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Examining four different farming systems in Central West NSW
OVERVIEW
This trial intends to examine the management, profitability and sustainability of four different farming systems:-
* Continuous Cropping - rotation is canola, wheat, pulse, wheat, pulse/green manure crop
* Reduced till, with livestock - rotation is long fallow wheat, retained stubble, wheat, pasture, pasture
* Tillage based - rotation is long fallow wheat, wheat, pasture, pasture, pasture
* Perennial pasture system
Each cropping system has 5 rotational phases, with each phase represented in each year. Each plot is approx 2ha in size with the total trial area being 160 ha.
The first pasture/crop phases were sown in 1998. Each system has 4 replicates. Where possible differences between systems will be minimised to aid comparison (eg use of the same varieties, fertilisers etc). Soil changes, pasture growth, crop yield and financial inputs and outputs will be measured for each system. Each system will be monitored for at least 5 years. A sub-committee, chaired by a prominent farmer acknowledged as an expert in that system, co-ordinates the operation of each of the four systems.
The systems trial is located on NSW Department of Primary Industries Condobolin Agricultural Research and Advisory Station.
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Core Site 2004 - Condobolin |
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