trials

The aim of this experiment was to test a novel method of imposing heat stress in the field and determine the effect of heat stress on canola grain yield and its interaction with water availability

To explore the assumptions used in our regular N2O emissions sampling. These campaigns examined:

1. the variation in N2O emissions in relation to chamber closure time.
2. the variation in N2O emissions over a full 24-hour period 
3. the variation in N2O across a two metre cross section of hills and furrows within a cotton crop.

To assess the efficacy of two nitrification inhibitors, 3,4-dimethylpyrazole (DMP) and nitrapyrin, when applied directly into the anhydrous ammonia stream during pre-plant nitrogen (N) application for commercial irrigated cotton production.

Toreport on decisions used by NSW grains industry advisers to determine nitrogen fertiliser management recommendations.

 To determine the various causes and to address concerns around fusarium head blight (FHB) infections.

To determin if harvest weed seed practices can be adopted to reduce soil week seed banks in high yielding HRZ areas of the southern region to address herbicide resistance issue.

To explore systems to control the air–water interface to reduce evaporation from water storages.

The objectives of this study were to assess the current level of infestations of Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) both in dryland and irrigated cotton farming systems and also to investigate the germination biology for future phenology/biology studies of this species.

• To evaluate the benefit of yield and pod development from the introduction of bees and the management of the pollination process.

• To participate in a farm tour in Tasmania and learn about the Topoclimate project, which provides very detailed soil and microclimate mapping which will enable producers to pick their best-bet options for improved farming practices and identify options for value adding and product diversification.

To investigate swathing early then harvesting for weed seed collection to evaluate usefulness for farmers in providing another tool for integrated weed management, especially for barley grass that matures and sheds seed before crops ripen.

The aim of the project was to increase the understanding and awareness of how spatial measurement tools (EM38 mapping, Imagery data, RTK Elevation Data & Yield Mapping) can be utilised to identify variations in soil capabilities & to then demonstrate how management can potentially be changed over these areas & the economics of implementing these changes.4 of the 6 sites were looking at changes in Nitrogen management over the demonstration paddocks, another site focussed on varying rates of gypsum & the final site looked at seeding rates & varieties in broad beans.

To look at the economic benefits of varying inputs based on various technologies. To assess the technologies that have the best or most reliable outcome in varying situations over a 3-4 year period, and to assess what is happening at sites where soil manipulation has occured by looking at above ground yields and comparing with below ground soil carbon levels. 

To investigate the use of Gamma Radiometrics in SA. 

To share Tim Buck's story about using technology to make better farming decisions.

To explore issues of footrot in sheep and goats on Kangaroo Island. 

To identify patterns of herbicide resistance levels on Kangaroo Island in 2009.

The KI Feral Pig Eradication project was funded to take advantage of this one silver lining of the fires. The program is a collaboration between PIRSA, Kangaroo Island Landscape Board and KI National Parks and Wildlife Service working together with the KI community, including AgKI, Livestock SA, KI Plantation Timbers and KI Council.

A guide to weather and climate on Kangaroo Island

heep Blow Fly (SBF) causes significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) researchers are developing the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for Sheep Blow Fly.

The Kangaroo Island Topoclimate Pilot Project was developed and promoted by the KI Development Board in partnership with local farmers, the KI Natural Resources Management Board and Rural Solutions SA.

Previous work in the Mallee has shown the EM38 technology has benefited farm profit. On that basis we have commenced a demonstration on the Minnipa Agricultural Centre to validate previous Mallee outcomes.

To reinvigorate the livestock component of the EP farming system.

• The Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) has been funded by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to run a research and extension program (Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 3 – Responsive Farming Systems) to improve water use efficiency on farms by 10% on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). This is seen as one of the main ways to improve profit and manage risk for farm businesses.

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.

Barley grass is now one of the top 10 weeds of Australian cropping in terms of area infested, crop yield loss and revenue loss (Llewellyn et al. 2016). Barley grass has several biological traits that make it difficult for growers to manage it in the low rainfall zone, so it is not surprising that it is becoming more prevalent in field crops in SA and WA.

