Birchip Cropping Group trials

To evaluate the feed response of barley and oats to two different N rates applied at sowing and post-sowing, and the economic returns from sheep production.

To evaluate commercially available forage cereal varieties, comparing their feed value and suitability for grazing or grain production in low rainfall Mallee and Wimmera environments.

To compare control options for Brome grass in wheat and barley.

To answer the questions of whether applying a preventative spray regardless of conditions was good practice (i.e. does it help in controlling disease?) and was it cost effective?

To compare two new field pea varieties (Parafield and Kaspa) to Dundale.

To investigate whether fertiliser granule size influences nutrient availability to plants.

To compare the productivity of herbicide tolerant canola varieties grown in the southern Mallee and northern Wimmera environments.

To assess the suitability of different wheat and barley cultivars for both grain and grazing production in low rainfall environments.

To raise industry awareness of imi-tolerant barley as a potential tool for integrated weed management in Victoria and South Australian Mallee.

To investigate the effect that four different nozzle types had on spray efficacy using herbicides with different modes of action.

To evaluate the response of different barley varieties to various aspects of crop management. Variables examined included nitrogen timing, weed management, weed competition and row spacing.

To compare the tolerance of different cereal crops to crown rot, and therefore determine the most tolerant cereals for paddocks at risk of crown rot.

To evaluate the tolerance of recently released and commonly grown barley varieties to metribuzin.

To measure wheat responses to sulfur and zinc fertiliser when applied in addition to nitrogen and phosphorus.

To look at the potential benefits of applying additional nutrients as foliar sprays during the season, and we also investigated an alternative nutrient product called Hibrix.

To evaluate new wheat varieties and thier suitability to the Mallee.

To conduct an on-farm wheat demonstration.

To determine the impact of delaying harvest on yield and grain quality and to create management packages for varieties, as a guide for farmers.

To compare the sprouting susceptibility of new and existing wheat and barley varieties.

To investigate the effectiveness of BTH (benzothiadiazole) to increase a crops resilience to disease.

To demonstrate a new wheat herbicides Hussar® from Aventis, and Affinity® from CropCare for grass and broadleaf weed control.

The aim was to demonstrate a new cereal broadleaf weed herbicide 'Paragon' from Cyanamid

The aim of this investigation was to use the cropping systems simulator APSIM to assess the impact of high levels of sodicity chlorine, electrical conductivity and boron on the growth and yield of a wheat crop (cv. Yitpi) grown in the BCG Systems Trial.

To discuss adjuvant choice for atrizine for best control of radish in TT canola.

The aim of this trial was to investiage the best management practices for the production of Biscuit wheats. 

The aim of this trial was to investigate alternative chemicals for the control of ryegrass in wheat; and in broadleaf crops, canola, lentil and field pea.

To demonstrate growth of 10 different crops at the Birchip site.

To investigate the effect of a number of biological seed dressings, organic and inorganic fertilisers on canola yield.

To investigate the effect of a number of bioilogical seed dressings, organic and inorganic fertilisers on wheat yield.

To investigate the effect of deep ripping and gypsum on root and plant growth of wheat, canola and lentils.

To demonstrate whether Atrazine (alone or in combination with Select) can assist in the control of ryegrass.

To conduct an evaluation of Jockey seed applied fungicide.

The aim was to compare Barley fungicide seed dressing products. To measure seedling growth, establishment, disease control and yield.

To determine the most effecient herbicide options for controlling barley grass and brome grass in wheat and barley.

To determine whether late sown cereal crops reqire higher rate of P.

The aim of this report was to assess differing barley varieties in varied growing environments.

To investigate the bio-fumigation effects of canola dn mustard varieties on root disease and a number of crop varieties.

To determine the most cost effective herbicide in wheat (Meering) to control the most common weeds found in the Southern Mallee/northern Wimmera

To determine the most cost effective herbicide in wheat (Meering) to control the most common weeds found in the southern Mallee/northern Wimmera.

To determine the best technique for controlling brome grass in wheat and barley.

To compare windrowing an direct harvesting of canola.

To determine whether high rates of P and N fertiliser result in a yield and oil benefit.

To demonstrate three different techniques of sowing canola to determine seed placement and the effect on yield.

To determine the optimum sowing time over a number of seasons for karoo and Narendra canola.

To determine the optimum time of sowing for canola in the southern Mallee.

To determine the best suited canola varieties for the Southern Mallee environment.

To identify the highest yielding canola variety in the southern Mallee.

To demonstrate the effect of inoculating chickpeas.

To determine

• what is the optimum soiwng date for chickpeas, and
• what is the best sowing depth, especially in relation to the use of pre-emergent herbicides.

To determine whether herbicide tolerances differ between the four commonly grown chickpea varieties.