Understanding the implications of crop rotations in a low rainfall zone of the Wheatbelt
According to the Liebe Group’s long term crop rotation trial, it appears that low input, continuous wheat-on-wheat is the most profitable system. What growers want to know now is, how long can this system be pushed before issues such as weeds, diseases and nutritional deficiencies start coming into play and profits are compromised as a result.
Wheatbelt NRM are funding a continuation of this trial with a strong emphasis on the economics of continuous wheat versus including a break crop in the farming system. Disease and weed control, soil and crop nutrition, and nutrient use efficiencies of high and low input systems will all be factored into the profitability equation. The trial which began in 2013 is located just south of Dalwallinu on Noel, Aaron and Damien Mills’ property. Wheat treatments have been back to back, except for 2013 when a chemical fallow was enforced.
The trial has evolved over the time with one of the initial aims being to determine the effect different rotations and input levels had on soil carbon levels. This change of focus has been grower driven as many strive to become more efficient and profitable in their farming operations rather than focusing so heavily on high crop yields.
Updates on the progress of the trial will be reported regularly by Wheatbelt NRM during the 2017 growing season and relevant information uploaded onto the Agtrials website.