Farming for Sustainable Soils – Soil Health in 5 Steps

Local Soil health is on the improve with action taken by local farmers with support by North Central CMA.  A group of over 20 farmers is contributing local experience to develop skills for sustainable soils management.A dozen plots of cover crop species and mixes are being installed during March 2015 and a broad range of soil analysis are being analysed to assess the range of attributes provided in three of our key local soil types.

Measuring soil success - the earthworm. Feb 2015.

Soil health is one of those areas where a farmer’s direct action contributes to sustainability of the soil resource and profitability of the farm operation.  So, if you are a local landholder, consider these 5 points.

First, organic matter. If you've got it, keeping it maintained will mean the difference between sustainable soil and a desert. We need to put a premium on soil organic matter as a component of farmland sale prices or lease rates.

Second, maintaining a regular regimen of soil testing is critical to maintaining high-quality land.

Three, tillage goes a long way in sustaining or robbing soil of quality over time. The less soil is disturbed, the better the crops will sustain themselves.

Four, cover crops provide a green solar collector, putting down live roots and providing habitat.

Five, improving soil health can make food production more resilient to weather extremes, and improve the health of water and wildlife.

Local landcare in practice.

Micronutrients – Why Seed Coat

Zinc deficiency in wheat

Micronutrients, or trace elements, play an important role in plant growth and human health. While trace or micro refers to the amount required, they are no less important that the macro elements of N, P , K and S. 

Internationally, scientific and humanitarian groups are working on crops to ensure micronutrient availability in a range of crops and locations. Zinc, as one example, is a major concern due to deficiency of this element  in regions where our primary food crops are grown and the direct link to brain function and learning that has been recorded.  

Soil and foliar applications are common methods of micronutrient addition. What concerns me is the value of micronutrient availability at seeding for strong initial growth, shown to be the precursor of good crop production. Whilst modern machinery ensures good seed / nutrient placement, micronutrients generally remain  a challenge due to soil moisture content, organic matter levels, nutrient interactions, and soil type.

Micronutrient seed coating is an efficient application option. In recent times we have seen high analysis micronutrient make this a more efficient and practical method of application, and may be included with other ameliorants, such as beneficial  biology, biostimulants and other trace elements.

The potential of micronutrient seed treatments for improving crop growth and grain weight have been researched internationally and show enrichment is increasing as products are well suited to this type of application.

Micronutrient application through seed treatments has been shown  to improve stand establishment, advance phenological events, and increase yield and micronutrient grain content.  In most cases, micronutrient application through seed treatment perform better or similar to other application methods.

IPM MasterClass

Micronutrients – Management in Soils and Crop

16^th April 2015

Adelaide Hills, SA
REGISTRATION:        www.ipmmasterclass.com

P SCHOOL - BACK BY DEMAND

P SCHOOL

With such a positive response to P SCHOOL held in Horsham during mid 2014, the request to take the event to key production areas in South Australia has been heard.

Super, MAP, APP, Phos Acid, Guano, plenty to choose from, which one for me? Biology, how does that help? How can I make better phosphorus decisions?

Plants absorb the majority of their phosphorus from the soil solution as orthophosphate regardless of the original form of phosphorus applied or existing in soil. 

What form is recommended for your soils, how do you make good decisions about phosphorus and what are the differences? Just some of the key messages at P SCHOOL. 

Registration is open for IPM MasterClass P SCHOOL.

Wednesday 19th November 2014 - Naracoorte

Thursday 5th February 2015 - Clare

April 2015 - Adelaide Hills

Four key topic will be covered:

Dr. Sean Mason - Soils and Phosphorus – what is really going on?- Availability, uptake and soil utilization, what does testing tell me?

Dr. Glenn McDonald - Role and function of phosphorus in crops
- Plant uptake and utilisation, how much is needed, and what does it do?

Dr. Ashlea Doolette - Biology and soil health – does it work?
- Role of microbiology in building soil health and quality, and P availability.

Dr. Courtney Peirce - Fertiliser decisions, forms, testing and research
- Soil and tissue testing, what will I apply and how much?

