The average climatic conditions for the Nyngan Regional Site, from the Bureau of Meteorology at NYNGAN AIRPORT, can be seen in Figure 1 and 2. Figure 1 reveals that the average annual rainfall for Nyngan is 442.5 mm, whilst Figure 2 reveals the maximum and minimum monthly temperatures.

The research agenda for 2007 (approx 40KB PDF)

The research agenda for 2006

Main Season Wheat Variety Trial (CWFS)
Barley Variety Trial (DPI Neil Fettell & CWFS)
New Variety Chickpea (Kabuli/Desi) & Lupin Variety Trial (CWFS)
Pre-emergent & Post emergent Herbicide Trials ( DPI Tim McNee & CWFS)
Field Pea Variety Trial (NVT)

The research agenda in the past

The agricultural issues that have been researched, and published in the Annual Research Compendium, in the past at Nyngan include:

1999

Evaluation of pulse crop options for the Nyngan district - this trial found that pulse crops are an economically viable alternative crop for the cropping rotation.
Effect of sowing date on the performance of canola varieties - this trial showed that a late sowing in canola resulted in greatly reduced yields and oil contents.

2000

The effect of canola and pulses on the following wheat crop - this trial showed that wheat yields were higher after canola then after a pulse crop.

2001

Wheat variety comparison - the yields of Sunbrook, Cunningham, Sunvale, Sunmist and Sunstate were the highest and not significantly different. Sunkota had yields significantly lower then the other varieties, but it was severely affected by yellow leaf spot.
Topdressing wheat varieties - the results of this trial were not conclusive due to a late topdressing and little rain (5mm) after the topdressing.
Wheat fertiliser rate demonstration - this trial demonstrated that as fertiliser rates increased (50, 100, 150 kg/ha) so did wheat yield. It also showed that starter fertilisers more than doubled the return on expenses at rates up to 25 kg P/ha.
Wheat seeding rate demonstration - this trial used three seeding rates to test the validity of using heavier seeding rates (35 kg/ha - district standard, 70 kg/ha - double district and 105 kg/ha - 3 times district standard). The results sowed that yields were maintained across the seeding rates. Screenings were not affected and protein levels were not consistent.
Canola time of sowing trial - the results of this trial were not conclusive due to hail in early October and aphid damage during the podding stage.
Pulse yield comparison - in this trial Field peas yielded between 1.4 and 1.8 t/ha (they were damaged by hail), Albus lupins yielded between 1.7 and 2.0 t/ha, whilst Angustifolius lupins were the lowest yielding with yields averaging 1.2 t/ha.

2002

Pulse yield comparison - this trial failed due to the drought
Wheat fertiliser rate by variety comparison - this trial also failed due to the drought

2003

The flow-on affects of a fallow phase and failed canola and pulses on wheat yields - the wheat yields in this trial were lowest when following a wheat crop in 2002. The highest wheat yields were on Angustifolius lupins, canola, and faba beans stubbles from 2002 and on the 2002 fallow.
Wheat variety trial - in this trial the lowest yielding varieties were Sunbrook, Sunvale and Gatcher (averaged 0.69 t/ha), whilst the highest yielding varieties were Sunmist, Mulgara and Strezlecki (averaged 1.62 t/ha).
Chick pea phosphorus (P) by nitrogen (N) interaction - in this trial the lowest yielding fertiliser rates were those which had no P applied. All other P (10, 15 and 20 kg P/ha) and N (0, 15, 30 kg N/ha) rates yielded the same.
Canola phosphorus (P) by nitrogen (N) interaction - canola yields were below average, mostly less than 0.5 t/ha. The trial found that there were no yield response with increasing rates of P and N fertiliser. (Compendium paper)
Mixed pulse crop trial - the seasonal conditions of 2003 limited the yield of pulse crops, with the average yield below 0.5 t/ha. The highest yielding pulse crop, however, was Field peas, whilst vetch was the lowest yielding pulse crop. (Compendium paper).
P carryover from the 2002 drought into 2003 - it was difficult in this trial to see the carryover of residual P into 2003 as some plots were affected by crown rot. However, the maximum wheat yield was achieved when 5 kg P/ha was applied in 2003 on top of 11 kg P/ha in 2002. (Compendium paper).

2004

Comparison between deep ripping and not deep ripping - the aim of this trial is to compare wheat yields of two blocks, Block A and Block B. Block A was deep ripped and chisel ploughed in January 2003, whilst Block B has been farmed as a minimum tillage block. Both blocks will be farmed as minimum tillage blocks for at least 3 years to determine how long the effects of deep ripping will last.
Wheat variety response to crown rot and trichoderma seed treatment - the aim of this trial is to use 6 varieties of wheat, with different crown rot susceptibility ratings, to assess the effect of crown rot on the yield and grain quality. The same 6 varieties will also be seed treated with trichoderma to evaluate the ability of trichoderma to reduce the effects of crown rot.
Comparison between DAP fertiliser rates - the aim of this trial is to compare a range of DAP fertiliser rates, that are commonly used in Nyngan, to determine which rate is the most cost effective. The fertiliser rates to be used are 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha DAP fertiliser.
Phosphorus nutrition of field peas - the aim of this trial is to assess the yield response of two field pea varieties, Kaspa and Morgan, to increasing rates of phosphorus.
Phosphorus nutrition of chick peas - the aim of this trial is to assess the yield response of Howzat chick peas to increasing rates of phosphorus.
Wheat yield response to zinc and sulphur fertiliser - this trial will be conducted in association with Jim Laycock, at Incitec-Pivot. It aims to assess the effect of zinc and sulphur fertiliser rates on wheat yields. Their flow-on effect into the subsequent year will also be evaluated.
Amelioration of soil acidity - this trial will be set up to demonstration a range of lime rates in their ability to reduce soil acidity.