Section Section Editor: Naomi Scholz SARDI, Minnipa Agricultural Centre 9 Sharing Info African boxthorn control trial Ian Quinn Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, Elliston extension
Try this yourself now Why do the trial? treated with tebuthiuron residual The trial was conducted to evaluate herbicide pellets @ 2 grams per 2 the effectiveness of tebuthiuron m . residual herbicide pellets on open The treatments were applied to grazing country in Central Eyre the trial sites on the same day and Peninsula (EP) in comparison monitoring was undertaken after to two other traditional control 12 months and 24 months. Details methods - foliar spraying and cut for each treatment such as cost of and swab. The major impairments control per plant, time spent on to a weed control program are the each control method, percentage time and cost factor of the control of plants killed by initial treatment Key messages options. If the control options are and rainfall received were • African boxthorns (Lycium too costly or take a considerable evaluated. ferocissimum) are a amount of time the likelihood declared weed for the whole of success is reduced. Control What happened? of South Australia and options which are quick, effective Tebuthiuron herbicide pellets listed as a Weed of National and reasonably priced allow for achieved a success rate of 100% Significance. a higher success rate and longer on both sites over the 24 month • Boxthorns invade native term weed suppression. period, which was a higher rate of vegetation and pastures, success than the other two control provide shelter and food for How was it done? methods and was achieved at feral animals such as foxes, The trial commenced in June lower cost and less time expended rabbits and starlings, and 2011 on two sites with different (Table 1). The trial showed that reduce access for livestock, soil types in open grazing country. plants treated with tebuthiuron native animals and people. Site one was loamy sand over can take up to 24 months to die. • On Eyre Peninsula the limestone and site two was sandy The speed of a plant’s demise main growing season for clay loam over limestone. Timing is controlled by the amount of boxthorns is during the of the trial coincided with the winter rainfall which falls over this period. winter and spring periods, months and the growing season The more rainfall, the quicker the whilst summer normally for Boxthorns. The tebuthiuron herbicide is leached into the soil leads to moisture stress and pellets require rainfall to dissolve and becomes available for uptake the plant loses most of its and allow the herbicide to travel by the boxthorn’s root system. leaves. through the soil to the plant’s • Several control options root zone. Each site was divided are available for African into three one hectare sections. boxthorn, this trial evaluated Of these three sections, one the two most common was treated with foliar spray with methods against the use of a glyphosate 480 g/L @ 750 ml per granular residual herbicide. 100 L of water, LI700 surfactant • A planned, strategic @ 350 ml per 100 L of water and Sharing Info approach to Boxthorn metsulfuron methyl 600g/kg @ control is essential to ensure 7gm per 100 L of water, one with the success of your control cut and swab with neat glyphosate program. 480 g/L, and the third section was
Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary 157 Table 1 Boxthorn control results from sites one (loamy sand over limestone) and two (sandy clay loam over limestone) at 24 month inspection Average Average Average cost per No. of Plants time cost of boxthorn No. of boxthorns killed by 24 month spent on materials - labour Method boxthorns not dead initial total rainfall boxthorn per (at $55/ treated or have treatment (mm) control per boxthorn hr) and regrowth (%) plant ($) materials ($) Site 1 1 minute 5 Foliar spray 57 10 84 0.07 1.03 seconds Cut and 2 minutes 53 3 93 0.17 1.90 swab 18 seconds Tebuthiuron 87 0 100 23 seconds 0.12 0.33 583 Site 2 1 minute 33 Foliar spray 60 3 95 0.08 1.30 seconds Cut and 3 minutes 42 3 93 0.21 3.48 swab 57 seconds Tebuthiuron 131 0 100 26 seconds 0.21 0.37 583
What does this mean? Tebuthiuron herbicide pellets offer landholders another option for controlling African boxthorns. Caution is advised when using a residual herbicide in and around native vegetation and waterways due to the risk of off target damage. The trial sites will be monitored for a further two years for signs of regrowth and newly emerged seedlings.
158 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary Low Rainfall Collaboration Project winds up Geoff Thomas1 and Nigel Wilhelm2 1Thomas Project Services, Adelaide; 2SARDI, Waite
The Low Rainfall Collaboration Project (LRCP) commenced in 2003 at the instigation of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and was based on the premise that the groups (Eyre Peninsula SA; Upper North SA; Mallee in SA, Vic and NSW; Central West NSW; and Birchip Vic) had many issues in common and would gain from greater information sharing and a more collaborative approach.
