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Technical bulletins,booklets and manuals

PA in Practice II Using precision agriculture technologies: a guide to getting the best results

58

pre-sowing

Variable rate application grows with experience

More on top: The Harmers use a Bogballe linkage spreader to apply variable rate phosphorus immediately after sowing and variable rate urea, up to three times during the growing season. PHOTO: LEITICIA HARMER

According to Mark Harmer, Dookie, Victoria, PA is helping him address soil fertility issues and hit protein and yield targets — even when there is a dry fi nish to the season.

Mark started dabbling in PA during the mid-1990s and is now well down the path of adoption, using a combination of paddock

zones, yield maps and VRA before and immediately after sowing, and up to three times during the growing season.

An even playing field

The Harmers initially used VRA gypsum and lime before sowing to address uneven soil fertility.

“We became interested in using PA technology in our cropping enterprise largely because of the large variety of soil types across our property,” Mark said.

“We could see the benefi t of identifying the boundary of these diff erent soil types, so we could then treat these zones appropriately, which has lead to typically 2–3 zones per block.”

“Our fi rst step back in the 1990s was to create crude paddock maps based on our own knowledge of the paddocks’ soil types and varying production areas, as well as soil test results.”

“Our contract spreader operator then used these maps to manually apply variable rates of gypsum and lime.”

PA in Practice II Using precision agriculture technologies: a guide to getting the best results

“The variable rate lime and gypsum applications have gradually evened out our soil pH levels and our contractor can spread in calmer weather at night if necessary using our paddock maps.”

Spreading the technology

Mark and his family have gradually added new technologies to their initial mapping and paddock zoning process. This has included using yield mapping when it became available through their contract header operator during 2004, installing a 2cm autosteer system to equipment during 2007 and carrying out a complete EM survey of the properties during 2007.

“While the EM mapping in particular has been a powerful tool, we will still alter prescription maps slightly to refl ect our own paddock knowledge and experience, and what we think fertiliser requirements should look like,” Mark said.

“During 2007 we also started applying variable rate urea in-crop, using a Bogballe linkage spreader.”

“We carry out deep nitrogen testing during early June each year and then make various assumptions about the likely nitrogen requirements according to the season and our yield and protein targets.”

“We then apply urea up to three times during the growing season, using the spreader and following the tramlines put in during 2000.”

“During the past few seasons we have also been using NDVI technology to look at crop growth and production two or three times during the growing season. While we are not yet integrating much of this information into our production system, we believe it will become another useful tool in the future.”

Post-sowing phosphorus

According to Mark, one area of diff erence in his operation compared with other growers using VRA is that he uses their Bogballe spreader to apply phosphorus a week or so after sowing.

“Our soils are high in residual phosphorus, so we sow with a base rate of about 60kg/ha mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) and then use yield maps to replace what was removed by the last crop using VRA,” Mark explained.

“By applying the phosphorus post-sowing, there is no time pressure to get it all done at once and it means our sowing operation is kept simple — using 2cm autosteer but no variable rate equipment.”

“We have found we get a good uptake of this post-sowing phosphorus, as at least 70% of it ends up in the furrows.” PA

case study

farmer feedback

For Mark and Steve, yield maps have highlighted the extent of paddock variation and guided extensive GPS referenced soil testing and EM38 surveys. The brothers have also identifi ed soil acidity and sodicity as the main soil constraints across their property. This information combined with their own knowledge has allowed some variable rate gypsum and lime spreading based on broad management zones. “Initially we used yield data, soil type and existing knowledge to target soil testing and identify those areas needing lime and or gypsum,” Mark said. “Basic and broad variable rate maps were then drawn allowing varying rates of appropriate products to be applied to these areas manually.” Mark and Steve plan to adopt new pH soil testing technology during 2012 to enable variable rate lime applications based on pH maps.

Mark and Steve Day, Lockhart, NSW

Removing constraints: Yield maps have allowed Mark and Steve Day to identify and ameliorate soil constraints using VRA. PHOTOS: FLEUR MULLER AND MARK DAY

Mark Harmerm: 0417 318 869e: harmerfarms@bigpond.com

contact

59

1www.spaa.com.au

IIIIIIIIPA in PracticeUsing precision agriculture

technologies: a guide to getting

the best results

PA in Practice

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World

The worldwide biodiesel industry has been expanding rapidly, especially in Europe where government support schemes and mandated levels of biofuels in the fuel mix are forcing the industry into being. Table 4 shows the growth in biodiesel production capacity and actual production during recent years. It is not yet possible to gauge whether the present worldwide fuel versus food debate will slow expansion of the industry.

