The
Mallee Farmer
Nitrogen trial wheat. Inset: Rob Sonogan.
Seasonal conditions 2013 is now behind us, but what a year it was! With no summer rainfall and subsoils as dry as the proverbial ‘wooden rocking horse’, we were not too confident. By
Rob Sonogan, AGRIvision agronomist and GRDC Southern Panel Member. The breaking rains arrived on the 1st of June, for most. This one rain event was actually the most significant for 2013 and greatly assisted eventual yields. Long range weather forecasts to me were again disappointing, leading to crop management frustrations. The big lesson is to understand what is actually in your soil and to manage for an average future, but to be prepared to respond rapidly to what nature throws our way. And in this I am confident that Mallee farmers are the best!
Implications of the 2013 Dry Summer
The messages about the dry summer of 2013 were generally well expressed by advisers. Chemical carry-over was a real threat and many adjusted their program by either changing crop type and/or variety. This resulted in greatly minimising potential crop damage although no doubt at the time caused extra management stresses.
It was also known that soil nitrogen (N) would be at record lows as no soil mineralisation nor crop residue breakdown had occurred since the previous harvest. At sowing, N was critical at higher rates than normal with follow-up needed as the developing season dictated. It was realised that self-sown cereals would be an issue, but overall we were generally caught out by just how much they would impact. A number of different circumstances were present in 2013 compared historically to other years with similarly dry preceding summers: • More cereal on cereal; • Less livestock in the system; • Almost zero cultivation, which had it been present would have germinated more of the cereal seed with it being buried rather than on the surface as it was in 2013. A lesson that I am sure will now be well remembered!
Heading into 2014 - Crown rot
Many cereals had serious levels of crown rot or “white heads” last season (in both wheat and barley). It is important that a strategy to minimise losses this year
is employed to escape the 15 to 20% losses we witnessed. Avoid cereal on cereal on areas where crown rot was in 2013, this is the best agronomic solution and create a minimum two year cereal break where ever possible.
- Bushfire recovery
Unfortunately for some, both their fences and their sandiest soils have been impacted by the recent bushfires around Yapeet and Bronzewing. Soil cover loss due to burnt stubbles can result in significant soil movement. Many years of direct drill creating very stable soils has been subjected to risk by these events. Plan to sow these areas of deep sands early, with adequate nitrogen, ideally to either rye-corn or triticale and if possible in a north to south direction. Seek advice if soils are eroding and you are unsure of the best approach to take. Information about assistance with fire recovery can be obtained by calling the Rural Recovery Coordinator for the Mallee, Darryl Pearl on 03 5051 4500.
- Finally
Look carefully at all of the above and involve your advisors if you have concerns. Ask the hard questions.
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