Our guide to common nutrient deficiencies in maize silage plants, their symptoms, and potential management strategies for maize growers in southern Australia.
Tag: Agronomy
Maize Growers Guide for southern Australian farmers
Due to rapid advances in plant breeding technology, plant protection and management expertise, the last decade has seen significant increases to the yield potential and stress tolerance of corn. For many farmers producing corn for silage production in southern Australia, the potential exists to increase profits. There are many important factors which will contribute to this. The yield potential of corn will vary between districts and farms because of planting date, water availability, sunlight, soil structure, soil fertility and a decision to get back to pasture in Autumn. Yield potential will also vary between seasons at the same site depending on the season (e.g. heat wave, drought), as well as choice of hybrid, sowing time and other associated management decisions […]
Step by step guide to establishing turf & lawn
Establish a dense, healthy, and uniform turf on a fine, weed-free seedbed by following a step by step approach to preparation, sowing, and post-sowing care. Planning Timing: Choose the appropriate season for turf species (e.g., spring or early autumn for cool-season grasses like ryegrass, late spring for warm-season grasses like couch and kikuyu). Seed Blend Selection: Our lawn and turf seed blends include: Site Preparation Weed Control: Eliminate existing lawn and weeds using a non-selective herbicide such as Glyphosate Green 360 or a glyphosate free alternative such as Macho Duo. 6 hours before any rain. Always read label Fallow: Allow 10-14 days, which is sufficient time for herbicide to breakdown existing grasses and weeds. Clear Debris: Remove rocks, sticks, and […]
Step by step guide to establishing Chicory forage crop
Chicory premium forage option that supports exceptional animal nutrition, offering a balanced protein-to-energy ratio. It is low in fibre, promoting improved live weight gains and enhanced milk yield in dairy cattle, while delivering excellent performance outcomes for grazing livestock. Selecting the Right Type The first step in choosing a chicory variety is to identify its role in the pasture system. Whether you need a perennial type for longer-term use or a bi-annual variety for shorter durations will influence the selection process, helping to narrow down the options. The longevity of perennial chicory depends on factors like soil fertility, pest and disease management, environmental conditions, and how well it is maintained. Spring Sowing Advantages Chicory establishes rapidly in warm soils with […]
Woody Weed Management: Late spring and summer control
Farmers are well aware that woody weeds can significantly impact the productivity and persistence of pastures long term if infested with woody weeds. Late spring and early summer presents an opportunity to tackle these weeds. Why? Timing Product such as Triclopyr Picloram, Clopyralid, Metsulfuron, MCPA750 offer effective solution for managing invasive species, providing targeted long-lasting results when used correctly. Below is a guide to understanding its features, application methods, and considerations for optimal control of spring woody weeds. Triclopyr Picloram Clopyralid Metsulfuron-Methyl MCPA750 Drift Management Post Spray Management Allow weeds to remain undisturbed for optimal results. Avoid grazing, cutting for as long as possible to ensure the chemical is fully distributed and provides complete control. Conclusion Choosing the right herbicide […]
Protect hay and silage: Armyworm awareness
Armyworms are a recurring threat to hay and silage crops in southern Victoria, with potential to cause significant crop damage if left unchecked.
How Ryegrass Staggers May Affect Animals
Ryegrass staggers affects livestock by causing tremors, poor coordination, and production losses due to toxic endophytes like Lolitrem-B. Even sub-clinical effects can reduce weight gain and milk yield. Learn how endophytes impact animal health and how to minimise risks.
Accelerate Gibberellic Acid – Frequently Asked Question
ACCELERATE – INCREASING WINTER GROWTH Accelerate Growth Regulant is a naturally occurring plant hormone that has been maximising pasture growth during the cooler months to deliver quality feed quantity during periods of reduced winter pasture production. By increasing the natural level of gibberellins contained in plants, Accelerate stimulates growth though cell expansion resulting in stem and lead elongation. Applications deliver accelerated growth creating significant gains in dry matter yield for up to 3 to 4 weeks provided adequate moisture and nutrition is available. BENEFITS OF ACCELERATE When should I first apply Accelerate?Gibberellic Acid will provide a benefit when the pasture production appears to be slowing due to falling temperatures. This can be as early as late April. Timing will depend on our […]
Forage Cereals – learn more on Oats, Triticale, Ryecorn and Barley
Forage cereals include varieties of oats, barley, triticale and ryecorn are a very reliable option for prolific winter and spring forage. Growth rates can vary based on the species, but generally cereals offer flexibility to any farming operation through sowing, grazing and silage or hay. Forage oats are a economic, flexible and easy to establish annual cultivar that are suited to grazing, hay, silage, pasture renovation. Popular varieties include: Cooee OatsSaia OatsWintaroo & more Forage Barley provides excellent forage for grazing, hay or silage with good feed quality. Barley has fast establishment and winter production. It is best suited to late planting situations where its quick early growth under cold conditions is an advantage over other forage cereals. MagnateDictator II Forage Triticale combines the quality […]
Cricket Bait for Victorian farmers
Cricket Bait is an insecticide treated grain product for the control of black field crickets in pasture. Black field crickets pose a insect pest threat to newly sown and established grass pastures over the late summer and autumn period. Cricket Bait is highly palatable and has a rapid knockdown effect on the target pest. PASTURE LOSSES A field population of 20 crickets/m2 could cause a pasture loss of 1600 kg DM/ha in 98 days. The actual loss in anyone season could, however, be as low as 860 kg DM/ha or as high as 2450 kg DM/ha depending on availability of feed (Blank, 1985). Severely defoliated ryegrass plants will be slow and many plant can die. Cricket-damaged pasture that do recover […]