Riverine Plains Blog

Key Messages

• Know what you’re dealing with – monitor, monitor, monitor 
• Soil moisture data can help predict when slugs will become active 
• Biological controls can be useful  
• Bait at sowing and approximately four weeks later if required 
• Vigour and speed of establishment in canola is important 
• Key factors of bait efficacy are chance of encounter and consumption of active 

Slugs are one of the main establishment pests in the Riverine Plains, along with earwigs, slaters, millipedes, wireworms, and mice. The first step to controlling any of these pests, particularly slugs, is knowing what you are dealing with. 

Key messages

• Dual purpose winter crops can help fill the autumn–winter feed gap
• While there is currently a full moisture profile, a dry topsoil and potentially dry autumn may impact establishment
• Be mindful of soil temperature and available soil moisture when sowing early (February–March)

Key points

Key Messages

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).