Technical Bulletin – 25 October 2018

• Sowing is continuing with growers 30 per cent (Wimmera) – 70 per cent (Mallee) through their program.
• Insect pressure is starting to increase and is requiring monitoring.
• Slugs are still causing concerns in known problem areas.
• Growers are looking for rain in the next week with surfaces now drying quickly.
• Some in-season sprays have commenced in early crops such as canola.

• 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 This Edition:

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