Improving the Quality of No-Till

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) supported ‘Long-term no-till farming systems project’ commenced in July 2006. MIG are a partner in this project which is managed by WANTFA.

The background to the project comes from the 2005 WANTFA commissioned ‘Situation Analysis of No-till in Western Australia’ by Rolf Derpsch.

The main challenges identified in the report were lack of cover on the soil, inadequate diversity in the rotation, weed control and herbicide resistance.

Derpsch (2005) recommended that no-till systems in WA should essentially be based on full stubble retention, diverse rotations with cover crops and a more holistic approach to weed management. The benefits of these recommendations, such as increased organic matter are generally only shown over the long-term.

Consequently, long-term research is required. Initially the project funded by GRDC is for three years but is hoped to continue for twelve years.

The project will provide valuable data and information on a range of topics such as yield trends, rotations, water relations, organic carbon, stubble handling, disc seeders and cover crops.

The main aim being to show the long-term benefits of a well managed no-till system with higher and more sustainable profits resulting from increased yields, reduced inputs, improved soils, improved water utilisation and reduced erosion.

There are two trial sites, one at the College of Agriculture at Cunderdin, which is managed by WANTFA and the other on Ian Broad’s farm approximately 30 km north-west of Mingenew, managed by Cameron Weeks and the Mingenew Irwin Group.