A RAIN last week has allayed fears of emerging dryness in the Victorian Mallee, although farmers say rain throughout the spring will be needed for the crop to reach its potential.
Geoff Nalder, Ultima, said he had around 17mm in general over most of his farm.
He said crops were in fantastic condition at present.
“The barley is breaking into ear, the wheat has its flag leaf out and the canola is in full flower.”
However he said there were patches of the farm where stored soil moisture was an issue.
“There are some parts where we have a virtually full profile, and some where there is not a lot underneath the crop, it is just due to the way the rain has fallen,” he said.
“All year it has been more storm driven, patchy falls rather than general rains so some areas of the farm have had a lot more rain than others.”
At Woomelang, Chris Kelly said crops were near ideal.
“We’ve probably had slightly more rainfall than some parts of the Mallee and the crops look great here, which is good as over the past two years we’ve been in a pocket that hasn’t fared so well.”
He said the crop was well advanced for the time of year, given the early start.
Simon Craig, Farm 360, said while early developing crop was not in itself an issue, he said farmers would be nervous if frosty conditions, such as those experienced this week, persisted too far into September.
However, he said overall the Mallee was on track to rebound after consecutive disappointing seasons.
“There’s still a long way to go, but the crop looks basically as good as it could at present.
“Spring rain will be critical, given the crops are so heavy, in order for full yield potential to be fulfilled, but at least everything is set up well.”
Mr Nalder said farmers were carefully monitoring fungal disease and insect pressure.
“We have heard of stripe rust appearing on wheat in the Mallee in the past week, so we are carefully keeping an eye on that, and people are also monitoring insect numbers, in particular aphids.
“They are not yet in problem numbers on our place, but they are certainly around so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the crop to see whether we need to put an insecticide out.”
He said pulse crops were generally still clear of fungal disease following a recent round of fungicide applications.