ISSUE 14 • Autumn 2019

p1 Say hello to Kate our new reporter

p23 Sheep and goat EID update

p27 Ripper of a time in the

Celebrating Rob Sonogan’s outstanding contributions to Sustainable Farming in the dryland Mallee

This publication is supported by the Mallee Catchment Authority (CMA), through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. 1 CONTENTS Southern Mallee . Kate Chair’s and her husband Grant are fourth generation farmers and Report with their two children they Seasonal Conditions 1 Sharyon Peart produce , canola, lentils, Chairperson, Mallee CMA Board lupins and field peas. Kate has Farewell to Rob Sonogan 3 been an agronomic consultant Welcome readers to our first for more than 20 years, servicing edition of 2019 of the Mallee Farmers are Adapting 5 clients throughout the Mallee Farmer magazine. to Climate Change and northern .

Sustainable Farming 7 The summer season has been We have some great articles Practice Change dry and very hot and our farmers in this edition on adapting to across the Mallee are looking climate change, sustainable Changes to 2-4D Rules 10 to see a wet break coming in farming changes, the role of autumn but the current prediction drones in agriculture, Mallee Twenty One years of Mallee 11 from the Bureau of Metrology fowl volunteers and a Mallee Sustainable Farming isn’t looking that way. Landcare update amongst others. GRDC Communities 14 In this edition we are wishing Rob Sonogan the best in retirement Avifauna Article 15 I also wanted to congratulate after 40 years in the industry. Mallee Sustainable Farming He has provided so much Serradella MSF 18 on their 21st year of operation. Alternative to Vetch information and knowledge We have been great partners to the Mallee region over his with MSF and look forward to Novel pasture systems 19 years in agriculture. And as our continuing our involvement with interview with Rob states “… he them into the future. Mallee RALF Program 22 has been one of our most valued contributors, the author of our Thank you to all the writers of Landscape scale improvements 24 Seasonal Update for more than our articles for this edition and I 20 years.” We wish him the best wish you all a productive 2019. Sandy Soils Trials 27 for the future.

Rotations to control herbicide 29 We also welcome Kate Wilson resistance in the Southern Mallee from AGRIvision Consultants who will be now providing The role of Drones in Agriculture 31 the Seasonal update. Kate is a partner in a large grain Back Page Last Word 33 producing operation in ’s

NLP ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This publication is supported by the Mallee Catchment Authority (CMA), through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

DISCLAIMER The information in this document has been published in good faith by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA). This publication and the information contained within may be of assistance to you but the Mallee CMA Board and staff do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. You should obtain specialist advice on the applicability or otherwise of the information in this document. Neither the Mallee CMA nor any of the agencies/organisations/people who have supplied information published in the Mallee Farmer endorse the information contained in this document, nor do they endorse any products identified by trade name. The information in this document is made available on the understanding that neither the Mallee CMA, nor any the people who have supplied information published in the Mallee Farmer will have any liability arising from any reliance upon any information in this document. ISSN: 1839 - 2229 Cover Photo: Glen Sutherland, Mallee CMA

2 CONTENTS Southern Mallee region. Kate Chair’s and her husband Grant are fourth generation farmers and Seasonal Report with their two children they Conditions Seasonal Conditions 1 Sharyon Peart produce wheat, canola, lentils, Chairperson, Mallee CMA Board lupins and field peas. Kate has Update Farewell to Rob Sonogan 3 been an agronomic consultant Welcome readers to our first for more than 20 years, servicing By Kate Wilson edition of 2019 of the Mallee Farmers are Adapting 5 clients throughout the Mallee Senior Consultant, AGRIvision Farmer magazine. to Climate Change and northern Wimmera. Consultants PTY LTD. The summer season has been Sustainable Farming 7 We have some great articles In this edition Mallee Farmer Practice Change dry and very hot and our farmers in this edition on adapting to welcomes our new Seasonal across the Mallee are looking climate change, sustainable Conditions Correspondent Changes to 2-4D Rules 10 to see a wet break coming in farming changes, the role of Kate Wilson. Kate is a partner autumn but the current prediction drones in agriculture, Mallee Twenty One years of Mallee 11 in a large grain producing from the Bureau of Metrology fowl volunteers and a Mallee Sustainable Farming isn’t looking that way. Landcare update amongst operation in Victoria’s Southern others. Mallee region. Kate and her GRDC Communities 14 In this edition we are wishing Rob husband Grant are fourth Sonogan the best in retirement Avifauna Article 15 I also wanted to congratulate generation farmers and with after 40 years in the industry. Mallee Sustainable Farming their two children they produce He has provided so much Kate Wilson Serradella MSF 18 on their 21st year of operation. wheat, canola, lentils, lupins information and knowledge Alternative to Vetch We have been great partners and field peas. Kate has been to the Mallee region over his with MSF and look forward to an agronomic consultant for in a three day period in mid- many growers were amazed at years in agriculture. And as our Novel pasture systems 19 continuing our involvement with December! some of the yields attained. interview with Rob states “… he them into the future. more than 20 years, servicing Mallee RALF Program 22 has been one of our most valued clients throughout the Mallee We have gone from one of the Equally, cereals grown on contributors, the author of our Thank you to all the writers of and northern Wimmera. worst droughts in recent history heavier soil types with less Landscape scale improvements 24 Seasonal Update for more than our articles for this edition and I Kate is passionate about 20 years.” We wish him the best wish you all a productive 2019. producing high quality grain, to stories of growers sowing favourable rotations struggled, Sandy Soils Trials 27 for the future. whilst enhancing the natural summer feed and cover crops! with many yielding less than 0.5t/ha. ability of the soil to do so. Only in the Mallee. Rotations to control herbicide 29 We also welcome Kate Wilson Kate is also passionate about resistance in the Southern Mallee from AGRIvision Consultants Frost was also a major research and the extension to Given the extremely low who will be now providing limiting factor to yield in 2018. The role of Drones in Agriculture 31 bring about positive practice growing season rainfall (GSR) the Seasonal update. Kate Unrelenting sub-zero overnight change to growers, a mission across the region there have is a partner in a large grain temperatures during flowering Back Page Last Word 33 Kate actively undertakes as a been some extraordinary producing operation in Victoria’s devastated many crops. member of the Grains Research yields. NLP ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This publication is supported by the Mallee Catchment Authority (CMA), through funding from the and Development Corporation The highlight though was the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. Soil type, rotation and summer (GRDC) Southern Region record high prices for hay weed control were the deciding DISCLAIMER Panel. Over to you Kate. due to the continuing dry The information in this document has been published in good faith by the Mallee Catchment factors when GSR varied little Management Authority (CMA). throughout NSW & QLD. This publication and the information contained within may be of assistance to you but the Mallee As I sit and write my final from 70-100mm across the CMA Board and staff do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other draft of this my first Seasonal Mallee. Unprecedented amounts consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. You should obtain specialist advice on the applicability or otherwise of the information in this document. Conditions report for Mallee of Mallee hay derived from Neither the Mallee CMA nor any of the agencies/organisations/people who have supplied Farmer, I have to readjust my The better Mallee sandy/ the favourable 2017 season information published in the Mallee Farmer endorse the information contained in this document, nor do they endorse any products identified by trade name. The information in this document is made rainfall figures. In many areas loam soils produced science- headed north and at record available on the understanding that neither the Mallee CMA, nor any the people who have supplied of the Mallee we have gone defying water use efficiencies information published in the Mallee Farmer will have any liability arising from any reliance upon any prices, in excess of $400/t at information in this document. from miserable 80-100mm (WUE) with yields of 2-3t/ the height of demand. ISSN: 1839 - 2229 rainfall amounts up until early ha for cereals on 80mm Cover Photo: December to having received GSR. Whilst these were the Coupled with excellent prices Glen Sutherland, Mallee CMA similar to double that amount exception rather than the rule, for cereals, lupins, peas and

3 beans and rising prices for Following a replacement and we should all be excited lentils (many of which were theory (requirement and by the learnings we will gain held over from the big year of removal), a 0.5t/ha crop from this project. 2017), many growers have would require around 20kg of been able to minimise losses monoammonium phosphate from what once would have (MAP) or 4.4kg P. Taking For more information been a disastrous season. into account phosphorus More information about the project being highly immobile and the here: https://grdc.com.au/newsand- What a testament to farming spatial variability (how close media/news-and-mediareleases/ practice change. Direct-drilling the individual granules are) south/2018/11/research- has changed the landscape of fertiliser it may mean some unlockingopportunities-to-conquer- of the Mallee. Coupled with plants cannot actually access sandy-soils improved varietal traits, new adequate P in the critical first generation herbicides and four to six weeks of growth. built-for-purpose machinery, Summer Weed Control we are now able to endure Twitter was abuzz this harvest Getting the rate up around an extremely low rainfall year, 35kg MAP or 7kg P allows for with photos of summer spray not just with minimal erosion the soil bank to be maintained misses and the negative but also minimal negative as well as providing adequate economic impact. impact on crops. Moisture starter P nutrition. conservation is king and is So, where to in 2019 and never more evident than in a beyond? This will all vary greatly so soil-testing will be required to dry year. Not only is summer weed control essential for Soil Testing ascertain starting P levels. It is very tempting to minimise moisture conservation, but Normal starter nitrogen levels fertiliser applications after a also in controlling the green will be the norm, 15-30 units drought year and that’s a sound bridge. Aphids, including economic decision. of N depending on seeding system. Russian Wheat Aphid, rust and other diseases can be Our challenge this year though is the wide range of yields and New Research -Sandy minimised if we all control the fertiliser use/removal across Soils Project green bridge over summer and our farms and paddocks. Frontier Agriculture is currently throughout autumn. overseeing a GRDC Sandy Failed crops can have minimal Soils project, looking at soil phosphorus under the next amelioration and amendments. For more information crop, providing your P levels Kate Wilson | AGRIvision Consultants are above the critical required There have been some really Pty Ltd Mob: 0427 571 360 level. encouraging results thus far [email protected]

4 looking at the erosion on the enforced erosion prevention Mallee dunes around us,” he said. areas beside channels where farmers weren’t allowed to Farmer “We were working on a three- cultivate there and had to sow year rotation system and early and dry. In 1982 the farewells Rob there’d been a long fallow from roots got down into the sub-soil Sonogan July, so by spring, 30 percent moisture and in those areas of the landscape was drifting there was crop a foot high while By Jacinta Allen-Gange because crops had simply the rest of the paddock was just NewsAlert PR failed to germinate. Sheep desert. were being shot because you Mallee Farmer is farewelling couldn’t give them away. “Also, at the time, the rule of one of its most valued thumb was not to sow until the contributors, the author of our second week in May – but we Seasonal Update for more than had one farmer at Tempy who 20 years, Rob Sonogan. for years, had sown on ANZAC Day. Rob was one of a new generation of agronomists “One year he got badly frosted when he arrived in the Mallee but the other nine he had in 1976 and he’s worked the best crops in the district. alongside generations of Sometimes the mavericks do farmers as a trusted source stand out and, in this case, his of advice, information and approach was the future. a “voice of reason”. Mallee Farmer’s regular contributing “But it was in 1992 when the journalist, Jacinta Allen-Gange really big breakthrough came spoke to Rob about his time Rob’s Soil Conservation Department with the introduction of Frame working in the Mallee. Mugshot taken soon after arriving in and then Yitpi wheat varieties. They were resistant to some When Rob Sonogan reflects on “I was living in during of the big bogeys in cropping, the evolution of Mallee farming the summer of 1982-83 and we diseases like Cereal Cyst systems over his career, he had 16 days in a row where the Nematode. needs to look only as far as street lights came on because season 2018 to illustrate the of the dust. By then, 80 percent “These new varieties yielded transformation he’s seen. of the Mallee was drifting.” better, could be sown across all soil types unlike our Rob arrived in the Mallee in Rob said the 1982 drought was conventional varieties of the 1976, just a few years before a pivotal event. time, and that was the big thing the notorious drought of 1982. – before they came along, “Farmers simply said we just we had the machinery and “That year had so much in can’t let that ever happen infrastructure, but direct drill common with 2018, virtually again,” he said. wouldn’t yield for us. parallel in rainfall and conditions – but the outcome “There were some technology “In all the trials we lost 20 – on the ground is 180 degrees, emerging for trash retention 25 percent of yield because the scenario couldn’t look more farming, with blade ploughs we were always trying to sow different,” Rob said. and rod weeders, and some direct drill into a medic pasture encouraging signs about the base. Once we got rid of the “We had rain in January 1982 potential of moving away from medic pastures approach, we but by September we had the the three-year rotation. could sow these new varieties new Victorian Premier John “For example the Soil directly into either a legume or Cain up on a hilltop in Ouyen Conservation Authority had cereal stubble and direct drill started to work.”

5 “The technologies are amazing -- they’re solar powered and simply going around the paddock and doing their job, then back to their dock. Intelligent robotics is here now and it’s getting cheaper all the time and I think it will actually supersede chemicals very soon. By default, we will have an almost chemical-free system.

“It’s exciting because that’s also transforming the opportunities for the next generation of farmers. Farmers coming back onto the farms now are Rob with his own 40 year-old salt tolerant Red gums, some of the first to be tested in the highly educated and they see Mallee. Rob challenged conventional wisdom, becoming a recognised innovator and a business that is high-tech, champion for the use of vegetation to control land salinisation in the Mallee. rewarding and exciting, and as Rob said Mallee production optimistic about the Mallee’s we go down the new technology was now three to four times future. route, it’s more sustainable. that of the 1980s. “There is some incredible and “There’s so much potential “Of course, 85 to 90 percent exciting robotics technology around the corner it’s just mind- of the Mallee is now cropped, that is transforming farming blowing and I’m still as excited compared to only 30 percent again,” Rob said. to watch what’s ahead now as I back then, but the yields was 40 years ago!” so much better and it’s the “They selectively pick out a consistency, even in poor weed in the crop and deal with From all of us (past and present) years, of what can be produced it either with ‘greenseeker’ at Mallee Farmer. Thanks Rob – that’s most exciting. systems applying chemicals and enjoy your retirement! only to the weed or by plucking “Organic carbon levels seem to or microwaving for example. be dropping, though, so that’s an indicator that all is not well in the new system, and there are some research projects starting to hone in on some of those indicators that we need to do some things a bit differently. Reduced rainfall is also a big factor here!

“We’re seeing a swing back to more balanced legume and break crops and that might help minimise the decline in organic carbon.”

