Planning and monitoring. Crop establishment. Weed and pest control. Harvest

Transcription

1 ropping Many new cropping methods lead to incremental improvements to the environment of a farm. For example, systems such as raised beds and controlled traffic, adopted in accordance with environmental guidelines, prevent soil and crop damage from waterlogging and compaction. The structure, water-holding capacity and biological activity of the soil all improve, leading to sustainable increases in crop yields. Methods such as controlled traffic and raised beds are best adopted if guided by a whole farm plan, and as part of a system that includes minimum or zero tillage, protecting natural wetlands, retaining groundcover, grassed waterways, tree alleys, wood lots and buffer dams. Such a system reduces or eliminates soil erosion, nutrient movement and other damage caused by uncontrolled water movement across unprotected farmland. rop productivity is not compromised by constantly improving the farm environment. Adopting the environmentally sound production methods outlined in this section will increase and sustain yields and profits from your grain production enterprise. What's in it for you? Soil structure will improve, leading to improved waterholding capacity and better crop root growth. This in turn leads to better drought resistance, improved crop growth and higher grain number and grain weight. Improved grain number and weight leads to increased yield and improved grain quality. Improved quality leads to improved price. Better soil structure also leads to improved trafficability and timeliness of operations such as sowing and crop protection. Sowing crops close to the optimum time improves yield. Improved crop protection timeliness and adopting techniques such as Integrated Pest Management lead to reduced chemical use (lower rates for smaller weeds and pests and more selective products) which reduces costs and increases profits. Improved fertiliser application timeliness makes it easier to match nutrient applications to crop needs, maximising benefits and minimising losses of fertiliser. All of the above are incremental benefits, not one-off improvements. Planning and monitoring 1. Planning and management tools 2. Long-term planning 3. rop monitoring for optimum management decisionmaking 4. Record keeping rop establishment 5. rainage 6. Tillage practices 7. ontrolling wheel traffic 8. fficient use of inputs 9. Selecting appropriate crops and varieties 10. Use of high quality crop seed 11. Seed and fertiliser rate and placement Weed and pest control 12. rop rotation for weed, disease and insect management 13. hemical rotation 14. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques 15. quipment sanitation Harvest 16. Stubble management GPS equipment used to achieve minimal traffic. Photo: ept. Primary Industries 81

2 Planning and monitoring 1. Planning and management tools ecision Support (S) systems are computer-modelling tools based on scientific research that can help farmers make crop management decisions. xamples include SILO (weather forecasting) and Yield Prophet (yield estimations). Regular soil fertility measurement, yield mapping, and long-term recording of incidents such as weed and pest infestations all help with planning and decision-making. onsulting crop agronomists or specialist crop monitoring services can help growers use these tools. For further information see: and follow the links >Silo Birchip ropping Group and Wimmera Farming Systems and follow the links >Yield Prophet Southern Farming Systems 'Grain & Graze' project Groundcover: Precision Agriculture Supplement (October/November 2005). GR. Available from Groundcover direct phone Potential Impacts: Positive - efficient and timely use of resources, reduced waste, improved yields Negative - wasted resources and time, lower yields A Use a range of information sources, decision support tools and services to support on-farm decisions. B Some use of decision support tools to support on-farm decisions. Have used decision support tools and services. Aware of decision support tools but haven't used them. Not aware of decision support tools. 2. Long-term planning xperience around the world shows that timeliness of cropping operations is a key factor in determining crop yield and profitability. Timeliness of operations is very much influenced by forward planning, which may start one, two or more years before the crop is sown. Paddocks, machines and inputs must be prepared early enough to allow crops to be sown at the optimum time. Weed, pest and disease control operations should be undertaken before irrevocable yield loss has occurred. Harvesting without avoidable delays maximises yield, quality and price received. For further information see: Victorian Winter rop Summary, PI or visit website and search Victorian Winter rop Summary ropping Guidelines for Southern Victorian Producers (2003). GR, Southern Farming Systems, Geelong. Available from Groundcover direct phone GR Soil Biology in Agriculture (2004) NSW epartment of Primary Industries. Available online (only) at Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced need for inputs, reduced waste, increased productivity and profitability Negative - reduced yields, excessive inputs A Preparations e.g. weed seed prevention, start years in advance. Operations conducted at optimum time. B Machinery prepared early and well. Most operations conducted within good time frame. Preparation and timing of inputs adequate for average results. rop sowing and management operations sometimes delayed past optimum time. Paddock and input preparation starts in autumn. Pest control decisions delayed until after serious damage is noticed. 82

