VISITORINFORMATIONWetrustthatyouwillenjoyyourdaywithusattheHyperYieldingCerealProjectFieldDay.Yourhealthandsafetyisparamount,thereforewhilstonthepropertyweaskthatyoubothreadandfollowthisinformationnotice.

HEALTH&SAFETY

• AllvisitorsarerequestedtofollowinstructionsfromFARandSFSstaffatalltimes.

• Allvisitorstothesitearerequestedtostaywithinthepublicareasandnottocrossintoanyropedoffareas.

• AllvisitorsarerequestedtoreportanyhazardsnoteddirectlytoamemberofFARorSFSstaff.

FARMBIOSECURITY

• Pleasebeconsiderateoffarmbiosecurity.Pleasedonotwalkintofarmcropswithoutpermission.Pleaseconsiderwhetherfootwearand/orclothinghavepreviouslybeenwornincropssufferingfromsoilborneorfoliardiseases.

FIRSTAID

• WehaveanumberofFirstAidersonsite.Shouldyourequireanyassistance,pleaseaskamemberofFARorSFSstaff.

LITTER

• Litterbinsarelocatedaroundthesiteforyouruse;weaskthatyoudisposeofalllitterconsiderately.

VEHICLES

• Vehicleswillnotbepermittedoutsideofthedesignatedcarparkingareas.Pleaseensurethatyourvehicleisparkedwithinthedesignatedarea(s).

SMOKING

• Thereisnosmokingpermittedinsideanymarquee.

Thankyouforyourcooperation,enjoyyourday.

1

WELCOMETOTHE2017HYPERYIELDINGCEREALPROJECTFIELDDAY

Onbehalfofthesteeringcommittee,IamdelightedtowelcomeyoutothesecondHyperYieldingCerealProjectFieldDay.Forthosethatattendedlastyearwelcomeback,wearepleasedtohaveattractedyoubacktotheevent,tothosevisitingforthefirsttimeit’sgreattohaveyourinterestintheproject.

LedbytheFoundationforArableResearch(FAR)AustraliaincollaborationwithSouthernFarmingSystems(SFS),theHyperYieldingCereal(HYC)ProjectisfundedbytheGrainsResearchandDevelopmentCorporation(GRDC)andisaimedatboostingTasmania’sproductionofhighqualityfeedgraincereals,therebyreducingitsrelianceonsuppliesfromthemainland.

Today’seventnotonlygivesusthechancetodemonstratethe2017trialsprogrammebutitalsoenablesustodiscussthefirstyearresultsfromtheHYCproject.2016resultsfromtheprojectwereextremelyencouragingfortheprojectteamwithyieldssettingnewbenchmarksfortheproductivityoffeedwheatinthestate.Whilstyieldsatthisstagehaveonlybeengeneratedinresearchplots,thehighestgrainyieldswereinexcessof16t/ha,givingconfidencethatcommercialyieldtargetsof14t/hacouldbeachieved.

TheGRDCrecognisedsometimeagothatahugeopportunityexistsforTasmaniatoproducemuchgreatervolumesoffeedgraincerealswithnewirrigationschemescomingonline.Italsorecognisedthatwithfavourablequalityattributestherewasagrowingmarketinthestate’sdairysector.

Howdidtheprojectoriginate?

Despiteamorefavourableclimateforgrainproductioncomparedwiththemainland,andgreateryieldpotential,Tasmaniaremainsanetimporterofcerealgrains.TheaverageyieldofredgrainfeedwheatinTasmaniaislessthan5t/haandthestateimportsapproximately150,000-200,000tonnesofcerealgrainscomparedtoadomesticproductionof60,000-80,000tonnes.TheHYC

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projectaimstomakeTasmaniamoreself-sufficientinitscapacitytosupplyfeedgraintotheState’sdairyindustryandotherlivestockusers.

Theprojectaimstobridgethegapbetweenactualandpotentialyieldsthroughgeneticimprovementofcerealcrops,bestpracticeintermsofmanagementofthosecropsandrecognitionofqualityforthekeyendusers.Tothatend,muchprogresshasalreadybeenmadeintheinitialscreeningofnewcultivarsforhighyields,diseaseresistanceandtraitssuitablefortheTasmanianenvironment.

Projectobjectives

Withinputfromnationalandinternationalcerealbreeders,growers,advisersandthelivestockindustry,theprojectisworkingtowardssettingrecordyieldtargetsasaspirationalgoalsforgrowersoffeedgrains.Inyearonetheprojectachievedthisintheresearchplots,nowtheprojectteamhastotranslatethisintocommercialyieldgains.Thenewlyestablishedfocusfarmswhicharetryingouthighflyingcandidatesfrom2016arethefirststepstowardscommercialgains,butdareIsayestablishinganewAustralianwheatyieldrecordforcommercialcropshereinTasmaniawouldbeagreatwaytobuildontheobjectivesofthisproject.Withtherightincentives,theprojectsteeringgroupbelieveitwillbepossibletoencouragebreederstoplacegreaterfocusontheneedsofTasmaniangrowersandthemoregeneralneedsofthelongseasonHighRainfallZone(HRZ).

Tofocusontheseobjectives,theprojecthasbeensetthechallengeof:

• IncreasingaverageTasmanianredgrainfeedwheatyieldsfrom4.4t/hato7t/haby2020;

• Deliveringcommercialwheatcropswhichyield14t/haby2020;• Identifyingandendorsingthevalueofmetabolisableanddigestible

energyinfeedgraincerealsthroughengagementandcollaborationwiththedairyandotherendusersintheTasmanianindustry.

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Today’sevent

Theeventwillfeatureresearchtrialdemonstrations,apaneldiscussionandaline-upofinternational,mainlandandTasmanianspeakerswhowilldiscussvariousaspectsofimprovedgermplasmandagronomy,grainqualityandlivestocknutritionstrategies.

Toendorsetheproject’sinternationallinkagesandourquestforhigherproductivity,ourkeynotespeakerfortoday’seventisEricWatson,thecurrentworldwheatyieldrecordholder(classifiedbytheGuinnessWorldRecords).EricwithhiswifeMaxinecropnearly500hanearAshburtonontheCanterburyPlainsofNewZealand.Hewilldiscussthekeyingredientsandchallengesforachievinghigheryieldsinwheatandobtainingtheworldrecorditself.EricandMaxine’sworldrecordwheatyieldestablishedinFebruary2017standsat16.79t/haandbeatsthepreviousrecordheldinnorthernEnglandbyoveraquarterofatonne.

Lastseasonitwasveryclearthattoachievehighyieldsit’sessentialtoselectcultivarswiththecorrectphenologyforthesowingdatebeingadopted;thisisparticularlyimportantforearliersowingwherespringwheatgermplasmcanfrequentlydeveloptooquicklyandbeliabletofrostdamage.OneofAustralia’sforemostexpertsondevelopingandselectingthecorrectgermplasmforearliersowingsonthemainlandisDrJamesHuntfromLaTrobeUniversity.Jamesjoinsustodaytodiscussthefundamentaldifferencesinwheatgermplasmandthedifferentdevelopmentsignalsthataffectthegrowthanddevelopmentofspringandwinterwheats.

InteractionwithlivestocksectorasanenduseroffeedgrainsremainsanessentialcomponentoftheHYCproject.Today’seventincludesdiscussionsontheneedsofthedairy,sheepandpoultrysectorsintermsofcerealgrainqualityrequired.Inaddition,therearetwosessionsincludingapanelsessionlookingattheuseoffeedgraincerealcropsforgrazingandgrainproductioninTasmanianmixedfarmingsystems.

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Shouldyourequireanyassistancethroughouttheday,pleasedon’thesitatetocontactamemberoftheFARorSFSteamwhowillbemorethanhappytohelp.

Thankyouonceagainfortakingthetimeoutofyourbusyscheduletojoinustoday;wehopethatyoufindthepresentationsuseful,andasaresulttakeawaynewideaswhichcanbeimplementedinyourownfarmingbusiness.Haveagreatdayandwelookforwardtoseeingyouagainatfutureprojectevents.

NickPooleManagingDirectorFARAustralia

FundingacknowledgementTheHyperYieldingCerealProjectsteeringgroupwouldliketoplaceonrecorditsgratefulthankstotheGrainsResearch&DevelopmentCorporation(GRDC)fortheirfundingsupportforthiseventandproject.

