To investigate the effect of light penetration and canopy structure on pod-set and grain yield.

To investigate the effectiveness of metribuzin in the control of fumitory with the new metribuzin tolerant lentil GIA Metro

To investigate the effectiveness of metribuzin in the control of barrel medic with the new metribuzin tolerant lentil GIA Metro

To investigate the effectiveness of clopyralid in the control of fumitory with the new clopyralid tolerant lentil GIA Sire

To investigate the effectiveness of clopyralid in the control of barrel medic with the new clopyralid tolerant lentil GIA Sire

To share Tim Buck's story about using technology to make better farming decisions.

To determine if sowing direction and row spacing can be used to influence grass weed populations and growth, and their impact on crop performance in the Mallee.

To determine if sowing direction and row spacing can be used to influence grass weed populations and growth,
and their impact on crop performance in the Mallee.

To determine if a soil wetter, such as SE14, improves plant establishment in years with a dry start.

A winter wheat trial was established to assess the whole-season nitrogen (N) availability against different nitrogen placement strategies when subject to waterlogging.

To assess the efectiveness and persistence of soil ameliorants for irrigated canola establishment.

To assess the effect of retaining hybrid seed for sowing canola in the next year

Four years of research have been conducted to determine if rice PIN uptake can be predicted using remote sensing from drones, aircraft and satellites as part of an ongoing Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) research project. 

To put into practice one of the key findings from the BCG research work over the last three years - 'high sowing rates in Silverstar wheat will decrease screenings' At the same time it was a good opportunity to test the results of small scale plot work in a real life situation on a large scale. 

To investigating if applying fertiliser according to productivity zones is more profitable than blanket applications of fertiliser across the whole paddock. We aimed to design trials to demonstrate to growers that matching fertiliser inputs to productivity zones will increase whole paddock profitability compared to blanket applications of fertiliser. We also aimed to use off the shelf tools (Silverfox/Sky Plan, Nulogic etc) that growers could access to enable them to follow our procedures to adopt VRT across the whole farm.

• To use farmer scale machinery to evaluate the benefits of adopting zone
management farming on a range of soil types over a three year period;
• To increase the output to input ratio for our farming system; and
• To collaborate with, and add value to research in precision agriculture being
undertaken by CSIRO, the Department.of Agriculture and University of Western
Australia (UWA).

• To determine if precision ag tools can improve the efficiency of soil amelioration as well as assess the effectiveness of amelioration techniques.
• To compare delving, spading and gypsum to improve sodic and bleached soils.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of two types of surface applied organic amendments – compost and chicken manure. 

To determine the response of wheat to different Flexi-N strategies at two seeding rates, i.e. canopy management.

There is growing interest from growers in southern Western Australia around the opportunities that long season wheats can provide them in a mixed or 100% cropping farming enterprise. The primary objective of this project is to demonstrate to growers the agronomic and enterprise fit and associated benefits of including a long season wheat into their rotation and to encourage the adoption through the farmer scale demonstrations and economic analysis

The project will demonstrate time of sowing, best available varieties suited to the areas of the demonstration sites and season permitting, the opportunity for grazing without yield penalty. It is worth noting the 2020 season did not allow the opportunity to graze any of the demonstrations.  The project will also provide practical guidelines or agronomic packages for production of long season wheat in the medium to high rainfall zones of South Western Australia. The key outcomes of this project are:

• Demonstrate the yield potential of different long season wheat varieties relative to spring wheat varieties with an early sowing window
• Develop economic analysis comparing long season and spring wheat varieties and time of sowing regarding yield to assist producers in making informed decisions
• Begin the development of an agronomic package on growing long season wheats, time of sowing, seeding rates and fertiliser application and timing will be examined within this project.
• Develop protocols around the importance of time of sowing for long season wheat varieties that are best suited to different areas within southern Western Australia
• Where seasonal conditions allow, demonstrate the ability of sowing long season wheats to manage the feed gap in Autumn and winter through crop grazing with having minimal yield penalty

To develop a method using PA tools and VR technology, to resolve low yielding sandy rises in cropping paddocks.