3 3. rop monitoring for optimum management decision-making The potential yield of a crop is determined well before it sets seed. Planning and timeliness before and during the growing season largely determines how the crop performs during each phase of growth establishment, seedling growth, tillering/branching, flowering and grain fill. Monitoring crops during these growth phases is essential if they are to be managed for optimum performance. For further information see: and follow the links >Publications>TOPROP rop Monitoring Guide Notes>rops and Pastures> rops General>TOPROP: making money from monitoring ereal Growth Stages: the Link to rop Management (2005). GR (available from GR, SFS or BG). Potential Impacts: Positive - efficient use of resources, weed and pest prevention, increased productivity and profitability Negative - insect damage, weed invasion, disease infestations, reduced yields, excessive inputs, wasted resources A rops monitored during establishment, seedling growth, tillering/branching, flowering and grain fill. Action taken accordingly. B rops monitored during establishment, tillering/ branching, flowering and grain fill. Action taken accordingly. rops monitored during establishment, flowering and grain fill. Action taken accordingly. rops only monitored prior to application of top-dressed fertiliser. No crop monitoring undertaken. 4. Record keeping It is important to maintain up-to-date records of crops and cropping operations for liability/quality assurance purposes, to build a history of information for future management options and to assess your current practices. Records should be kept for: Paddock information such as preparation, crop, variety and all operations General crop growth and growth stage timing Yield, quality, price Fertiliser type, rate and timing hemical type, rate and timing Spray dates and weather conditions Soil tests Rainfall Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced waste, tactical management response, traceability Negative - liability issues, residues, market access concerns A Records routinely updated onto computer program with each operation. B Records updated with each operation. Records periodically updated. Some records kept but not in an orderly fashion. No records kept. 83

4 rop stablishment 5. rainage Natural wetlands, including ephemeral (temporary) wetlands, should be fenced off or excluded from cultivation and vegetated appropriately (see Water Management, 7. Wetlands). ropped areas should have appropriate drainage to prevent waterlogging, and based on the soil type and slope. No artificial drainage may be needed, or in some cases spoon drains, raised beds or other forms of drainage may be required. The aim should be to drain the crop area but have features in place such as riparian buffer strips, wetlands and overflow dams to slow runoff leaving the farm. These should trap and use nutrients and sediment before discharging to waterways. nsuring some runoff into waterways is essential for maintaining catchment health, however, nutrient and sediment accumulation causes algal growth and declining water quality. A vegetated buffer strip, m wide should be in place between cultivated/cropped areas and wetlands or waterways. For further information see: and follow the links > Publications>Bed Time Stories Two headers harvesting in tandem. Photo: ept. Primary Industries Retained wetland providing brolga habitat. Photo: Yvonne Ingeme Potential Impacts: Positive - maintained wetland health (vulnerable ecosystems), maintained soil health, improved crop growth A High rainfall areas >600mm rainage directed along vegetated buffer strips to slow flow, trap and use sediment and nutrients before entering wetlands or waterways. Low rainfall areas <600mm Water draining from cropping paddocks is collected in dams or wetland and re-used on farm. B Water removal from farm is slowed to trap and use nutrients and sediment e.g. using vegetated drains, wetlands or buffers. Water removal from farm is not accelerated. Negative - nutrients contamination or waterways and wetlands, compaction, decline in water quality, turbidity, algal blooms Water removal from paddocks and farm is accelerated e.g. by artificial drainage and directly enters waterways because of no vegetated buffer. Paddocks cropped to the edge of waterways and beds and artificial drains discharge directly into watercourse. 84

