Significant summer rainfall in some areas is presenting southern region grain growers with a fresh set of agronomic challenges and opportunities.
Summer weed control, preserving precious soil moisture, sprouting grain, storage of high moisture grain and retaining weather-affected seed for sowing will be front of mind for many growers.
Recent heavy rains in some areas will provide valuable soil moisture for the 2019 cropping season, but only if summer weeds are kept in check.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) research investments have shown that early summer weed management can significantly boost water use efficiency, crop establishment and yields, herbicide efficacy, pest and disease control, nutrient availability and overall grower profitability.
GRDC Grower Relations Manager – South, Randall Wilksch, says managing summer weeds at the earliest opportunity will generate the greatest dividends.
"We know that herbicide efficacy is generally highest when summer weeds are young and actively growing," Mr Wilksch says. "Uncontrolled weeds also rob the soil of moisture and nitrogen, depriving following winter crops of precious reserves."
Mr Wilksch says an important benefit of eliminating summer weeds and volunteer cereals (known as the green bridge) is reduction of the habitat which harbours pests and diseases between seasons, potentially reducing winter crop performance.
