P.
No
Pulse options for SA
Mallee continued
Investigating the
benefits of VRT at the
farmer level
Resistance to flystrike
insecticides and the
blowfly genome
Wild dogs - Livestock
Biosecurity Network
Perennials forage
options for the Mallee
Agronomy on the
agenda for Lameroo
women
Welcome Eliza Rieger,
RLF Murray Bridge
Harvest report meeting
dates
Pulse options for SA Mallee
By Chris McDonough, Rural Solutions SA & Michael Moodie, Mallee Sustainable Farming
T
he use of break crops is
proving extremely important for controlling
grassy weeds, reducing root disease
and maintaining cereal yields, for
intensive cropping in low rainfall areas. However, finding suitable and
consistently profitable options that
achieve this in areas of less than
200mm growing season rainfall is
Above—Local farmers sampling pulse options at
not easy.
spring crop walk
The Trial
This trial was conducted on the Worsfolds’ farm at Wunkar (near Loxton) which re-
ceives average annual rainfall of approximately 260mm and ave GSR of 165mm.
The paddock was surveyed using EM38 to allow for a more direct comparison of plot
yield results against soil types (Fig 1). This method is used to help take account for
paddock variation when using farmer scale trials. There was, however, no replication of plots at this site.
Three general soil zones were deep soil tested and
characterised at the start of the season, ranging from
deep sand, midslopes, loamy flats.
While there is a
good soil type range, the subsoils at this site are not
high in chemical constraints to root growth and moisture
extraction.
In 2014 plots were sown with farmers airseeder for the
Key Messages

Chickpeas were consistently amongst the highest
yielding pulses at this site across all soil types and
EM38 ranges. They produced the highest gross
margins on both the deep sand and mid-slope
soils.

Chickpeas appear to be a viable option for north-
length of the paddock (1km) and 2 passes wide. Varie-
ern Mallee farmers, with ease of reaping being a
ties used in the trial were Twilight Peas, Blitz Lentils,
distinct advantage over other pulse options.
Genisis 090 Chickpeas, Rasina Vetch and a blend of
There is however much to be learnt about the
Jindalee and Mandelup Lupins.
challenges and risks involved in maintaining good
seed size and high quality for marketing in these
Seasonal Conditions
environment. While there may be less disease
This northern Mallee site had excellent rainfall through
pressure in low rainfall areas, good agronomic
Feb-April, but a very poor finish to the season. While the
management is still very important, as each de-
loams and mid-slope soils were able to draw subsoil
cline in grade quality can significantly affect price
moisture to carry through, much of the deep sand on the
and profitability. Many of these issues will be
tops of rises suffered severe moisture stress through Au-
sorted out as more farmers grow chickpeas in
gust and September. This trial also suffered from early
frost damage which badly affected both the lupins and
the peas in patches as well as some vetch, which should
these areas.

Vetch produced the highest gross margin on the
high EM38 loamy soils, mainly due to its lower
be taken into account when assessing results.
input costs due to a lower seeding rate (Table 1).
Results
Vetch remains a relatively safe, easily marketa-
Fig 2. Comparative pulse yields across each EM38 range
ble, versatile break crop option. The brown manured section of the vetch plot will be tested
against all other treatments for N contributions
in March 2015. Other recent Mallee soil survey
work has shown vetch to contribute significantly
higher levels of N to the following crops than
other pulse options (see http://msfp.org.au/
vetch-maximises-n-advantage/ ).
Table 1. Yield and Gross Margin Comparisons of pulses
across broad soil types.

Lentils grew very poorly on the sand and only
produced a positive gross margin on the loamy
flats (Table 1).

While the timing of the severe early frosts affected both lupins and pea yields in patches, it is also
recognised that peas often grow well in northern
Mallee their frost risk remains very high in most
seasons.
Acknowledgements
This project was funded through Caring for Our Country as a part of “Crop options to reduce wind erosion and manage weeds in SA Mallee” project. Thank you
to farmers Grant and Stuart Worsfold for their considerable effort in sowing the trial and making it all work, as well as Scott Gillett of Wisdom Data and Mapping
for constructing yield maps and graphs.