Even with the emerging challenges around chemical

resistance, Rob is highly Rob, also a passionate gardener

6 had a negative effect on the improving, these gains have Australian productivity of cropping farms, been offset by deteriorating particularly in southwestern conditions. The net result has farmers are and southeastern been stagnant productivity. adapting Australia. to climate change By Neil Hughes

2016-17 was a great year for Australian farmers, with record production, exports and profits. These records were driven largely by good weather, in particular a wet winter in 2016, which led to exceptional yields for major crops. Key southwestern and southeastern agricultural zones have been especially impacted by Unfortunately, these good climate change. ABARES conditions go very much against the long-term trend. Recent In general, the drier inland parts Furthermore, there is evidence CSIRO modelling suggests that of the cropping zone have been that this resurgence in changes in climate have reduced more heavily affected, partly productivity growth is a direct potential Australian wheat yields because these areas are more result of adaptation to the by around 27% since 1990. sensitive to rainfall decline. changing climate. Our study Smaller effects have occurred found that over the past decade While rising temperatures have in the wetter zones closer to the cropping farms have improved caused global wheat yields to coast. Here less rain can have productivity under dry conditions drop by around 5.5% between little effect on – and can even and minimised their exposure to 1980 and 2008, the effects in improve – crop productivity. climate variability. Australia have been larger, as a result of major changes in Farmers are reacting This contrasts with the 1990s, rain patterns. Declines in winter However, it’s not all bad news. when farms focused more on rainfall in southern Australia The study finds that Australian maximising performance in have particularly hit major farmers are making great strides good conditions at the expense broadacre crops (like wheat, in adapting to climate change. of increasing their exposure to barley and canola) in the key drought. southeastern and southwestern Much has been written about cropping zones. There is strong the fact that farm productivity Anecdotal evidence suggests evidence that these changes in Australia has essentially that winter cropping farms are at least partly due to climate flatlined since the 1990s, after have made a range of changes change. several decades of consistent over the last decade, to better growth. The ABARES research exploit soil moisture left from Climate change suggests that changes in climate the summer period. The most obvious is the shift toward is affecting farm go some way towards explaining this slowdown. conservation tillage during the productivity 2000s, where some or all of a A recent study by the Australian After controlling for climate, previous crop’s residue (such as Bureau of Agricultural and there has been relatively strong wheat stubble) is left in a field Resource Economics and productivity growth on cropping when planting the new crop. Sciences (ABARES) confirms farms over the past decade. It seems that farmers are that changes in climate have However, while farms have been adapting to new seasonal 7 patterns. While climate models and recent experience suggest a clear direction of change, there is little agreement over the magnitude.

On the positive side, we know that farmers are successfully adapting to the changes in climate and have been for some time. However, so far at least, farmers have only been able to tread water: improving productivity just fast enough to offset the decline in climate. To remain competitive, we need to find ways to improve productivity faster, especially if current climate trends continue or worsen.

ABARES, Author provided Acknowledgements Neal Hughes is Director, Water trends of rainfall, which for most changes have already been and Climate, at the Australian cropping farms means less rain observed in other agricultural Bureau of Agricultural and in winter and more in summer. sectors, including the shift of Resource Economics and wine into Tasmania in Sciences, and a visiting fellow response to rising temperatures. Is the Australian at the Australian National cropping belt moving University’s Crawford School of south? What does this mean for Public Policy. Previous research has the future? suggested that the zone of At present there remains much This article was originally published on Australia suitable for growing uncertainty over future rainfall The Conversation. broadacre crops, known as the https://theconversation.com cropping belt, appears to be shifting south.

Our study found evidence to support this, with ABARES and ABS data showing increased cropping activity in the wetter southern fringe of the cropping belt in Western Australia and Victoria. At the same time, there have been declines in some more inland areas, which have been heavily affected by the climate downturn.

These shifts may be partly due to other factors – such as commodity prices and technology – but it’s likely that The cropping belt appears to be moving south. The blue represent increases in cropping farms in the 2000s relative to the 1990s, and red represents decreases. ABARES, Author climate is playing a role. Similar provided .

8 Sustainable Farming Practice Change in the Mallee Cameron Flowers Southern Mallee Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator

During 12 years of living and working in the Mallee I have seen a number of changes to farming. Some of these changes have been due to things such as lifestyle, finances, technology improvements and climate change or changes in seasonal variability.

These changes have come Crops are diversifying in the Mallee about, some by choice and of the dry and drought years the dreaded paddocks “blowing” some by necessity, but they we have had. We have seen from soil erosion. During wet show that overall farmers are a shift to spreading the risk by seasons they have been a very adaptable. reintroducing or increasing the benefit in stopping compaction numbers of stock on farms. Stock and pugging, and assisting in When I started in the Mallee have also been a more attractive preserving soil health. the big push was on for No-till proposition as the prices and or minimum till cropping. This demand have increased. No-Till cropping and Stock resulted in the reduction or Containment Areas form part of removal of stock from a number Managing stock and No-Till has the ongoing changes that come of farms and the removal of its challenges but farmers have under the banner of Sustainable internal fences to create large again adapted to this in various Farming. This Sustainable paddocks. Stock were not seen ways. One of these methods farming is about improving as compatible with this new form is through the use of Stock soil health, protecting the of cropping. Containment Areas. These have environment, being adaptable proven to be a valuable tool in and keeping farmers farming We have seen that “No-Till” has managing stock and cropping, into the future. benefitted the Mallee greatly allowing for flexibility and with reductions in soil erosion improved grazing management. Acknowledgements and improvement in soil health Stock Containment Areas have This publication is supported by and the sandier soils that are been very popular during drought the Mallee Catchment Authority now coveted for producing good times allowing farmers to hold CMA, through funding from results. Stubble retention and onto stock and to preserve the Australian Government’s cover crops are now words that paddocks from over grazing and National Landcare Program. are commonly used when talking about and planning where once it was grazing and working up. While No-Till cropping has been a success it has been a challenge to grow crops in some 9 Australian Government’s Regional Land Partner- ship’s Mallee Threatened Species Ser- vices Project – Malleefowl The projects hopes to see more of these in the future Recovery Team, the Victorian This project represents the Research & Malleefowl recovery group establishment of additional (VMRG), the National AMPE sites within the Victorian Development Environmental Science Program Mallee to further enhance By Gareth Lynch (NESP) and Annuello Landcare the ‘representativeness’ Group will be undertaking an of Malleefowl habitat being 2018-19 Adaptive Adaptive Management Predator monitored by this national Management Predator Experiment (AMPE) at Annuello program. and Wandown Fauna and Flora Experiment Reserves (FFR). Mallee Catchment Management How will it be Authority (CMA) has been implemented? successful in obtaining What is the Adaptive To commence this project, funding under the Australian Management Predator Malleefowl monitoring baselines Government’s Regional Experiment? will be established using Light Land Partnership program The project will investigate Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to undertake a wide range the effects of predation on technology and ground truthing of on-ground works for the Malleefowl population dynamics to determine the presence conservation of Malleefowl and provide information on of Malleefowl mounds. An which is nationally listed under the effectiveness of baiting assessment of existing the Environment and Protection strategies at reducing fox Malleefowl monitoring sites Biodiversity Conservation numbers. Two sites will be within target areas will also be (EPBC) Act 1999 as vulnerable. established covering 17,057ha: undertaken to ensure that any recently constructed mounds are The Mallee CMA in conjunction • One treatment (fox baiting) incorporated into the program. with the National Malleefowl site at Annuello FFR across 14,957ha; and Fox baiting will occur in the Annuello FFR at a higher • One control site (no fox intensity than it has previously baiting) at Wandown FFR been undertaken. Fox across 2,100ha. abundance), and the associated effectiveness of baiting The project will form part strategies will be informed by: of the National Malleefowl Recovery Team’s National • Determining the number of AMPE to address a knowledge baits taken as a surrogate gap of assessing the efficacy for fox population density of fox baiting programs and estimates; Protecting new plantings in the corridor its impacts on Malleefowl.

10 • The installation of remote abundance) and any subsequent During this time, all adjoining sensor cameras and analysis effects on Malleefowl nesting landholders are encouraged to of photos to track changes in activity. Data collected as part of participate in the control of pest the abundance of foxes and this activity will be analysed both plant and animals to ensure cats. at the site level and as part of maximum results are achieved. the national program, to further Camera-traps will also inform continual improvement For more information on the support measurements on the and adaptive management Regional Land Partnership’s abundance of a range of medium processes. Mallee Threatened Species to large animals. Analysis of Services Project, contact the these results will reveal the Complementary works Mallee CMA State Investment secondary effects of reducing Complementary on-ground Project Officer Derrick Boord fox numbers on other predators, works will be undertaken on 03 5051 4377 or visit the such as cats and dogs, as to re-connect and enhance Mallee CMA website at www. well as other invasive species fragmented habitat for other malleecma.vic.gov.au (e.g. deer, pigs, goats, rabbits, Malleefowl populations at

A new vegetated wildlfe corridor under development hares) and native animals (e.g. the Berrook, Bronzewing, Acknowledgements kangaroos, echidnas, emus). and Yaapeet State Forests. This publication is supported by Mound activity data collected Consisting of stock exclusion the Mallee Catchment Authority by the Victorian Malleefowl fencing, revegetation works, and CMA, through funding from Recovery Groups volunteer pest plant and animal control, the Australian Government’s monitoring program will be these works will be delivered by National Landcare Program. Greening Australia, Department incorporated into project of Environment Land Water and reporting to support assessments Planning, Mildura Rural City Further information of fox management on local Council and Yarriambiack Shire Derrick Boord | Project Officer State Malleefowl breeding populations. Council. Investment | Mallee Catchment All data collected will be analysed Management Authority by ecological statisticians. PO Box 5017, Mildura, Victoria 3502. All works commenced in T: 03 5051 4377 | November 2018 and will E: [email protected] What will the project conclude in June 2019. www.malleecma.vic.gov.au hope to achieve? Outcomes from these activities will contribute to a greater understanding of fox baiting effectiveness (i.e. level of baiting required to reduce fox 11 have custody of, supply, and/ New 2, 4-D label instructions or use 2,4-D products currently on farm and in retail outlets. to reduce spray drift incidents Supply at the point of retail By Glen Sutherland sale must include the new Northern Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator instructions being provided with each container supplied. Avoiding off-target spray drift D must comply with the new damage remains a very high label instructions, even if they A copy of the permit via the priority for the agriculture are using products with old APVMA website: http://permits. sector. Inappropriate spray labels. apvma.gov.au/PER87174.PDF drift can (and has) caused These changes affect about widespread damage to crops, The Grains Research and the environment and even Development Corporation 220 products, and the new affected animal and human (GRDC) in conjunction with instructions for use include: health, sometimes hundreds Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) • A requirement not to spray of kilometres away from where recently held Effective Spray in inversion conditions the spray drift originated. Application Workshops which and additional information included information about on recognising inversion Agriculture industry bodies, the changes. The workshops conditions; Government regulators, were conducted by Australia’s chemical manufacturers and leading spray application • Downwind mandatory resellers, farm advisers and specialist, Bill Gordon who no spray zones for both agronomists, together with presented information on aquatic and terrestrial off researchers, continue to work in enhancing the performance of target vegetation (including partnerships towards reducing spray outfits, improving product sensitive crops, gardens, the incidents of spray drift. application and mitigating spray landscaping vegetation, One such recent partnership drift. protected native vegetation has resulted in changes to the or protected animal habitat); label instructions for the use of Bill delivered a comprehensive herbicides containing 2,4-D. rundown of the new • A requirement to use requirements for the use of nozzles producing droplets As of 3 October 2018, the new 2,4-D and explained that the no smaller than the Very 2,4-D label instructions came APVMA has issued permit PER Coarse spray quality into effect and old labels have 87174 “The New Instructions” category; been suspended. Users of 2,4- to allow persons to possess, • Mandatory record keeping requirements; and • Advisory statements about spray application over summer.

The new requirements do not change or restrict other aspects of the currently approved use patterns and should not affect availability of the product.

Products containing 2,4-D continue to be under review by the APVMA. For more information visit: https://apvma. gov.au/node/12351 Very Coarse rated spray nozzles in action 12 Celebrating Twenty One years of Mallee Sustainable Farming By Tanja Morgan Program Manager Mallee Sustainable Farming MSF Board Members cut the TwentyOne cake at the magazines October 2018 launch The millennium and 1982 Australia and Victoria,” says • Peter and Hannah droughts were devastating for MSF Executive Chair and Loller’s Karoonda Mallee farmers, with harvest Trentham Cliffs farmer Daniel property for the most part a non-event. Linklater. However, in the midst of yet • Jim Maynard's another drought, the region’s “Comparing this year to the 'Kerribee' near Gol farmers have this year found droughts of 1982 and 2002, Gol successes to celebrate: 2018 MSF is proud to have played still saw some production across • Matt Curtis’s a significant role in changing much of the Mallee, thanks in property the landscape for the better part to the work local farmers with a reduction in soil erosion • Robin Shaefer's ‘Bulla have contributed over more than and farmers in many cases Burra’ at Loxton two decades in partnership with still able to achieve some crop Mallee Sustainable Farming. • Ian Hastings’ Ouyen production. property For 21 years Mallee Sustainable “The Mallee was a place once • Trials across 46 Farmer Farming (MSF) has remained a known for heat and dust. Focus paddocks hosted by proudly farmer-led organisation, These days that dust now farmers across the region aiming to boost agricultural remains safely locked into productivity and profit and • Educating thousands of productive paddocks, thanks support farmers in the tristate farmers at MSF Field Days in large measure to MSF’s Mallee region by conducting work in advancing, proving research, development and • Hundreds of in depth local and promoting the advantages extension in the latest farming research projects into areas of improved farming systems, practices. such as rotations, nutrition, starting largely with the adoption soil microbiology, soil water, Over two decades MSF has of no-till.” agronomy, tillage and stayed true to its charter protein to connect researchers Some of the highlights of the past 21 years include: • The Strengthening Our and advisers from leading Communities project to organisations with Mallee • The widespread introduction increase access to farmer farmers for region-specific and adoption of no-till and support systems and build on-farm research, trials and stubble retention farming morale in drought-affected education programs. techniques rural communities during the millennium drought. “This year has seen decile 1 • Establishment of core research sites at: rainfall conditions across the To celebrate the first 21 years Mallee from northern NSW to • Allen Buckley’s of MSF the organisation has more southern areas of South Waikerie property 13 launched a commemorative collaboration with researchers has been achieved over the magazine: TwentyOne: The First and advisers. past 21 years will encourage 21 Years of Mallee Sustainable the government’s continued Farming. The 94-page “Together we are literally resourcing of agricultural publication includes interviews changing the landscape and the research and extension projects with farmers, researchers and face of farming in the Mallee.” by Mallee Sustainable Farming MSF volunteers; historical and other organisations. photos; and highlights of the Copies of TwentyOne: The First past 21 years, and sets a course 21 Years of Mallee Sustainable The magazine was previewed for where the next 21 years may Farming have been sent to at the MSF AGM in Mildura on take the MSF and agriculture in the Prime Minister, Agriculture 17 October and is now being the region. Minister and other federal, state distributed to Mallee Sustainable and local MPs as an example Farming subscribers. To register “Even though this is a drought of a best-practice grassroots for a free downloadable copy, year, this is an important program supporting farmers to visit http://www.msfp.org.au/ opportunity for us to celebrate be self-reliant in a dry climate. twentyone how far we’ve come and It’s also hoped seeing what increase awareness of our work with the aim of benefiting even more farming families,” Mr Linklater says.

“The true heroes of this story are our local farmers, whose open- mindedness to taking risks and trying new things have allowed for the radical changes we have seen.

