2018 Annual report – Western region Regional Cropping Solutions Network

This report outlines some of the local research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities identified by the grain grower, adviser and researcher members of the GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Networks (RCSNs) that operate across the western grain-growing region of Australia.

In this report

• Foreword
• Executive summary
• About the RCSN - feeding into the investment cycle
• Coordination and facilitation of western region RCSN groups
• RCSN operations
• Priority issues identified by the RCSN groups for the western region in 2018

Across all the RCSN port zones, priorities identified by members in 2018 for RD&E include:

• Soil constraints (lime incorporation, deep-ripping, post-amelioration management);
• Very early crop establishment (emergence, heat/frost impact, weeds);
• Disease, pest and nematode control and management (varieties, fungicide/insecticide use, row spacing, plant density);
• Technology in agriculture (costs, replacement, engineering options);
• Summer weed control;
• Weed control and glyphosate resistance management;
• Crop nutrition (micro and macronutrients);
• Crop sequencing;
• Frost and heat stress-risk mitigation and management;
• Drainage options for water/erosion management;
• Business models and decision-support tools; and
• Stubble/residue management.