Liebe Group members are using information from an online tool to make more accurate decisions about inputs and crop management, which has been beneficial in this year’s dry conditions when every dollar counts.
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The grower group in Western Australia’s northern agricultural region is participating in a project funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
As part of the project ‘Increasing water use efficiency and optimising input costs for sustainable farming in the Liebe Group area’, the Liebe Group is examining how growers can make the best use of results from the Yield Prophet computer model.
As well as investigating the use of Yield Prophet, the project includes precision agriculture and nitrogen trials, as well as workshops to help growers optimise their use of rainfall.
Yield Prophet, designed by BCG, formerly the Birchip Cropping Group, is a web interface which provides grain growers with information about a crop during its growth.
It uses the computer simulation model APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator), developed by CSIRO, and paddock specific soil, crop and climate data to generate information about the likely outcomes of farming decisions.
Inputs entered during the season generate reports of projected yield outcomes showing the impact of crop type, variety, sowing time, nitrogen fertiliser and irrigation.
Liebe Group executive officer Chris O’Callaghan said Liebe Group members had this year received information generated by Yield Prophet from three sites – a sandy paddock at Stuart McAlpine’s West Buntine farm, a red loam paddock at Rob Nankivell’s East Maya property, and a loamy clay paddock on Ian Hyde’s Dalwallinu farm.
The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) had assisted the Liebe Group by analysing soils at the sites.
“During the growing season, Liebe Group members have been sent regular reports, compiled by consultant David Cameron of Farmanco, giving an indication of nitrogen and water availability in the soil, and yield potential,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“Using information generated by Yield Prophet from the three focus paddocks, growers have been able to understand how much soil moisture and nitrogen they have available in their own paddocks.
“This has allowed them to make more informed decisions about inputs.
“Based on information generated by Yield Prophet, some growers decided to apply less nitrogen on their crops – providing savings during a very dry year when every dollar counts.
“Harvest results from this season will help show how accurate the model is in this region, and the number of focus paddocks will be increased next year to provide a greater range of data from different soil types, providing more valuable information for growers.”
Mr O’Callaghan said that while Yield Prophet considered variables including rainfall, temperature and nitrogen, it did not take into account other limitations such as nutrient deficiencies, weeds, disease and frost.
“It is up to the grower to consider these other variables when using information from Yield Prophet,” he said.
Mr O’Callaghan believed growers might best benefit from Yield Prophet by working with local grower groups and consultants to help interpret the data, but the GRDC and DAFF funded project would provide more information about its potential use.
Growers who want more information about the project or Yield Prophet can contact Mr O’Callaghan on (08) 9664 2030 or chris@liebegroup.asn.au, or visit www.yieldprophet.com.au
