provides a green paddock of feed when regenerating or sown legume pastures are establishing, and avoids the cost and labour of handfeeding.
• In low to medium rainfall areas, barley and oat crops best tolerate grazing. They have better forage value and their ability to recover lessens production penalties. Grazed wheat varieties are likely to suffer grain yield and quality penalties. Dual purpose winter varieties are generally not suitable.
• In low rainfall areas, it is best to graze well before stem elongation for better crop recovery.

• Harvest dates for the ryegrass trials were 22 September and 3 November 2011, while the harvest date for the legume trial was 2-3 November. Harvest date in 2012 was 2 October.
• Little growth occurred after this due to dry conditions.

• Harvest dates for the ryegrass trials were 22 September and 3 November 2011, while the harvest date for the legume trial was 2-3 November. Harvest date in 2012 was 2 October.
• Little growth occurred after this due to dry conditions.

• Summary of 3 seasons esperiments mainly located in the Yuna & Badgingarra region

• Boron (B) deficiency frequently occurs on soils that are low in organic carbon (C) (<1.0% organic C), pH (soil pHCa <5.0), and clay content (<5% clay). Acid sands with these soil properties are common in south-western Australia (SWA). Moreover, hot calcium chloride (CaCl2) extractable B levels are commonly marginal in the acid sands of SWA. This study examined the effects of soluble and slow release soil-applied B fertilizer and foliar B sprays on crops most likely to respond to B fertilizer on these soils, canola (oil-seed rape, Brassica napus L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

  At 25 sites over three years, canola was grown with (0.34 kg ha-1) or without B applied as borax [sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O) 11% B], and this was followed by nine experiments with B rates [0, 0.55, 1.1 kg ha−1, applied as borax or calcium borate (ulexite, NaCaB5O6(OH)6·5(H2O), 13% B] and foliar sprays (0.1% solution of solubor, 23% B) in 2000–2001. A further five sites of B rates and sources experiments were carried out with lupin in 2000–2001. Finally, foliar B sprays (5% B w/v as a phenolic complex) at flowering were tested on seven sites in farmers’ canola crops for seed yield increases. No seed yield increases to soil-applied B were found while foliar B application at flowering increased canola seed yield in only one season across seven locations. By contrast, borax fertilizer drilled with the seed at sowing decreased canola seed yield in nine of 34-farm sites, and decreased lupin yield in two of five trials. Toxicity from drilled boron fertilizer decreased yield could be explained by decreases in plant density (by 22–40%) to values lower than required for optimum seed yield. Seedling emergence was decreased by borax applied at sowing but less so by calcium borate. Foliar B spray application never reduced seed yield due to toxicity effects.

   

  Boron fertilizer drilled with the seed increased the B concentration in plant dry matter at early to mid-flowering. Boron application decreased the oil concentration of grain of canola at four sites. The oil yield of canola was significantly decreased at seven sites.

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Cu & Zn either separately or in combination increased grain yield.
• Combination of 11 Kg Cu sulfate and 3.3 kg ZnO recommended
• Follow with a combination of 5.5  Kg Cu sulfate and 1.6 kg ZnO recommended in following crops.
• No information on Zn depressing yield with nil or low rates of Cu.

• Cu & Zn either separately or in combination increased grain yield.
• Zn deficiencies seen in wheat.
• Combination of 11 Kg Cu sulfate and 3.3 kg ZnO recommended
• Follow with a combination of 5.5  Kg Cu sulfate and 1.6 kg ZnO recommended in following crops
•  

• Trend to higher grain yield with increasing Cu & Zn levels
• Cu at 2.75 Cu sul/ha & Zn O at 1.6 kg/ha supplied enough Zn for maximum grain yield.
• .Best combination of the soil type for both 1966 & 1967 appeat to be inconsistent for the soil type.
• Researchers suggest the combination to cover future crops and the suggest there is a long residual value.in mid-1960's residual value was about 5 years.

• Cu application no effect on grain yield without Zn.
• Zn application depressed grain yiled without Cu
• With Zn applied Cu application restored grain yield
• Cu at 2.75 Cu sul/ha & Zn O at 0.8 kg/ha supplied enough Zn for maximum grain yield.
• .Researchers suggest the combination to cover future crops and the suggest there is a long residual value.in mid-1960's residual value was about 5 years.

