In this section:
Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC)
SECTION 3: MAC Research, Development & Extension Programs – 2006/2007
1. Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems
2. Eyre Peninsula Grain & Graze
3. Field Crop Improvement
4. Various
5. MAC Farm RDE Program Overview
1. Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2
Project Management: Amanda Cook
Overall project aim: EPFS will increase transfer and effective use of information within agribusiness sectors and between low rainfall environments through high quality, consistent and relevant RD&E. Specific information generated will provide practical options to reduce the impact of seasonal variation and soil pathogens on grain yield and quality. An increase from 30 – 60% of farmers across upper EP will participate in programs with potential to improve profitability and reduce their exposure to seasonal risk.
Components:
1.1 Annual Farmer Structure & Process: Neil Cordon, Amanda Cook
1.2 Extension Network & Process: Neil Cordon
1.3 Suppressive Soils/Disease Management: Amanda Cook
1.4 Plant Available Water Research: Jon Hancock
1.5 No Till/SANTFA: Michael Bennet
1.6 Soil Compaction: Catherine Paterson
1.7 Underlying Project Concepts: Amanda Cook
1.8 PhD: Uni of Adelaide, Dr Ann McNeill
1.1 Annual Farmer Structure & Process/Extension: Neil Cordon, Amanda Cook
Funding Body: GRDC, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Project 2, Project #: UA00087
Lead Agency: University of Adelaide
Participating Agencies: SARDI
Project Supervisor: Dr Ann McNeill
Supporting Institutions: Rural Solutions SA, Farmer Groups (Ag Bureau or Commercial)
Timeframe: 01/07/05 – 30/06/08
RDE Targets:
- Support farmer groups on Upper Eyre Peninsula to identify, address and manage constraints to production (see pg 47 for process).
- Increase the adoption of sustainable farming practices on UEP
Technical Support: Lisa Bennie
1.2 Extension: Neil Cordon
Funding Body: GRDC, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Project 2, Project #: UA 00087 Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Dr Ann McNeill Supporting Institutions: Rural Solutions SA, Farmer Groups, SARDI – Dennis Hopkins, Hugh Wallwork, Jenny Davidson, Uni of Adelaide - Sam Kleeman, Plant Breeders, Commercial Reps, Private Consultants, Industry Bodies (AWB, ABB) Timeframe: June 2008 RDE Targets: • Provide extension and demonstration activities with farmer groups to deliver best practice outcomes and increase the management and skill level of farmers. • Provide technical and farm business management information to growers. • To respond to farmer responsive research issues eg. herbicide resistant weeds, fungicide trials, polyphrades weevil, local wheat variety trials. Technical Support: Ben Ward 1.3 Suppressive Soils/Disease Management Research: Amanda Cook Funding Body: SAGIT “Managing root diseases on upper Eyre Peninsula through disease suppression” Proj # S3/05 Lead Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Dr Nigel Wilhelm Supporting Institutions: SARDI – Alan McKay, Steve Barnett & Marg Evans, University of Adelaide - Damien Adcock & Annie McNeill, CSIRO – David Roget & Gupta. Timeframe: June 2008 RDE Targets: • Based on David Roget’s work at Avon. • Identify if suppressive soils exist on Eyre Peninsula and if so under what farming systems they occur. • Identify the role of the carbon/nitrogen ratio (C:N) in disease suppression. • Determine the effect of brassicas in the rotation on disease inoculum levels Technical Support: Wade Shepperd (0.75) 1.4 Plant Available Water Research: Jon Hancock Funding Body: GRDC, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Project 2, UA 00087 + SARDI wage in kind. Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Dr Ann McNeill Supporting Institutions: SARDI – Peter Hayman & Victor Sadras, University of Adelaide – Damien Adcock, SPAA – Michael Wells, Alan Mayfield. Timeframe: June 2008 RDE Targets:
13
