Riverine Plains Blog

Options for Harvesting Canola

It is important to assess your paddocks and make decisions based on the trafficability, potential rain forecast and seed colour change (SCC).

Key messages

• Review cash flow budgets in light of revised yield & quality
• Communicate with your farm advisors & bank manager
• Be open-minded to opportunities that increase your income stream

• Monitor canola for seed colour change (both on the main stem and branches) to determine the optimum windrowing time
• Contractor availability, trafficability & heavy, lodged crops may compromise windrowing
• Direct heading may provide an alternative to windrowing in some situations.

Riverine Plains’ farmers would usually be busy gearing up for windrowing at this time of year, however the cool and wet conditions have delayed canola maturity and caused a host of other issues.

Key Messages

• Monitor sheep for foot problems & try to move affected sheep to a dry area to allow feet to recover,
• Look for signs of skin and insect borne diseases, dehydration and other illnesses,
• Isolate newly arrived sheep to prevent the introduction of diseases or parasites.

• Crops, pastures, livestock and infrastructure have been affected by wet conditions to varying degrees across the Riverine Plains
• The outlook may have now changed for farmers, leading to an increase in the number/difficulty of decisions being made,
• For complex decisions, take the time to make an informed and considered choice.

The wet conditions over the past few months, combined with some huge rainfall totals and strong winds over the past week, will be causing stress across our membership.