GRDC x MIG

Exploring the economics of late sowing (June) options in the Geraldton Port Zone

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Start Date: 25/06/2025

End Date: 31/03/2027

Funding Provider: Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

Project Lead: Mingenew-Irwin Group

Collaboration: Liebe Group

Aim: To evaluate the agronomic performance and economic returns of short-season crop options sown in June across the Geraldton Port Zone, identifying profitable and reliable crop choices when seasonal conditions delay seeding beyond the typical break.

Project Background: Seasonal variability in Western Australia’s northern grain growing region has increased, with delayed and less reliable seasonal breaks becoming more common. This is forcing growers to make more decisions around sowing into June rather than at the traditional break.

While dry sowing can maximise yield potential, it carries risks such as poor establishment and weed control challenges. Delaying sowing until a June rainfall event can improve establishment but shortens the growing season and increases exposure to terminal stress.

There is limited regionally relevant data on crop performance under late (June) sowing conditions, despite increasing grower interest following recent seasons. This GRDC-funded project was established to compare the agronomic and economic performance of short-season wheat, canola, and pulse crops across contrasting soil types in the Geraldton Port Zone.

The project is being delivered by the Mingenew-Irwin Group in collaboration with the Liebe Group, combining small plot trials and economic analysis to generate locally relevant, evidence-based insights to support grower decision making under delayed sowing conditions.

Project Contact: Montana Bradley - research@mig.org.au or 0499 245 463

Investment Code: PROC-9177276

This Page Contains:

Trial Overview

Trial Results

Trial Overview

This project focuses on the profitability and reliability of crop options when sowing is delayed into June. Rather than targeting maximum yield, the trials are designed to assess whole-system performance, comparing how different crop types perform economically under late sowing conditions.

Trials are being conducted across two contrasting soil types in the Geraldton Port Zone, heavy red loam near Mingenew and light sandplain near Dalwallinu. A range of short-season crop types are being evaluated, including wheat, canola, and grain legumes, across two sowing windows:

  • Time of Sowing 1 (TOS 1): early June, following a suitable rainfall event

  • Time of Sowing 2 (TOS 2): approximately two weeks later

Each trial follows a small-plot, randomised block design with three replicates to ensure robust and comparable results.

Mingenew Site – Heavy Land

The Mingenew site represents heavier soil types typical of the northern wheatbelt, with higher water-holding capacity and generally greater yield potential. This environment allows assessment of crop performance where stored soil moisture and fertility are less limiting, but growing season length becomes a key constraint under delayed sowing.

Crop types at this site include short-season wheat, canola, and grain legumes suited to heavier soils, such as chickpeas and lentils.

The trial is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who assist with seeding, in-season management, and harvest operations.

Dalwallinu Site – Sandplain

The Dalwallinu site represents lighter sandplain soils, which typically have lower water-holding capacity and greater reliance on in-season rainfall. This site provides a contrasting environment to assess how crop performance and risk differ under delayed sowing on lighter soil types.

Crop types at this site include wheat, barley, canola, and grain legumes suited to sandy soils, such as lupins and field peas.

This trial is managed in collaboration with the Liebe Group, with Living Farm providing technical support.

Across both locations, the trials are measuring key agronomic and economic indicators including plant establishment, biomass, weed pressure, grain yield, quality, and gross margin. By linking agronomic performance with economic outcomes, the project aims to provide practical, regionally relevant insights to support crop selection decisions when sowing opportunities occur later than planned

Trial Results

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