SORGHUM crops across northern Australia could not take a trick this season.
Not only was there record heat, which saw many centres record close to six weeks of consecutive days above 35 degrees or the moisture deficit where areas did not receive rainfall above 20mm from October onwards, but pests also caused brutal damage to crops.
Warra, north-west of Dalby, farmer Brendan Taylor said an infestation of Rutherglen bugs had caused locally severe damage to sorghum crops.
“There were widespread quality issues that people are putting down to Rutherglen bugs, which were around in really significant numbers this season.”
The bugs feed on the seed of the sorghum plant, causing issues with grain test weight.
Mr Taylor said the pests were frustrating, because the synthetic pyrethroid insecticides recommended for control of Rutherglen bugs had not been effective this year.
“There were multiple applications of insecticide and it was just not working, people will now be looking at other options, whether it be an organo-phosphate insecticide or whatever is registered.”
Officials believe the plague of Rutherglen bugs this summer had its root in the unseasonably wet Queensland and northern NSW spring, which provided good conditions for bug numbers to build up.
Not only did the bugs damage sorghum and sunflower, its traditional targets, but a range of other summer crop species.
Gregor Heard
Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.
Gregor Heard is ACM's national grains industry reporter, based in Horsham, Victoria. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding the cropping sector through his 15 years in the role. Prior to that he was with the Fairfax network as a reporter with Stock & Land. Some of the major issues he has reported on during his time with the company include the deregulation of the export wheat market, the introduction of genetically modified crops and the fight to protect growers better from grain trader insolvencies. Still involved with the family farm he is passionate about rural Australia and its people and hopes to use his role to act as an advocate for those involved in the grain sector.
