Lucerne Australia
HARVEST UPDATE: from Nicola Raymond, Executive Officer (17 April 2012)
Across the south-east of South Australia many lucerne seed growers have suffered poor yields this harvest, mostly due to lucerne seed wasp damage. Yields being achieved over the bulk of the seed area are down anything up to 80% on what the crops appeared.
Seed wasp are a pest which were prevalent in the 1990’s. Their presence declined significantly through the 2000’s due to significantly improved cultural practices. Their extreme population this year is due to the widespread presence of unmanaged lucerne during the wet summer conditions experienced last year. Significant acres of lucerne across the district was permitted to set seed and the consequence was a seed wasp population explosion this season.
James DeBarro, Alpha Group Consulting (Keith, South Australia) completed a RIRDC-funded report into seed wasp in 2001. Please click here to review the 12-page summary report of the research findings.
Lucerne Australia is seeking measurable ourcomes from this industry issue by creating a district-wide management with local agronomists. This plan will be distributed to growers and agronomists in early-May for implementation in the months ahead. Minimising damage caused by this pest is critical prior to the next harvest.
The Lucerne Australia Executive Committee recognises the difficulties being faced by the industry following another difficult season. The Rural Financial Counselling Service SA is available to assist. They provide free support to farmers who may be suffering financial hardship. They help farmers understand their financial and business position, achieve realistic goals and identify risks. There is free, confidential and independent consultation and assistance to effectively manage a more profitable, competitive and sustainable business.
For more information about RFCSSA, please click here to go to their website or contact:
Charlie Goode, RFCSSA, South East: Ph: 0417 816 826 or email charlie.goode@rfcssa.org.au or
Grant Crettenden, RFCSSA, Murray Mallee and Lower Lakes: Ph: 0417 849 705 or email grant.crettenden@rfcssa.org.au
SUMMARY: Centre Pivot Variety Trial Day, held 1 March 2012
On the March 1, we held our annual variety trial field day. The event proved to be particularly useful for those facing the challenging task of selecting varieties. This years’ crop is showing large differences in podset between the different varieties. Confidence was gained with each of the three replicates showing a relatively consistent pod set. As with most crops under drop tubes, the soil type variations are accentuated.
At variety trial field day, marketers provided growers with an update of where the lucerne seed market is currently at. Presentations from Seedmark, SGI, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Naracoorte Seeds filled the room with optimism for the upcoming marketing season, with price indications close to or even above $5.00/kg. Given that the estimated crop size has dropped since this update we would expect these prices to firm, not decline.
During the trial site day, we introduced one of our international members, Glen Bornt of Imperial Valley Milling Company. Glen owns a business in the Imperial Valley of California which markets seed, has production contracts for seed and cleans/processes seed. Glen gave us a snapshot look at current stock levels and production areas in the US. We were pleased to hear that last year saw stocks of seed completely cleared. This makes way for a promising seed selling season.
SUMMARY: Header set-up day, held 17 February 2012
On Friday 17 February, over 40 members attended the “Header Setup” day hosted by Lucerne Australia. This was held largely in response to feedback received at this years symposium.
Taking this feedback on board, LA arranged for the use of a New Holland CR 960 rotary header (thanks to Lachie and Trevor James), and a JD 9500 convention header (thanks to Guy and Sarah Cunningham).
LA invited Robert Will of Will Inspect along to present to growers. In addition to this, LA was also able to call upon the services of Harold Wise of Wise Farm Equipment. In September last year Wise Farm Equipment come on board as Silver sponsors and this field day was one of the many ways we work with sponsors for the benefit of industry.
A casual two-way format was used to demonstration and discuss the use of the LSD kit released by Alpha Group Consulting. This format was then carried over to discussion about the header setup. Harold and Will's expertise shone through in what was largely a Q&A session. Experience from within the group highlighted many ways that operators can improve the harvesting and avoid costly damage to seed lines. The headers were then run in a dryland seed crop and attendees were able to view first-hand how well the machines were handling the crop and conditions and view the result of seemingly small changes.
Harold Wise demonstrated the use of cover plates in a rotary header and this was only one of many suggestions made on the day. For more detailed information I’m sure that Robert Will or Harold Wise would be happy to field questions and Lucerne Australia thanks them again for their participation.
'In-field Lucerne Seed Fertiliser Trial' application is successful!
Lucerne Australia understands how lucerne seed growers are reliant on yield as the ultimate driver to generate turnover for cashflow in their businesses. Consequently, we applied, and have been successful in securing Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) funding to complete a three-year fertiliser trial on the effects of different fertiliser applications on seed yield. We are grateful for RIRDCs ongoing support and encouragement to this new trial.
This is an exciting project! It will provide the first independent, publicly available research into the effects of different fertilisers on lucerne seed for both dryland and irrigated systems, for over 40 years. There has been previous research and forage yields, but limited in the area of fertiliser and its effect of seed yield.
There are eight fertiliser companies involved in this trial, allowing a broad range of products to be researched and analysed. We would like to thank grower member Scott Campbell, Brecon Proprietors, Keith, for providing the trial sites. Peracto SA is the Project Manager for this trial.
Lucerne Australia enters into this trial with an open mind to determine if any treatments have the ability to promote a consistent yield benefit. We look forward to sharing the findings of this trial.
Lucerne Australia launches Pest and Beneficials guide to local agronomists
A sub-committee of Lucerne Australia, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) sub-committee has been working diligently on a Pests and Beneficials Insects guide aimed at agronomists and consultants in the south-east region of SA.
This guide has been developed following the formation of the IPM Committee at the Lucerne Australia 2010 IPM Symposium. The committee is made up of local agronomists and consultants.
This guide assists to standardise lucerne seed monitoring and its purpose is to sustain our current insecticide chemistry for long-term use. Whilst this has been the main driver, we have also maintained, and greatly encouraged, the importance of identifying beneficial insects which aid in controlling and/or maintaining pest numbers in a lucerne system, hence reducing insecticide use.
This guide contains three individual charts, including 1) a list of beneficial insects that can be present in lucerne and within this, the degree of damage the various insecticides have on beneficial insects; 2) identifying insect pests, registered chemicals and comments associated with these insects and insecticides; and 3) a seasonal chart consisting of best management practice when using insecticides.
To obtain you copy contact Executive Officer Nicola Raymond: click here.
Mission Statement
To be a focal point for the industry and to enhance the Australian lucerne seed industry.