Investment

Through the National Grower Network (NGN), and previously the Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN), growers in the low and medium rainfall zones of the southern region have identified different constraints that prevent maximum attainable yield. These constraints include head loss, disease management, and brackling and lodging control. Management practices which include variety selection, canopy management and crop protection strategies need to be clearly defined to determine the economically attainable yield.

Recent research through the Hyper Yielding Crops project has demonstrated that canopy management in barley through the use of fungicides, sowing time, and plant growth regulators (PGRs) can explain yield responses ranging from 3-8 t/ha using similar genetics in the high rainfall zone. Trials across differing environments are required to better understand the impact different management practices have to achieve economically attainable yield.