“Current MSF work examining best management of sandy soils, seeps, pastures and livestock and frost will continue to develop improved farming practices through farmer driven Demonstrating soils amelioration MSF Field day Update on The Eastern Mallee Community Skills Development Landcare consortium includes Grant from the Department of Landcare Annuello, Kooloonong-Natya, Environment, Land, Water and , West and Planning and members of all Activities for Waitchie Landcare Groups. 5 Landcare Groups attended. With funding support from the The training covered key legal the Mallee Mallee CMA, the Eastern Mallee issues affecting Landcare Farmer Landcare groups continued their Groups and generated plenty feral animal and weed control of discussion around roles and battle, completing numerous responsibilities and OH&S. Eastern Mallee projects across the district during February to July 2018. Landcare Groups South East Mallee Manangatang Landcare Group By Sue Pretty held a Governance Training day Landcare Consortium The South East Mallee Local Landcare Facilitator for at on the 8th of August. Landcare Consortium includes; Eastern Mallee and South The training was run by Justice , Birchip, , Eastern Mallee Landcare Connect trainer Kaela Hughes. Curyo-Watchupga, Lalbert, Consortiums. The training was funded by a , and Ultima 14 Landcare Groups. During with Trust for Nature, funded February to June the groups through the Mallee CMA, were engaged in rabbit and investigating the distribution of weed control projects across the Plains-wanderer in the Birchip much of the district. Groups area. The Plains-wanderer, conducted 1080 carrot baiting, a small, ground dwelling bird rabbit ripping, and weed native to grasslands, was once control projects to manage widespread in the district, invasive Boxthorn and Cactus but due to habitat clearance infestations. and predation is now critically endangered. The group will use A committee of management song meters at sites previously has been formed for Lake known to have recorded Marlbed Reserve near Curyo observations. The song meters with members from Curyo- record bird calls and the data Trainer Kaela Hughes from Justice Connect Watchupga and Birchip can then be analysed to discover (Not-for-profit Law) Landcare Groups. The if the Plains-wanderer is still committee will oversee projects present at the site. Management Plan can be funded by the Mallee CMA to developed that will identify the update gravel tracks, car parks, Nullawil Landcare Group has long-term objectives and water signage and walking tracks. been funded by the Victorian requirements of the wetland. Landcare Grants to conduct an A community wildlife evening Birchip Landcare Group has investigation of the Utewillock was held at the wetland in early conducted a successful fruit fly Wetland east of Nullawil. The February to discuss the survey project in the Birchip area. The project includes a survey and findings, demonstrate the fauna project distributed fruit fly traps community engagement activity. survey methods, and allow the and educated the community The flora and fauna survey community to participate and on the importance of managing will be conducted by Wildlife learn about the unique animals fruit fly in our backyards and Ecologist Damien Cook (Rakali and plants of their area. We are orchards and controlling its Consulting). By documenting looking to water their sites into spread. The group held a field the environmental values of the the future. day on improving remnant site an Environmental Water native vegetation at the property of Damien Maher on the 18th of August. Other activities of the Birchip Landcare group included Boxthorn and rabbit control, tree planting and fencing, and investigating improvements to Pump House Reserve.

In 2019 the South East Mallee Landcare groups will continue to protect remnant Buloke vegetation communities by controlling feral plants and animals with funding from the Victorian Government Supports Biodiversity On-ground Action (BOA) and Victorian Landcare Grants (VLG). Nullawil Landcare Group members, Rohan In the coming months Eastern Mallee Forrester, Wade Humphreys and Donald Landcare groups will begin their 2019 Cooper assist South East Mallee Landcare rabbit control campaign with funding Birchip Landcare group will be Facilitator Sue Pretty checking nest boxes support from the Victorian Landcare Grants part of an exciting joint project at Utewillock wetland near Nullawil (VLG) and Biodiversity On-ground Action (BOA) Grant. 15

The experts – where and when you need them

The experts – where and when you need them Communities.grdc.com.au is home to experts in Crop Nutrition and Field Crop Diseases.

Communities.grdc.com.au is home to experts in Crop Nutrition and Field Crop Diseases. Grain growers and advisers looking for the most current theGrain field growers on and your advisers mobile looking device,for the most growerscurrent crop nutritionshare andand disease exchange crop nutrition and disease atinformation home, cannot or atgo pastyour GRDC desk” Communities, Ms ideas a national andonline networkdeliver that providesthe best information and advice 24/7. information cannot go past Harrison said. research-backed information GRDC Communities, a national Jodie Harrison available, in a range of “TheKnowledge service Broker, is Biosecurity an online and learning Agriculture Services,formats”. Department of Economic online network that provides Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. information and advice 24/7. network that complements regular information gathering You can access GRDC Delivering real-time information exchange with grains experts, GRDC Communities also systems,supports research like-based Mallee learning Farmer, networks: CropCommunities Nutrition, Field Crop through Diseases a and number Stored By Jodie Harrison andGrain . Theseis an three extension networks are supportedof your by theof Grains channels Research &– Development the website, Knowledge Broker, Biosecurity Corporation (GRDC), in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and the current advice channels.” social media, and through and Agriculture Services, Department of Primary Industries. Ask an Expert. All the GRDC Department of Economic Agriculture Victoria Knowledge Broker, Jodie Harrison, said these networks help decision- GRDC Communities gathers Communities tools, channels Development, Jobs, Transport making around crop nutrition and disease by providing the latest information straight from expertsthe experts. in crop nutrition, grain and information are free for all and Resources. storage“GRDC Communities and providesdiseases direct accessand to cropmembers disease and of nutrition the grains experts, industry no matter offers:where you are – out in the field on your mobile device,to access. at home, or at your desk” Ms Harrison Delivering real-time information said. exchange with grains experts, • Real-time information “The service is an online learning network that complementsFurther regular information information gathering GRDC Communities also systems,exchange like Mallee Farmer, andbetween is an extension of your current advice channels.” supports research-based farmers and research & Visit the website at Communities.grdc. GRDC Communities gathers experts in crop nutrition, grain storage and diseases and offers: learning networks: Crop development experts; com.au or follow GRDC Communities • Real-time information exchange betweenon farmers Twitter and @AuCropNutritionresearch & development and @ Nutrition, Field Crop Diseases experts; AusCropDiseases or Facebook at • •Coordinating Coordinating sour cessources of information of and decision-support tools, streamlining the task and Stored Grain. These Aus Crop Nutrition and Field Crop informationof finding the rightand information; decision- three networks are supported • Timely, relevant, peer-reviewed and up-toDiseases.-date information; and by the Grains Research & support tools, streamlining Development Corporation the task of finding the right (GRDC), in partnership with information; Agriculture Victoria and the • Timely, relevant, peer- New South Wales Department reviewed and up-to-date of Primary Industries. information; and

Agriculture Victoria Knowledge • The opportunity to pose Broker, Jodie Harrison, said a question directly to the these networks help decision- expert panel via the Ask an making around crop nutrition Expert tool. and disease by providing the latest information straight from Ms Harrison said the service the experts. taps into public and private sector research, development “GRDC Communities provides and extension specialists. direct access to crop disease “GRDC Communities and nutrition experts, no helps scientists, industry matter where you are – out in organisations, advisers and 16 composition of the community throughout both private and Avifauna varies depending on soil public land and many species properties (pH of the sub-soil), of birds can be regularly within Buloke the size of the remnant, recent encountered. rainfall (or drought conditions) Woodlands and by its historical level of Semi-arid Herbaceous Pine- Gareth Lynch disturbance (e.g. grazing, land Buloke Woodland clearing and fire). This community is entirely Background restricted to public land in Buloke woodlands are listed as Buloke Woodlands comprise Victoria’s northwest, with sites endangered under the Federal a number of vegetation primarily occurring in Murray- Environment Protection and communities found throughout Sunset National Park (NP), Biodiversity Conservation the Mallee Catchment Wyperfeld NP and Hattah- (EPBC) Act 1999. They are Management Authority (CMA) Kulkyne NP. The remainder of also listed as threatened under region and encompass a number this community is found within the Victorian Flora and Fauna of closely-related woodland adjacent State Forest land Guarantee (FFG) Act 1988. communities in which Buloke licensed for grazing. Buloke woodland communities (Allocasuarina luehmannii) provide habitat for a distinctive is usually the dominant tree, Semi-arid Shrubby Pine-Buloke suite of fauna and are critical with other species locally co- Woodland for a number of birds using the dominant i.e. Slender Cypress This community is restricted hollows of large, old trees for Pine (Callitris gracilis), Yellow/ to Victoria’s northwest Mallee nesting. In particular, birds of Blue Gum (Eucalyptus region, where the majority of prey such as the Wedge tailed leucoxylon subsp. Pruinosa) sites are present within either Eagle, Little Eagle, Brown and Grey Box (Eucalyptus the Murray-Sunset NP or on Falcon, and Black Falcon will macrocarpa) (Cheal et al., various public land reserves quite often nest in these large 2011). Within Victoria, these including Mallanbool FFR mature Bulokes. species form part of the broader and Yarrara FFR (e.g. State suite of ‘Semi-arid Non-eucalypt Forests, Flora and Fauna The community typically Woodlands’ associations which Reserves, Rail Reserves, etc.). comprises an open tree canopy support a diverse range of fauna (up to 15m tall) with a sparse including some fascinating bird Semi-arid Grassy Pine-Buloke and highly variable ground assemblages. Woodland layer dominated by grasses This community is widely and herbs, sometimes scattered Buloke Woodland distributed throughout the central shrubs and/or small trees. associations and southern Mallee areas, with The structure and species These associations are found most sites occurring on public land areas in , particularly the Pine Plains area.

Semi-arid Northwest Plains Buloke Grassy Woodland This community is restricted to sites within the southern Mallee area (and the Wimmera region). The majority of these sites occur on private land and along roadsides.

Buloke Grassy Woodland This community is predominately found in the Wimmera and Victorian Northern Plains, is BrownTreecreepers find a home in Buloke woodlands 17 found in areas that surround and Yellow-footed Antechinus. Communities on Public Land’ Birchip in the southern Mallee. on local government roadsides Interesting facts What threats do Buloke focussing on pest plant and about birds in Buloke Woodlands face? animal control. The woodlands have been Woodland All on-ground works will Raptors such as Peregrine extensively cleared in the past contribute towards enhancing Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Brown and the remnants that survive overstorey and understorey Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, face ongoing major threats vegetation within Buloke Australian Hobby Falcon, from incremental clearance, Woodland communities which will Brown Goshawk, Collared grazing by rabbits, stock, goats, reinvigorate natural processes Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, kangaroos, invasion by exotic and enhance the ecological Wedge-tailed Eagle, and Little plants, herbicide and fertiliser function of the sites, thereby Eagle the FFG listed threatened application, and inappropriate providing an ideal habitat for Black Falcon, have all been fire regimes. known bird species that inhabit observed throughout these these locations. communities and call them What is Mallee CMA home. Passerine species doing to help Buloke All works will be completed within that are characteristic of these Woodlands? the Avoca and Yarriambiack target woodlands include the Grey Currently, the Mallee CMA has areas and will focus on the Semi- Butcherbird, Pied Butcher been successful in obtaining arid Northwest Plains Buloke Bird, Striated Pardalote, funding under the Australian Grassy Woodland community Singing Honeyeater, Striped Government’s Regional and Buloke Grassy Woodland. Honeyeater, Red Capped Land Partnership program to Robin, Yellow Thornbill and the undertake a wide range of on- Delivery of works will be FFG listed threatened Major ground works to protect and completed by Buloke Shire Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Gilbert’s enhance Buloke Woodlands. Council, Swan Hill Rural City Whistler, Hooded Robin, Apostle Council, Yarriambiack Shire Bird Grey Crowned Babbler, On-ground works will involve Council, Landcare Groups, and White-browed Treecreeper ‘Protecting and Enhancing Barengi Gadjin Land Council, and are known inhabitants of these Priority Buloke Woodlands Private Landholders. communities. In addition, the on Private Land’ through Bush-stone Curlew, and the stock exclusion fencing and What community Red-tailed Cockatoo (both listed supplementary planting through as endangered in Victoria) may ‘Revegetation of Priority Buloke engagement programs be encountered. Woodland Remnants’. will Mallee CMA undertake to promote Terrestrial fauna known to inhabit Further on-ground works will Buloke Woodlands? these communities include the focus on ‘Enhancing Priority Whole of community Bearded Dragon, Lesser Long- Buloke Woodland Ecological capacity building activities eared Bat, Fat-tailed Dunnart will be delivered to improve awareness and appreciation of Buloke Woodland ecological communities in regards to their values and threatening processes, and the progress/ achievements of work being done through RLP to enhance critical Buloke Woodland habitat through the management of grazers and weeds and assisted regeneration techniques. Local stakeholder and interest groups will be invited to Belah hollows provide excellent bird nesting sites participate in field trips to 18 selected Buloke Woodland delivered with local community started ecological communities groups. (including the assisted What are the For more information on the regeneration demonstration opportunities for the Regional Land Partnership’s site) that promote the ecological Mallee Threatened Ecological character/values of Buloke community to learn Communities Species Services Woodlands, the risks posed about birds in Buloke Project, contact the Mallee CMA by key threatening processes, Woodlands in 2019? Regional Land Partnerships and progress being made in The ‘Buloke Woodlands Project Officer Gareth Lynch addressing these threats. Condition Assessment’ Citizen on 03 5051 4377 or visit the Science program will support Mallee CMA website at www. This program will continue to volunteers to undertake surveys malleecma.vic.gov.au build relationships with key of priority Buloke Woodland community groups, particularly ecological communities (sites Acknowledgements Landcare Groups and BirdLife will be determined in consultation This project is supported by Australia. These groups, as with community groups/ Mallee Catchment Management well as other delivery partners volunteers). This will help Authority, through funding from and the broader community, document where regeneration the Australian Government's will be invited to participate in of Buloke Woodland composite National Landcare Program. a regional monitoring program species is occurring, where regeneration is not occurring, for Buloke Woodlands, which Further information will focus on determining the and what factors are influencing findings (e.g. grazing, weeds, Gareth Lynch | Project Officer Regional effectiveness of management Land Partnerships| Mallee Catchment interventions/actions using environmental characteristics). Management Authority key indicator species including PO Box 5017, Mildura, Victoria 3502. Singing Honeyeater, Striped In addition, the Mallee CMA T: 03 5051 4377 Honeyeater, Red Capped will be looking to improve the capacity of community members by encouraging participation in the ‘Buloke Woodland Avifauna Monitoring Program’. This will support volunteers to undertake woodland bird surveys (using established BirdLife Australia monitoring guidelines) within Buloke Woodland ecological communities of varying condition. This will help document the differences in avifauna assemblages within Apostle Birds are enthusiastic colonists of these communities based on Buloke woodlands habitat condition indices, with Robin, Yellow Thornbill, Willie data being uploaded into the Wagtail, Restless Flycatcher, Birdata app, contributing to Brown Treecreeper and the FFG BirdLife Australia’s Woodland listed threatened Major Gilbert’s Birds for Biodiversity program. Whistler, Hooded Robin, Grey More about the Birdata app Crowned Babbler, and White- and Birdlife Australia at https:// browed Treecreeper (Buloke birdata.birdlife.org.au/get- A familar Buloke Woodland vista Woodland specific insectivorous birds). In addition, a Citizen Science program focusing on Buloke Woodland condition, regeneration and survival will be

19 • Volga vetch sown into barley Serradella as stubble in April 2016.

an alternative Growing season rainfall of 300, 214 and 90 mm was recorded to vetch on in 2016, 2017 and 2018 Mallee sands respectively. By Roy Latta

