While farmers are involved in a hectic and stressful seeding program, a review of key outcomes from selected research projects conducted through Minnipa Agricultural Centre, may reinforce management strategies for the remainder of the season. The major funders for this research include G.R.D.C., SAGIT, SARDI and the Adelaide University.

• Row Spacing; In cereals narrower row spacings achieved higher yields, whilst still maintaining grain quality, however with current farming systems, there needs to be a compromise between row width and trash clearance. It also appears that lowering seeding rates according to soil type will offer a more consistent dry finish advantage than messing around with row spacing.

•  Variable Rate Technology; This technology has enabled farming to soil type and initial results indicate that income was more manipulated by cost savings rather than yield improvements.

• Rhizoctonia; Two years of trial work has yet to identify a fungicide which will consistently control Rhizoctonia and provide economic production benefits.

• Marshmallow; Formerly a non-threatening weed, marshmallow has spread rapidly since the adoption of low tillage systems. Its long tap root provides good drought survival and hard seediness allows it to remain viable in the soil for many years. Marshmallow is naturally tolerant to glyshosate where a rate above 600 ml/ha plus a recommended “spike” at the cotyledon stage is required for adequate control. At the two true leaf stage the knock down sprayseed was effective.

• Feed Value; A nutritional study of major weed species showed that most are high in metabolisable energy and crude protein and low in fibre. Ice-plant and Onion weed can not sustain livestock whilst Horehound, Lincoln weed, Wards weed, Indian hedge mustard, Long fruited wild turnip and Marshmallow can provide valuable feed up to full flowering stage. The nutritional value of weeds post flowering became so poor that livestock would rapidly lose weight.

• Grazing Cereals; In low to medium rainfall environments, strategically grazing a crop sown for grain production will compromise grain yield, however in high rainfall areas there is no affect on grain yield. Barley and oats produce higher levels of dry matter than wheat. Sowing cereals for early feed is a risk management tool and in some years can provide a grain harvest bonus. The selection of cereal species and variety is important, so that a farm rotation is not compromised by disease multiplication.

These research results and observation are among those published in the 2007 Eyre Peninsula Research Summary.

AUTHOR: Neil “Fish” Cordon, Senior Extension Agronomist, SARDI
CONTACT: Neil Cordon at Minnipa Agricultural Centre, Telephone 08 8680 6210, or Mobile 0427 600 266