• While machinery ownership and management has its complexities, being aware of some of the aspects that directly impact upon its economic efficiency is a step in the right direction. Consideration of work rate efficiency and timeliness versus over-capitalisation and ultimate returns achieved by the system is very important.
• The Farming Systems Project has identified that the cost profile of the different farming systems from most to least costly is, Fuel Burner, Hungry Sheep, Reduced Till and Zero Till.

Phosphorus was applied as Triple Super drilled with seed. The result was lower plant densities as phosphorus rates increased.

For an interpretation of results please see the attached trial report.

Six varieties of canola were tested to compare their responsiveness to urea. The varieties selected had different growth patterns, and the slow growing varieties such as the TT types showed a similar response in growth to the other more vigorous types. In this experiment, urea did not increase yield of any of the varieties tested, but oil contents fell for five of the six varieties with added urea, with ATR Hyden the exception. Given the poor yield response, little can be directly interpreted from these results, although it is reasonable to conclude that higher urea rates are less profitable with lower yielding types or on sites with low yield potential.

The SOI phase signal for April-May (available on the last day of May) and subsequent monthly phases can provide useful information on the likelihood for rainfall for the rest of the season. It can be a very useful tool for assessing the risk of topdressing nitrogen fertiliser (especially if it is used in combination with other indicators such as potential of the crop; decile trend and stored soil moisture).

There was no yield benefit using bio-degradable polymer film on late sown barley and field peas.

For some, 1993 waws the best year ever. For others a disaster caused by mice, frost and the decision to plant a majority of barley crop.

1994. What a year! Let's hope that it's not repeated in 1995. For most farmers in the region, 1994 was the third lowest rainfall since 1945, or the fifth lowest rainfall ever.

For most farmers, 1995 will be remembered for high-yielding crops and excellent prices.

Overall, 1997 was tough, we were probably let out of jail twice during the year: as usual there were many lessons and opportunities.

What is important is never give up hope, never stop learning, listening or talking.

Please see report 

The good news is that we are all likely to experience on average 3 to 4 of these types of years in our farming careers, we now have one less to worry about.

2004 was a disappointing year in nearly every way we choose to look at it. For some, it was the worst financial drought they have had, worse than 2002, because they spent money on inputs right up till harvest. The good thing about the year was that, as droughts go, there was very little wind erosion because paddocks were not bare. All paddocks had enough rain to grow crops or pastures, enough rain to persuade farmers that every thing was going to be all right, right up till the bitter end.

Once again, "the year that was” attempts to capture what occurred across the Wimmera and Mallee. While I know very well what happened on our own farm, I can only try and summarise what has been experienced in the wider communities of the Wimmera and Mallee in yet another tricky year for farmers.

2006 can best be described as the year in which drought, water, climate change, the resources boom and the Cole Inquiry into AWB Limited dominated the headlines of our newspapers across the nation. I cannot remember a period in our history when rural issues dominated the minds of the nation to such an extent. As we know, attention from the press usually means that rural people are doing it tough.

The 2007 year can be summarized by the saying above. The essence of most farmer’s problems this year was that our crops looked so good in July that when no spring rain came the crops had to fall over. In fact we were lucky to get as much grain as we did. If the weather in October had not been cool then the result would have been far worse. I remember Nick Poole, at a workshop in August, saying the best thing that our crops could do, would be to drop a lot of tillers off - such was the potential.

At the beginning of the year the thought of another drought on top of the previous four in six years was too preposterous to contemplate. Never in our history has there been three droughts in a row and only a couple of times two in a row. With a La Nina forecast and record prices for grain, 2008 was looked forward to with great optimism. We needed only average crops to achieve good farm profitability.

High machinery loads and working when soil moisture is not optimal can cause topsoil and subsoil compaction.

• Time of sowing was not important for yield in a wet rainfall year with a soft finish.
• Varietal selection was a bigger contributor to grain yield than the time of sowing in 2010. Choosing a variety well-adapted to a range of seasons will provide the greatest returns in the long term.
• Hindmarsh performs well in dry and wet years, consistently yielding well at all sowing times. Commander was the best of the malt varieties, yielding similarly to Hindmarsh. However, Commander may struggle in drier years.

