News

• Recent rains have lifted spirits, helping to consolidate crop growth and encourage timely urea applications.  

• Wind damage in light soils has led to patchy canola losses and re-sowing with cereals in parts of the Wimmera.  

• Staggered crop emergence remains a theme although some regions are reporting more uniform growth.  

• Growers are checking cereal growth stages to ensure timely and appropriate post-emergent chemical applications.
• Urea is being sourced and topdressing is underway in some areas.
• Mice activity is low pressure and isolated
• As part of its monitoring project, BCG has detected elevated populations of black keeled slugs around Horshammmmmm

• Seedling survival seems dependent on soil type with the most vigorous crops being sown before the ANZAC day rain and into sandy soil types.
• Early frost damage is being observed.
• Growers at Horsham and BCG researchers have observed slug activity in the Wimmera.
• Based on the late start and low rainfall to date, growers are reviewing their nitrogen strategies on a paddock-by-paddock basis.

• Monitoring, seed germination and emergence remain the top priorities for most growers across western Victoria.
• Growers are assessing plant densities of any emerged crops, particularly canola, and adjusting their yield potential expectations.
• After watering germination test areas, some Wimmera growers have elected to re-sow some canola paddocks because less than 5plants/m² could be found.
• With some rain on the forecast this weekend, growers are taking a positive and prepared approach to potential next steps for crop management, particularly regarding inputs for nutrition, pest and weed control.
• Lamb prices are expected to remain strong through spring.

• Yield estimates have reduced however growers are aware that even if the break is late, conditions can improve quickly and there will be opportunities to reassess and adjust.
• Hand watering small sections of sown paddocks to test seed viability
• Bryobia mite pressure observed in Mallee sown lupin and red legged earth mite (RLEM) activity observed in pastures in the North Central.
• Isolated areas of increased mouse activity around Horsham.

• Sowing programs are generally continuing as planned with close attention paid to emergence of dry sown crops.
• BCG’s sowing program is approximately 20 per cent complete.
• With ongoing challenges with accessing feed, lower wool prices and shearing costs, many producers are responding by downsizing flocks or shifting more focus to lamb production.

• Some modest rainfall tallies received across western Victoria last weekend with hopes for more rain on ANZAC day
• Generally, growers have continued with their original sowing plans and made small modifications if required
• Conscious of high reliance on IMI tolerant crops in rotations, some Mallee farmers have made varietal changes eg CoAXium® barley to make use of Group 1 herbicides for grass control, where residues from the prior crop allow.

• Growers are making proactive management decisions to give their 2025 season the best possible start.
• Dry sowing of vetch, oaten hay and lupin has commenced in the Mallee, North Central and Wimmera.
• Minimal summer rain has reduced the need for summer weed control.
• Long season varieties are being dropped from cropping plans in favour of shorter season options.

Very warm oceans to our north are creating an enhanced moisture source, and a blocking high hanging around in the Tasman Sea is stalling the passage of fronts, lows and troughs, which has led to persistent harvest rainfall. There still is no La Nina…