Minimum tillage agriculture in southern Queensland

The BSES minimum tillage development program commenced in south Queensland in 1985, and resulted in the adoption of various min-till practices by many growers. Farm trials were established in the Bundaberg and Childers districts using a range of tillage treatments. A prototype fertiliser applicator, suitable for a range of fertiliser placement treatments, was developed for the trial program by Bonel Ltd of Bundaberg. Data were collected from 10 sites for up to four years, to determine the effect of various fertilising/tillage practices. Small yield differences were recorded between some treatments, but few were significant at the 5% level. A range of tines for operating in the centre of the interspace was assessed. Tines with a low angled point having a raised centre rib and a curved and narrow shank produced minimal soil disturbance in burnt and green cane trash blanket fields.