Investment

GRDC Code: DAW2410-003RTX

Sustainable systems for profit maximisation in the HRZ of WA

The high rainfall zone (HRZ) of Western Australia (WA) is defined as the region where the mean annual rainfall varies between 450 and 750 mm (Zhang et al., 2016). The high rainfall zone (HRZ) of Western Australia lies within the Albany and Esperance Port Zones, where 58% of the barley, 53% of the canola, 40% of oats, and 29% of wheat is produced in WA. Typically, canola is grown following a cereal crop with data showing cereal preferences changing over time and between port zones. In the Albany port zone, the area sown to wheat has declined by 30% over the last decade with growers substituting barley, compared to the Esperance port zone, where wheat area has risen by 15%. Crop sequence is a primary driver of system performance (CSP2110-004RMX) and a valuable tool to manage disease incidence and severity. In WA, powdery mildew, net blotch (spot type, net type), rhizoctonia and Pratylenchus neglectus nematode are the main diseases affecting barley. Over-reliance and excessive usage of fungicides to manage crop disease pose a threat to their efficacy. The absence of pulse crops in WA is linked with the capacity of a legume phase being sufficiently productive and profitable to warrant wide-scale use in the crop sequence. Despite this, Ryan et al. (2020) reported in "Farming Systems Research and Development in Western Australia. Current Situation and Shared Vision for the Future," that growers and industry are concerned about the long-term stability of using crop sequences that exclude a legume phase. There is therefore a need to examine production systems in the HRZ holistically. This can be achieved by combining crop sequencing decisions, agronomic management, and IDM strategies in a farming systems approach. Multi-year fully phased farming system experiments will be designed . The impact of crop type, rotational sequence choice, agronomic management strategy and IDM strategies will be evaluated. The inclusion of a legume phase will be part of the rotational system evaluated. Trial design will include data collection necessary to assess both the sustainability and profitability of the systems. Potential unintended consequences of particular choices will also be examined. The assessment of profitability and sustainability will be achieved through utilising the experimental data gathered in a modelling approach that produces potential scenario outcomes over time periods greater than the experimental phase. Rigorous economic assessment of these modelled outcomes will be undertaken to evaluate profitability.

Project start date:

14/10/2024

Project end date:

29/06/2029

Crop type:

Wheat, (Cereal)
Barley, (Cereal)
Oats, (Cereal)
Faba/Broad Beans, (Legume)
Lupins, (Legume)
Vetch, (Legume)
Field Peas, (Legume)
Lentils, (Legume)
Canola/Rapeseed, (Oilseed)

Organisation

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Region:

West

Project status

Active

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