As harvesters continue to hum throughout parts of the Wimmera and Mallee, BCG and NVT variety results are being analysed and distributed to growers, providing timely information to equip them with the resources to make good decisions for 2016.
The annually conducted variety comparison trials are established at several sites across the Wimmera and Mallee to test their performance on a range of soil types and under varying climatic conditions.
Considering the variable growing conditions throughout the region, and thunderstorm activity adding to the inconsistency, growers should treat results with caution and conduct germination tests on their seed to ensure they’re selling and retaining good quality seed to safeguard establishment for 2016.
BCG research manager Claire Browne said appropriate variety selection was pivotal to increasing whole farm profitability but she encouraged growers to view variety comparison trial data critically, especially from 2015.
“It can be very easy to fall into the trap of changing varieties every season, especially when variety performances vary from year to year,” she said.
“While yield is a major driver of profitability, disease resistance, susceptibility to sprouting and frost damage and quality also need to be taken into account,”
Additionally, Ms Browne said that when considering variety results it was important to compare them over a number of seasons, and to remember that 2015 has provided variable results because of the dry spring.
“We’re seeing some interesting results from our variety comparison trials, some varieties that have been consistently good since 2012 have fallen away this year,” she said.
“It would be wise to see how varieties perform over another season to ensure its results were not a unique occurrence to the season,”
Ms Browne also stressed the importance of seed germination tests to help farmers assess the viability and vigour of their seed and to work out an appropriate seeding rate.
“It’s also very important to conduct germination tests this year, so that the varieties and seed growers are retaining to sow in 2016 will have good vigour.”
Once a germination percentage has been established (which should be approximately 98%), growers are then able to determine a seeding rate.
For more information phone BCG on 03 5492 2787.