5 6. Tillage practices Zero/no-tillage farming aims to reduce the level of soil disturbance to a minimum. This is ideal for high yields, soil conservation and reduced weed emergence. However, minimum tillage methods can lead to a heavy reliance on chemicals for weed control. Victorian No-Till Farmers Association (VNTFA) aims to assist farmers to develop economically, agronomically and environmentally sound crop production systems through no-till farming techniques. For further information see: Victorian No-Till Farmers Association onservation Farming Production Manual. dited by Berg, P. (1994) Wimmera onservation Farming Association. Horsham, Vic. Potential Impacts: Positive - soil conservation, improved soil structure and biology, higher organic matter, reduced greenhouse gas emissions A No-till, single mechanical pass to sow crop AN nonchemical innovative weed control methods used where viable. B No-till, single mechanical pass to sow crop, with reliance on chemical weed control. Reduced till e.g. both chemical and some mechanical working of soil. Negative - erosion, organic matter loss, reduced yields, weeds, potentially higher chemical use onventional tillage with short fallow. onventional tillage with long fallow. 7. ontrolling wheel traffic Soil compaction by repeated machinery traffic is a major limitation to crop productivity. Minimising compaction by implementing controlled traffic techniques delivers production, environmental and efficiency benefits. Full controlled traffic means all-wheeled traffic is confined to clearly defined, permanent wheel tracks, minimising the area affected by wheeled compaction. For further information see: GR, ontrolled traffic farming: road beds and root beds, Advice Sheet, August Available from and follow the links >Traffic Farming Potential Impacts: Positive - better soil health, improved crop growth and yield Negative - soil compaction, poor drainage, poor root growth, reduced yield and income A Full controlled traffic using autosteer guidance. B Full controlled traffic excluding harvesting machinery. Partial controlled traffic with marker arms or visual guidance. No controlled traffic, but have considered soil compaction. No controlled traffic and have not considered soil compaction. 85

6 8. fficient use of inputs Matching cropping inputs (e.g. feriliser type) with soil and crop requirements, as they vary within or between paddocks, ensures inputs are used efficiently. osts may be reduced, the potential for adverse environmental impact will be limited and overall profits may increase. For further information see: Groundcover: Nutrient Management Supplement, ecember/january GR. Available from Groundcover direct phone Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced inputs and waste, reduced costs, less risk of nutrient leaching, increased productivity and profitability A Inputs matched to variation within paddocks. Ongoing monitoring and improvements. B Inputs matched to management areas e.g. soil types and/or land classes. Inputs vary from paddock to paddock. Negative - risk of nutrient runoff/ leaching leading to water contamination, soil acidity, waste of resources, excessive cost Understand variability but currently do not alter management to suit. No knowledge of soil types or land classes. Same inputs used across farm. 9. Selecting appropriate crops and varieties Selecting appropriate crops and varieties will reduce some of the risks to crop production. It can increase returns by improving yield and access to desired markets. It may also reduce the costs and level of pest, weed and disease resistance to chemicals. For further information see: to access National Variety Trial Results Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced chemical costs and handling, less risk of disease and pests, increased productivity and profitability A Performance of new and existing crops and varieties considered before making a selection. Marketing and pest and disease resistance always considered. B rops and varieties selected from those commonly grown in and suited to the district AN pest and disease resistance considered. Negative - high chemical use, increased chemical resistance, lack of market - waste and reduced income rops and varieties selected from those commonly grown istrict suitability, pests and diseases not considered when in and suited to the district. selecting crops or varieties. 86

7 10. Use of high quality crop seed nsuring that all seed used is of high quality and that it has been tested for germination, purity and weed seeds can improve crop emergence and vigour. It also reduces the chance of introducing new weeds and seed-borne diseases onto the farm. For further information see: and follow the links > Information Notes>rops and Pastures>Pests and isease ooperative Research entre for Australian Weed Management Weeds Australia Potential Impacts: Positive - weed reduction, reduced risk of disease, reduced chemical input, better yield Negative - weed infestation, risk of disease, loss of income A All seed used is: Purchased as certified seed OR Grown on-farm and managed as a seed crop, cleaned and sent for lab testing. B Most seed used is: Grown on-farm OR Bought from local, known sources. All seed is cleaned and sent for lab testing. Most seed used is cleaned and checked. Most seed is checked. No attempt to prevent weed or disease contamination from seed. 11. Seed and fertiliser rate and placement Accurate rate, depth and placement of crop seed are now easy to achieve with modern techniques. These improve crop establishment and maximise yield potential. The rate and placement of drilled and top-dressed fertiliser affects the efficiency of use and its potential to be lost in water runoff or deep drainage. For further information see: GR Groundcover: Nutrient Management Supplement, ecember/january Available from Groundcover direct phone Australian Fertiliser Services Association Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced inputs and waste, reduced costs, reduced nutrient leaching, increased productivity and profitability Negative - nutrient runoff/ leaching, water contamination, risk of soil acidity, higher lime requirements, poor crop growth A Up-to-date tine, point, boot and press wheel technology used. quipment calibrated and set according to crop type and seed size. Frequently check for accurate rate, depth and placement. B Up-to-date tine, point, boot and press wheel technology. quipment calibrated and set appropriately. onventional equipment used, calibrated and depth and rate set appropriately for crop needs. Seeding rate and depth is estimated. Poor knowledge of appropriate seed rate and depth. 87