Page 2
Investigating the benefits of VRT at the
farmer level
V
ariable Rate Technology (VRT) came into the
agricultural industry some years ago, but the
uptake of this technology has been slow in some
areas due to expense, availability, integration, retro-fitting
and a lack of understanding of its benefits.
In 2014-15 Natural Resources South Australian MurrayDarling Basin (SAMDB) are funding a trial project which will
help northern and southern Mallee dryland farming businesses fully utilise and gain benefit from an automated VRT
seeding system.
Who is involved in the project
Fifteen farming businesses will receive agronomic and precision agricultural expertise in the 2015 season to help
them move towards better utilising a fully automated VRT
system. The participants in this project have differing levels of knowledge, technologies and machine capabilities to
make the step towards a VRT seeding system. Natural Resources SAMDB has partnered with Rural Solutions SA and
Wisdom Data & Mapping to provide these services. The
project is currently undertaking electromagnetic (EM) mapping and on farm data collection and is scheduled to finish
after the harvest in late 2015.
What will the project involve
The project will begin by investigating the current seeding
practices of participants. Following this a prescription
seeding map, with differing targeted input zones will be
created from an EM 38 survey. The mapping will be
merged with other mapping currently used by the businesses. Examples of mapping currently utilized include
yield maps and other property maps which capture topography, soil types and features such as phosphorous and
nitrogen replacement and NVDI (Normalized Difference
Vegetation Index) biomass surveys.
The input of each of these maps into a seeding prescription
map will help to increase the accuracy of each zone and
linking this with a zone specific fertiliser and nutrient application rate is fundamental to the approach. To link the EM
38 survey, the determined specific soil zones will be soil
tested through coring and samples tested to obtain the
current levels of nutrition.
This will support calculating fertilizer rates per soil zone and
loaded into the prescription map software.
The prescription map will be used at seeding time by operators to apply targeted rates of fertiliser to zones in the paddocks. This mapping data will be linked to soil capability and
yield potential. The fertiliser input method will be compared
and trialled against various seeding techniques such as the
current farmer practice for the paddock, and a high and/or
low fertiliser rate.
Monitoring and recording throughout the growing season
will occur with yield mapping to calculate gross margins for
each of the zones, enabling comparison of current practices.
The results will quantify the level of profitability in the overall VR approach by soil zone to both the participant and
through promotion of project results post-harvest in 2015.
Promotion of results will provide clarity to other farmers
aiming to make the move towards adopting a VRT seeding
system. The spread of northern and southern Mallee
farmer’s structure will provide a wider relevance to results.
Where can I get more information
The project is a collaboration between Natural Resources
SAMDB Sustainable Farming, Land and Water Management
Planning teams. Subject to available funding and landholder
interest, this project will go further in 2016 by giving another
group of farmers the opportunity to investigate the benefits
of VRT with their farming businesses.
For more information or to be kept updated on the projects
progress, contact Natural Resources Centre, Berri on 08
8580 1800 or email the project officers on
[email protected] or [email protected].
Page 3
Resistance to flystrike insecticides
and the blowfly genome
R
esistance to flystrike chemicals (e.g.
on the maggot infested wool that is removed from the sheep
organochlorines, organophosphates and
and can come back as flies. Putting the maggot infested wool
carbonates) has occurred as early as 1957, and
into a plastic bag and leaving it in the sun will ensure that all
in more recent times resistance to benzoyphenyl urea or
maggots are killed.
diflubenzuron has been discovered. We now rely on
When treating a sheep with flystrike do not just rely on the
cyromazine (jetting and blowfly and lice), dicyclanil (blowfly
chemical alone and take the additional time to shear a 5cm
and lice), ivermectin (jetting) and cypermethrin (backliner).
barrier of clean wool around the struck area close to the skin
Low level resistance has been detected in dicyclanil and
to remove maggots, and ensure there are not maggot trails
cyromazine, however, they will still provide good protection
missed. Removing the struck sheep to a ‘hospital’ paddock to
for label periods listed and are certainly better than using no
recover is ideal as struck sheep are often attractants of
prevention.
blowflies to a mob. If ewes can be individually identified,
We need to use our existing chemicals wisely to delay the
repeat flystrike offenders should be culled from the flock.
onset of resistance as it is harder to get new chemicals
Research in to the blowfly genome is underway. Results will
registered and the costs are higher. There are management
help us understand blowfly control better using insecticides
strategies that producers can adopt to delay the onset of
by knowing how the chemical works and how resistance to
resistance.
insecticides develops at a DNA level. We need basic
Adopt an integrated pest management strategy which
biological knowledge and the genome sequence is a starting
incorporates non-chemical controls such as genetic
point. 14,466 genes have been identified in the blowfly; this
selection, time of crutching and shearing to reduce the
is more than the house fly at 11,962. About 2,950 of these
reliance on insecticides. This reduces the selection pressure
genes are unique to the blowfly.
and the rate at which resistance may develop.
