Agronomist Toolkit
Wheat and canola tools and resources for Agronomists
This paper provides agronomists with a series of objectives, references and tools.
Two key production timings for agronomists to focus on are Pre - Crop and In - crop. Pre - Crop tends to be focussed around the information and tools needed to plan and strategize the year ahead. In - crop is using the information from monitoring and diagnostics to establish “Why is this so?” and “where are we going to next?”
Pre Crop
Cropping Operation Management
Harvest and stubble management
Objectives:
- Stubble height requirements for seeding
- Stubble height and windrow requirements for windrow burning
- Stubble height and spread requirements for effective pre-emergent application
- Conditions required for windrow burning
- The importance of stubble management in conservation systems.
References:
Stubble Management Practices and Research in southern NSW
AHRI-insight/Windrow-burning-a-good-place-to-start
Pocket Fire App NSW Free
Tool used to assist best timing for windrow burning.
Screenshots
Seeder set ups
Objectives:
- Machinery and system requirements for No Till seeding
References:
http://www.bcg.org.au/cb_pages/news/Felxible_Farm_Fact_Sheets.php
Seeding strategies
Objectives:
- Identify the opportunities and risks associated with seeding strategies.
- Yield prophet (APSIM model) can provide a good guide to risks associated with planned sowing date in selected locations. Must be a registered user.
- Calculate seed rates using seed wgt, germ and required plant densities
Seed rate Calculator App from Agri Intelligence
Free
Screenshots
References:
Consultant BR Final.pdf GRDCFSTime of Sowing Southern.pdf
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/about-agriculture/newsletters-and-updates/the-break-newsletters
Calculating canola seeding rates
Weed Management
Summer weed control
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of controlling Summer Weeds in terms of WUE and profitability.
- How to plan a summer weed control strategy around timing and operations.
- Summer weed identification.
- Planning around spraying conditions.
- Spray application and legal requirements.
- Actives and trade names.
References:
http://www.spraywisedecisions.com.au/
Summer Fallow Management Southern Region.pdf
Herbicide application -- Re-thinking Delta T
GRDC Weed ID App Free
Screenshots
APVMA app Free
Screenshots
Herbicide plant backs and re - cropping risks
Objectives:
- Understand the likely risks and damage associated with previous applied herbicides.
- What are the minimum re-cropping guidelines with herbicides and their effect on setting rotations.
References:
http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Residual%20Herbicides%20and%20Weed%20Control.pdf?zoom_highlight=Virus+control+in+chickpea%96special+considerations
Herbicide drift pdf
Herb carryover.pdf
Weed control winter crops
Resistance and weed management systems
Objectives:
- How to take seed resistance tests
- Use Resistance risk assessment tools like the Weed Smart app
- What are our weed control options?
- The importance of managing weed numbers with respect to resistance.
Reference:
http://www.plantscienceconsulting.com/seedtest
GRDC_HerbicideCard.pdf
Herbicide resistance brochure.pdf
http://www.weedsmart.org.au/
Windrow burning a good place to start
Weed Smart App Free
Screenshots
Pre emergent and knockdown weed control
Objectives:
- Principles of pre emergent strategies in No Till systems.
- Knockdown and Pre Emergent rates.
- Understand Pre Emergent and knockdown modes of action and active ingredients.
References:
http://www.spraywisedecisions.com.au/
Using pre emergent herbicides in conservation farming systems.pdf
Weed control winter crops
SOADescription.aspx
http://www.grdc.com.au/uploads/documents/GRDC HerbicideCard.pdf
http://www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-FS-InCropHerbicideUse
APVMA APP Free
Screenshots
Field crop 8 Free
PestGenie Free
Screenshots
SnapCard app for testing spray coverage Free
Screenshots
Crop Selection
Variety traits
Objectives:
- Understand the differences in the disease, growth, yield, quality characteristics of common varieties grown in local area.
References:
http://www.nvtonline.com.au/.
NVT Victorian Sowing Guide 2013.pdf
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/guides/winter-crop-variety-sowing-guide
Pioneer Canola App Free
Screenshots
Crop Diseases and variety DEPI Vic App Free
Screenshots
NSW Cropmate variety app Free
Screenshots
Nutrition management
Objectives:
- Understand correct testing procedures for soil water, nutrient and disease.
- Agronomist will need to be Predicta B accredited.
- Basic interpretation of results and how to use in nutrient strategies.
