It is nearly time to start sowing autumn cereals, if you have not started already. Because they are in the ground longer, autumn sown crops yield higher than spring crops, but also come with a variety of agronomic challenges. Getting the agronomy basics right makes all the difference at harvest time.
Variety selection
Some varieties suit certain soil types or climates better than others, so local knowledge is important. As is your end market. In the past, a lot of emphasis was placed on the total yield of varieties. Though important, you also need to consider the disease profile. As we move away from using synthetic chemistry and adopting integrated disease management, choosing a variety robust against major diseases reduces your fungicide spend and is good for the environment.
Seed treatment
Seed treatments are the first line in defence against early pest and disease attacks in cereals. They could be considered as a T-1 in the lifecycle of a cereal crop and provides a reliable insurance policy so the crop gets the best possible start. They give protection against early seedling diseases like blights, bunt, loose smut, and ergot. In barley, they also give a level of protection against net blotch and provide cover against virus carrying aphid vectors of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus.
Seed rate
Plant population massively impacts your final yield. Too many plants and your crop is at risk of increased diseases, lodging, and small seed heads. Too few increases weed pressure and results in light hitting the ground, rather than intercepted by the crop canopy.
Stale seed beds and delayed drilling
Stale seed beds are an effective tool. Lightly cultivate the paddock of choice to encourage weed germination easily controlled with glyphosate. This is especially important if your farm has resistant ryegrass issues. When planning a second cereal, delaying drilling helps reduce the disease inoculum in the soil.
Cultivation choices
With the increased amount of minimal tillage, close rotations, and overuse of herbicides with the same modes of action, resistant weeds (especially Ryegrass in arable situations) are now a serious problem. Plus, getting new herbicides through the regulatory process into New Zealand can take five to 10 years. This is where using cultural controls plays an important role, especially your cultivation technique. Use ploughing to bury fresh weed seeds and reduce the surface seed populations, especially where you know there is a problem.
Soil health
Improving soil structure and water movement helps establish a healthy crop. Soil testing and applying the correct base fertiliser is critical.
Crop competition
Selecting a vigorous cultivar helps weed management. Crop competition reduces weed germination, as they cannot get access to light.
Pre-emergence herbicide
The final part of any integrated weed management program in cereals is applying the correct pre-emergent herbicide to a fine and consolidated seed bed. Picking the right product for the job is essential to success, so be sure to seek advice.
