Canola growers urged to monitor for blackleg in upper canopy

Aug. 3, 2020 | 4 min read
Canola growers are being encouraged to closely monitor crops for signs of blackleg infection in the upper canopy to avoid costly yield loss this season. Effective disease management will be critical for growers across the northern cropping region banking on a productive 2020 winter cropping season following the recent run of dry years

Keep an eye on Russian wheat aphid as crops develop

July 21, 2020 | 2 min read
Grain growers in Victoria and Tasmania are advised to continue monitoring crops for Russian wheat aphid (RWA) but only consider treatment if infestations are approaching potentially damaging levels. Colder conditions since March – in comparison with 2019 – are likely to have slowed aphid population growth during establishment and early tillering stages.

Winter crop production to jump 53 per cent

July 2, 2020 | 2 min read
The ABARES Australian crop report – June 2020 is forecasting a 53 per cent increase in winter crop production in 2020–21, with a 23 per cent jump in the area planted.

Grower project confirms widespread fungicide resistance to net blotch in southern WA

June 22, 2020 | 3 min read
First-year results from a unique project have confirmed fungicide resistance to both spot and net forms of net blotch in barley is widespread in southern areas of Western Australia’s grainbelt, with findings of reduced sensitivity or fungicide resistance the dominant situation.

Growers warned of potential crop injury if switching herbicides

June 15, 2020 | 2 min read
Grain growers are being warned about the potential injury to young cereal crops should they consider applying 2,4-D as a direct replacement for MCPA phenoxy herbicides.

Unusual insect activity reported in emerging crops

June 12, 2020 | 3 min read
South Australian grain growers are advised to keep an eye on vulnerable emerging crops, with unusual caterpillar and moth activity being reported across the State.

Support for growers eager to capture crop yield potential

June 10, 2020 | 2 min read
With favourable seasonal conditions in the southern cropping region elevating the yield potential of this year’s winter crops, grain growers are eager to meet the nutrient demands of their crops to capture the potential on offer.

"Movin’ on up – Australia’s winter crop planting set to soar more than 25 per cent

June 3, 2020 | 1 min read
Australia’s winter crop planting is set to climb by over 25 per cent this year on the back of widespread and well-timed rainfall across most of the country.

Call for best practice approach to control mites

May 29, 2020 | 2 min read
Western Australian grain growers and advisers are encouraged to have best practice management strategies in place for redlegged earth mite (RLEM; Halotydeus destructor) this season with numbers likely to increase in areas with cold and wet conditions.

Good news for growers: no evidence of resistance in Lucerne flea

May 20, 2020 | 3 min read
Against the backdrop of increasing resistance to pesticides, research has produced some positive news for Australian grain growers. Testing of populations of Lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis) – a pest that can be found in most grain crops and pastures in southern Australia – has not found evidence of insecticide resistance.

Early-sown canola may escape blackleg

May 19, 2020 | 3 min read
Canola crops sown early in warm conditions over recent weeks may escape potentially severe blackleg disease during the growing season.

First case of resistance in RLEM in Vic

May 4, 2020 | 3 min read
Grain growers and advisers are encouraged to revisit their RLEM management strategies following the detection of insecticide resistance in populations of the pest in Victoria for the first time.

A new strain of salt-tolerant bread wheat will begin field trials this year.

March 30, 2020 | 4 min read
A new strain of salt-tolerant bread wheat with genes that can be traced back to wild relatives will begin field trials in Australia this year.

Port in shape for first Australian grain exports

March 27, 2020 | 3 min read
A project to give South Australian farmers a new way of shipping their grain to global markets is close to commissioning following the delivery of a transhipment vessel.

Increase pulse inoculant in dry conditions this season

March 26, 2020 | 2 min read
Growers planning to dry sow pulses on soils responsive to inoculation this season are encouraged to double the rate of peat inoculant or use a granular inoculant which delivers a high number of rhizobia at sowing to increase the likelihood of successful nodulation and nitrogen fixation.