• Height to lowest pod was greater in wider rows for beans compared to peas or chickpeas.
• Beans were higher yielding on narrower row spacing.
• Standing stubble did not increase grain yield in any pulse crop trialled.
• Standing stubble improved bean yields only at the wide row spacing.

• In the dry conditions there was no significant differences between the two pea varieties and no significant difference between the faba bean varieties. The yields for all of the varieties was disappointing and is due in part to the hot dry conditions at flowering but also due to the late sowing of the beans. There are also some indications that a frost may have had some affect on the final yields. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• Winter habit canola has been successfully sown in spring, grazed over summer and harvested for grain in 2012 and 2013.
• Establishing canola in spring means larger, more resilient plants in autumn with less impact from slugs and waterlogging.
• Forage value comparable to commercially available dedicated forage rapes over summer and autumn with added benefit of oil seed production.
• In 2012, grazing over summer increased grain yield compared with no grazing.  Ungrazed yield was 1.9 t/ ha; grazed was 2.7 t/ha.  Taurus sown at the conventional time (April) yielded 2.3 t/ha.
   

• Early application of foliar zinc at the 2 leaf stage may assist with suppressing initial yellow leaf spot infection but unlikely to be enough to overcome any zinc deficiency in crop as leaf area limits capacity for uptake.
• Stubble management techniques that aid stubble breakdown or removal are effective measures to control incidence of yellow leaf spot in crops sown into stubble.

In 2015 mouse monitoring will continue at all of the regional sites. To further identify mouse population dynamics CWFS will also be in contact with further persons from each region to identify mouse activity perhaps not recorded by monitoring activities. To be involved in mouse monitoring, or if you have any observations or queries, don’t hesitate to call Nick Hill at CWFS on 02 6895 1038 or 0437 612 140.

Weeds external to a cropping area (ie; along fence lines and roadways) are a known problem. They impact negatively upon a cropping operation in a number of ways; ie,

• Pest insects - Weeds can provide refuge for insect pests and act as a point source of distribution into a cropping area.
• Diseases - Weeds can act as a host for crop disease. When an infected weed is fed upon by a pest insect (e.g. aphid) and the pest insect then feeds upon a plant within a cropping zone the disease is transferred to the crop.
• Seed - Weeds external to a cropping zone provide a source of seed that can enter and infest a cropping area.
• Mice - Weeds external to a cropping area provide food, moisture and refuge for mice.
• Herbicide resistance - Weeds external to a cropping area do not generally receive the same levels of control as weeds within a cropping area, which can assist in the development of herbicide resistance.
• Green bridge - Weeds that perpetuate external to a cropping season provide what is termed as a “green-bridge”. This green bridge is known to enable pest insects and diseases to survive as well as provide a source of weed seed for future in-crop infestations.

• Raised beds increase productivity on saline, waterlogged land along with fertiliser and fencing our wildlife.
• Potential issues: uneven bed formation can make seeding difficult, saline soil may be brought to the surface, leached salts may cause damage.

• In 2004 the organic system had the lowest wheat yield and the highest screenings.
• The 2004 gross margin showed that the Albrecht, Soil Management Riverina and BioAg systems made a small profit.
• The Conventional, Soil Management Riverina and Organic systems have the best long-term (2000-2004) average gross margins, although they are all negative.

• Seed colour change (SCC) is slower to develop on branches compared with primary stems, with the primary stem only contributing ~22% of grain yield.
• Relying solely on SCC on the primary stem can underestimate overall seed development on the plant, negatively affecting seed size, oil concentration and yield potential.
• Windrowing earlier than 40% SCC on the primary stem was shown to reduce yield by up to 36% and oil concentration by 6.5%.
• Results clearly demonstrated the penalties associated with an early windrow timing, before 40–60% SCC on the primary stem, and the benefit of delayed windrow timings related to SCC, with yield optimised at the upper end of current industry guidelines.
• Ideally, SCC should be measured on a whole plant basis, not based solely on the primary stem, as branches contribute a large proportion of grain yield. There is also a further need for a clear definition as to what constitutes actual SCC in order to develop robust industry guidelines around windrow timing.

