Contents www.ausgrain.com.au March–April 2015 Australian Grain PO Box 766 Toowoomba 4350 P: 07 4659 3555 F: 07 4638 4520 E: grain@greenmountpress.com.au www.ausgrain.com.au Advertising Michael Cook (National Advertising Manager) P: 07 4659 3555 F: 07 4638 4520 M: 0428 794 801 E: advertising@greenmountpress.com.au Editor Lloyd O’Connell Associate Editor David Dowling Production and Design Mick Allan CONTENTS OF ADVERTISEMENTS are the responsibility of the advertisers. All statements and opinions expressed in Australian Grain are published after due consideration of information gained from sources believed to be authentic. The following of advice given is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the matter published herein. No portion in whole or part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Copyright 2015. Published by Berekua Pty. Ltd., 40 Creek Street, Brisbane Registered by Australia Post Publication No. PP100002295. ISSN 1449–2970. Published bi–monthly. Grain Yearbook published in April FRONT COVER Print Post Approved Publication No. PP100002295 MARCH–APRIL 2015 INSIDE Volume 24, No. 6 — $7.70 Getting the most out of nitrogen Impact of row spacing on faba bean yield New variety releases for 2015 Checking for chickpea root nodulation. Pulse management research, carried out by DAF Qld, is identifying the best ways for growers to maximise the nitrogen balancesheet. See page 14. (PHOTO: Nikki Seymour) 2 — Australian Grain Editorial 4 Know your environment to get the most out of nitrogen 8 Pulse management to maximise N 14 Get the right advice on soil tests 18 Getting down and dirty with digital maps 20 Impact of row spacing on faba bean yield 22 Getting the right mix 28 Weed Smart... What herbicides still work? 30 ‘Ask an expert’ – Can planting a tight crop improve weed control? 32 Marketing… Forward marketing considerations 33 Dramatic growth in US grain storage capacity35 Risk management tops the 2015 agenda for Australian agriculture 36 Classic Tractor Tales… The odd and the interesting! – Part 2 39 Farming in Foreign Fields… Diversified, innovative – and enthusiastic! 42 Extending axle width while keeping tractor capability 44 Pulse variety guide 2015 45 Hybrid canola trumps TT variety in a tough year 48 Malt barley benchmark raised with two new accreditations 49 Nation’s top wheat breeder moves into barley 51 Growers facing new pest challenges 52 Early management decisions key to reducing aphid and virus risk 53 News & New Products 55 District Reports 57 Focus Sections Southern Australia Focus Covering cropping systems of Southern NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania Consultants’ Corner… Metabolic herbicide resistance is a clear, present and future danger i The commercial view iii Early sowing of late maturing wheats can boost farm profits iv Understand the factors that affect N mineralisation vi Free workshops for farmers considering carbon farming vii New Diamond canola sparkles in NVT trials viii Northern Focus Covering Northern NSW and Queensland Consultants’ Corner… Research delivers better guide to crown rot risk i The commercial view – Disease testing boosts production potential iii Wheat variety response to sowing time iii Advertorial: New NSW Flood Management Plans: Don’t get caught out!vi Alison Kelly eclipses the average to claim GRDC award vii New sowing options for 2015 viii March–April 2015