Grain & Graze2 Report for Activities to April 2011

Grain & Graze2 Report for Activities to April 2011

21 September 2018

Grain & Graze2 Report for activities to April 2011

  1. Trial Protocol (2011 Trial Sites)/ Implementing Activities:

“Transition”(Padthaway Lon:140.5144 Lat:-36.656)

12m x 10m plots, with 3 replicates of the following crops to be sown down in 2011

-Canola for grain

-Canola, grazed then shut up for grain

-Wheat for grain

-Wheat, grazed then shut up for grain

-Wheat sown at 30 cm spacing for grain

-Pasture (mixed ryegrass and subclover) mowed to simulate grazing

-Oaten hay crop

-Safflower, sown in spring for grain

-Barley, sown in spring for grain

In 2012, plots will be sown down to wheat & split into smaller plots to allow different nitrogen rates tobe applied.

“Growing biomass”(Bool Lagoon Lon:140.686 Lat:-37.098)

Plots (3m x 10m long; 3 replicates) will be sown in 2011 as below:

-Wheat

-Canola

-Tetraploid ryegrass

-Perennial ryegrass

-Pasture mix of ryegrass and subclover

-One or two perennial grasses that have been evaluated in the mid north will also be grown

-A range of nitrogen rates will be applied to maximise growth

Dry matter will be measured during the growing season and compared to that of wheat and canola. Additional growth during summer and autumn will be measured.

Plot size will be 3 m by 10 m long with 3 replicates.

Both sites are to be managed by SARDI.

  1. Extending Results & Findings to Growers & Public / Project Achievements

“Biological Solutions”: Extension of information to public. As part of pre-harvest / Trial Results Updates, Bill Crabtree from WA came across & spoke to farmers about no-till farming and some of the challenges faced. Throughout this presentation, there was a strong focus on stubble management and the effect of stubbles on efficacy of pre-emergent herbicides. Options to manage stubble /improve weed control under these situations was discussed. Effects of different stubble loadings on pests & diseases was also discussed, as were control methods around these issues.

  1. Link & Collaborate with other projects & organisations:

The Bill Crabtree presentation at the Pre-Harvest / Trial Results updates were carried out in conjunction with the South-East NRM board & also the Coorong & Tatiara LAP (Local Action Plan).

The “Transition” part of the project links in with another project that is being run in the South-East; “Crop Sequencing” as part of the GRDCfunded water use efficiency project. The “Crop Sequencing” site will be sown down at site at Frances, this will allow results from both projects & sites to be extended to the public, improving the “whole picture”.

Other Activites:

Summary of G&G2 project to be included in 2010 Trial Results Book (page attached)

Nyroca Rd, Padthaway 5271  Mobile: 0408 655108  Email: