Full Name: SAGIT Frost Mitigation in the Upper North
Funding Body: SAGIT
Duration: 2024-2027
Project Lead: UNFS
Contact: Rachel Trengove, UNFS
Background: Frost events have been a significant concern in the Upper North region, resulting in substantial crop losses and economic impacts in past years leading up to 2024. The Upper North is susceptible to frost damage at various stages in the growing season, leading to decreased yields. Consequently, depending solely on planting longer season varieties with later flowering times to evade frost risks is not always a dependable management strategy. Therefore, a holistic approach applying proven research outcomes over numerous years is required to be trialled in local validation trials and extended.
Objective: The primary objective of this research is to provide clear recommendations to Upper North farmers regarding the management strategies to reduce frost damage with regionally specific data.
The aims of this project are:
- Evaluate the efficacy of various previously trialled frost management strategies (pre-frost and acute responses) in alleviating yield losses attributed to frost damage on a representative (or multiple), frost-prone sites in the Upper North
- Enhance Upper North growers’ understanding of the origins of frost damage within the region and equip them with effective strategies to reduce associated risks.
- Consolidate proven research outcomes, and related information, and extend key messages in a practical, flexible and applied manner that is relevant to local growers, environment and farming systems
Trial Site Location: Between Jamestown & Appila