A progressive shift from cereal dominance to more diverse rotations in the Mallee has increased the demand for forage legumes. Current returns from the livestock industries support this farming option as an alternative to growing legume 2017 and 2018 wheat yields (t/ field crops. This is evidenced by ha) and protein contents (%) the extent of vetch sowings. The study supports further Serradella is an aerial seeded Serradella as an alternative to vetch on Mallee sands evaluation of serradella as an legume that has been widely option for sandy soils not well grown on Western Australian suited to vetch, especially where sandsBy Roy as Lattaan alternative to an extended weed or disease lupin. Serradella is sown as control strategy is required. podA progressive which requires shift from a period cereal dominanceof to more diverse rotations in the Mallee has increased the demand Successful on-farm seed seedfor forage softening legumes. in the Current field returns prior from the livestock industries support this farming option as an alternative supply needs to be assured to toto growinggermination. legume This field allowscrops. Thisit is evidenced by the extent of vetch sowings. provide better or comparative to be undersown or spread in economics. theSerradella crop in is the an aerialyear priorseeded to legume the that has been widely grown on Western Australian sands as an legumealternative phase to lupin. with Serradella little or isno sown Pasture-Serradella as pod which requires a period of seed softening in the field prior to germination. This allows it to be undersown or spread in the crop in the year prior to the legume phase with competition to the crop. In 2016 the vetch produced more For more information little or no competition to the crop. Roy Latta Research and Development biomass than the serradella This article briefly summarises Specialist Moodie Agronomy. Mob This article briefly summarises a fourwith year studysimilar evaluating subsequent serradella 2017 as a potentially0428 948 983 more productive a four year study evaluating alternative to vetch on Mallee sands. wheatThe exp graineriment yields was commencedand quality. at [email protected] in 2015 on a neutral pH serradellasandy loam . Asas parta of potentiallya wider study Howeverit compare dwhen the 2016 the and legumes2017 biomass production and the subsequent more2017 andproductive 2018 wheat alternative yields as ato result were of: allowed to regenerate in Latta R (2017) Low cost pasture legume establishment for sandy soils vetch• onserradella Mallee pod sands. segments The sown 2017 with barleythe serradella in April 2015 produced with, experiment was commenced at in the Victorian Mallee. In: Proceedings • Volga vetch sown into barleyalmost stubble 6 in t/ha April of 2016. biomass while of the 18th Australian Society of WalpeupGrowing inseason 2015 rainfall on a neutral of 300, pH 214 andthe 90vetch mm wasfailed recorded due in to2016 low, 2017 Agronomy and 2018 Conference, respectively ,. VIC. sandy loam. As part of a wider plant populations. Subsequent studyIn 2016 it compared the vetch produced the 2016 more and biomass 2018 than wheat the serradellayields and with quality similar subsequent 2017 wheat grain 2017yields biomassand quality. production However whenand thereflected legumes were the allowed increased to regenerate 2017 in 2017 the serradella produced thealmost subsequent 6 t/ha of biomass2017 and while 2018 the vetchserradella failed due production. to low plant populations. Subsequent 2018 wheat yields wheatand quality yields reflected as a result the increasedof: 20Table17 serradella 1 2016 production. biomass (tDM/ ha) seed yields (t/ha) and 2017 • Serradella pod segments Table 1 2016 biomass (tDM/ha) seedbiomass yields (t/ha) (tDM/ha) and 2017 biomassof forage (tDM/ha) of forage legumes and the sown with barley in April subsequent 2017 and 2018 wheat yieldslegumes (t/ha) and and protein the contentssubsequent (%) 2015 with, 2016 2017 2017 2018 Biomass Seed yield Wheat Protein Biomass Wheat Protein (tDM/ha) (t/ha) (t/ha) (%) (tDM/ha) (t/ha) (%) Serradella pods 3.5 1.45 3 8.1 5.8 3.2 10.6 Volga vetch 4.7 1.86 3.4 8.2 0.1 2.6 8.9 20 The study supports further evaluation of serradella as an option for sandy soils not well suited to vetch, especially where an extended weed or disease control strategy is required. Successful on-farm seed supply needs to be assured to provide better or comparative economics.

For more information

Roy Latta Research and Development Specialist Moodie Agronomy. Mob 0428 948 983 [email protected]

Latta R (2017) Low cost pasture legume establishment for sandy soils in the Victorian Mallee. In: Proceedings of the 18th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Ballarat, VIC.

© Proceedings of the 2017 Agronomy Australia Conference, 24 – 28 September 2017, Ballarat, Australia. www.agronomyconference.com 1 to be retained; hard seed sowing systems are potentially New project characteristics that provides beneficial as the hard seed/ a viable pasture after many pod can be produced on- shines the cropping phases. farm and used without the need for expensive scarifying spotlight on • Alternative pasture or processing to “soften” the establishment systems pasture seed. novel pasture aimed at reducing the cost systems of pasture establishment Annual medics, which are and potentially improved already widely grown in low by Michael Moodie productivity from greater rainfall mixed farming areas water use efficiency. These across south-eastern Australia, A new project “Dryland Legume include: will be compared to legumes Pasture Systems” (DLPS) • Twin sowing where that have been less well tested aims to discover resilient low- hard seed/pod is sown such as rose clover, bladder cost pasture legumes with with the crop before clover, serradella and biserrula. appropriate management the pasture phase. A feature of these legumes is packages to provide livestock Little or no pasture is their aerial seeded habit and and cropping benefits to the low- expected to establish in retention of seed, allowing seed medium rainfall mixed farming the crop phase. Hard to be farmer harvested and of Australia. seed “softens” over resown. Legume production, the summer period and nitrogen fixation, nutritive Background germinates to produce value and ability to regenerate The extent to which annual a viable pasture in the after cropping phases will be pastures provide benefits to following autumn. measured. livestock and crops is dependent upon the quality of the pasture • Summer sowing where The project will provide growers base. Whilst there is scope to hard seed/pod is sown with information on the value improve the pasture base on in the summer prior of the most promising pasture many mixed farms in the low to the pasture phase legumes to livestock production to medium rainfall zone across where the hard seed (palatability and nutritive southern Australia, pasture “softens” and germinate value in season and through renovation rates and the uptake to produce a viable senescence) and for the crops of new pasture legume cultivars pasture in autumn. that follow (e.g. N, soil water, is low. weeds, pests and soil borne Twin and summer sowing diseases). The DLPS project will evaluate systems will be compared to In 2018, seven sites were established in the low-medium rainfall regions of southern Australia the potential for novel pasture(Figure 1) autumnincluding a site located at sowing with scarifiedPiangil in the Victorian Mallee. The core research sites will be In 2018, seven sites were systems to provide benefits supplemented with the establishment of onto (soft) seed. Twin and summer-farm demonstration sites in 2019. established in the low-medium both the livestock and cropping enterprise. There are two main components of novel pasture systems that will be researched through this project over several years: • New legume pasture species/cultivars that have not traditionally been grown in the target region. Each species may provide benefits such as increased production on certain soils types; improved value to livestock; the ability for seedFigure 1. Map illustrating experimental sites (blue markers). Figure 1. Map illustrating experimental sites (blue markers).

Results/findings 21

Trials commenced in 2018 however legume establishment and growth has been adversely affected at several sites by challenging seasonal conditions. There was a delayed break to the season and growing season rainfall was less than 60% of the long term average at most sites.

Ranked performance of the legume pasture across the Lameroo, Loxton and Waikerie sites is shown in Table 1. For the measure of spring dry matter production, the medics (except minima) outperformed other pasture legume species, however medic production was inferior to vetch (Table 2). These initial rankings may change in the longer term due to seed set, hardseeded breakdown etc., but nonetheless the rankings highlight that the medics performed well under very low rainfall conditions on Mallee soils (loams at two of the three trials). The greater production of vetch indicates that the medics are achieving about two thirds of the production potential in the establishment year, so room for improvement remains. The potential benefits offered by other legume species, including improved ease of seed harvest, improved nutritive value and N-fixation may come at the expense of some dry matter production.

Table 1. Ranked performance (Spring dry matter production in year of sowing) of legume entries across two or three sites in .

Legume Relative DM (% site mean) Studenica Common Vetch 215

Toreador Disc Medic 141 EP Harbinger Strand Medic 137 Barrel Medic 130 Pildappa Strand Medic 120

PM250 Strand Medic 115 Astragalus Early 107 Scimitar Burr Medic 104

Capello Woolly Pod Vetch 103 Jaguar Strand Medic 83

SARDI Rose Clover 66 Casbah Biserrula 50 Bartolo Bladder Clover 45 Trigonella 5045 42

Margurita French Serradella 34

Legume Relative DM rainfall regions of southern the longer term due to(% seed site set, Australia (Figure 1) including hardseeded breakdownmean) etc., Studenica Common Vetch 215 a site located at Piangil in but nonetheless the rankings the Victorian Mallee. The Toreador Disc Medichighlight that the 141medics core research sites will EP Harbinger Strand Medicperformed well under 137very low be supplemented with the Barrel Medicrainfall conditions on130 Mallee Pildappa Strand Medic 120 soils (loams at two of the three Legume Relative DM PM250 Strand Medictrials). The greater production115 of (% site Astragalus Early 107 mean) vetch indicates that the medics Studenica Common Vetch 215 Scimitar Burr Medicare achieving about two104 thirds

Toreador Disc Medic 141 Capello Woolly Pod Vetchof the production potential103 in EP Harbinger Strand Medic 137 Jaguar Strand Medicthe establishment year,83 so room

SARDI Rose Clover 66 Barrel Medic 130 for improvement remains. The

Pildappa Strand Medic 120 Casbah Biserrupotential la benefits offered50 by

PM250 Strand Medic 115 Bartolo Bladder Cloverother legume species, including45 Trigonella 5045improved ease of seed 42harvest, Astragalus Early 107 Margurita French Serradellaimproved nutritive value34 and Scimitar Burr Medic 104 Very healthy Trigonella in full growth Capello Woolly Pod Vetch 103 Jaguar Strand Medic 83

SARDI Rose Clover 66 Casbah Biserrula 50 Bartolo Bladder Clover 45 Trigonella 5045 42

Margurita French Serradella 34

Table 1. Ranked performance (Spring dry matter productionFigure in year 2of . sowing)Pastures at Lameroo experimental site. From L of -R PM250 medic, Rose clover, Trigonella legume entries across two or three sites in South Australia. Figure 2. Pastures at Lameroo experimental site. From L-R PM250 medic, Rose clover, balansae (5045) and MarguFigure 2. Pastures at Lameroo experimental site. From Lrita serradella-R PM250 medic, Rose clover, Tri. Bill Daverongonella 24 October Trigonella balansae (5045) and Margurita serradella. Bill Daveron 24 October establishment of on-farm balansae (5045) and Margurita serradella. Bill Daveron 24 October demonstration sites in 2019.

Results/findings Trials commenced in 2018, however legume establishment and growth has been adversely affected at several sites Figure 2. Pastures at Lameroo experimental site. From L-R PM250 medic, Rose clover, Trigonella bybala nsae (5045) and Marguchallenging ritaseasonal serradella . Bill Daveron 24 October conditions. There was a delayed break to the season and growing season rainfall was less than 60% of the long term average at most sites. Ranked performance of the legume pasture across the Lameroo, Loxton and Waikerie sites is shown in Table 1. For the measure of spring dry matter production, the medics (except minima) outperformed other pasture legume species, however medic production was inferior to vetch (Table 2). These initial rankings may change in Figure 3. Bonnie Flohr (CSIRO) addressing farmers at the Lameroo site at an MSF field day. 22 Pasture Plots Southwest NSW near Buronga N-fixation may come at the with high nitrogen fixation Acknowledgements expense of some dry matter capacity, increased early vigour This project is supported by production. and earlier flowering. These funding from the Australian are expected to enter the field Government Department Implications of the program in the next two years. of Agriculture and Water findings Resources as part of its The late break and below average The long term farming systems Rural R&D for Profit program; rainfall provided a tough test of the trials will continue in 2019 with the Grains Research and productive capacity and seed set assessment of establishment Development Corporation, Meat of the different legumes. These systems a key focus. The and Livestock Australia; and circumstances are consistent with systems trial at Piangil in the Australian Wool Innovation. The climate change predictions and Victorian Mallee will enter its research partners include the therefore provide a relevant and first year of pasture production South Australian Research and rigorous test. We are optimistic in 2019 with eight pasture Development Institute, Murdoch that some sensible shortlisting species being compared with University, the Commonwealth of the different legumes will be twin, summer and autumn Scientific and Industrial possible. establishment techniques. Research Organisation, the WA Department of Primary Industries New legume material with novel For more information and Regional Development, and traits continues to be developed Michael Moodie | Frontier Farming Charles Sturt University, as well for the DLPS with superior lines Systems | E: michael@moodieag. as 10 grower groups. of boron tolerant medic, legumes com.au | M: 0448 612 892.

23 predominantly on working the region such as reporting Regional with community members on the impacts of seasonal and groups that have a conditions on farmers, Agricultural sustainable agriculture emerging farm management emphasis; and issues affecting Landcare sustainable agriculture. Facilitator • Building partnerships that will The Mallee Catchment Program Management Authority has established two RALF positions By Glen Sutherland in the region. Cameron Flowers is based in Birchip and Glen The Mallee’s dryland farming Sutherland is in Mildura. The communities have a new-look dividing line for the two roles is support service to help them to approximately South and North continue to take up sustainable Mallee RALFS supporting local workshops of the from farm and land management and field days the SA to NSW border. Both practices and adapt to the Cameron and Glen are keen challenges of changing best serve farmers such as to engage with their respective market demands and climatic connecting agency, industry, communities about their roles conditions. grower and community and what’s on offer through the groups so that they can work National Landcare Program’s The Regional Agriculture together to address common Regional Land Partnerships Landcare Facilitator (RALF) opportunities, concerns and Initiative. program is building a national difficulties; network of agriculture focused, • Assisting farmers, regionally based, facilitators For more information community groups and who are being established For more information contact either agricultural industries to Cameron of Glen on the numbers through the support of the develop projects and seek below. Cameron’s Mobile: 0427 509 Australian Government's new funding opportunities 663 Glen’s Mobile: 0417 396 973 National Landcare Program’s such as those periodically Regional Land Partnerships on offer through the National This project is supported by (RLP) Initiative. Landcare Program’s Mallee Catchment Management Regional Land Partnerships Authority (CMA), through RALFs will be engaging and initiative; funding from the Australian informing farmers, community Government’s National groups and agricultural • Seeking out new knowledge, Landcare Program industries about emerging such as research results, ideas, climate change activities, through participating in land management practices and ‘Communities of Practice’ to any new government policies to better understand complex help improve the sustainability, issues, improve networks productivity and profitability of and help develop solutions agriculture. to agricultural challenges; and About the RALFs and what they will be doing in their regions. • Updating the Australian Government about emerging • RALFs will be acting as a issues and events within RALFS importing experts to the region key contact point for farmers, industry and community groups and will be supporting agriculture-related project activities and services in their regions and will be focusing

24 Agriculture Victoria has recently infrastructure to meet Victorian reported that the sheep and mandatory requirements goat industries have certainly and since 31 March 2018 Sheep and embraced the NLIS since its over 1 million sheep have Goat EID introduction and has collected been scanned and uploaded important data which supports to the NLIS database; Program this view. The data clearly demonstrates this with: • Producers have commenced recording property to Update • Close to 20 million electronic property movements on The introduction of an electronic NLIS (Sheep) tags purchased the NLIS database from 31 National Livestock Identification by producers; March 2018. System (NLIS) for sheep and • Investment in research Agriculture Victoria advises that goats in 2017 was first reported and development and the next major milestone for in edition 12 of the Mallee collaboration between the NLIS for sheep and goat Farmer (March 2017). At the industry, third party providers producers started on 1 January time, the NLIS was described and government has resulted 2019. All sheep and non-exempt as an important reform that in the development of new goats introduced from interstate would enable prompt tracking and innovative software and and born after 1 January 2019 of individual animals during equipment; disease and food safety must be tagged with an electronic emergencies, helping to • All Victorian sheep NLIS (Sheep) pink post-breeder maintain and expand market processors now have tag before being dispatched access for Victoria’s livestock infrastructure to meet from a Victorian property. industries. The rollout of the mandatory requirements program continues and this and from 31 December Interstate producers need to article provides a re-cap of the 2017 have been scanning continue to meet their individual NLIS together with an update of electronically tagged sheep; state requirements for tagging the program. and identification of sheep and • All Victorian sheep selling goats. saleyards have new The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) system uses electronic ear tags, identifying each animal with its own individual number. The tag contains an electronic Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) that can be read visually, and also electronically with a handheld wand or fixed panel scanner.