In 2012, early sown barley and canola gave the highest yields and gross returns. The early sown crops were able to withstand frosts and avoid the worst of the dry spring. Despite the different growth habit (erect vs prostrate) of many of the barley varieties, no one variety responded better to the altered sowing times or density than any other. Growers should plant all barley varieties at their chosen timing and plant density, and make their selection on the basis of other factors (e.g. disease resistance).

In 2012, early sown barley and canola gave the highest yields and gross returns. The early sown crops were able to withstand frosts and avoid the worst of the dry spring. Despite the different growth habit (erect vs prostrate) of many of the barley varieties, no one variety responded better to the altered sowing times or density than any other. Growers should plant all barley varieties at their chosen timing and plant density, and make their selection on the basis of other factors (e.g. disease resistance).

Sowing early increased yields by 0.5t/ha at Watchupga East and Horsham. Corack and Mace topped the yields at Watchupga East. Cobra and Mace were the highest yielding varieties at Horsham.

• Soil applied fertiliser was and better than liquid urea or UAN applied with standard spray nozzles to the crops leaves.
• Both urea and UAN are equally as effective when applied to the soil.
• Growers should select the nitrogen product that most suits their farming system in terms of logistics and cost.

Large plot sites run by TOPCROP groups across the state generated many opportunities for discussing and fine tuning nitrogen management in canola. The season was the main factor influencing yields and gross margins. Nitrogen application of about 10-20 kg/ha for the Mallee and 10-50 kg/ha for the Wimmera gave best yields and gross margins at most sites in a difficult season.

• There were no significant yield effects of foliar applied trace elements to wheat, barley, canola and lentils at the Woomelang site in 2001. The trace elements were applied as Zincsol, Coppersol and TopFoliar (which contains a mix of trace elements).
• The alternative nutrient product, Hibrix, had no significant yield effect on wheat and barley and depressed the yield of canola and lentils

• Only 31 per cent of the applied urea nitrogen (N) was taken up by the wheat crop in 2014. This low fertiliser use efficiency may be partly related to the season; unused N in the soil can benefit the following crop.
• In a decile 1 season, different stubble retention practices had no effect on microbial biomass and N supply potential (avg. 58kg N/ha).
• Labelling a wheat crop with 15N allows researchers to quantify the fertiliser use efficiency and trace the N from stubble to the subsequent crop.

With pasture growing in a dry spring, not accessing stored water and producing little biomass, the effect on soil water/nitrogen and on the following crop is minimal. Prioritise paddocks which need medic seed set for retaining as pastures, but terminate more pastures later if feed is an issue. In a year when pasture is growing fast and using water and possibly fixing nitrogen, the trade-off may not be so flat (or simple) and will depend more on the following season (unpredictable).

Over the 1990’s the most profitable farming system for each region was determined by losses in poor years rather than the profits in good years. Businesses with high costs associated with intensive cropping and high inputs, were impacted more by losses than businesses with moderate adoption of new crop types and moderate inputs.

• Wheat yields were significantly reduced by competition from barley and brome grass.
• The use of knockdown post sowing but pre-emergent provided excellent control of the grass weeds, which translated into a yield benefit.
• The trends in control of grass weeds and yield benefits in barley were similar to the results seen in wheat.

• Karoo is the best suited Triazine Tolerant canola in the Southern Mallee.
• Oil contents can be expected to be low in a dry year.

The grain yields of TM05 and TM08 are not a true reflection of their potential yields because of frosted seed at sowing time. As well heavy rain approximately 10 days prior to harvest would have had some effect on grain yields.

Trifluralin and related Group D herbicides are effective in controlling Group A herbicide resistant ryegrass, however when they are consistently used without other control practices resistance will develop. Ryegrass with Group D (trifluralin) resistance is already common in some areas.

