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HOW CONSULTANTS DIAGNOSE CROP PERFORMANCE……………. BACKGROUND CW to WP of NSW No summer cropping/mixed farms Spring………….. This century……………… Keep it simple. NYNGAN RAINFALL. Major constraints to production. Moisture/weather – winter crops only
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HOW CONSULTANTS DIAGNOSE CROP PERFORMANCE…………….. BACKGROUND • CW to WP of NSW • No summer cropping/mixed farms • Spring………….. • This century……………… • Keep it simple
Major constraints to production.. • Moisture/weather – winter crops only • Cash flow – last 10 years – now in “Recovery mode” • Farmers attitudes – attitude to risk/skill set (timeliness) • Variable soil type • Stubble cover – pulses, hard setting soils • Diseases – AB, CR, YLS, RLN • Herb resistance/hard to kill weeds • Suitable varieties • Time………..
HOW CONSULTANTS DIAGNOSE CROP PERFORMANCE…………….. • Diagnosis starts before the crop is sown: • Soil testing • Soil moisture levels • Rotational planning • Crop choice • Variety choice • Grower diagnosis!
HOW CONSULTANTS DIAGNOSE CROP PERFORMANCE – POST HARVEST…………….. • Yield – few surprise (except canola) • Quality • Disease loading – CR • GM’s • Comparative analysis (PAM) • Yield maps
Tools used at the moment.. • Most important – time & eyes & coffee! • Shovel • Moisture probe – limited role of WUE at harvest • Soil testing • Tissue testing • Planning – rotation, nutrition budgets, stubble loads • GM’s/CA • Skill level
Tools used at the moment.. • Pathology services – not really up to scratch • Local DA’s • Local networks • Local trial results - GOA • No models used • Reading personality types! • Selling skills!
Sowing decision… • Starting moisture • Crop the previous year – any moisture left at depth? • Disease status – testing • Crop choice : • no canola unless full v chickpeas • Crop mix • Variety choice – • Which one? • How much stubble will be left? • Which can be sown deep • Which one copes with lower moisture levels?
Tools would like in the future.. • More accurate weather forecasting • Better understanding of canopy management (to cope with our hot springs, growth regulants) • More accurate starting soil moisture methods • Simpler/more accurate/cheaper soil tests • Varieties - highest yielding not always the best • PA – will have a role • Cheaper sat/aerial imagery • Greenseeker • Frost tolerant wheat • World peace………….