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

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

• Heavy infestation of aphids caused significant yield loss to canola in a high rainfall environment.
• The length of cabbage aphids on spikelets at flowering was directly proportional to yield loss.
• The function yield (kg/ha) = -141x + 1114 where x= spike length colonised in cm explained yield loss R2 0.9.
• Aphid colonisation also reduced seed quality: oil content and seed size.

• For the 3 phases of methane measurement reported, methane emission intensity (L CH4/hr/100g ADWG) was significantly lower for lambs on a better quality forage with high metabolisable energy, digestibility and crude protein.
• Feedlotting is an option that gives producers the flexibility to finish lambs when pasture availability is limited or light soils are at risk of erosion.
• Spray-topping cereal crops is a good management strategy for weed control and feed management for livestock, however, livestock productivity gains can be compromised when spray-topped cereals are grazed without offering lambs better quality fodder supplements.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the barley variety CommanderA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.

• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line LPB12-0494.

• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in
2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum
levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot
infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown
rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this
disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• High background crown rot inoculum levels existed at this site in 2015, resulting in high infection levels in all plots, so the actual extent of yield loss within each variety could not be determined.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being between 0.34 t/ha to 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties CommanderA and La TrobeA and were 1.03 t/ha and 1.28 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona® Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in four of the bread wheat varieties up to 14.9% in the barley variety CompassA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with eight entries being between 0.29 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.9% in BeckomA up to 14.7% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other entry.
• Screening levels varied from 4.4% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat variety CoolahA up to 9.3% in the barley variety SpartacusA. Crown rot did not affect screenings in any other entry.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and LRPB FlankerA.

• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 10.5% in the barley variety La Trobe up to 61.1% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.55 t/ha to 1.18 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe and were 1.66 t/ha and 2.37 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 over the use of no seed treatment at planting.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 2.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Gauntlet up to 21.9% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.34 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.75 t/ha and 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown ot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the variety DBA LillaroiA and seven of the 13 bread wheat varieties, up to 32.9% in the durum variety JandaroiA.
• Only the bread wheat variety MitchA was higher yielding (0.41 t/ha) than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection.
• Grain protein levels were low across the site and varied from 7.7% in MitchA up to 10.1% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–2%), but significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA, and 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.
   

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 6.9% in the bread wheat variety Viking up to 31.9% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Suntop, Sunguard, Beckom and Viking, being between 0.37 t/ha to 0.62 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties La Trobe and Commander were 0.62 t/ha and 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley variety CompassA, durum entries 190873 and JandaroiA and six of the bread wheat varieties, up to 19.7% in the barley variety CommanderA.
• Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA was higher yielding (by 0.58 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were very low across the site (average 8.2%) and varied from 7.5% in LRPB ReliantA up to 8.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Screening levels were very low across entries, but crown rot infection caused a small (0.5–1.3%), yet significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley varieties CompassA and CommanderA, as well as in the bread wheat varieties CoolahA and LRPB SpitfireA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of added crown rot inoculum, which differed by 1.41 t/ha and 1.30 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA provided a yield benefit (15%) over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Merriwa in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.6% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 15.2% in the bread wheat variety Sunmate.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Lancer, Suntop, Beckom and Mitch being between 0.31 t/ha and 0.51 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.59 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 11.0% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 70.0% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.46 t/ha to 1.69 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 2.08 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.29 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 63% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 1.4% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Suntop up to 35.0% in the bread variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with all 12 entries being between 0.33 t/ha to 1.53 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The yield of the two barley varieties was impacted by late rain at this site in 2015 which resulted in considerable lodging, especially in La Trobe. The barley data from this site should be considered with caution.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.22 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection (added CR) at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 29% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 0.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Sunguard up to 47.3% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with eleven entries being between 0.65 t/ha to 1.35 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.64 t/ha and 2.47 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat varieties MitchA and BeckomA up to 18.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB FlankerA.
• The two barley varieties Spartacus A and La TrobeA along with nine of the bread wheat entries were higher yielding (0.28 t/ha to 0.86 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low at across the site which varied from 9.2% in CoolahA up to 11.5% in the barley variety SpartacusA . Protein levels in all other entries were not affected by crown rot infection.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (0.6 to 1.4%) but significant increase in the level of screenings in the four barley varieties and four of the thirteen bread wheat entries but remained below 5% for all entries.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 6–20% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Parkes in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in five of the bread wheat varieties, the barley variety CommanderA and the durum variety JandaroiA up to 12.9% in the bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• The recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA produced a protein level of 15% which was over 1% higher than the two other durum entries JandaroiA and 190873.

