Pulses in the Mallee 2017

Authors: Jason Brand and Tim Nigussie

Southern Pulse Agronomy/Agriculture Victoria

Key Messages

• For some regions, 2017 could be termed a ‘reality check’, after the excellent yields, prices and profitability observed in 2016. For example, in some lower rainfall zone areas lentil yields were lower than 0.5t/ha combined with prices less than $500/ha. Despite the lower returns from pulses in some areas, we continue to see their value in the whole cropping system with higher yields in cereals observed following the pulse phase.
• Delayed sowing in field trials generally resulted in significantly yield losses in pulses in Victoria across all sites and rainfall zones in 2017, with losses ranging from $200 – $250/ha in lentils and $100 – $600/ha in chickpeas. Significant varietal variation in response to sowing date was observed with losses greater than 50% from delayed sowing observed at Curyo in lentils.
• When choosing new varieties or changing agronomic treatments it is important to look at long term information rather than individual seasons. Varieties like PBA Jumbo2 lentils have performed well across a range of seasons, indicating yield stability.