In colaboration with

Methodology

Zone management research will be undertaken on four farms within the Corrigin FIG.  These farms will be selected to ensure we locate the trial paddocks in a range of soil types and landscape positions so that the resulting case studies will have applicability to many areas of the wheat belt. 

Each farmer will select 1 paddock to investigate the benefits of zone management research.

We intend to use yield maps, satellite biomass imagery, grain protein maps and soil information, combined with the farmers knowledge to define 3 management zones within a paddock.   The consultant and researchers from CSIRO and Dept. of Agriculture will have input into defining the zones.

Once the zones are defined, investigations will be carried out to define the limiting factors to production.  Within each zone soil pits will be dug to a depth of 1.8m to assist in identifying the limitations for that zone.   Investigation will also include: Soil nutrition, soil pH, soil structure, soil water holding capacity, etc.  Soil scientists will be called in to assist with investigations, interpretation of test results and to assist with developing management recommendations. 

We intend not to just vary fertilizer inputs and seeding rates, but to also include a range of soil ameloriation techniques where necessary, including liming, applying gypsum, deep ripping and claying.  Our ongoing involvement with the WA Dept of Agriculture project DAW 633WR (Management of Poor Performing Paddocks) will assist with defining and monitoring the most appropriate ameloriation techniques for each situation.

For each zone within a paddock a large scale replicated trial will be designed which incorporates at least 3  treatments :

1) The best bet management for that zone (no expense spared), 
2) A realistic management/ameloriation plan that would be affordable for a farmer to adopt on a commercial scale.
3) Paddock practice – how the paddock would have been managed prior to the investigations.

These trial sites will be monitored for 3 years and each season an economic analysis will be undertaken to determine the profitability of each treatment.  The yield responses will then be extrapolated across the whole zone to demonstrate the economic benefit that could have been achieved if the paddock had been sown using variable rate technology or ameliorated according to the zones within the paddocks.

A research Consultant will be employed on a part time basis to assist with coordinating the research and to enforce scientific rigour.  The consultant will also overlook monitoring on all research sites, and ensure the validity of all data collected.