News

In This Edition:

Germination testing for seed
Sowing Windows
Group 14 spikes
Lambing
BCG Research Update – New project looking at slugs

• Canola windrowing is complete or underway in most regions
• Hay quality has generally been good due to a drier curing period
• Despite lower growing season rainfall, most regions are generally in a good position for harvest
• Growers are organising harvest priorities and logistics, particularly those still bailing hay while also starting to harvest canola and barley
• Cropping plans for 2024 are being reviewed as final passes on paddocks occur, taking account of weeds, disease and other risks

In this edition:

• Canola windrow timing
• Windrowing barley
• Crop desiccation
• Frost
• Grain market update
• BCG research update

• Crops have been holding up surprisingly well given the warm dry conditions although most think some top end yield has been sacrificed, particularly in wheat or later crops. Recent rain and a cool run this week should see crops finish OK now where totals were greater than 15-20mm, for some regions it was maybe just a bit late.
• Heliothis and etiella management are taking place to maintain grain yield or more importantly quality in pulse crops.
• Hay quality until recent rain has been good where crops have had even development. Recent rain may drop some quality, and some have waited for this event to pass to cut crops for hay where they could.
• Pre-harvest maintenance is in full swing with growers finalising any needs before it gets busy
• Livestock management leading into summer (shearing, crutching, drenching) is being prioritised where possible to limit demand on time during harvest to manage fly struck sheep.

In the northern Mallee, reports of Etiella and Heliothis may create more activity in the coming days and weeks. For the southern Mallee, most growers are looking for more rain to protect yield potential, and late fungicide sprays have gone out on wheat.

In the Wimmera (North, Central and West) soil moisture levels are good (explained later in this bulletin) and there are isolated reports of armyworm activity that warrant some monitoring, particularly in cereal on cereal rotations.

Some action points from recent BCG events: leave the fenceline and get out into your crops to assess for potential frost or heat stress damage, adjust your header set up ready for the coming months, succession planning is an ongoing process and farming is about decision making and we can only influence the quality of our decision making by acting more consciously on the best available knowledge.

• Stripe rust is becoming more apparent but not to the same levels as last year.
• Aphid numbers are building in some areas. Other insects are being monitored.
• Sheep markets are a pain point with producers trying to decide the best course of action with the current low returns.
• Brown manuring is underway and hay cutting has started in some areas largely driven by growth stage as a result of time of sowing or more northern regions. Harvest preparations are on the maintenance schedule.

• Cereals range from Z31/32 through to head emergence depending on location and sowing date. Canola
  growth stages are also variable.
• Stripe rust has been reported and is being proactively managed.
• Mice are present in patchy numbers; some baiting is occurring where damage is significant.
• Lentil prices have meant cleaning and selling some lentils has been worthwhile.
• Resistance testing of weed escapes, particularly ryegrass will help with planning

• Cereals are at stem elongation, some canola is flowering and pulses are still growing slowly.
• Net form net blotch (NFNB) and Septoria are present in barley and wheat respectively. Fungicide plans are being actioned where risk is greatest. Stripe rust has also been detected in other regions, but this is 2-3 months later than last year in commercial crops.
• Red leather leaf is present in oats and prothioconazole applications are occurring.
• Drier weather has seen the disease threat lessen a little for diseases that like cool wet conditions, but there is still a need to be vigilant.
• Preparation for grain storage is commencing with thought going into grain hygiene and silo bag needs.

• Black keeled slugs are still causing many issues where they are found. Particularly if management was compromised due to access issues for spreading bait. No crop type has been safe.
• Blackleg levels in canola are very high in some Wimmera crops due to high pressure and early sowing.
• Powdery mildew in wheat has been reported about two weeks earlier than last year in the Mallee.
• Net form net blotch (NFNB) and Septoria are present in barley and wheat respectively. Fungicide plans are being actioned where risk is greatest.
• In the northern Mallee there has been some crop wilting despite good moisture—suspect compaction is the cause. It is a good time to check and identify areas that can be managed out of season. Other than that, growers are quietly positive about the season.

• Urea applications are still occurring. Growers will need to prioritise areas of need with supply getting tighter as the season remains wet.
• Slugs have been reported further north than other years, new regions are having issues with this pest.
• Crop growth seems slow and crops are struggling to grow away from persistent pests like lucerne flea.
• Diseases are starting to be reported and monitored for management plans including Ascochyta, cercospera and powdery mildew.
• Staggered crop growth is likely to cause management issues for a while yet, including windrow timing in canola

• Urea was going out before rain this week with growers recognising opportunities given crop need and the seasonal outlook. Supply may be a concern for those who have not organised early in the short term.
• Some regions are having access issues again due to rain, it is likely track renovations will likely be on the cards
  again this summer.
• Mice continue to be a problem in isolated regions, some have baited three times.
• Considerations of fungicide plans are already 1occurring with recent weather.