GROWERS will be provided with the latest research-backed strategies to manage disease while maximising profitability by Astute Ag senior consultant Dr Grant Hollaway at Birchip Cropping Group’s members-only trials review day on Friday, February 21.
Disease impact varies by season and effective control requires a long-term strategy.
Dr Hollaway will address variety selection and how growers can adapt their management strategies to reduce reliance on chemical controls.
“Variety selection plays a huge role in reducing disease risk and limits reliance on fungicides,” Dr Hollaway said.
“Fungicide resistance is becoming a bigger issue, which means varieties will have to do more of the work.
“It’s important for farmers to assess their variety mix and talk to seed distributors about finding the right balance between yield potential and disease resistance.”
Dr Hollaway encourages farmers to be proactive in their decision making to safeguard crop health and farm profitability.
“Rather than making decisions based solely on last year’s trials, growers should consider multi-year research,” he said.
“Some seasons demand aggressive disease control, while in others, disease impact is minimal. The key is being responsive to the conditions each season brings.”
Dry conditions throughout much of the 2024 cropping season and a dry summer has seen a reduced ‘green bridge’, but Dr Hollaway recommends farmers don’t become complacent in their approach to disease management.
“History has shown that disease management needs to be flexible and match conditions in each season,” he said.
Dr Hollaway’s presentation will deliver practical takeaways to help farmers make informed decisions this season, including:
How variety selection can reduce the need for fungicide intervention.
Economic considerations of fungicide use – when it’s worth the investment, and when costs can be reduced.
Lessons from past seasons, including the role of in-crop rainfall and the ‘green bridge’ in influencing disease pressure.
The event will also bring together industry experts, researchers, and growers to discuss the latest trial results and their implications for the 2025 growing season.
Further details from bcg.org.au or 5492 2787.
