Soil testing: ‘Don’t guess, soil test!’ Time to determine your fertiliser topdressing requirements for the coming year.
Summer fallows: maintain weed free fallows over summer to ensure valuable moisture & nutrients are not being consumed by summer weeds. Research by GRDC has shown (on average) a $3 payback for every $1 invested in summer weed control. Maintaining a weed free fallow will also minimise the development of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.
Selective control of summer weeds in perennial pastures e.g. cathead/caltrop, fleabane, Bathurst burr.
Control woody weeds, such as sweet briar & blackberry.
Organise your cropping plan with your agronomist! Soil testing, crop varieties, liming/fertiliser requirement & weed control options will follow.
February
In the Tablelands, establish early sown forage oat crops this month (e.g. Eurabbie. Blackbutt, Bimbil) to provide additional winter feed for livestock.
Control woody weeds, such as sweet briar & blackberry.
Maintain grazing pressure on perennial pastures to reduce dry matter loads for maximum clover germination in autumn.
Review your agronomy plan for the property for the coming year.
Manage stubble loads from your cropping program over the summer months to reduce blockages due to excessive trash at sowing. Several options are available, including windrow burning, incorporation & intensive grazing.
March
Establish dual purpose triticale & Italian ryegrass this month, once soil temperatures (at 9.00 am) are 15 oC or less.
Lock up forage brassicas this month for 6-8 weeks to extend production into winter. Provides an alternative fodder crop to cereals.
STOP treating woody weeds this month (like blackberry & briar). These plants are starting to shut down once cooler nights start to kick in & herbicide efficacy is subsequently compromised.
Consider pre-sowing Nitrogen fertilisers to maximise winter growth rates of forage crops.
April
Establish dual purpose wheat/canola for grazing & grain yield.
Prepare paddocks for perennial pasture sowing.
If early season rainfall is received, consider early control of broadleaf weeds in perennial pastures (e.g. Paterson’s curse, capeweed, erodium). Remember, early weed control often equates to improved results!
May
Provide additional winter feed from perennial pastures & cereal crops through Nitrogen fertiliser topdressing or application of gibberellic acid (e.g. Gala growth promotant, ProGibb SG).
Check cereals, pulses & pastures for early post-emergent weed/insect issues & plant density.
Oversow thinning perennial pastures. These paddocks should be ‘winter cleaned’ the previous year to prevent weed seed set.
Check cereals, pulses & pastures for early post-emergent weed/insect issues & plant density.
Prepare paddocks for summer cropping e.g. soil test, apply soil amendments.
Rotationally graze perennial pastures during winter for maximum persistence, production & weed control.
July
Control St John’s wort this month by boom spraying in perennial pastures (severe clover damage can be expected)
Thistles, thistles, thistles!!! Time to get cracking this month on selective control of scotch & black thistle in perennial pastures & crops;
Assess the Nitrogen availability to your cereals & canola.
‘Winter clean’ established Lucerne stands this month for stand persistence & improved quality in spring.
Check triticale & wheat crops for early signs of stripe rust.
August
Establish spring sown crops, such as forage brassicas & Lucerne, to provide high quality finishing fodder for livestock.
Topdress perennial pastures with Nitrogen fertiliser to maximise silage/hay production.
Saffron thistles – check for germination & apply selective herbicides this month for bud-burst in grapes. Also less clover damage when controlling saffron thistles at this stage.
African lovegrass, Chilean needle grass & serrated tussock: last chance to apply flupropanate to prevent seed set in November/December.
Check triticale & wheat crops for stripe rust.
September
Check establishment of newly sown forage brassica & lucernes.
Identify paddocks for sprayfallow to prevent seed set in preparation for pasture/crop establishment.
Check cereal/grain crops for late season insect control (e.g. aphids, heliothis, southern armyworm).
Check triticale & wheat crops for stripe rust.
Check lucernes for spring aphid control.
October
Apply herbicide to begin sprayfallow to prevent weed seed set in preparation for pasture/crop establishment. Soil test paddocks to determine fertiliser/liming requirements.
Silage paddocks at early head emergence/flowering. REMEMBER: Maximum yield does not necessarily equate to maximum quality.
Apply initial knockdown to paddocks intended for summer cropping.
Check forage brassica crops for establishment & early insect/weed issues.
Conservatively set stock established perennial pastures for maximum seed set & persistence.
Assess cereal & pulse crops for grain yield.
November
Spraytop saffron thistle from stem elongation – early flowering to prevent seed set.
Begin grazing August sown forage brassicas this month. Remember to introduce stock gradually to these crops, provide additional fibre as rough hay or a run-off paddock, 5-in-1 livestock & supply good quality water when grazing forage brassicas.
Establish summer crops, such as forage sorghum & millet this month once soil temperatures are at 16oC & rising at 9.00 am.
Soil testing: ‘Don’t guess, soil test!’.Get in early to determine your fertiliser topdressing requirements for the coming year.
December
Control St John’s wort this month by spot spraying with Grazon or boom spraying with Starane.
Control woody weeds, such as sweet briar & blackberry.
Summer fallows: maintain weed free fallows over summer to ensure valuable moisture & nutrients are not being consumed by summer weeds. Research by GRDC has shown (on average) a $3 payback for every $1 invested in summer weed control. Maintaining a weed free fallow will also minimise the development of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.
Enjoy a Christmas drink with family & friends. Yes, it’s finally time for some down time after harvest.
