AgLife - October 25, 2017 edition

October 25, 2017

Top product Luke Ellis and Jardy Ellis, 7, at West Wail Dohne Merino and White Suffolk Studs’ 11th annual White Suffolk Sale and eighth annual Dohne Merino Sale at Horsham Showground. Growers are busy attending the many stud sales occurring across the region.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

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Wimmera-Mallee to lead production 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

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he Wimmera-Mallee is set to fly the flag for 2017-18 Australian crop production with predictions of a 30 percent national drop on last year’s records.

Rural Bank’s Australian Crop Annual Review 2017 has revealed that Victoria is the only state where above-average crop production is expected.

It listed the best results likely to come from the Wimmera and Mallee.

The review shows that nationally, production will be 10 percent below a five-year average, based on poor earlyseason weather conditions across most cropping regions combined with a drier than normal winter.

Circumstances have limited overall yields significantly with below-average production expected in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

The new report, launched by specialist insights team Ag Answers, provides producers and industry with analysis of 2017-18 national and world crop-production estimates, seasonal conditions, prices, demand and the financial performance of Australia’s cropping farms.

Rural Bank agribusiness general manager Andrew Smith said despite a drier than normal winter and below-average production levels expected in many regions, July and August rain had salvaged some potential for the 2017-18 season.

“Rain in the second half of the year has opened the door to the prospect of farmers achieving average yields in some areas such as southern Western Australia,” he said.

“Favourable weather conditions over the next two months will be essential if production levels close to average are to be delivered.”

TOP CROP: Agronomist Meaghan Pohlner and steward Ian Bridgewater judging crops at Dimboola Show.

Mr Smith said at a state level, Victoria was the only state where above-average crop production was expected, with the Wimmera and Mallee regions set to be the nation’s top performers this season.

The report forecasts that national wheat, barley and canola production would be significantly lower than last season, with decreases of 35 percent, 37 percent and 16 percent respectively.

It also details that despite lower crop production in Australia, high-ending

stocks overseas meant the likelihood of a large rise in prices in the short to medium term was unlikely.

On the export front, with crop production levels down by almost a third compared with 2016-17, and prices for major crops also down, the value of exports is expected to be lower in 2017-18.

The report predicts the significant year-on-year decline of crop production would also affect farm cash incomes – the difference between total cash receipts and total cash costs

– with average farm cash incomes expected to decline across Australia from the 3.5 percent average rate of return recorded in 2016-17.

However, in a mark of the overall financial health of Australian cropping farms, Farm management Deposit, FMD, balances for Australian cropping farms increased in 2016-17, exceeding $2.6-billion.

“It’s encouraging to see our crop farmers planning for the future and investing in the FMD scheme,” Mr Smith said.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER “As we’re all well aware, farming is a cyclical business and preparing for a rainy day – or in this case the nonrainy day – is crucial.

“Weak grain prices and below-average yields might cause cash-flow challenges for some Australian farmers, but they are generally well-positioned to navigate this period thanks to planning and risk-management strategies they use from season to season.”

People can view the Australian Crop Annual Review 2017 online at www. ruralbank.com/crop.

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Wimmera Southern Mallee Ag Events October 26th

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Horsham Urban Landcare - Wheaton's Farm Tour

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Wimmera Branch VFF Meeting. Horsham

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Trial crops in top condition B

BY LINDA WALTERS BCG RESEARCHER

CG research trials at Longerenong are flourishing after 13 millimetres of rain earlier this month, also providing a welcome relief for crops in the Wimmera.

Canola and pulses are at the end of flowering and cereal growth stages range from flowering to milky dough stage.

Funded through the Grains Research Development Corporation barley agronomy for the southern region project, one plant growth regulator, PGR, by nitrogen interaction trial is investigating the correct application timing of PGR use in Compass and RGT Planet barley.

PGRs are used in barley in higher-yielding environments, where barley is prone to lodging and head loss.

The chemistry works by potentially reducing the internode length, therefore reducing plant height and increasing stem strength.

The trial had Moddus Evo, 200mlha, applied at GS30 – beginning of node formation – and GS32 – second node formation – to potentially influence plant growth at the beginning of node development.

Compass was chosen for its susceptibility to lodging, particularly under higher yielding environments and heavy crops.

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RGT Planet is a new barley variety that is a widely grown malting variety in Europe.

PGT Planet’s high yields in 2016 NVT sparked interest, and as a result is being trialled at a number of research sites this year with the aim of forming a management package around the variety to determine if it has a fit in either the Mallee or Wimmera.

Previous BCG research has shown varied responses to PGR use, dependent on the finish to the season.

In 2013 and 2016 – both soft finishes to the season at Horsham and Longerenong – the addition of a PGR plus fungicide reduced plant height and lodging susceptibility, resulting in a yield benefit.

In 2014, the dry finish to the season was not conducive or economical to apply PGRs, incurring a yield penalty. The use of PGRs is suited to a higher-yield potential environment – greater than 5t-ha – and should be gauged on seasonal outlook.

Upcoming assessments on the trial will include lodging scores, stem internode length measurement, plant height and harvest index to determine if the application of PGR’s has influenced stem structure and height.