To use a combination of alternative weed control methods to minimise the reliance on chemicals.

To evaluate the effectiveness of up-front flutriafol and in-crop fungicides for controlling stem rust and yellow leaf spot.

To provide the farmers with calcareous soils that were P retentive, with an alternative to P fertilisers which were continually becoming locked-up, as well as an economical and effective method for the application of these fertilisers 

To investigate the feasibility of utilising image data, collected using UAVs, to make timely management decisions relating to slug damage in emerging canola.

To compare the effects varying fertiliser rates on three different soil types and to compare fertiliser rates, Nil, replacement, standard and high.

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

To evaluate the agronomic and economic benefits of using different rotations and management strategies to deal with Group A resistant ryegrass in a farming system.

To compare the competitive ability of new and existing barley varieties in the presence and absence of weeds.

To establish the fit for calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a topdressed fertiliser in wheat in a low rainfall situation and on an N responsive site.

To explore the use of quality legume inoculants to get the most from nitrogen fixation.

To quantify the effects of ProGibb on dry matter production of dual purpose wheat and to assess the effects on subsequent plant recovery and wheat grain yield.

To determine whether crop reflectance at particular wavelengths of light can be used during stem elongation to determine the need for applied nitrogen.

To determine whether crop reflectance at particular wavelengths of light can be used during stem elongation to determine N content of the plant and the need for applied N.

To determine if crop sensors can be used during stem elongation to determine N content of the plant and the need for applied N.

To determine whether successful establishment of sub-tropical grasses requires sowing into furrows.

To determine the effectiveness of urease inhibitor products.

To determine the extent of volatilisation loss of two nitrogen fertilisers (granular urea vs. liquid UAN) applied over a number of days at the end of tillering on a Wimmera grey clay soil (Marnoo) and Mallee clay loam (Birchip).

To further investigate the impact of rainfall timing on the effectiveness of topdressed urea N uptake, and
the possible role of Agritain-treated urea to overcome the problems with the timing of topdressing.

To further investigate the impact of rainfall timing on the effectiveness of topdressed urea N uptake, and
the possible role of Agritain-treated urea to overcome the problems with the timing of topdressing.

To conduct a vetch variety trial to look for a dual purpose vetch variety.

In 2012 the UNFS attempted to validate this early work conducted by the CSIRO. Seed of a long season variety Eaglehawk was sourced. This variety is Prime Hard Quality in NSW and so would be AH in SA.The aim was to conduct a time of sowing trial using three varieties at three times of sowing:- an early maturing variety (Axe), mid season maturing (Frame) and late maturing (Eaglehawk). Ideally the three sowing times were to be 1) mid April 2) early to mid May and 3) early to mid June.

To improve predictability of growth responses to zinc from soil analysis.

1. Understanding wheat variety by disease management interactions in the Gippsland sub region. 

2. To demonstrate the time of sowing of current and new varieties.

3. To assess fungicide treatments on various wheat varieties at key growth stages to evaluate fungicide performance to plan genetic disease ratings. 

To understand wheat phenology, in particular flowering response to sowing time.

To investigate whether we could show any affect on field wheat yield after just one hot day.

To investigate how nutrient interactions influence yield response. Specifically, if:

1. Applications of P, K and/or S fertilisers influence wheat yield under varying N concentrations.
2. “Background” nutrition influences fertiliser responsiveness.
3. Yield responses are a result of absolute nutrient concentrations or ratios between essential nutrients.

To compare and showcase the broad range of strategic tillage options for amelioration of yellow sandplain soils and to assess their effectiveness at overcoming a range of soil constraints including non-wetting soil surface, compaction and subsoil acidity and increasing crop productivity.

To understand the impact of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling on disease suppression.