• To characterise various soils from UEP to determine the amount of plant available water these soils can hold (bucket size). • To manipulate the development of cereal crops so that they extract water from the soil profile in such a way that grain production and quality is maximised. • To estimate the severity and frequency of post-anthesis water stress and model different scenarios with water balance driven crop models (APSIM). Technical Support: Wade Shepperd (0.25) 1.5 No Till: Michael Bennet Funding Body: South Australian No Till Farmers Association (SANTFA), National Landcare Program (NLP), Proj # 054087 Lead Agency: Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Dr Nigel Wilhelm Supporting Institutions: SANTFA – Rohan Rainbow + EP SANTFA committee, SARDI – Marg Evans, Uni of Adelaide - Sam Kleemann, Uni of SA – Jack Desbiolles Timeframe: June 2009 RDE Targets: • Helping growers with uptake of no tillage technology on EP. • Helping farmers overcome future barriers to no-till. • Farmer responsive research issues – tillage and spraying technology Technical Support: Ben Ward 1.6 Soil Compaction: Catherine Paterson Funding Body: SAGIT/GRDC - Soil Compaction in Agricultural Soils on EP, S0706R Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: Project Supervisor: Dr Nigel Wilhelm Supporting Institutions: University of Adelaide - Damien Adcock, Cameron Grant, University of South Australia - Jack Desbiolles Timeframe: June 2009 RDE Targets: • Extensive survey of EP soils to identify farming systems which cause, manage or improve soil compaction. • Trials to determine how soil compaction is financially and physically affecting farming systems and identify management options to improve the profitability and sustainability of farming systems Technical Support: Ben Ward 1.7 Underlying Project Concepts: Amanda Cook Funding Body: GRDC, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Project 2, UA 00087
14
Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Dr Ann McNeill Project Supporting Institutions: University of Adelaide – Dr Annie McNiell, Dr Damien Adcock Timeframe: 3 years - December 2008 RDE Targets: • Risk Management - establish equity benchmarks for farm businesses in low rainfall areas and use this to build onto the G&G workshops on profitability analysis. Use risk management in the extension of our research results to farmers in a form, which takes into account the risk and the benefits of adopting new technology rather than just a gross margin for one or two seasons. We would include the cost of moving to the new technology, the return on investment and the level of risk. Within this we would also like to use climate modelling to consider our research results over a range of seasons. • Systems – link climate modelling (APSIM) and EM mapping to the plant available water research and address triple bottom line issues through collaboration with G&G. • Extension and Linking - increase project extension, increase group capability, reintroduce advisor discussion groups and participate in the LRGC meetings and annual forum. • Evaluation – annual group planning and review process which also forms the research program, baseline and exit KASA survey. 1.8 PhD: Dr Ann McNeill, Sjaan Davey Funding Body: GRDC, Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Project 2, UA 00087 Project Supporting Institutions: University of Adelaide – Dr Ann McNeill Timeframe: 3 years - December 2008 RDE Targets: • To provide further scientific evidence to support one of the major research issues within the EPFS Project; • Study the mechanisms involved in soil disease suppression in low rainfall areas and the interactions between soil organisms. Also identify the key management factors in farming systems that enhance the potential for the development of disease suppression. Technical Support: 0.8 based at Uni of Adelaide 2. Eyre Peninsula Grain & Graze Project Management: Alison Frischke Overall Project Aim: ”To optimise mixed farming systems on the Eyre Peninsula to maximise returns to growers whilst improving the natural resources and increasing social capital”. Project Components: 2.1 Profitability Analysis: Private Consultants, Brian Ashton 2.2 Biodiversity Analysis: Justine Graham, EP Natural Resource Management Board 2.3 ‘Social’ PhD: Professor David Coventry, Uni of Adelaide
15
