trials

To determine the dollar value of nutrient removal by chaff cart or windrow burning systems of various crop types.

To demonstrate whether current seeder set ups within the region are capable of successfully sowing canola into heavy stubble.

The Upper North Farming systems group is involved in several Carbon Farming projects, which are trying to identify areas which have the greatest potential for soil carbon sequestration or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

To demonstrate whether current seeder set ups within the region are capable of successfully sowing wheat into a pasture with no-till. 

The aim of this trial is to determine and demonstrate if stubble management treatments can lead to a reduction in conical snail numbers.

The trial is based on techniques used in SA where snails on the stubble are knocked to the ground on to days (35 deg +) where they dehydrate and die. 

The trial tested and analysed the effectiveness of three techniques- speed-tilling, cableing and stubble crunching on snail mortality.  

This trial aims to provide growers with a clear percentage of the effect of three stubble management techniques (cabling, stubble crunching and speed tillage) on small conical snail mortality.  

Introduce more ‘tools’ into growers’ repertoire to control snails & reduce reliance on snail baiting. 

Demonstrate the effectiveness of ‘GrainCam’ to identify snail hot spots in paddocks and map their distribution for targeted future management.

To demonstrate the feed value of high biomass summer forage crops for increasing stocking rates and live weight gain of prime lambs and beef cattle compared to current systems used in the high rainfall zone. 

To understand the effects of stubble, row spacing and row direction on plant growth, grain yield and pod drop of lentil varieties differeing in architecture and tolerance to pod drop.

• To investigate the effect of chocolate spot and rust management strategies across a range of faba bean varieties.

• To investigate if optimum chocolate spot management strategies change in different row spacing’s and standing and burnt residue across a range of faba bean varieties.

• To compare and identify optimum sowing times of 6 field pea varieties to maximise grain yield and agronomic performance.
• To investigate whether field pea production in low rainfall areas is improved through stubble management in terms of grain yield, disease infection or harvestability.

• To assess the agronomic benefits of seeding pulses into standing cereal stubble and identify optimum standing stubble retention management strategies for maximising yields.

• To maximise yield of new lentil varieties through the identification of optimum sowing dates and stubble management strategies.

To understand the impact of frost, and the interaction of stubble management, ripping and frost on pulses

To investigate the impact of standing stubble on disease progression and resulting yield loss in faba bean.

To investigate the impact of standing stubble on ascochyta blight infection and resulting yield loss in chickpeas.

• To investigate if optimum chocolate spot management strategies change in different row spacings and standing and burnt residue across a range of faba bean varieties

• To investigate if optimum chocolate spot management strategies change in different row spacing’s and standing and burnt residue across a range of faba bean varieties.

• To investigate if optimum disease management strategies change in different row spacings in
  standing and burnt residue across a range of chickpea varieties, differing in ascochyta blight
  susceptibility.

• To compare and identify optimum sowing times of 6 field pea varieties to maximise grain yield and minimise impacts of disease.
• This trial also aims to investigate whether field peas could benefit from sowing into standing stubble compared to slashed stubble in low rainfall areas in terms of grain yield, disease infection or harvestability.

• To investigate the adaptability of a range of lentil varieties and breeding lines to wider row
  spacing’s sown inter-row in to standing stubble compared with conventional cropping systems
  (narrow row spacing with slashed stubble).
• The interaction sowing times is also compared.

• To maximise yield of new lentil varieties through the identification of optimum sowing dates and
  stubble management strategies to aid in disease management and harvestability.

• To investigate the interaction between genotype, sowing date and stubble management on grain yield, disease and agronomic characteristics of lentil in low rainfall modern farming systems of southern Australia.

• To investigate the adaptability of a range of field pea varieties to varying sowing dates, crop
  topping and disease control.

• To maximise yield of new field pea varieties through the identification of optimum sowing dates.

To evaluate commercially available Foliar applied stubble breakdown products.

To compare the effect of different stubble treatments on crop establishment, growth, grain yield and quality over a three year timeframe.

To develop agronomic packages and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

To help farmers to gain knowledge about alternate stubble management options. 

This demonstration was aimed at helping farmers to gain knowledge about alternate stubble management options.

The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions to allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning. 

To develop a means of enhancing stubble breakdown using nutrient and microbial supplements prior to planting of the next crop.

The aim of this investigation was to develop a means of enhancing stubble breakdown using nutrient supplements prior to planting of the next crop.

• To assess the value of a number of treatments in controlling slug numbers.
• To assess the impact of these treatments on canola yield. 

• To study the incidence of septoria and other fungal diseases on Kellalac wheat.
• To determine the effectiveness of different fungicides against these diseases. 
   

To test a number of grain legume crops grown in a stubble burnt and stubble retained situation and planted with different equipment.

The demo sites fit into the objectives of the HSSF project which are:

• Improve farmers’ capacity to manage soil health issues
• Identify appropriate soil management strategies, both at a landscape and industry level
• Develop and deliver data and information packages for farmers
• Develop and promote industry based training packages

This project assists farmers in adopting improved stubble management practices by comparing the performance of two stubble
systems – full incorporation and a no-till approach – to demonstrate the impacts of each system on soil health, water penetration and crop performance.

To test the hypothesis that incorporation of the carbon rich stubble into the soil will not necessarily increase the humus content of the soil and compare it with other stubble management systems and in particular examining the impact these systems have on the soils organic matter levels over a period of time.

To report on ian ntegrated weed management demonstration - cultural and chemical methods for controlling herbicide resistant annual ryegrass.

To assess the effectiveness and applicability of cultural control practices prior to crop seeding in combination with pre-emergent herbicides for the management of herbicide resistant annual ryegrass in the high rainfall zone of Victoria.

To investigate Stubble Management Systems to Reduce Dependence on Burning in the HRZ Region of Southern Australia.

The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

To compare the effect of different stubble treatments on crop establishment, growth, grain yield and quality over a three year timeframe. The sustainability of the treatments will also be evaluated with comparison of soil physical, chemical and biological data.

The aim of this trial was to compare the long term effects of different stubble treatments on crop establishment, growth, grain yield and quality.

To compare the long term effects of different stubble treatments on crop establishment, growth, grain yield and quality. The sustainability of treatments will also be evaulated with comparison of soil physical, chemical and biological data.

To demonstrate and evaluate a range of management strategies that could effectively reduce damage to emerging canola during establishment caused by slug species in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ)

To test and develop farming systems where retained stubble is managed in the HRZ without a reduction in profitability for the grower

All four trials were aiming to evaluate what alternative stubble retention practices can be implemented into the cropping system, without
incurring yield penalty or significant cost to the grower.