Words by Nicola Pace, Ruralco Senior Agronomist
November has kicked off in true Canterbury style with a dusting of Labour weekend snow. It’s been a welcome change after the persistent winds of recent weeks. Despite the chilly start, soil temperatures are now well into the double digits and crops are responding nicely.
Fodder crops are a hot topic with both seedbed preparation and pre-emergence spray programmes key to ensuring plenty of feed for winter for both cows and sheep, to discuss either of the above, please contact your Ruralco Representative.
Wheat
Early wheats are nearing flag leaf and the industry key message for the season is to make sure you are rotating your chemistry and never apply a triazole on its own. There has been a significant shift in triazole sensitivity and if we don’t look after these products which we heavily rely on, we will lose them. Epoxiconazole is now showing to be extremely weak on cereal diseases and there has been a major shift in prothioconazole also. With a huge range of chemistry available, it is not expensive to mix and rotate chemistry to ensure longevity of these products. Please speak to your Ruralco Representative regarding advice for best crop practises.
Barley
Autumn sown barley is currently awns emerging or post flowering with robust fungicide programmes being applied, rust could still be an issue so don’t forget about some late strobilurins as options.
In some cases where barleys have moved exceptionally fast this season, there has been a few weed escapes, so please contact your Ruralco Representative to discuss plans around withholding periods
Ryegrass Seed Crops
Ryegrass seed crops across canterbury are now at the stage for growth regulator and fungicide applications, with strong spring growth, crops are pushing through rapidly and growth regulators are required to keep the crop standing for as long as possible during flowering. There is early leaf rust in ryegrass but no stem rust present yet so early applications of Epoxiconazole are more then adequate. Be careful to check for endophyte and adjust your fungicide programme which should be provided by your seed company.
Fodder beet
Fodder beet crops in canterbury have now had all their pre-emergent chemistry applied and attention is turning to first and even second sprays. Recent wind events have caused some leaf damage and stress in young plants making spray timing a challenge as growers look to balance weed control and crop safety. Warmer soil temperatures are driving both beet and weed growth, so careful monitoring will be key to ensure timely and effective follow-up applications once conditions settle.
Pasture Management
With any new or existing pastures being sown, it always important to dig a hole and check for any porina or grass grub. Slug monitoring is also important as they can do a lot of damage. It is worth considering planting ryegrass on its own, as there is a greater range of weed control available with a straight sward, even for poa control, thistles, docks etc, and then once the ryegrass is established clover, plantain and chicory can be spun on. Often spraying a pasture with a mix, we have to sacrifice wither the chicory or plantain to be able to achieve the weed control we need.
Brassica Planting
Kale planting is still underway across parts of Canterbury as soils continue to warm, and moisture levels are adequate. With shorter growing windows ahead, getting crops off to a clean, even start is critical. Pre-emergent herbicide programmes are especially important in these later planting, helping take the pressure off early weed competition and protect valuable establishment time. We do have plenty of post emergent options available also for those harder to kill weeds, please speak with your Ruralco Representative regarding a programme.
Maize
Maize planting is well underway, anything to plant from now on needs to move to a shorter maturing variety. Pre-emergent programmes have been successful but keep an eye on any late strikes of weeds with warming soils and bits of moisture.
Soil Testing
Our full agronomy package allows us to have access to Ballance Agri nutrient specialist for soil testing, crop requirement plans and helping to get the best bang for your buck with your soil applications. Ballance have 7 self-service nitrogen silos placed around mid-canterbury which is ideal when the wind drops on a Saturday but before a rain to pop in and grab your prepaid nitrogen. For more information, please see https://ballance.co.nz/selfservicesilo or contact your Ruralco Representative.
Upcoming Events
We have 3 wheat judging days for the 3 district wheat competitions coming up Ashburton 27th November, Methven 4th December, Mayfield 13th December these are a great opportunity to see a range of varieties and managements.
FAR ARIA event, is on 26th November with a great line up of speakers and topics
With all the above scenarios talk to your Ruralco Representative for the best options for you and your situation.