2.4 Research/Extension Priorities: Alison Frischke, Emma McInerney, Brian Ashton (Rural Solutions SA) 2.1 Profitability Analysis: Private Consultants, Brian Ashton Funding Body: Grain & Graze – Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Land & Water Australia (L&W), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), UAD 20. Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Professor David Coventry Supporting Institutions: Private Consultants (E Hunt, B Lynch, M Krause), Rural Solutions SA Timeframe: Benchmarking, Initial farmer workshops & economic analysis 2006; monitor farms & final farmer workshop 2007. RDE Targets: • Benchmark DSE and DM potential on mixed farming systems on EP • Identify farmer barriers/limitations to achieving potential using discussion group workshops. • Economic analysis of high performing EP farms Technical Support: Lynch Farm Monitoring, Ed Hunt Consulting. Workshop skills to farmers to analyse their own businesses. • National Profitability Activity – provision of “Planning for Profit’ for workshop delivery. Calibrate EP Midas for whole of EP? 2.2 Biodiversity Analysis: Justine Graham, EP Natural Resource Management Board Funding Body: Grain & Graze – Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Land & Water Australia (L&W), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), UAD 20. Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board (EPNRM). Lead Agency: University of Adelaide Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Professor David Coventry Supporting Institutions: Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management (EP NRM), Kerry Bridle, G&G National Biodiversity Researcher and Ted Lefroy, University of Tasmania Timeframe: 2008 RDE Targets: • Identify baseline biodiversity values in mixed farming systems • Identify impact of farming mix on biodiversity • Identify best management systems to protect/enhance biodiversity while maintaining economic and social resilience. Technical Support: EP NRM staff, G&G National Project 2.3 ‘Social’ PhD: Professor David Coventry, Uni of Adelaide Funding Body: Grain & Graze – Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Land & Water Australia (L&W), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), UAD 20.
16
Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Professor David Coventry Supporting Institutions: University of Adelaide – Professor David Coventry, Andrew Skuse (Head of Anthropology, University of Adelaide) Timeframe: 2008 RDE Targets: • Project PhD: Evaluate the impacts and implications of modern farming systems on rural communities, families and individuals. • National Grain & Graze survey of farmers evaluating the social decisions of managing mixed farming systems. • KASA Survey: Identify opportunities for RD&E, barriers to adoption and benchmark knowledge and attitudes. Technical Support: Lynch Farm Monitoring 2.4 Research/Extension Priorities: Alison Frischke, Emma McInerney, Brian Ashton Funding Body: Grain & Graze – Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Land & Water Australia (L&W), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), UAD 20. Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Project Supervisor: Professor David Coventry Supporting Institutions: Rural Solutions SA – Tim Prance, Kieran Wauchope, David Davenport, SARDI Pastures Group, EP NRM – Sophie Keen, Justine Graham, EP Ag Bureaus, EPARF Timeframe: 2008 RDE Targets: • Action Learning Cycle - Project results taken back to Ag Bureau groups and priorities discussed (process see page 47). • Trials- 2006/2007: Grazing cereal and brassica crops, improving weaner development, improving stock performance on medic pastures, grazing days assessment. • Demos - pastures • Extension – profitability workshop, nutrition, health and genetics seminars, media, end of year book • 2006 EPARF Grain & Graze Field Day – coordinate speakers, sponsorship and publicity. Technical Support: Dot Brace 3. Field Crop Improvement Program Project Management: Jim Egan Overall Program aims: To contribute to a profitable and sustainable grains industry on the Eyre Peninsula through an applied field research program which: • Works with breeding programs to develop and release improved field crop varieties and alternative crop options for the region.