• Crown rot infection did not significantly impact on the level of screenings in any of the entries due to limited expression under the wet seasonal conditions at this site in 2016. However, genetic differences were evident with screening levels which ranged from 3.2% in the durum line 190873 up to 17.6% in the bread wheat variety BeckomA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of crown rot infection, which differed by 2.26 t/ha and 2.24 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. The three durum entries were higher yielding relative to bread wheat and barley entries in both the added CR and no added CR treatments at this site in 2016. This was likely due to seasonal conditions (near full soil water profile at sowing plus 472 mm of in-crop rainfall), which limited crown rot expression.

Cereal crop and variety choice still provided a 9% to 35% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Tamarang on the Liverpool Plains in 2016. This can maximise profit in the current season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat variety LRPB ReliantA up to 16.9% in the barley variety CompassA

 • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with three entries being between 0.45 t/ha and 0.85 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels were low across the site (mean of 9.8%) and varied from 8.7% in MitchA up to 10.6% in LRPB SpitfireA Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–4%), but significant increase in screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA and all of the 13 bread wheat entries.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.2% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 12.7% in the bread wheat variety LRPB Flanker.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Spitfire and Beckom being 0.30 t/ha and 0.48 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory, respectively.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 9.9% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Spitfire up to 60.1% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.54 t/ha to 1.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.56 t/ha and 2.27 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Seasonal conditions reduced stress during grain fill at this site in 2016, which limited the effects from infection on yield.
• Although the effect of crown rot infection on yield was not significant, there was still a 52% (1.76 t/ha) difference between the overall yield of the best and worst entries.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low across the site, varying from 7.8% in MitchA up to 9.8% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other variety.
• Crown rot infection caused a moderate (2–6%) increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield at this site in 2016, which differed by 1.76 t/ha (52%) between the best (SpartacusA) and worst (DBA LillaroiA) entries when averaged across CR treatments. CR treatment did not significantly affect yield in any of the entries due to seasonal conditions (~120 mm of plant available water at sowing plus 555 mm in-crop rainfall), which limited stress during grain filling. The added CR treatment also did not affect grain protein levels, but resulted in a modest 2–6% increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

It should be remembered that cereal crop and variety choice in paddocks with a medium crown rot risk can maximise profit in the current season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease. 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 5.3% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 31.0% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Beckom, LRPB Lancer and Suntop being between 0.30 t/ha and 0.41 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.93 t/ha and 1.65 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

The incidence of stripe rust was severe at Hamilton and far lower at Mininera and Inverleigh. Subsequently, differences in grain yields of stripe rust susceptible varieties with and without fungicides was particularly dramatic at the Hamilton site whilst there was no difference at Mininera and only five varieties differed at Inverleigh.

Row Spacing: Most pulse crops are adapted to wider row spacings:

• Lupins 18 - 50cm
• Chickpeas 18 - 75cm
• Faba beans 18 - 75cm

Wider rows can reduce foliar fungal disease incidence (increasing airflow) and allow better stubble clearance by sowing machinery. However, good weed control is essential with wider rows.