More information:

Owen McCarron               0419 006 100       owen@ipmmasterclass.com

Darren Cribbes                  0400 600 556       darren@ipmmasterclass.com

2015 IPM MasterClass Fluid Tour

USA and BRAZIL 

Including the Fluid Forum

February 2015
(12 to 14 days)

Owen McCarron will again lead the 2015 IPM MasterClass Fluid Tour to the USA and this year taking in Brazil. The Fluid Forum, in Scottsdale, Arizona, remains a focal point of the Tour as we introduce you to a network of growers, researchers and advisor's with leading practice and knowledge in crop nutrition and fluid fertilisers.

LEADING KNOWLEDGE NEXT PRACTICE
The tour takes in fluid fertiliser production facilities, meeting with innovative growers across the USA to discuss fluid fertiliser programs, and with further instruction from leading crop nutrition researchers in application and crop management. Proposed destinations in this tour include Kansas, Texas, and a very limited access tour to a new destination in Brazil.

LEADING RESEARCHERS
The program of visits is designed to improve skill and knowledge of growers, advisers and retailers incorporating fluid fertilisers in the production of crops and agronomy recommendations. Including the 2015 Fluid Forum, you will have the opportunity to discuss the latest research, developments and applications of using fluids in crop nutrition. This tour is a must if you use or are considering the use of fluid fertilisers and want to be at the leading edge of crop nutrition.

LEADING EDGE
For further information and Expression of Interest please contact:
Owen McCarron on 0419 006 100, owen.mccarron@connexusglobal.com
Darren Cribbes on 0400 600 556, darren @connexusglobal.com

From Owen McCarron:
Since 2009, many keen farmers, advisers and retailers have travelled with me to learn first hand about the use and application of fluid fertilisers in soils and crop management. As an integral part of the Tour we attend the Fluid Forum, an international conference specific to the use of liquid fertilisers in soils and crop management.

The tour is designed to rapidly increase farmers and advisers knowledge and skills in liquid nutrition bringing these advantages directly to their own operations and business’s.

In February 2015, I will again lead a group with proposed site visits to Kansas, California, Texas and Washington. As we become aware of important research and practice, destinations may alter prior to departure from Australia. We will visit various crops and soils types, and meet highly regarded researchers and farmers to discuss the very latest knowledge and its applicability to your operation.

I invite you to seriously consider attending with our group and I look forward to discussing details and your attendance.

N-RICH Strip, is there More?

Continuing to refine local nutrient recommendations is an ongoing task that growers and advisors undertake. An N-Rich strip used to visualise this is a simple and precise application of additional N to the crop enabling assessment of rates of application and consideration of value of further applications, and timing of those applications.

Meeting with a skilled colleague last week who puts considerable effort into test strips, we discussed the use of N, K and N+K Rich strips. In that district, crops are very K responsive hence the additional K-Rich Strips. The strips show continued responsiveness to K and further rate trials will assist in pinpointing crop requirements.

Pasture N - RICH ment

Reviewing the soil analysis results, micronutrients are generally low. In these mildly acid soils, pH 5.5 (water), we would expect the micronutrients to be generally available, however removal over time may not have been replaced.

The next steps are to consider applications of blends of micronutrients, and further individual micronutrients.

Assessment will require more detail, with whole plant tissue analysis suggested at specific growth stages, to measure and correlate application timing. Whole plant tissue analysis is an under utilised tool.

The same tissue analysis of harvested grain is also a very accurate means to measure nutrient removal. Correlated with yield, this further validates rates of nutrient application.

LANDCARE PRACTICE - AGROECOLOGY

Last month I discussed tree planting riparian buffers. I want to extend that topic to what I believe is the future of agriculture, both urban and more broadly, Agroecology.

Agroecology, is the bringing together of number of science disciplines to better understand the whole of eco-system. From a land manager’s perspective, many ecosystem values can be gained utilising the natural advantage of the whole system.

As a simple example, using our established Riparian Buffers and windbreaks, the next step is to consider the understory plantings to re-establish insect habitat.

We read daily about the peril of our bees and outbreaks of disease in crops. There are many more beneficial insects than pests and encouraging these beneficials is a big advantage:

Pollinator insects provide pollination services to about 80% of our food crops, and consider the many crops, vegetables, flowers, and fruit gardens we have in our region.

Insectariums, by encouraging a range of flowering plants to provide food for insects throughout the year, beneficial insects can provide a major role in insect pest reduction. Many wineries are already utilising insectariums.

This is not limited to riparian buffers or windbreaks, what about low growing ground covers along cropping paddock fence lines? Topic for another day.

Further reading: Fritjof Capra, 1997, The Web of Life, Harper Collins.