• We used Frame wheat in this trial, it could be that Flame is more tolerant to Triflualin than other wheat varieties.
• Do not use this technique before checking to see whether on your soil type and machinery the higher rates of Trifluralin are also safe to use.
• Do not use Trifluralin according to the techniques outlined if your soil is cloddy.

A thorough understanding of trifluralin application techniques can be the difference between poor and excellent ryegrass control. It can also help achieve target plant establishment. This demonstration showed an increase in ryegrass control when up to 3L/ha trifluralin was applied. Rates above 3L/ha trifluralin did not result in additional ryegrass control. The influence of water rates was minimal due to the lack of stubble residue which shows that water rates of 50L/ha are acceptable in situations where there is very little residue from the previous crop.

Differences in trifluralin tolerances exist between different wheat varieties, however the differences were not consistent. Over three years of trial work Silverstar was intolerant to trifluralin in one year (30% yield loss at Triflur480 2.4L/ha IBS in 1998) and tolerant in 1999 and 2000. In 2000 only Yitpi suffered a yield loss (20% yield loss at Triflur480 2.4L/ha IBS). There are no differences in tolerance when applying trifluralin immediately prior to sowing or post sowing pre-emergent as long as the trifluralin is not incorporated into the sowing band. Trifluralin residues in grain were below the Minimum Residue Level (less than 0.05ppm) for the plots with trifluralin used at the registered rate or at the high application rate (Triflur480 2.4L/ha). Trifluralin is registered at 0.8L/ha of Triflur480 applied at least 7 days prior to sowing. NuFarm have applied to the NRA for changes to the Triflur480 label - changes relate to higher rates for use in minimum tillage.

• An unusual result with Silverstar out-yielding both Frame and Schooner. Previous trial work showed that Silverstar is especially sensitive to trifluralin even at recommended rates.
• Frame seedling establishment was significantly lower at the 2.4L/ha rate than at the registered rate of  Silverstar and Schooner.
• Trifluralin in not registered on wheat at rates higher than 1.0L/ha.

The yields of the different Trifluralin treatments and sowing depths ranged from 1.5 to 2.1 t/ha.

Frame is more tolerant to high rates of trifluralin compared to Goldmark and Silverstar.

• Triticale is very responsive to high inputs of seed and fertiliser.
• Adequate fertiliser is needed to achieve protein levels above 10%.
• In dry springs triticale yields are 10-15% below wheat, due to triticale’s longer grain filling period.

Following this year's trials results we are confident that UAN can have a role as an in-crop N fertiliser.

Best practice for using UAN at rates of up to 60L/ha when mixed with herbicides and fungicides:

• if using herbicides or fungicides not in this trial then always to a 'jar' test first for determining the physical compatibility: if white clouds or clear divisions appear, then the two may not be compatible;
• herbicides and fungicides mix better with UAN if mixed in water first;
• do not spray at temperatures over 25degrees C especially after flag leaf emergence because you don't want to scorch the flag leaf (!)
• do not spray when the Delta T is < 2, it appears that the leaf scorch is worst when humidity levels are high.

With a soil nitrogen content of 153kg N/ha at sowing, Derrimut wheat yielded just less than 6 t/ha with no N fertiliser.

Applied nitrogen (N) significantly reduced the yield of Derrimut wheat following lentils, yield being reduced from 3.2t/ha to 2.6t/ha as applied nitrogen was increased from 0 to 100kg N/ha in 25kg N/ha increments (linear relationship).

• The optimum nitrogen rate, regardless of timing, to maximise yield was 75kg N/ha, though protein contnet was maximised at higher N rates.
• Further investigation is required to define correlations between crop reflectance (NDVI) and N uptake.

• ‘Compass type’ varieties with good early vigour, combined with a prostrate growth habit are the best competitors (Compass, Fathom, Scope CL, RGT Planet).
• ‘Hindmarsh type’ and ‘Urambie type’ varieties with very slow early vigour are poor competitors (Hindmarsh, Spartacus CL, Urambie).
• In the presence of grass weeds there was an average of 0.9t/ha yield loss across all barley varieties.
• Three years of data has reinforced that certain varieties can be used as a non-herbicide option for grass weed control.

