Red loam trials

To develop a phosphorus response curve and investigate responses to sulphur, zinc, manganese and copper.

To compare the performance of wheat varieties in the M2 rainfall zone.

To evaluate Diuron as a broadleaf weed killer pre sowing of lupins and to evaluate some mixing partners to improve the control of grass weeds.

To evaluate the quality and yield of Carnamah wheat in response to a range of in-furrow fungicide applications.

To determine the susceptibility of new chickpea varieties and fungicide treatment against Ascochyta Blight. However, due to herbicide damage the chickpeas weren’t harvested, therefore only Lentils and Fenugreek are discussed in this trial.

To assess the potential of two new Durum varieties and a new hard wheat in the L2 rainfall zone.

To assess the potential of the new Field Pea variety Kaspa against established varieties.

To assess the yield and quality of a range of wheat varieties in the L2 rainfall zone.

• To compare the yield of the new Albus lupin Andromeda with Kiev Mutant in a low rainfall area.
• To compare the performance of Kaspa field pea with the trailing types in a low rainfall area.

To evaluate and determine the profitability of different strategies of disease management.

To demonstrate the growth rates and carrying capacities of new pasture species and to show options available for improving pasture productivity.

This trial was developed to examine the efficacy of seeding and foliar fungicide combinations for control of rust (stripe and leaf rust) and leaf spotting diseases (septoria nodorum and yellow spot) in wheat.

To determine optimal input packages for noodle wheat varieties grown in the Liebe area.

To evaluate new and existing chickpea varieties.

To conduct a field pea variety evaluation.

To conduct a break crop trial at Mt Cooper.

To investigate herbicide control options for Slender Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum). The focus is on finding possible herbicide options that may allow for legume and grass pastures between bluebush or saltbush.

To evaluate whether Apron XL improves crop establishment, root development and yields in field pea crops by protecting seedlings against the early effects of root diseases.

To examine mineral fertiliser/microbe programs and the value of adding various forms of extra or top up N.

To determine if deep ripping overcomes compaction and increases yield on a red sandy loam.

• To compare the disease control of Prosaro 420 SC with commercially available foliar fungicides.
• To determine hte best ROI from an application of either an in-furrow or foliar fungicide application or a complete program approach for control of Septoria nodorum or yellow leaf spot.

To determine the efficacy and rate of gypsum required to improve soil structure on heavy clay soils in a minimum tillage system.

To demonstrate the impact of different stubble management techniques on soil biota activity and nutrition demands would be monitored using the same fertiliser applications in crop and by comparing yields. In subsequent years the effect of different treatments will be monitored.

To compare the effects VRT on different soil tyes and to compare rates of seed and fertiliser.

To evaluate two chickpea varieties sown at two seeding depths and two seeding rates by two different row spacings.

To evaluate yield and quality response of existing wheat varieties when treated at different nitrogen rates. Aiming to maximise nitrogen use efficiency by matching inputs to variety.

To compare yield and quality of new and existing canola varieties in a paddock scale demonstration trial.

Compare canola varieties

To evaluate the performance of new variety Cobra under farmer practice.

Compare Cobra and Emu Rock varieties

The GRDC Stubble project aims to improve farm profitability while retaining stubble in farming systems on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). Weed control in stubble retained systems is an issue with reduced herbicide efficacy due to higher stubble loads especially for pre-emergence herbicides. Current farming practices have also changed weed behaviour with later germinating barley grass genotypes now being present in many paddocks on Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) (B Fleet, EPFS Summary 2011, p 177). As a part of the stubble project several MAC farm demonstrations were undertaken in 2014 to address barley grass weed issues including later germinating types and barley grass resistance to Group A herbicides within the farming system. An integrated approach to weed management aimed at lowering the weed seed bank can make use of diverse techniques such as cultivation, stubble burning, in-crop competition using higher sowing rates and possibly row orientation. The seed bank of crop weeds can be reduced within the break phase by hay making, or green or brown manuring. Other techniques used effectively in WA with ryegrass and wild radish have been narrow windrows and chaff carts, however little research has been done on the effectiveness of these approaches with barley grass because of its early shedding of seeds before harvest. Project: EPF00001 Maintaining profitability in retained stubble systems - upper Eyre Peninsula.

To examine the effect of gypsum on soil pH and soil C and whether changes in soil pH could alter productivity of the following cereal crops.

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 different stubble treatments imposed at harvest and was sown either inter row or in row with wheat in 2014.

To investigate the efficiencies of a number of new seed dressing options for the control and/or supression of Rhizoctonia in wheat.

Issue upper EP farmers identified as a problem was sowing into retained pasture residue with pasture vines causing issues with blockages at sowing and uneven germination. The trial at Mount Cooper was designed to compare crop establishment and production, and weed and pest control effectiveness in the presence and absence of legume pasture residues. Project: EPF00001 Maintaining profitability in retained stubble systems - upper Eyre Peninsula.

