Caring for our Country trials

To answer the question: can you affod to lime?

• To investigate the impacts burying organic matter at depth.

To investigate the impacts burying at depth organic matter (using a Neutrog product Bounce Back) and gypsum using the Sub Soiler machine.

To investigate the impacts burying at depth organic matter (using a Neutrog product Bounce Back) and gypsum using the subsoiler machine.

To monitor how quickly the lime would change the pH down the profile.

To look at the effectiveness of placing lime at depth.

• To look at the effectiveness of placing lime at depth.

• To investigate the effect of different types of inoculant on nodulation and yield in field peas grown in KI conditions.

• To investigate soil acidity in Kangaroo Island soils.

To have paddocks re-tested for soil pH post liming and results were compared to the pH level prior to liming.

To use six different labs (Soil Food Web, CSBP, APAL, AgPath, Microbwise and Solvita) to analyse soil microbiology on six different properties across Kangaroo Island.

To investigate a spader machine for lime incorporation.

To undertake a variable rate grazing trial in pastures.

• To look at some agronomic solutions to waterlogging.

• To determine which wheat varieties perform best under local conditions. The trial included a number of bread wheats, but also some noodle and biscuit wheats.

To compare the production of different winter pastures and their recovery from grazing.

To evaluate the interaction between seeding systems and pre-emergence herbicides on the establishment of wheat, on two contrasting soil types.

To compare the yields of crops in southern Mallee farming systems in 2009.

To evaluate a range of forage shrubs in the Victorian Mallee environment in terms of plant survival, canopy development, health, edible biomass, seedling recruitment and performance under grazing.

• To examine the potential for both grain and forage cereal crops to supply feed for grazing enterprises.
• To determine the effects of grazing on grain yield and quality to help build informed decisions about when to graze crops to ensure maximum profit

To assess the yield and grain quality effect of grazing on currently grown commercial cereal varieties via paddock scale demonstrations in the Rainbow district.

To evaluate the suitability of different wheat and barley cultivars for both grazing and grain production, when sown as part of a the normal cropping program in low rainfall zones of western Victoria.

To develop a regionally viable farming system which incroporates the establishment of native perennial pastures, cropping into native pasture adn rotational grazing of the pasture and stubble.

To test whether soil fertility and health could be improved under a higher input system compared with a lower input and more traditional system.

To compare four locally grown wheat varieties at district practice and high seeding rates to assess their influence on reducing the impact of ryegrass in the whole farming system.

To investigate the impact of glyphosate as a crop-topping operation and the follow-on effects on grain yield and quality

To use the increased concentration of fertiliser granules in low SBU systems to measure any advantage of fertiliser uptake

To investigate methods for successfully establishing crops in a single pass to reduce erosion potential and improve productivity.

To investigate nitrogen response at Minnipa in 2009.

To investigate options for no-till sowing in stony soils.

To identify alternative grazing systems that are both sustainable and profitable in low-medium rainfall zones where cropping is no longer viable due to high risks and changing climatic conditions.

To test the concept of spreading sand on transient salinity “magnesia” patches to see if could be equally effective in improving the performance of heavy soils.

To determine the effectiveness of biochar on increasing soil carbon and soil stability.

To compare two farming systems, one with and one without the addition of old man saltbush (OMSB). Farming system one (‘No saltbush’) operated a crop/pasture rotation which was similar to that used in the central west of NSW. Farming system two (‘Saltbush’) had an rop/pasture rotation, but each paddock had 20% of its area replaced with belts of OMSB.

To compare the performance of 3 seeding systems and 2 nutrition strategies. This is a rotation trial to assess the longer term effects of seeding systems and higher fertiliser input systems.

To compare the performance of 3 seeding systems and 2 nutrition strategies. This is a rotation trial to assess the longer term effects of seeding systems and higher fertiliser input systems.

To compare the performance of 3 seeding systems and 2 nutrition strategies. This is a rotation trial to assess the longer term effects of seeding systems and higher fertiliser input systems.

To investigate the effect of full stubble retention compared with other stubble management methods and seeding technologies.

To assess the usefulness of using historical yield data to predict future yields and adjust fertiliser rates according to production zones.

To investigate the effect of full stubble retention compared with other stubble management methods and seeding technologies

To investigate the effect of full stubble retention compared with other stubble management methods and seeding technologies.

To report on the use of crop sensors as an aid for nitrogen decisions.

To test the effect of very deep ripping to 500mm with shallow leading tines and incorporation of limesand on a very deeply compacted acid sand plain soil.

To improve our understanding of what is driving these responses and how soil modification techniques can be improved on sandy profiles.

To provide further understanding of what is driving responses to modification of sandy subsoils and how soil modification techniques can be improved.

Investigate the dry matter accumulation and timing of a range of pastrure species and mixes and comparing them to the dry matter production by crops that are grown to be grazed before being shut up for grain production or cut for hay or silage.

Investigate the dry matter accumulation and timing of a range of pastrure species and mixes and comparing them to the dry matter production by crops that are grown to be grazed before being shut up for grain production or cut for hay or silage.

To build on previous crop sequencing projects, using farmer equipment and paddock lengthtrial strips to help assess both the profitability and practicality of various pulse options: to help farmers see these crops growing for themselves, discuss the various issues involved and then better decide what may best suit their farming systems

Using tillage to incorporate lime improves the rates of reaction and increases subsurface pH soomer than spreading lime on the surface alone.