Red sandy loam trials

Compare the new IGW3526 imidazolinone tolerant wheat with Justica in a farm scale demonstration to gauge variety performance.

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

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

To test whether soil health and fertility can be improved under a higher carbon input system with or without grazing.

To test whether general soil health and fertility can be increased under a higher carbon input system with well managed grazing.

To examine the long-term environmental, biological and economic effects of alternate production systems.

To trial supplementing sheep grazing medics with La Trobe pellets to accelerate growth.

To investigate how differing summer farming practices influence stored water and how plant available water may influence grain yield potential and grain quality attributes in the low rainfall area in central NSW.

To evaluate variable rate technology using low, standard and high seed and fertiliser inputs on 3 soils zoned as of poor, medium and good production potential from a pre-2008 yield monitor, EM38 and elevation maps.

To investigate the potential non-chemical options for managing barley grass in a crop is increasing crop competition by reducing row spacing and increasing sowing rate.

Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) was first reported in 2016 in South Australia (SA), and has since been detected widely throughout Victoria, and in New South Wales (NSW) as far north as Coonamble and as far east as Tamworth.  It has not been detected in Queensland or Western Australia.

As part of the GRDC investment “Russian Wheat Aphid Risk Assessment and Regional Thresholds”, field trials were run at Minnipa for the second year through the Minnipa Agricultural Centre team. The purpose of these trials was to look into the level of natural infestation of cereal crops, and the effect of high RWA populations (obtained through artificial inoculation) on aphid and symptom dynamics and yield loss. This trial was one of a suite of trials undertaken in SA, Victoria, Tasmania, and NSW over 2018 and 2019, and contributes to a larger dataset.

The aim of the trial reported here was to determine the risk of RWA infestation in cereal crops in the Minnipa area in 2019 and observe the effect of high aphid numbers achieved through artificial inoculation on crop development and yield.

To provide early feed for stock in autumn, a time of year when pastures haven’t established properly, and get ewes and lambs out of the confinement feedlot and onto good quality feed as soon as possible.

• To compare very early maturing feed and malting barley lines selected from the University of Adelaide Barley Program advanced yield trials.
• To compare these varieties with other adapted and current varieties, and to evaluate their specific adaptation to the upper EP environment.

To further evaluate variable rate sowing as a tool to improve profitability in low rainfall upper EP farming systems, this broad acre trial
began in 2008 and has continued through to 2010.

To determine the optimum ratio of peas and canola for grain yield, profitability and post harvest ground cover.

To assess a range of commercial rhizobia inoculant products, application strategies and sowing times to provide growers with recommendations that ensures adequate nodulation and nitrogen fixation in dry sown crops.

This experiment compared the different Rhizobia innoculation formulations on nodulation, growth and yield of field pea, lupin, faba bean, lentil and chickpea under varying rain-fed and soil moisture conditions on an acidic, sandy loam at Yenda in the south western cropping zone of southern NSW.

To test whether nitrogen management options typical for upper EP would ‘switch off’ disease suppression.

Crop intensive farming systems are running down soil carbon, requiring increased inputs to maintain or increase yield without necessarily improving profitability. Mixed species cover cropping offers a new approach to reverse this trend in the Australian context. It is a key component of some farming systems overseas but is yet to be adopted widely in southern Australia. In the context of this project, mixed species cover crops refers to a diverse mix of plant species grown together but often outside the main growing season to build fertile and resilient soils.

Potential benefits of cover crops include improving soil organic carbon, structure and health, while decreasing weed and disease levels for following crops, but these must be balanced against the cost of growing the cover crop and the water and nutrients it will use. Many potential cover crop options exist and while growers are beginning to investigate these, local guidelines are yet to be developed to inform decisions.

A trial at Minnipa is investigating mixed species cover crops grown over winter. The principle behind growing a mixture of species rather than a monoculture is that it mimics naturally occurring diverse ecosystems. Different root systems host different microorganisms, fungi and soil biota that improve the dynamic properties of soil leading to healthier soil that has higher infiltration rates for water and are better able to retain that moisture. This retained water can potentially be used for the following cereal crops. Different root systems also inhabit different parts of the soil profile and therefore access water and nutrients more completely, so no single section is severely depleted. Organic matter is distributed more evenly throughout the soil profile and more carbon is available to soil organisms. The qualities of two or more different species may also improve the overall productivity. Legumes fix nitrogen that can be used by other plants. Tall plants provide shade for emerging seedlings, reducing their exposure to water and temperature stress. Climbing plants such as peas will often use the taller plants as a trellis. The fibrous root systems of many cereals and grasses bind the soil to protect it from wind erosion, particularly under dry conditions. Brassicas can function as biofumigants, suppressing soil pests, especially root pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes. Leaving residue on the soil surface lowers the soil temperature, reducing soil water loss through evaporation and providing protection from erosion. A diverse cover crop also offers a more balanced diet to livestock.