There are clear advantages that the system offers through supporting innovation and increased productivity through the supply chain. The system underpins the solid reputation that Australia enjoys overseas as being a premium producer of clean, safe food. Producers have also recounted many potential flock management benefits of the system on the farm. Lambs in yard with their new EID Tag

25 However, if Victorian producers colour at subsidised prices to livestock. All advertisements buy lambs and kids born identify 2019 born lambs and selling livestock including in interstate after 1 January 2019, kids. Producers can buy up print, on Gumtree, Facebook they must apply an electronic to 110 per cent of electronic and Auctions Plus, now pink post-breeder tag before tags purchased in 2018, to need to include the Property the animals leave the Victorian identify 2019 born lambs Identification Code (PIC) of property, unless they are and kids. This includes pink where the livestock is kept already tagged with an post-breeder tags. As per the (except where a livestock agent electronic NLIS (Sheep) tag. existing tag ordering process, is used). producers can order more than Victorian producers can their allocation of subsidised For more information purchase electronic NLIS electronic tags if there is a To find out more about the NLIS (Sheep) tags for 2019 born genuine business need and program, including subsidised tags, lambs and kids at subsidised suitable evidence can be log on to www.tags.agriculture.vic.gov. prices. From 1 January 2019, provided. au or call the NLIS helpline on 1800 tags will be available from 678 779 during business hours. $0.55, depending on the type Agriculture Victoria also of tag purchased. Producers advises that there are new can buy electronic tags of any requirements for anyone selling

Foxes a critical threat to Mallee Fowl Landscape scale improvement the target for new biodiversity projects Jacinta Allen-Gange NewsAlert PR Mildura

Work is underway on the biggest The Mallee Catchment Government’s 2018-19 landscape-scale biodiversity Management Authority was Biodiversity Response Planning initiative ever undertaken in the successful in all nine of its bids round. Mallee. for funding under the Victorian 26 Feral cat in tree hollow at Hattah

The funding represents the together stakeholders including Regent Parrot, Bandy Bandy largest funding amount awarded traditional owners, private and Yellow Swainson pea; to a Victorian CMA this year and landholders and public groups • Safeguarding the Hattah Mallee CMA Manager for State under nine projects: Ramsar Lakes and Raak Investment Nicole Wishart said • Mallee Parks: The it reflected the strength and Plain Catchment Areas – Connection – Weed, rabbit, range of the region’s biodiversity Rabbit, weed and fox control, fox and goat control within values. ultimately improving the Murray-Sunset National “The Mallee has the most condition and connections Park, Big Desert Wilderness biodiversity values of any region within a landscape Park and the agricultural in Victoria and it’s fantastic recognised nationally for its landscape between them to that this new funding, which is saline and fresh wetlands; improve ecological pathways delivered over three years, will for more than 200 native • Yarrara Ridge: Conserving allow us to continue the inroads species including Mallee Victoria's semi-arid we’re making on protecting Emu-wren, Major Mitchell’s environments – Rabbit, weed those values,” Mrs Wishart said. Cockatoo and Lined Earless and fox control supporting “We’re getting some amazing Dragon; the largest remnants of support in our communities Belah woodlands in Victoria; because farmers and other local • Annuello and Wandown: groups who are coming on board Enhancing Mallee to Murray • Improving conservation can actually see the difference biolinks - Integrated weed, of the southern Mallee we’re making to the landscapes rabbit and fox control to Dunefields - Rabbit, weed around them.” improve connections in the and fox control, targeting Scroll Belt remnants within the The Biodiversity Response region, supporting species agricultural landscape of Planning projects will bring including Malleefowl, the Wathe and Bronzewing 27 Dunefields, a landscape “This work is successful because “Under these projects, by working recognised for its ecological it collaborates with different together we will be supporting uniqueness; groups and takes a landscape- the biodiversity and values of based approach to pest animal more than 250,000 hectares of • Controlling feral Cats in the and plant control,” Mrs Wishart our unique Mallee landscape, Mallee – A project to reduce said. which is a really significant cat predation impacts in “We are now starting to see achievement.” Hattah-Kulkyne National some real benefit from those Park and Big Desert State partnerships within communities, Forest, and supporting and For more information particularly with farmers, by improving development of Nicole Wishart | Manager State cat control strategies and acknowledging the work they Investment | Mallee Catchment Management Authority | PO Box 5017, tools; already do and supporting them to broaden the environmental Mildura, Victoria, 3502 | T: 03 50514 581 | M: 0427 514 303 | • to Nyah: approach they’re taking. E: [email protected] Conserving Robinvale Plain www.malleecma.vic.gov.au and Murray Fan bioregions - Rabbit, weed, pig, goat and fox control to address key threats and improve connectivity of Robinvale Plain and Murray Fan bioregions; • Tyrrell: Preserving an ancient salina landscape – Rabbit, weed and fox control to improve the condition and connectivity of a landscape recognised nationally for its geological significance as an ancient salina system; and • Cardross: Conserving biodiversity within a peri- urban landscape – Rabbit and weed control and revegetation to support priority habitat within the system and improve areas previously under grazing licence.

Along with private landholders Goat Control also supported under this program. and traditional owner groups, the projects will draw together partner organisations including Parks Victoria, Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning, Mildura and Swan Hill Rural City Councils, Buloke and Yarriambiack Shires, Lower Murray Water and the Arthur Rylah Institute.

28 “Ripper” results from Mallee Sandy Soils trials

By Michael Moodie

Initial findings from local research is showing benefits of physical disturbance by deep ripping and rotary spading on sandy soils.

Background

The research is part of the GRDC project ‘Increasing production on sandy soils in the low-medium rainfall areas of the southern region’, where there is evidence for limited rooting depth and crop water extraction. Key aims of the research are to improve access to cost effective techniques to diagnose and overcome the primary constraints to poor crop water-use on sandy soils. Two research sites have now been established in the Victorian Mallee at Ouyen (2017) and at Carwarp (2018). Trials at each location have focused on building subsoil fertility through the addition of organic or inorganic inputs and physical intervention to reduce subsoil resistance through deep ripping or rotary spading. 30 cm. Deep ripping in 2017 Resultsresistance and throughFindings deep ripping “Ripper” or rotary spading. led to a grain yield increase of Exploration of the sandy soils profiles has shown that a high level of penetration res0.85 t/ha relative to the control istance exists which yielded 1.9 t/ha. In 2018, results from below a depth of about 20 cm. For example, at the Ouyen site penetration resistance peaked at Results and Findings Exploration of the sandy soils some plots were re-ripped to 4000 MPa at a depth of about 30 cm. Generally, root growth is restricted beyond 2000 MPa and Mallee Sandy profiles has shown that a high compare the effect of a single deep ripping level of penetrationto 30 cm at this site in 2017 reduced resistance deep rip againstresistance to less than 1000 MPa an annual deep (Figure 1). Soils trials exists below a depth of about 20 rip. Annual ripping treatments By Michael Moodie 5 0 D e e p R ip p e d 1 0 0 Initial findings from local 1 5 0 P re D rille d

) 2 0 0 2 5 0 C o n tro l - In te ro w research is showing benefits of m 3 0 0 m (

physical disturbance by deep 3 5 0

h 4 0 0 ripping and rotary spading on t p 4 5 0

e 5 0 0 sandy soils. D 5 5 0 6 0 0 6 5 0 7 0 0 Background 7 5 0 The research is part of the 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 GRDC project ‘Increasing P e n e tr a tio n R e s is ta n c e (M P a ) production on sandy soils in Figure 1. Change in penetration resistance down the soil profile at Ouyen following deep the low-medium rainfall areas Figure 1. ripping. Change in penetration resistance down the soil profile at Ouyen following deep ripping. of the southern region’, where cm. For example, at the Ouyen increased yields by 0.6 t/ha while there is evidence for limited Reducing penetration resistance through site penetration resistance treatmentsphysical intervention which were ripped by either deep ripp in ing or rotary rooting depth and crop water spadpeakeding has at 4000improved grain yield at Ouyen for two consecutive seasons. MPa at a depth 2017 still yielded 0.4 t/ha better Both machines loosened extraction. Key aims of the soil to a depth of about 30 cm. of about 30 cm. Generally, rootDeep thanripping in the control 2017 led to a in 2018grain (0.9yield increase of t/ 0.85 t/ha relative research are to improve access to the control which yielded growth is restricted beyond 20001.9 t/ha. In 2 ha) (Figure018, some plots were re 2). -ripped to compare the effect of a to cost effective techniques to MPa and deep ripping to 30 Rotary spading using a spade single deep rip against an annual deep rip. Annual ripping treatments increased yields by 0.6 t/ha diagnose and overcome the cm at this site in 2017 reduced and sow system at Ouyen primary constraints to poor crop while treatments which were ripped in 2017 still yielded 0.4 t/ha better than the control in 2018 (0.9 resistance to less 5 than 1000 2 0 1 8 water-use on sandy soils. Two ) 2 0 1 7 t/haMPa) (Figure 2)(Figure 1).. a 4 5 h / t

( 2 0 1 8

research sites have now been d 3 l )

e 2 0 1 7 i

a 4 Y h

established in the Victorian 2 / n t Reducing penetrationi resistance ( a

r

d 3 G Mallee at Ouyen (2017) and 1 l

through physical intervention e i Y at Carwarp (2018). Trials at 0 2

by either deep ripping orl rotary) n l ) o i r a e t u c n n n a each location have focused on o n O r C ( (A

spading has improved grain yield p G i p 1 i R R p building subsoil fertility through p e e e at Ouyen for two consecutivee D D the addition of organic or 0 l ) ) seasons. Both machines o l r a e t u c Figure 2. Cumulative grain yield (2017-2018) nat Ouyen for the control, deep rip annually (2017 and n n inorganic inputs and physical o n O loosened soil to a depth of about C ( (A 2018) and deep ripped once (2017 only) treatments. ip p intervention to reduce subsoil i R R p p e e e Rotary spading using a spade and sow system at Ouyen e has also increased grain yieldD relative to the D control, with a combined benefit of 0.5 t/ha over two seasons. However where the organic input chicken litter has also been incorporated with the spading operation, the cumulative grain yield has doubled from 2 t/ha to 4 t/ha over the two seasons. Figure 2. Cumulative grain yield (2017- 2018)Figure 2. Cumulative grain yield at Ouyen for the control, (2017deep -rip2018) at Ouyen for the control, deep rip annually (2017 and 2018) and deep ripped once (2017 only) treatments. 5 annually (2017 and 2018) and deep ripped once (2017 only) treatments.2 0 1 8

) 2 0 1 7 a 4 Rotary spading using a spade and sow system at Ouyen has also increased grain yield relative to the h / t ( hascontrol also, with a combined benefit of 0.5 t/ha over two seasons. increased grain yield However where the organic input

d 3 l e i

Y relativechicken litter has also been incorporated with the spading operation, to the control, with a the cumulative grain yield has 2 n i a

r combineddoubled from benefit2 t/ha to 4 t/ha over the two seasons. of 0.5 t/ha

G 1 over two seasons. However 0

l 5r o e where the organic input chicken r d te t a it 2 0 1 8 n p L o S C n e litter) has also been incorporated k c 2 0 1 7 i a 4 h C h + /

witht the spading operation,

e (

d a p

d 3

S the l cumulative grain yield has e

i Y doubled 2 from 2 t/ha to 4 t/ha

Figure 3. Cumulative grain (2017-2018) n yield for the control, spading only and spading + chicken litter i

treatments at Ouyen. overa the two seasons. r

G 1 Deep Ripping at Carwarp A new trial established at Carwarp in 2018 with first year results also confirm a benefit of deep ripping and spading. This trial compared the depth of mechanical intervention with ripping being 0 29 conducted to 30 or 60 cm and compared to spading. All mechanical interventions had a large effect l r o e r d te on grain yield, doubling the yield of the control (0.5 t/ha). t There was a only a slight yield advantage of it n p L o S physical disturbance deeper than 30 cm (Figure 4)C . n e k ic h C + e d a p S

Figure 3. Cumulative grain (2017-2018) yield for the control, spading only and spading + chicken litter treatments at Ouyen.

A new trial established at Carwarp in 2018 with first year results also confirm a benefit of deep ripping and spading. This trial compared the depth of mechanical intervention with ripping being conducted to 30 or 60 cm and compared to spading. All mechanical interventions had a large effect on grain yield, doubling the yield of the control (0.5 t/ha). There was only a slight yield advantage of physical disturbance deeper than 30 cm (Figure 4). 5 2 0 1 8

) 2 0 1 7

a 4

h 5 / t

( 2 0 1 8

d 3 ) l 2 0 1 7

a 4 e i h / Y t

2 ( n i

d 3 l a r e i

G 1 Y 2 n i a

0 r

G 1 l ) ) o l r a e t u c n n n o n O C ( (A 0 ip p i R l ) ) o l R p r a e p e t u c e e n n n e D o n O C ( D (A ip p i R R p p e e e e D Figure 2. Cumulative grain yield (2017-2018) at Ouyen for the control, deep rip annually (2017 and D

2018) and deep ripped once (2017 only) treatments. Figure 2. Cumulative grain yield (2017-2018) at Ouyen for the control, deep rip annually (2017 and Rotary spading using a spade and sow system 2018) and deep ripped once (2017 only) treatments.at Ouyen has also increased grain yield relative to the control, with a combined benefit of 0.5 t/ha over two seasons. However where the organic input chicken litter has also been incorporated with the spading operation, Rotary spading using a spade and sow system the cumulative grain yield has at Ouyen has also increased grain yield relative to the doubled from 2 t/ha to 4 t/ha over the two seasons. control, with a combined benefit of 0.5 t/ha over two seasons. However where the organic input chicken litter has also been incorporated with the spading operation, the cumulative grain yield has doubled from 2 t/ha to 4 t/ha over the two seasons. 5 2 0 1 8

