Key Messages:

• To link with researchers, members, and other stakeholders to extend research, tools, and understanding of frost and heat risk as well as time of sowing decisions.
• To hold trials and demonstrations to better quantify the risks and rewards of time of sowing decisions as part of a whole farm system.

Project Aim:

Over the three years of this project, trial, and extension work will compare the upside reward of early sowing with the downside risk of frost and examine the impact that sowing time also has on exposure to late-season heat stress.

Project Background:

The significant impact of frost on the Australian grain industry has been highlighted as a priority investment by GRDC and gave rise to the National Frost Initiative (NFI). This investment resulted in growers gaining a better understanding of the differences in frost tolerance among crop varieties and cultivars; identification of critical frost windows to avoid; the impact of crop nutrition and stubble management on frost severity and; improved risk management. GRDC also invested in a project aimed at extension of these research activities which was led by the Grower Group Alliance and its grower group members. 

Further Information: