Mid North High Rainfall Zone

Transcription

1 Mid North High Rainfall Zone From the Chairman W elcome to the final newsletter for 2012 from the Mid North High Rainfall Zone Group. As is the case with most conversations at the moment it is difficult to not comment on this season s lack of rainfall. As I have mentioned in previous publications, one of the most obvious things to note is the yield potential of early sown crops especially in drier seasons. A lot of areas throughout the state and country have now also not only had to put up with dry conditions but frost which unfortunately is not unusual in these types of years. The important thing to note is that the frost didn t specifically target the early crops and in fact it was probably the later sown crops in the higher rainfall areas that suffered most. Food for thought!!! Many have been very busy cutting hay which, as we know is one of the most effective ways to control ryegrass. Just remember however that ryegrass seed set can be massive and we should take every opportunity to control or reduce seed set. As was outlined at the field day spray topping wheat is registered and with the amount of Mace wheat sown the opportunity to spray top crops may present itself. If you haven t done it before make sure you speak to your consultant/advisor so that you get the timing right. As the season draws to a close I would like to take this final opportunity to thank all those who have helped in any way this year with the running of the group and the events that we have undertaken. To all of the producers out there let s hope harvest goes smoothly and we can deliver some high quality produce to take advantage of the prices on offer. Andrew Parkinson Chairperson Issue 3 November 2012 Mary Connell and Ange Rohde at the 2012 Field Day Inside this issue: Cover Story Chairman s Report 2012 Field Day Report p2 Spray topping p3 Crop Walk pics p4 Field Day pics p5 Sturt Grain p6 AW Vater & Co & Bayer p7 Rabobank pp 8 GrainCorp p9 FBSciences p10 Wheat Options 2013 p11 Contacts p12

2 2012 Field Day Report Jeff Braun explore. The Mid North High Rainfall Zone group held its 7th annual field day on Tuesday the 9 th of October. It was a typical spring day that we have become accustomed to warm, sunny and dry. Despite the lack of spring rainfall, the field day was attended by over 150 growers who had a wide variety of speakers and topics to Steve Ball led a brainstorming session on what worked well and what didn t following the completion of the field day. This information will be used to further tailor the day to the needs of those attending. Please remember that the field site welcomes feedback on what you thought of the day and what you would like to see in the future. Becoming a member of the Mid North High Rainfall Zone group, also allows you to get access to the trial results a year before non-members. Please send all feedback to the Secretary monica.trengove@internode.on.net Of particular note were sessions on wheat and barley varieties with Haydn Kuchel (AGT) and Rob Wheeler (SARDI) respectively. Both provided interactive and entertaining talks and were always happy to answer the hard questions when they were put forward. The session on oaten hay was well attended, with Pat Guerin (Balco) and Pamela Zwer (SARDI) giving attendees the good oil on the hay market and new oats varieties. Hay looks like being one of the clear winners this season with the stars aligning on the three desirables good yields, good prices and good quality. The canola agronomy session was also well attended. Trent Potter provided excellent information on blackleg management with the backdrop of a large number of existing and new release varieties that growers could appraise for themselves. Plant Growth Regulators are also a hot topic at the moment, with Jason Sabeeney (Syngenta) providing good information on the potential fit for these products in the higher rainfall areas. Trent Potter, Canola Breeder, SARDI and David Shannon, GRDC A special note should also be made about the small vegetable patch that has been sown in the Growing Biomass trial. Shallots, Kohl Rabei, Pak Choy, Carrots, Beetroots, Turnips and Silverbeet were some of the species that were sown with the trial seeder and generated a lot of interest. It is rumoured that a particular agronomist from the lower north raided the vegie patch in order to feed the family for the week. He was last reported leaving the field day walking strangely with pockets full of turnips and beetroots! These are only a few of the many sessions that were on offer at the field day and a big thank you must go out to all who helped organise, run and facilitate the smooth running of the field day. Rohan Kimber and Rob Wheeler both of SARDI Page 2

