A presentation from the WCCA 2011 conference in Brisbane.

1. Have the Good Years
Become the Bad Years
Richard Heath. Grower,
Nuffield Scholar,
Gunnedah, NSW Australia.

2. Talk Outline
• Pine Cliff
• Variable Climate
• Response to Dry Years
• Response to Wet Years
• The Way forward?

22. 1200 Pine Cliff Annual Rainfall
1000
800
600
Annual
400 Rainfall
200
0
1900 1950 2000

24. • 205mm rain year to date
• 5th Driest in 110 years
• 69mm rain post sowing
• 5th Driest in 110 years

29. Sorghum Yields
• 30 Year Average 3.7 t/Ha
• 10 Year Average 4.5 t/Ha
• 5 Year Average 5.8 t/Ha

31. 2010

32. 1017 mm

38. • $600 Ha
• $100 Ha Fungicides (in wheat)
• Gross margin -$100 Ha
• Bad, Bad Experience
• 1 year in 10 over 800mms rain

42. • Controlled Traffic with zero till can have
183kg/Ha yield advantage over
controlled traffic with stubble mulching.
• $40/Ha loss if $220/ton wheat.
• Just spent $60/Ha on fungicides.
• Downgrading losses.
• Machinery wear and tear.
• Easy decision BUT vital information
missing.

44. Llewellyn and D’Emdens 2009 survey.
• 82% Using No Till.
• 90% Have used.
• Of those who have used no till 13%
reduced and 6% ceased.
• 68% believe no till will lead to more
disease.
• No problem with adoption.
Problem with retention.

45. Questions:
What is the tipping point between cost
and benefits?
When you reach the tipping point what is
the best management option?
How quickly do the physical and biological
properties of soil change?
How do we keep the good years good?