Residual herbicides can be an effective management tool in providing an extended period of weed control but careful consideration must be given to potential crop selection limitations, or crop loss, that their application may impose.

• Almost 20% of all stored grain insects collected had strong resistance to phosphine.
• Rusty grain beetle resistance is the most serious, as it is beyond label rates to control.
• Strong resistance in lesser grain borer is the main problem in New South Wales; rice weevil in South Australia.

  Key findings:

Yield in the presence of crown rot was generally barley > bread wheat > durum across both sowing times, but significant differences were evident between varieties.

• Barley, bread wheat and durum varieties differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and their actual yield and grain quality (screenings) in the presence of this disease.
• However, all varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection and will not significantly reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. Variety choice is not a sole solution to crown rot.

Conclusions

• Sowing date and variety maturity choice is a balance between frost risk and terminal heat stress in the northern grain region. Both can have a significant impact on grain yield. No frost damage was evident at this site in 2014 with either sowing time but terminal heat stress did occur which was more severe during grain filling with the second sowing time. A three week delay in sowing time resulted in an average 24% reduction in yield across the winter cereal entries.  Later sowing pushed grain-fill too far into hotter conditions. This can reduce yield by itself but if there is also an underlying issue with crown rot then delayed sowing significantly exacerbates the expression of this disease with negative impacts on both yield and grain quality.

  Varieties do differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and in their relative yield in the presence of high levels of infection, which is often referred to as tolerance. This is a function of a varieties level of partial resistance to infection but appears to also interact with its environmental adaptation and maturity relative to the timing of stress (moisture and heat) which exacerbates the expression of crown rot. Generally quicker maturing barley, durum and bread wheat entries were higher yielding in the presence of crown rot infection in this trial. This does not necessarily mean that these varieties have improved levels of resistance to crown rot infection but rather their quicker maturity allowed them to minimize stress during grain filling relative to longer season entries, reducing the expression of crown rot.

  If forced into planting a cereal crop in a high crown rot risk situation then some barley varieties may provide a yield advantage over bread wheat in that season, as long as early stress does not occur. Some of the newer bread wheat varieties do appear to be closing this gap to some extent. Barley tends to yield better in the presence of crown rot infection due to its earlier maturity relative to bread wheat, providing an escape mechanism which reduces its exposure to moisture stress during the critical grain filling stage. However, a key message is that this decision is only potentially maximising profit in the current season. Growing barley over bread wheat will not assist with the reduction of crown rot inoculum levels as barley is very susceptible to infection. Significant yield loss is still occurring in the best of the barley and bread wheat varieties in the presence of high crown rot infection. Variety selection can improve yield in the presence of crown rot, though all varieties still suffer yield loss, which can maximise profit in the current season but this will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Wtih three continuous wheat years, all the varieties were very responsive to 120kg N/ha. 
• Increasing seed density is a good management tool for weeds in wheat. At this site, yields increased with increasing seed density without a reduction in grain quality.

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

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

Details of the experimental design and management of crops and sprays can be found in hte 1994 BCDS Field Day Manual.

Rhizobia type or rate had no effect on yields. However a small adjoining trial showed a trend to increased yield due to rhizobia inoculation when plants were stressed by waterlogging. This is in keeping with results from last year's trial where large differences between inoculated and uninoculated treatments were attributed to waterlogging stress in winter and spring. This year's trial was sown on raised beds. The absence of waterlogging stress and the release of nitrogen from stubble from the previous poppy crop may account for the lack of yield response to inoculation. Yields were high this year, with some adjoining irrigated plots reaching 7 t/ha.

The results in this years risk management trial emphasised the importance of knowing:

• the nutrient status of your soils prior to sowing, and
• potential of the soils. The starting soil nitrogen at Birchip was particularly low (55kg/ha N) resulting in a significantly lower yield for the Low Input scenario compared to the High Input and Best Bet treatments.