8 Weed and pest control 12. rop rotation for weed, disease and insect management rop rotation is important for maximum productivity. Sound crop rotations involve alternating crop types (e.g. cereals, oilseeds, pulses) as well as species (e.g. wheat, barley). Rotations reduce the incidence of crop diseases caused by organisms present in the soil or the crop s environment, reducing the need for and cost of chemical disease control. Rotations can also assist with weed control and herbicide selection. Potential Impacts: Positive - fewer weeds and pests, reduced chemical input and rate of chemical resistance, nitrogen from legumes A Optimum crop rotation, alternating both crop types and crop species. Planning for maximum disease control and ease of weed and pest control. B Rotation using different crop types alternately e.g. oilseed cereal pulse cereal. Rotation using different crop species alternately e.g. wheat, barley oats. Negative - insect pest, weed or disease resistance, higher chemical input required ifferent crops grown from time to time. No consideration of crop rotation benefits. No crop rotation. 13. hemical rotation The rotation of chemical groups for weed and pest control is necessary to reduce the development of resistance in target species, including weeds, insects and disease organisms. A sound chemical rotation strategy is made easier if a good crop rotation is used. Pollination of crops by insects and birds has been estimated to be worth between $600 million and $1.2 billion (1990 estimate). SIRO Wildlife and cology, and Sidney Myer entenary elebration, (2000), The Nature and Value of Australia's cosystem Services. Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced risk of chemical resistance, reduced chemical input, reduced costs, increased productivity and profitability A onsecutive sprays never from the same chemical group. Non-chemical pest controls used as part of strategy whenever possible. B onsecutive sprays never from the same chemical group. onsecutive sprays usually not from the same chemical group. Negative - high cost, risk of chemical resistance, risk of residues A different chemical group used occasionally. No chemical rotation. 88

9 14. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is used to manage insects across a whole farm, rather than in particular crops or situations. The method is based on regular, careful monitoring of the populations of both pests and beneficial insect species, such as predators. The likely buildup and damage from pest species can then be predicted, and decisions made about whether to adopt control measures, and which ones to use. IPM uses long-term, proactive control strategies rather than short-term tactics such as reacting to likely or actual damage. IPM strategies use insecticides when required, but selective products that control pest species only are used in preference to broad-spectrum chemicals that destroy both pests and beneficials. The principles of IPM can also be used for other agricultural problems such as weeds and plant diseases. For further information see: Australasian Biological ontrol IPM Technologies Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced insect pests, reduced chemical input, reduced rate of chemical resistance, reduced costs, increased productivity and profitability A IPM technology used across the whole farm. Long-term strategies used to prevent pest build-up and reduce insecticide use to a required minimum. B Monitoring of beneficial insects as well as pests to help with pest control decisions. rops regularly monitored for pests. Negative - reliance on chemicals, high cost, loss of beneficial insects, risk of residues, crop damage Aware of IPM techniques and services but haven't applied them on-farm. Pest control relies entirely on chemicals - applied without monitoring for pests. 15. quipment sanitation All agricultural machinery including trucks, bins, augers, seeders, tractors and harvesters can harbour and carry weeds, pests and soil-borne disease organisms. leaning all machinery between jobs can reduce the spread of these problems between paddocks and properties. Potential Impacts: Positive - reduced risk of weed, reduced chemical input, reduced costs, increased productivity and profitability Negative - weed spread, time, cost and effort to control A Tillage, sowing and harvesting equipment always cleaned between use on different paddocks and farms. B Tillage, sowing and harvesting equipment usually cleaned between use on different paddocks and farms. Tillage, sowing and harvesting equipment sometimes cleaned between use on different paddocks and farms. Only sowing and/or harvesting equipment sometimes cleaned between use on different paddocks and farms. No cleaning of tillage, seeding and harvesting equipment. 89