The GRDC ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble - upper Eyre Peninsula’ project aims to improve farm profitability while retaining stubble in farming systems on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). Weed control in stubble retained systems can be compromised where herbicide efficacy is limited due to higher stubble loads, especially for preemergent herbicides. Current farming practices have also changed weed  behavior with later germinating barley grass genotypes now present in many paddocks on the Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) (B Fleet, EPFS Summary 2011). Several MAC farm demonstrations  were undertaken in 2014 to address barley grass weed issues including later germinating types and barley grass resistance to Group A herbicides. An integrated approach to weed management aimed at lowering the weed seed bank can make use of diverse techniques such as cultivation, stubble burning, in-crop competition using higher sowing rates and possibly row orientation. The weed seed bank can be reduced within the break phase by hay making, or green or brown manuring. Other techniques used effectively in WA on ryegrass and wild  radish have been narrow windrows and chaff carts. However there is limited information on the effectiveness of these tactics on barley grass in part because it is believed that most seed is shed well before harvest, limiting control. In 2015 the monitoring of farm paddock demonstrations in low rainfall farming systems to  assess control methods for grass weeds, mainly targeting barley grass, were undertaken by;
• Monitoring of narrow windrows in MAC paddocks N1 and N6W, and Bruce Heddle’s paddock CE42 (windrows and chaff dumps).
• Spray topping after oat and vetch hay (MAC paddock S4) using both crop competition (high seeding rate) followed by spray topping after the hay cut.

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).

One issue upper EP farmers identified as a problem was sowing into retained pasture residue with pasture vines causing issues with blockages at sowing and uneven germination. Also establishing legume pastures into heavy stubble residues has also an issue in this region. The trial at Mount Cooper was designed to compare plant establishment and production, and weed and pest control effectiveness in the presence and absence of previous crop or legume pasture residues.

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 S3S pasture trial was established in 2013 to assess barley grass weed management with a two year medic pasture break. The trial had different grass weed management and tillage treatments imposed in 2013 and in 2014. The trial was then sown with wheat in 2015.

To push the nitrogen inputs at Minnipa Agricultural Centre to achieve a target yield of 2 t/ha.

To determine the effect of N application rates on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Gilgandra in central NSW in 2015. 

To determine the effect of N rate on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Gilgandra in central NSW in 2015. 

To determine the effect of N application and sowing time on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Trangie in central NSW in 2015.

Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient wheat most needs for growth, development and yield. In recent seasons in Central West NSW there has been a significant trend towards above average yields and very low grain protein levels with more than 30% of grain receivals meeting ASW or lower specifications. Protein levels of <10.5% in a prime hard variety usually indicate that insufficient N levels have not only limited grain protein concentrations, but also yield. Soil testing for N levels before sowing remains an important budgeting tool. It is the most useful indicator within that season if additional applied N is needed to maximise yield and grain protein levels, along with starting soil water and target yield. This trial aimed to determine the effect of N application and sowing time on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Trangie in central NSW in 2015. 

To investigate the impact of row direction and row spacing on grass weed competition and ceral performance over three years.

Investigate the impact of soil management techniques and the application of different rates of lime over a five year period on soil pH.

To include a primary trial of breeding material funded by GRDC, at Minnipa, to investigate advanced common vetch lines with specific traits best suited to this region, and enable comparison with other sites in the southern cropping region.

SAGIT trials looking at vetch for a genuine legume break crop option for cereal and mixed farmers in the marginal cropping areas of South Australia were conducted at Piednippie and Minnipa. Other trials were conducted at Morchard, Loxton and Kingsford research centre.

To compare grain yield and grain quality of a mid-late maturing variety (Trojan) and two early-mid season maturing varieties (Mace and Scepter).

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 S3S pasture trial was established in 2013 to assess barley grass weed management with a two year medic pasture break. The trial had different grass weed management and tillage treatments imposed in 2013 and in 2014. The trial was then sown with wheat in 2015 and 2016.

The GRDC project ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble - upper Eyre Peninsula’ aims to improve farm profitability while retaining stubble in farming systems on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). Weed control in stubble retained systems can be compromised when stubbles and organic residues intercept the herbicide and prevent it from reaching the desired target, or the herbicide is tightly bound to organic matter. Reduced herbicide efficacy in the presence of higher stubble loads is a particular issue for pre-emergence herbicides. Current farming practices have also changed weed dormancy in barley grass genotypes in many paddocks on Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC).

As a part of the stubble project this trial was undertaken to assess herbicide efficacy (effectiveness) in different stubble management systems. To understand how herbicides perform it is important to know the properties of the herbicide, the soil type and how the herbicide is broken down in the environment. The availability of a herbicide is an interaction between the solubility of a herbicide, how tightly it is bound to soil particles and organic matter, soil structure, cation exchange capacity and pH, herbicide volatility, soil water content and the rate of herbicide applied (EPFS Summary 2015, p132).

This article reports on the results of the second year of the trial, with a third year of the trial to be conducted in 2017.

• To investigate legume pasture options for controlling group A (ACCase inhibitors) resistant barley grass (GRDC project UA00149).
• The trial also looked at the impact of these pasture treatments on a subsequent wheat crop and compared one vs. two consecutive years of legume pasture on barley grass management in the absence of group A herbicides.

Controlling barley grass in upper EP farming systems is becoming a major issue for growers, due to the development of herbicide resistance and delayed weed emergence. Management options other than herbicides need to be considered to address the issue for long-term sustainability. One of the best bets for cultural control of barley grass in-crop may be increased crop competition. The Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (ARHI) based at University of Western Australia has shown an increase in grain yield with wheat and barley sown in an east–west (E-W) orientation over crops sown in a north-south (N-S) orientation due to a decrease in ryegrass competition. This effect is due to lower light interception by the weed due to the crop row orientation resulting in a decrease in weed seed (Borger, 2015).

A trial was established at Minnipa Agricultural Centre to investigate the impact of row direction and row spacing on weed competition and cereal performance over twoyears. The previous season’s research is reported in Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Summary 2015, Row orientation and weed competition, p163.