The Low Input scenario also resulted in significantly lower protein and significantly higher screenings. These results suggest that there was not enough nitrogen to sustain a crop even in a dry finish, eventually affecting the final gross margin of the Low Input system.

• Contrasting canola yields were observed at two sites in 2015 highlighting both the potential and the risks of growing canola in the southern Australian low rainfall zone.
• Sowing at the earliest opportunity and applying N at seeding or early in the crop’s development produced the highest grain yields. Purchasing hybrid canola instead of using farmer retained open pollinated canola provided no advantage in 2015.

• Contrasting canola yields were observed at two sites in 2015 highlighting both the potential and the risks of growing canola in the southern Australian low rainfall zone.
• Sowing at the earliest opportunity and applying N at seeding or early in the crop’s development produced the highest grain yields.
• Purchasing hybrid canola instead of using farmer retained open pollinated canola provided no advantage in 2015.

• Contrasting canola yields were observed at two sites in 2015 highlighting both the potential and the risks of growing canola in the southern Australian low rainfall zone.
• Sowing at the earliest opportunity and applying N at seeding or early in the crop’s development produced the highest grain yields.
• Purchasing hybrid canola instead of using farmer retained open pollinated canola provided no advantage in 2015. 

As the climate is changing to warmer conditions and the atmosphere contains more CO2 (also called CO2 fertilisation), crops grow more quickly and mature earlier. It is important to be aware of these effects on crops so that the risk of frost or heat shock reducing crop yield can be better managed. Even though the climate is warming, it is not clear whether the occurrences of frosts are reducing. In fact, there is anecdotal evidence that frost severity and frequency are not changing, which could be because there is reduced moisture in the atmosphere. If this is the case, it will have implications for sowing time and variety choice. Through the use of PA and VR, growers are able to sow different varieties on more frost prone areas. Without this technology, growers would either need to sow different zones separately, reducing efficiencies, or treat the paddock as a whole, which may see reduce yields and risk in various zones. To demonstrate the advantages of this strategy, over the past two seasons, BCG and SPAA have undertaken paddock scale trials. Two demonstrations were undertaken to compare two varieties of different maturity at two different sowing times.

• BCG risk management work between 2005 and 2008 has shown a low to moderate input approach to be the most profitable • Adopting a low input approach to managing variable inputs was the most economic at Curyo in 2008.
• No economic yield or grain quality response was achieved by adopting a high input strategy.
• Tools such as soil sampling and Yield Prophet® can support fertiliser and in-crop input decisions.

BCG research from 2005 to 2008 has shown that adopting a low to moderate approach to inputs has been the most profitable • Adopting a low input approach to managing variable inputs was the most economic at Manangatang in 2008 • Soil sampling at the start of the season is very valuable in determining soil nutrient status.

• High Density Legumes (HDLs) offer a profitable 1 year (potentially 2 year) break crop option for cropping rotations, as an alternative to the traditional pulse break crop.
• HDLs offer greater flexibility in that they can be grazed, cut for hay/silage or green manured. They also have the potential to produce significant quantities of regrowth after cutting or grazing, extending the period of high quality green feed on offer after other pastures have dried off.
• HDLs offer substantial benefits to the following crop(s) in the rotation, including high nitrogen input, disease break and weed control (if managed correctly). Their superior economic returns, compared with pulses, depend on the grower's ability to rotationally graze HDLs throughout winter and spring (and early summer if the season permits), and/or the capacity to use or sell large quantities of hay or silag

Insufficient frost events occurred at Wickepin during the susceptible windows in 2014 to cause significant frost damage. Temperature results demonstrated that low in the landscape retained stubble increased the severity of the frost in one of the 10 frost events, but also increased the duration of frost events. Results from 2014 were not conclusive at Wickepin to demonstrate whether retaining stubble increases the incidence or severity of frost.