SponsorshipacknowledgementTheHyperYieldingCerealProjectsteeringgroupwouldalsoliketoacknowledgethesponsorshipsupportgivenbyRobertstoassistwithcatering.OtheracknowledgementTheHyperYieldingCerealProjectsteeringgroupwouldalsoliketoacknowledgethelandownerMrDonBadcockforhiscontinuingsupportontheresearchsite.

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TIMETAB

LE

Ope

ningadd

ressbyTo

mGiles,GRD

CSeniorM

anager,N

ationa

lVarietyTria

ls

In-fieldpresen

tatio

nsStationNo.

10:00

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Winterw

heatvsspringwhe

atgermplasm-what'sth

ediffe

rence

with

regardto

optim

umso

wingdateand

managem

ent?

Dr.Jam

esHun

t,LaTrobe

University

1Whata

reth

ekeyingred

ientsforaworldre

cordwhe

atyield?

EricW

atson,Cropp

ingFarm

er,N

ewZealand

2Ho

wcanfe

edgraincerealcropsbeused

inTasmanianmixed

farm

ingsystem

stoop

timise

bothgrainandlivestockprodu

ction?

CamNicho

lson

,Dire

ctor,N

icon

RuralServices

3Sm

artu

seofgrainsinsheepprogrammes.

Anthon

yShep

herd,She

epmatters,Coo

tamun

dra,NSW

4Theroleoffeedgraincerealsinpastoralbased

dairyprodu

ction

system

s.

RichardRa

wnsley,DairyCen

treLead

er,TIA

5Arehighyieldingfeed

whe

atcultiv

arsm

orede

pend

ento

nadietof

highfu

ngicideinpu

t?

TraceyW

ylieand

DarcyW

arren,FAR

Australia

6Whatyieldsc

anweachievewith

new

germplasmand

agron

omy

techniqu

esinTasmania?

NickPo

ole,M

anagingDirector,FAR

Australia

7Whatisthe

yieldpen

altyassociatedwith

lodginginwhe

atwhe

nyou

haveayieldpoten

tialof1

4t/ha?

JonMidwoo

d,CEO

,Sou

thernFarm

ingSystem

s8

Canwehavehyperyieldingcerealswith

outh

yperinpu

tcosts?

IanHe

rberta

ndGeo

rginaMolon

ey,Sou

thernFarm

ingSystem

s,

Tasm

ania

9Whata

reth

efeed

grainre

quire

men

tsofp

oultryprod

ucersin

Tasm

ania?

TristanNicho

ls,A

griculturalM

anager,TasFood

s10

Irrigated

sprin

gbarle

y-canitbethewon

dercrop?

NickPyke,CEO

,FAR

New

Zealand

11Pane

ldisc

ussio

nfacilitated

byCamNicho

lson:Useoffeedgrain

cerealcropsfo

rgrazin

gandgrainprod

uctio

ninTasmanianmixed

farm

ingsystem

s.Cam

willbejoined

onthepane

lbyfarm

ers:

SamLyne,Cam

pbellTow

n

BrettD

onlan,Ross

RobO'Con

ner,Be

nham

12In-fieldpresen

tatio

nsStationNo.

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morningteawelcomeandopeningaddress

lunch(kindlysponsoredbyRoberts)

afternoonteaandclose

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SITEPLA

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CARPAR

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7

Dr.JamesHuntLaTrobeUniversityWinterwheatvsspringwheat–what’sthedifferencewithregard

tooptimumsowingdateandmanagement?Allcropshavewhatisreferredtoasa‘criticalperiod’,whichisthetimeinthecropslifecycleduringwhichyieldismostsensitivetostress.Forwheat,thecriticalperiodextendsfromflagleafemergencetoapproximatelytendaysafterflowering.Akeyaspectofmaximisingyieldinanyenvironmentismakingsurethatthecriticalperiodcoincideswiththemostfavourableconditionslikelytobeexperiencedduringthegrowingseason.Inotherwords,wheatmustflowerattherighttimeoftheyearinorderforpotentialyieldstobeachieved.InthedrierwheatgrowingregionsofAustralia,optimalfloweringtimeisdefinedbyincreasingriskofheatanddroughtstress,anddecreasingfrostrisk,whichtendstooccurinearlyspring.InTasmaniawhichhascoolertemperaturesandhigherrainfall,radiationandaveragetemperaturesbecomemoreimportant,andoptimalfloweringtimeislikelytobeinthesecondhalfofspring.Highyieldscomewhenradiationlevelsduringthecriticalperiodarehigh,drivingrapidgrowth,buttemperaturesarerelativelylow(averagetemperatures<15°C)drivingslowdevelopment.ThisispartofthereasonthatveryhighyieldscanbeachievedinplaceslikeTasmania,NZandtheUK.Inorderforcropstoflowerattherighttimeofyear,therightcultivarneedstobesownattherightdate.Therearetwomajortypesofdevelopmentpatterninwheat–winterwheatsandspringwheats.Thedevelopmentpatternofacultivarhasstronginfluenceonwhencropsshouldbesown.Winterwheatshaveastrongvernalisation(cold)requirement,meaningtheyneedtoexperienceawinterbeforetheywillflower,andprovidedtheyaresownbeforewinterfloweringtimeisverystable.Springwheatshavelittleornovernalisationrequirement,andfloweringisdrivenbyaccumulationofthermaltime(i.e.thewarmeritistheyfastertheywillflower).Floweringtimeinspringwheatsisunstable,andtheyhaveonlya~2weekperiodinwhichtheycanbesowninagivenenvironment.Bothwinterwheatsandspringwheatscanalsobesensitivetodaylength(photoperiod),andwillbefastertoflowerinlongdays.ThevernalisationrequirementofEuropeanwinterwheatsthathaveperformedwellattheHyperyieldingCerealssite(e.g.RGTAccroc)islikelytobe~8weeksoftemperaturesaround5°C(vernalisationstopswhentemperaturesdropbelow-2°Corgoabove16°C).Consequently,theyarewelladaptedtotheTasmanianenvironmentasthisensuresthattheyflowerattherighttimeprovidedtheyaresowninautumn.WinterwheatsbredforthedriergrowingregionsofAustralia(e.g.Kittyhawk,Wedgetail)haveavernalisationrequirementcloserto4weeks,whichinTasmaniaissoquicklymetthattheybehavealmostlikeaspringwheatandcannotbesowntooearly.

Station1

10:45amand1:45pm

8

EricWatsonCroppingFarmer,NewZealand

Whatarethekeyingredientsforaworldrecordwheatyield?EricandMaxineWatsonfarma490ha,fullyarable,97%irrigated,propertyatWakanuinearthecoastontheCanterburyPlains,intheSouthIslandofNewZealand.Theygrowawiderangeofcropsincludingcereals(wheat,barley,triticale),grassforseed(perennialryegrass,fescues),alternativepasturespecies(chicory,plantain),vegetablesforseed(spinach,radish,pakchoi,redbeet,cornsalad)andseedpeas,fababeansandlinseed.Onaveragethefarmissowninapproximatelyonethirdcereals,onethirdgrassandtheremainingthirdfromtheothercropslisted.WheatYieldWorldRecordAchievedOn17thFebruarythiscropwasharvested–thereweresomeexcitingmomentswhentheyieldmetertippedintothe20tonnerange,butsomeheartstoppingrunswherethetramlinesandirrigatorrunscausedittodropbelow15tonne.Thefinalyield,whenallthewheathadpassedovertheweighbridge,andhadbeenverifiedbytheauditorwithweightscheckedagainstmoisturecontent,was16.791tonne/hectareat15%moisture.Despitealltheattentionandadditivesitreceived,orperhapsbecauseofthem,thiscrop’sgrossmarginwasgreaterthananyoftheotherwheatcropswegrewthisseason,whichgoestoprovethatgreateryieldleadstogreaterprosperityandmorefoodfortheworld.TheIssuesThegreatestpotentialthreatstoachievinghighwheatyieldsaretheweather,diseaseandman-madelimitations.Theweather,whetheritbeclimatechangeorjustthenormalvagariesoftheseasons,canhaveahugeeffectbothpositiveandnegativeonwheatyields.Prolongedperiodsofcolddampweathercanbedetrimentaltodevelopment,lowsunshinehoursatgrain-fillcanalsocompromiseyield.Converselyhot,drywindsandextremelyhightemperaturescancausethecroptoshutdown,withthesameresultanteffect.Yetanotheraspectwhichcanbeexacerbatedbyweatherconditionsisdisease.Themildwintermeantthataphidsdidnotdieawaybutwereathreatrightthroughoutthewinterintospring.Thecool,dampconditionsinSeptemberandOctobergreatlyheightenedtheriskoffungaldiseaseslikerusts,septoriaandfusarium.Oncethesebecomeestablishedinthecrop,thoughtreatabletoacertainextent,thedamageisdoneandyieldiscompromised.Thereisalsoarangeofthreatstohighyieldsinwheatfromhumanintervention.Thesevaryfromtheover-regulation/restrictionsoffertiliserandagrichemicalapplicationstofungicideandherbicideresistanceduetooverapplicationorlackofvariation.There