• Cu application no effect on grain yield without Zn.
• Zn application depressed grain yiled without Cu
• With Zn applied Cu application restored grain yield
• Cu at 2.75 Cu sul/ha & Zn O at 0.8 kg/ha supplied enough Zn for maximum grain yield.
• .Researchers suggest the combination to cover future crops and the suggest there is a long residual value.in mid-1960's residual value was about 5 years.

• Cu & Zn either separately or in combination increased grain yield.
• Combination of 11 Kg Cu sulfate and 3.3 kg ZnO recommended
• Follow with a combination of 5.5  Kg Cu sulfate and 1.6 kg ZnO recommended in following crops.
• No information on Zn depressing yield with nil or low rates of Cu.

Very dry conditions during the growing season and the inherent variability with the trial site requires the results to be viewed with caution.  However these results show grazing Yerong barley during the vegetative stage of growth will have no impact on grain yield and is likely to be beneficial.  The grazing benefits to the whole farm system are considerable and the small reduction in stubble mass, although not huge is a positive outcome.

Intensive grazing at GS 30 – GS 31 (start of stem elongation) reduced grain yield compared to no grazing by an average of 37%. The greatest yield loss of 57% occurred with Monstress triticale and the lowest yield loss occurred with Amarok wheat (18%). Up to 2.1 t/ha of drymatter was available for grazing before stem elongation was reached. Yerong barley yielded the greatest drymatter pre grazing, with Brennan wheat the lowest drymatter yielding at 1.5 t/ha.

Applying gypsum can reduce soil pH and lower the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (C) to 30 cm depth within a year. Soils with pH > 9 will benefit most from gypsum. The solubilisation of soil organic C increased markedly at pH above 8.5. The availability of aluminium (Al) in soil increases at pH above 9. There was no significant effect of gypsum on the biomass or yields of crops within 2 years.

Applying gypsum can reduce soil pH and lower the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (C) to 30 cm depth within a year. Soils with pH > 9 will benefit most from gypsum. The solubilisation of soil organic C increased markedly at pH above 8.5. The availability of aluminium (Al) in soil increases at pH above 9. There was no significant effect of gypsum on the biomass or yields of crops within 2 years.

• In 2013, newer varieties of medic (Sultan-SU), vetch (RM1 an Timok) and forage pea (PBA Hayman) when cut at the same time (different stages between maturities) performed better or equally as well in forage values as previously used varieties.
• Choose forage legume varieties to suit your paddock system needs.
• Consider group B herbicide tolerance, disease and aphid resistance, the type of seed (hard or soft) and growing season length of newer varieties to suit grazing, hay and/or seed production.

• Pulse crops can suffer from root diseases.
• Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has potentially identified multiple pathogens of economic significance on South Australian (SA) crops — further work needs to determine which are the most important.
• Intensification of pulses in cropping rotations can increase pulse soilborne diseases.
• If you suspect soilborne disease issues in your pulse crops, send samples to SARDI.
   

• Trial work with Southern Farming Systems over the past four years has demonstrated significant improvements in nitrogen efficiency from applying ENTEC treated urea to wheat crops, compared to untreated urea.
• The experiment this year showed no response to nitrogen, but did highlight some important tools for predicting the liklihood of nitrogen response.

A fertiliser additive was applied to standing stubble and compared with untreated stubble. The fertiliser additive was applied with and without a sticker or molasses. There was no significant difference in the amount of stubble dry matter remaining after 6 months i.e. the rate of stubble breakdown was comparable between all treatments. Similarly there were no consistent effects on feed and chemical
characteristics. Addition of nutrients and molasses did not improve intake by grazing sheep.

• Establishment and growth to date have been good.
• Low survival rates for some species appear to be consistent with that seen at other trial sites.
• Monitoring will continue, and information on responses to grazing will be available in due course.

• Perennial pastures have allowed our stock to express their genetic potential even in dry years and to meaningfully measure their traits. However we hope that the introduced perennial grasses, as good as they are, will only be a short term measure until desirable native grass and forb species replace them.

• There was no significant difference in wheat yields following different pulse crops in 2004.
• The short season limited the potential differences being expressed.

