SUSTAINABLE cropping systems, prolonging the impact of new herbicides and how climate variability could impact southern New South Wales cropping systems were some of the key topics on the agenda at the annual Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update in Wagga Wagga.

The latest research findings, critical seasonal advice and information to support the grains industry through 2020 was delivered to more than 165 growers, agronomists, farm advisers and researchers at the recent two-day Update.

GRDC grower relations manager – north, Richard Holzknecht said the annual grains research, development and extension (RD&E) forum played a critical role in informing industry ahead of the coming season.

Some key messages delivered to growers and advisers attending the event included:

• Early sown, slower developing canola crops can access deep stored water to out-yield later sown varieties if the subsoil water is available and the spring is dry;
• Summer cover crops reduced the winter cash crop (wheat) grain yield by up to 1.5t/ha at Canowindra and 0.6t/ha Parkes. Grain yield losses were minimised by spraying out the cover crop early. The grazing value generated from the summer forage more than compensated for grain loss in mixed farming systems;
• The optimal flowering period to maximise grain yield potential and minimise effects of abiotic stresses in barley is earlier than for wheat across growing environments;
• Match optimal flowering period to growing environment to maximise barley and wheat grain potential. One variety doesn’t fit all: there are no commercially available varieties that are broadly adapted across a wide range of sowing times and growing environments;
• Increasing the density of wheat and barley has been shown to improve the tolerance of these crops to competition from brome grass and ryegrass;
• A new disease risk alert system may ultimately remove the uncertainty around the timing of and need for fungicide sprays to control foliar disease in pulse crops;
• The total cost of harvest weed seed control can be relatively small in the context of the overall farming system.

GRDC Grains Research Update, Wagga Wagga, Gallery

Early career agronomists Erin Dalton, Riverina Independent Agency, and Steph Cowley, Precision Ag, at the Wagga Wagga GRDC Update.

GRDC north senior regional manager Gillian Meppem, Toowoomba, Qld, spent some time chatting with guest speaker and UK farming specialist Keith Norman at the Wagga Wagga Update.

Geoff Minchin, Riverina Local Land Services, Temora, and Peter Lott, Lott Rural Consulting, Cootamundra, at the Grains Research Update.

John Pattison, Takada Farming, Marrar, caught up with Wagga Wagga locals Randall Holmes and Mitchell Allen at the Grains Research Update.

Luke Gaynor, GRDC, Wagga Wagga, and Phil Bowden, Pulse Australia, caught up for a chat the GRDC event.

Dave Elwin, Yenda Producers, Lockleigh, Colinroobie, with agronomist Andrew Bonny, Ariah Park, at the Wagga Wagga GRDC Update.

Daniel Zinga, New Edge Microbials, Albury, with GRDC’s John Rochecouste and CSIRO researcher John Kirkegaard, enjoy a break between sessions at the Update.

Rosie Dye, Corowa and Eleanor Lee, Wagga Wagga.

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