Station2

12:15pmand3:15pm

9

arealsothreatsinbio-security–traditionallyourislandstatussofarfromtherestoftheworldhaskeptdiseaseandinfestationriskatbaybutsituationsbroughtaboutbytheimportationofstuffssuchaspalm-kernelandcontaminatedseedaddsyetanotherlevelofthreattoourarableindustry.TechniquesandpracticesusedThemostimportantpracticeingrowingthiscropwasattentiontodetail.Frompreparingtheseedbed,selectingthevarietywhichwassownwithbestpossibleprotection,monitoringtheprogressofthecropthroughallitsstagessothatitreceivedthenutrientsitrequiredatthecorrecttime;protectedbyaprogrammeofinsecticides,fungicidesandherbicides,tomaintainplanthealthandkeepthecropascleanaspossible.Plantgrowthregulatorswerealsoused.InallofthisweweresupportedbyverygoodagrichemicalsandadvicefromBayerandsoundadvicefromtheYararepwhoundertookfoliaranalysisonaregularbasistochecklevelsofmicronutrientswhichweknowoursoilsarelacking.Thereisnoonethingwhichmakesagoodcropofwheatintoaworldrecordcropofwheat.Itisacombinationofmanyfactorsallcomingtogetherintheoneseason.Theautumnsowingconditionswereexcellent–thegroundwasdryandwarmandtheseedbedwellprepared.ACaseIHQuadtrac(trackedtractor)isoperatedtominimisecompactionandeveryeffortismadetoworkthegroundaslittleaspossible,usingnon-inversiontillingmethods.Thisfield,andtherestofthefarm,hasbeenunderextensivesoiltestingfornineyears.Variableratesoflime,phosphateandpotashhavebeenappliedtoevenupbasefertility.Thisusesfewerresources,minimiseswastageoroveruseandgivesgreateruniformityofyield.11.9hawassownwithOakleyatarateof65kg/ha(treatedwithPoncho,Galmano,Raxil&PeridiumFerti)on9April,whichwasveryearlyforus.Thewinterwasmildandforatimeitseemedthismaybeaproblem,asthecropdidnotslowdownitsdevelopmentthroughmuchofthewinter.However,thespringwascoolanddamp,andthecropsloweddowntothepointwhereitwasaboutanormalstageofdevelopment.FertiliserAllinputsmatchedtherequirementsfora17t/hacropandwereappliedatthecriticalgrowthstages.Superphosphatewasappliedat600kg/hapriortodrilling.DeepsoilnitrogenwastestedattheendofJulyandsatat100kg,afterahighinput/highreturncropofredbeetforseedinthepreviousseason.NitrogeninputswereinlinewithFARrecommendationsandappliedatGS30,GS32andGS39.258kgNintheformofureawereappliedtothecrop,withatotalNuptakeof22kg/T/grainremoved.

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BothherbagetestingandYaraNtestervalueswereusedtodeterminethecropinputsduringthegrowingseason.Potassiumwasappliedinearlyspringandsulphurassulphatesulphursduringthegrowingseason.TraceelementshavealwaysbeenanissueinMidCanterburycerealgrowingareasespeciallyManganese,ZincandCopper-optimumtraceelementlevelsweremaintainedwithinputsofGramitrel,Mantrac,andZintracatlabelrecommendedrates.SprayprogrammeThiswasrigorousandpreventative.Allagrichemicalsusedatrecommendedrates.Herbicidesarenecessaryevilstomaintainacleancrop–competitionwithweedscanaffectyieldconsiderably.Insecticidesandfungicideswereappliedwitha‘preventionratherandcure’philosophy-ifaninfestationofaphidsorrustattacksthecropyoucansaygoodbyetohighyields.ThemildwintersawflightsofaphidspersistingthroughouttheperiodwiththeresultanthighriskoftheBarleyYellowDwarfvirustheytransmit.Fungaldiseasessuchasrusts,septoria,fusarium,areaconstantissue,oneneedstomonitorthecropsatleastweekly–ifthewheatisnottreatedforthepreventionofthesediseasestheywillrobthecropofanyyieldpotential.PGRswereappliedseveraltimestostrengthenthestrawtohelpholduptheveryheavyheadsnecessarytoachievehighyields.Ifthecropbecomeslodgedtheyieldpotentialisgreatlyreduced.IrrigationTheweathertreatedusverykindlywithregularandtimelyrainfallthroughoutthegrowingseason,andonlytwoirrigations,eachof25mm,wererequired.Thewaterwasappliedbylateral-move,overhead-spraymachines,withsoilmoisturelevelsbeingmeasuredonaweeklybasisvianeutronprobes.Sevenofourninelateralshavevariableratecontrol–theywaterthegroundaccordingtocomputerisedmapsofthesoil’swater-holdingcapacitywhichpreventsover-orunder-watering,cutsoutoverlaps,andenablesoneirrigatortowaterdifferentcropsonwidelydifferentsoiltypessimultaneously.Thisgivesconsiderablesavingsinwater,electricityandtime.On17February2017theWatson’sharvesteda11.9hectarepaddockthatyielded16.791tonnesperhectare.ThisisanewworldrecordforwheatyieldthathasbeenofficiallyrecognisedbyGuinness.

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Summary-Whatarethekeyingredientsforaworldrecordwheatyield?

Eric&MaxineWatsonfarmafullyarable,97%irrigatedpropertyatWakanuineartheeastcoastontheCanterburyPlains.Cropsgrown:cereals(wheat,barley,triticale),grassforseed(per.ryegrass,tall&amenityfescues),alternativepasturespecies(chicory&plantain),vegetableforseed(spinach,radish,pakchoi,redbeet,cornsalad),alsoseedgardenpeas,fababeans&linseedTheIssues

• Weather• Diseasepressures• Humanintervention–regulation• BioSecurity

Techniquesandpracticesused

• Attentiontodetailineveryaspectfromcultivationtoharvest• AdvicefromBayerandYara• Cultivation

Ø RangeofmodernimplementsØ Non-inversiontillage,asfewpassesaspossibleØ Maintainsoilstructure

• Extensivesoiltestingleadstovariableratespreadingofbasefertiliser• Fertilisers

Ø Inputsmatchedrequirementsfor17tcropØ Deepsoil(residual)N100kgØ NappliedaccordingtoFARrecommendations,GS30,32,39Ø TotalNuptake22kg/T/hagrainremoved

• HerbagetestingtodeterminecropinputsØ Potassium&sulphurØ Traceelements-manganese,zinc,magnesium

• SprayprogrammeØ RigorousandpreventatativeØ AllagrichemicalsusedatrecommendedratesØ Herbicides–necessarytomaintaincleancrop,weedscompromiseyieldØ Insecticides–warmwinter=longperiodaphidactivity=highriskBYDvirusØ Fungicides–cooldampspring/earlysummerheightenedriskofrusts,

septoria&fusariumØ PGRs–largeheadsneedstrongstemsagainstlodging,winddamage

• IrrigationØ Soilmoisturelevelsmonitoredbyneutronprobes,readweeklyØ Regular,timelyrainfallofgreatassistancethisseasonØ 2applicationsof25mmeachØ 7of9lateralmove,overheadsprayirrigatorshavevariablerateapplication

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TheCrop• 9thApril2016,11.9haplantedinOakleywheatat65kg/ha• 17thFebruary2017harvested11.9ha,yield16.791t/haat15%moisture• 4thApril2017Guinnessacceptsasnewworldrecordforhighestwheatyield• Grossmarginverygood–inputsforhighyielingwheatdon’tcompromise

profitabilityaslongasyieldisachieved

13

CamNicholsonDirector,NiconRuralServices

HowcanfeedgraincerealcropsbeusedinTasmanianmixed

farmingsystemstooptimisebothgrainandlivestockproduction?