Through recent GRDC investment, the research project ‘Demonstrating and validating the implementation of integrated weed management strategies to control barley grass in the low rainfall zone farming systems’ (hereby referred to as GRDC Low Rainfall Barley Grass) has commenced. An initial grower survey of current practice and attitudes towards barley grass was undertaken in 2019 to be used as the baseline to assess changes in grower attitudes and any change in practices after the completion of the three-year project.

Barley grass weed density was monitored in three paddocks on upper EP (Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Heddle's at Minnipa and Wilkins' at Yaninee) using a UAV during the 2017 growing season at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks.

Barley grass weed density was monitored in three paddocks on upper EP (Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Heddle’s at Minnipa and Wilkins’ at Yaninee using an UAV during the 2017 (EPFS Summary 2017, p 83) and 2018 growing seasons at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks.

Barley grass continues to be a major grass weed in cereal cropping regions on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). The use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to identify and assess barley grass populations in paddocks and monitor potential resistant populations may be a useful tool for farmers. This approach was tested in three paddocks on upper EP Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Minnipa Hill and Yaninee using a UAV during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 growing seasons at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks. In 2019 grass weed escape paddocks were targeted at MAC and Condada in the final flights.

The aim of the research was to determine if the UAV imagery could monitor the grass weed populations across seasons in crops and pastures, if resistant weed patches were continually in the same area of the paddock and if the information could be useful for farmers to adopt this method to better target grass weed control.

To build resilience into EP farms by understanding the interactions between soil potential, climate and management.

To test whether knowledge of soil potential, soil variation and in-season predictions of grain yield with Yield Prophet could be useful to improving management.

Why do the trial? 
Barley grass possesses several biological traits that make it difficult for growers to manage in the low rainfall zone, so it is not surprising that it is becoming more prevalent in field crops in SA. A survey by Llewellyn et al. (2015) showed that barley grass has now made its way into the top 1 0 weeds of Australian cropping in terms of the area infested, crop yield loss, and revenue loss. In this survey, barley grass was ranked as the 7th most costly weed to control by the growers in SA and VIC Mallee and Mid-North, Lower Yorke and Eyre Peninsula. In a previous random survey in SA in 2012, Shergill et al. (2015) identified resistance to quizalofop in 15% of barley grass populations from Upper North and Eyre Peninsula. Additional herbicide-resistant populations have been identified since the previous survey. Growers in these regions have observed many control failures and have been collaborating with this GRDC-funded project to confirm the resistance status of their barley grass populations. 

A recent N LP2 investment, Adapting cropping systems to changing climatic conditions to reduce inputs and maximise water use through improving crop competitiveness, is a demonstration and extension project which started in late 2019. An initial grower survey of current management practices and attitudes towards barley grass was undertaken in March 2020 to be used as the baseline to assess changes in grower attitudes and changes in practices at the completion of the project. 

This project is being carried out across the South East Region to assess the role that Precision Agriculture (PA) can play in the region, what the most effective PA techniques are, and the role of PA in soil carbon management.

The project aims to educate farmers across the region, and the wider agricultural community on how working with the environment will provide long term economic and social benefits.

Varied. Please see article. 

The project aims to unlock value in existing data to drive innovation in agronomy and livestock management by bringing together data from a range of sources including satellite, soil moisture probe networks, weather stations, proximal sensing and yield models. By working with farmers and advisors to link data with decision making, the project aims to make more informed and significantly improved land management decisions. 

To assess the effect of blackleg on canola crops and varieties in the South East of SA.

To present the Cereal Variety Disease Guide for 2011.

To report on the Paxton's efforts to “to keep the soil pH above 5, we know if we don’t, we start losing production”. 

To present ideas around drought being a catalyst for change.

To discuss the criteria for financial viability after drought.

To discuss good drought recovery.

To discuss planning for a successful cropping year.

To inform about the 1995 farm bill.

To comment on the year that was 2006.

To review the broadscale weather pattern and summarise implications for the 2007 cropping season, i.e. May-October.

To present the main messages from the agronomy trial work undertaken in 2005.