2012 trials

• Quantify current levels of herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass and common sow thistle across key herbicide groups in dryland and irrigated farming systems in the Griffith region of NSW.
• Collect site specific information to categorise levels of risk for developing herbicide resistance for various farming systems, based on rotational history and farming practices.
• Assess the ability of growers and advisers to predict the resistance status of each sample.

• To investigate the use of slotted drainpipe (Agpipe) for removal of water from waterlogged crops.

To report on results of a visit by Wayne Hawthorne (esteemed pulse expert from Pulse Australia) to Kangaroo Island.

To answer the question: can you affod to lime?

• To investigate the impacts burying organic matter at depth.

• To conduct pasture trials and assess for plant density, plant size/vigor and basal cover.

• To look at the effectiveness of placing lime at depth.

• To investigate the use of Kikuyu in farming systems on Kangaroo Island.

• To investigate the use of Kikuyu in farming systems on Kangaroo Island.

• To investigate soil acidity in Kangaroo Island soils.

To have paddocks re-tested for soil pH post liming and results were compared to the pH level prior to liming.

• To investigate nitrogen management strategies in waterlogged soils.

• To investigate the effect of some common trace elements on wheat yields in waterlogged soils. zinc, copper and manganese were used in the trial as they are micronutrient deficiencies known to occur in southern Australia.

• To benchmark wheat varieties for growth on Kangaroo Island.

• To compare the efficacy of a range of foliar applied fungicides for eyespot control.
• To compare fungicide efficacy at two application timings.

To ascertain the major differences in soil types in the region, and provide more accurate and timely information on a broad, generic scale that would have better relevance for growers in the region.

To identify low risk, profitable break crops and end-uses for the Mallee region, and quantify their benefits to subsequent wheat crops.

To identify low risk, profitable break crops and end-uses for the Mallee region, and quantify their benefits to subsequent wheat crops.

To increase grain protein (%) in wheat and barley by means of late applications of nitrogen (N) applied as UAN.

To evaluate the feed response of barley and oats to two different N rates applied at sowing and post-sowing, and the economic returns from sheep production.

To assess the Farming Systems trial for changes in the soil properties/health that may have occurred between each of the four systems since 2000.

To test the persistence and performance of summer-active perennial grasses in a Mallee environment and the potential for pasture cropping.

To evaluate a vigorous hybrid canola variety in a low rainfall Mallee environment for its grazing value at different growth stages, and its ability to recover from grazing.

The aim of this trial was to compare the performance of very early sown wheat varieties, their early grazing potential and ability to recover from grazing.

To evaluate the performance of new and current barley varieties in the Mallee and Wimmera.

To determine whether maintaining stubble cover in low rainfall environments increases summer moisture conservation, and, to establish the minimum stubble quantity or threshold necessary to ensure maximum moisture conservation over the summer.

To investigate the adaptability of a range of new lentil varieties and variety mixes to varying sowing dates, identify levels of tolerance to a range of group B herbicides in several breeding lines of lentils which have been selected from the Pulse Breeding Australia breeding program for improvements in tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides.

To investigate the effects of grazing livestock in no-till paddocks on soil structure, soil compaction and soil moisture, weed seed burial and carbon/nitrogen cycling in no-till farming systems.

To evaluate commercially available forage cereal varieties, comparing their feed value and suitability for grazing or grain production in low rainfall Mallee and Wimmera environments.

To evaluate commercially available forage cereal varieties, comparing their feed value and suitability for grazing or grain production in low rainfall Mallee and Wimmera environments.

To measure: nitrous oxide fluxes in a wheat crop when different rates of nitrogenous urea fertiliser were applied. The effect on wheat yield and quality of applying fertiliser at zero, medium and high urea rates.

To assess the soil and fertiliser (external) P requirements of different crop types in low phosphorus environments.

To compare the performance of certified (F1) vs retained (F2) generations of an open-pollinated and hybrid canola variety at different plant densities.

To compare crop safety of Sakura on two barley varieties (Hindmarsh and Scope) sown at different depths.

• To investigate the efficacy of several commercial snail baits on juveniles of the four pest snail species, and assess the effect of bait size and density on mortality.
• To conduct preliminary trials to investigate the usefulness of caffeine and Perlka as additional snail management tools.

To evaluate the performance of new and current wheat varieties in the Mallee and Wimmera.

To quantify the effect of paddock stubble management and weed burden during the summer fallow on crop available soil water, nutrients and yield.

To test whether sheep grazing in no-till systems damages soil and reduces crop yields.

To compare the efficacy of broadleaf selective herbicides to control radish in wheat.

This trial was established to investigate current fungicide seed treatment options in cereals and compare these with EverGol Prime for Rhizoctonia control.

To identify nutrient and stubble management practices which result in increased soil organic matter.

To compare alternative agronomic practices that may improve establishment of new and current barley varieties in wider row spacings.

To compare alternative agronomic practices that may improve establishment of new and current barley varieties in wider row spacings.

To measure the trade-off between medic pasture growth and yield of a following cereal crop, with different termination timing of the medic pasture.

To determine whether rhizobial inoculation of vetch enhances the amounts of N fixed. To evaluate the effect the timing of vetch termination has on inputs of fixed N, and on residual soil moisture and mineral N measured at the end of the 2012 growing season.

To determine the effectiveness of controlling brome grass seed set with crop-topping short- season cereals sown at different times.