• Trifluralin was very effective, reducing ryegrass numbers by 60 percent.
• The use of oilseeds and pulse crops provided the opportunity to effectively control resistant ryegrass using different chemistries (even within Group A - dims).
• Cutting hay is a profitable option with low risk and importantly very effective in reducing ryegrass if managed correctly.

In a trial on Yitpi at Corack there was not yield or margin benefit from using flutriafol on fertiliser at either 400 or 800mL/ha rate, despite low level stem rust and yellow leaf spot infection in the top three leaves of the crop.

Precision farming tools such as EM surveys and yeild mapping can add greatly to our understanding of grain yield and quality variation across a paddock. The results of N fertiliser and sowing rates on Silverstar wheat demonstrated that:

• grain yield differences are determined by soil type.
• high sowing rates can contribute to lower screenings but does now guarantee lower screenings.

The larger scale trial work raised issues on how to interpret small scale plot work. There is a greater need for researchers and farmers to work together towards identifying and interpreting paddock variability, before large scale, and often costly, management practices are put in place. 

•  Yields were significantly higher under narrow row spacing, but sowing direction had no influence on yield.
• Weeds had a significant effect on yield, but the scale of yield penalty (t/ha yield loss) did  not alter with row spacing or sowing direction in 2015.
• Weeds established faster where row spacings were wider, however by late tillering, all treatments had similar weed numbers and biomass levels.

In very general terms, the relative sensitivity to Mn deficiency (from least sensitive to most sensitive) is bread wheat, barley, durum wheat , while the relative sensitivity to Zn deficiency (from least sensitive to most sensitive) is barley, bread wheat, durum wheat. However, there is considerable overlap between the three species in terms of their sensitivity.

In very general terms, the relative sensitivity to Mn deficiency (from least sensitive to most sensitive) is bread wheat, barley, durum wheat , while the relative sensitivity to Zn deficiency (from least sensitive to most sensitive) is barley, bread wheat, durum wheat. However, there is considerable overlap between the three species in terms of their sensitivity.

For details please see the attached trial report.

The main purpose for demonstration trials is to show what the varieties look like and what performance was on one plot at one site.

A summary of results is presented in the associated report.

In contrast to previous years and other sites, yields of all narbon bean lines exceeded field pea yields at Birchip.

Very little yield data is available for many of the crop species from the 2006 season. Furthermore, for some crop species, notably chickpeas, seed production was severely disrupted by the drought and the release of some of the newer varieties has been delayed by a year.

• Results indicate that herbicide management practices may need to be slightly modified in many instances for new ascochyta blight resistant chickpeas to maximise the yield benefits of these new cultivars.
• For field peas and lentils, each of the new cultivars tested performed similar to or better than current cultivars in terms of their herbicide tolerance and/or yield.

Trials were sown at Birchip to assess the relative tolerance of new field pea and chickpea cultivars to a range of commonly used herbicide treatments. Results indicate that the new varieties of field pea and chickpea perform similarly to commonly grown cultivars.

• Results indicate that management practices will need to be slightly modified in many instances to maximise the yield benefits of these new cultivars.
• For example, the new pea variety Kaspa should generally be sown slightly earlier and at higher density than the traditional cultivars Parafield and Dundale.

• Velocity and Precept selective herbicides are based on a new active pyrasulfotole.
• This is a new mode of action on broadleaf weeds in cereals in Australia (Group H).
• Velocity and Precept showed excellent crop safety.
• Broad spectrum and reliable broadleaf weed control.

• At Warmur and Kalkee, Bannister was the highest yielding milling oat and Brusher the highest yielding hay oat variety in 2016 – an excellent season.
• Application of fungicides to oats did not create hay or yield benefits in the Wimmera in 2016.
• Choice of oat variety and management should be made according to the intended end-use traits – versatility if conditions change, disease resistance, ability to control problem weeds and likelihood of making premium markets.