10 Harvest 16. Stubble management The management of stubble at harvest can impact on the sowing conditions for the following crop. rop residue is also important for maintaining groundcover for control of wind and water erosion. Loss of valuable organic matter in soils that often have low organic carbon levels and issues with smoke in country towns and cities are among factors that are combining to make stubble burning a tool of last resort rather than the best option. Retaining stubbles and residues in the paddock may be more difficult, but is becoming the preferred option. For further information see: and follow the links >Publications>NLP>Stubble Management Stubble retention on raise beds in South West Victoria. Photo: ept. Primary Industries Windbreaks increased crop yields by 25%. Although trees rob the crop for a distance equal to about twice their own height, they shelter a much larger area, extending downwind for at least 15 times their own height. engate, J., (1983), Windbreaks and shade trees help landowners and wildlife, Habitat 11(1): irect seeding into retained stubble. Stubble burning in background. Photo: ept. Primary Industries Potential Impacts: Positive - improved soil health and nutrient cycling, reduced greenhouse gas emissions A very effort made to develop and adopt a system that retains the maximum amount of crop residue on the soil surface e.g. direct drilling into stubbles. B Where possible, crop residues are managed - perhaps removed or incorporated, to allow seeding without burning. Heavy cereal stubbles burnt. Residue from oilseeds and pulses retained if farm equipment will sow through them. Negative - loss of soil carbon - a valuable resource, loss of soil biology and structure, smoke and greenhouse gas emissions Most crop residues burnt, but other methods considered. rop residue burnt without consideration of other stubble management techniques. 90

11 Goals/purpose: (PTO for examples) e.g. To investigate stubble management options to move away from burning stubbles. Actions e.g. Attend SFS stubble management field day. Trial drilling into stubbles over part of the farm. Information needs quipment and setup requirements. ontractor. Materials & osts - By when? June 2007 Review ate January 2008 January 2009 What needs to be monitored and what records kept? (PTO for examples) Monitoring & recording sheets are available behind the 'Monitoring/Recording' tab of the folder and on the. e.g. Monitor crop growth and yields, incidence of pests and weeds and organic matter of burnt and stubble retention areas. ompile action plans behind the action planning tab in your folder. 91

12 xample goals and monitoring for cropping management. Goals relating to... Potential monitoring... Reduce tillage rop output- production per ha Organic carbon/ organic matter (See soil section for monitoring) Soil structure (See soil section for monitoring) rosion (See soil section for monitoring) Fertiliser use- fertiliser use per unit of crop produced Soil biology (See soil section for monitoring) Weed emergence- observation, herbicide use hemical use nergy (tractor hours or fuel use L and $ per year) Moving to zero or reduced tillage practices can improve soil organic matter, reduce erosion, improve soil biology, reduce weed emergence and reduce fuel use. In some cases, reduced tillage can lead to a heavier reliance on chemical control for weeds. Improve stubble management rop output- production per ha Area of stubble burnt/ incorporated/ drilled into- (percentage or area) Organic carbon/ organic matter (See soil section for monitoring) Soil structure (See soil section for monitoring) Fertiliser use- fertiliser use per unit of crop produced Soil biology (See soil section for monitoring) rosion (See soil section for monitoring) Weeds and pests- observation hemical use- pesticide and herbicide requirement nergy (tractor hours or fuel use litre and $ per year) For soil conservation, air quality and greenhouse gas mitigation, surface retention (direct drilling into stubble) is the preferred option followed by stubble incorporation. Burning is the least desirable option. Surface retention leads to increased organic matter, improved soil structure and biology, reduced erosion and possibly lower weed emergence. Pest occurrence may increase. Stubble incorporation can be energy inefficient. Monitoring the parameters listed above can help with your stubble management decisions. Goals relating to... Potential monitoring... Increase Organic matter/organic carbon Organic matter- see soil section Stubble management (e.g. direct drilling into stubble) increases ground cover and litter, which leads to improved organic matter, soil water holding capacity, soil biology, nutrient cycling, soil structure and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Better fertiliser management Record and calculate- fertiliser use per unit of crop produced and type of fertiliser Monitor- equipment efficiency, fertiliser placement and timing in relation to rainfall events. As soil health improves over time, the amount of nutrients applied per unit of crop output should decline. Applying nutrients according to soil test results will also maximise production per unit of fertiliser applied and reduce the likelihood of nutrient runoff or leaching. Improve soil structure/prevent compaction Soil structure- see soil section for monitoring techniques ontrolled traffic and management that reduces soil disturbance and increases organic matter will improve soil structure, plant root development and water infiltration. ontrol/ prevent weeds Observe and record incidence Herbicide use hemical resistance- observation Regular monitoring and management can reduce weed establishment. Insect control Observe- pest and beneficial species Integrated pest management Insecticide use Better identification and monitoring of insect pests and beneficial species and use of selected rather than broad-spectrum chemicals can reduce the need for chemical input. Increasing biodiversity (e.g. habitat for birds or beneficial insects) using rotations and controlling pest harbour between crops (e.g. brassica weeds) can also reduce the need for chemical control. (Monitoring & recording sheets are available behind the 'Monitoring/Recording' tab of the folder and on the ) ompile action plans behind the action planning tab in your folder. 92