Further work will be done analysing results when the new CWFS Research Coordinator commences duty in May 2002.

• Field peas have proven to be the most reliable pulse option on the upper Eyre Peninsula with yields remaining the most stable across seasons.
• Under favourable conditions there is potential for alternative pulse crops to be successful.
• Paddock selection, soil type, time of sowing, pulse agronomy, marketing and storage options all need careful consideration when looking at growing alternative pulse crops.
• New varietal options offer earlier maturity as well as improvements in harvestability, disease resistance and herbicide tolerance over older commercial standards, aiding production and profitability.
• Higher value alternatives, such as lentils, may be a high risk option and pulse crops better suited to the region could still prove to be the most profitable option in the long term.

• There is still a lot of work to be done but it appears crops can be sown successfully into perennial pastures in some situations.
• Agronomic results from the Moora focus site appear to support the view that Marginal or problem soils are a potential fit for pasture cropping systems. However, it is important to note that the extra green feed produced over summer-autumn needs to be converted into wool or meat in order to offset any grain yield losses.
• Further research is required across different sites and seasons as the yield penalty on better soil classes may well be greater than on deep pale sands which have limited capacity to store moisture from summer rainfall for crop production. The viability of pasture cropping systems based on other sub tropical grass species, native grasses. lucerne and bluebush are also worth evaluating.

• Grain yield was highest (5.8 t/ha) from Revenue and loest from Bass. Dry matter produciton was greatest from the barley lines as with the later sowing there was isufficient time for the other cereals to catch up.
• New barley germplasm from France is later flowering and has considerable potential for early sowing in the most frost prone areas of Tasmania. Both lines appear to possess some water logging tolerance.

• Grain yield was highest for Revenue and Endeavour (5.4 and 5.1 t/ha respectively) and lowest from Barley Z and Henley. Dry matter production was lowest from Revenue as with the water-logged conditions no third cut was taken.
• Winter barley germplasm is late flowering and may have considerable potential for early sowing in the more frost prone areas of Tasmania.
• There appears to be a strong interaction between grazing/cutting and water-logging with the additional stress of water-logging leading to poorer recovery after cutting.

Provided disease pressure does not become an issue, dual purpose wheats are an attractive option particularly where an initial irrigation is possible.

Grain yield after two dry matter cuts tended to be lower than for one cut for nearly all lines with an average of nearly 0.6t/ha difference.

Winter and spring wheat, barley, triticale and oat lines were evaluated for fodder dry matter production and grain yield. The two barley varieties and a spring wheat produced the highest dry matter (DM) in the first cut. However their recovery was poor and DM production from the second cut was significantly lower than for all other material.

The results of Trial 1 (forage and grain) have shown that Yerong Barley, 5092 Barley and Monstress Triticale produced the most dry matter (DM/Ha) up to GS30 for grazing. Amarok and Wedgetail produced the most dry matter of the wheat varieties. For Hay production (GS85), Wedgetail produced the most dry matter followed by Rudd and the HRZ03.1010.3 wheat variety. In total (Grazing and Hay), Wedgetail outperformed all varieties producing the most dry matter.

• Two trials were conducted to compare dry matter production and subsequent grain yield from cereal crops. In one trial four cereal crop species wheat (Mackellar), barley (Urambie), triticale (Breakwell), and oats (Bass) were compared. With a longer vegetative period, a second DM cut was able to be taken from Bass oats and consequently total DM production was significantly higher than from Mackellar which in turn produced significantly more DM than Breakwell and Urambie. Grain yield was significantly higher from Breakwell (9.4 t/ha).
• In a second trial, 7 wheat varieties and breeding lines were compared. There were statistically no differences in DM production between the wheats. The CSIRO line 95102.1 and Alberic were the highest grain producers.

• Barley was the clear winner in terms of grain production for this year's trial whilst the wheat varieties performed best in terms of the hay and grazing potential.
• Hay production was probably the best economic outcome in 2009 for most of the varieties covered in this trial. This reflected prevailing market prices at the time of harvest.
• For more take home messages please see the attached trial report.

