2008 trials

To evaluate the effectiveness of skip row spacing of lupins in a medium to low rainfall environment

To investigate herbicide control options for Slender Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum). The focus is on finding possible herbicide options that may allow for legume and grass pastures between bluebush or saltbush.

To assess and demonstrate the benefits of varying fertiliser inputs across a range of productivity zones from a poor performing shallow gravel to a good performing loamy earth.

• To assess the effectiveness of surface and deep placed lime to overcome subsoil acidity.
• To assess role of deep ripping in overcoming compaction and tramline farming to prevent compaction.

To determine if there are benefits from the application of the biological based product ‘TM21’ developed by Basic Environmental Systems and Technology (B.E.S.T).

To determine if there are benefits from the application of the biological based product ‘TM21’ developed by Basic Environmental Systems and Technology (B.E.S.T).

To determine if there are benefits from the application of the cereal seed treatment, Zorro in Wyalkatchem wheat.

Evaluation of new and existing wheat varieties with AH and APW classification.

To evaluate Buloke and Hindmarsh to industry standards.

To conduct an evaluation of new and existing chickpea varieties.

To investigate the crop safety of new products Boxer Gold (Syngenta) and Crusader (Dow).

To evaluate the yield response, efficacy and crop safety of various seed treatments in the control of root pathogens affecting wheat.

To evaluate new and existing Angustifolius Lupin varieties.

To demonstrate and compare nitrogen and phosphorus responses in wheat and canola side by side.

To determine the most effective seed treatment in wheat and evaluate any benefits from using imidacloprid on wheat.

To provide growers with useful information to understand the impact of sowing time on the yield and quality of new and current wheat varieties.

To conduct an evaluation of new and existing wheat varieties with AH and APW classification.

To examine the effect of increasing inputs to four commonly grown wheat varieties on profitability for growers.

To evaluate the effect various rates of granular urea spread 3-4 weeks post of seeding has on the yield and profitability of wheat.

To evaluate the long term effect various rates of lime applications has on yield and protein in wheat.

To determine responses to Super Phos, Potash and Lime in a pasture wheat rotation over 5 years.

To compare at seeding, delayed and split application of nitrogen at varying phosphorus rates.

To evaluate a group of Australian perennial legumes to select species useful for perennial pastures adapted to the northern wheatbelt’s low rainfall and acidic soils.

To evaluate the effectiveness of skip row spacing of wheat in a medium to low rainfall environment.

To investigate the potential of biological and organic matter inputs to increase soil water storage, target long-term yield increases and soil health and structure improvements.

To improve understanding of the range of tillage implements and techniques available to incorporate lime into acidic soils, their respective costs and benefits.

To explore whether cropping strategies using higher inputs are more water use efficient than lower input systems and to what extent this affects profit.

To explore whether cropping strategies using higher inputs are more water use efficient than lower input systems and to what extent this affects profit.

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

To measure nitrogen loss (as ammonia) from volatilisation after top-dressing wheat crops grown on two soil types: sandy loam in the Mallee and Wimmera clay, using different fertiliser types and application rates.

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

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

The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

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

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

To control weeds without compromising crop yield.

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

The original aim of this experiment was to test whether application of foliar fungicide to crops moderately resistant/moderately susceptible to stripe rust with infection detected at GS39-45 and of average yield potential (1.5-2.5t/ha) results in a profitable yield response. However, the experiment was side-tracked by a somewhat surprising result.

The canola variety trial at Mininera compares a number of commercially available Triazine Tolerant, Clearfield and Conventional canola varieties.

To evaluate forage varieties in a cropping system. 

To evaluate sub clover varieties in a cropping system. 

Since these inoculants have not had widespread use, the aim in this study was to test these new delivery systems and their effect on nodulating grain legumes in a range of Australian soils.

• To investigate the benefits of specialty phosphorus products and liquid phophorus options in cereals.

These trials aim to determine a yield and quality difference between oat varieties grown in the higher rainfall zone of Victoria.

To report on the Rural Finance wheat challenge for 2008.

• To compare a number of varieties that are either commercially available or close to commercial release that may be suitable for southwest Victoria.
• To evaluate the varieties with a fungicide programme, to determine the yield response of the varieties by comparing controlled leaf disease against an untreated check.

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

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

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