) 2 0 1 7

a 4 5 h /

t 2 0 1 8 (

) d 3 2 0 1 7 l

a 4 e h i / t Y (

2 n

d 3 i l a e i r Y G

1 2 n i a 0 r G 1 l r o e r d te t a it n p L o S 0 C n e k l r c o e i r d te h t a it C n p L o S + C n e e d k a ic p h S C + e d a p Figure 3. Cumulative grain (2017-2018) yield for the control, spading only and spading + chicken litter S treatments at Ouyen. Figure 3. Cumulative grain (2017-2018) yield for the control, spading only and spading + chicken litter A new trial established at Carwarp in 2018 treatments at Ouyen.Figure 3.with first year resu Cumulative grainlts also confirm a(2017-2018) benefit of deep ripping and spading. This trial compared tyield forhe depth of mechanical intervention with ripping being the control, spading only and conducted to 30 or 60 cm and compared to spading. A new trial established at Carwarp in 2018 spading + chickenAll mechanical intervention litter treatments with first year resuat s had a large effect lts also confirm a benefit of deep on grain yield, doubling the yield of the control (0.5 t/ha). ripping and spading. This trial Ouyen. There was compared tonly a slight yield advantage of he depth of mechanical intervention with ripping being physical disturbance deeper than 30 cmconducted to 30 or 60 cm (Figure 4). and compared to spading. All mechanical interventions had a large effect on grain yield, A new doublingtrial the yield of the control (0.5 t/ha). established at There was only a slight yield advantage of physical disturbance deeper than 30 cmCarwarp in 2018 with first (Figure 4)year . results also confirm a benefit of deep ripping and spading. This trial compared the depth of mechanical intervention with ripping being conducted Combined Spading and Sowing at Ouyen Trial Site to 30 or 60 cm and compared to spading. All mechanical sandy soils in the Victorian For more Information interventions had a large Mallee. Thus far, the responses This work is funded under the GRDC effect on grain yield, doubling to physical intervention have project CSP00203; a collaboration the yield of the control (0.5 t/ generally been more consistent between the CSIRO, Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc. Frontier ha). There was only a slight than responses to organic inputs. The exception to this Farming Systems, the University yield advantage of physical of South Australia, the SA state disturbance deeper than 30 cm is gains from the application of government through Primary Industries (Figure 4). chicken litter at Ouyen which and Regions SA, AgGrow Agronomy, has led to a cumulative grain and Trengove Consulting. 1 .5 yield response of 2 t/ha across

) Please contact Michael Moodie a two seasons. The responses h /

t [email protected] or 0448

( 1 .0

d to chicken litter demonstrates l 612 892 for further information. e i

Y the potential to improve

n i 0 .5 a

r gains through increasing G the nutrient fertility of sandy 0 .0 soils. However the addition l o 0 0 e r 3 6 d t a n ip ip p of home grown biomass, such o R R S C as vetch and cereal hay, did Figure 4. Grain yield responses at Carwarp in 2018 to deep ripping to 30 cm, deep ripping to 60Figure 4. Grain yield responses at Carwarp not provide significant cm yield and rotary spaded (30 cm).in 2018 to deep ripping to 30 cm, deep responses on sandy soils in ripping to 60 cm and rotary spaded (30 cm). Implications of the findings 2018. Therefore addressing

Alleviating physical barriers to root growth through practicesphysical such as deep ripping and rotary constraints through spading are providing Implicationsthe ofmost consistent yield increase on sandy soils in the Victorian Mallee. the deep ripping or rotary spading Thus far, the responses to physical intervention have findings generally appearsbeen more consistent than responses to to be a good place organic inputsAlleviating. The physicalexception to this is barriers gains from to the application of chicken litter at Ouyen which to start for farmers who are has led to a cumulative grain yield response of 2 t/ha across two seasons. The responses to chicken litter demonstrates the potential to improve gains through increasing the nutrient fertility of sandy root growth through practices looking to increase production soils. such However the addition of home grown biomass, such as vetch and cereal hay, did not provide as deep ripping and rotary on underperforming sands in significspadingant yield responses on sandy soils in 2018. are providing the most Therefore addressing physical constraints through the Victorian Mallee. deep ripping or rotary spading appears to be a good place to start for farmers who are looking to consistent yield increase on increase production on underperforming sands in the Victorian Mallee. 30 For more Information

This work is funded under the GRDC project CSP00203; a collaboration between the CSIRO, Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc. Frontier Farming Systems, the University of South Australia, the SA state government through Primary Industries and Regions SA, AgGrow Agronomy, and Trengove Consulting.

Please contact Michael Moodie [email protected] or 0448 612 892 for further information.

Women on Farms 2019 Gathering West By Glen Sutherland and Mary Hughes The Mallee Farmer recently women from West Gippsland overcome farming difficulties,’ became aware of the next who have been meeting and observed committee member Women on Farms gathering celebrating rural life for thirty Mary Hughes of Neerim, ‘ climatic scheduled in March 2019. The years. Now they are preparing variations, market upsets, power organisers were approached to a special event which will be outages, animal diseases and see if they were interested in shared with women from across rising costs all challenge farmers promoting the event through the Victoria. The 30th state wide to move on and focus on the Mallee Farmer and the response annual gathering of farming longer term.’ was very positive and they women will be held in provided the following descriptor in March 2019. The dates for the Warragul of the event. “As it will be held in Gathering are 29 – 31 March West Gippsland, a panorama of ‘We are working really well 2019. As information is finalised green hills and good rainfall, the together in putting together a it will be made available through very locale will be balm for the great weekend programme. rural media, Facebook and eyes, hearts and bodies of those We want women from Victoria’s welcome contact with the West women who come from their dry rural areas to see what we have Gippsland group. properties in the Victorian inland. here and why a farming life in See the attached photo depicting West Gippsland is fantastic.’ For Womenfurther on Farmsinformation West Gippsland about a typical beef cattle property, Said Lyn Link of Garfield North. this2019 event Gathering and – EventWomen Logo onand Farmsmotto busy female farmer and green, Lyn is chairing the organising West Gippsland: Mary Hughes, green pastures”. committee. Her commitment Neerim, 03. 56284195 There is no doubt that those is obviously shared by the visiting the event from the others who are planning tours, Mallee will see a very different workshops, special dinners, landscape to ours, very inviting inspiring speakers and plenty of indeed. time-out to chat.

STRIDING FORWARD’, is the ‘Striding forward is an apt motto motto of a group of farming for those having to face and

demonstrated crop rotations and Method Rotations to associated chemical options to The four-year study measured control annual grass. Herbicide annual ryegrass populations control resistance levels in the annual through 5 rotations. Each ryegrass population measured at component of each rotation herbicide the commencement of the study occurred in each year. Weed found a medium resistance level control chemistry for each crop resistance in to Group A and a low resistance was applied with and without to Groups B and M. With this in best practise products. Hay the Southern mind the research project aimed cutting and brown manuring was Mallee to demonstrate and validate also used as alternative annual options for depleting weed grass management strategies. By Roy Latta seed banks over successive Wheat, Corack and Grenade seasons. The project confirmed CL, were sown at 50 kg/ha, This article summarises a the importance of testing of canola, Stingray TT and 43C80 collaborative Mallee Sustainable annual ryegrass populations to CL, at 2 kg/ha and field peas, Farming, Mallee Catchment understand the specific herbicide Wharton, at 100 kg/ha. DAP Management Authority and resistance issue and therefore at 52 kg/ha was applied at land holder research project. identify best options to address seeding coupled with 50 kg/ha Established in 2014 the any problems through rotational of Urea on canola. A further 50 Yaapeet study evaluated and and management strategies. kg/ha of Urea was applied mid- 31

Rotations to control herbicide resistance in the Southern Mallee

This article summarises a collaborative Mallee Sustainable Farming, Mallee Catchment Management Authority and land holder research project. Established in 2014 the Yaapeet study evaluated and demonstrated crop rotations and season to canola and cereals Discussionassociated chemical options to control annual grass.rotations Herbicide resistance levels in the annual ryegrass population are possibly a result that did not follow a pulse in the Theremeasured at the commencement of the study was no evidence of thefound of a medium resistance level to Group A external seed contamination and a low resistance to rotation. Sowing was carried identifiedGroups B and M .group With this in mind A mediumthe research project level dueaim toed to demonstrate and validate options the replicated small plot for depleting out post weed emergence, late ofweed seed banks over successive seasons. annual ryegrass herbicideThe project confirmed the importance of testing of annual ryegrass experimental design. populations to understand the specific herbicide resistance issue and therefore identify best options to address any May-early June in all 4 years, resistanceproblems through rotational and management strategies. when a mixture of Wheat yields were generally following a double knockdown group A’s (fops and dims) were higher in response to the Group as required. Pre-emergent applied at label rates at optimum J Tri-allate, treatments 2, 3 and herbicides were applied times.Method However this was partly 4. However variable costs were immediately prior to sowing, post dueThe four to-year study measured annual ryegrass populations through 5 rotations. Each component no measured herbicide less for treatments 1 and 5 with of each rotation emergent herbicides 8 and 14 resistanceoccurred in each year. to SelectWeed control chemistry for each crop was applied with and without best practise products. (dim) at a no Group J Tri-allate applied. weeks post seeding. Broad-leaf highHay cutting and brown manur rate compareding to w as Achievealso used as alternative annual grass management strategies. weed control was applied along (dim)Wheat, Corack and Grenadewith a 50-60% CL, were sown at 50 kg/ha, survival Furthercanola, Stingray TT and 43C80 CL information, andat 2 kg/ha and field peas, Wharton, at 100 kg/ha. DAP at 52 kg/ha was applied at seeding coupled with 50 kg/ha of Urea on canola. A further with pesticides and fungicides rate. The low level of groups contact details as required to all crops. All M50 kg/ha of Urea was applied mid and B herbicide resistance-season to canola and c ereals that did not follow a pulse in the rotation. Sowing herbicides were applied at identifiedwas carried out post weed emergence, late May in the initial population-early June in all 4 years Roy Latta Research, following and a double knockdown as required. Development Pre-emergent herbicides were applied immediately prior to sowing, post emergent heSpecialist, Moodie Agronomy.rbicides 8 and 14 weeks post Mob registered label rates. Table 1 testing was not evident. The seeding. Broad-leaf weed control was applied along with pesticides and fungicides as required to all crops.0428 948 983 All presents the herbicide groups veryherbicides were applied at registered label rates. low levels of ryegrass Table 1 presents the [email protected] group s and management treatments and management treatments plantsapplied to the in 5 therotations. alternative Table 2 presents the application rates and active ingredients (a.i.). crop applied to the 5 rotations. Table 2 presents the application rates Table 1 The five crop rotations and annual grass control pre- and post-emergent herbicide groups and/or and active ingredients (a.i.). management strategies applied over the 4 year study No Herbicide groups applied Herbicide groups applied The use of broadleaf crops with 2014 Pre-emerg Post-emerg 2015 Pre-emerg Post-emerg selective grass control (group A) 1 Wheat D M Wheat D M 2 Wheat CL D J M B Wheat D J M Hay M controlled annual ryegrass plant 3 Wheat D J M Field Pea D M M BM** numbers (treatment 5 2014 and 4 Wheat D J M Field Pea D M A*A*** treatment 4 2015). Group B 5 Field Pea D M A* Wheat D M herbicide applied to treatment 2 No 2016 2017 1 Wheat D M Wheat D M Hay 2014 reduced annual rye grass 2 Wheat D J M Wheat D J M plant numbers compared to 3 Canola TT D J M A* Wheat CL D J M B Table 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group applied 4 Canola Imi D J M A*B Wheat D J M treatments 3 and 4. The group Table 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group applied 5 Canola Imi D J M A*B Wheat D M M herbicide applied as a brown Group Chemical (a.i.) Trade name Application rate *A*Includes both a Haloxyfop and Clethodim Group A herbicide GroupD Trifluralin 480 g/LChemical (a.i.) Trade nameTrifluralin Application rate1.5 L/ha manuring treatment and post ** BM Brown manure treatment DJ TriTrifluralin 480 g/L-allate 500 g/L TrifluralinAvadex 1.5 L/ha2 L/ha *** Second application a Group A Haloxyfop only hay cut in 2015 controlled all the MJ Glyphosate 450 g/LTri-allate 500 g/L GlyphosateAvadex 1.5 L/ha2 L/ha