Mackellar wheat showed the most potential as a dual purpose crop with the highest grain yield and DM production comparable to all other varieties except Bass. The latter produced the most fodder but the lowest grain yield. There was no significant difference in DM
production between Mackellar, Breakwell, Urambie and Franklin however there was a large difference in when this was produced. Franklin barley (and a Chinese line) were far more vigorous early whereas the later developing varieties, in particular Bass, tended to produce less DM but extra cuts ensured a higher total DM.

Provided disease pressure does not become an issue, dual purpose wheats are an attractive option particularly where an initial irrigation is possible.

• The European cultivars producted grain yields up to 4.78 t/ha.
• Grain yields from two of the European cultivars were significantly greater than Jardee TT but not significantly greater than Hyola 50 and 46Y83.
• The later maturity of the winter types may provide different management options to growers including grazing and time of sowing.
• Further testing of the European cultivars will need to be conducted over more locations and seasons and under different manangement to determine their potential for the HRZ.

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options at SFS mininera and Dunkeld sites.
• At Mininera, a relatively well drained and high fertility site, Graza 80 Forage Oats (10.06 t/ha DM), Graza 51 Forage Oats (8.9 t/ha DM) and Grassmax Annual Diploid Rypgrass (8.4 t/ha DM) produced the highest forage yields.
• At Dunkeld, a wetter site and lower fertility and cropping history, Leafmore Forage Rape (6.6 t/ha DM), Rasina Vetch (6.1 t/ha DM), Graza 51 Oats (6.3 t/ha DM) and Mitika (6.4 t/ha DM) were the highest forage yield.s
• For further take home messages please see the attached trial report.

With increasing pressure on rotations, there are a number of forage options that can be considered;

• On higher fertility sites, with better N levels-  Annual ryegrass such as Drummer and Grassmax as well as forage cereals such as Graza 80 and 51 are an option
• Brassicas (Leafmore) should be avoided on canola stubble
• On lower N sites, Blaza Crimson Clover,  Laser Persian Clover, Zulu Arrowleaf clover and Bolta Balansa grow reasonable hay and fix Nitrogen
• Further work needs to be conducted to evaluate competition value (esp with Wimmera RG) and yield benefits to following crops.   

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options at the MFMG site at Frances.
• Drummer Annual tetraploid ryegrass (6.482t/ha DM) grew the largest amount of dry matter, followed by Graza 80 (5.491t/ha DM) and Grassmax (5.099t/ha)
• The annual clovers grew signifcantly less dry matter, with Laser Persian Clover growing (3.025t/ha DM), Zulu Arrowleaf (3.008t/ha DM) and Bolta Balansa (2.977t/ha)
• The cereal/grass based options grew more DM and offered more competition, but legume & broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in case of legumes, nitrogen fixation.
• More work required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options

Due to unforseen circumstances, results for 2011 aren’t available for the Seedmark pasture evaluation sites. Seedmark do however look forward to continuing their work with MFMG in 2012 to explore the most appropriate Forage/Pasture rotation options.

The Field Days did however see the release of the new pasture variety “Monti” bred and developed by SARDI’s pastures group and released by the Australian Pasture Alliance (APA), an alliance between SARDI and Seedmark. Struan based SARDI researchers Andy
Craig and Freya Hawker lead the development of Monti with an extensive evaluation program run across a number of research site for the last 4 years. Below are some photos from the event.

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options atthe MFMG site at Frances and Conmurra. 
• At Conmurra and Frances,the highest DM producing forages were annual ryegrass; R2 tetrapkhid annual ryegrass (12.28 t/ha DM) at Conmurra and Grassmaar Diploid annual ryegrass  (7.53 t/ha DM), primarilty due to their ability for a winter cut. 
• The best annual clovers at both Conmurra and Frances include Zulu II Arrowleaf (6.46t/ha and 3.93t/ha) and Bolta Balansa (6.27t/ha and 4.11t/ha).
• The cereal/grass based options generally grew more DM and offered more competition but legume and broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in the case of legumes, nitrogen fixation. 
• The legume and brassica varieties produce forage of a higher quality than that of cerels and grasses, which provides greater benefit to grazing animals.
• More work required to show possible yields both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

• Cereal and pea mixtures increase the crude protein and measurable energy content without reducing yield.
• Growing cereals with peas appears to help to reduce lodging in the peas.