Harvest index will be determined to measure the biomass to grain ratio of individual varieties and between

HEALTHY: RGT Planet barley in the plant growth regulator by nitrogen application trial at Longerenong. treatments. A second barley trial funded through the same project includes Compass, La Trobe and RGT Planet and is investigating whether different barley varieties have a greater demand for nitrogen at different timings, to maximise yield and protein.

The nitrogen treatments are imitating farmer practice and have been applied at sowing, early tillering, firstnode development, flag-leaf extension and also at a combination of these timings.

To date, there is no visual differences observed within the trial between nitrogen treatments.

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Harvest index and final grain yield and protein will be measured to determine any differences.

Assessments on other trials at Longerenong include final anthesis cuts – biomass cut during mid-flowering stage – precautionary snail and mice-baiting and a last drone flight over the site to measure NDVI – canopy greenness.

The results of these, and many trials will be analysed, interpreted and compiled in the annual BCG members only Season Results Compendium.

For further information on BCG trials call BCG on 5492 2787.

Women urged to apply 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging women in agriculture to apply for the 2018 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

The award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.

The award can help women to secure funding for innovative ideas and projects, or open doors to professional development and alumni networks.

The Victorian finalists will be celebrated at a ceremony in March 2018, with the winner to receive a bursary of $10,000 to implement their project vision and participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

People seeking more information on the 2018 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and how to apply can visit website www.agrifutures.com.au/ rwa.

Agriculture Victoria staff are available to help prospective nominees through the application process.

Call Johanna Christensen on 8392 7117 or email johanna.christensen@ ecodev.vic.gov.au to work through an application.

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NEW VARIETIES: NSW DPI pulse research agronomist Mark Richards said Murringo is the highest-yielding albus lupin for eastern states.

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Collaboration between various agencies across Australia has led to the release of PBA Bateman and Seednet’s Murringo varieties.

Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, DPI, Pulse Breeding Australia, PBA, and the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, DPIRD, were involved in the development.

Western Australian DPIRD bred the new varieties and NSW DPI at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute in southern NSW developed them.

NSW DPI pulse research agronomist Mark Richards said Murringo was the highest-yielding albus lupin for eastern states.

“It has the pure white, sweet seeds demanded by human consumption markets and no bitter

seeds,” he said. “Murringo has resistance to root rot and phomopsis stem blight, which causes lupinosis.”

PBA Bateman is a sweet, narrowleaf lupin with significant yield and virus resistance improvements on varieties suited to the eastern states.

“Protected under Plant Breeders’ Rights, PBA Bateman is resistant to anthracnose, phomopsis stem blight, grey spot, bean yellow mosaic virus, black pod syndrome and cucumber mosaic virus – it’s moderately susceptible to brown spot,” Mr Richards said.

“PBA Bateman has a medium to large seed with similar agronomic characteristics, harvestability and herbicide tolerance to existing lupin varieties.”

Seed for PBA Bateman and Murringo is available from commercial partner, Seednet.

More details about the new lupin varieties are available online at grdc.com.au/research/ trials-programs-and-initiatives/pba and http:// www.seednet.com.au/.

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Agriculture Victoria is working closely with the Victorian Farmers Federation to get a better understanding of on-farm energy use.

It is confident farmer responses to a survey will help provide critical information for future programs designed specifically to support Victorian producers.

Some of the questions include – • What actions are farmers taking to reduce their energy use or costs?

• Are farmers producing energy on-farm?

• How do farmers access information about saving money on energy and fuel bills, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources?

Agriculture Victoria has stressed that people can complete the survey anonymously and it will treat all details confidentially and only use them for the purpose of the survey.

The survey is open to Victorian farmers until November 6.

Farmers can access the survey online at www. agriculture.vic.gov.au/energysurvey.

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A step ahead of blackleg disease 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

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rains industry researchers are encouraging canola growers to assess the extent of blackleg disease in crops during spring to reduce future outbreak risks.

Grains Research and Development Corporation has released a 2017 Spring Blackleg Management Guide Fact Sheet, developed by the National Canola Pathology Project team, to support growers in determining disease levels.

The guide is available online at grdc. com.au/GRDC-FS-BlacklegManagementGuide.

It outlines specific steps to manage blackleg and includes cultivar blackleg ratings and resistance groups for all canola cultivars including new cultivars available in 2018.

The resource can help growers assess if they are in a high-risk situation and guide them to minimise future yield losses.

Blackleg is a sexually reproducing pathogen that will overcome cultivar-resistance genes and is more severe in areas of intensive canola production.

Oilseeds disease authority Steve Marcroft of Marcroft Grains Pathology said farmers could take samples to assess disease levels in crops any time from the end of flowering to windrowing.

ON THE LOOK OUT: Marcroft Grains Pathology principal Dr Steve Marcroft said when assessing blackleg disease levels in canola crops, samples could be taken any time from the end of flowering to windrowing.

Picture: BRAD COLLIS

“Pull 60 randomly chosen stalks out of the ground, cut off the roots with a pair of secateurs and, using reference photos in the GRDC fact sheet, estimate the amount of disease in the stem cross-section,” he said.