annual grass. The pre-emergent Table MA 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group appliedClethodim 360 g/LGlyphosate 450 g/L GlyphosateSelect 500 ml/ha 1.5 L/ha Table 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group applied Table A 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group appliedHaloxyfop 520 g/LClethodim 360 g/L VerdictSelect 500 ml/ha35 ml/ha Group J herbicide reduced Table GroupAB 2 Chemical trade names and rates of each chemical group appliedImazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/LHaloxyfop 520 g/LChemical (a.i.) Trade nameIntervixVerdict Application rate600 ml/ha35 ml/ha annual ryegrass numbers, GroupGroupDB Imazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/LTrifluralin 480 g/LChemical (a.i.)Chemical (a.i.) Trade nameIntervixTrifluralinTrade name Application rate600 ml/haApplication rate1.5 L/ha treatments 3 and 4, compared GroupD Trifluralin 480 g/LChemical (a.i.) TrifluralinTrade name Application rate1.5 L/ha ResultsJ D TriTrifluralin 480 g/L-allate 500 g/L AvadexTrifluralin 2 L/ha1.5 L/ha J D TriTrifluralin 480 g/L-allate 500 g/L AvadexTrifluralin 2 L/ha1.5 L/ha to treatment 1 2014, Group D ResultsMJ Glyphosate 450 g/LTri-allate 500 g/L GlyphosateAvadex 1.5 L/ha2 L/ha 2 Table MJ 3 Four year crop rotations and matureGlyphosate 450 g/LTri-allate 500 g/L (October)Glyphosate annual rye grass densities (plants/mAvadex 1.5 L/ha2 L/ha ) pre-emergent trifluralin. 2017 Table AM 3 Four year crop rotations and matureClethodim 360 g/LGlyphosate 450 g/L (October) Glyphosateannual rye grass densities (plants/mSelect 500 ml/ha1.5 L/ha 2) AM Clethodim 360 g/LGlyphosate 450 g/L GlyphosateSelect 500 ml/ha1.5 L/ha AA Haloxyfop 520 g/LClethodim 360 g/L VerdictSelect 2 35 ml/ha500 ml/ha treatments 2 and 5 maintained a No Rotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m ) AA Haloxyfop 520 g/LClethodim 360 g/L VerdictSelect 2 35 ml/ha500 ml/ha NoB A Imazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/LHaloxyfop 520 g/LRotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m IntervixVerdict ) 600 ml/ha35 ml/ha low annual ryegrass population, B Imazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/L2014 2015 Intervix2016 600 ml/ha2017 AB Imazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/LHaloxyfop 520 g/L2014 2015 2016IntervixVerdict 600 ml/ha35 ml/ha2017 treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 1 B Wheat Imazamox 33 g/L & Imazapyr 15 g/L 29 Wheat 9 Wheat Intervix 22 Wheat Hay600 ml/ha 128 Results 21 Wheat CL Wheat 29<1 Wheat Hay Wheat 09 Wheat 222 Wheat HayWheat 1281 plant each 100 m2. Results 2 Wheat CL <1 Wheat Hay 0 Wheat 2 Wheat 1 Table Results3 3 Four year crop rotations and mature Wheat 2 Field Pea BM 0 (October) Canola TT annual rye grass densities (plants/m 0 Wheat CL <0.01 2) Results3 Wheat 2 Field Pea BM 0 Canola TT 0 Wheat CL <0.01 2 Table Table 4 3 3Four year crop rotations and mature Wheat Four year crop rotations and mature 2 Field Pea 0 (October) (October)Canola Imi annual rye grass densities (plants/m annual rye grass densities (plants/m 0 Wheat <0.01 ) 2 ) 4 Wheat 2 Field Pea 0 Canola Imi 0 Wheat <0.01 2 Total wheat production was Table No5 3Field Pea Four year crop rotations and mature <1 Wheat Rotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m 8 (October)Canola Imi annual rye grass densities (plants/m 0 2) Wheat 0.25 ) 5 Field Pea <1 Wheat 8 Canola Imi 0 2 Wheat 0.25 No 2014 Rotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m2015 2016 ) 2 2017 higher in response to the higher No Rotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m2) The use of No broadleaf2014 crops with selective grass control (Rotation and annual ryegrass (plants/m2015 group A2016 ) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbers) 2017 The use of 1 Wheat broadleaf2014 29crops with selective grass control ( Wheat 2015 9 Wheat group A2016 ) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbers 22 Wheat Hay2017 128 input treatment 2, compared to (treatment1 Wheat 5 20142014 and treatment 29 Wheat 4 2015)2015 . Group B 9 herbicide applied to tWheat 2016 22 reatment 2 Wheat Hay20172014 reduced annual rye grass 128 (treatment2 1 Wheat CL Wheat 5 2014 and treatment <129 Wheat Hay Wheat 4 2015) . Group B 0 9 herbicide applied to tWheat Wheat 222 reatment 2 Wheat HayWheat 2014 reduced annual rye grass 1128 treatment 1. The comparative plant numbers compared to 2 1 Wheat CL Wheat <129 treatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and Wheat Hay Wheat 0 9 Wheat Wheat 222 Wheat HayWheat 1128 plant numbers compared to 3 2 Wheat CL Wheat 2<1 Field Pea BM treatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and Wheat Hay 0 0 Canola TT Wheat 0 2 Wheat CLWheat <0.011 post hay cut in 2015 3 Wheat controlled all 2 Field Pea BM the annual grass. T 0 Canola TT he pre-emergent Group J 0 Wheat CL herbicide reduced annual ryegrass <0.01 hay production reflected their post hay cut in 2015 4 32 Wheat CL Wheat Wheat controlled all 2<1 2 Field Pea BM Field Pea Wheat Hay the annual grass. T 0 0 Canola Imi he preCanola TT Wheat -emergent Group J 0 02 Wheat Wheat CLWheat herbicide reduced annual ryegrass <0.01<0.011 numbers4 , treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014Wheat 2 Field Pea 0 Canola Imi , Group D 0 pre-emergent trifluralinWheat <0.01. 2017 treatments 2 5 3 Field Pea Wheat <12 Field Pea BM Wheat 8 0 Canola Imi Canola TT 0 0 Wheat Wheat CL 0.25<0.01 2 single production season, and 5numbers4 main, treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014Wheat tained a low 2annual ryegrass population, Field Pea 0 treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 mCanola Imi , Group D 0 pre-emergent trifluralinWheat <0.01. 2017 treatments . 2 5 Field Pea <1 Wheat 8 Canola Imi 0 Wheat 0.25 2 and 554 mainField Pea Wheat tained a low <12annual ryegrass population, Field Pea Wheat 80 treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 mCanola Imi 0 Wheat <0.010.25 . treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 The use of 5 Field Pea broadleaf crops with selective grass control (<1 Wheat 8 Canola Imi group A) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbers0 Wheat 0.25 2015 (low rainfall). Treatments The use of Table 4 Total 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments broadleaf crops with selective grass control (group A) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbers (tTable The use of reatment4 Total 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments 5 2014broadleaf and treatment crops with selective grass control (4 2015). Group B herbicide applied to tgroup A) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbersreatment 2 2014 reduced annual rye grass (t reatment 5 2014 and treatment 4 2015). Group B herbicide applied to treatment 2 2014 reduced annual rye grass 3, 4 and 5 with two years wheat plant numbers compared to The use of (treatmentbroadleaf 5 2014 and treatment crops with selective grass control (treatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and 4 2015). Group B herbicide applied to tgroup A) controlled annual ryegrass plant numbersreatment 2 2014 reduced annual rye grass plant numbers compared to No Rotationtreatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and Wheat Field pea Canola Hay and two years broadleaf crop post hay cut in 2015 (tplant numbers compared to Noreatment 5 2014 and treatment controlled all Rotationtreatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and the annual grass. T4 2015). Group B Wheatherbicide applied to the pre -emergent Group JField pea Canolareatment 2 herbicide reduced annual ryegrass 2014 Hay reduced annual rye grass post hay cut in 2015 1 Wheat-Wheatcontrolled all -Wheat-Wheat Hay the annual grass. T 5.9he pre -emergent Group J herbicide reduced annual ryegrass 2.9 (field pea and canola) had numberspost hay cut in 2015 plant numbers compared to 21 Wheat CLWheat, treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014-Wheat-Wheat Hay-Wheatcontrolled all --WheatWheat Hay treatments 3 and 4. The group M herbicide applied as a brown manuring treatment and -Wheatthe annual grass. T 7.95.9 he pre, -Group D emergent Group J pre-emergent trifluralin herbicide reduced annual ryegrass 2.92 . 2017 treatments 2 numbers, treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014, Group D pre-emergent trifluralin. 2017 treatments 2 2 and 5post hay cut in 2015 numbers32 mainWheatWheat CL, treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014tained-Field Pea BM-Wheat Hay a low controlled all annual ryegrass population, -Canola TT-Wheat-Wheatthe annual grass. T-Wheat 4.77.9treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 m he pre-emergent Group J, BMGroup D pre0.8- emergent trifluralin herbicide reduced annual ryegrass 2 . 2017 treatments . 2 similar yields irrespective of and 5 maintained a low annual ryegrass population, treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 m2. and 5numbers43 Wheatmain, treatments 3 and 4, compared to treatment 1 2014tained-Field PeaField Pea BM a low -Canola Imiannual ryegrass population, -Canola TT-Wheat-Wheat 4.84.7treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 m , BMGroup D 0.8 pre0.8-emergent trifluralin . 2017 treatments 2. 2 2 variety or rotational sequence. Table and 554 4 Field PeaWheat mainTotal 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments tained-Field Pea-Wheat a low -Canola Imiannual ryegrass population, -Wheat 4.44.8treatments 3 and 4 less than 1 plant each 100 m 0.8 0.8 . Table 4 Total 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments Table 5 Field Pea4 Total 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments -Wheat-Canola Imi-Wheat 4.4 0.8 0.8 32 Total wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1 Table No 4 Total 2014 to 2017 grain and hay yields (t/ha) from the 5 treatments Rotation Wheat Field pea Canola Hay . The Total wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1No Rotation Wheat Field pea Canola Hay . The comparative h 1No Wheat-ay production reflected theWheat-WheatRotation-Wheat Hay ir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 2015Wheat5.9 Field pea Canola 2.9Hay (low comparative h1 Wheat-ay production reflected theWheat-Wheat-Wheat Hay ir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 20155.9 2.9 (low rainfall)2No 1 Wheat CL. WheatTreatments -Wheat-Wheat Hay3, -4Wheat Rotationand -5Wheat -with Wheat Hay t-wo Wheatyears wheat and Wheat7.95.9two years broadleaf crop (fField pea Canola ield pea and canola 2Hay2.9 ) had similar rainfall)2 Wheat CL. Treatments -Wheat Hay3, 4 and -5Wheat with t-wo Wheatyears wheat and 7.9two years broadleaf crop (f ield pea and canola2 ) had similar yields3 21 irrespective of variety or rotationWheatWheat CLWheat-Field Pea BM-Wheat-Wheat Hay-Wheat-Canola TT--WheatWheat Hay --Wheatal sequenceWheat . 4.77.95.9 BM 0.8 2.92 yields3 irrespective of variety or rotationWheat-Field Pea BM-Canola TT-al sequenceWheat . 4.7 BM 0.8 4 32 WheatWheatWheat CL-Field Pea-Field Pea BM-Wheat Hay-Canola Imi-Canola TT-Wheat-Wheat-Wheat-Wheat 4.84.77.9 0.8BM 0.80.8 2 4 Wheat-Field Pea-Canola Imi-Wheat 4.8 0.8 0.8 5 43 Field PeaWheat-Field PeaField Pea BM-Wheat-Canola Imi-Canola Imi-Canola TT-Wheat-Wheat-Wheat 4.44.84.7 0.8BM0.8 0.80.8 Discussion5 Field Pea -Wheat-Canola Imi-Wheat 4.4 0.8 0.8 Discussion54 Field PeaWheat -Field Pea-Wheat-Canola Imi-Wheat 4.44.8 0.8 0.8 Total wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1 The5re was no evidence Field Pea-Wheatof the -Canola Imiidentified -Wheatgroup A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a 4.4 0.8 0.8 . The The re was no evidence of the identified group A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a Total wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1comparative hmixture of group A ay production reflected the’s (fops and dims) were appliedir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 2015 at label rates at optimum times. However this was partly due to . The (low mixture of group ATotal wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1’s (fops and dims) were applied at label rates at optimum times. However this was partly due to . The rainfall)comparative hno measured Total wheat production was higher in response to the higher input treatment 2, compared to treatment 1. Treatments herbicide ay production reflected the3, resistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve 4 and 5 with two years wheat and ir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 2015two years broadleaf crop (f(dim) ield pea and canolawith a 50-60% survival ) had similar (low . The no measured comparative hherbicide ay production reflected theresistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve ir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 2015(dim) with a 50-60% survival (low yieldsrainfall)rate. comparative h The low level of grouirrespective of variety or rotation. Treatments ay production reflected the3, 4 andps M and B herbicide resistance 5 with two al sequenceyears wheat and ir single production season, treatment 1 2017, treatment 2 2015. identified in the initial population testingtwo years broadleaf crop (field pea and canola was not evident) had similar (low . yieldsrate. rainfall) The low level of grouirrespective of variety or rotation. Treatments 3, 4p ands M and B herbicide resistance 5 with two al sequenceyears wheat and . identified in the initial population testingtwo years broadleaf crop (field pea and canola was not evident) had similar . The very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed yieldsrainfall) irrespective of variety or rotation. Treatments 3, 4 and 5 with two al sequenceyears wheat and . two years broadleaf crop (field pea and canola) had similar contamination due to the replicated small plot expThe very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed yields irrespective of variety or rotational sequenceerimental design. . Discussioncontamination due to the replicated small plot exp erimental design. Discussion TheWheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J TriDiscussionre was no evidence of the identified group A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a -allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable Wheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J TriDiscussion -allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable Themixture of group Acosts were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J Trire was no evidence ’s (fops and dims) were appliedof the identified group A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a at label rates at optimum times. -allate applied. However this was partly due to mixture of group Acosts were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J TriThere was no evidence ’s (fops and dims) were appliedof the identified group A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a at label rates at optimum times. -allate applied. However this was partly due to no measured Further information and Themixture of group Are was no evidence herbicide ’s (fops and dims) were appliedresistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve cof the ontact detailsidentified group A medium level of annual ryegrass herbicide resistance when a at label rates at optimum times. (dim) However this was partly due to with a 50-60% survival no measured Further information and mixture of group Aherbicide ’s (fops and dims) were appliedresistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve contact details at label rates at optimum times. (dim) However this was partly due to with a 50-60% survival rate. Roy Lattno measured The low level of groua herbicide resistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve ps M and B herbicide resistance identified in the initial population testing(dim) with a 50 was not evident-60% survival . rate. Roy LattThe low level of groua ps M and B herbicide resistance identified in the initial population testing was not evident. The very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed rate. no measured The low level of grouherbicide resistance to Select (dim) at a high rate compared to Achieve ps M and B herbicide resistance identified in the initial population testing(dim) with a 50 -was not evident60% survival . The very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed rate. The low level of groups M and B herbicide resistance identified in the initial population testing was not evident. contamination due to the replicated small plot expThe very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed erimental design. contamination due to the replicated small plot expThe very low levels of ryegrass plants in the alternative crop rotations are possibly a result of external seed erimental design. Wheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J Tricontamination due to the replicated small plot experimental design. -allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable Wheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J Tricontamination due to the replicated small plot experimental design. -allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable costs were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J TriWheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J Tri-allate applied.-allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable costs were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J TriWheat yields were generally higher in response to the Group J Tri-allate applied.-allate, treatments 2, 3 and 4. However variable Further information and costs were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J Tricontact details -allate applied. costs were less for treatments 1 and 5 with no Group J Tri-allate applied. Roy LattFurther information and a contact details Roy LattFurther information and a contact details Further information and Roy Latta contact details Roy Latta

of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is using drones across a range of applications to enhance its effectiveness in helping to manage land use. FDI has taken the opportunity to interview Nick Wright, a DPIRD Research Officer, to discuss the use of drone technology in Australian agriculture.

Interview

FDI - How do you see farmers using drones now and in the future?

Nick Wright - Now

Currently the practical use of drones in agriculture is limited but I believe there is great potential. The limitations revolve around a combination of software, hardware and legal restrictions. Even so, consumer level drones are quite common amongst farmers. At recent agricultural field days in Western Australia, I had the opportunity to talk to farmers about their use of drones, which included checking crops for waterlogging, unobtrusive monitoring of lambing ewes, head counts of sheep while they are in a paddock, and even finding lost sheep in bushland.

There are also a growing number of contractors offering tailored drone services for farmers, including 3D mapping, high-resolution ortho-mosaics and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping, which can deliver data relating to crop health, plant stress and even show frost affected areas. These types of products can be used as inputs into variable rate machinery to optimize processes such as fertiliser distribution. The same drone technology can provide early warnings about crop pests and diseases and can even be applied to identify water leaks in irrof applications to enhanceigation setups. Currently, most of this technology has limited scope and Normalised Difference The Role of due to the cost and time needed to capture and process the data, especially when outsourcing these tasks to its effectiveness in helping to Vegetation Index (NDVI) contractors. High quality drones, however, are becoming more affordable and software to review and analyse manage land use. FDI has taken mapping, which can deliver the data is becoming more user friendly. Drones in data relating to crop health, the opportunity to interview Nick Internationally, drones are being used to spray rice crops, replacing manual spraying with increased efficiency. Wright, a DPIRD Research plant stress and even show frost Improving Drones are even being used to plant trees by shooting seeds, that are encOfficer, to discuss the use of affected areas.ased in a nutrient rich pod, into the These types of ground from a low altitude. With one operator commanding six drones, up to 100,000 trees can be planted drone technology in Australian products can be used as inputs Agricultural per day. into variable rate machinery agriculture. Outcomes

By Geoffrey Craggs Research Analyst, Northern

Australia and Land Care Research Programme, Future Directions International.

With its ongoing advancements, the use of drone technology is becoming important across a range of sectors including agriculture.

Figure 1: Nick Wright with a quadcopter and digital data. Source: Nick Wright, DPIRD Introduction

Unmanned aerial vehicles, Interview to optimize processes such as commonly known as drones, FDI - How do you see farmers fertiliser distribution.Page The 2 of 5 same operate without a human pilot using drones now and in the drone technology can provide aboard. Rather, they fly either future? early warnings about crop pests autonomously, using onboard and diseases and can even be computers, or by a ground- Nick Wright - Now applied to identify water leaks based controller, via a system Currently the practical use in irrigation setups. Currently, of communications between of drones in agriculture is most of this technology has the two. Drone technology, and limited but I believe there is limited scope due to the cost their use is rapidly increasing: great potential. The limitations and time needed to capture and unmanned vehicles are in use revolve around a combination process the data, especially across a range of sectors, of software, hardware and legal when outsourcing these tasks including defence, journalism restrictions. Even so, consumer to contractors. High quality and film photography, express level drones are quite common drones, however, are becoming shipping and delivery, thermal amongst farmers. At recent sensor drones for search more affordable and software to agricultural field days in Western and rescue operations, law review and analyse the data is Australia, I had the opportunity enforcement and border control becoming more user friendly. to talk to farmers about their surveillance and weather use of drones, which included forecasting. Internationally, drones are checking crops for waterlogging, being used to spray rice crops, In agriculture and food unobtrusive monitoring of replacing manual spraying with production drones are becoming lambing ewes, head counts increased efficiency. Drones important tools for farmers, land of sheep while they are in a are even being used to plant managers and scientists to paddock, and even finding lost trees by shooting seeds, that review and monitor the status sheep in bushland. are encased in a nutrient rich of their crops and animals. The There are also a growing pod, into the ground from a Western Australian Department number of contractors offering low altitude. With one operator of Primary Industries and tailored drone services for commanding six drones, up to Regional Development (DPIRD) farmers, including 3D mapping, 100,000 trees can be planted are using drones across a range high-resolution ortho-mosaics per day. 33

wing drones. These drones have a more traditional plane-like form and once airborne, are significantly more efficient than quadcopters, many with multi-hour flight times. The fixed-wing drones also travel much faster so can cover very large distances. They are limited however, to lighter payloads.

