Hyper Yielding and Profitable Cereals - Quantifying the economic impact of management practices for wheat and barley in

The GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops (HYC) initiative has been successful in showcasing yield potential and the inputs required to achieve those yields in the high rainfall zone (HRZ). This has led, particularly in the Southern region, to interest from growers in the low and medium rainfall zones (L-MRZ) to understand how they might lift their yields further for their environment. In the more constrained and variable environments of the L-MRZ, there is a lack of scientific evidence underpinning high input farming systems which hampers the ability of growers to make informed management decisions. Of critical importance in these environments is the relative contribution of above average rainfall years in driving long term productivity and profitability (such as in recent years up to 2022). It is therefore important to characterise management practices and quantify economic returns for a range of seasonal scenarios, so that growers are empowered to switch from a conservative low input strategy to a more ambitious strategy when conditions are favourable. This would allow growers to take calculated risks when seasonal conditions indicate a greater probability of high yields and profits or non-seasonal yield limiting constraints are identified.

This investment will demonstrate, evaluate and contrast cereal crop management strategies for a range of seasonal outcomes in the L-MRZ of South Australia and Victoria to provide a tangible platform for facilitated discussion and an evidence base to assess the probability and profitability of different tactical and strategic management options. A range of small plot trials will produce scientific evidence, coupled with crop modelling and sensitivity analysis to assess the frequency of achieving target yields and optimising management for a range of seasonal scenarios. It will work with established RiskWi$e networks and/or grower groups in L-MRZ to leverage greater grower engagement and co-design treatments to ensure local relevance to the region. The RiskWi$e grower groups will be encouraged to take treatments from the small plot work to evaluate on farm as either strategic or tactical approaches to stacking management decisions (including but not limited to variety, optimised sowing time for that variety, fertiliser inputs including N, crop protection i.e. pests, weeds and diseases and soil limited constraints) for hyper yields.

While considering the importance of strategic factors in setting up crop yield potential, this proposed investment will primarily focus on maximising yields for the cereal phase, through tactical management decisions both at the start of the season and in-crop in response to weather events or forecasts. Through a combination of strategic and tactical decisions the aim is to either close the gap between actual yield and water limited yield potential, or reach a new frontier not expected from traditional grower practice. Sites will be selected where strategic management has been optimised (e.g. rotation, soil constraints, summer weed control) so that yield potential is maximised and hyper yields are possible should the season allow.

GRDC’s strategic partnership, Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI), can support this investment with upskilling in field trial design and analysis, review and advice on experimental designs and analyses, and multi-environment analyses (if applicable). AAGI support would be considered an in-kind contribution to this investment. To access one or more aspects of the available support, applicants must negotiate with AAGI directly and describe the agreed support scope and arrangements in their tender. Please make enquiries to the University of Adelaide, attn. Dr Julian Taylor at [email hidden] . Please note, applicants that decline AAGI support and propose their own support/resources must provide a technical and value-for-money rationale for not using in-kind AAGI support.