“Yield loss commonly occurs when more than 50 percent of the cross-section of the cut stem is discoloured.”

Dr Marcroft said if growers identified they were in a high-risk situation, they should use management practices – outlined in the fact sheet – to reduce

blackleg severity for coming seasons.

“They should also rotate between cultivars with different resistance genes to reduce the probability of resistance breakdown and reduce disease severity,” he said.

Dr Marcroft said if growers identified they were in a low-risk situation and had not identified yield loss due to blackleg infection when assessing their crop, they should continue their management practices.

As well as advising growers to mon-

itor canola crops in spring to determine yield losses in the current crop, the GRDC 2017 Spring Blackleg Management Guide Fact Sheet advises growers: • To never sow a canola crop into the previous year’s canola stubble.

• Sowing at least 500 metres from the previous year’s stubble will reduce blackleg severity.

• To choose a cultivar with adequate blackleg resistance for your region.

• That relying only on fungicides to

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control blackleg poses a high risk of fungicide resistance.

• That if monitoring has identified yield loss and the same cultivar has been grown for three years or more, to choose a cultivar from a different resistance group.

To further help growers in determining the level of risk in their area, the GRDC’s National Variety Trials website www.nvtonline.com.au provides the latest information from blackleg monitoring sites across Australia

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New aphid crop pest 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

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rowers and agronomists suspecting the presence of a recently discovered aphid species that affects vetches, faba beans and broad beans can seek help with aphid identification through a Grains Research and Development Corporation-supported service.

Entomologists at cesar research organisation in Melbourne can inspect high-quality images and aphid samples to determine whether crops are infested with the new pest, Megoura crassicauda.

The identification service is available through the GRDC’s investment in the PestFacts south-eastern invertebrate crop pest information platform.

Cesar entomologist Julia Severi said Megoura crassicauda was native to north-east Asia and since its initial detection in suburban Sydney in October last year, had expanded its range to Tamworth and Breeza in northern New South Wales.

“It is unclear where else the aphid is present, or how quickly it is likely to spread into new

regions,” she said. “And while little is known about the potential economic impact, observations of its activity in Australia so far indicate the aphid has a high reproductive capacity and could threaten faba and broad bean production.”

Ms Severi said the aphid had a very distinctive appearance.

“Adults are dark green and spindle-shaped with long antennae and black legs,” she said.

“They are relatively large aphids – about 2.5 to three millimetres in length – and have vibrant, red eyes.”

Megoura crassicauda can form mixed colonies with pea aphid and cowpea aphid, two species widespread in Australia that infect faba beans and vetch.

While information on the lifecycle and behaviour of the new aphid is limited, they are known to reproduce asexually as well as sexually.

In terms of management, there are no registered insecticides for the pest.

Dimethoate is registered to control aphids in faba beans.

Paraffinic oil is registered for use on faba beans and vetches

NEW ENEMY: Megoura crassicauda is a new pest in Australia that could impact some legume crops.

Picture: CESAR to provide suppression of green peach aphid.

Initial work by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, DPI, using pirimicarb was efficacious.

Permits for the use of pirimicarb, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin in faba beans and vetch are being sought.

The role of natural enemies in controlling the aphid remains unclear.

“Undoubtedly, we will learn

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more about Megoura crassicauda in the Australian context with time, including the role of natural enemies, its potential as a virus vector, and how it will behave and spread in our climate,” Ms Severi said.

Farmers who detect unusual aphid species should report them to the appropriate biosecurity agency.

The Exotic Plant Pest hotline number is 1800 084881.

Check canola pods Canola seed colour change indicates peak yield and oil content, making it the key determinant for timing windrowing or desiccation.

While most growers and agronomists are aware of this key indicator, there are some misconceptions about what constitutes seed colour change and how it should be assessed.

South Australian consultant Trent Potter from Yeruga Crop Research said growers must stay in control of the timing for windrowing and desiccation, and need to know how to assess the maturity of the seed themselves.

He said it was imperative growers open pods and check the seed colour.

“A visual estimation based on pod colour is not sufficient and will result in lost profits,” he said.

The timing of windrowing has been the subject of significant research effort co-funded by the GRDC, NSW Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO and partner organisations under an Optimised Canola Profitability project.

Researchers have re-confirmed studies from the 1970s and ’80s that showed physiological maturity in canola is reached when 40 to 60 percent of seeds on the primary stem change colour from green to red, brown or black.

However, their research has also shown the importance of assessing seed colour change on the canola plant branches as about 70 percent of the crop yield is held on the plant branches rather than the main stem.

There is a significant delay in physiological maturity between seed in pods on the stem and pods on the branches, and this needs to be included in grower assessment.

Australian Oilseeds Federation chief executive Nick Goddard said an incorrect visual image of ‘green seed’ in a GTA Visual Reference Standard Guide last season saw consignments of canola accepted on delivery with too much green seed.

“This season what is classified as a green seed in the VRSG has been clarified and tightened,” he said.

He said the Visual Reference Standard Guide was available on a Grain Trade Australia website.

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