Longseasoncerealcropswithstrongwinterhabitprovidegreatopportunitytohaveyourgrainandeatittoo.Fromawholefarmperspective,enterprisediversityhelpsmanagepriceandproductionrisk.Thereisnocorrelationbetweenthepriceofwheatandlivestockproductssuchaswool(e.g.18u,r=0.33),meatsheep(e.g.heavylambs,r=-0.11)andcattle(e.g.tradesteers,r=-0.38)1.Avegetativecropcanbeusedasanalternativeorcomplementaryfeedsupplytopermanentpastureandifitfails,sayduetofrostorwaterlogging,canbeusedforsilageorhay.Thestubblecan,attimes,alsohaveusefulgrazingvalue.Howevermostofthefocusisinutilisingthevegetativephaseofthecropandthentakingitthroughforgrain.The‘value’inthisapproachistomaximiseearlydrymatterproductionbutpreserveandpossiblyenhancegrainyield.TheGrainandGrazeprogramhasinvestigatedthegrazingofcropsintheirvegetativestageoverthepastdecade.ThisissummarisedintheGrazingCroppedLandbooklet(www.grainandgraze3.com.au/cb_pages/news/Grazing_cropped_land).Anumberofinsightsareworthhighlighting.Sowearlytomaximiseearlyvegetativegrowth.Earlysowingprovidestheopportunitytomaximisedrymatterproduction,especiallyifthereisfavourableearlyrainfallorirrigationavailable.Earlysown(midApril)wheatcropsproducedmorethan3t/haofdrymatterabout12weekslaterwhenadequatemoisturewasavailable,howevermostresultsrangedbetween700kg/haand1700kg/ha.Thevegetativegrowthisofveryhighquality.Themetabolisableenergyintheleafymaterialismorethan12MJME/kg(>80%DDM),withproteinlevelsabove25%.Thisisequal,ifnotbetter,thanmostpastures.Unfortunatelywiththis‘rocketfuel’therecanbedigestiveupsetsintheanimalsthatwearenotcompletelyontopof.Grazingdelaysanthesis(flowering).Thiscanbeadualedgedsword,asfloweringlatercanavoidfrosteventsbutcanextendfloweringintotimesofheatandmoisturestress.Thelaterandlongerthegrazing,thegreaterthedelayinflowering(measuredatbetween3days–earlygrazingand14days–lategrazing).Inadditionunevengrazinginthevegetativestagecanleadtounevenmaturityatharvest.Observechemicalwithholdingperiods.Somecommonherbicides,seeddressingsandinsecticidesusedincerealcropscanhavelong(>10week)grazingwithholdingperiods.1www.agprice.grainandgraze3.com.au(from01-01-2005to01-01-2015)

Station3

11:15amand2:15pm

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Completegrazingbeforestemelongation(GS30).Whenstemelongationcommences,theembryonicgrainearstartstorunupthestemofthetiller.Grazingthisremovespotentialgrainbearingheadsandthereforereducesyield.Ceasegrazingtoallowfullcroprecoverybeforeflowering.Leafbiomassisrequiredforgrainfill.Obviouslyifthereisinsufficientbiomassatflowering,thepotentialyieldwillbecompromised(ifotherfactorssuchasmoisture,disease,nitrogenarenotlimiting).Thiscanbemanagedbyleavingsomeresidualbiomassaftergrazing,ceasinggrazingearlyandgrazingthe‘right’varieties.InarecenttrialatInverleigh(Vic),therewassignificantrecoveryandgrainyielddifferencesbetweencvBolac2(minimaleffect)andcvRevenue3(largeyieldeffect)4.Asaruleofthumba5t/hagrainyieldneeds9t/haofbiomassatflowering.ThelockupdatestominimiseyieldlossisbeingrefinedwithanewcalculatordevelopedbyUTasandtheCSIROthatwillbeavailableontheGrainandGraze3websitesoon.

2Midlateseasonspringwhitewheat3Longseasonwinterredwheat4SFStrialresults2016–Victorianed.pp.102-105

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AnthonyShepherdSheepmatters,Cootamundra,NSW

Smartuseofgrainsinsheepprogrammes

AsageneralobservationIbelievetheAustraliansheepindustryunderfeedsitsbreedingewes.Aclassicexamplewouldbesheepleftonstubblesforanextendedperiod,(morethanfourweeks)whereinfactthedigestibilityinstubblesrapidlydeclinestounder50%.Withadrybreeding50kgeweneeding8.5MegaJoules(MJ)ofmetabolisingenergycerealstubblepaddockswillnotmeettheewe’senergyneedsafterthreetofourweeks.Typicallyafeedtestoncerealstubblesshows33%digestibility,4%energy,2.5%proteinand70%drymatteraroundfourweekspost-harvest.Thisdoesn’tevencomeclosetomeetingtheewe’senergyandproteinrequirements.Soasanexampleifyouweretoleaveyourdryewesonastubblepaddockformorethanfourweeksandusingtheabovenumbers,youwouldneedtoprovideacerealgrain(eg.barley)at420grams/hd/daytomakeupforthedifferenceinenergyneeded.

Energy(MJ/ME)RequirementstoMaintainConditionScoreina50kgBreedingEweProductionStage MJ/MENeededperday Barley@12MEx90%DM=

10.8MJ/MEAvailableEnergyDry 8.5 780grams/hd/day

PregnancyScanning 10.5 975grams/hd/dayLambing 18 1.65kg/hd/day

20DaysPostLambing 26 2.45kg/hd/dayWeaning 10.7 995grams/hd/day

Table1.Theabovetableshowsyoutheenergyrequirementsofa50kgbreedingewethroughitsbreedingcycleandiftheonlyfeedavailablewassupplementedbarley,whattheywouldneedperdaytomaintaincondition.UnderstandthevalueofyourgrainyouarefeedingtoyoursheepWhenyoupurchaseacar,doyouaskfortheservicerecord,thefueleconomyetc?Ifyoubuyingrain,doyouaskforafeedtest?Somegraincanbecheappertonne,butdependingonthefeedtestcanbeveryexpensivewhenitcomestofeedingtowhatthesheepneeds!Firstlywecanworkoutwhatthesheepneedsperdayandcalculateavalue.Soifyoupurchasedbarleyat$250.00tonnethatcomesbackto$0.25kg.Ifthebarleytestedatasfedwas10.8MegaJoulesofMetabolisingEnergy(MJ/ME)thenthecostperunitofenergyis2.3cents(25cents/10.8).Asadry50kgsheepneeds8.5MJ/MEeveryday,thenitwouldcosttofeedthesheep$0.20forthe780gramsaday.Sowiththeaboveexample,ifwechangethecostpertonneofthegrainto$230.00tonneandithastested8.8asfedMJ/ME,thepriceperunitofenergywouldbe2.6

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centsandthecosttofeedthesamesheepwouldbe$0.22day.Thisextra$0.02centsaeweperdaymaynotseemmuchbutifyouweretofeeda1000ewesfor30days,thenthepricedifferencewouldbe$600.00tomeetthemobsenergyrequirements.Thisalsomeansthatinthispoorertestedbarleyyouwouldneedtofeedout1.2kgsvs780gramsperhdperdaywiththebettertestingbarley.Sogoingwiththe1000ewesbeingfedover30days,thiswouldequatetoyouneedinganextra12.6tonnesofthepoorertestedbarleytomeettheewe’senergyrequirements.Eventhoughitcostyou$20atonneless,becauseofthepoorerenergytest,itwillcostyouanextra$2430.00tofeedthose1000ewestomeettheirenergyrequirementsover30days.Itisinyourbestinterestwhenbuyinginfeedgraintoaskforafeedtest.Ifyoudon’t,yourrealriskisthat,asshownabove,thatcheapergrainpertonnecanbeveryexpensive!

