2006 trials

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

To look at the effectiveness of grinding our local limesands and comparing the changes in soil pH against unground lime.

To investigate the different responses on pasture growth to triple, single and gold phosphorus fertiliser application.

To test the impact of adding gypsum, lime or fertilisers to the subsoil of a profile typical for the Vivonne Bay environment but in a situation which usually gets very wet, and is designed to run for at least two years.

To answer the following questions:

1. Does it matter what form the nitrogen is in? (i.e. granular vs foliar), and
2. Is it best to apply a little often or can you get away with just one big application?

• To investigate the potential of preventative fungicide applications on wheat crops to provide longer protection and potential saving of yeild.

1. To evaluate the effectiveness of raised beds in increasing grazing productivity on saline land.
2. To determine if raised beds improve productivity sufficiently enough to justify the cost.
3. To determine if raised beds significantly impede day-to-day management.

To assess the effectiveness of a range of soil ameliorants.

• To identify key ingredients of agronomic packages which deliver high yielding wheat crops with good quality in the Parndana environment.

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 determine if DGT could predict P fertiliser requirements for the field and to compare results from the DGT soil P test with other common soil P testing techniques (Colwell P and resin).

To discuss agronomic practices – frost risk rankings table.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

This paper addresses three issues:

• The challenges facing high input farming systems,
• How valid is biological farming as an alternative, and
• Can high input farming and alternative methods be integrated?

To discuss canola variety selection for 2007.

To compare the weaknesses and strengths of common non-ownership options and proposes an alternative to the norm.

To assess the ryegrass control ability of crop rotation, in combination with pre- and post- emergent herbicides.

To report on the Farming Systems trial 2006.

• To compare performance of four different farming systems, over the years 2003-08, using prices appropriate for 2009.
• To use a machinery inventory and relevant costings compared with contract pricing for operations.

To discuss the criteria for financial viability after drought.

To help conventional (till) and no-till farmers appreciate the differences in management issues between the two establishment techniques and associated farming systems.

To increase our understanding of how relative grain yields in different parts of a paddock in the Mallee region vary year to year (and between crop types) and how these changes are related to soil type and seasonal rainfall.

To detail how to get started with no-till in 2007.

To discuss good drought recovery.

To provide guidelines to developing a robust leasing or share farming system.

To investigate the yield response of wheat to zinc enriched fertiliser, MAP and no fertiliser control.

To improve the management of grain crops in the Mallee region of Victoria using precision agricultural technology: and more specifically, to improve the understanding of the causes of spatial variability within a paddock and its interaction with seasonal conditions as this knowledge is regarded as essential to developing appropriate management strategies in precision agriculture.

To discuss how to improve ecological function in vegetation remnants.

To investigate in-crop nitrogen timing and product choice for wheat.

To answer the question 'Can we manage inputs in-crop that will yield well in a good season whilst also maintaining yields and keeping costs down in poorer seasons?'.

To investigate inter row sowing and no-till.

To investigate inter row sowing and no-till.

To investigate inter row sowing and no-till.

To investigate inter row sowing and no-till.

To investigate the discovery of two Lontrel resistant weed biotypes have been identified (not in Australia).

To discuss the issues and challenges facing UK farmers.

To discuss how to keep summer weed control cost effective.

To measure the variation of extractable (labile) P in the crop row and inter row following drought affected cereals in 2006 & to investigate the removal of P in relation to yield.

To determine whether the fluid product technical grade mono-ammonium phosphate (TGMAP) is more efficient than the granular formulation MAP. The trial also investigates the addition of micronutrients Zinc and Copper.

To assess the long-term impact of a range of P fertiliser rates on crop yield and economic returns

To demonstrate the symptoms of crown rot and how different varieties tolerate the disease pressure.

To discuss how to manage herbicide carryover after a drought.

To determine if there was an economical benefit in top-dressing nitrogen on a steep sandy rise, with a good zinc history at Hopetoun.

The aim for nutrient management in 2007 is to supply the crop requirements without over- or under-investing.

• To balance between maximising production, through the application of nitrogen, and quality, where one of the marketing factors is the level of soluble sugars, which are reduced through the application of nitrogen.
• To provide herbicide alternatives to Lontrel, that has been prohibited from use in export oaten hay crops due to residual presence of the herbicide in the stems and leaves.
• To provide best bet variety options.

To identify the options that farmers would, and in some instances are, using to manage climate variability and adapt to climate change.

To discuss PA management.

To identify suitable pasture species for the SA Mallee.

Perennial pastures are being investigated for their potential fit in the Wimmera Mallee region.