If treatment is needed, make sure it is applied effectively - do
it right, once!
Know which insecticides belong to which insecticide class. If
treatments for lice and flystrike are deemed necessary, use
different insecticides and appropriate classes for each pest.
Source—Dept of Agriculture and Food, WA
Use insecticides from different classes for treating and
preventing flystrike.
This may also give us an option in the future to control
Don’t rely on flystrike dressings to kill maggots as some are
flystrike through vaccines, and a more targeted approach
incapable of killing large maggots and are more effective in
when it comes to flystrike preventative chemicals. The role
preventing a restrike. Some maggots will survive and pupate
Page 4
Page 4
(Continued on page 5)
For further information contact Tiffany Bennett, Rural
(Continued from page 4)
of smell in strike and the interactions between the sheep and Solutions on 8762 9126 or refer to http://
the blowfly can be further investigated along with population www.flyboss.com.au/
structure and movement. The investigations of whether
Sheep Connect SA is supported by the SA Sheep Industry
particular blowfly genotypes are more successful than others
Fund.
in striking sheep can be looked at further with the genomic
information gathered. Following this there is the possibility of
engineering gene mutations for blowfly and flystrike control
can be investigated.
By understanding the DNA of the blowfly, sheep, and bacteria
populations found specific to susceptible and non-susceptible
sheep and their interaction with the environment, it is hoped
will provide new leads to flystrike prevention in the future.
Wild dogs
F
Livestock Biosecurity Network
or many years now, wild dogs have been a major
(LBN) is surveying wild dog control groups about their activi-
problem across grazing industries in Australia.
ties, challenges and successes. The information will be used
Dogs not only cause direct stock losses, but are
to determine how control groups can best be supported by
also increasingly acknowledged as a source of spread for
the National Wild Dog Action Plan.
serious animal-borne diseases. They are highly damaging to
LBN is a livestock industry funded organisation that works
regional communities, to local wildlife, and are a significant
with producers and others in the supply chain to reduce the
animal welfare concern. In addition, there is evidence that
impact of animal diseases, weeds and pests on-farm and, at
landholders who experience prolonged attacks on livestock
the same time increase industry preparedness for emergen-
by wild dogs suffer levels of trauma similar to that of people
cy animal disease incursions, like foot and mouth disease.
who have experienced motor vehicle accidents and other
life threatening events.
If you are involved in wild dog control activities, please contact Emma Rooke, [email protected] or 0488 400 878. For
In response to this major industry concern, Wool Producers
more
Australia initiated the development of the National Wild Dog
www.pestsmart.org.au. For more information about how
Action Plan. The Plan was officially launched by the Hon.
you can protect your farm from the impact of pests, diseases
Barnaby Joyce in July 2014 and brings together all livestock
and weeds, check out the Farm Biosecurity Checklist
peak bodies, research organisations and Commonwealth,
at www.lbn.org.au.
information
about
wild
dogs,
go
to
State and Territory governments to agree on a national ap-
proach to managing the threat of wild dogs.
One of the initial activities under the Plan is to get a better
understanding of what is already occurring in wild dog management across Australia. Livestock Biosecurity Network
Page 5
Page 5
Perennials forage options for the Mallee
M
Andrew Smith, CSIRO, Waite Campus, Adelaide
any Mallee farmers are building livestock numbers which means the risk of a summer-autumn
feed gap can increase. Maybe it is a good reason
to rethink the farm feed base - how resilient is it to climate
extremes?
The EverCrop project (funded by GRDC) has been looking at
how to include more perennial forages into Mallee farming
systems. The research program, has largely targeted marginal
soils where cropping is risky and often unprofitable. Most
farms have some such areas and most Mallee farms still run
sheep! Two options for these areas are forage shrubs and
perennial grasses.
