2007 trials

• To test the performance of a range of subsoil amendments.

• To demonstrate the effect of crop canopy densities on pollination.

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

• To demonstrate and refine the technique to suit the many mixed farmers on Kangaroo Island.

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

• To investigate the potential use of ProGibb SG as a growth promoting agent.

• To investigate the potential use of ProGibb SG as a growth promoting agent.

• To assess the yield response using honey bees for pollination in dryland faba beans.

To demonstrate yield of various forage crop varieties.

To conduct ground truthing for the Pastures from space program, which provides estimates of pasture growth rate during the growing season by mean of remote sensing.

• To demonstrate how Pastures from Space technologies can be used to increase grazier’s skills in sustainably increasing stocking rates.

To assess the effects of trace elements on anuello wheat production.

• To test the ability of a range of drainage treatments to improve crop yields in soil prone to waterlogging.

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 gain knowledge that will allow the Australian grains industry to maintain productivity by adapting crops and cropping systems to the effects of elevated CO2.

Trials were conducted by the BCG to evaluate a range of these alternative oilseed options.

To consider how the system choices in the BCG farming systems trial over the past eight years would play out with likely 2008 prices, and to highlight some of the consistent lessons that can be applied on-farm, to farming systems change in 2008.

To investigate:

• the efficacy of the pre-emergent herbicide treatments on brome grass,
• the weed competitiveness of different varieties at different row spacing configurations, and
• the relative yields of the different varieties with the different herbicide applications and row spacing configurations.

To generate independent information for growers about newly released barley crop varieties.

To investigate:

• the effect of time of cutting on canola dry matter, quality and profitability,
• the effect of variety selection on canola dry matter, quality and profitability, and
• the profitability of hay compared to grain production.

To comment on canola varieties for 2008.

To conduct a chickpea variety trial.

To conduct a pre-release evaluation (crop tolerance testing) of potential new canola quality Brassica juncea varieties (J05Z-08920 and J05Z-08960) for tolerance to the appropriate CLEARFIELD® (imidazolinone) herbicide products.

To investigate pre-emergent trifluralin mixes for the control of Group A resistant ryegrass.

To investigate pre-emergent trifluralin mixes for the control of Group A resistant ryegrass.

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

To dicusss developments in herbicide resistance and new products.

To discuss the costs of fertilisers.

To identify suitable lucerne varieties for the Mallee and test if there are differences in establishment, persistence and production between them.

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

This project is investigating strategies for maintaining frog populations on farms using wildlife ponds.

To improve soil health and sustainable soil management practices in the region.

To establish the interaction between nitrogen and timing and the need for fungicide management.

To discuss the best lentil varieties to minimise Ascochyta blight losses.

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

To determine the most economical rate of phosphorus (P) in a southern Mallee cropping system over time. 

To assess a number of different nitrogen timings and nitrogen products.

To enhance the adaptive capacity of agricultural systems in order to deal with further changes expected as a result of human-induced climate change.

To conduct three polymer trials. 

To determine whether responses ‘to liquid P, found in wheat are the same as those found in barley, canola, oats and lentils.

To report on a  series of in-crop risk management plots that were established at BCG’s three research and demonstration sites (Manangatang, Birchip and Longerenong).

To conduct trials investigating stripe and stem rust – wheat variety performance.

To determine the effect of stubble management (standing, slashed or burnt) on the crop safety of pre-sowing herbicides, and their efficacy against Group A-resistant annual ryegrass.

To comment on 2007 - the year that was.

To look at the application of disease and canopy management principles and their application to the different climatic regions of southern Australia.

To look at the application of disease and canopy management principles and their application to the different climatic regions of southern Australia.

To investigate wheat canopy management.

To comment on Yield Prophet® 2007.

To determine the interaction of row spacing and plant population on chickpea yield.