Although the Wickepin site did not experience damaging frost events in 2013, results show that the severity (minimum temperature) and duration (hrs <0°C) of frost increased at positions lower in the landscape and was less severe under cultivation. Standing stubble treatments also showed colder temperatures than removed stubble treatments. These results also supported the two other trials conducted in Western Australia during 2013 that showed stubble can have an influence on crop canopy temperature.

Krichauff, Excalibur and triticales are consistently both more tolerant and more resistant to P. neglectus that other cereals in field trials.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

This project is providing a focus on pasture species, inoculation, weed control and overall management together with the crop nitrogen benefits and crop responses. This project is a large-plot Development and Extension project, part of a much broader effort of many industry participants in developing new pasture systems in crop rotations.

A drift demonstration was set up at the BCG Main Field Day site. Different nozzles which delivered different droplet sizes, two travel speeds, a boom height above the recommended level and wind speed at 15km/h did not result in significant drift. This is probably due to a relatively high Delta T of 5, a set of conditions that occur when small droplets evaporate before they can cause much damage. The windy conditions also caused turbulence resulting in a lower likelihood that droplets would be deposited on a susceptible plant.

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

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

• Mean grain yield has been 8.4% higher with north-south over east-west sowing over the last four seasons.
• Grain yield has been higher with narrower row spacings when stubble has been retained.

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

• Yield loss from disease in PBA Rana was significantly less than other varieties
  compared in this trial.

• Similar to other pulse crops growing conditions in 2011 were excellent for faba beans, due to
  extreme rainfall events during the summer of 2010/11 which resulted in soil profiles at or near field capacity at sowing.

• Under higher disease pressure it is still economically beneficial to actively manage ascochyta blight through regular fungicide application even in moderately resistant varieties.

• The new line 01A012R-67 had grain yields equivalent or higher than all other varieties compared.

• Research to date in Australia suggests optimum rolling time between 3-5 node and crop damage has been recorded from rolling after the 7 node stage. However this trial showed no yield penalty from any time of rolling.
• Lentil rolling is a management practice utilised to create better harvesting conditions and to lower sample contamination. The results from this trial suggests there is flexibility in rolling time and that rolling can be delayed up to the 9 node stage if other management issues are more pressing immediately after sowing. However, this is dependent on the soil and crop health conditions at the time of rolling.
• To avoid crop damage rolling should not occur within 2 weeks of a herbicide application.
• Soils at risk of hard setting or wind erosion should not be rolled PSPE.

Picking out the ryegrass from the cereal crops in spring did not prove to be effective.The ryegrass tiller count data was converted into a contoured map and divided into three zones for each paddock. Once again we compared the manually drawn zones and found a relatively good correlation but not good enough to mplement patch ryegrass management with confidence. A dual boom A more detailed analysis of previous yield maps when farmers determine their ryegrass patches would certainly improve the accuracy of their zone drawings. Any farmer wanting to implement patch ryegrass management should also consider btaining imagery at a time of the year when ryegrass is more visible such as prior to sowing or around crop establishment as these maps would more accurately define the weed patches with less crop effect.

• Managing herbicide resistance in ryegrass continues to be crucial in maintaining sustainable crop production on Lower Eyre Peninsula.
• Management strategies other than herbicides need to be deployed to ensure sustainable ryegrass control into the future.
• Windrow burning proved to be an effective method in reducing ryegrass seed numbers in 2015.
• Managing ryegrass on differing soil types will prove a challenge into the future.
• Information generated by this project will provide data to simulate how different management strategies can be used to manage ryegrass in a sustainable, cost effective way.

• BOXER GOLD® (Prosulfocarb + S-metalochlor) is a new chemistry released in 2008 that can be rotated with trifluralin (Group D) .
• Rotation of herbicide groupsis a mustto ensure herbicide resistant weed populations do not emerge.