This article reports a trial at Minnipa which investigated mixed species cover crops grown over winter and their impact on wheat production the following year. 
 

• To compare the impact of four different management strategies on production, profitability and sustainability at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre.

• To determine the ability and drivers of grain yield recovery of two different wheat varieties after grazing.
• To investigate whether N has the ability to assist in grazing recovery of yield and/or quality compensation.

Similar trials were conducted for the GRDC funded Grain & Graze 3 project in 2015 across other agro-ecological regions including Mid-North of South Australia, Wimmera Mallee region of Victoria and Southern Victoria to determine regional and seasonal differences.

• To measure crop response in a field trial at Minnipa to different fertiliser rates over time, with soil P levels measured annually as Colwell P.

To assess the P response from current and residual fertiliser applications.

To assess the P response from current fertiliser applications at MAC.

To compare growth, development and yield of current commercial lupin varieties and advanced breeding lines sown on two dates on a red sandy loam soil at Rankins Springs in southern NSW.

To compare no till farming techniques against conventional farming methods over 5 different cropping rotations: No-till • all weed control by herbicides or narrow windrow burning • sown with NDF single disc seeder • stubble retained where possible Conventional • weed control both by herbicides and cultivation • sown with NDF single disc seeder • stubble incorporated.

1. To establish agronomic guidelines for lentil time of sowing and seeding rate for current commercial lentil varieties alongside promising advanced breeding lines on an acidic, red-brown earth at Wagga Wagga, NSW. This information will be used to confirm and update current agronomic recommendations for lentil in this region.
2. To determine if optimum plant density and sowing time remains constant across varieties in this environment.

To determine the optimal plant density for lentil in southern NSW cropping systems, and if the optimum plant density remains consistent accross varieties. 

To compare growth, development and yield of current commercial lentil varieties and advanced breeding lines sown on two dates on a red, sandy loam soil at Rankins Springs in south-western NSW

This trial addresses issues which may be a barrier to early sowing in the region. In particular; 1. What varieties preform well from early sowing? How do winter and long season spring varieties compare? 2.Can early sown crops be managed to avoid excessive vegetative growth and low harvest index, particularly in dry finish? 3. How do early sown yields compare with traditional mid-May sowing?

To look at current techniques used by farmers, or recommended by consultants, to improve medic pastures and determine the most effective method to optimise N₂-fixation. Biomass, nodulation and N₂-fixation differences between management practices, including inoculation treatments on both sown and regenerating medic stands were measured. The trial also investigated if grazing medic pastures in the break phase of the rotation benefits or impedes nodulation and subsequent N₂-fixation.

The GRDC project ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble - upper Eyre Peninsula’ aims to produce sustainable management guidelines to control pests, weeds and diseases while retaining stubble to maintain or improve soil health, and reduce exposure to wind erosion. The major outcome to be achieved is increased knowledge and skills allowing farmers and advisers to improve farm profitability while retaining stubble in farming systems on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP).

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) S7 stubble retention trial was established to maintain or improve crop production through applying alternative weed, disease and pest control options in pasture wheat rotations in the presence of crop residues. The trial was established in 2013 with wheat and different stubble treatments imposed at harvest annually. It was sown either inter row or on row with wheat in 2014 and 2015 to determine the impacts of stubble management on crop production, weeds, disease and pests in low rainfall farming systems.

The GRDC project ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble - upper Eyre Peninsula’ aims to produce sustainable management guidelines to control pests, weeds and diseases while retaining stubble to maintain or improve soil health, and reduce exposure to wind erosion. The major outcome to be achieved is increased knowledge and skills allowing farmers and advisers to improve farm profitability while retaining stubble in farming systems on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP).

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) S7 stubble retention trial was established to determine if we could maintain or improve crop production through applying alternative weed, disease and pest control options in pasture wheat rotations in the presence of crop residues. The trial was established in 2013 with wheat and different stubble treatments imposed at harvest annually. It was sown either inter row or on row each season to determine the impacts of stubble management on crop production, weeds, disease and pests in low rainfall farming systems.

To determine the potential toxicity of the fungicide P-Pickel T (PPT) to rhizobia applied as a commercial inoculant (peat and freeze-dried) on field pea (R. leguminosarum, group F) in field conditions in a soil with a low rhizobial background.

To assess the impact of soil nutrition, current herbicides, adjuvants and rhizobial inoculants on nitrogen (N) fixation by medics under field conditions typical of the upper Eyre Peninsula. 

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new lentil varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new or potential new chickpea varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

A long-term study was established at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre from 2008 to 2014 (EPFS Summaries 2008 to 2013) to assess the impact of grazing on crop and pasture production and soil health and also to evaluate this from a systems perspective.