Get involved with local Landcare:

Darren Cribbes

http://northcentral.landcarevic.net.au/bald_hills_creswick

VINEVAX FAST FACTS

Readers know my interest and fascination with the attributes of Trichoderma spp and the range of benefits it can bring to plant health and crop production. I have assisted the preparation of the following fast fact sheet explaining a few common questions.

Read products documents at www.agrimm.com.au and ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

FAQ’s

How long does VineVAx bio-dowel provide benefit in the trunk?

Our recommendation is to re inoculate the trunk between 5 and 8 years. We do have evidence the Vinevax Bio-inoculant dowel can provide longer periods of benefit, with no disease symptoms over 15 years in some cases in the Barossa region of South Australia.

The protection provided by VineVax Bio-dowel inoculation is realised at tens of cents per year over those periods.

Installation of VineVAx bio-dowel, How long does it take?

It takes about 20 seconds to drill and install each Vinevax Bio-inoculant dowel.

When and how should I install bio-dowels?

We recommend installation outside of the major sap flow periods.

1. Reworking is in progress? - at any time below the water shoot - earlier is better because it protects the re-work.

2. Reworking is to be commenced the following summer? Early placement enables the bio-dowel to condition the 'wood' area before watershoot development.

3. Mature vines with a small level of infection in the cordon but no reworking is being considered? Clean and cut back the cordon if possible but certainly place the bio-dowel up closely and beneath the affected cordon.

What is the best position for inserting bio-dowels in mature vines where the cordon is to be protected?

Clean and cut back the cordon and place the bio-dowel up close and beneath the affected cordon.

If a dowel has been inserted is it still necessary to apply the dressing to the wounds?

Yes, Eutypa infections may still enter the vine. Prevention is better than cure, the bio-dowel helps with disease management and vine performance.

Is the PWD ( Prune Wound Dressing) different to the dowel, how do they work to combat the Eutypa?

Vinevax PWD is will close down colonisation of fresh pruning wounds to pathogens and is effective if placed onto fresh clean wounds (immediately through 2 days after wounding).

The Vinevax bio-dowel is designed to be a slow release source for the bio-inoculant Trichoderma to grow into the vine. This causes a stimulation of the vine, generating an immune-like response that helps the whole vine health and resistance to pathogens.

How long can we allow after pruning, for the PWD be applied?

Application of PWD promptly applied after pruning will provide the best protection with good results possible up to two days following pruning. Prompt application = prompt protection.

Recycling of sprays is not recommended as pathogen spores can be picked up and put back onto wounds.

Would the addition of a food source to the wound dressing help the Trichoderma colonise in more difficult situations such as when pruning has been some time before application of the dressing?

Vinevax PWD contains colonisation support within the formulation.

Does the dowel help the vine to destroy Eutypa infections or does it just prevent / slow the progress of the disease?

Yes, the bio-dowel lifts the vine health and enables it to fight back against the Eutypa. Results indicate the Bio-dowel improves vine health and stops vine decline in most cases.

Vines carrying high Eutypa load must still be re-worked via a clean water-shoot that a bio-dowel placed beneath gives protection.

Will the PWD Trichoderma colonise effectively:

1. in dry weather? - yes

2. in wet weather? - yes but be aware that pathogens are also active in wet periods

3. in cold weather?  (South Australian cold temperatures are obviously not to be compared with other countries.) We get good colonisation in SI New Zealand use.

What is the optimum temperature for Trichoderma?

Growth range 10 - 30C - optimum 23-25. When Vinevax PWD is in the fresh wound it has direct spore inhibition properties against pathogen and will stay there even if it doesn't grow and colonise rapidly.

Can the Trichoderma colony in the vine be affected by fungicides or other sprays applied at a later date?

No, the inoculant is in the vine.

This document was prepared by:
David Gale - AGRIMM Technologies
Darren Cribbes – conNEXUS global
Last Updated: 15^th July 2014

Zinc Update

Michelle Bammann, Agronomist for Sonic Essentials in South Australia has provided this handy reference and included a zinc application reckoner for reference.( Send an email request for reckoner )

Just a few highlighted reasons below to why we should be encouraging the use of oxide foliar zinc at the moment. I strongly believe that in these bleak, cold and wet conditions, zinc is as important as N.  I have also included a ready reckoner for application rates on all of the Icon Products. ( Send an email request for reckoner )

Zinc deficiencies appear to be more likely to occur in the following situations: 

• High phosphate, high pH (alkaline) soils; 

• Cold wet and poorly aerated soils, low in vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM); 

• Areas where the topsoil has been removed by either erosion or by land levelling; 

• Long fallows where VAM is low; and,  

• Where restriction to root growth has occurred such as wheel tracks, chemical damage, hard pans or waterlogging.  

