Technical Bulletin – 13 April 2017

• Sowing is wrapping up across the region.
• Urea was going out before rain this week.
• Weed management in early-established canola is largely complete, with remaining crop types to occur in the next couple of weeks.
• Establishment is patchy and is driven by cover/moisture. This rain will hopefully even establishment.
• Resowing is occurring where slugs have caused severe damage. Some are saying damage is the worst they have seen.

• In the Mallee, insecticides are being applied and, in some parts, a second grass spray application on pulses to clean up any late germinations.
• Nitrogen (N) applications have stalled awaiting a strong forecast of rain which would likely see growers spreading again.
• The Wimmera is focused on broadleaf weed management, insect control and fungicide applications.
• Some are starting to notice effects of moisture stress around tree lines.
• In many areas the potential is there, but further rainfall is required.

• 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.

In this edition:

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

• 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.