2014 trials

To test 8 TT varieties of hybrid and open pollinated canola.

To investigate the merit of fodder crops in the crop rotation, with particular interest in weed control, nitrogen and gross margin.

To investigate the impacts burying at depth organic matter (using a Neutrog product Bounce Back) and gypsum using the subsoiler machine.

To monitor how quickly the lime would change the pH down the profile.

To test eight commonly grown TT canola varieties.

To investigate the role of the nitrogen stabilisers and plant stimulants on pastures.

To look at nitrogen and sulphur management in wheat.

To assess broad bean root nodulation success.

To use six different labs (Soil Food Web, CSBP, APAL, AgPath, Microbwise and Solvita) to analyse soil microbiology on six different properties across Kangaroo Island.

To give an indication of performance at different parts of the island.

To undertake a variable rate grazing trial in pastures.

To summarise the current knowledge about waterlogging on Kangaroo Island.

Soil compaction affects soil aeration and gas diffusivity, and thus has a major impact on the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from fertilised soils. Controlled traffic farming (CTF) systems reduce the area of compacted soil by confining all field traffic to permanent traffic lanes, and a pilot trial at one long-term CTF site provided evidence of reduced soil emissions. We investigated the effect of CTF on soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) using replicate manual chamber measurements in 3 traffic treatments;namely:non-trafficked CTF beds, permanent CTF lanes,and a single traffic pass on CTF beds to simulate the random traffic tracks of non-controlled traffic farming. Emissions of N2O and CH 4 were monitored from these treatments in 15 crops over 3 years on 6 grain farms in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

Thus, the major objective was to determine the emissions of N2O and CH4 from random trafficked and permanent traffic lane soil, relative to those from non-trafficked CTF beds. These emission ratios are referred to here as traffic impact factors.
 

To determine the amount and availability of N from wheat stubble under varying stubble management practices over three cropping seasons.

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

To determine the influence of break sequences (2011-2012) followed by consecutive wheat crops (2013-2014) on soil water, nitrogen, brome grass populations and profitability.

To assess the impact of time of sowing (TOS) on a range of wheat variety maturity classes (winter wheat, slow and mid spring maturing varieties) and to measure the impact of plant density and the presence of weeds (simulated with tame oats) on these varieties.

To identify the most effective herbicide brews to control fumitory.

To monitor the feed value and grain production from different types of grazed cereal crops in Northern Victoria.

To monitor the feed value and grain production from different types of grazed cereal crops in Northern Victoria.

To monitor the feed value and grain production from different types of grazed cereal crops in Northern Victoria.

To investigate the yield and quality effects of a delayed harvest on a range of barley varieties.

To determine the best nitrogen and sulphur strategy for wheat grown on sandy soils in the Mallee with a full profile of moisture and a forecast El Nino.

To determine whether Moddus Evo, applied with and without fungicide at different timings, influenced the level of lodging and head loss in Scope CL barley, and to compare its performance against other PGRs when applied at GS31.

To compare the sprouting susceptibility of new and existing wheat and barley varieties.

To determine whether sowing direction influences wheat and barley grain yields in the southern grains region.

To determine the most effective herbicide for use on statice.

To investigate the influence of stubble management and rate on the duration, severity and frost damage in frost prone parts of the landscape in the Mallee and Wimmera regions.

To validate the effect of grazing intensity and growth stage on forage value and yield response of different wheat varieties, with sowing times suited to cultivar.

To determine how the management of a vetch crop (termination timing and end-use) influences the yield and quality of a following wheat crop grown for two consecutive years.

To determine how the management of a vetch crop (termination timing and end-use) influences the yield and quality of a following wheat crop grown for two consecutive years.

To determine how the management of a vetch crop (termination timing and end-use) influences the yield and quality of a following wheat crop grown for two consecutive years.

To compare the performance of new and existing wheat varieties in four environments, under different sowing times and varying disease pressures.

To measure the effectiveness of herbicides used in Clearfield and non-Clearfield cropping rotations to control problematic weeds in the Mallee including wild radish and brome grass.

To establish a farmer scale demonstration site at Nungarin on a Wodjil soil type investigating cheap, cost-effective methodology to effectively incorporate lime to depth which removes the subsurface constraint and provides more immediate returns to growers on their investment.

To report on trials showing the value of nitrogen.

To increase grower awareness of: the current status of soil acidification and the associated causes and impacts and associated need to address of soil acidification via the ongoing application of agricultural lime.

To increase grower awareness of: the current status of soil acidification and the associated causes and impacts and associated need to address of soil acidification via the ongoing application of agricultural lime.

To increase grower awareness of: the current status of soil acidification and the associated causes and impacts and associated need to address of soil acidification via the ongoing application of agricultural lime.

To increase grower awareness of: the current status of soil acidification and the associated causes and impacts and associated need to address of soil acidification via the ongoing application of agricultural lime.

To increase grower awareness of the benefits of applying Lime to a cropping operation. Providing local relevance to farmers.

To challenge this notion, and to examine the impacts of break crops on the longer-term financial performance of following wheat crops.

To discuss the economics of lucerne establishment.

To discuss the economics of pasture establishment.

To measure N2O losses from a wheat crop grown into vetch that was terminated via different end uses and to
measure the effect on wheat yield and quality.

To help farmers wanting help in managing the ups and downs, the dry and the wet.

This trial addresses issues which may be a barrier to early sowing in the region. In particular; 1. What varieties preform well from early sowing? How do winter and long season spring varieties compare? 2.Can early sown crops be managed to avoid excessive vegetative growth and low harvest index, particularly in dry finish? 3. How do early sown yields compare with traditional mid-May sowing?

To investigate weed suppression through cultural management practices and various crops and cultivars.

To compare no till farming techniques against conventional farming methods over 5 different cropping rotations: No-till • all weed control by herbicides or narrow windrow burning • sown with NDF single disc seeder • stubble retained where possible Conventional • weed control both by herbicides and cultivation • sown with NDF single disc seeder • stubble incorporated.