Dry start challenges grower variety decisions
2 May 2018
Grain growers can access the latest crop selection and management information available in the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Winter crop variety sowing guide for 2018.
The guide covers the major winter crops including, wheat, chickpea, canola, barley, oats, triticale, faba bean, field pea and lupin.
NSW DPI Technical Specialist Grain Services, Peter Matthews said the guide will assist grain growers and advisers to make better cropping decisions and to manage their crops to optimise production and profitability.
“With the current dry conditions, the guide is a great tool for growers to use to make informed decisions on the right variety selection for their farming system,” Mr Matthews said.
“Growers are reminded when they are considering a new variety to compare the yield, grain quality and disease resistances of the new variety with the currently grown varieties.
“Canola is an excellent break crop, with ten new canola varieties released for the 2018 season for growers to consider.
“Canola is best suited to paddocks with a high nitrogen (N) level as it has a greater nitrogen demand than other commonly grown crops.
Mr Matthews said the guide provides suggested sowing times for specific varieties, and growers should consider the influence of location, soil fertility and the likelihood of frost at flowering.
“Yield drops 4%-7% with each week of delay in sowing after the optimum time for a specific variety, Mr Matthews said.
“If varieties are sown within the optimum sowing period, they can produce their highest yields.
‘With the continuing dry weather, growers need to be mindful of stubble borne diseases if changing from an early sown broadleaf crop such as canola or lupin to a shorter season cereal option.
“Disease management is critical for wheat producers following the 2017 season where crown rot was widespread throughout NSW. The dry summer and autumn of 2018 have slowed crop stubble breakdown, so inoculum levels are expected to be high in some paddocks.
“Growers are urged to test for crown rot inoculum levels in paddocks before sowing using the PreDicta® B to assist with planning for paddock selection, crop and variety choice and the required agronomic management.”
The Winter crop variety sowing guide 2018 is available from major agribusiness stores, DPI and Local Land Services offices. It can be downloaded from the DPI website
