Shepparton Region, Victoria

Independently conducted by Ag Logic Agricultural Intelligence*

Across three replicated maize trials near Shepparton, Victoria, Great Land Plus® was assessed for its effect on grain yield, yield consistency and fertiliser-use efficiency. The trials were completed in 2016 and 2017 and are presented as historical research data.

Results varied between sites and application programs. The strongest response was recorded where Great Land Plus® was applied in-furrow at sowing and followed by a post-emergence application.

 

 

Trial overview

Trial Application program Key result
Shepparton, 2016 20 L/ha in-furrow at sowing 20% higher average grain yield and an incremental gross margin of $537/ha
North-East Shepparton, 2017 – Trial 20 L/ha in-furrow at sowing, plus 10 L/ha post-emergence, with reduced base fertiliser 3.4% higher average yield and an incremental gross margin of $217/ha
North-East Shepparton, 2017 – Trial 2 20 L/ha in-furrow at sowing only 1% higher average yield, with improved yield uniformity reported

Maize grain replicated trial – Shepparton, Victoria

Timing: Sown November 2015; harvested April 2016

Trial design: Randomised field trial with five 1-hectare replicates for each treatment. All strips had the same soil type, flat topography and agronomic practices.

Aim: To determine the effect of Great Land® on maize grain yield and plant growth parameters.

Treatments

  • Treated strips: Great Land® applied undiluted at 20 L/ha in-furrow at sowing, injected directly with the seed.
  • Control strips: No Great Land® applied; standard fertiliser program, including starter fertiliser.
  • Seasonal fertiliser program: 354 kg N/ha, 60 kg P/ha and 5 kg S/ha.

Assessments

Grain yield was measured at harvest using a GPS-based yield monitor. Plant growth was also assessed during vegetative stages through NDVI imaging, plant height and stem diameter. Grain nutrient content and feed quality were analysed.

Results

  • Great Land® treated strips averaged 14.7 t/ha, compared with 11.7 t/ha for the control strips. This represented an average increase of 3.0 t/ha, or 20%, and was reported as statistically significant.
  • Treated replicates also showed a narrower yield range – 13.6 to 14.2 t/ha – compared with the control range of 10.3 to 13.3 t/ha, indicating improved yield consistency across the trial area.
  • No significant differences were reported in vegetative plant growth or grain nutrient content.

Commercial outcome

Based on a grain price of $270 per tonne and the cost of product application, the trial recorded an incremental gross margin of $537/ha.

North-East Shepparton replicated trials – Victoria

Timing: Sown late November 2016; harvested mid-May 2017

Trial design: Replicated field trials using six treatment and six control strips. Each strip measured 580 metres by six metres, covering 0.35 hectares. Trials were conducted under flood irrigation using the same maize cultivar.

Trial 1: Great Land® with reduced base fertiliser

The treated strips received:

  • Great Land® at 20 L/ha in-furrow with the seed at sowing
  • Great Land® at 10 L/ha as a surface application three weeks after sowing
  • DAP reduced by half
  • Urea reduced by one-third
  • No starter fertiliser

In-season fertigation urea remained the same for treated and control strips.

Results

Treated strips averaged 12.98 t/ha, compared with 12.55 t/ha for the controls – an increase of 0.43 t/ha, or 3.4%. The trial reported that treated strips achieved greater yield uniformity and that the average difference was statistically significant.

The treatment program delivered an incremental gross margin benefit of $217/ha, or 6.4%, based on grain prices and input costs at harvest.

Trial 2: Great Land® applied at sowing only

Great Land® was applied in-furrow with the seed at 20 L/ha, replacing starter fertiliser. No post-emergence application was made.

Results

Treated strips averaged 12.72 t/ha, compared with 12.59 t/ha for untreated controls – an increase of 0.13 t/ha, or 1%. Treated strips again showed improved yield uniformity.

The findings from this and other local trials indicated that a single in-furrow application produced inconsistent results. A follow-up application approximately two to three weeks after sowing was identified as more likely to support stronger yield outcomes.

Conclusions:

These trials indicate that Great Land® may support maize yield consistency and profitability, particularly when used as part of a broader crop nutrition program. As with all field research, results are influenced by site conditions, crop management, seasonal conditions and application program.

Historical research note: trial application rates are stated as equivalent to the Great Land formulation released in December 2018. Great Land® is now known as Great Land Plus®.