The Alectown Regional Site is operated in association with a local farmer group, the Alectown Brach of NSW Farmers Association (currently in recess). The site has been conducting farmer driven research since 1999 and their is:

Chairmen: Richard Westcott 02 6865 3231

Contact : Jeff Westcott 02 6865 3209

Co-ordinator: Brad Davis 02 6895 1050

Extension Officer: Lisa McFadyen 02 6895 1001

District Agronomist: Karen Roberts 02 6816 3300

Co-operators:

Geoff McCallum, Northparkes Mines, Goonumbla

Gary Somers, “Trelawney”, Parkes

Greg Bell, “Minnerong”, Peak Hill

Grant Byrnes, Peak Hill

Craig and Barry Tanswell, “Milpose”, Goonumbla

The average climatic conditions for the Alectown Regional Site, from the Bureau of Meteorology at Peak Hill Post Office.

The Extension Activities Agenda for 2009

The research agenda for 2007 (approx 40KB PDF)

The research agenda for 2006

Soil Amelioration - Sodicity & Acidity (CWFS)
Stripe Rust Management Trial (DPI Ken Motley & CWFS)
Barley Seed Rate Trial (DPI Neil Fettell & CWFS)
Barley Nitrogen Trial (DPI Neil Fettell & CWFS)
Wheat Hi Input Trial (DPI Neil Fettell & CWFS)
Yield Prophet (CWFS)
North Parkes Mine Alternate Production crop Trial (DPI Karen Roberts)
Lucerne variety Trial (CWFS)
Chickpea Breeders Trial (DPI Eric Armstrong & CWFS)
North Parkes Mines Broadacre Wheat Trial (DPI Karen Roberts & CWFS)

The research agenda in the past

The research conducted from 1999 to 2003 has addressed issues that are important to local producers. Some of the research which has been conducted, and published in the CWFS Annual Research Compendium, includes:

1999

Nitrogen and its effect on wheat germination at Ungarie and Alectown - the trial aimed to investigate the effects of a range of nitrogen fertiliser products on the release of ammonia and seedling mortality. In this trial there was a strong linear relationship between the amount of nitrogen applied and a decreased germination and crop establishment. In Ungarie, however, germination losses were compensated for by increased tiller numbers.

2000

Nitrogen may pay, but don't forget your phosphorus - the aim of this trial was to quantify a state wide yield increase in wheat and canola by the addition of extra phosphorus. This trial demonstrated that current P application may be sub optimal, and significant yield gains may be achieved by applying greater amounts of P. The P rates used in the trial were 0, 10, 20 and 40 kg P/ha

2001

Phosphorus response in wheat and canola (2nd year) - this trial aimed to quantify grain yield increases in wheat and canola to varying P rates. The trial found that wheat and canola yields could be increased through the application of additional P. It also found that Canola had a higher demand for P than wheat.

2002

Grain yield response in wheat as affected by phosphorus and the addition of sulphur, zinc, magnesium and copper - the results of this trial were affect by the drought, however, the trial found significant yield responses to applied P and zinc and magnesium, however these may have been a function of the drought.
Sulfonlurea herbicides and Zinc/Phosphorus fertiliser interactions in wheat in the Central West NSW cropping belt - the results of this trial were affected by drought. The trial found no significant yield response of wheat to Zn and P.
Canola response to phosphorus, sulphur and zinc, with possible interactions of boron - this trial found that even in a drought year there was a canola yield response to increased amounts of P fertiliser. A response to the other nutrients was not expressed in the drought.

2003

The trial results for 2003 are presented in the following compendium papers:

Sulfonylurea herbicide and Zinc/Phosphorus fertiliser interactions in wheat in the Central West NSW cropping belt (2001 to 2003.)
Wheat stripe rust control - Alectown Demonstration.
Sodic soil amelioration using lime and gypsum.

2004

The main areas of interest in 2004 included:

The use of fungicides for the strategic and tactical control of leaf diseases in wheat - the aim of this trial is to investigate the use of seed dressings and foliar fungicides to prevent the incidence of leaf rusts.
The interaction between field pea density and phosphorus nutrition - the aim of this trial is to investigate yield responses to increasing plant population and increasing rates of phosphorus.
The use of seed dressing in canola - the aim of this trial is to investigate the yield response of canola to several different seed dressings.
New barley varieties and their agronomy - the aim of this trial is to investigate the agronomy (seeding rate and nitrogen requirements) of new breeding lines compared to commercial varieties.
Canola varieties (including conventional, TT and IT varieties) - the aim of this trial is to compare the yield and oil seed qualities of each canola variety.
Amelioration of sodic soils - the aim of this trial is to investigate the use of lime, gypsum and a lime:gypsum mix to ameliorate soil sodicity and improve crop yields. The trial also investigates the costs of production.
Amelioration of acidic soils - the aim of this trial is to investigate 3 rates of lime to ameliorate soil acidity and to improve crop yields. The trial also investigates the costs of production.