Farmers' Newsletter No 179, Spring 2008

• The future operations of IREC are under scrutiny as funding sources become scarce and farmer interest wanes
• For 70 years IREC has provided a forum for irrigators to provide ‘ground up’ input into research and extension carried out in the Murrumbidgee Valley
• Now, IREC is seeking irrigator feedback about the its value and potential role into the future

• Knowledge of soil types and characteristics is an important aid in making farm decisions – from purchasing a new property to determining water holding capacity
• Soil maps covering the MIA, CIA and Murray Valley (NSW) are now available for download in Google EarthTM free of charge
• The system allows users to view soils maps directly in Google Earth. They can see their property and then with the click of a button overlay their soil map showing soil boundaries and soil types

Scheduling irrigation with satellite and SMS (418 k)

• A state of the art system using the latest in satellite and SMS technology is being used to provide irrigators with ‘simple to understand’ irrigation scheduling information
• Satellite images are used to measure crop growth and a subsequent crop coefficient, which can then be used with data from on-ground weather stations to determine the crop’s water needs
• This information is distilled into simple to understand SMS text messages that are sent to irrigators on their mobile phones indicating how long they should run their drip system for to replace lost water

• Broad spectrum cold tolerance will be incorporated into future Australian bred rice varieties through the utilisation of targeted selection nurseries
• Suitable international aerobic lines have been identified for future breeding efforts if characteristics can be incorporated with cold tolerance
• The Australian rice industry is well situated to capitalise from future cold tolerant varieties thanks to the collaborative efforts of three research providers facilitated by RIRDC

• Drought and reduced water availability have led to a top rice crop on reduced inputs and delayed permanent watering, resulting in good returns and excellent water productivity
• This experience raises the question ‘can rice production be more profitable with delayed application of permanent water?’
• A delayed watering system will be further investigated in 2008–09 and farmer co-operators are being sought

• Rice yields, water use and water productivity vary between varieties and rice growing valleys
• New water productivity targets have been established for individual valleys based on yield, irrigation water use and rainfall records from Ricecheck since 1999

• The current nitrogen fertiliser topdressing rates for rice (PI topdressing) have been revised using historical trial data to provide better outcomes for growers
• Farmers should aim for a plant nitrogen uptake of between 100 and 140 kg N/ha at panicle initiation (PI) to achieve top yields and the most efficient use of nitrogen fertiliser
• Inappropriate recommendations can occur due to inaccurate sampling area, by sampling in areas not representative of the field or sampling at the wrong growth stage

• A significant production challenge since the 1990s has been controlling Helicoverpa grubs since the pest developed resistance to the insecticides commonly used to control it
• Research that concludes this season presents growers with confidence to use some new insecticide options for control of Helicoverpa
• The research also showed that water rates and application technique are important for obtaining the best results from an insecticide

• Recent research highlights that safflower could fit into a range of cropping systems and production environments in southern Australia
• There is a growing range of end-uses for safflower from oil-based food products to biodiesel to colouring for cosmetics
• An international conference being held in Wagga Wagga in November 2008 provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about the production and opportunities for safflower

• In 2007, trials of wheat, durum, barley and triticale showed that yields of 10 t/ha and higher can be achieved in irrigated production systems
• The results demonstrated that grain protein levels of 11% or greater are achievable
• The results of the project thus far provide wheat growers with a guide to which varieties can be grown to maximise productivity from irrigation water

• The previous article reports on trial work that shows the potential for irrigated winter cereals to achieve yields of 10 t/ha or higher
• This article outlines the management strategies used to grow the crops at the trial sites, and shows that the management regime was profitable

• Yanco Experiment Farm was established in 1908 to provide research and assistance to settlers during the development of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area
• Significant research has been conducted over the last 100 years on irrigated crops, horticulture and livestock that has contributed to the development of the diverse primary industries of the MIA. Much of this work is recorded in the IREC Farmers’ Newsletter and the NSW Department of Agriculture Agricultural Gazette.
• The Institute has also played a major role in agricultural education including the training of farmers during the early years and after World War II, of delinquent boys during the 1930s, and through the Agricultural College which has operated there for over 40 years.
• Thousands of people have worked, studied and lived at Yanco Institute over the decades. A reunion is being planned in October for anyone who has “drunk the channel water” and wishes to return.