Full Name: GRDC NGN Taking advantage of late summer rainfall for lentil and canola production in the Upper North
Funding Body: Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC)
Duration: 2026 – 2027
Project Lead: UNFS
Background: The exceptional rainfall received across the Upper North in late February and early March 2026 presented a rare opportunity for growers to explore whether early summer rainfall could be used to establish crops well ahead of traditional sowing windows.
Following several dry seasons, many growers have struggled to establish planned break crops, resulting in increased cereal-on-cereal rotations. This GRDC-funded project is investigating how growers can capitalise on significant summer rainfall events to establish lentil, canola and cereal crops early, while managing the risks associated with very early sowing.
Trials at Jamestown and Booleroo Centre are comparing three sowing times, ranging from late March through to mid-May, across multiple lentil, canola and cereal varieties with different maturities and seeding rates. The project is investigating crop establishment, early growth, phenology, biomass, grain yield and quality to determine how sowing time and agronomic management influence crop performance under Upper North conditions.
The key question is: How early is too early?
The results will provide growers and advisers with practical, locally relevant information to help assess future late summer rainfall opportunities, select suitable crops and varieties, and adapt agronomic management to maximise the benefits while managing seasonal risks. Findings will be shared through local grower engagement and extension activities across the Upper North.
Contact: Rachel Trengove, UNFS Program Manager