The seven year demonstration with a wheat, wheat, pasture (volunteer and sown annual medic), wheat, pasture (self-regenerating annual medic), wheat and wheat rotation was also established to determine whether productivity could be improved under a higher input system compared to a lower input and more traditional system and what affect this had on soil fertility.

To test whether soil fertility and health could be improved under a higher input system (e.g. higher fertiliser and seeding rates, establishment of improved pasture) compared to a lower input and more traditional system (district practice seed and fertiliser inputs, volunteer pasture).

The six year (2008-2013) rotation of: wheat, wheat, pasture (volunteer and sown annual medic), wheat, pasture (annual medic – self regenerating) and wheat, was also split into grazed and un-grazed treatments in both the high and low input systems to establish the relative impact of grazing.

A long-term study was established at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre from 2008 to 2015 (EPFS Summaries 2008 to 2014) to assess the impact of grazing on crop and pasture production and soil health and also to evaluate this from a systems perspective.

The eight year demonstration with a wheat, wheat, pasture (volunteer and sown annual medic), wheat, pasture (self-regenerating annual medic), wheat and wheat rotation was also established to determine whether productivity could be improved under a higher input system compared to a lower input and more traditional system and what affect this had on soil fertility.

A long-term study was established at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre from 2008 to 2016 (EPFS Summaries 2008 to 2015) to assess the systems impact of grazing on crop and pasture production, and soil health. 

To provide data to assist in decision making when planning to use a field crop as a potential resource for grazing, hay and/or grain based on seasonal conditions, while in some cases utilising the benefits of a break crop within the cropping rotation.

To update the benefits of fluid delivery systems from previous research and assess the potential of fluid nutrients and disease control strategies in current farming systems.

To build on previous research by updating knowledge of the benefits, including disease control and nutrition, of fluid delivery systems. 

To build on previous research by updating knowledge of the benefits, including disease control and nutrition, of fluid delivery systems.

The DAFF and GRDC funded national trial will examine existing, new and alternative strategies for farmers in the cereal sheep zone to increase soil carbon. The trial will be used as baseline data for carbon accumulation in soils and to: discuss the various forms of soil organic carbon (plant residues, particulate, humus and resistant fractions), investigate how management affects each of these pools and how humus can be increased over the medium to long term, communicate how soil organic matter affects soil productivity (through nutrient and water supply, and improvements in soils structure). Identical trials are being run by eight farm groups in SE Australia (Victoria: Mallee Sustainable Farming, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems; NSW: FarmLink, Central West Farming Systems; SA: Hart and Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation, both through Ag Ex Alliance; and Tasmania: Southern Farming Systems) so information can be collected on different soils and climates in the Southern Region.

The DAFF and GRDC funded national trial will examine existing, new and alternative strategies for farmers in the cereal sheep zone to increase soil carbon. The trial will be used as baseline data for carbon accumulation in soils and to: discuss the various forms of soil organic carbon (plant residues, particulate, humus and resistant fractions), investigate how management affects each of these pools and how humus can be increased over the medium to long term, communicate how soil organic matter affects soil productivity (through nutrient and water supply, and improvements in soils structure). Identical trials are being run by eight farm groups in SE Australia (Victoria: Mallee Sustainable Farming, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems; NSW: FarmLink, Central West Farming Systems; SA: Hart and Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation, both through Ag Ex Alliance; and Tasmania: Southern Farming Systems) so information can be collected on different soils and climates in the Southern Region.

The DAFF and GRDC funded national trial will examine existing, new and alternative strategies for farmers in the cereal sheep zone to increase soil carbon. The trial will be used as baseline data for carbon accumulation in soils and to: discuss the various forms of soil organic carbon (plant residues, particulate, humus and resistant fractions), investigate how management affects each of these pools and how humus can be increased over the medium to long term ,communicate how soil organic matter affects soil productivity (through nutrient and water supply, and improvements in soils structure). Identical trials are being run by eight farm groups in SE Australia (Victoria: Mallee Sustainable Farming, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems; NSW: FarmLink, Central West Farming Systems; SA: Hart and Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation, both through Ag Ex Alliance; and Tasmania: Southern Farming Systems) so information can be collected on different soils and climates in the Southern Region.

The DAFF and GRDC funded national trial will examine existing, new and alternative strategies for farmers in the cereal sheep zone to increase soil carbon. The trial will be used as baseline data for carbon accumulation in soils and to: discuss the various forms of soil organic carbon (plant residues, particulate, humus and resistant fractions), investigate how management affects each of these pools and how humus can be increased over the medium to long term, communicate how soil organic matter affects soil productivity (through nutrient and water supply, and improvements in soils structure). Identical trials are being run by eight farm groups in SE Australia (Victoria: Mallee Sustainable Farming, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems; NSW: FarmLink, Central West Farming Systems; SA: Hart and Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation, both through Ag Ex Alliance; and Tasmania: Southern Farming Systems) so information can be collected on different soils and climates in the Southern Region.