GrainNutritionalValuesCerealsandPulses Metabolisable

Energy(MJ/ME/kg)Average(range)

CrudeProtein(%)Average(range)

DryMatter(%)Average(range)

Barley 12(9.8-13.3) 11(6-18) 90Wheat 13(12-13.5) 14(9-20) 90Oats 12(10.5-13) 9.5(6-17) 90

Triticale 13(12-13.3) 12(8-21) 90FabaBeans 12.5(11.8-12.8) 25.6(19-29.2) 90

Lupins 13(12-14) 31(27-41) 90Peas 13(12-14) 24.4(17-33) 90Maize 13(12-14) 9.1(5.5-16.4) 90

Table2.Theabovetableshowsenergy,proteinanddrymattervaluestomorecommonlyusedcerealsandpulses.MoreStarch=MoreRiskGrainssuchaswheat,triticaleandbarleyneedahigherdegreeofmanagementwhenfeedingouttosheep,duetoamorerapidrateofstarchdigestion.Higheramountsofdigestiblestarchmeansquickerratesoffermentationwillleadtoincreasingtheriskofacidosis(pHinsheep’srumen<5.8)Youngerruminants(lambs,weaners)areverysusceptibletoacidosisandsoanytransitionfrompasturetocerealbaseddiets(barley,wheatandtriticale)shouldbedoneslowlytoallowtherumentoadjust.Lowriskcerealsandpulsesareoats,lupins,peasandfababeans.Asanexampleinagraindietyouwouldintroduce90%oats/10%barleyontoweanersat100grams/hd/dayandevery3rddaychangetheratio70%oats/30%barleyandthenagain50%oats/50%barley,andthensoonuntilyoureach100%barley.Youwouldthenincreasethegrams/hd/daybydoublingitevery3rddayuntilyoureachyourfullration.Youwoulddothiswithgoodhaybeingavailableaswell,asruminants

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requirefibreforefficientmicrobeactivity=moreefficientdigestionofcerealgrains/pulses.Alwayshavecalciumbasedlickavailableinhighgraindiets(barleyandwheat),especiallywithmalelambs/weaners.Alsoincludeammoniumchlorideathalfapercentofrationtoreducewaterbelly(urinarycalculi)Opportunitywithfeedinggrain(s)

• Extendpasturelife(littleandoften)• Complementaryfeeding• Supplementaryfeeding• Pulsesvscerealgrains• Prejoiningflushing• Lactation• PreLambing• Droughtlot/feedlot• Creepfeeding(weanrumenbeforeweaning!)• Imprintfeeding• Measureconversion

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RichardRawnsleyTasmanianInstituteofAgricultureTheroleoffeedgraininpasturebaseddairyproductionsystems

TasmanianDairyFarmingSystemsTasmaniandairyproductionsystemsarepredominantlypasturebased.Onaverage,homegrownfeedcomprisesapproximately70%ofadairycow’sdietinTasmania.Comparing12yearsofTasmaniandairybenchmarkingdata(2004/05–Current)pastureconsumptionperhectarehasincreasedfromanaverageof8.0to10.8tDM/ha(Figure1).

Figure1.Changeinstockingrate(cows/ha)andPastureconsumption(kgDM/ha)since2004/05.SourceTIADairyBusinessofYear(2017).

Stockingrate(cows/ha)hasalsoincreasedinthistime,alongwithincreasingusageofnitrogen(N)fertiliserandagreaterpercentageofdairylandbeingirrigated(Figure2).

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Figure2.Changeinnitrogenusage(kgN/ha)andareairrigated(%)since2004/05.SourceTIADairyBusinessofYear(2017).Whilstpastureconsumptionisconsideredakeycontributortofarmprofitability,wehaveseenasignificantincreaseinthelevelofgrainfedpercowandrisingpercowproduction(Figure3).Duringthepastdecade,factorssuchasmilkpricevolatility,climatevariability,changingregulationsandincreasingconsumerdemandhaveprogressivelychallengeddairyfarmsystemsthroughoutAustraliaandNewZealand(Raedtsetal.2017).WehavealsoseenanincreasinglevelofdiversityoffarmsystemsthroughoutAustralia,althoughthereisevidenceofcontinuingevolutionofintensificationandthisissupportedbytheTasmanianbenchmarkingdata.

Figure3.Changeinproductionpercow(kgMS/cow)andgrainintake(tDM/cow)since2004/05.SourceTIADairyBusinessofYear(2017).

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MarginalResponsesTheprofitabilityofadairyfarmisverydependentonefficientuseofresources;cow,land,water,labouretc.(BeeverandDoyle2007).Inbiologicalsystems,asweinputmoretheoutputchanges;wecanhaveincreasingreturnsordiminishingreturnsfromaddinganextraunitofinput(Figure4).

Figure4.Responsefunctions:inputtooutput(adaptedfromMalcolmetal.2005)andtakenfromHoetal.(2017).Economictheorystatesthemaximisingprofitpointoccurswherethemarginalrevenue(therevenuereceivedfromthelastunitofinput)equalsthemarginalcostoftheinput.Feedisalargevariablecostinmostdairybusinessesandeconomictheorystatesfeedinggrainwillenableadairyfarmtoimproveprofit,aslongasthemarginalrevenuereceivedfromthemilkproducedexceedsthemarginalcostofthegrain(Hoetal.2017).ThereisaveryimportantdifferencebetweenthemarginandaverageresponsetofeedingandthisisillustratedinFigure5.Themarginalresponseofmilkperunitofgrainfedgenerallyfollowsthelawofdiminishingreturns,wherethefirstunitsofgrainfedaremostprofitable,andeachextraunityieldsalowerreturn.

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Figure5.Ahypotheticalmarginalandaverageresponsecurvetoextragraininput.Demonstrationpurposeonly.AdaptedfromGibbsandMalcom(2006). Energyisthemostlimitingnutrientfordairycowsonpasture-basedsystems.Expectedmilkresponsestograinfedvaryandinteraliaareinfluencedbystageoflactation,cowgenotype,amountandtypeofgrainbeingfedandcurrentpastureallocations.WhilstrecommendationssuchasthosefromPennsylvaniaStateUniversity,of1kgofgrainconcentrateper4Litresofenergycorrectedmilkforearlylactation(maximumof7to8kg)andagraintomilkratioof1:5to1:6forlatelactationcows(https://extension.psu.edu/supplementation-of-lactating-cows-on-pasture),aresoundguidingprinciples,theseshouldbeappliedwithcaution.Suchfeedingdecisionsneedtoconsiderthecurrentenvironment,particularlyinrelationtograinandmilkprice,butmoreimportantlyhowsuchfeedingdecisionsinfluencethewholeoffarmsystems.PastureSubstitutionCurrently,whenafarmermakesadecisionabouthowmuchgraintofeedtheyaremakingajudgmentabouttheexpectedbenefits.Acow’sresponsetoconcentrateinapasturesystemwillbedifferenttothoseinaconfinementsystem,becausegrazingcowsinvariablyreducetheirpastureintakeasgrainfeedinglevelsincrease.Thisiscalledpasturesubstitution.Pasturesubstitutionshouldbeminimisedtooptimisethereturnfromgrainfeeding.Theoreticallythepotentialresponseto1kgofgrainsupplementationof12MJ/MEisbetween2and2.5litresdependingongraintypeandmilkcomposition.Howevertheactualmilkresponsevariesconsiderablyandissignificantlylowerandthisisconsideredthemajorfactorlimitingthesuccessfuluseofgrainconcentratesinpasture-basedsystems.Pasturesubstitutionhasaverystronginfluenceonthisvariability(Figure6).

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Figure6.Relationshipbetweenmilkresponse(MR)andsubstitutionrate(SR)bygrazingdairycowssupplementedwithconcentrateonstudiesevaluatingtheeffectofpastureallowance.(TakenfromBargoetal.2003).FeedinggrainAtthewholefarmlevel,wherethedairyfarmeristhesystemexpert,itisnotsurprisingthatourcurrentbenchmarkingdatasuggeststhatfarmersaregettingbetteratminimisingpasturewastageinresponsetohighgrainfeeding.Wehaveseenbothpastureconsumption,cowproductionandgrainfeedingincreaseoverthelastdecade.Withsuchchangesintheintensificationsofourpasturebaseddairysystemsoneofthebiggestchallengeisfindingeffectivewaystofeedgrainconcentratestooptimiseprofitinavolatileenvironment.Successfullymanagingafeedingprogramwithinapasturebaseddairy,requiresskillinmonitoringandevaluationandanabilitytomakesoundinformeddecisions.Thedecisionsneededtooptimisethewholeoffarmsystemperformanceareundoubtedlylearntfromthedairysystemexpert–thedairyfarmer.ReferencesBargo,F.,Muller,L.D.,Kolver,E.S.,&Delahoy,J.E.(2003).Invitedreview:Production

anddigestionofsupplementeddairycowsonpasture.Journalofdairyscience,86(1),1-42.