Australia

In Australia, the industry has expanded quickly during the past fi ve years (see Table 5, next page), although at present, due to high raw material input costs (tallow and canola oil), some owners have put plants put into care and maintenance. Most of the less expensive and readily-available raw materials, such as tallow and used cooking oil, have been taken up by existing capacity and new developments will either have to compete for these resources or utilise materials such as canola, mustard or imported palm oil. See Chapter 5 for a description of these different materials and their strengths and weaknesses.

This report primarily investigates the option of canola or mustard oils as raw material inputs, derived from crops grown in agricultural areas inland from the lobster industry and thus capitalise on freight advantages and complementarities with other industries, such as livestock production.

Table 4. World biodiesel production 2002–2008(million tonnes)

Year Capacity Production

2002 2 1.5

2003 2.5 2

2004 3 2

2005 6.5 3.5

2006 12 7

2007 23 9

2008 32 11

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Table 5. Biodiesel production capacity in Australia

Capacity

Company Location Feedstock(s) 2007 (ML) Planned (ML)

Queensland

Australian Biodiesel Group Narangba Various 160 160

Eco Tech Biodiesel Narangba Tallow 30 75

Evergreen Fuels Mossman Used cooking oil

1 1

New South Wales

Australian Biodiesel Group Berkeley V. Various 40 45

Biodiesel Industries Australia Rutherford UCO and other oils

12 20

Future Fuels Moama 30 30

A J Bush Sydney 60

Riverina Biofuels Deniliquin 45

Biosel Sydney 24

Natural Fuels Port Botany 150

Victoria

Vilo Assets Laverton UCO, tallow 50 50

Axiom Energy Geelong 150

Biodiesel Producers Barnawartha 60

Western Australia

Australian Renewable fuels Picton Canola and tallow

45

South Australia

Australian Renewable fuels Largs Bay Tallow 45

S.A. Farmers Federation Gepps Cross 15

Northern Territory

Natural Fuels Australia Darwin Palm oil 147

BIODIESEL TOTAL 323 1122

Note: There are a range of other second generation fuels for which new feedstocks and processes are being developed and commercialised. These are largely based on lignocllulosic feedstocks. Many of these new technologies are in demonstration phase, and not yet cost competitive although there is some indication that within 3–5 years some of these might become competitive with oil (within the oil price ranges experienced in 2005–2007).

Source: O’Connell et al 2007

Rock Lobster BiofuelWestern Australian

Study

A study completed by the Kondinin

Group for the Western Rock Lobster

Council and the Fisheries Research and

Development Corporation

William J Ryan

Michael L Poole

June 2008

Project code: 2007/241

Tasmanian Agricultural Producers Harvest Guide

14

Grain transport[continued....]

Maximum aggregate axle load The maximum aggregate axle load in respect of the axles of a vehicle or combination is to be determined in accordance with Table 5.

Table 5 Maximum mass according to axle spacing (bridge formula) Distance between extreme axles or axle

groups under consideration (metres),Maximum

mass laden mass on

axle groups (tonnes)

Distance between extreme axles or axle groups under consideration (metres),

Maximum mass laden

mass on axle groups

(tonnes)Equal to or

greater thanBut less than Equal to or

greater thanBut less than

0.0 3.7 23.0 6.8 7.0 33.03.7 3.8 23.5 7.0 7.2 33.53.8 4.0 24.0 7.2 7.3 34.04.0 4.2 24.5 7.3 7.5 34.54.2 4.3 25.0 7.5 7.7 35.04.3 4.5 25.5 7.7 7.8 35.54.5 4.7 26.0 7.8 8.0 36.04.7 4.8 26.5 8.0 8.2 36.54.8 5.0 27.0 8.2 8.3 37.05.0 5.2 27.5 8.3 8.5 37.55.2 5.3 28.0 8.5 8.7 38.05.3 5.5 28.5 8.7 8.8 38.55.5 5.7 29.0 8.8 9.0 39.05.7 5.8 29.5 9.0 9.2 39.55.8 6.0 30.0 9.2 9.3 40.06.0 6.2 30.5 9.3 9.5 40.56.2 6.3 31.0 9.5 9.7 41.06.3 6.5 31.5 9.7 9.8 41.56.5 6.7 32.0 9.8 10.0 42.06.7 6.8 32.5 10.0 — 42.5