• At Warmur and Kalkee, Bannister was the highest yielding milling oat and Brusher the highest yielding hay oat variety in 2016 – an excellent season.
• Application of fungicides to oats did not create hay or yield benefits in the Wimmera in 2016.
• Choice of oat variety and management should be made according to the intended end-use traits – versatility if conditions change, disease resistance, ability to control problem weeds and likelihood of making premium markets.

Vetch has provided many farmers in our district with the opportunity to incorporate and instant grain legume or pasture crop in their cropping rotation.

Vetch can decrease cereal diseases and pests for subsequent cereal crops.

When vetch is establised in March and is terminated 'early' (three to four months later, in June, July), soil water will be conserved for the subsequent wheat crop; the risk of haying off due to high nitrogen will be lower than if the vetch were terminated 'later' (August, September),

Vetch biomass production of approximately 2t/ha is unlikely to cause a subsequent wheat crop to hay off given dry seasonal conditions. 

Residual nitrogen from vetch brown manure can carry over for two years and influence cereal crop growth, but the conservation of soil water is more critical in seasons of Decile 2 or lower. 

When vetch is establised in March and is terminated 'early' (three to four months later, in June, July), soil water will be conserved for the subsequent wheat crop; the risk of haying off due to high nitrogen will be lower than if the vetch were terminated 'later' (August, September),

Vetch biomass production of approximately 2t/ha is unlikely to cause a subsequent wheat crop to hay off given dry seasonal conditions. 

Residual nitrogen from vetch brown manure can carry over for two years and influence cereal crop growth, but the conservation of soil water is more critical in seasons of Decile 2 or lower. 

When vetch is establised in March and is terminated 'early' (three to four months later, in June, July), soil water will be conserved for the subsequent wheat crop; the risk of haying off due to high nitrogen will be lower than if the vetch were terminated 'later' (August, September),

Vetch biomass production of approximately 2t/ha is unlikely to cause a subsequent wheat crop to hay off given dry seasonal conditions. 

Residual nitrogen from vetch brown manure can carry over for two years and influence cereal crop growth, but the conservation of soil water is more critical in seasons of Decile 2 or lower. 

Nitrogen (N) fixation by vetch was closely related to dry matter (DM) production (26kg N fixed per tonne DM accumulated). The later the termination, the higher the calculated inputs of fixed N. Both soil water reserves and mineral N were highest at the end of the 2012 growing season following the earliest (June and July) termination timings. To establish the best time to terminate a vetch crop, weigh up the benefits being delivered by vetch (biomass accumulation and N fixation), the need to conserve moisture and time required for N to mineralise for the next crop.

Early termination of vetch resulted in higher soil N and soil water at sowing the following year compared with later termination timings of vetch. Wheat yield in the year following vetch was highest for the earlier termination timings of the vetch. Brown manure vetch had higher soil N and soil water compared to vetch taken through to harvest.

Both dry matter production and grain yield results from this site were within expectations.

All sites in this trial suffered from severe moisture stress and the effects of rust.

Blanchefluer was the best yeilding commercially released variety.

• Returns from the production of ascochyta blight susceptible desi chickpeas in Victoria become more attractive when fungicides are applied less often. But risk of crop failure greatly increases with this practice.
• Howzat is less susceptible to ascochyta blight than current varieties and may allow good returns from a desi crop when disease pressure is low or when a limited number of fungicide applications are used.
• In the southern Wimmera ascochyta blight susceptible kabulis are still profitable, even with intensive fungicide regimes.
• Varieties with effective resistance to this disease will reduce the risk of crop loss and the costs of fungicides will be available within five years.

Outback (AGA99-04) is an early-mid variety bred by Ag-Seed Research. It is new in 2001 and will be marketed by Dovuro. It is being tested in Victoria for the first time this year. There is limited information available on this line. Hyola 60 (PACN168) is a new mid maturity hybrid line to be released by Pacific Seeds in 2001. It is being tested in Victoria for the first time. It has good early vigour, but there is limited information available. Try new varieties in conjunction with proven varieties on smaller areas. Check yield, quality results and economics of new varieties before deciding on which variety to grow. A new National Blackleg scoring system will be available soon.