Zinc is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are

• Production of Auxins, an essential growth hormone.
• It activates enzymes in protein synthesis, plus is involved in the regulation and consumption of sugars
• It is necessary for starch formation and proper root development.
• Zinc influences the rate of seed and stalk maturation.
• It is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll and carbohydrates.
• The presence of adequate amounts in the tissue enables the plant to withstand lower air temperatures.

  ( Send an email request for reckoner )

Happy to answer any questions you may have

Michelle Bamman

  

m. +61 (0)408429620

p.  +61 (0)3 5825 5454

f.   +61 (0)3 5825 4544

e michelle@sonicessentials.com

w. www.sonicessentials.com

 10 Northgate St

PO Box 258

MOOROOPNA Vic  3629

Australia

P SCHOOL - In review

As an stakeholder and organiser, I will call P SCHOOL a wonderful success. 

Thank you to our guest speakers who contributed to our learning and laying the new ground rules for Phosphorus management for growers.  Guest evaluations provided clear and concise feedback for the day, stating the excellent instructors provided the detail and application of science and research in a manageable and understandable manner.

Thank you to our guests, who contributed to learning through active involvement and a challenging  the instructors with a range of questions displaying Australian agriculture is in the good hands of professional farmers.

Thankyou to Vic No-Till Farmers Association for promotional support.

Several evaluation comments:

Has the IPM MasterClass PSCHOOL added to your knowledge of P management? How?

Yes, I have a greater understanding of how P moves around in the soil and is taken up by plants the  returned back to the soil.

Yes, test method effectiveness, importance ( quantifiable) impact on soil microbial activity on P availability.

Reinforced my understanding of P input replacement vs requirements.

Yes in decision making.

Yes, it provided me with knowledge of how P works and given me plenty to think about regarding different application practices.

Yes, more holistic understanding of P cycle.

Greater understanding of P availability and functions of tie up/availability.

Yes, Broad range of different perspectives on P availability.

Yes, especially type of soil and crop requirements.

Dr. Sarah Noack wrapping up P SCHOOL - management decisions and product forms.

Landcare Practice - Riparian Buffers

Landcare has a long history of tree planting and creek care as part of catchment management. While this may be the view of the role of Landcare and significant promotion of this work has occurred regarding value to the catchment, not enough has been made of its value to land holders.

Riparian buffers, typically a strip of land adjacent to waterways and within natural land drains such as valleys and hollows, are planted or maintained with vegetation ranging from trees and shrubs to low growing grassy groundcovers. These strips filter runoff by slowing water movement of soil particles, manure and other nutrients that may enter waterways and pollute downstream. Further, these strips hold valuable water resources and contribute to groundwater replenishment.

Value to landholders is returned in ‘ecosystem services’ to our properties, livestock and community.

Windbreaks provide significant shelter and protection, modifying ambient temperatures in both summer and winter to benefit animal welfare. Habitat can lead to pest suppressive landscapes, where the buffer zone provides year round habitat to beneficial fauna that use pests on our properties for food. A greater understanding of this attribute provides significant value in reduced pesticide use.

Support of nectar and pollen for pollinators such as bees is a growing concern with over 80% of our food crops production requiring pollination to reach yield potential. This includes our vegetable and flower gardens.

All of us concerned with the landscape, must become more landscape literate and support better land care outcomes for our community benefits. Maintaining and promoting riparian buffer strips and windbreaks is one method with a multitude of value.

Darren Cribbes

Get involved with local Landcare:

http://northcentral.landcarevic.net.au/bald_hills_creswick

P SCHOOL: VENUE CHANGE

Guests please note: Sylvania Park, 808 East Rd, Drung, VIC, 3401

Glenn McDonald will discuss the vital role of P in plant functions. Here is an excerpt of Glenn's presentation.