Forage shrubs
Many Mallee farmers have long valued forage shrubs such as
Old Man Saltbush to get livestock through some tough times
such as over summer and during droughts. Each year shrubs
can produce between 1-3kg of edible biomass per plant on
average depending on factors such as soil, rainfall, plant density. Valuably, the use of shrubs can help iron out those boom
and bust cycles in the feed base during the year. Modelling
indicates that small areas (<5%) planted to forage shrubs can
have a significant impact on farm profitability.
Livestock have been shown to do better with a variety of feed
sources and therefore a mixture of shrubs such as identified
by the Enrich project are a valuable consideration for new
plantations. Also the area between shrub rows, the interrow, can also play a very important role in animal performance. The role of inter-rows in the overall productivity from
shrub plantations has been under valued.
A challenge using shrubs is that the nutritional profile of the
forage can sometimes only support the maintenance of animal condition. However, after 10 years of research and refinement, a new elite line of saltbush called Anameka with an
improved nutritional profile has been released for 2015.
These new shrubs will be trialed at a number of test sites
throughout the Mallee.
Figure 1. Greening the Mallee – a few days after summer rainfall
at Karoonda. Photo taken 14 Jan 2015 (Photo: Bill Davoren)
TAKE HOME MESSAGES





Some areas of mixed Mallee farms that
are marginal for cropping may be better
suited to perennial forages.
A new saltbush type selected for improved
feed value is now available.
Perennials provide valuable options for
livestock feed particularly in summer and
early autumn.
Perennial summer-growing grasses continue to persist and provide a rapid feed
source following recent summer rains.
Farmers can learn more by getting involved in EverCrop research.
Summer active perennial grasses
Summer active perennial grasses are something new to
the Mallee but have been grown for years in northern
NSW and Qld, and recently have found a niche in the
northern agricultural region of WA. Field experimentation
has shown that in the Mallee the grasses can be established, persist and provide a valuable source of feed during summer and autumn.
In many areas of the Mallee around 20-30% of rain falls
out of season; most of which is wasted to evaporation.
The grasses have a remarkable ability to scrounge whatever soil moisture and nitrogen exist during summer. In
2014 and again this January 2015, it was very encouraging
to see how quickly, and how much, they produced following a summer storm. With a good winter-growing legume
companion species supplying nitrogen, production is likely
to be even greater when rain falls. The challenge is being
able to respond quickly when wet spring conditions occur that will support successful establishment.
In 2015, we are interested in working with farmers who
are interested in trying these perennial options. We are
planning to run large scale trials on farm at 5 to 6 locations throughout the Mallee trying different combinations of perennial, as well as and annual species.
Mallee Farmers interested in being involved in the EverCrop research programs or seeking more information on
perennial options are encouraged to contact Andrew
Smith on (08) 8273 8106 or [email protected]
Page 6
I
Agronomy on the agenda for Lameroo women
n 2014, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) provided grant funding to an agricultural
consultancy company to deliver grass roots agronomy workshops. These workshops showed a high degree of
professionalism and benefit to the participants involved in
that region. In 2015, Natural Resources South Australian
Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB) are funding a continuation
of this project.
Who is involved in the workshops
Agrilink Agricultural Consultants Australia have been funded to provide the workshops. Local agronomy consultant
Louise Flohr has the role to convert the science into practice for the participants. Fourteen farm business women
from the Lameroo area have the opportunity to attend four
information days during the next growing season. Some of the
topics covered will include identification of crop growth stages, weed identification and management options, soil management, in-season management of crops including fertility,
and managing for frost.
What will the workshops provide
The workshops will engage women from farming businesses,
building their confidence to be involved i and provide input
into day to day decision making and management. Through
this, alternative ideas and opinions can be offered, promoting
options that may be more suitable.
Participants will have the opportunity to build new skills and
networking, assist with monitoring and identifying issues that
lead to better business management.
How can I get more information
Agronomy workshops are supported by South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board,
through funding from the Australian Government and delivered through Natural Resources SAMDB Sustainable Farming
Team. For more information or to be kept updated on the
workshops progress, contact the Natural Resources Centre,
Berri on 08 8580 1800 or email [email protected].