3 Industry News Spray topping Spray topping Cereals Tony Craddock, Rural Directions Pty Ltd With heavy grass populations present in many cereals again this year, spray topping of wheat crops will be on the cards for many growers. Timing is critical. If the spray topping operation occurs when the grain is at 45% moisture or below trials have shown there is likely to be no significant impact on quality or yield. Accurately determining when the crop hits that stage is the most important part of the operation. Ryegrass seedset control of % can be achieved if the application coincides with the ryegrass flowering, making it a very attractive tool for use on dirty paddocks. Head moisture is much easier to measure than grain moisture, and 50% head moisture correlates to around 45% grain moisture. Accurate assessment of the head moisture can be achieved as follows: Select heads throughout the canopy, aim for 10 heads per location at 10 locations minimum in the paddock to get a representative sample Select heads at random, breaking them off just below the head Weigh the sample using scales that are accurate to a gram or preferably 0.1 of a gram Microwave the sample for about 2-3 minutes, then break up heads and mix around (be careful - they will be hot to touch) Weigh the sample again and then repeat with a few 1 minute bursts in the microwave weighing each time Put the sample in an oven for 2 hours at 200 C to really dry it down. Weigh it again and repeat this procedure until it is no longer losing any weight (i.e. all moisture has left the sample) It pays to be cautious and if you are not sure whether it is still losing a little moisture give it one extra drying to be sure The following formula can then be used to calculate the head moisture: Head Moisture = (Wet weight Dry Weight) x 100 Wet Weight Roundup Attack is registered for this purpose in wheat only at rates of up to 1.7L/ha, with a harvest withholding period of 7 days. Rate does not seem to impact on crop safety provided that the moisture is at the right stage. Rates of 1L/ha are likely to be sufficient in thin crops, however in thicker crops to get an effective job on the ryegrass rates up to L/ha may be required. Please note that spray topping with paraquat (eg Gramoxone ) on cereals is not registered and should not be used. This presents a threat to markets if maximum residue levels are exceeded. Usually earlier maturing varieties are better suited to spray topping than mid-late varieties. Axe in particular has worked well in the last few seasons due to its early maturity and the timing of the spray operation lining up well with the ryegrass. Spray topping in Mace has also worked well in recent seasons. Tony Craddock, Rural Directions Pty Ltd & Andrew Parkinson Page 3

4 Crop Walk 3rd September 2012 Jeff Braun & Mick Faulkner at the Pea Trial Richard Gregory and Phil Holmes At the Canola Trial Rob Griffith, Bayer Roy Rogers and Matt Butler, Rabobank Around the BBQ Drinks supplied by Rabobank. Roy Rogers, Andrew Bruce, Adrian McCabe, Richard Gregory & Steve Ball Page 4

5 Field Day 9th October 2012 Daryl Turner, Heritage Seeds and Craig Davis, AW Vater & Co Kenton Porker and Rob Wheeler, SARDI Left: Scott Jenkin & Matt Butler, Rabobank Haydn Kuchel, AGT Above: Pat Connell, Bill Long, Consultant, Rohan Kimber and Mick Lines, both of SARDI. Right: Peter Brooks, New Holland, Roger Vater, AW Vater & Co and Andrew Parkinson. Jason Sabeeney, Syngenta Page 5

