Priority cropping issues on the agenda at Rokewood forum

RESEARCH outcomes addressing issues of importance to grain growers in south western Victoria will be discussed at a forum in Rokewood later this month.

Annual ryegrass, pasture management, blackleg disease in canola, mites and aphids, and high-yielding wheats will be key topics on the agenda at the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s Grains Research Update in Rokewood on August 23.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager South, Randall Wilksch, says the Grains Research Update will provide growers with a valuable opportunity to meet with and hear from leading researchers about the work they are undertaking to address regional cropping constraints.

“Research efforts are constantly providing our grains industry with new knowledge, understandings and recommendations to support growers in their quest to build the profitability of their enterprises,” Mr Wilksch said.

“The forum at Rokewood will inform growers of the latest outcomes from research that is relevant to their farming systems.”

Peter Boutsalis from the University of Adelaide will deliver an update on recommendations for the effective management of annual ryegrass in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) as well as the status of herbicide resistance.

Cam Nicholson from Nicon Rural Services will discuss management of pastures for improved crop production.

He will provide a comparison of biomass production and nitrogen fixation under various annual legume species.

Providing an overview on upper canopy blackleg infection in canola will be Steve Marcroft of Marcroft Grains Pathology who will also outline how the new blackleg management app can help inform growers’ agronomic decisions.

James Maino, of research organisation Cesar, will discuss options for control of mites and aphids, and the status of insecticide resistance within these cropping pest species.

Wheat phenology and the drivers of high yielding wheats in the HRZ will be the subject of a presentation by James Hunt of La Trobe University.

The Update will be held at the Rokewood Memorial Hall from 9am to 1pm, with catering provided (including lunch).

For a detailed program and to register for the Update, please visit grdc.com.au/events/list or phone ORM on 03 5441 6176 or email admin@ orm.com.au