The migration of pulse crops into areas not traditionally known for growing these crop types is occurring throughout parts of southern Australia thanks to research and investments from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
New varieties and more dynamic farming systems is allowing for non-traditional crop types such as lentils, peas, and beans being trialled and put to the test in North Central Victoria.
This year, the GRDC-funded ‘improving the profitability of pulse production through local validation of research outcomes in the Southern Region’ project has established six trials in Pyramid Hill to provide more information to growers about the viability of pulses in their farming systems.
BCG extension manager, Ciara Cullen, explained that these trials provide growers and advisors an opportunity to investigate the option of pulses in their own area and relevant conditions.
“Farmers and advisors often want to see how certain varieties and treatment effects perform in their ‘own backyard’, and these trials are doing exactly that.”
“We’re fortunately able to provide this opportunity so farmers can determine the applicability of this research and how it can be used on-farm,” Ms Cullen elaborated.
“The trials include lentil, pea, bean and vetch variety comparisons as well as a herbicide tolerance in lentils and chickpea inoculants trial.”
Two varieties are being compared in the vetch trial, one being commonly grown variety Poppany and a newer variety, RM4. Poppany is very late maturing, greater than 125 days from seeding to podding, it is a purple vetch variety used for hay/silage, manure crop and seed. RM4 on the other hand is a mid-maturing woolly podded variety, used for forage, manure crops and seed.
“Variety comparisons offer pragmatic results for farmers; they can observe different maturity timings, disease ratings, production qualities, nitrogen fixing properties etc. all of which helps integrating them into a farming system,” Ms Cullen highlighted.
“Some of the lentil varieties being tested at the site include Hurricane, Giant, Jumbo, Jumbo 2, Ace, Bolt and the pea varieties include PBA Hayman, PBA Coogree, PBA Percy, Buttler and PBA Wharton.”
Lentils are also being tested for herbicide tolerance at the site.
“The aim of the herbicide tolerance trial is to highlight what the weed control options are between imi and non-imi tolerant varieties,” Ms Cullen explained.
Five different inoculants are also being investigated in chickpeas at the site which will be open for inspection on Wednesday 18 July from 3pm.
“Growers will get the opportunity to inspect the variety comparisons and various treatments on the trials at the next ‘Pulse Check’ meeting which have been established as part of the GRDC-funded Southern Pulse Extension project. This project aims to provide growers and their advisers with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions and maximise possible production and income potential from pulses.” Ms Cullen noted.
Attendees do not need to have attended any previous meetings or have any prior knowledge in pulse production to attend. The aim of the session is to provide national and regionally specific information and encourage discussion amongst participants to improve the knowledge of local growers and advisors to achieve on-farm profitability into the future.
Guest speakers at the next meeting will be AGRIvision Consultants John Stuchbery and Doug Perryman who will lead the discussion focusing on; reviewing the sowing program, crop emergence and early weed management, trial site inspection of pulse varieties and in-season management of dryland and irrigated pulse crop.
For more information about the BCG trials or the Pyramid Hill Pulse Check group visit the website, www.bcg.org.au, or call the office on 03 5492 2787.
This article was published in the Stock and Land, 13 July 2018.