Over the past ten years GRDC has invested $1.63M or $163,000 per year on the project. In addition SARDI invested $334,000 over the life of the project and a substantial in-kind contribution through provision of corporate services.
Included in the final report is an evaluation of this project, based on a survey of stakeholders, as well as various feedback and reports during the life of the project. They all indicate that it has been highly effective and good value for money.
The highlights are: • Many of the past ten years have seen serious drought across most of the low rainfall area, creating a special environment requiring support and flexibility to cope with often difficult situations. LRCP has been a key to providing that support. • The benefits of networking beyond the LRCP groups with external science bodies such as CSIRO and Universities, consultants, and other groups and their staff. These links have stimulated increased sharing of issues and approaches and joint projects to address them. • Closer working relationships and two way communication with GRDC staff, Southern Panel, and more recently the Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN). This has resulted in better appreciation of issues and opportunities facing the low rainfall areas as part of the work of Southern Panel, the RCSN, and the development of GRDC Investment Plans. • The establishment of a process for the exploration of issues of importance to farmers, the development of projects to address those issues, and the extension of the results. This process has many of the elements of the template now used in planning within GRDC. • Greater coordination of approaches to various funding sources, especially to the Australian government which has been effective in securing many of those projects. • The provision of expert technical and extension advice to the groups, including day to day support as well as special services in areas such as statistical design and analysis. • The development of a range of major project initiatives and the conduct of these by and with the groups. These include Low Rainfall Canola, How Crops Grow technical workshops, Profit/Risk workshops and planning, Water Use Efficiency, and Crop Sequencing to name just a few. • Having the trust and support of group staff and Boards in resolving a large range of internal issues from staffing, to finances, to overall management. This has resulted in a strongesprit de corps between the groups, which is important given their individual isolation. • The establishment of a stronger approach to farm business understanding as a basic component by groups of the assessment of research outcomes and extension planning, as well as building the capacity of farmers. This has lifted the profile of the farm business area to the point where it is now accepted by groups as a core part of their operation. GRDC has itself also lifted this component of their work. • Evaluation of project outcomes in terms of changes in farmer practice (rather than just evaluating activities themselves) has been a major emphasis of LRCP. Groups now appreciate the need for more comprehensive evaluation but need further support in this area. Sharing Info
Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary 159 • In communication, LRCP has contributed directly to several GRDC initiatives including more than 30 articles to Ground Cover and the production of specific publications in responding to drought. It has also contributed numerous articles for group publications including their annual Harvest Reports and Newsletters. • LRCP has undoubtedly lifted the profile of low rainfall agriculture. This has partly been due to the personalities involved but also to their frequent attendance at events and their production of submissions to various investigations and formal inquiries into issues of importance to the low rainfall areas, such as funding for R,D&E, the withdrawal of State investment in agricultural services, carbon farming initiatives, drought policy etc. • So successful has the project been that the LRCP Groups wish to see it continue in a reduced form so that the networking, coordination of projects, and communication continues. They are prepared to commit resources to this end, with matching support from GRDC. • Furthermore, the groups and LRCP management believe that other groups would benefit from a similar approach, supported in part by GRDC.
All of this has required a leadership which is technically sound, politically street smart, well networked, energetic, and with a “can do” mind set dedicated to the task. It has also required a team of group managers who are prepared to work together in the joint interest whilst still pursuing the needs in their individual groups. This has all come together to provide what have been very productive, cost effective, intellectually rewarding, and, enjoyable project outcomes.
