GRDC National Risk Management Initiative (NRMI) NSW – Action Research Group (ARG) Nitrogen Management Systems Trial – Zone 3

Collaborating with CWFS, FarmLink and CSU, this project is funded by GRDC.
The NRMI is a new initiative by GRDC that focuses on risk and reward, with research carried out in action research groups (ARG). In 2023 the project is looking at a nitrogen theme, comparing nitrogen-based demand and banking strategies to aid N decision making in SE NSW.

The aim of the trials is to compare the productivity (yield, protein), profitability (gross margin, risk) and sustainability (soil organic matter, carbon footprint, N losses) of different management systems over the long term (>5 years). They will also provide information on whether fertiliser N not used
by crops in year of application carries over to subsequent seasons, what the consequences of excessive N fertiliser are for crop productivity, and the effect of different N fertiliser strategies on legume productivity and N fixation. The Griffith N Systems trial consists of 12 treatments in 2023 including:
1. Nil N Control
2. Grower Practice
3. Low Risk Seasonally Responsive – assuming a decile 2-3 season finish
4. Moderate Risk Seasonally Responsive – assuming a decile 5 season finish
5. High Risk Seasonally Responsive – assuming a decile 7-8 season finish
6. Seasonal Forecast Responsive
7. Financially Responsive – apply as much N fertiliser as can be purchased with 8% of gross
income from the previous season at current market value of urea
8. Replacement – apply N fertiliser equal to 2022 grain N offtake
9. Replacement +30% – apply N fertiliser equal to 2022 grain N offtake plus 30%
10. Replacement -30% – apply N fertiliser equal to 2022 grain N offtake minus 30%
11. Manure – of known N content.
12. Enhanced fertilisers – N fertiliser with coatings to reduce losses