Agriculture Victoria has advised farmers to arm themselves with as much information about their paddocks as possible in order to increase their chances of a productive and profitable year.
Grains Industry Biosecurity Officer at Agriculture Victoria, Jim Moran said recent rainfall provided perfect conditions in most cropping districts.
“To ensure successful sowing and emergence and to maintain excellent crop growth without pest, disease or weed pressures, grain growers should keenly monitor for, and act on, facts,” Mr Moran said.
“Check what is going on and into paddocks,” he said.
“Collect evidence and act on fact.”
Mr Moran said farmers should conduct soil or tissue testing before they sow in order to save time, money and effort.
“These tests will identify any nutrient deficiencies and will result in grain growers only applying what is needed to produce healthy crops,” he said.
“Farmers should be aware of the origin, contents and quality of crop inputs to avoid importing pests, weeds and diseases from another region.”
He said that if farmers were backloading fertilisers and chemicals from the ports, it was important to conduct proper hygiene protocols as per the Grain Trade Australia’s Transport Code of Practice.
Mr Moran urged farmers to survey their paddocks regularly.