- What’s SBU? Safe rates of nitrogen used at seeding?
- Use relevant apps like CSIRO “Soil Mapp” to characterise soil types.
- Using models like “Yield Prophet”or WA’s new award winning “iPaddock” or the Climate Kelpie link to yield and N calculators in predicting yield.
- Formulate nitrogen and sulphur strategies based on crop type, yield prediction, adversity to risk, gut feel and farm operational risks (ability to top-dress on time).
- Conduct nutrient audits from crop removal values.
- Calculate the cost of applying fertiliser.
References:
Fertiliser toxicity.pdf
Fertiliser calculations.pdf.
Soil Sampling Guide
http://www.nutrientadvantage.com.au/
http://www.yieldprophet.com.au/
http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/diagnostic_services/predicta_b
http://soilquality.org.au/
https://www.ipni.net/app/calculator/home
http://www.farmingwithapps.com/2013/01/09/nutrient-removal-apps/
http://www.farmingahead.com.au/uploads/category_documents/small-landholder-series/00012/nw09_soil_testing_hr-pdf.pdf
http://www.climatekelpie.com.au/
Canola 4R Guide.pdf
Estimating Seed Bed Utilization
2013 AC Meetings Sulfur.pdf
SoilMapp App CSIRO Free
Screenshots
Australian CliMate App Free
Screenshots
N Broadacre app Free
Screenshots
WA iPaddock Yield app Free
Screenshots
In Crop
Crop observations and diagnostics
Wheat & Canola
Objectives:
- Learn to monitor crop condition through observation and diagnostics
- Use resources to Identify the following:
- Crop damage from herbicides
- Insect damage and identification
- Nutrition deficiencies
- Crop disease
- Abiotic stress’s
Resources:
MyCrop wheat diagnostic app WA Dpt Free
Screenshots
Canola Diagnostic tool from Canada Free
Screenshots
Crop Diseases diagnosic app from DPI Vic Free
Screenshots
Crop Nutrient Deficiency Photo Library
By International Plant Nutrition Institute Free
Screenshots
Winter Cereal Nutrition diagnostic app Free
Screenshots
MyPestGuide Free
An account is required in order to see your personal reports. Please register here to create an account.
Screenshots
PestFax Reporter Free
Screenshots
Nutrition Management
Objectives:
- Growth stages for canola and wheat.
- The importance of canopy management.
- Why are growth stages important when making decisions on nutrition strategies?
- Understand seasonal climate and interaction with in-crop nitrogen and Yield Prophet® via The Break
- Understand tissue tests when diagnosing trace element deficiencies.
Resources:
Refer also to Pre Crop Nutrition management resources
Canopy Management.pdf
GRDC Cereal Growth Stages Guide1_new zealand.pdf
The Break, The Fast Break, The Very Fast Break Newsletters
Canola 4R Guide.pdf
http://www.nutrientadvantage.com.au/
BCG Micronutrients 2013.pdf
Disease Management
Objectives:
- The importance of canopy management with regard to disease management in cereals.
- Identify key diseases for wheat and canola and how to manage.
Resources:
Crop Diseases Vic DPI app Free
The DEPI Crop Disease application provides quick access to current disease resistance ratings and an extensive disease image library.
Screenshots
GRDC-Canola-Diseases-BPG-20111.pdf
GRDC Cereal Growth Stages Guide1_new zealand.pdf
GRDC Cereal disease_small.pdf
GRDC-FS-Blackleg Management Guide
GRDC Sclerotinia in Canola fact sheet
Crop Disease Manual
Weed Management
Post Emergent Weed Control
Objectives:
- Understand growth stages for correct timing of herbicide application.
- The importance of correct spray application, conditions & early weed control.
- Understand how to read a label.
- STAR = Stress, Timing, Application, Rate
Resources:
Refer also to Pre Crop Weed Management resources
Insect Management
Objectives:
- Identification of canola and wheat insects
- Control options for insects in canola and wheat
Resources:
GRDC Insect ID app Free
Tool used to identify grain crop insect pests - rich image library.
Screenshots
Insect and mite control in field crops 2013.pdf
Additional resources for Agronomists:
http://www.grdc.com.au/uploads/documents/GRDC Canola Guide All 1308091.pdf
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/winter-crops/winter-cereals
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/winter-crops/oilseeds
http://www.grdc.com.au/Media-Centre/GroundCover-TV
http://www.ipni.net/