Grower project confirms widespread fungicide resistance to net blotch in southern WA

June 22, 2020 | 3 min read
First-year results from a unique project have confirmed fungicide resistance to both spot and net forms of net blotch in barley is widespread in southern areas of Western Australia’s grainbelt, with findings of reduced sensitivity or fungicide resistance the dominant situation.

Fertiliser giant Yara aims to decarbonise food production with green hydrogen trial in Pilbara

June 22, 2020 | 3 min read
One of the world's biggest fertiliser manufacturers is aiming to decouple the link between food production and carbon emissions through a landmark trial in Western Australia.

Agtech Australian first: more crop per drop

June 18, 2020 | 2 min read
A new partnership between Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and local agtech company Goanna Ag will see sensors and analytics combined to maximise every drop of irrigation water used to grow crops.

Agriculture outlook dominated by recovery from drought

June 16, 2020 | 2 min read
While the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to present challenges, the outlook for agriculture will be dominated by recovery from drought, according to ABARES’ June Agriculture Commodities report released today.

Growers warned of potential crop injury if switching herbicides

June 15, 2020 | 2 min read
Grain growers are being warned about the potential injury to young cereal crops should they consider applying 2,4-D as a direct replacement for MCPA phenoxy herbicides.

Advice for farmers on resistance management now available online

June 13, 2020 | 2 min read
CropLife Australia has released its updated Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides.

Unusual insect activity reported in emerging crops

June 12, 2020 | 3 min read
South Australian grain growers are advised to keep an eye on vulnerable emerging crops, with unusual caterpillar and moth activity being reported across the State.

Support for growers eager to capture crop yield potential

June 10, 2020 | 2 min read
With favourable seasonal conditions in the southern cropping region elevating the yield potential of this year’s winter crops, grain growers are eager to meet the nutrient demands of their crops to capture the potential on offer.

"Movin’ on up – Australia’s winter crop planting set to soar more than 25 per cent

June 3, 2020 | 1 min read
Australia’s winter crop planting is set to climb by over 25 per cent this year on the back of widespread and well-timed rainfall across most of the country.

New research targets nematode control

June 2, 2020 | 2 min read
Bacteria and fungi in sheep faeces and pastures may unearth new natural antiparasitics that could also prevent multi-drug resistance.

You can’t pour from an empty cup

June 1, 2020 | 2 min read
If there was ever a time to kick the ‘she’ll be right’ mentality to the curve, surely, it’s in 2020. It’s time for a healthier stigma around talking about mental health and wellbeing in rural Australia.

Call for best practice approach to control mites

May 29, 2020 | 2 min read
Western Australian grain growers and advisers are encouraged to have best practice management strategies in place for redlegged earth mite (RLEM; Halotydeus destructor) this season with numbers likely to increase in areas with cold and wet conditions.

Extent of herbicide resistance in summer weeds revealed

May 27, 2020 | 3 min read
The first multi-species herbicide resistance survey conducted in the Northern grain growing regions of NSW and Queensland has shown that while resistance to key herbicides is prevalent, growers are keeping weed numbers low, for now.

Fall armyworm ‘not the end of the world’

May 22, 2020 | 3 min read
A North Queensland agronomist, on the frontline of fall armyworm’s incursion in Australia, is reassuring growers and advisers not to panic, with early indications the invasive moth could be managed this season through regular monitoring and selective use of insecticides.

Good news for growers: no evidence of resistance in Lucerne flea

May 20, 2020 | 3 min read
Against the backdrop of increasing resistance to pesticides, research has produced some positive news for Australian grain growers. Testing of populations of Lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis) – a pest that can be found in most grain crops and pastures in southern Australia – has not found evidence of insecticide resistance.