Factoring the impacts of a dry start on Eyre Peninsula into graingrowers’ farming systems strategies for the remainder of the 2017 cropping season will be a central theme at two grains research forums next month.
The GRDC is hosting grains research updates at Kimba on August 10 and Cummins on August 11.
Presenting at the updates will be a line-up of expert speakers from across Australia who will provide local growers with pertinent advice and insights to support them through this year and beyond.
GRDC Southern Regional Panel member Mark Stanley says while recent rainfall across parts of the region has created a more optimistic outlook within the farming community, repercussions from a rainfall deficit early in the cropping season will continue to be experienced.
“Many growers are certainly more upbeat now that we have received some rain,” he said.
“Even if we end up having an average or slightly below average season, the recent increase in grain prices, which will hopefully hold up, is going to help growers in terms of cost recovery and at least breaking even.
“The outlook has definitely improved but there are various impacts from the dry start that growers will need to consider over the coming months.”
Soil nutrients is one of those factors, and addressing this topic at the Updates will be Rob Norton from the International Plant Nutrition Institute.
Dr Norton, from Vic, will discuss the status of nitrogen and phosphorus applied at sowing and how much of these nutrients are likely to carry through from this season into 2018.
The impacts of the dry start on herbicide effectiveness and weed management decisions will be the topic of a presentation by University of Adelaide’s Chris Preston who will look at pre-emergent herbicide behaviour and performance given the dry start.
Wharminda-based consultant and grower Ed Hunt will provide advice on the proactive management decisions growers can make in response to the season, taking into consideration the longer-term viability of their businesses.
Apart from season-related discussions, speakers will bring growers up to a date on a range of research developments.
CSIRO’s Rick Llewellyn will outline progress being made in the concept of virtual fencing and how this could assist future grain and grazing operations, while Brad Nutt from Murdoch University in WA will discuss new varieties of pasture legumes and new techniques for harnessing the dual benefits of grazing and cropping these species.
All of the abovementioned speakers will be at both the Kimba and Cummins Updates. Amanda Cook from the SARDI will also speak at Kimba on crop competition options available to growers in managing barley grass in their farming systems.
The Kimba Update, to be held in partnership with the EP Agricultural Research Foundation, will be at the Kimba Football and Netball Clubrooms, and the Cummins Update, partnered by the Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association, will be at the Cummins Rambler Football Clubrooms.
Both events will be from 9am to 1pm, with lunch to follow.
- Details: grdc.com.au