Summary
The irrigation discussion groups are part of the GRDC investment in the Optimising Irrigated Grains projects. Using a facilitated group approach, farming systems groups have been created so that growers learn from each other and discuss research results relevant to their region. The topics and discussion are designed to provide support to manage the risk of implementing change in irrigated farming business through:
- Identifying agronomy and soil improvement techniques that have potential to increase returns of irrigated durum wheat, barley, canola, faba beans, chickpeas and maize
- Determine how irrigation water may be best allocated for a given cropping season and how to maximise $/ML returns across the whole farm
- Experimenting with new techniques on your property through focus paddock projects
Details
Focus Paddocks
Maize Fertiliser Inputs
The Optimising Irrigated Grains project found that there was little grain yield response to nitrogen (N) at rates higher than 240kg N/ha over three years of trials at two sites in Northern Victoria.
The demonstration was set up by a long-term maize grower that wanted to test the rates of N he was using, the method of application and testing if higher rates of P fertiliser were warranted.
Impacts of Various Rotation on Maize
The aim of the demonstration is to quantify the nitrogen supplied by a vetch brown manure crop, vetch silage, adzuki bean fallow and poultry manure for the following maize crop. This project concept arose from previous Riverine Plains Irrigation Discussion Group nitrogen discussions and aims to quantify the amount of nitrogen that could be supplied by legume crops.
Utrisha N in Maize
The aim of the demonstration is to quantify the nitrogen supplied by a vetch brown manure crop, vetch silage, adzuki bean fallow and poultry manure for the following maize crop. This project concept arose from previous Riverine Plains Irrigation Discussion Group nitrogen discussions and aims to quantify the amount of nitrogen that could be supplied by legume crops.
Spring Barley
The trial was designed to investigate the interaction between plant densities sown in spring barley and the time of sowing of them.
There was a difference in the total mm of water each time of sowing treatment received which may have impacted yield results.
Despite different sowing rates, establishment counts showed consistent plant numbers across all plant density treatments.
The plant density treatments showed no significant differences in yield or grain quality results.
Decreasing Mycotoxin in Maize
The aim of this demonstration was to determine if growers could do an early hand sample and test to see if their crop was suitable for markets that had strict limits on Aflatoxin and Fumonisin.
Impact of Potassium and Sulfur on Maize Yields
This demonstration was established to measure the effect of different nutrient treatments, particularly Potassium and Sulfur on maize yields.
Rethinking N for Grain Maize
Testing time for maize fertilisers to optimise yields
Top Agronomy Tips for Canola Podcast
Research Manager from Irrigation Farmers Network Damian Jones shares insights about the key messages from this work that growers can use to optimise their Canola crops.
Top Agronomy Tips for High Yielding Faba Beans Podcast
The Optimising Irrigated Grains project was a 3 year investment by GRDC. Irrigation Farmers Network in collaboration with FAR Australia developed a research program to evaluate crop specific agronomic management practices in irrigated environments in order to determine their effects on system productivity and profitability.
The research focused on maximising system profitability through:
- Understanding the yield potential of irrigated crops
- Understanding how to consistently optimise yield for the crops.
- Optimising the return on nitrogen through improved nitrogen use efficiency
Today we are speaking with Research Manager from Irrigation Farmers network Damian Jones to learn more about the key messages from this work that growers can use to optimise their Faba Bean crops.
Growth Regulator Performance Podcast
This podcast presents insights adopted from an article published in the Irrigation Research Extension Committee’s Farmers’ Newsletter, 209, Autumn 2023, titled: Growth Regulator Performance Dampened in Season 2022 by Sam O’Rafferty and Hayden Petty from Summit Ag Agricultural Consulting.
In 2022, two trials were conducted to investigate canopy and lodging management in irrigated barley at Whitton and irrigated durum wheat at Darlington Point as part of the Optimising Irrigated Grains project, funded by the Grain Research and Development Corporation.
Focus paddocks provided an opportunity to run these trials to investigate crop production issues raised by local growers.
The trials looked at the influence of fertiliser, variety and plant growth regulators, or PGRs, on cereal crops and the influence these had on yield and standability.
Chickpeas disease and inoculation Podcast
This podcast features Damian Jones Trial Manager with IFN. As part of the Optimising Irrigated Grains a number of trials were undertaken in region. In 2020 a trial in the Whitton area looked at the impact of disease and inoculation in irrigated chickpeas.