• All crops emerged and established well in the early stages.
• Lentils and fieldpeas were very quick and uniform.
• Lupin emergence was staggered but were eventually very even.
• Narrow leafed lupins were severely damaged in all replicates by hares, which removed the central spike of every flowering plant.

• The best yielding winter cultivars yielded similar to the best yielding spring cultivars despite a month difference in flowering date.
• Winter barley shows promise but we are still learning.  Strategies utilising Nitrogen, Plant Growth Regulators and Grazing need development to manage the increased biomass production and to improve the conversion of biomass to grain yield
• Early sown winter barley is a different agronomic system. The farming system benefits of winter barleys such as grain and graze, improved disease resistance should not be overlooked
   

Key messages:

• Treating EGA GregoryA seed with Rancona Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with the addition of crown rot inoculum to 7% compared with 26% when no seed treatment was used.
• In this instance, Rancona Dimension did not provide a significant or consistent yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection across the 12 trial sites in 2015.
• Growers should not expect Rancona Dimension to provide a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when used as a standalone management strategy.
• Growers considering the use of Rancona Dimension should follow the manufacturer’s advice and only consider it as part of an integrated management strategy against crown rot.

Conclusions

Rancona® Dimension is registered in Australia for the suppression of crown rot infection. Rancona® Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with severe early infection, created by the addition of crown rot inoculum to the seed furrow at sowing, to 7% compared to 26% in the absence of a seed treatment. Further research is required to determine if this improvement in establishment is associated with reduced Fusarium seedling blight. It should also be established whether such severe establishment losses are an artefact of the inoculation process used in the trials or occurs naturally in paddocks with high stubble-borne inoculum loads. In a separate larger trial conducted at Tamworth in 2015 in which infected stubble at the surface was the inoculum source Rancona® Dimension did not have a significant impact on the establishment of EGA Gregory compared to the Nil seed treatment (data not presented). Establishment benefits apparent in the 12 trials unfortunately did not translate into any improvement in grain yield. Rancona® Dimension did not provide a significant yield benefit over the use of no seed treatment or the two other commonly used seed treatments examined in this study under high crown rot pressure across 12 sites in 2015.

Although Rancona® Dimension is registered for the suppression of crown rot, with activity against early infection and potential establishment losses evident in this study, growers should not expect this to translate into a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when the product is used as a standalone management strategy. Integrated management remains the best strategy to reduce losses to crown rot. Growers may like to consider including Rancona® Dimension (320 mL/100 kg seed) as one additional component in their integrated management of crown rot.

• Both Aramo and Bounty performed as expected in the field in accordance with the label recommendations.
• Conditions at time of spraying and for the rest of the season were not favourable, however, both products stood up and performed quite well when compared to the unsprayed areas.

The advantages of kikuyu are:

•  Weaners can be fed in the paddock.
• Sheep can be set stocked for long periods.
• Ground cover is maintained.
• The kikuyu has carried weaners over summer, whereas the annual pasture is carrying wethers.
• There is no evidence of kikuyu movement out of the paddock into adjacent areas of native vegetation.

The advantages of kikuyu are

• Weaners can be fed in the paddock.
• Sheep can be set stocked for long periods.
• Ground cover is maintained.
• The kikuyu has carried weaners over summer, whereas the annual pasture is carrying wethers.
• There is no evidence of kikuyu movement out of the paddock into adjacent areas of native vegetation.

• Prices for faba beans have remained very high compared with long term averages, enhancing the profitability of faba beans. Growers always need to be aware of possible price swings as the international market is limited. The potential return for the crop should be based on longer term pricing between $300 and $400/ t.
• New varieties, PBA Zahra and PBA Samira, offer significantly improved grain yield (>10%) and disease resistance compared with older varieties.
• Sowing early is essential to maximise benefits to the farming system from improved biomass and grain yield to maximise profitability.
• Good disease management is critical to maximise grain yield and quality. Growers are encouraged to carefully plan their strategies, regularly monitor crops and have fungicide purchased in advance, to ensure appropriate timing of application.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• There were no significant differences in yield between lupin or faba bean varieties.
• Farah was the highest yielding faba bean variety and Mandelup was the highest yielding lupin variety.
• Disease and weeds were a significant problem in these poorly competitive crops in this wet year in Gippsland.