Figure 1 Nigel Wilhelm and Geoff Thomas led the Low Rainfall Collaboration Project
160 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary Contact list for authors
Name Position Location Address Phone/Fax Number E-mail
39 Main Street Baldock, Tristan Agronomist Cleve Rural Traders Mob 0447 282 622 [email protected] Cleve SA 5640
PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8680 6202 Brace, Dot Executive Officer EPARF [email protected] MInnipa SA 5654 Fax (08) 8680 5020
SARDI PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8680 6233 Cook, Amanda Research Officer [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Fax (08) 8680 5020
Ph (08) 8688 3414 Land Management PO Box 1783 Crawford, Mary Rural Solutions SA Fax (08) 8688 3407 [email protected] Consultant Port Lincoln SA 5606 Mob 0407 187 878
SARDI PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8680 6227 Crettenden, Jessica Research Officer [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Fax (08) 8680 5020
Ph (08) 8680 5104 NVT Senior Agricultural SARDI PO Box 31 Davis, Leigh Fax (08) 8680 5020 [email protected] Officer Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Mob 0428 288 033
Perkins Building Australian Grain Ph (08) 8313 7835 Edwards, James Wheat Breeder Roseworthy Campus [email protected] Technologies Mob 0427 055 659 Roseworthy SA 5371
SARDI Plant Research PO Box 397 Evans, Margaret Senior Research Officer Ph (08) 8303 9379 [email protected] Centre Adelaide SA 5001
Ph (08) 8303 7950 Reasearch Officer PMB 1 Fleet, Ben University of Adelaide Fax (08) 8303 7979 [email protected] Soil and Land Systems Glen Osmond SA 5064 Mob 0417 976 019
Grain & Graze Systems PO Box 167 Ph (03) 5437 5352 Frischke, Alison BCG [email protected] Officer Eaglehawk VIC 3556 Mob 0423 841 546
Post Office Ph (08) 8625 5143 Guerin, Simon Chair EPARF [email protected] Port Kenny SA 5671 Mob 0427 255 144
Senior Research Scientist PMB 2 Gupta, Dr. Vadakattu CSIRO Entomology Ph (08) 8303 8579 [email protected] Microbial Ecology Glen Osmond SA 5064
SARDI Plant Genomics PO Box 397 Hussein, Shafiya Research Officer Ph (08) 8303 9301 [email protected] Centre Adelaide SA 5001
Ph (08) 8680 6212 SARDI PO Box 31 Holbery, Suzanne Research Officer Fax (08) 8680 5020 [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Mob 0477 333 759
SARDI PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8680 5104 Klante, Mark Farm Manager [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Fax (08) 8680 5020
Australian Grain Ph (08) 8303 7708 Kuchel, Haydn Senior Wheat Breeder Roseworthy SA 5371 [email protected] Technologies Pty Ltd Mob 0428 817 402
SARDI PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8680 5104 Latta, Roy Senior Research Scientist [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Fax (08) 8680 5020
PO Box 3569 Lamont, Helen Executive Officer LEADA Mob 0409 885 606 [email protected] Port Lincoln SA 5606
SARDI PO Box 822 Lines, Michael Research Officer Field Crop Improvement Ph (08) 8842 6264 [email protected] Clare SA 5453 Centre
Ph (08) 8688 3460 Soil & Land Management PO Box 1783 Masters, Brett Rural Solutions SA Fax (08) 8688 3407 [email protected] Consultant Port Lincoln SA 5606 Mob 0428 105 184
Ph (08) 8680 6210 SARDI Minnipa Agricultural PO Box 31 Masters, Linden Farming Systems Specialist Fax (08) 8680 5020 [email protected] Centre Minnipa SA 5654 Mob 0401 122 172
Ph (08) 8303 8107 PMB 1 Mason, Dr Sean Research Fellow University of Adelaide Fax (08) 8303 6717 [email protected] Glen Osmond SA 5064 Mob 0422 066 035
PMB 2 McBeath, Therese Ecosystem Sciences CSIRO Ph (08) 8303 8455 [email protected] Glen Osmond SA 5064
Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary 161 Name Position Location Address Phone/Fax Number E-mail
University of Adelaide PMB 1 McDonald, Glenn Senior Lecturer School of Agriculture, Food Waite Campus Ph (08) 8303 7358 [email protected] and Wine Glen Osmond SA 5065
SARDI - Field Crop PO Box 822 Ph (08) 8842 6265 McMurray, Larn Senior Research Agronomist [email protected] Improvement Centre Clare SA 5453 Fax (08) 8842 3775
PO Box 85 Ph (03) 5492 2787 McMillan, Danielle Livestock Coordinator Birchip Cropping Group [email protected] Birchip VIC 3483 Mob 0427 566 449
PO Box 397 Ph (08) 8303 9377 Nagel, Stuart Agricultural Officer SARDI Crop Improvement [email protected] Adelaide SA 5001 Mob 0407 720 729
PO Box 819 Potter, Trent Principal Consultant Yeruga Crop Research Mob 0427 608 306 [email protected] Naracoorte SA 5271
Natural Resources Eyre NRM Officer (Authorised) - Peninsula Department of PO Box 1128 Ph (08) 8687 9275 Quinn, Ian [email protected] Biosecurity Environment, Water and Elliston SA 5670 Mob 0427 261 793 Natural Resources
