2016 trials

• To prove that the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ South) can produce high quality Udon Noodles and increase the continuity of supply in an exclusive market. The MRZ and LRZ of Western Australia have to date been the exclusive Udon Noodle supply areas to international markets. WA is the only external source of wheat grain for Udon Noodle manufacture for Japan and Korea.
• To provide greater longer-term diversity and options for crop rotations in the southern HRZ. NOTE: the current dominant rotation of YIYO canola: barley is under threat with more disease and chemical resistance.

There appears to be renewed interest from growers and the agricultural community in legume break crops to complement canola and cereals in the rotation. For example in the Esperance region a number of farmers bulked up lentil seed in 2016 in anticipation of sowing larger areas in 2017. This paper summarises some of the experiments conducted in 2016 by DAFWA in partnership with the GRDC via the Tactical Break Crop Agronomy Project DAW00227 which supports the growing interest in legume crops.

To report on a case study of lessons learned about growing perennial pastures.

To report on a three year strategy to manage clethodim resistant ryegrass without oaten hay.

The aim of this trial was to to compare commercial faba bean rhizobia inoculant with new acid tolerant strains from SARDI and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), WA.

The project seeks to:

• investigate, demonstrate and extend cultural practices that will assist growers to adopt no-till stubble retention (NTSR) in medium and higher-rainfall environments;
• build on findings from the previous Riverine Plains Inc. Water Use Efficiency (WUE) project; and
• extend the frontier of agronomic knowledge for crops grown in NTSR systems.

• Trials were implemented to compare break crop productivity and profitability on major soil types in the northern South Australian Mallee. This information will help farmers in the region to select the most appropriate break crop for their farming system.

Compare changes in soil characteristics, including non-wetting and crop growth and performance in a mouldboard ploughed area versus untreated (control) area using an on-farm large scale demonstration site.

To determine if the addition of lime and its method of incorporation (mouldboard ploughing or deep ripping) has an effect on the soil pH profile, topsoil water repellence and crop productivity.

To consolidate information and provide guidelines for best bet management of canola sown at or before mid-April.

To inform members about airborne imagery: the taking of photographs of the ground and crops from a direct-down position. Platforms for airborne imagery for agriculture include satellites, fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”).

A key aim of this project is through three years of trials to deliver key elements of a demonstrated and communicated variety specific HRZ Noodle Wheat production package. This purpose of the HRZ package is to increase noodle wheat quantity and quality and reduce downgrade risk.

A second aim of the project is to provide greater diversity and options for crop rotations in the southern HRZ – the current dominant rotation of canola: barley is under threat with more disease and chemical resistance.

Growing noodle wheat in the HRZ, has traditionally been considered a risky, due to the risk of not making ANW1, this project aimed to quantify this risk, by comparing wheat varieties, and how the perform in the HRZ.

To investigate amelioration options for sands that have low water holding capacity, low organic matter, low nutrient availability, compaction, non wetting and high risk for wind erosion.

A three year deep ripping experiment was conducted on a highly acidic soil to test how effective a range of inorganic soil amendments were to ameliorate subsoil acidity and improve crop growth and yield. A novel product, MgSi (a blend of 70% Doonba dunite and 30% F70 superfine lime), was tested in the field for the first time.

To evaluate the response of canola to low fertiliser inputs

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield in a gravelly loam soil type near Muradup, WA.

To investigate a range of rates and timings of foliar fungicide to try to reduce the impact of aerial blackleg.

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

To improve grower productivity and industry sustainability through new management techniques and cultivars.

To understand the potential impact of these factors and whether this tendency can be controlled with the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs).

To study the interaction of cereal type and variety and seeding rate on crop yield and grass suppression on a known weedy site.

To investigate the irrigation water requirements of a barley crop and the impact that plant density, nitrogen (N), irrigation
intensity and waterlogging have on grain yield and quality, water use and water productivity.

To assess the response of six barley varieties treated with five different N rates at sowing.

To compare the performance of new and existing barley varieties and the influence of sowing time
on crop performance.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

To conduct a barley variety trial.

This app was developed for weather-based irrigation scheduling using a crop coefficient (Kc) estimated from satellite observations and reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) estimated from scientific information for landowners (SILO) grids (Jeffery et al. 2001).

• Investigate the best practice foliar fungicide management for barley on barley rotations and STNB control in barley cv. Scope.
• Better understand the interactions of STNB, stubble and fungicides on the impact of disease, yield and profitability of barley on barley rotations.
• Investigate if higher levels of STNB are associated with head loss pre-harvest.

To determine the long term effects of 1980 P treatments on soil fertility.

The trial purpose was to compare seed dressing and foliar application of Bioprime using granular and liquid fertilisers. 

To examine boosting pulse crop performance on acidic soils.

To investigate selection of the right rotation and herbicide strategy for brome grass management.

To gain insights from some of the top performing farm businesses in the zone about their management, agronomy practices and the triggers for key decision-making.

To answer the question: Can incorporation of lime speed up yield response?

To test whether disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time.

To determine whether soil organic carbon be increased in a continuous cropping system in the low to medium rainfall zone.

To determine which ameliorant practice is the most effective and economic in remediating subsoil acidity at depth.

To conduct a canola (Roundup Ready) variety trial.

To conduct a canola (Roundup Ready) vareity trial.

To conduct a canola (Roundup Ready) variety trial.

To conduct a canola (Triazine) variety trial.

To conduct a canola (Triazine) variety trial.