6 Page 6 Sponsor News Sturt Grain

7 Sponsor News AW Vater & Co Sponsor News Bayer Pre-emergent Herbicide and stubble interaction trial The Mid North High Rainfall Zone trial site this season has a herbicide trial evaluating some of the issues involved with the influence of stubble on the performance of pre-emergent herbicides. Treatments included stubble loads that ranged from five tonne to ten tonne per hectare as well as a stubble treatment that was burnt prior to sowing. The trial was sown dry using Scout wheat on the 11 th of May with good falls of rain occurring in the last week of May. The agronomic benefits of retaining stubble are widely agreed to outweigh the risks of exposed soil, disease buildup and moisture and nutrient removal. The benefits that are derived from stubble and ground cover can, however, adversely affect pre-emergent herbicide efficacy. New preemergent herbicides like Sakura may be less influenced by the presence of stubble than an older product like trifluralin, but weed control may still be affected. The Sakura label has a warning that such ground cover, particularly when it exceeds 50%, may affect weed control. There was no reduction in weed control observed from either Sakura or Boxer Gold in the presence of stubble at either 5 or 10 t/ha, due to adequate rainfall at the site prior to weed germination. The presence of herbicide resistant annual ryegrass at the site contributed to the TriflurX plus Avadex Xtra giving limited control of annual ryegrass regardless of the presence of stubble. Although stubble had minimal impact on the weed control of Sakura on this occasion, it should be remembered that stubble and other ground cover can adversely affect preemergent herbicides. If the soil had been moist prior to sowing and rainfall had been delayed after sowing, or if stubble had been relocated by the seeding equipment for example, control of annual ryegrass could have been compromised. A number of people at the field day noticed the suppression of wild oat numbers in Sakura plots. Although Sakura is not registered for the control of wild oats or brome grass, it is expected that a new label for Sakura carrying a suppression claim for both wild oats and great brome will be approved for the 2013 season. The level of control of these weeds will not be as high as the exceptional annual ryegrass control usually achieved using Sakura. Growers are advised that they should still plan on using a post emergent herbicide for wild oat and brome control. Growers are also advised to only use Sakura according to the most recent registered label. A full trial report including yields will be available early in the New Year. For details contact Rob Griffith, Technical Advisor, Bayer, phone: , rob.griffith@bayer.com Sakura is a Registered Trademark of Kumiai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. Rob Griffith, Bayer Page 7

8 Sponsor News Rabobank Go to: Rabobank October 2012 Agribusiness Review to see complete Article. October 2012 Page 8

9 Sponsor News GrainCorp Page 9

10 Industry News FBSciences An emerging global leader in plant health innovation, FBSciences is a life sciences company focused on growth enhancement technologies for agricultural and horticultural crops. FBSciences is a global agri-technology company dedicated to helping growers increase their crop yields and quality through nutrient uptake technologies. Their technologies offer a safe, practical, and environmentally sustainable solution for achieving greater crop yields and better plant health through better nutrient efficiency. They have been proven to successfully increase crop yields, even when tested on a variety of crops. KAFÉ-F KAFÉ-F (pronounced KAF-AY EFF) can be used on any crop where maximum foliar nutrient uptake and systemic movement is desired. KAFÉ-F has been designed to make NPK fertilizers, secondary, and micronutrients more effective, helping growers maintain and increase crop yields without increasing NPK fertilizer use rates. KAFÉ-F is the next-generation fertilizer efficiency technology that breaks the barriers that traditionally restrict foliar efficiency, including; Improved deposition of the spray droplet Increased coverage of leaf surface Reduced evaporation Reducing the limits at membrane Opening and flooding of stomatal chamber Improved cell to cell movement Movement in the conducting tissue (Xylem & Phloem) The product has a high range of compatibility and mixes with most liquids and wettable powders but should not be mixed with selective herbicides and crop oil concentrates (without prior consultation) and prior to tank mixing a bucket test should be conducted. This product will become a key to improving nutrient uptake, insecticide and contact fungicide efficacy (eg Dimethoate, Mancozeb, Chlorothalonil), and herbicide activity. ZICRON-F (not to be confused with ZIRCON canola). Another product of consideration in the FB Science range is Zicron-F, another foliar fertiliservtechnology. Zicron-F improves plant performance by increasing the chlorophyll (green) densities and leaf size resulting in a vast improvement in plant photosynthesis. The benefit of greater photosynthetic potential is that it enables the plant that early essential growth and vigour during cool weather and can also moderate plant stress during warmer periods.the product contains 7.9% Zinc, 1.3% Manganese and 5% Sulphur along with the patented FB Science technology. The primary nutrient present in the Zicron-F product is Zinc, which can actively reduce and repair the common effects of plant zinc deficiencies. With the aid of the CarbonPower technology, the break-through delivery technology provides rapid penetration of the zinc and mobility throughout the plant allowing for greater growth and cell elongation and correction if a deficiency is present. Zinc is essential for several important plant enzyme systems, including the plant growth hormones Auxins & Cytokynins. Zicron s unique phloem mobile formula allows zinc to be mobilised to growing points rapidly and effectively. Also contained in Zicron- F is Manganese. This essential plant nutrient serves as an activator for enzymes in plant growth processes. It assists Zinc and Iron in many plant functions. Many soils that are deficient in Zinc also are marginal in Manganese. Tank mix compatibility of Zicron-F is impacted by water quality which may vary by location. DO NOT tank mix with phosphate fertilisers. When mixing Zicron -F with other materials always establish compatibility using a bucket test prior to tank mixing. Adjusting the ph of the final spray tank to 5.0 with a suitable acidifier may improve compatibility and further enhance uptake. Zicron is rapidly proving itself to be the best and most cost effective foliar zinc product available. Contact one of the Agronomy Staff at AW Vater & Co for further information including our bank of replicated trial data (collected since 2009). Craig Davis, AW Vater & Co Page 10

