Farmers are being encouraged to consider the implications of dry sowing in order to maximise production while reducing risks.
With low rainfall continuing across most parts of north-west Victoria, BCG research leader Claire Browne emphasised considerations growers need to remember when dry sowing, particularly large parts of their farm.
“Cleaner paddocks are the preference for dry sowing, as weed pressure will restrict crop growth,” Ms Browne said, providing the following tips:
- Sow paddocks you would sow regardless of the break. For example, livestock feed, green manure and hay.
- Sub-soil moisture is an asset and be pivotal for the season. Canola has shown in the past it can be effectively dry sown when sub-soil moisture is present.
- Keeping seed and nitrogen separate is also important to avoid seed burn, particularly in canola.
- Soil mineralisation has been lower than normal due to lack of summer rainfall.
- Nitrogen applications need to be considered and an option could be deep banding.
Mice are a key concern for growers with sowing, providing the opportunity to increase bait efficiency.
Ms Browne said for baits to work effectively, there will need to be sufficient soil throw to cover the existing feed source for mice. Baiting as soon after sowing as possible, within 24 hours, will be beneficial. Growers will likely experience some loss from mice and an option could be to increase seeding rates to account for potential losses from mice.
“Increasing seeding rate by 10 per cent will assist in accounting for lower germination resulting from dry sowing and potential loss from mice damage,” Ms Browne said.
The lack of rainfall over the summer will also be of concern for residual herbicides.
“Due to the lack of rain, residual herbicides from last year may have not broken down due to the lack of rain.”
