Farmers' Newsletter No 183, Spring 2010

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RESEARCH TO LIFT PRODUCTIVITY & EFFICIENCY

Cloud seeding increases precipitation (1.4MB )

Snowy Hydro has been conducting a scientific trial of cloud seeding in the Snowy Mountains since 2004.
An independent evaluation of this trial has shown an average 14% increase in precipitation for seeded events.
Comprehensive monitoring and assessment shows no evidence of any significant adverse environmental
impacts or downwind effects.

Delayed permanent water for rice (1.4MB)

After two seasons of research we are confident that delaying the application of permanent water to drill sown rice is a viable alternative to conventional water management for drill sown rice on red-brown earth soils.
Over the two seasons, water savings of between 16 and 21% were achieved resulting in a 10–17% increase in water productivity.
Delaying permanent water until two weeks prior to panicle initiation (PI) slows crop development so it may be necessary to sow 7–10 days earlier than recommended for conventionally managed drill sown crops.
The practice of delaying permanent water is not a reduced input, low management technique; considerable weed control and water management is required for it to be successful.

Energy consumption of high pressure irrigation (1.2 MB)

In surface water regions, pressurised irrigation systems will increase energy consumption and emissions, therefore their installation should be considered carefully in light of this.
In groundwater regions, pressurised irrigation systems can reduce water use, energy and emissions, offering an excellent opportunity for irrigators to reduce resource use and costs.
This study found that for all irrigation methods (including gravity fed), for surface and groundwater sources, as water application increases, energy use and emissions also increase.

Handling water variability into the future (1.54 MB)

Climate change projections indicate that the future will see years of higher allocations again but there will be greater variability in high allocations and more frequent drought periods.
It is anticipated that irrigators will become water limited rather than land limited, and this will affect current and historic management decision processes when planning an irrigated cropping program.
Results from the research published in this article suggest that when water is limited optimal farm performance in irrigated systems may be achieved from sub-optimal paddock performance and ‘spreading the water’ over more land, if it is available.

Pre-emergent herbicide management for no-till (1.33 MB)

Residual herbicides are essential in sustainable no-till farming systems, and knowing the properties of each is essential for the desired combination of crop safety and weed control.
Residual herbicides incorporated by sowing generally allows for greater crop safety than post-sowing preemergent applications.
Incorporated by sowing technique has made higher application rates possible, allowing advantages of combating stubble tie up, extended incorporation windows, increase in efficacy and broader weed spectrum, eg TriflurX.
Tyne machines generally allow greater crop safety than discs; and incorporation by sowing with discs is much safer than post-sowing pre-emergent applications with discs.
Research into the use of residual herbicides in no-till farming is necessary, because many herbicide labels have not changed as our farming system has evolved.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR IRRIGATORS

New crop options for irrigation (1.33 MB)

Crop diversification options are many for the Riverina but a decision to establish a new enterprise requires
detailed homework so the impact of the new crop on business and management is fully understood.

Pomegranate potential (1.8 MB)

Pomegranate is a new specialty crop option for irrigators of the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
Production requirements and management skills are the similar to those required for other horticultural crops.
A range of market opportunities exists for the fruit from whole fruit export to juicing of split or defective fruit.

Wheat opportunities report (1.1 MB)

A preliminary report, What the World Wants from Australian Wheat, summarises information from a wide range of publically available reports and sources, giving readers a snapshot of Australian production, and the domestic and export markets for Australian wheat and associated end-products, with particular focus on South-East Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Nitrogen management for rice – a refresher! (1.5 MB)

For efficient use of nitrogen and to achieve a high yield potential, apply sufficient nitrogen prior to permanent water to reach a panicle initiation (PI) nitrogen uptake of 140–150 kg N/ha in the MIA and CIA, and 120–130 kg N/ha in the Murray Valley.
Fields with no recent history of legumes require a minimum of 90 kg N/ha (200 kg/ha urea) applied prior to permanent water to achieve the target PI nitrogen uptake (for fields in the MIA and CIA).
Avoid applying urea into a flooded field when the rice plants are small, as this is very inefficient. Unless the crop is severely under-fertilised apply additional nitrogen if required at panicle initiation based on NIR tissue test recommendations.
Recently landformed fields, that have not been topsoiled, require extra nitrogen and phosphorus to be applied to the cut areas prior to permanent water.

Grain storage – getting it right (1.0 MB)

Planning is the first step to successful storage. Critically assess your current system and site. Can it meet market expectations? Can you plan for expansion?
Successful grain storage relies on an integrated quality management approach, combining grain hygiene, sealed gas-tight storage and aeration. The preservation of phosphine as an insect control tool, through correct use in gas-tight sealed storages, is critical to maintaining grain quality during long-term storage.

REGULARS

Chairman’s foreword (1.4 MB)

IREC Executive Committee (736 K)

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