Life Sciences Commons^™

Quest For Quality Operation Quality Wheat, Sue Bestow

Agriculture reports

Variations in the protein content of wheat are largely associated with growing conditions, particularly rainfall and soil type, which influence nitrogen supply and crop yield. Management to improve protein generally also improves yield, so in future both must be considered when comparing profitabilities of management options, particularly if payment for protein increases.

Managing Brome Grass In The Wheat:Lupin Rotation, Aik Hock Cheam, Gurget Gil, Christine Zaicou

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Some farmers and scientists are questioning the sustainability of the cereal:lupin rotation in the Western Australian wheatbelt.

Being a 'tight' rotation, its continuation is constantly under threat by disease, especially lupin root rots caused by Pleiochaeta (the brown spot organism) and Rhizoctonia fungi. To control disease, some farmers have lengthened the rotation to three years, such as wheat:wheat:lupins or wheat:barley:lupins. The longer cereal phase also helps to stabilise soil against wind erosion. However, such rotations can lead to a rapid buildup of brome grass during the two consecutive years of cereals. The implications of these rotations on the severity of …

Wheat Quality And Wheat Variety Decisions, Mark Stevens

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The choice between which wheat variety to plant has always been a trade-off between yield and wheat quality. When wheat prices were higher and quality payments were less, quality considerations were of little importance and varieties were selected almost entirely on yield potential. Now, with low wheat prices and a greater emphasis on wheat quality from our customers, growers must place more importance on quality characteristics when selecting varieties. For example, should a grower select a higher yielding average quality wheat such as Spear, or a lower yielding, good quality wheat such as Machete? The important question a wheat grower …

Opportunity Knocks : Sowing Wheat Early In The North-Eastern Wheatbelt, Nicole Kerr, Doug Abrecht

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Farmers consider many factors in deciding whether to start sowing wheat, but the most important are the amount of rain and time of year. In this study we assessed the chances of farmers in the north-eastern wheatbelt (less than 325 mm rainfall) receiving enough rain to sow wheat early. In low rainfall areas such as this, where an early finish to the season is likely, it is especially important that farmers take advantage of all early sowing opportunities. The potential benefits of sowing wheat early generally outweigh the associated risks, particularly in lower rainfall areas. However, early sowing depends on …