11 Industry News Wheat Options 2013 Shield An early to mid maturing, AH quality variety with exceptional rust resistance. Due to its excellent disease resistance package and high grain quality, Shield may be an attractive option to growers looking for a low maintenance variety to spread production risk in their cropping program. Growers who wish to avoid the use of fungicides in their cropping enterprise will benefit from the very strong rust resistance possessed by this variety. Shield is moderately resistant to CCN infection, and is moderately susceptible to susceptible to yellow leaf spot (lower level of protection than Mace and Gladius, but higher than Scout, Yitpi and Estoc). Shield demonstrates an acceptable level of sprouting tolerance, similar to Yitpi, and a good level of resistance to black point. Grenade CL Plus An early to mid maturing line, carrying Clearfield Plus technology which provides tolerance to label rates of Intervix herbicide. Grenade CL Plus combines the flexibility of improved weed management options through the use of Intervix with CCN resistance and sprouting tolerance at a level as high as currently commercially available. Grenade CL Plus has good levels of resistance to stem and stripe rust, but is susceptible to yellow leaf spot. Grenade CL Plus has an AH quality classification. Wallup A mid season maturing, AH variety, derived from Wyalkatchem and Chara. Wallup has very good grain processing quality characteristics, combined with high test weights, good resistance to black point and acceptable sprouting tolerance. Wallup is best suited to the more favourable districts of SA. Wallup has good levels of resistance to stem rust, stripe rust and CCN, with useful levels of resistance to leaf rust and yellow leaf spot. Corack An early maturing Wyalkatchem derivative that has shown exceptional relative yields in low and medium rainfall environments and/or sharp finishes to the growing season. It has high straw strength, is resistant to CCN and yellow leaf spot and should be suitable for a wheat on wheat situation or later sowings. Corack has excellent stem rust resistance, but will need to be monitored for stripe rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew if conditions are conducive. Corack has an acceptable level of sprouting tolerance, similar to Yitpi, and has an APW quality classification. Dan Vater, AGT Page 11

12 Contacts For enquiries: Andrew Parkinson, Chairman M: E: Monica Trengove, Secretary M: , E: Mark Branson, Sponsorship Manager M: E: For all other information visit our website at Thank you to all of our Sponsors for their support during the year and for the future. to the Researchers for their commitment to the Industry. to the Consultants for sharing their knowledge with growers. to all of our Growers and to the Media On behalf of the Mid North High Rainfall Group We wish you a successful harvest and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year See you in 2013 Page 12