Beever,D.EandDoyle,P.T.(2007).Feedconversionefficiency;animportantdeterminantofdairyfarmprofitability.AustralianJournalofExperimentalAgriculture,47(6),645-57.

Gibbs,IandMalcolmB.(2006).Showmetheprofit!VictorianDairyConference,Shepparton,June2006.

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Ho,C.K.M.,Heard,J.W.,Wales,W.J.,Jacobs,J.L.,Doyle,P.T.,&Malcolm,B.(2017).Evaluatingtheeconomicsofconcentratefeedingdecisionsingrazingdairycows.AnimalProductionScience.

MalcolmB,MakehamJ,WrightV(2005)‘Thefarminggame:agriculturalmanagementandmarketing.’(CambridgeUniversityPress:Melbourne)

Raedts,P.J.M.,Garcia,S.C.,Chapman,D.F.,Edwards,G.R.,Lane,N.,andRawnsley,R.P.(2017).Issystemsresearchaddressingthecurrentandfutureneedsofdairyfarms?.AnimalProductionScience,57(7),1311-1322.

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TraceyWylie&DarcyWarrenFARAustraliaArehighyieldingfeedwheatcultivarsmoredependentona

dietofhighfungicideinput?Fromthe2016hyperyieldingcerealdiseasemanagementresultsitwasevidentthatfungicidealonewasnotenoughtocontrolthehighdiseasepressureexperiencedinthelongseason,highrainfallenvironmentofTasmania.ThecontributingfactorstothechallengesaroundcontrollingSeptoriatriticiblotch(STB)in2016wereacombinationofcultivarsusceptibility,warmerthanaverageautumntemperaturesandincreasingpathogeninsensitivitytofungicides.Thisallputsaddedemphasisonthevalueofculturalcontrolpracticestoreducethedependencyonfungicides.TimeofsowingAlthoughearlysowingisextremelyvaluableinextendingthegrowingwindow,itdoesincreasethecropsexposuretodiseasepressure.Whenassessedonthe1stNovember,SQPRevenuesownonthe6thAprilwasatmidfloweringandcarriedanaverageof47%infectiononthetopthreeleaveswhichcontributethemosttoyield,verseSQPRevenuesownonthe27thAprilwhichwasatheademergenceandcarryinganaverageof21%infectiononthetopthreeleaves(Figure1).Thoughtheearliersowingisatamoreadvancedgrowthstagethedriernatureofthelaterspringperiodtypicallyassiststhepreventionofdisease.

Figure1.InfluenceofsowingdateontheseverityofSTBinfectionassessedonthe1November(TOS1GS65andTOS2GS55)onthetopfourleavesofuntreatedSQPRevenue.

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CultivarselectionIn2016workingwith6thAprilsownSQPRevenuethediseasemanagementtrialattheHYCshowedthatdespiteyieldresponsesof60%tofungicideapplication,controllingSTBandleafrustwithfungicideswasonlypartiallyeffective.ExcitingnewoptionsinEuropeangermplasmareprovingtoprovideahugestepforwardintermsofresistancetoSTB.Assessmentsmadeatmid-floweronthe1stNovembershowedthatRelayandRGTAccrocgave90-100%controloftheSTBobservedinSQPRevenue(Table1).Table1.InfluenceofvarietyonSTBinfectionontheFlag,Flag-1andFlag-2andthe%totalleafareainfected(LAI)onthetop3leavesinuntreatedcrops. Flag Flag-1 Flag-2 %Average

LAITop3leavesRGTAccroc 0.3 de 3.5 de 18.8 d 7.5Relay 0.0 e 0.0 e 2.2 e 0.7SQPRevenue 2.9 b 46.5 b 92.0 a 47.1Mean 0.8 18.2 46.8 LSD 0.5 9.0 8.2 PValue <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 ExtractfromlargerdatasetEarlyseasonfungicideoptionsTheSTBpathogenpopulationinTasmaniaisdisplayinganincreasinglevelofinsensitivitytosomeGroup3triazolefungicides,suchastebuconazoleandflutriafol.Thisincompleteformoffungicideresistanceisaffectingthefieldperformanceofflutriafolincorporatedatsowingandsomefoliarfungicideapplications,butotherGroup3triazolefungicides,suchasJockeyseedtreatment(fluquinconazole)orfoliarfungicidessuchepoxiconazolearestillrelativelyeffectiveatpreventingearlyinfection.Applyingafungicidetreatmentatsowingoratlatetilleringisanoptionforreducingthebuild-upofinitialdiseasepressure.Figure2showsthatat188daysaftersowinganapplicationofanexperimentalSDHIseedtreatmentorOpusappliedatlatetilleringwerethemosteffectiveoptionsforreducingSTBdiseasepressure.Unfortunatelyatthisstageflutriafolisperformingonparwiththeuntreatedcontrol,sincetheR8strainorisoform11typeofSTBhasbeenconfirmedpresent.

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Figure2.InfluenceofearlyseasonfungicideapplicationforthecontrolofSTB,assessed2ndNovemberGS55cvSQPRevenuesown27April2017HYC.Table2.InfluenceofearlyseasonfungicideapplicationforthecontrolofSTB,assessed23rdAugustGS25,2ndOctoberGS32and2ndNovemberGS55cvSQPRevenuesown27April2017HYC.Treatment 23-Aug(GS25) 2-Oct(GS32) 1-Nov(GS55)

3rdleaf 4thleaf Flag-3 Flag-4 Flag-5 Flag Flag-1 Flag-2 Flag-3

Bareseed 7.2 57.0 1.4 10.7 61.6 0.6 5.7 57.1 92.2Experimentalseedtrt 0.2 1.3 0.0 1.1 6.5 0.0 1.1 5.9 24.5

Jockeys.trt 1.1 12.7 0.7 3.6 22.5 0.3 5.2 34.3 74.2Real/Gaucho+Experimentalseedtrt

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LSD 2.5 10.9 0.9 3.3 16.9 0.4 2.7 17.2 15.1PVal <0.001 <0.001 0.043 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001

ExtractfromlargerdatasetTheearlysignsfrom2017areencouraging,resultsshowthatnewhighyieldingwheatcultivarsmaynotbedependentona“diet”ofintensivefungicideinputs.

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NickPooleManagingDirector,FARAustralia

WhatwheatyieldscanweachievewithnewgermplasmandagronomytechniquesinTasmania?

The2016seasonsawtheproductionofthefirstyearresultsfromtheGRDCfundedHyperYieldingCereal(HYC)project.TheprojectwhichhastheobjectiveofliftingirrigatedfeedgrainproductivityinTasmaniahasgeneratedextremelyencouragingresultssettingnewyieldbenchmarksforfeedwheatinthestate.Withcultivarstestedunderarangeofmanagementregimes,ithasbeenFrenchwheatsthathavetoppedtheyieldtableswithtraditionalsowingwindowsinlateAprilandUKandGermangermplasmperformingmorestronglywhensownearlierinApril.Yieldsofthetopcultivarsintheresearchplotswereinexcessof16t/hawithfinalharvestdrymattersofthehighestyieldingcultivarsintherangeof30-35t/ha.Thefirstyearresultsillustratedthattherewerethreekeycultivaringredientsforachievinghigherwheatyieldsinthestate,thesewere:Phenology-Selectingcultivarswiththecorrect“timeclock”forthechosensowingdateisessentialinordertomatchcropdevelopmenttotheoptimumenvironmentalconditionsforgrowth.In2016anumberoftheelitecultivarsprovidedbybreedersdevelopedtooquicklyinthewarmautumnconditionsandasaresultwerebadlyfrostedinlatewinter/earlyspring.ConverselythelongseasonUKcultivarRelaythatattractedagreatdealofattentionatlastyear’seventperformedrelativelypoorlywhensownlaterinAprilyettoppedtheyieldtablewhensownearlyinApril.ToachievetheoptimumyieldswithRelayin2016,theoptimumfloweringperiodappearedtobeinmid-lateNovember,ratherthanearly-midDecemberwhichwasthecasewhensowninlateApril.Diseaseresistance-TheTasmanianenvironmentismorediseasepronethanthemainland,principallyduetoalongergrowingseasonandagenerallywetterenvironment,thisisparticularlythecasewherecropsareirrigated.In2016diseasepressureincerealcropswasveryhighwithSeptoriatriticiblotch(STB)andleafrustbeingthedominantdiseasesinfluencingresultsintheproject.ThisdiseasepressurewasexacerbatedwherecropsweresowninearlyApril.WiththesusceptiblecultivarSQPRevenueandothercodedgermplasmfourfungicideswerenotcompletelyeffectiveatkeepingthecropclean,thereforeforearlyAprilsowingsresistancetoSTBandleafrustisamustifwearetoachievehighyields.Standingpower-Althoughthegermplasmxmanagementtrialshadgoodplantgrowthregulator(PGR)input,goodcultivarstandingpowerandstrawstrengthbecomesessentialwhengrainyieldsareintherangeof10-15t/ha.IdentifyingcultivarsthathavethecorrectphenologyforAprilsowingdatescombinedwithgooddiseaseresistanceandstandingpowerwasdifficult,sinceanumberof