17
• Develops improved agronomic management practices to enable growers to integrate new varieties into their farming systems for maximum advantage. • Delivers independent, relevant, timely information to EP grain growers to assist crop and variety choice and other crop management decisions. Project Components: 3.1 National Variety Trials 3.2 Low Rainfall Break Crops 3.3 Drought Tolerant Wheat 3.4 Breeding Peas for Low Rainfall Environments 3.5 Boron Barley 3.6 Effect of Paddock Variation on Varieties 3.7 Root Lesion Nematode Tolerance Trial 3.8 Commercial Contract – AWB Landmark 3.1 National Variety Trials: Jim Egan Funding Body: GRDC Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: Supporting Institutions: SARDI Crop Evaluation and Agronomy Units in Port Lincoln, Waite, Clare, Struan and Loxton; Australian Crop Accreditation System (ACAS) Timeframe: 01/03/2005 – 28/02/2009 RDE Targets: • Provide accurate and independent results on local performance of varieties of all major winter field crops (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, canola, field peas, faba beans, narrow-leafed lupins, lentils and chickpeas). • Make the information readily accessible to growers and advisors in a timely manner, via the ACAS NVT website. Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Willie Shoobridge, Brian Purdie (Eastern EP) 3.2 Low Rainfall Break Crops: Jim Egan Funding Body: SAGIT, Developing Break Crop Options on Upper Eyre Peninsula, Project #: S4/05 Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: SARDI Brassica Improvement Program (Trent Potter), Victorian Department of Primary Industries Canola and Mustard Breeding (Wayne Burton), University of Adelaide Faba Bean Improvement Program (Dr Jeff Paull) Project Supervisor: Jim Egan Timeframe: 01/07/2005 – 30/6/2008 RDE Targets: • Provide grain growers on upper Eyre Peninsula with viable break crop options, in particular of canola, juncea canola and faba beans. • Increase adoption of break crops on upper Eyre Peninsula, especially of juncea canola (canola quality mustard) varieties. 18
Technical Support: Willie Shoobridge, Leigh Davis 3.3 Drought Tolerant Wheat: Jim Egan Funding Body: SAGIT, Pyramiding Sources of Drought Tolerance, Project #: AGT0106R Lead Agency: Australian Grain Technologies Pty Ltd (AGT) Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG), CSIRO Project Supervisor: Dr Steve Jefferies Timeframe: July 2006 – June 2009 RDE Targets: Improve the productivity and reliability of wheat production in low rainfall areas of SA by: • Pyramiding different sources of drought tolerance into wheat varieties for SA growers. • Gaining an improved understanding of the genetic, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms underlying high relative yield under drought conditions which in turn would facilitate the targeted introgression of desirable genes or gene blocks into elite germplasm. Technical Support: Willie Shoobridge, Leigh Davis 3.4 Breeding Field Peas for Low Rainfall Environments – Jim Egan Funding Body: GRDC, Australian Field Pea Breeding Program (AFPIP) – SA component, Project #: DAV00071 Lead Agency: Victorian Department of Primary Industries, Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: SARDI Field Crop Pathology Unit (Jenny Davidson) Project Supervisor: Larn McMurray Timeframe: 01/01/2006 – 30/06/2011 RDE Targets: • AFPIP aims to expand the field pea industry in Australia through the development of better adapted varieties. • The SA node of the project has particular emphasis on identifying lines for the low rainfall environments. Technical Support: Willie Shoobridge, Leigh Davis 3.5 Boron Barley – Jim Egan Funding Body: GRDC Lead Agency: University of Adelaide, Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: Project Supervisor: Stewart Coventry/Jason Eglinton Timeframe: Ongoing RDE Targets: Aim to identify advanced breeding lines with boron tolerance in Barley Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Willie Shoobridge 19
