2008 trials

• To allow producer groups to trial new grazing systems in their local environment at a commercial scale.

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

• To investigate the potential of kikuyu as a hardy pasture species on Kangaroo Island.

• To test a new product on the market - liquid lime - which is being advertised as being faster and more effective than bulk lime.

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

• To test the growth of a range of pasture and fodder species.

To observe the development of wheat varieties through breeding over the last 100 years.

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.

To demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of new pre-emergen chemistry, Bayer 191, in reducing resistant ryegass populations in winter cereals.

To comment on nine new varieties of canola that will be marketed for 2009 sowings.

To discuss how to minimise risk while maximising yields.

To demonstrate the risk of sowing certain crop types in the year following application of common pre-emergent herbicide mixtures to chickpeas.

To test chickpea variety yields as part of the Pulse Breeding Australia and National Variety Testing programs.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

To quantify how paddock stubble load and weed burden during summer can affect soil water, nutrients and subsequent crop yield.

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

To discuss the effects of drought and other pressures upon farming families in the Wimmera Southern Mallee region.

To report on the results of recent herbicide resistance ryegrass surveys.

To look at the combination of four phosphorus rates (0, 9, 18 and 36kg P/ha applied via triple superphosphate) and five nitrogen rates (zero, 20, 40, 80 and 160kg N/ha applied via urea) as well as two nitrogen timings, at sowing and top-dressed.

To evaluate the crop safety and efficacy on annual ryegrass of soil-incorporated pre-emergent herbicides in dry and wet sowing conditions.

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

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

To compare soil P tests for predicting crop responses on a paddock scale.

• 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 see how different the machinery requirements are in different farming systems.

To discuss the feeding of sheep.

To conduct a field pea variety trial.

To demonstrate a range of crop types and end-uses that could have a role in the low rainfall farming systems of the Mallee.

To demonstrate a range of crop types and end-uses that could have a role in the low rainfall farming systems of the Mallee.

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

• To determine if fluid sources of phosphorus (P) have a greater efficiency for cereal production in the Southern Mallee.
• To ascertain whether the effectiveness and delivery of micronutrients, such as Zinc (Zn), is improved when supplied as a fluid.

• To determine whether wildlife ponds installed adjacent to existing farm dams in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee channel/dam region can attract and support frogs.
• To determine whether there is any capacity for frog populations in the Northern Mallee Pipeline region, which may still be dormant in and around old dams, to respond to the addition of water through a wildlife pond and re-occupy these sites.

To improve farmer’s capacity to manage soil health issues by providing information and access to soil management strategies and techniques