Uses for drones are limited by the types of sensors available. Currently, most drones being used by farmers only have a photographic camera and basic GPS receiver; this alone can be used in a multitude of ways. With additional sensors, such as multispectral, hyperspectral, range finding and mapping (LIDAR), high precision global positioning systems (GPS) and thermal, the potential uses increase dramatically. These additional sensors are available now but for the most part, are only used by researchers and contractors. As prices come down however, and the ease of use increases, adoption rates will follow.

With advances in sensor technology, it has recently become viable to buy third party multi-spectral sensors which can be strapped to the underside of ‘off the shelf’ purchased drones. The data from these sensors can be processed for a multitude of valuable uses. The non-integrated nature of these add-on sensors, however, makes them somewhat cumbersome to use and processing the data can also be unwieldly for the end user. Additional sensors must interface seamlessly with the drone and data processing must be streamlined before they can achieve mass market success.

Another emerging technology that is starting to become available is image recognition, powered by artificial Nick Wright - Future would enable decisions to be wheat affected by fungal disease intelligence. Computer programs are emerging that can recognise specific features within a photograph(LIDAR), high precision global programs are emerging that drones. This is research-based. This I believe that future automation, made immediately, which could such as leaf rust. Addressing technology is currently being used by DPIRD to detect skeleton weed in broadacre farms; this technology could positioning systems (GPS) can recognise specific features includes 3D mapping of erosion combined with computer image be followed up with action by, insect pests as soon as possible also be applied to many other weed varieties or signs of pests within a crop. Further out, I can imagine similar and thermal, the potential uses within a photograph. This following flood events, the use recognition, will be the key to for example, a spot spraying is critical to mitigating damage technology being used to aincrease dramatically.nalyse livestock for signs of These distress.technology is currently being of thermal sensors to track and getting the most out of drones drone or by an alert being sent and the availability of quantifiable additional sensors are available used by DPIRD to detect count feral pig populations, A prerequisite for the type of technology being adopted is software integration and automation. From what I for agricultural use. Assuming to a farmer, advising the need for data can make decision-making now but for the most part, are skeleton weed in broadacre automated detection of have seen, few farmers are prepared to spend the time and effort required to get the most out of the current relatively modest advances in further intervention. easier. For example, if a farmer only used by researchers and farms; this technology could skeleton weed using image types of drones, due partly to software and legal limitations. For drones to be commonly adopted by farmers, technology and some legislative was able to see exactly how contractors. As prices come also be applied to many other recognition, crop monitoring for the systems must be completely automated, including scheduled flights, automatic recharging, automatic data changes, I can see a future where FDI - How will their use benefit much of their crop was frost- down however, and the ease of weed varieties or signs of pests frost, pests and diseases, and offloading and data analysis. Only when this automation occurs will we see large-scale adoption by farmers. we will have fully automated farmers? affected, it could affect the use increases, adoption rates within a crop. Further out, I more. For instance, on a trial drone systems. These drones will will follow. can imagine similar technology examining the effectiveness of amount of grain they are willing fly over paddocks capturing data, Nick Wright - treatments on water repellent to sell prior to production. which will then be processed by I believe drones will offer soils, a drone was used to a computer to look for weeds two fundamental benefits to capture data to measure early FDI - Are there emerging or crop damage. This could be farmers, including significant plant establishment and ground technologies and what carried out on a frequent basis, savings in time by undertaking cover, which is strongly linked impacts might they have on so you would know very soon if menial tasks and gathering a to crop yield. A drone was used farming? you had a problem that needed large amount of useful data. in this instance as manually to be addressed. In the same The time-savings will come from capturing the required amount Nick Wright - vein, this type of system could tasks that can be automated of data would have been time Most drones currently being be used to map summer weeds, and performed with increasing consuming and laborious. used in agriculture are of the which, depending on the scale, frequency and potentially greater quadcopter variety. These could then be sprayed by the accuracy, such as monitoring of Some of DPIRD’s use requires typically get around 30 minutes farmer or by another drone with crops, pasture, stock watering high-end drones with additional of flight time, with their lithium a built-in spray system. Drones points and more. For instance, sensors, which push the polymer batteries, which can with the ability to spray are currently, fixed winged drone envelope of what is currently already available - they range in be limiting when dealing with possible. Over time, however, technology is being developed Figure 2: Drone can enable 3D mapping technology. Source: Nick Wright DPIRD capacity up to 15 litres, providing farm scale tasks. This limitation these features will become to monitor boundary fences on With advances in sensor being used to analyse livestock viability to spot spraying. is being felt in many industries more accessible to farmers as pastoral stations, which could technology, it has recently for signs of distress. and therefore a lot of research is drone and sensor prices drop. potentially save days of manual become viable to buy third A prerequisite for thePage type 4 of 5 of A similar system could be used being done in this area. The only monitoring each year. party multi-spectral sensors technology being adopted to monitor sheep grazing to solution to longer flight times is By developing uses and work which can be strapped to the is software integration and check the amount of pasture efficiency, which is possible with flows for drones, DPIRD With respect to data collection, underside of ‘off the shelf’ automation. From what I have left in a paddock. It is currently fixed-wing drones. These drones is promoting uptake of the even ‘consumer’ drones can purchased drones. The data seen, few farmers are prepared possible to undertake this type have a more traditional plane- technology and general growth from these sensors can be to spend the time and effort of identification and analysis, currently map landscapes in in the drone market. Recently, like form and once airborne, are processed for a multitude required to get the most out but it involves quite a bit of 3D, which could aid farmers in DPIRD displayed its use of significantly more efficient than of valuable uses. The non- of the current types of drones, manual work. In the future, these surface water management, drones at Western Australia’s quadcopters, many with multi- integrated nature of these add- due partly to software and legal systems would need to be fully erosion monitoring and planning Mingenew Midwest Expo, hour flight times. The fixed-wing on sensors, however, makes limitations. For drones to be automated to really be of use to cropping run lines. When Dowerin and Newdegate drones also travel much faster so them somewhat cumbersome commonly adopted by farmers, farmers. additional sensors are added to Machinery Field Days and at the can cover very large distances. to use and processing the data the systems must be completely drones, they become even more Perth Royal Show. The displays They are limited however, to can also be unwieldly for the automated, including scheduled The availability of a drone capable. For example, adding a showed farmers what DPIRD is lighter payloads. end user. Additional sensors flights, automatic recharging, system that requires little human multispectral sensor allows the automatic data offloading and doing in the drone space and must interface seamlessly with interaction really opens up a drone to capture data on crop data analysis. Only when this gave them an idea of that they Uses for drones are limited by the drone and data processing lot of opportunities, such as health, vegetation cover and automation occurs will we could be doing with drones in the types of sensors available. must be streamlined before high-resolution time series data more. see large-scale adoption by the future. they can achieve mass market sets that farmers could use to Currently, most drones being farmers. used by farmers only have a success. monitor plant growth, salinity, The frequency at which an For more information photographic camera and basic waterlogging, erosion, animal automated drone system could FDI - What is your department Geoffrey Craggs, Future Directions GPS receiver; this alone can Another emerging technology movements and much more. In cover a farm would dramatically doing to promote the use of International Pty Ltd. Suite 5, 202 be used in a multitude of ways. that is starting to become addition, the adoption of improved reduce the time taken to identify drones? Hampden Road, Nedlands WA 6009, wireless technology would allow With additional sensors, such available is image recognition, Australia. Ph: 08 6389 0211 pest infestations, such as areas powered by artificial drones to offload high resolution as multispectral, hyperspectral, Nick Wright - Email: [email protected] of canola affected by slugs or intelligence. Computer Web: www.future directions.org.au images in near real time. This range finding and mapping Most of DPIRD’s work with 34 33

wing drones. These drones have a more traditional plane-like form and once airborne, are significantly more efficient than quadcopters, many with multi-hour flight times. The fixed-wing drones also travel much faster so can cover very large distances. They are limited however, to lighter payloads.

Uses for drones are limited by the types of sensors available. Currently, most drones being used by farmers only have a photographic camera and basic GPS receiver; this alone can be used in a multitude of ways. With additional sensors, such as multispectral, hyperspectral, range finding and mapping (LIDAR), high precision global positioning systems (GPS) and thermal, the potential uses increase dramatically. These additional sensors are available now but for the most part, are only used by researchers and contractors. As prices come down however, and the ease of use increases, adoption rates will follow.

With advances in sensor technology, it has recently become viable to buy third party multi-spectral sensors which can be strapped to the underside of ‘off the shelf’ purchased drones. The data from these sensors can be processed for a multitude of valuable uses. The non-integrated nature of these add-on sensors, however, makes them somewhat cumbersome to use and processing the data can also be unwieldly for the end user. Additional sensors must interface seamlessly with the drone and data processing must be streamlined before they can achieve mass market success.

Another emerging technology that is starting to become available is image recognition, powered by artificial intelligence. Computer programs are emerging that can recognise specific features within a photograph(LIDAR), high precision global programs are emerging that drones. This is research-based. This technology is currently being used by DPIRD to detect skeleton weed in broadacre farms; this technology could positioning systems (GPS) can recognise specific features includes 3D mapping of erosion also be applied to many other weed varieties or signs of pests within a crop. Further out, I can imagine similar and thermal, the potential uses within a photograph. This following flood events, the use technology being used to aincrease dramatically.nalyse livestock for signs of These distress.technology is currently being of thermal sensors to track and additional sensors are available used by DPIRD to detect count feral pig populations, A prerequisite for the type of technology being adopted is software integration and automation. From what I now but for the most part, are skeleton weed in broadacre automated detection of have seen, few farmers are prepared to spend the time and effort required to get the most out of the only used by researchers and farms; this technology could skeletoncurrent weed using image types of drones, due partly to software and legal limitations. For drones to be commonly adopted by farmers, contractors. As prices come also be applied to many other recognition, crop monitoring for the systems must be completely automated, including scheduled flights, automatic recharging, automatic data down however, and the ease of weed varieties or signs of pests frost, pests and diseases, and offloading and data analysis. Ouse increases,nly when this automation occurs will we see large adoption rates within a crop. Further-scale adoption by farmers. out, I more. For instance, on a trial will follow. can imagine similar technology examining the effectiveness of

treatments on water repellent soils, a drone was used to capture data to measure early plant establishment and ground

cover, which is strongly linked to crop yield. A drone was used in this instance as manually capturing the required amount

of data would have been time consuming and laborious.

Some of DPIRD’s use requires

high-end drones with additional sensors, which push the envelope of what is currently possible. Over time, however, Figure 2: Drone can enable 3D mapping technology. Source: Nick Wright DPIRD these features will become With advances in sensor being used to analyse livestock more accessible to farmers as technology, it has recently for signs of distress. drone and sensor prices drop. become viable to buy third A prerequisite for thePage type 4 of 5 of party multi-spectral sensors technology being adopted By developing uses and work which can be strapped to the is software integration and flows for drones, DPIRD underside of ‘off the shelf’ automation. From what I have is promoting uptake of the purchased drones. The data seen, few farmers are prepared technology and general growth from these sensors can be to spend the time and effort in the drone market. Recently, processed for a multitude required to get the most out DPIRD displayed its use of of valuable uses. The non- of the current types of drones, drones at Western Australia’s integrated nature of these add- due partly to software and legal Mingenew Midwest Expo, on sensors, however, makes limitations. For drones to be Dowerin and Newdegate them somewhat cumbersome commonly adopted by farmers, Machinery Field Days and at the to use and processing the data the systems must be completely Perth Royal Show. The displays can also be unwieldly for the automated, including scheduled showed farmers what DPIRD is end user. Additional sensors flights, automatic recharging, automatic data offloading and doing in the drone space and must interface seamlessly with data analysis. Only when this gave them an idea of that they the drone and data processing automation occurs will we could be doing with drones in must be streamlined before see large-scale adoption by the future. they can achieve mass market farmers. success. For more information FDI - What is your department Another emerging technology Geoffrey Craggs, Future Directions doing to promote the use of that is starting to become International Pty Ltd. Suite 5, 202 drones? Hampden Road, Nedlands WA 6009, available is image recognition, Australia. Ph: 08 6389 0211 powered by artificial Nick Wright - Email: [email protected] intelligence. Computer Web: www.future directions.org.au Most of DPIRD’s work with 3335 The Last Word... Mallee’s Most Wanted Glen Sutherland Northern Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator

On the welcome list of things summer brings like the festive Silverleaf Nightshade season, longer daylight hours, • It has an extensive very comprises comprehensive cricket, tennis and warmer tough root system for easy to read sections on the weather, BBQs with friends its size, typically up to 2 weeds history and biology and family and a chance to metres deep and wide; plus the current distribution have some down time. and spread. Much of the • Silverleaf loves cultivation, manual is a hands on guide new plants will readily But I bet what you won’t find to developing an integrated establish from disbursed on any farmers welcome list is weed management plan of root segments; and summer weeds. action to combat existing • Like other summer weeds weed infestations and to And if we made a list of the it fleeces soils of precious manage possible future on worst of the summer weeds, moisture and nutrients farm incursions. Of particular the declared noxious weed needed for the next winter note is the inclusion of six in New South Wales, Victoria crop. case studies highlighting and South Australia, silverleaf the practical experiences of nightshade would be near An important step forward farmers who have overcome the top. Silverleaf is also a has recently been made in silverleaf in very different Weed of National Significance providing land managers with terrains, climates and (WoNS). the most up-to-date knowledge locations. Here are the reasons why: and methods for the control of this pest plant with the The manual also provides • It’s not as invasive as other release of 2018 Australian a rich source of where to weeds, but with a foot Best Practice Manual for find further information hold, it’s very difficult and the Control of Silverleaf and state agency contacts. expensive to control; Nightshade. The manual Copies of the manual can brings together a combination • Sheep are considered the be downloaded from the link of research findings and the main culprit in spreading below, interestingly it is the collective experiences of silverleaf from paddock only weed I know that has its two of the most recognisable to paddock, they eat the own dedicated web site. experts in the field, Dr Hanwen mature berries and the http://silverleafnightshade.org.au Wu (NSW DPI) and Dr John seeds survive digestion; Heap (PIRSA). The manual Mallee Catchment management Authority P 03 5051 4377 F 03 5051 4379 PO Box 5017 Mildura, Victoria 3502 www.malleecma.vic.gov.au

36 This publication is supported by the Mallee Catchment Authority (CMA), through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.