Technical Bulletin – 5 September 2018

2022 has been the season that keeps on giving, even though we are now in 2023. Wheat harvest has presented challenges with grain quality for some, and it was thought timely to talk a bit about what is going on, and while not a lot can be done in terms of this harvest, there are some considerations leading into sowing of next seasons crops and learnings to take from what has happened this year. Steven Simpfendorfer of NSW DPI has been kind enough to share some insights on fusarium head blight (FHB) and white grain disorder (WGD) via a communication piece that was distributed to northern NSW and QLD networks.

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…

• 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

• 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.