Leading edge research that is farm-ready for central western New South Wales grain growers and their advisors will take centre stage at a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Update next month.
The Narromine GRDC Grains Research Update will be held on July 23 and will include a presentation on bridging the yield gap and how central western growers are performing. Researcher Zvi Hochman from CSIRO, will also discuss how growers can identify areas to capture lost yield and profit.
Another key topic for the update will be advice for growers on how to make more reliable decisions on weather and soil water using CliMate and the SoilWater apps. This presentation by advisors Tom Cullen and Graeme Callaghan from Delta Agribusiness includes case study examples of effective decision making.
Other research on the agenda includes:
- The latest Helicoverpa resistance management strategy – why; what’s in it; how will it work? There will also be an update on current Rutherglen bug research from entomologist Melina Miles, from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
- What does the future of weed control look like? Investigate the latest in lasers robotics, microwaves and precision tillage with Mike Walsh from the University of Sydney.
Also on the subject of weed control, Annie van der Meulen, DAF, will explain how effective chaff lining and chaff tramlining is in driving down the weed seedbank.
Agronomist Greg Condon from Grassroots Agronomy will talk about the tactics behind crop topping and harvest weed seed control and how growers can go ‘beyond’ windrow burning.
While Jon Baird from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will offer information on how growers can sequence cotton in dryland farming systems.
Sorghum will also be in the spotlight with presentations from Trevor Philp from Pacific Seeds, as well as NSW DPI researcher Loretta Serafin looking at row spacing, yield stability and tactical agronomy in the central west.
Meanwhile local grower Bruce Watson will lead a panel discussion on the pros and cons of summer cropping in the region.
GRDC Grower Relations Manager North Richard Holzknecht said this round of GRDC Grains Research Updates had the theme of ‘Driving Profit Through Research’ and were designed to deliver practical, farm-ready information to growers and advisors to help guide decision making.
“These updates are about providing growers with the latest and most relevant, innovative research information for their farming business,” Mr Holzknecht said.
“They offer a broad range of topics from the new insights into yield gap, to the latest innovation in weed control as well as tips for using digital technology to help make smarter on-farm decisions.
“Ultimately these workshops are about delivering information back to growers that reflects their research needs and priorities and helps create enduring profitability for their operations so I strong encourage them to head along.”
The Narromine Grains Research Update will be held at the Narromine Aero Club on Tom Perry Drive from 8.30am to 3.15pm on July 23.
- For more information or to register contact Erica McKay on 02 9482 4930 or e-mail erica@icanrural.com.au or go to www.grdc.com.au/UpdateDates.