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cultivarspossessedtwoattributesbutnotathird.ForearlyAprilsowing(April6)where14.5t/hawastheyieldceilingitwastheUKcultivarRelaythatoutyieldedallothercultivarsexceptRGTAccroc,GeniusandConqueror.Thesefourcultivarswere2.5–3.0t/haaheadofthecurrentcommercialcontrolsSQPRevenueandManningthatdespitecomprehensivediseasemanagementpackageswerebadlyaffectedbydisease.InthelateAprilsowing(April27)theyieldceilinginresearchplotsatthesiteprovedtobehigher,peakingintherangeof15-17t/ha,althoughinthiscasethecultivartoppingthetableswasCalabrofollowedbyRGTAccroc,Manning,ConquerorandAGTW-001,thelatterbeingtheearliesttoflower(GS65approximatelylateOctobersownonApril27).PGRanddiseasemanagementplayedapivotalroleinoptimisingyieldin2016(paperspresentedbyprojectcolleagues).ThefollowingcommentsareindicatorsofsowingwindowsbasedonthefirstyearofworkattheHYC.Relay–VerygoodresistancetoSTBandleafrustcombinedwithverylongseasonattributes(longerseasonthanManningandSQPRevenue)soinfirstyearworkmoresuitedtoearlyAprilsowingthanlateAprilsowing.RGTAccroc–PerformedmorestronglywhenplantedinthelateAprilsowingwindowwithdevelopmentslightlyquickerthanSQPRevenue.ThoughmoreresistantthanRevenueforSTBandleafrust,bothdiseasesneedtobewatched.AthigheryieldpotentialstrawstrengthmayneedsupportfromaPGRprogramme.Calabro–LesssuitedtoearlyAprilsowingintermsofyieldandfungicideinput,howeveritwasthehighestyieldingwheatcultivarontheHYCwhensowninlateApril.STBneedscarefulmanagement,althoughalaterAprilsowingwindowwillassistdiseasecontrol.Thesecultivarsandotherhighyieldingwheatgermplasmwillbefurtherdescribedattheendofyeartwooftheproject,priortoestablishingresearchonVarietySpecificAgronomyPackages(VSAPs)researchprotocolsin2018/19.ResponsetoinputsWhenplantedinlateApril“elite”cultivarsprovidedbythebreedersweresubjectedtotwolevelsofmanagement;standardandhighinput.HighinputincludedanadditionalfungicideandPGR.Figure1showstheadditionalyieldcreatedbythehigherinputinthe19cultivars.

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Figure1.Additionalyieldresponseassociatedwiththehighinputmanagement(yellowbarsdepictstatisticallysignificantyieldincreasewithhighinputmanagementoverstandardmanagement).CropCanopyComposition-Howmanyheads/m2tocreatewheatcropswithyieldsof14-16t/ha?Inthe2016trialsheadnumbersof550-650/m2maximisedyieldwithearlyAprilsownwheatwhilstwithlateAprilsowingsthisrangewastypicallynogreaterthan450-550/m2.SincethelaterAprilsowing(April27)atHYCwashigheryieldingthantheearliersowing(April6)itquestionstheimportanceofincreasingheadnumbertoachievehighyields.Maximisinggrainnumber/m2hasbeenshowntobethekeycomponentinachievinghigheryieldsinmanystudies,howeverinthe10-15t/hayieldrange,providedheadnumberdon’tfallbelow500heads/m2,grainsperheadandtoalesserextentthousandseedweightarelikelytobemoreimportant.

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JonMidwoodCEO,SouthernFarmingSystems

Whatistheyieldpenaltyassociatedwithlodginginwheatwhenyouhaveayieldpotentialof14t/ha?

ThemajorityofwheatcropsinAustralianbroadacrefarmingaregrownunderconditionsnotusuallyassociatedwithyieldreductionsduetolodging.Howeverinhighproductionsystemssuchasirrigatedcropsandcerealsgrowninhighrainfallzones,theriskofyieldreductionsduetolodgingisconsiderablyhigher,especiallywhenseasonalconditionsfavoursuchevents.Whentheseconditionscombinewithtraditionalmanagementpracticesinhighproductionsystems,lodgingcanresultinsignificantreductionsinyieldandgrainquality.Thereareseveralfactorswhichinfluencewhetheracropwilllodgeornotandoftenjustoneofthesefactorsinisolationwillnotbesufficienttocauseasignificantissue.Howeverwhencombinedtheireffectcanbesignificant.Factorsimpactinglodging:

• Variety• Sowingdate• Plantpopulation• Residualsoilnitrogenlevels• AmountandtimingofappliedNfertiliser• Useofplantgrowthregulators• GrazingofcropspriortoGS30/31

In2016oneofthetrialsrunintheHyperYieldingCerealProjectwasthewheatPGRagronomytrialinwhichafewofthesekeyissueswhichinfluencelodgingweretrialled.Thedataproducedfromthistrialneedstobeconsideredinthecontextofthe2016season,whichwasextremelyhighyielding.Thekeytakehomemessagesfromthistrialwereasfollows:• ManningsownonApril6lodgedseverelyandgeneratedyieldresponsestoplant

growthregulator(PGR)inputofbetween0.11–2.51t/ha(1–24%).• ThehighestyieldingPGRstrategieswereassociatedwiththoseprogrammesthat

gavethegreatestheightreduction,bestlodgingcontrolandkeptthecropstandingforlongest.

• ThemostsuccessfulPGRprogrammeswerewhereapplicationsweremadeatGS31-32withModdusEvo0.2l/ha+Errex1.3l/ha(labelrecommendation)orsequencesappliedatthestartofstemelongation(GS30)and(GS32).

• TheresearchdemonstratedtheimportanceofcanopystructureintheabsenceofPGRssincebyreducingplantpopulationtherewasatrendforyieldstoimprove(notsignificant).

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• ManyofthePGRsequenceswereexperimentalandfurtherevaluationisbeingcarriedoutin2017.

• Theconceptofregulatingthecanopyinthelateautumnatearlytillering(GS22)wasineffectivefrombothalodgingandyieldperspective.

Asthe2017fielddayapproacheswehaveexperiencedaverydifferentgrowingseasonattheHYCsite,withconsiderablylessdisease,colderaveragetemperaturesandlowersoilresidualnitrogenfollowingpyrethrum.Theapplicationofwell-timedPGR’softengivesayieldresponse,evenintheabsenceoflodging;thisseasonwemaybeabletoconfirmthiseffectfromtrialsgrownunderahighproductionsystem.JM11/17

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IanHerbertandGeorginaMoloneySouthernFarmingSystems

Canwehavehyperyieldingcropswithouthyperyieldingcosts?

The2016seasonwasastellargrowingseasonforcerealsatHagleywiththeHyperYieldingCereal(HYC)trialsestablishingnewbenchmarksastowhatwheatvarietiescanperformtoinTasmanianconditions.ThechallengeforgrowersiscantheygrowtheseHyperYieldingCerealsprofitably.Lastyear’sgrowingseasonwascharacterisedbyanautumnandwinterwithhigherthanaverageminimumtemperaturesandthenacoolerthanaveragemaximumtemperaturefromSeptemberthroughtoDecember.Thesetemperaturescombinedwithmonthlyrainfallswhichweresignificantlyabovetheaveragedeliveredanidealgrowingseason.Theseidealgrowingconditionswhilstprovidingforexcellentcropgrowthalsoprovidedaperfectenvironmentfordiseasetoflourish,inparticulartheearlyarrivalofleafrust.Duetotheleveloffungaldiseasesandtheresultingeffectivenessofthevariousmanagementoptions,includingcomprehensivefungicideprograms,significantyielddifferencesforthetwotimesofsowingandmanagementstrategieswereobserved.UsingthevarietyManningasanexample,thecoststructuresassociatedwitheachinputhasbeencompared,andbyusingtheresultantyieldagrossmarginestablishedforcomparisonpurposes.TheGrossmarginresultsshowthatthestrategiesemployedtoachievethe2016hyperyieldshavedifferentcostbasesandduetotheyieldvariationproducevaryinglevelsofprofit.

