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issue 156 january february 2022

This page shows the articles in issue 156 january february 2022 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.

GroundCover is also distributed every two months via mail. If you would like to subscribe to receive the hardcopy magazine, visit our subscription page.

38 results found:
  • Multi-function amelioration concept revs into reality
    Multi-function amelioration concept revs into reality
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 26 Jan 2022

    South Australian grower Rob Pocock came up with the concept for a prototype 'plough and sow' machine, which has become a reality through GRDC-invested research led by Mallee Sustainable Farming in partnership with the University of South Australia and Adelaide-based machinery manufacturer John Shearer.

  • Mechanical soil amelioration shifts balance for crop nutrition
    Mechanical soil amelioration shifts balance for crop nutrition
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 25 Jan 2022

    Soil amelioration creates a more favourable environment for crop roots, which means better root systems can access previously unavailable nutrients. This balance between a greater need for nutrients and improved access to soil nutrient stocks might explain why in the short term at least, pre and post-amelioration responses to fertiliser do not differ much on soils with reasonable nutrient status.

  • Monitoring grain for quality and pest control
    Monitoring grain for quality and pest control
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 24 Jan 2022

    Regular monthly storage checks for pests using an insect sieve and probe traps are critical to ensure pest damage to grain quality is minimised and grain is ready for sale when needed. Along with monitoring pests, grain temperature and humidity in storage are two of the most important factors for maintaining grain quality.

  • Improving harvester set-up an ongoing conversation
    Improving harvester set-up an ongoing conversation
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 23 Jan 2022

    More than 600 growers attended GRDC-invested harvester set-up forums during 2021. The forums provided information and discussion around preventable harvester losses, improvements in efficiency and output, calibrating harvester technology, reducing the risk of harvester fires and methods of harvest weed seed control.

  • How to prioritise soil constraint amelioration
    How to prioritise soil constraint amelioration
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 22 Jan 2022

    The choice of strategy for soil amelioration depends on each grower's budget, equipment and experience with the various processes. Some ameliorations are largely variable costs (wetters, moisture retainers) but others, especially tillage ameliorations such as deep ripping and soil mixing, can require considerable capital investment.

  • Stripe rust incursions create huge challenges
    Stripe rust incursions create huge challenges
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 21 Jan 2022

    The impact of exotic cereal rust incursions was on full display in eastern Australia during the 2021 season, especially across much of the northern grain growing region where stripe rust was very common and, in some cases, caused significant crop infection.

  • Growers focus on improved grain storage capacity
    Growers focus on improved grain storage capacity
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 20 Jan 2022

    Experts are predicting a bumper grain crop this year, prompting storage specialists to encourage growers to ensure facilities are prepared. GRDC grain storage extension project coordinator Chris Warrick says growers are increasingly choosing on-farm storage and are focusing on improved capacity, understanding what is needed to store grain for longer periods and building up knowledge of fumigant and chemical use.

  • Computing the impact of soil trait variability on yields
    Computing the impact of soil trait variability on yields
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 19 Jan 2022

    Machine learning software has successfully translated paddock maps of soil characteristics into maps that display the importance of that variation to crop yields

  • Versatile vetch builds system agility
    Versatile vetch builds system agility
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 18 Jan 2022

    In the past 30 years vetch has become an established part of Australia’s cropping landscape, especially in dryland mallee areas such as south-eastern Western Australia around Esperance, all across South Australia, in Victoria’s Mallee and central regions, and in New South Wales’ Riverina and central west cropping zones. Grower Charlie Williams, owner of one of Victoria’s biggest hay and stockfeed grain producers, is one of the crop's most loyal advocates.

  • Set up a successful season with area-wide biosecurity tactics
    Set up a successful season with area-wide biosecurity tactics
    Issue 156, January-February 2022 - 17 Jan 2022

    It is the perfect time to implement area-wide biosecurity tactics. Setting the season up correctly with practical farm biosecurity practices will safeguard market access, reduce the risk of pests and diseases and ensure the safety, quality and integrity of crops.

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