trials

To assess amelioration options for water repellent sandplain soils.

To demonstrate if there are any benefits of applying biochar to increase crop and pasture production in the West Midlands

To motivate growers to carry out direct problem diagnostics in their crops using:

• nutrient and deep cultivation strips in crops, to compare with standard management;
• follow-up work to find out why they have observable crop growth variations in a paddock

To develop a protocol for setting up strip tests and interpretation procedures for growers with different levels of commitment and time and to answer the 'why is it so?' quesitons.

To evaluate the effectiveness of two bolt-on attachments to a deep ripping tine at lime incorporation.

To determine whether a profit can be achieved from incorporating lime in the year it is applied.

To compare and assess the effectiveness of one-off tillage treatments on soil water repellence, water infiltration, crop establishment and productivity on a water repellent gravel.

To assess the second year impact of mouldboard ploughing on wetting up of water repellent soil and on lupin establishment and yield.

To characterise the residual value of different P sources and changes in soil fertility (SOC, CEC, pH, nutrient supply, non-wetting, compaction) after 30 plus years, using soil measurements and bioassay cropping.

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 report on outcomes of the Upper North Water Use Efficiency Project.

The demonstrate issues key to the current GRDC funded Stubble Initiative Project.

To investigate the possible advantages of varying nitrogen rates over different soil types on a field in the Upper North region.

To investigate amelioration options for sands that have low water holding capacity, low organic matter, low nutrient availability, compaction, non wetting and high risk for wind erosion.

To investigate deep ripping over several sites and seasons .

To promote early vigour to improve biomass and yield partitioning in faba bean.

To evaluate the effects of timing of potassium application on growth and vigor of faba bean.

• To compare new lentil varieties with current commercial varieties as well as current commercial field pea varieties and Kaspa type pea blends on two different soil types.

To evaluate effects of soil amendments on yields of pulses grown in nutrient deficient soils

To evaluate agronomic strategies to overcome constrained soils where lentil is grown in high intensity production zones of the Yorke Peninsula.

To investigate the response of lentil to application of microbial inoculants and micro and macro nutrients across a sandhill and swale soil at Ouyen and a sandy loam at Curyo.

To compare the performance of a range of pulse varieties and sowing dates in two contrasting soil types in North Central Victoria.

To investigate the effect controlled traffic and shallow raised beds has on soil structure and grain yields/quality on a Balliang sandy loam overlying a clay loam. 
 

• To demonstrate effectiveness of controlled traffic in the more traditional high rainfall cropping ares of Western Victoria.
• To compare controlled traffic, raised beds and conventional flat cropping methods.

To answer the question: Can incorporation of lime speed up yield response?

To answer the question: choosing lime - what you need to know to make better decisions

To report on what you need to know to make better liming decisions.

To report on crop expansion and improved yields with reduced risk through the development of cheap and effective drainage techniques suitable for south west Victoria.

To determine the effect of subsoil manuring on crop performance, specifically to investigate which component of subsoil manuring gives the crop a boost.

This site was designed to demonstrate the practical implications of implementing Controlled Traffic and
Precision Agriculture practices

To identify the best rotation (or system) for the region, that will also prevent the degradation or loss of soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. 

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

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

To report on the high inupt cropping trial.

To undertake an economic and agronomic evaluation of a high input treatment versus a district practice treatment.

To answer the question: how fast is lime moving and is it treating acidity at depth?

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

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 see if soil nutrient levels constrain production in the Victorian high rainfall zone.
• To formulate tools which predict the production, economic response and risk of applying inputs to wheat and canola crops within the south-eastern high rainfall zones.

To find a reliable high yielding and profitable pulse crop for the "high rainfall, cool climate" zone of southern Victoria and one which suits raised beds.

To evaluate the raised bed technology for reducing crop losses caused by waterlogging.

To examine the effects of some of the common bed renovation treatments adopted by the farmers, particularly on soil structure, soil water dynamics and subsequent crop performance on beds. 

To examine the effects of some of the common bed renovation treatments adopted by the farmers, particularly on soil structure, soil water dynamics and subsequent crop performance on beds. 

This trial was designed to compare the amount of irrigation water required by canola on raised beds with conventionally prepared ground.

To drill 6kg/ha canola seed, plus 110 kg/ha MAP and 100 kg/ha urea.

To determine whether raised beds would assist in waterlogging control and give higher crop returns.

To identify whether there is an advantage in using deep ripping or shallow cultivation compared to direct drill to improve the ability of crops to utilize soil water at depth.

To identify whether deep ripping and other soil treatments will result in an increase in spring water use by crops and therefore increased yields and improved grain quality.