Talking Crop Nutrition, Stubble Management & Risk

WMG Extension Officer Melanie Dixon opened the conversation with a discussion around the K (potassium) Extension Project. Phase one of this project involved testing for K to depth on 10 sites across the region and using these results to develop the K nutrient budget infographic. This infographic is designed to simplify complex data into an easily understandable visual representation. Farmers and industry representatives attending the event showed keen interest in the infographic involving an in-depth discussion on the different factors contributing to K deficiency. A surprising note from farmers was the realisation of how much K could be found at depth. These findings have led into the development of phase two of the project which will further investigate K at depth and look into what crop and/or pasture species are best at cycling this K source to the surface for use.

WMG CEO Nathan Craig then ran a facilitated session delving into the GRDC RiskWi$e Project. This project will span across 5 years and is investigating the increasing risk associated with many of the common decisions made during the growing season by farmers. With a key goal of the project looking to decrease risk and enable growers to make more informed decisions, initially the group worked through and discussed the trade off that exists between complexity and importance in farming decisions. Following the introductory conversation around ‘risky’ decisions, the session moved into a focus on one of the current five themes of RiskWi$e, nitrogen (N) decisions. More specifically, N use efficiency and how to know when to push N applications for yield and when to hold back in an increasingly variable climate.

Following the N use efficiency conversation, Craig Scanlan opened his session by linking the theme of risk and complex decisions with his extensive body of work on crop and soil nutrition. Craig delved into key topics significantly impacting crop performance including carry-over of nutrients from previous years, soil amelioration’s effects on crop response to N, split use of K on deep sands minimising loss and how pre-sowing rainfall can affect crop response to phosphorus (P). Farmers were particularly interested in the very strong evidence of a guaranteed return on investment (ROI) that was achievable with deep ripping on sandy soils shown in Craig’s research. The attendees then guided the conversation with Craig towards a shared interest in the significance of nutrients retained in stubbles.

Melanie finished with the last session of the afternoon, continuing the stubble conversation with an update on WMG’s Stubble Management Project. A key aim of this project is to investigate stubble management solutions that maintain groundcover above 50% (reducing wind and soil erosion) and improve soil nutrients, organic matter and soil moisture. Melanie compared three different treatments from six different sites in the project; leaving stubble standing, machinery manipulation and a biostimulant application. With all three treatments showing no significant differences, stubble decisions can be simplified, allowing growers to base their management strategy on what works best for their current system, tailoring this season to season as needed. Working through the WMG Adoption Survey, it was evident that the majority of attendees recognised the importance of improved stubble management, concluding with interest in seeing ROI data on how machinery manipulation methods would shape up to burning stubbles.

WMG are beginning to move away from the more traditional format of large scale, seated, presentation heavy events and into more farmer discussion-based formats like this event. The back and forth between attendees in sharing their knowledge demonstrates a greater involvement and understanding of various themes and topics. WMG would like to thank Craig Scanlan for giving up his time, not only was his session a highlight for many attendees, but his knowledge and expertise were invaluable in both driving and supplementing much of the technical discussions. Having interested and engaged participants from all sectors of the agricultural industry is an essential part of WMG’s discussion events. Farmers, industry, and researchers are on common ground in designing and executing research activities, and interpreting the findings to drive better, more locally applicable research outcomes.