Manager Regional Grower PO Box 316 Rice, Andrew GRDC Ph (02) 6866 1245 [email protected] Services South Parkes NSW 2870
Project Manager Ph (08) 8680 6233 SARDI PO Box 31 Scholz, Naomi EP Farming Systems/Grain Fax (08) 8680 5020 [email protected] Minnipa Agricultural Centre Minnipa SA 5654 & Graze Mob 0428 540 670
PO Box 121 Schuppan, Daniel Animal Production Specialist Landmark Mob 0477 315931 [email protected] Jamestown SA 5491
University of Adelaide PMB 1 Tavakkoli, Ehsan Research Fellow School of Agriculture, Food Waite Campus Mob 0421 018 075 [email protected] and Wine Glen Osmond SA 5065
Australian Grain Roseworthy Campus Ph (08) 8303 7806 Telfer, Paul Research Officer [email protected] Technologies Roseworthy SA 5371 Mob 0418 805 297
Ph (08) 8303 9382 SARDI GPO Box 397 Wallwork, Hugh Principal Cereal Pathologist Fax (08) 8303 9393 [email protected] Plant Research Centre Adelaide SA 5001 Mob 0427 001 568
PO Box 1783 Ware, Andrew Research Scientist SARDI, Port Lincoln Ph (08) 8688 3417 [email protected] Port Lincoln SA 5606
Ph (08) 8303 9480 Leader - Crop Evaluation & SARDI GPO Box 397 Wheeler, Rob Fax (08) 8303 9378 [email protected] Agronomy Plant Genomics Centre Adelaide SA 5001 Mob 0401 148 935
Mob 0407 185 501 PO Box 31 Ph (08) 8303 9353 MAC Research Leader SARDI Minnipa SA 5654 (Adel) Wilhelm, Nigel Scientific Consultant - Low Minnipa Agricultural Centre [email protected] GPO Box 397 Ph (08) 8680 6230 Rainfall Collaboration Project Waite Adelaide SA 5001 (Min)
PO Box 397 Zerner, Michael Research Officer SARDI, Waite Campus Ph (08) 8303 9479 [email protected] Adelaide SA 5001
162 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary Acronyms and Abbreviations ABA Advisory Board of Agriculture LEADA Lower Eyre Agricultural ABARES Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Development Association Research Economics & Sciences LEP Lower Eyre Peninsula ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics LRCP Low Rainfall Collaboration Project AFPIP Australian Field Pea Improvement LSD Least Significant Difference Program MAC Minnipa Agricultural Centre AGT Australian Grain Technologies MAP Monoammonium Phosphate AH Australian Hard (Wheat) (10:22:00) AM fungi Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ME Metabolisable Energy APSIM Agricultural Production Simulator MLA Meat and Livestock Australia APW Australian Prime Wheat MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging AR Annual Rainfall NDF Neutral Detergent Fibre ASW Australian Soft Wheat NDVI Normalised Difference Vegetation ASBV Australian Sheep Breeding Value Index AWI Australian Wool Innovation NLP National Landcare Program BCG Birchip Cropping Group NRM Natural Resource Management BYDV Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus NVT National Variety Trials CBWA Canola Breeders Western Australia PAWC Plant Available Water Capacity CCN Cereal Cyst Nematode PBI Phosphorus Buffering Index CfoC Caring for our Country PEM Pantoea agglomerans, Exiguobacterium acetylicum and CLL Crop Lower Limit Microbacteria DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry pg Picogram and Fisheries PIRD Producers Initiated Research DAP Di-ammonium Phosphate (18:20:00) Development DCC Department of Climate Change PIRSA Primary Industries and Regions DEWNR Department of Environment, Water South Australia and Natural Resources RD&E Research, Development and DGT Diffusive Gradients in Thin Film Extension DM Dry Matter RDTS Root Disease Testing Service DMD Dry Matter Digestibility SAFF South Australian Farmers Federation DOMD Dry Organic Matter Digestibility SAGIT South Australian Grains Industry Trust DPI Department of Primary Industries SANTFA South Australian No Till Farmers DSE Dry Sheep Equivalent Association EP Eyre Peninsula SARDI South Australian Research and EPARF Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Development Institute Research Foundation SASAG South Australian Sheep Advisory EPFS Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Group EPNRM Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources SBU Seed Bed Utilisation Management Board SED Standard Error Deviation EPR End Point Royalty SGA Sheep Genetics Australia FC Field Capacity SU Sulfuronyl Ureas GM Gross Margin TE Trace Elements GRDC Grains Research and Development TT Triazine Tolerant Corporation UNFS Upper North Farming Systems GS Growth Stage (Zadocks) WP Wilting Point GSR Growing Season Rainfall WUE Water Use Efficiency HLW Hectolitre Weight YEB Youngest Emerged Blade IPM Integrated Pest Management YP Yield Prophet
Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary 163 NOTES:
164 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2013 Summary