trials

• To allow producer groups to trial new grazing systems in their local environment at a commercial scale.

Growers in this environment have been hesitant to graze canola due to the long season traditional grazing varieties and the risk of heat stress in late spring/ early summer. The hope was that a series 5 spring variety would mature earlier and require one less irrigation in spring. The growers were accepting that a yield decrease would occur however it would save them an irrigation.

This study compared OC and nitrogen (N) stocks at the conclusion of a five-year grazing trial on a fertilised native pasture in south-eastern Australia.

To determine the success of Pasture Cropping for different starting pasture compositions and crop sequences (i.e. the difference betweencropping year-after-year compared to doing it once) in comparison to No Till cropping and pasture treatments. Success will be assessed by the profitability of the crop, the grazing value of the pasture, perennial grass recruitment and resource condition.

To draw on this previous work and is testing a ‘best bet’ approach to incorporating OMSB into wheat belt farming systems in NSW.

To assess the differences between disc and tyne seeding systems in commercial practice.

To test whether sheep grazing in no-till systems damages soil and reduces crop yields.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To assess the impact of sheep grazing on crops, stubbles, soil structure, water dynamics and crop yield.

To discuss strategies and tactics to extend whole-farm water-use efficiency - sow on-time or early!

To determin the effect of grazing and burning stubbles on grain yield and quality in no-till and zero-till controlled traffic farming systems in SNSW.

To use the simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture over a 41-year period.

To record experiences of farmers using rotational grazing on stubbles (putting high numbers of stock on paddocks for short periods of time) suggest that more surface cover remains and less tracking is evident compared to paddocks where a lower stocking density for longer periods is used.

To assess the potential of a range of multi-trait breeders’ lines for commercial development.

To evalaute the new canola variety Taurus which has been released for grazing and grain production in the higher rainfall zone.

The main aims of this demonstration are to:

• Increase farmer knowledge about the N2O emissions made from fertiliser and legumes;  
• Reveal options available to reduce N20 emissions; and
• Provide information about nutrient use efficiency to maximise productivity.

To identify alternative grazing systems that are both sustainable and profitable in low-medium rainfall zones where cropping is no longer viable due to high risks and changing climatic conditions.

To report on the combined use of sophisticated biophysical models such as Grass Gro with localised rainfall, temperature and carbon dioxide levels predicted from various climate models out to 2030. 

To compare the grain yield and quality of barley varieties with grazing and annual ryegrass (ARG).

To investigate the quality and quantity of kikuyu pastures.

To demonstrate inter-row pasture options for the low rainfall zone.

To implement the findings of previous work conducted on the establishment of native perennial grasses in the Upper North.

Tol trial a range of practices to increase sequestration of soil carbon, including:

• 1.Unviable cropping land managed for the introduction and/or increased levels of perennial component in pastures ( 3 sites);
• 2.Implementation of rotational grazing managed pasture for increased levels of cover and biomass (3 sites);
• 3.Degraded land managed for the introduction and/or increased levels of perennial component in pastures (4 sites); and
• 4.Land managed for the introduction and/or increased levels of perennial component in pastures (3 sites).

This project is investigating where and how perennials, including fodder shrub species can fit into our farming systems and the benefits they can have on production andsustainability.

To report on what has been learnt about growing kikuyu on Kangaroo Island.

To give an indication of performance at different parts of the island.

This trial aims to assess the biomass production and quality of legumes oversown with cereals.

To assess the role of annual medics as a break crop in a wheat-sheep mixed farming system, by measuring the biomass produced over the growing season followed by the retention of the pasture residue over the summer autumn period, then subsequently assessing the impact of the pasture in the following cereal phase in terms of yield and grain quality.

To include the Minnipa flock within the program to help:

• educate ram buyers of the merits of ASBVs so they seek out, and buy rams from, breeders that are members of Sheep Genetics “LAMPLAN” or “MERINOSELECT”.
• encourage more breeders to become members of Sheep Genetics “LAMPLAN” or “MERINOSELECT” and to offer ASBVs on sale rams.
• encourage more breeders to use ASBVs when buying stud sires or semen.

• To investigate the potential to incorporate a mixture of perennial species into farming systems in low-rainfall areas across southern Australia.

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 search for greater profit and improved management of feed gaps and pastures, which are incentives for grazing cereals.

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

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 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 provide data to assist in decision making of using a cereal for grazing, hay and/or grain based on seasonal conditions, while knowing the relative multipurpose performance of the cereal options.

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. 

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.

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.

• 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.