Rotate 'n' Calculate Explore the Southern NSW 'Farming Systems Project' results (2018-2025) in your context with this simple gross margin calculator

3. Which experimental sites would you like to draw data from?

Greenethorpe

Wagga Wagga

Urana

Condobolin

5. Based on your selections, the resulting gross margins are:

1. In a 'Canola-Wheat-Barley' rotation, what is your long-term average wheat yield:

Wheat Yield (t/ha):

Wheat Variable Costs ($/ha/year):

2. What long-term urea and grain prices would you like to use?

	Selected Price ($/t)	Our 8 Year Median Prices ($/t)
Urea		760
Wheat		343
Canola		648
Barley		330
Faba Bean		470
Lupin		462
Chickpea		594

The Southern NSW Farming Systems Project

This project aims to support growers in the southern NSW grains region to achieve greater water-limited production potential by adjusting their cropping system and agronomic decisions. Four sites established in 2018 cover soil and climate variability across southern NSW at Greenethorpe, Wagga Wagga and Condobolin (high, medium and low rainfall sites on red acidic loam soils), and a fourth site on a sodic clay vertosol at Urana. This project is a collaboration between CSIRO, NSW DPIRD and GRDC. GRDC Code: CSP2407-002RMX.

This calculator displays only timely sown, decile 5 nitrogen strategy crop sequences. Four-year sequences gross margins are extrapolated from three-year sequence data.

Click for more information and links to project publications

Greenethorpe site

Average annual rainfall 2018-2025: 631 mm

Average growing season rainfall (April-October) 2018-2025: 340 mm

Soil type: Red to Brown Kandosol

Soil organic carbon (0-10 cm): 1.57 %

Soil ECEC (0-10 cm): 11.3 cmol(+)/kg

Average annual N rate in the decile 5 N strategy 'Canola-Wheat-Barley' sequence: 92 kg N/ha/year

Key features: Acidic stratified layer at 10-15 cm with a pH (CaCl2) of 4.4. This was ameliorated with lime and deep tillage in January 2021.

Wagga Wagga site

Average annual rainfall 2018-2025: 578 mm

Average growing season rainfall (April-October) 2018-2025: 288 mm

Soil type: Red Kandosol

Soil organic carbon (0-10 cm): 0.97 %

Soil ECEC (0-10 cm): 7.3 cmol(+)/kg

Average annual N rate in the decile 5 N strategy 'Canola-Wheat-Barley' sequence: 111 kg N/ha/year

Key features: Acidic stratified layer at 10-15 cm with a pH (CaCl2) of 4.5 and exchangeable aluminium of 9.8 %. This was ameliorated with lime and deep tillage in February 2024.

Urana site

Average annual rainfall 2018-2025: 434 mm

Average growing season rainfall (April-October) 2018-2025: 216 mm

Soil type: Grey Vertosol

Soil organic carbon (0-10 cm): 1.34 %

Soil ECEC (0-10 cm): 28.4 cmol(+)/kg

Average annual N rate in the decile 5 N strategy 'Canola-Wheat-Barley' sequence: 91 kg N/ha/year

Key features: Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) increasing at depth. 3.4 % at 0-10 cm and 15.6 % at 30-60 cm.

Condobolin site

Average annual rainfall 2018-2025: 523 mm

Average growing season rainfall (April-October) 2018-2025: 236 mm

Soil type: Red Chromosol

Soil organic carbon (0-10 cm): 1.22 %

Soil ECEC (0-10 cm): 12.2 cmol(+)/kg

Average annual N rate in the decile 5 N strategy 'Canola-Wheat-Barley' sequence: 82 kg N/ha/year

Key features: Acidic stratified layer at 10-20 cm with a pH (CaCl2) of 4.8 and exchangeable aluminium of 2.8 %. This was ameliorated with lime and deep tillage in February 2024.

Disclaimer

This gross margin calculator is provided for general information and educational purposes only. The results are estimates based on experimental results combined with the data you provide. This tool does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. While we strive to provide accurate calculations, we make no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the results. You should consult with a professional accountant or financial advisor before making any business or pricing decisions. “Rotate ‘n’ Calculate” is not liable for any financial losses or damages arising from the use of this calculator.

Acknowledgements

The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by the significant contributions of growers through both trial cooperation and the support of the GRDC, we thank them for their continued support. The authors would like to especially thank Warakirri Cropping and Rod and Nick Kershaw for their support and co-operation in hosting the Urana and Greenethorpe field experimental sites. The authors would also like to thank the NSW DPIRD technical staff Russell Pumpa, Kelly Fiske, and Daryl Reardon as well as CSIRO Boorowa Research Station field staff Audrey Gripper, Olivia Brunton, Gabe Brown, Brad Rheinheimer, Aiden Woodford-Smith and Matt Hicks for their efforts at the experimental sites. The authors would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Graeme Sandral for his role during the first three years of the project. We also thank Kirrily Condon, Greg Condon and Jess Zieltjes (Grassroots Agronomy), Heidi Gooden and Tim Condon (Delta Agribusiness), Chris Baker and Daniel Sweeney (Baker Ag Advantage), John Francis (Agrista), Mark Harris and Bec Dean (RMS) and Peter Watt for the many useful discussions in their role on the Project Advisory Committee.

Research team: John Kirkegaard (NSW DPIRD), Mathew Dunn (NSW DPIRD), Xiaoxi Li (CSIRO), Jeremy Whish (CSIRO), Tony Swan (CSIRO) and Mehrshad Barary (NSW DPIRD)

Concept, design and development by Mathew Dunn (NSW DPIRD)