Welcome to Eliza Rieger
A
Regional Landcare Facilitator, Murray Bridge
s a new member of the team at Natural Resources SA
Murray-Darling Basin I am excited to be one
contributor of many in an organization that is working
for our rural environment and rural communities. As the new
Regional Landcare Facilitator I am particularly looking forward
to hearing the stories and seeing first hand the trials and tribulations of South Australia's’ famous Mallee country.
However, I was happy to return to Australia last year to work
in WA’s Pilbara region where I was able to bring these experiences with me and continue working within the Australian context.
Although only recently relocating to South Australia, I have
already been blown away by the vast amount of knowledge
scattered across this
region through
Like many Australians my background in agriculture started as
individual farmers,
a consumer, however unlike many Australians my love of food
regional groups or
and food production spurred me to seek out a career in the
communities as a
industry. While studying Agricultural Science, majoring in Soil
whole.
Science at Sydney University I discovered my passion for susI hope to work with
tainable agriculture and the many cultures and communities
these groups to gain a
working within the industry.
true understanding of
Over time this interest has grown into an obsession, leading
place and how best to
me to work in the industry in a number of countries including
tackle land managethe Philippines, New Zealand and India. During this time I have
ment issues such as
aimed to understand the diversity of influences that impact
Mallee seeps and soil
decisions in sustainable production systems. I feel fortunate to
organic content.
have witnessed the different approaches and successes of
farmers across a range of climates.
Page 7
2015 Harvest report meetings
M
allee Harvest Report Meetings will be held at various locations across the region over the next month. These
meetings usually involve presentations on all the local trials and demonstration, ranging from the NVT
results and recommendations, Mallee
Challenge farmer trials, research on
weeds, root disease and improving water use
efficiency.
Of particular interest will be information about the
BWYV risk to canola, frost and latest developments
with variable rate farming. There is usually plenty of
farmer discussion about things that did or didn’t work
last year as well. Chris McDonough from Rural
Solutions SA will be a main presenter at most of these
days listed, along with local advisors and various
Pinnaroo MSF Group Harvest Report discussion
invited guests.
Western Australian Agricultural identity Bill Crabtree will also be presenting at 6 meetings between March 2-4 as a part
of a NRM/MSF funded group facilitation project, which should prove to be both challenging and entertaining.
Chris will also be looking to establish “2015 Mallee Challenge” farmer trial paddocks to tackle key local farming issues
within each farmer group. Last year this NR SAMDB / Caring for Our Country funded project looked at many different
issues, from wetting agents in non-wetting sands, deep ripping nutrients, Not-ill into pastures, variable rate farming, the
nitrogen contribution of different pastures and fleabane control.
Please look out for specific group meeting notices/emails for each meeting, or contact Chris McDonough on
0408085293 to confirm. Some meetings will involve meals. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Group
Wunkar Ag Bureau
Cambrai
Southern Mallee Ag Bureau
Browns Well
Loxton Ag Bureau
Pinnaroo
Karoonda Ag Bureau
Date
th
Wed 25 Feb
Time
Place
2pm-5pm
Wunkar Tavern
nd
9am–12.30pm
Sporting Club
nd
4pm-8pm
Parilla Sports Club
rd
9am-12.30pm
Paruna Sports Club
rd
pm TBA
Loxton Research Centre
th
9am-12.30pm
Pinnaroo Footy Clubrooms
4pm-8pm*
Karoonda Hotel
Mon 2 March
Mon 2 March
Tues 3 March
Tues 3 March
Wed 4 March
th
Wed 4 March
th
Geranium Ag Bureau
Thurs 12 March
2pm-5pm
Bowls Club
Lowbank Ag Bureau
Mon 16th March
7.30pm
Waikerie RSL
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Although PIRSA has taken all reasonable
care in compiling this publication neither
PIRSA nor its officers accept any liability
resulting from the interpretation or use of
the information set out in this document.
Information contained in this document is
subject to change without notice.
Page 8
COPIES ON THE WEB!
www.msfp.org.au
Mallee Matters Volume 4, Issue 1
Mallee Matters is edited and compiled by
Tanja Morgan Project Services
P : 0429 395 918
E: [email protected]
2015