Riverine Plains Blog

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.

Key Messages

• Stubble retention has many benefits for soil health, can improve soil moisture and help maintain soil organic carbon levels
• Different methods of sowing and equipment result in different thresholds for change in terms of maximum stubble load that can be retained
• If full stubble retention is not feasible due to machinery, weeds or disease constraints, there are other options such as shallow incorporation, slashing straw or cutting short at harvest which can reduce the frequency of burning

Benefits of Stubble Retention

Retaining stubble can reduce the impacts of soil erosion. At least 70 per cent ground cover minimises water erosion risk and 50 per cent ground cover minimises wind erosion risk. Stubble height should be at least one-third of the width of crop rows. In general, the shelter provided by a barrier is approximately three times its height; 10 cm tall stubble will protect the adjacent 30 cm of topsoil. (Source: Managing stubble | General agronomy | Crop production | Grains, pulses and cereals | Crops and horticulture | Agriculture Victoria )

Key Points:

• Check crops now for signs of cereal rust and other diseases 
• Time fungicide applications to protect the yield-producing leaves  
• Rotate fungicide groups to reduce the risk of resistance developing 

Given early disease build up in areas of NSW and Victoria, ongoing wet conditions and the widespread planting of susceptible cultivars, Riverine Plains region growers are encouraged to inspect crops now for signs of rust and other cereal diseases.  

Key points 

• The past few seasons have likely increased sclerotinia loads across the region 
• Sclerotinia develops under specific moisture and temperature conditions 
• In high-risk years, a preventative fungicide should be applied at 20-30% bloom  

While sclerotinia stem rot is best known as a disease of canola, it can also cause damage to peas, beans, sunflowers, soybeans, chickpeas and lupins.