Technical Bulletin No. 10 – 09.08.24

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.

• Cereals are progressing from late tillering through to GS32 (second node), with stronger canopy development following recent moisture.
• Canola ranges from cabbaging to bud elongation, with some early-sown paddocks now reaching early flowering.
• Pest activity remains on the radar; Lucerne flea is being reported widely across the Wimmera–Mallee, Red-legged Earth Mite pressure is present in parts of the North Central and Wimmera and evidence of mouse damage has been observed in several Wimmera paddocks, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.

• Insect activity is increasing under favourable conditions, though few cases have reached economic thresholds for control.
• Low levels of stripe rust are being detected across Western Victoria, however growers with robust programs that included fungicide at sowing are reporting little to no evidence of foliar disease.
• Low GSR deciles, frosts in early September and favourable prices have growers considering cutting crops for hay instead of harvesting for grain.
• Preparations for harvest are underway.

• Insect activity is increasing under favourable conditions, though few cases have reached economic thresholds for control.
• Low levels of stripe rust are being detected across Western Victoria, however growers with robust programs that included fungicide at sowing are reporting little to no evidence of foliar disease.
• Low GSR deciles, frosts in early September and favourable prices have growers considering cutting crops for hay instead of harvesting for grain.
• Preparations for harvest are underway.