3.6 Effect of Paddock Variation on Varieties - Jim Egan Funding Body: SAGIT, Applying new technologies to understand varietal performance of wheat, Project #: S3/04 Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: PIRSA Rural Solutions Supporting Institutions: Nil Project Supervisor: Dr Sharyn Taylor Timeframe: 2004-2007 RDE Targets: • To determine if variety performance is affected by paddock zones (as determined by Electromagnetic imaging). • Information from these trials will be used to identify abiotic or disease factors which may be causing zones, how zones can effect research trial results and whether variety selection for different zones in a paddock could be used to maximise yield. Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Willie Shoobridge 3.7 Root Lesion Nematode Tolerance Trial Funding Body: University of Adelaide/ACPFG, Effect of P. neglectus on drought tolerance in wheat Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: University of Adelaide Supporting Institutions: Nil Project Supervisor: Dr Sharyn Taylor Timeframe: 2006 RDE Targets: • Assess tolerance of wheat in two molecular marker mapping populations developed for drought tolerance (Excalibur/Kukri and Excalibur/RAC875). • This trial will be used to obtain preliminary information on whether tolerance to P. neglectus contributes to drought tolerance and, if so, to what extent. Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Willie Shoobridge 3.8 Commercial Contract – AWB Premium Choice Wheats Funding Body: AWB Lead Agency: Landmark, Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: Project Supervisor: Simon Crane (Landmark) Timeframe: 2006 RDE Targets: • Promote AWB Premium Choice wheat varieties. • Assess management practices to improve protein and reduce screenings. Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Willie Shoobridge 20
4. Various Projects Project Management: Various 4.1 Subsoil Constraints 4.2 Bio Control Agents 4.3 Mycorrhiza and P Uptake 4.4 Copolymers 4.5 Improved Tillering Wheat 4.6 Climate Change 4.1 Subsoil Constraints: Nigel Wilhelm Funding Body: GRDC Supporting Institutions: DPI Vic, BCG, University of Adelaide (Damien Adcock) Timeframe: 2003 - 2008 RDE Targets: • Delivery of 'paddock action' packages to advisers and growers to enable them to recognise hostile subsoils and develop cost effective management strategies, where subsoil constraints exist. • A range of strategies designed to improve the management of subsoils limiting yields of different crops grown on neutral and alkaline soils of Victoria and South Australia evaluated and demonstrated to growers • The extent and severity of particular subsoil constraints and their effect on yield and profitability for a range of crops in target environments quantified Technical Support: Ian Richter 4.2 Bio Control Agents: Nigel Wilhelm Funding Body: GRDC Lead Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: Rural Directions, Plant Tech Project Supervisor: Dr Bob Hannam (consultant) Timeframe: 2007- RDE Targets: Identify biocontrol agents which benefit the performance of crops in the field and can be developed into commercial products. Technical Support: Ian Richter 4.3 Mycorrhiza and P Uptake: Dr Bob Holloway Funding Body: SAGIT/ARC Lead Agency: University of Adelaide Participating Agency: SARDI Supporting Institutions: Professors Sally & Andrew Smith - Uni of Adelaide, Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller – SARDI Project Supervisor: Professor Sally Smith, Dr Bob Holloway Timeframe: 2006 -2010
21
RDE Targets: • Looking at the role of mycorrhiza in P uptake on calcareous soils. • Relationship between fluid P and mycorrhiza and P uptake. • Set up a DNA marker for mycorrhiza in soils. Technical Support: Dot Brace 4.4 Copolymers: Dr Bob Holloway Funding Body: Mosaic Fertilisers (USA) Lead Agency: University of Adelaide Participating Agency: Sam Stacey, Professor Mike McLaughlin - Uni of Adelaide Supporting Institutions: Project Supervisor: Professor Mike McLaughlin Timeframe: 2006-2008 RDE Targets: • Field testing of a polymer developed by Sam Stacey in his PhD to carry micronutrients – University of Adelaide patent. Technical Support: Dot Brace 4.5 Improved Wheat Tillering in Calcareous Soils: Dr Bob Holloway Funding Body: GRDC Lead Agency: SARDI, University of North Dakota Participating Agency: Supporting Institutions: Project Supervisor: Dr Bob Holloway, Professor Jay Goos Timeframe: 2006 RDE Targets: • Test innovative products applied to the seed to overcome the lack of tillering in low P calcareous soils. Technical Support: Dot Brace 4.6 Climate Change: Samantha Doudle Funding Body: SARDI Lead Agency: SARDI Participating Agency: EPARF Supporting Institutions: SARDI: Peter Hayman, Australian Greenhouse Office, CSIRO Project Supervisor: not yet confirmed Timeframe: 2006 RDE Targets: not yet confirmed • Work plan under development, potential activities: o Conduct an energy, water and greenhouse gas audits on the Minnipa Agricultural Centre farm and office complex.
