A NEW survey of Wimmera farmers has highlighted a preference for growing cereals, an increase in stubble retention, tactical applications of nitrogen and the use of GPS guidance systems.
The report was carried out as part of a Department of Primary Industries' Fast Tracking Project aimed at accelerating grain growers' adaptation to variable climatic conditions.
One of the aims of the project was to identify successful management practices.
DPI extension officers De-Anne Price and Ashley Wallace have worked with two farmer groups to understand how they cope with climate uncertainty.
"Rather than focusing on debate about climate change, the project looks at what people can do to make the most of the seasonal conditions," Ms Price said.
The Fast Tracking Project aims to identify agronomic priorities by working with farmer groups and testing them in on-farm trials.
More than 50 farmers from Sheep Hills and Horsham East were surveyed and the results compared with statistics for the local shire and region.
The survey found crop mixes had changed, with a slight increase in the use of barley and a decrease in oilseeds, but limited changes in pulses.
Ms Price said one of the most significant changes in the region over the past 14 years had been stubble management.
"At Sheep Hills, less than 10 per cent had standing stubble in all paddocks in 1995, but by 2008 this had increased to 80 per cent," she said.
"Stubble burning has decreased dramatically, with nearly 40 per cent of Horsham East and more than 90 per cent of Sheep Hills farmers choosing not to burn stubble in 2008-09.
"Stubble retention not only reduces greenhouse gases but provides major productivity and soil health benefits," Ms Price said.
Mr Wallace said the survey also found changes in fertiliser management, with farmers now delaying nitrogen applications until they had a better idea of growing season conditions, compared to the past practice of prescriptive applications.
"The adoption of technology has also increased, with 70 per cent of Sheep Hills respondents using GPS guidance systems in 2008," Mr Wallace said.
"In some cases, this has allowed farmers to sow directly into stubble as well as cutting chemical wastage, but in contrast, there has been limited take-up of variable rate fertiliser inputs.
"The farmers surveyed have mixed views about the cause of climate change and how much good luck or good management contributes to a successful crop," he said.
