Stubble management begins at harvest

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October is upon us and with that comes a shift in attention to harvest; planning logistics, servicing machinery, sourcing adequate labour and exploring marketing and storage options.

Now is the time to be thinking about the potential harvest challenges to give you enough time to implement any new strategies.

One of the key messages that has come out of the BCG led and GRDC-funded ‘maintaining profitable farming system with retained stubble’ project is that effective stubble management begins at harvest.

It is well understood that retained stubble provides valuable ground cover and carbon source for microbial activity and nutrient availability, but it also provides some challenges. 

To overcome these challenges BCG research manager Claire Browne said that growers need to be proactive and begin thinking about sowing before they begin harvesting.

“Stubble management begins at harvest,” she said

Ms Browne said to avoid issues associated with stubble retention such as seeder blockages, poor crop emergence and reduced herbicide efficacy, stubble left standing in the paddock after harvest should be even and at the appropriate length (according to crop rotation and machinery capability), and chaff and straw should be spread evenly across the paddock.

First and foremost, header cutting height and the spread pattern of stubble is the first consideration when preparing for harvest.

“Cutting height will vary according to crop type and yield, crop planned for the following season, harvest logistics and the capabilities of seeding equipment.” Ms Browne said.

And cutting the crop shorter increases the time needed to complete harvest; on average, you reduce header speeds from 9.5ha/hour to 5.6ha/hour when harvest height is reduced from 60cm to 15cm.

Additionally, stubble loads, machinery capability, crop type and rotation, and pest, disease and weed burden, all need to be appropriately considered when determining your stubble management at harvest.

Stubble provides habitat for many stubble born diseases over the summer period, which can cause significant issues in the proceeding crop if conducive conditions eventuate. Understanding the disease burden of the paddock can assist in making decisions about rotations and stubble management.

With record high crop yields throughout the Wimmera and Mallee in 2016, sowing challenges were incurred due to high stubble loads, and, with the 2017 season looking as prosperous the same considerations need to be thought about for sowing in 2018.

To calculate the amount of stubble in a paddock, multiply the grain yield by 1.5 which will provide you with an approximate tonnes per hectare of stubble.

While shorter stubble can be beneficial for sowing management, it also can also hinder emergence of smaller seeded crops like canola, due to more straw and chaff being placed between the rows.

The stubble project has produced a series of guidelines that provide growers with tips and information on how to negotiate the challenges that come with retained stubble farming systems but ensure the benefits and opportunities are also realised.

BCG, along with VNTFA, SFS and ICC are collaborating to bring these guidelines and other resources to growers via the stubble project website (thestubbleproject.wordpress.com). Visit this website for more information on managing stubble during harvest.

This article was published in the Stock and Land, 5 October

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