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

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

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

To investigate whether liquid N as UAN is a better and more reliable source of N compared to using granular urea.

To test future and existing Udon wheat varieties.

To repeat trials from 2004 to confirm confidence in findings that UAN can be used as an in-crop fertiliser in Victoria.

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 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 evaluate new and existing udon noodle wheat varieties.

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 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 conduct a wheat variety evaluation.

To conduct an evaluation of new and existing udon noodle wheat varieties.

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 conduct an evaluation of new and existing wheat varieties with AH and APW classification.

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

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

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

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

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

To assess the potential to use Ultra High Pressure (UHP) liquid injection technology to apply an ultra low soil disturbance UAN sideband into cropping soils and test whether UHP injection of UAN is a viable alternative N application method for the future. 

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

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

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

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

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

• 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 understand the stages of resistance development within wild radish populations and to develop strategies from a grower’s perspective for growing weed free crops in the presence of resistant radish.

To increase grower and adviser understanding of: (i) tools available for better crop management decisions; (ii) soil water relationships and plant available water capacity (PAWC); and (iii) influence of seasonal conditions and PAWC on crop yield potential.

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

To (i) improve the understanding of how soil moisture probes and Yield Prophet can be used to complement each other; (ii) increase the range of APSoil soil type selections in Yield Prophet by modifying existing soil types based on the probe data; (iii) provide growers with access to real-time soil moisture data and periodic Yield Prophet reports from soil types and cropping scenarios that are representative of their area; and (iv) cross-validate soil moisture probe data with Yield Prophet soil moisture modelling.

To investigate options to increase canola profitability and reduce production risk with tactical agronomy advice underpinned by physiological insights.

To improve the water use efficiency of canola, through early sowing and correct variety selection. 

To gain an understanding of production benefits of clay incorporation and the role of organic matter in sandy soils. 

To provide information relating to managing sclerotinia stem rot in canola.

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 determine the effectiveness of urease inhibitor products.

This research identified the plant traits most likely to determine differences in external critical phosphorus (P) requirements (i.e. the soil extractable-P concentration required to achieve 90% of maximum yield) of pasture legume species. Understanding trait differences that affect critical P requirements of pasture legumes is important in providing confidence around field differences in external critical P requirement.

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

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

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

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 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.