Helping growers to make rust management decisions will be Dr Grant Hollaway’s aim at BCG’s Main Field Day on Wednesday the 11th of September at Nullawil.
“The biggest driver of disease is rainfall frequency, that is, the number of wet days we get in a row. The second is heat,” the plant pathologist expert said.
“I think the challenges for growers at present is knowing whether further protection is warranted in a season like this where there is yield potential, but it hasn’t been super wet. Also, in the back of our minds, are seasons like 2016 and 2022 where the spring turned wet and timely crop protection was required,” Dr Hollaway said.
The effect of wind may also be on growers’ minds and concern for the potential for spores to be cast across the district. Dr Hollaway however believes the strong winds are problematic, more so, because they are preventing growers from accessing paddocks to spray the rust.
“A susceptible variety that can’t be sprayed for ten days due to wind is not a situation I want growers to be in.
“At BCG’s Main Field Day I’m looking forward to discussing with growers the importance of variety selection and how to prioritise the management of crops they currently have in the ground to maximise production.”
Dr Hari Dadu from Agriculture Victoria and BCG’s Thomas Jones will also be speaking at the Smart Disease Management session at BCG’s Main Field Day on Wednesday the 11th of September at Nullawil.
Other topics at BCG’s Main Field Day include: nitrogen management, high yielding wheat, fatigue management with farmer Mark Modra, pulse diseases and varieties, vetch varieties and end use, canola establishment, disease management, National Variety Trial cereal results and a herbicide matrix.
Details
The BCG Main Field Day will be held on Wednesday the 11th of September at 196 Nullawil North Road, Nullawil. Register at www.bcg.org.au/events.
The event will run from 8am to 4pm (breakfast provided). The event is free for BCG members and $50 for non-members. Sign up to become a member by visiting bcg.org.au/memberships/ or calling (03) 5492 2787.
Meals can also be pre-booked on the website. For biosecurity reasons please ensure all footwear and vehicles are free of soil before visiting the site.