22
o Develop RDE programs to support adaptation and innovation climate change strategies. Technical Support: 5. MAC Farm RDE Program Overview Farm Management – Brendan Frischke Overall Farm Aim: “Maintain a farming system with flexibility to adapt to current & future commercial realities, demonstrating profitability and sustainability. Components: 5.1 Low rainfall farming systems - Broad scale focus areas 5.2 Low rainfall farming systems - Industry Services 5.3 Low rainfall farming systems - Underlying concepts 5.1 Low rainfall farming systems - Broad Scale RDE Funding Body: State Government, EPFS (GRDC), EPARF (Ag line, Agsist, Kotzur silos, ABB Fertilisers) EP G&G (GRDC, MLA, AWI, L&W), SAGIT, Supporting Institutions: University of Adelaide, Southern Precision Agriculture Association (SPAA) Timeframe: 2006 - 2008 RDE Targets: • Plant Zone – microclimate: row on row vs slightly displaced vs between row (with EPARF & SANTFA/NLP) o Short term disease implications? o More efficient fertiliser use? o Fast track disease suppression? o Amelioration of plant zone? o Impact of soil compaction? • Paddock Zone – Plant Available Water (with EPARF & EPFS) o Catalogue & understand the natural resource using EM & yield maps & zoning. Characterise zones - soils, weeds, disease. o Agronomy responses/zone - crop type, sowing direction o Configuration response/zone - wide rows, depth of working o VRT responses/zone - nutrition o Deep ripping • Livestock Systems (with EP G&G) o Assessing stock performance on medic pasture o Analysing flock structure for upper EP o Analysing pasture growth vs feed demand
o Quantitative vs qualitative genetic selection • Responsive RDE (with EPARF & various) o Contour guidance compared to parallel guidance o Grain drying o Dry sowing with Clearfield technology Technical Support: Brett McEvoy, Shane Moroney, Emma McInerney, Jon Hancock, Catherine Paterson 5.2 Low rainfall farming systems - Industry Services Funding Body: SARDI Supporting Institutions: n/a Timeframe: ongoing Targets: • Independent stable research site o MAC projects, independent research organisations, commercial industry. o Record keeping and Use - GIS based live data base. o Manage and maintain farm to industry acceptable standard. o Potential to have a MAC Research Site Prospectus that we send to groups/companies outlining the natural resource, costs, benefits of using MAC farm, including the GIS data base they can use and add to. • Certified Seed Production (opportunistic revenue generation) - Non RDE area. NB: feasibility analysis will be conducted in 2006. Technical Support: Leigh Davis, Brett McEvoy, Shane Moroney, Lisa Bennie, Roslyn Fromm, Leala Hoffmann 5.3 Low rainfall farming systems - Underlying Concepts Funding Body: SARDI, EPFS, EP G&G Supporting Institutions: n/a Timeframe: ongoing Targets: • Long Term Monitoring and Reporting – o Natural Resource Characteristics - catalogue and monitor over time x treatment, eg chemical & physical soil properties. o Profitability - input costs, yield, protein, screenings, price o Efficiency - WUE/kg/ha o Global Impact – greenhouse gas, energy & water budgets • Responsive Evaluation - Seasonal & Annual review • Risk Management - Opportunistic/responsive farming (rather than fixed rotations) • Revenue maximisation - Best practice farming techniques Technical Support: Brett McEvoy, Shane Moroney, Neil Cordon, Sam Doudle, Lisa Bennie 24
You can download a pdf version of the MAC research projects.