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

Using an effective knockdown with broad spectrum pre-emergent grass herbicide like Sakura can deliver excellent weed control, yields and return on investment not just in the year of application but in following seasons due to a reduction in the seed bank when combined with a complete integrated weed management program across the farm.

• Nitrogen applied to crops that have hayed off can contribute to crop biomass and yield in the subsequent season.
• When haying off is severe, a nitrogen (N) balance based on paddock history may be inaccurate.
• Conservative N management delivered the best economic returns over the two years of the trial.

• Monitor all varieties regularly for scald, regardless of disease ratings.
• A new virulent strain infected Hindmarsh crops in 2010.
• Later sown crops are less likely to be infected.

• During 2014 stubble treatments imposed late in fallow generally had no impact on N response. • During 2014 generally farmers in the absence of frost or unusual rainfall events during the season were able to reliably predict final yield before sowing. Where a site was N responsive, an N fertilizer rate of 20kg actual nitrogen/ha/per tonne of expected yield produced the most profitable result. • During 2014 split N applications only improved yield and protein at Nyngan which experienced a well above average growing season rainfall. • During 2014 split N applications would have possibly reduced risk at two sites, Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie where a decision not to apply the final 1/3 topdressing may have been made due to soil moisture and rainfall outlook. • The benchmark of 20kg/ha of actual N per tonne of expected grain yield assumes unrealistic N recover rates from soil and fertilizer but never the less it continues to be a widely used “number” during the commercial decision making process to topdress crops.

• During 2014 stubble treatments imposed late in fallow generally had no impact on N response. • During 2014 generally farmers in the absence of frost or unusual rainfall events during the season were able to reliably predict final yield before sowing. Where a site was N responsive, an N fertilizer rate of 20kg actual nitrogen/ha/per tonne of expected yield produced the most profitable result. • During 2014 split N applications only improved yield and protein at Nyngan which experienced a well above average growing season rainfall. • During 2014 split N applications would have possibly reduced risk at two sites, Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie where a decision not to apply the final 1/3 topdressing may have been made due to soil moisture and rainfall outlook. • The benchmark of 20kg/ha of actual N per tonne of expected grain yield assumes unrealistic N recover rates from soil and fertilizer but never the less it continues to be a widely used “number” during the commercial decision making process to topdress crops.

• The seasonal conditions experienced during these trials had a profound impact on the trial results.
• During 2015 stubble treatments imposed late in fallow had no impact on N response.
• Similar to 2014, during 2015 generally farmers were unable to predict final yield before sowing when the season experienced extreme weather conditions.
• During 2015 split N applications did not improve yields and had only a very minor impact on grain quality.
• During 2015 split N applications was not a way to reduce financial risk as opposed to all N fertiliser upfront since crop outlook at Z30 was positive.

Stubble treatments involving late burning or cultivation resulted in significantly different yields in wheat and barley in 4 to 6 trials conducted at Nyngan, Ungaire, Tullamore, Gunning Gap, Alectown and Lake Cargelligo during 2014. The yield effects were not consistent and these trials could not be used to predict response pre sowing. The effects of stubble treatments observed during 2014 were similar to the effects observed during similar trials in 2013. Variety rankings were not significantly affected by stubble treatments. The best option in terms of yield was to simply grow the variety with the highest potential for the sowing window.

Stubble treatments involving late burning or cultivation resulted in significantly different yields in wheat and barley in 4 to 6 trials conducted at Nyngan, Ungaire, Tullamore, Gunning Gap, Alectown and Lake Cargelligo during 2014. The yield effects were not consistent and these trials could not be used to predict response pre sowing. The effects of stubble treatments observed during 2014 were similar to the effects observed during similar trials in 2013. Variety rankings were not significantly affected by stubble treatments. The best option in terms of yield was to simply grow the variety with the highest potential for the sowing window.

