The demonstration compared different management strategies that could assist in preparing for and responding to drought, including:

- Maximise production when irrigation water is available to enable building of cash reserves

- Flexible farming, where we "pull the pin” to use less irrigation water and harvest crops as fodder to enable the building of on farm fodder reserves or its cash sale.

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This project is a result of a successful application to the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund's - Extensions and Adoption of Drought Resilient Practices Grants Program

This project aims to demonstrate flexible farming systems management including agronomic techniques that allow us to react to seasonal forecasting and variability. The goal is to create a flexible irrigated farming system that can react to an un-forecasted poor season by adjusting inputs or targets to deliver the greatest profitability; plan for a forecasted poor season by adopting practices to reduce the risk of failed crops; and when seasons are good, maximise production to allow for the building of cash and fodder reserves.

Barley was one of the four crops to be sown as part of this project. 2023 topdressing rates and timings were based on gut feel and the trial was revisited in 2024 but included a topdressing rate calculated on soil nitrogen assessed by soil test results from cores taken to 60cm in mid-June, once the crop was established.

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This project is a result of a successful application to the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund's - Extensions and Adoption of Drought Resilient Practises Grants Program