Sowingdate Standardinputs Highinputs27April2016 $3203 $3390Table1;Grossmarginreturnsforwheat(cvManning)underdifferentmanagementregime

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TristanNicholsTasFoods

WhatarethefeedgrainrequirementsofpoultryproducersinTasmania?

Worldwidechickenmeat(broiler)productionhasbeenrevolutionisedoverthepast50yearswithheavyresearchandinvestmentingenetics,technologyandnutrition.ThesedevelopmentshaveresultedinpercapitaconsumptionofbroilermeatinAustraliatoincreasefromlessthan10kg/headin1950toalmost50kg/headtoday.Consumershavebeendriventowardpoultrymeatasanaffordableandhealthysourceofanimalprotein,withpoultrymeatpricesfalling75%since1975.Developmentinpoultrygeneticsandnutritionarethekeydrivertomaintaininglowcostsofproductionwithinthesector.In1975ittook64daystogrowachickento2kgwith4.66kgoffeedatafeedconversionrate(FCR)of2.33.Todayameatchickencanreach2kgby35daysofageafterconsuming3.4kgoffeedatanFCRofjust1.5-1.7.WithsuchanefficientFCRitisnowonderpoultryproductionisseenasoneofthemostsustainablemethodsofconvertingvegetableproteintoanimalproteinintheworld.Since1975thechickenindustryinAustraliahasincreasedinsizeseveraltimesover.Fromprocessing100millionbirdsto600millionbirdsinthepast40yearsalone.InTasmaniatherearetwopoultrycompaniesoperating.NicholsinthenorthandInghamsinthesouth.AtNicholswecurrentlyprocess65,000birdsperweekintosupplymanydifferentmarkets.Wegrow95%ofourbirdsundertheRSPCAapprovedfarmingschemestandardwith5%beinggrowninourbuddingNicholsEthicalFreeRange(NEFR)‘field’.Regardlessofhowwegrowbroileronethingremainscertain,theyallrequiretheessentialsforgrowth,whichisfeed.Feedisthesinglemostimportantinputintogrowingbroilerchickensandsitsabovechickquality,sheddingenvironmentandmanagement.AtNicholsweoperate3broilerrations.Thesearecalledstarter,growerandfinisher.Eachrationchangesinproteinandenergytoensurethebroilerbirdisgettingeverythingitneedsatthevariousstagesofgrowthacrossitslife,whichisanywherefrom35to45daysforRSPCAorlongerforNEFR.ThekeyingredientinourrationisTasmanianwheat.Thisrepresentsapprox.60%ofeverytonneproduced.Wheatisuseddueitsaffordability,abilitytoadd‘bulk’toarationandits

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energycontent.Proteinisofcoursealsopresentinwheatandarealdrivingforcebehindthecostspertonneoftherequiredfeed.Therefore,Nicholsremainscommittedtowheatusageandisparticularlyinterestedinwheatthathasaproteinpercentgreaterthan10%.IfhigherproteincanbeachievedconsistentlythroughtheTasmanianwheatgrowersthegrainindustrywouldfindanetincreaseinthewheatrequirementbychickenfeedmillersastherationswouldbeformulatedwithlessmealssuchassoyorcanolaandmorewheat.

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NickPykeFAR,NewZealand

Irrigatedspringbarley–canitbethewonderspringcrop?Springbarleyyieldshavebeenincreasingat125kg/ha/year(Figure)inNewZealand.Thisisacombinationofgeneticgainandagronomicgain.Thegeneticgainhasbeen25kg/hauntilrecentlywhennewvarietieshavegivenasignificantyieldincrease.Agronomicgaininhasbeen100kg/ha/yearandhasreturnedanextraNZ$32/haperyear(excludingincreasedinputcosts).Thusoverthe18yearsinthegraphbelowfarmersshouldnetanextraNZ$576/ha.Springbarleyhasmanyadvantagesasacerealcropwhereadequatemoistureisavailablefromirrigationorrainfallandhightemperaturesdonotreduceyield.Springbarleycanbegrownentirelyunderfavourableconditionsforgrowth,warmweatherandlongdaysmaximisingtheconversionofsunlighttoyield.Aspringplantingallowsfarmerstomaximisethevalueofwintercropsorpasture,oftenforgrazing,andminimisestheexposureofthecroptopestsanddiseases,particularlywetweatherdiseasessuchasRynchosporium(scald).However,carefuldiseasemanagementwillberequiredtomanagelaterseasondiseases,suchasleafrustorRamularia,ifithasestablishedinTasmania.Aspringplantingcanallowstrategicuseofotherinputs,suchasnitrogen(N)byusinggoodknowledgeofpredictedyieldandsoilNlevelsatthetimeofNapplication.InNewZealand,theuseofProductionWiseallowsfarmerstobenchmarktheperformanceoftheirspringbarleycropsagainstothercrops,farmsoryears.Basedon2016/17benchmarkinginformationyieldshaverangedfromalowerquartileof8.0t/hato10.0t/hawithmeaninputcostsofNZ$1877/haandameangrossmarginofNZ$1139/ha.Further,itispossibletodeterminethegrossvalue/haperday.BarleysowninMayaccumulatedvalueatNZ$10.80/haperday,whereasSeptemberandmid–OctobersownbarleyaccumulatedvalueatNZ$12.96andNZ$13.13/haperdayrespectively.ToaccumulatethegreatestgrossvaluespringbarleyneedstobematchedwithagoodwintercroptoachievegreaterthanNZ$10.80/haperday.Springbarleycanbeawondercropitdependsonhowitisgrownandwhatitcanyield.

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Figure1.IncreaseinthreeyearrollingaveragebarleyyieldsinCultivarPerformanceTrials.Theorangelineisincreaseinyieldasacombinationofagronomicandgeneticgain,thebluelineistheagronomicgaininasinglevariety.

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PanelDiscussionUseoffeedgraincerealcropsforgrazingandgrainproductionin

TasmanianmixedfarmingsystemsCamNicholson,Director,NiconRuralServiceswillfacilitateapaneldiscussionwithfarmers:SamLyne,CampbellTownBrettDonlan,RossRobO’Connor.BenhamNotes:

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2017HyperYieldingCerealProjectSiteInformation

Location: Hagley,Tasmania Latitude41°29'21.63"S,Longitude146°55'3.81"ERainfall: Annual(todate): 496.7mmGSR(todate): 412.5mmIrrigationapplied: 30mm–24thOctober2017Soil: Type: AlluvialDermosolSowinginformation: Sowingdate: 6/7April2017–TimeofSowing1Sowingdate: 27/28April2017–Timeofsowing2SowingEquipment: SFSknifepointcoulter&presswheelRowSpacing: 22.5cmPaddockhistory: 2017/2018 Wheat2016/2017 H1Pyrethrum2015/2016 EstablishingPyrethrum2014/2015 Poppies2013/2014 H1Pyrethrum2012/2013 EstablishingPyrethrum

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2016MeteorologicalData

Figure1.2016growingseasonrainfall,2016irrigation(appliedon11-Apriland3-December)andlongtermrainfall(1965-2016)(recordedatHagley(Fairbank)).2016minandmaxtemperaturesandlongtermminandmaxtemperaturesrecordedatCressyResearchStation(1999-2016).

Figure2.Cumulativegrowingseasonrainfallfor2015,2016(includingirrigationappliedon11-Apriland3-December)andthelongtermaverageforthegrowingseason(April-Oct).

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2017MeteorologicalData

Figure3.2017growingseasonrainfallandlongtermrainfall(1965-2017)(recordedatWestbury),2017minandmaxtemperaturesandlongtermminandmaxtemperaturesrecordedatCressyResearchStation(1999-2017)forthegrowingseason(April-Oct).

Figure4.Cumulativegrowingseasonrainfallfor2016,2017andthelongtermaverageforthegrowingseason(April-Oct).

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