• Several varieties including Mitre, Yitpi, and Annuello yielded well at this site.
• Of the highest yielding varieties Yitpi received the best price per tonne and return per hectare, under AWB’s Golden Rewards, due to higher protein than the other high yielding varieties.
• H45 was one of the lowest yielding varieties at this site and was also the most affected by stripe rust. However screenings were below 5% in all varieties indicating that stripe rust had a greater impact on yield than grain size.
• Wyalkatchem and AGHW 001 also yielded lower than the other varieties despite much lower stripe rust infection – in fact AGHW 001 remained free of disease all season indicating that moisture may have been a greater yield limiting factor at this site.

Sowing early gave best crop competition with brome grass. Select a variety with high early vigour to suppress brome grass seed set. Select a variety with a short growing season when crop-topping brome.

Water quality can vary greatly between water sources. Poor quality water can affect pesticide performance. Understand the quality of water you are using and manage accordingly to maximise your pesticide performance.

The water use efficiency concept as developed by Reg Smith and and Jeff Schultz in SA provides us with a technique for assessing the performance of a crop in terms of the quality of the grain produced per millimitre of rainfall which falls over the growing season.

With the aid of a 'web browser' such as Netscape, a number of weather charts and diagrams can be viewed. Of use to you will be daily rain and river height bulletins, climate data for most provincial towns in Australia, weekly rainfall analysis, the seasonal outlook and drought statement.

The efficacy of Select and Aramo in controlling ryegrass when sprayed under different weather conditions was investigated. It appears that neither bright sunshine nor overcast conditions affected the efficacy of these two products.

• Ryegrass and broadleaf weeds such as toadrush and capeweed are the main weeds to control in oat crops on the rising hill country in hte southern Wimmera.
• In this trial, the most cost effective option to control these weeds was Diuron and Glean applied at the 3-leaf stage of the oats.

Herbicide use is becoming increasingly complicated with restrictions on the use of more and more products and a tight water supply. The following articles outline how to cope with these limitations and provide some good information for spraying this season.

The main messages from the trial work undertaken in 2005 for weed management in 2006 are presented in this report.

 

• Significant reductions in water and chemical use can be achieved when weed sensing technology (WeedSeeker) is used, compared with blanket applications.
• Erect plants compared with prostrate plants require less spray.

Sowing cereals in early April on a soil profile full of water is possible if:

• long season varieties are planted to ensure that the crop does not flower before the high-risk frost period has passed,
• the topsoil is moist at seeding to ensure that the crop germinates and allows for early root growth down into the stored water in the subsoil, and
• weeds can be controlled.

The sites were much lower yielding and produced poorer quality grain compared to the four sites evaluated in 2003. Yields over the three 2004 sites ranged from 1.4- 2.3t/ha compared to a mean yield across the 2003 sites of 4.4t/ha. Quality was also much poorer with only one of the three sites, Lubeck, producing malt grade barley. This site received more rainfall throughout the growing season than the other two sites and all varieties performed the best here, producing higher yields and better quality.

In terms of AH quality varieties Yitpi, Mitre and Annuello are the best bets for the Wimmera. Be mindful of Yitpi’s weakness for stem rust resistance and the marginal stripe rust resistance of Mitre and Annuello.

Of the paddocks investigated in the Southern Mallee, water was severely limiting in 1994, and the amount of water that could be supplied to crop from the soil was very small.

There are still many answers required before we can be confident on how to manage this important and expensive input to our farming systems.

• There are still many answers required before we can be confident on how to manage this important and expensive input to our farming systems.
• There is little chance that we can work out a profitable N management system if we do not know what happens to applied nitrogen in our cropping soils.

• Wheat yields were relatively good at all three sites considering the season.
• There were yield responses from the N topdressed fertiliser at the N response sites, Birchip and Charlton.