• During 2015 stubble treatments involving late burning or cultivation resulted in significantly different yields in wheat and barley in 2 of 3 trials conducted at Tottenham, Weethalle, and Mumbil Creek.
• The stubble treatments had no effect on cultivar rankings or grain quality at any site.
• The effects of stubble treatments observed during 2015 were similar to the effects observed during similar trials in 2013 and 2014. The trend emerging is best summarised: “Cultivation late in fallow to reduce stubble loads for sowing is the most likely option to reduce yield unless it resolves a physical soil constraint such as compaction or established hard to kill weeds. Burning late in fallow to reduce stubble loads for sowing is unlikely to significantly improve yields compared to sowing into district typical standing stubbles. Burning may be a good last minute option where despite good planning, stubble is still interfering with sowing.”

• Stubble treatments involving late burning or cultivation resulted in significantly different yields in wheat, barley and oats at 4 of 6 trials conducted at Rankins Springs, Weethalle, Wirrinya, Tottenham, Tullamore and Euabalong during 2013. The yield effects were not consistent and these initial trials could not be used to predict response. • Crop establishment was not affected by stubble or tillage treatment at five of the six sites. At Rankins Springs, however, establishment was 15% higher in the burnt stubble than in the standing stubble treatment. • Visual differences in early growth could be observed between stubble treatments. Biomass in mid-August was lower with standing stubble than after burning at three sites (Weethalle, Tottenham and Tullamore) but not at Wirrinya and Euabalong. • Variety rankings were not significantly affected by stubble treatments. The best option in terms of yield was to simply grow the variety with the highest yield potential for the sowing window.

• Stubble treatments involving late burning or cultivation resulted in significantly different yields in wheat, barley and oats at 4 of 6 trials conducted at Rankins Springs, Weethalle, Wirrinya, Tottenham, Tullamore and Euabalong during 2013. The yield effects were not consistent and these initial trials could not be used to predict response.
• Crop establishment was not affected by stubble or tillage treatment at five of the six sites. At Rankins Springs, however, establishment was 15% higher in the burnt stubble than in the standing stubble treatment.
• Visual differences in early growth could be observed between stubble treatments. Biomass in mid-August was lower with standing stubble than after burning at three sites (Weethalle, Tottenham and Tullamore) but not at Wirrinya and Euabalong.
• Variety rankings were not significantly affected by stubble treatments. The best option in terms of yield was to simply grow the variety with the highest yield potential for the sowing window.

• During 2013, in canola crops sown on time that achieved target plant populations, it appears that late burning and/or cultivation of previous crop stubbles improved yield.
• The cost of burning stubble needs to be considered both in terms of dollar labour cost and lost nutrients.
• Potential impact on fallow efficiencies following the canola crop need to be better understood. Burning stubbles may have a fit in paddocks where windrows are being burnt for grass seed control or stubbles are too heavy for seeders to get through.
• The cost of cultivation needs to account for both cost of the operation as well as the risk soil erosion, and the possibility of producing drier seedbed conditions at sowing time.
• CWFS proposes to do further trials in the next two years. Remember this report represents only one year (2013) of data from trials at Rankins Springs, Wirrinya and Tullamore.

• During 2013, in canola crops sown on time that achieved target plant populations, it appears that late burning and/or cultivation of previous crop stubbles improved yield. • The cost of burning stubble needs to be considered both in terms of dollar labour cost and lost nutrients. Potential impact on fallow efficiencies following the canola crop need to be better understood. Burning stubbles may have a fit in paddocks where windrows are being burnt for grass seed control or stubbles are too heavy for seeders to get through. • The cost of cultivation needs to account for both cost of the operation as well as the risk soil erosion, and the possibility of producing drier seedbed conditions at sowing time. • CWFS proposes to do further trials in the next two years. Remember this report represents only one year (2013) of data from trials at Rankins Springs, Wirrinya and Tullamore.

There are numerour interactions between soil type, mineralisation level, PAWC and tiller response inthis trial. Generally speaking the trial showed that applying more nitrogen resulted in increased protein but not necessarily yield