Heavy vehicle operators and drivers should familiarise themselves with the following components of the legislative and regulatory requirements for transport tasks in Tasmania:

• gazetted exemptions

• permits

• standard mass limits

• higher mass limits

• route network for vehicles fi tted with road friendly suspension

• high productivity routes

• over size, over mass requirements

• over height vehicles

• escort and pilot vehicles.

Transport regulations — be aware of your limits

Tasmanian Agricultural Producers Harvest Guide

15Tasmanian Agricultural Producers Harvest Guide

Gross load of vehiclesThe maximum permitted gross mass for a vehicle and its load on any road in the State is the lesser of the following:

• The sum of the permitted axle loads (for protection of roads).

• The maximum load shown in the axle mass spacing table based on the distance between the axles and axle groups of the vehicle Table 5.

• The GVM or GCM as assessed by the vehicle manufacturer’s rating as indicated on the compliance plate fi tted to the vehicle.

• General access limit for a vehicle or combination of 42.5 tonnes.

Worked examples:

Example 1 What is the maximum weight for this fl at tray truck with single steer and tandem drive axle group (eight wheels and load sharing suspension)?

(a) Sum of axle loads – steer axle = 6.0 tonnes

– drive axle = 16.5 tonnes

TOTAL = 22.5 tonnes

(b) Maximum load according to axle spacing 4.5m corresponds to 26 tonnes.

(c) Manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 19 tonnes.

(d) General access limit of 42.5 tonnes.

k ANSWER: The maximum load is the lesser of (a), (b), (c) and (d) so the answer is 19 tonnes.

Example 2 What is the maximum weight for this prime mover with semi trailer (load sharing suspension)?

(a) Sum of axle loads – steer axle = 6.0 tonnes

– drive axle = 16.5 tonnes

– trailer tandem = 20.0 tonnes

TOTAL = 42.5 tonnes

(b) Maximum load according to axle spacing ≥10 metres corresponds to 42.5 tonnes.

(c) GCM is 45.0 tonnes.

(d) General access limit of 42.5 tonnes.

k ANSWER: The maximum load is the least of (a), (b), (c) and (d) so the answer is 42.5 tonnes.

Manufacturer’s gross combination mass — 45.0 tonnes.

The vehicle manufacturer’s rating as indicated on the compliance plate fi tted to the vehicle is 19 tonnes

4.5 metres 16.5 metres

k For more information contact the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) on (03) 6233 5347.

A guide for growers

delivering to the TAP Powranna

receival site

Tasmanian Agricultural Producers

HARVEST GUIDE

SRDC 2011 Innovation Awards

2

Succ� stori� � om the Australian sugarcane industry

Recognising sugar research innovation

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Research Fellow, Dr Thomas Rainey completed his PhD studies to investigate ways of improving bagasse fibre properties for the manufacture of paper, board and composite materials. In addition, Dr Rainey received the SRDC Young Science and innovation Award in March 2011.

(Photo courtesy of QUT, photographer Erika Fish).

Succ� stori� � om the Australian sugarcane industry

1

SRDC 2011 Innovation Awards

1

CONTENTS

2 Welcome

3 SRDC

4 Master of Ceremony, Pip Courtney

6 Long service award

8 Research technician award

10 Research scientist award

12 Research group innovation award

13 Grower group innovation award

17 Final message

Succ� stori� � om the Australian sugarcane industrySucc� stori� � om the Australian sugarcane industrySucc� stori� � om the Australian sugarcane industry

Recognising sugar research

innovationinnovationinnovationinnovationinnovationinnovationinnovationinnovation Recognising sugar research

innovation Recognising sugar research

Dr William Doherty from Queensland University of Technology – Sugar Research Institute. Dr Doherty won the 2010 Individual Research Scientist Award.

Recognising sugar research

innovationSuccess stories from the

Australian sugarcane industry