Phosphorus

While soils can contain substantial amounts of P, the majority is unavailable to plants and the concentration of P in the soil solution is generally very low (~1-10mM). Therefore, while many plants are very effective in taking up P from the soil solution at low concentrations at the soil-root interface, the limiting factor is the supply of the soluble P to the roots.  The main way of overcoming this low supply of P has been to apply P fertiliser, but there is now a growing interest in trying to unlock and utilise the large P reserves that are in the soil.  Factors such as the size and the distribution of roots in the soil, the ability of the plants to alter the rhizosphere characteristics and the effects of the plant-microbe interactions in improving P availability and uptake can become important to the P nutrition of plants.

The role of P in plant

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and without adequate supplies of P growth will be reduced.  There are two important roles of P in plants - in energy metabolism and in maintaining cell structures in plants.  While the amount of P required for normal growth is much less than the requirement for N, an inadequate supply of P will reduce the capacity of plants to photosynthesise and perform the range of metabolic functions required for normal growth.

Registration still open:

Website Registration: P SCHOOL
Download PDF: P SCHOOL FLYER

More information: Darren Cribbes 0400 600 556
                          Owen McCarron 0419 006 100 

P SCHOOL

Phosphorus fertilizer forms – I want to know.

Super, MAP, APP, Phos acid, Guano, plenty to choose from, which one for me?

Plants absorb the majority of their phosphorus from the soil solution as orthophosphate regardless of the original form of phosphorus applied or existing in soil functions. Largely, pH controls these functions, and corresponds to iron and aluminium in the soil in this region.

What form is recommended for your soils, how do you make good decisions about phosphorus form and what are the differences? Just some of the key messages at P SCHOOL. 

Registration still open for IPM MasterClass P SCHOOL. 26^th June 2014.

IPM MasterClass - P SCHOOL Registration

Four key topic will be covered:

Dr. Sean Mason - Soils and Phosphorus – what is really going on?- Availability, uptake and soil utilization, what does testing tell me?

Dr. Glenn McDonald - Role and function of phosphorus in crops
- Plant uptake and utilisation, how much is needed, and what does it do?

Dr. Ann McNeill - Biology and soil health – does it work?
- Role of microbiology in building soil health and quality, and P availability.

Dr. Sarah Noack - Fertiliser decisions, forms, testing and research
- Soil and tissue testing, what will I apply and how much?

More information:
Owen McCarron               0419 006 100       owen@ipmmasterclass.com

Darren Cribbes                  0400 600 556       darren@ipmmasterclass.com

El Nino the Myth Busted

Presentation by Dale Grey, Department of Environment and Primary Industries Seasonal Agronomist

Who: Young farmers and their families are welcome to attend the event.  A free dinner and childcare will be available.

When: 5.30 pm sharp, Monday 16 June 2014

Where: Waubra Recreation Reserve, 2091 Sunraysia Highway, Waubra, Victoria

RSVP: Please contact Chris Pollock, Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network by emailing chrispollock7@gmail.com or phone 0421 372 545 with your phone number, number of adults and children attending and any dietary requirements.

Poppies on the grow with Ballarat farmers to benefit

ALMOST a third of Victoria’s first commercial poppy crop could come from farmers in the Ballarat region.

Ballarat Courier link.

TRICHODERMA, SAR, and EUTYPA

If you like soil and the plants that grow in it, you get a  little rush of blood when some very clever ag science comes along that provides an exceptionally simple mechanism to a seemingly insurmountable problem.

Few growers in horticulture are unaware of the outstanding benefits Trichoderma spp. has in modern horticulture and potentially broader agriculture for its use in managing some plant diseases. Greater consumer demand for less pesticide use and MRL inspections make trichoderma a sound option as an IPM treatment and tool

However, few  are aware of the  advantages , particularly in grape vines, of Systemic Acquired Resistance, a response eliciting a raised level if resistance to disease by stimulating plant natural defence chemicals as a response to the use of Vinevax Bio-Dowels.

SAR response has been known since first observations in 1901 (Ryals, et al), with various signalling chemicals researched to elicit this ‘primed state’ in plants to resist a secondary infection.

SAR depends on the plant to access past experiences, and remain primed for quick and effective defence response. This enhanced resistance in the plant includes the uninoculated plant organs.

A hallmark of SAR is its activity against a broad range of crop diseases. In addition, SAR can provide a long lasting protection that has been recorded in South Australian  grape vines for over 15 years ( Henschke, pers. comm.).

The naturally occurring Trichoderma strains used in Vinevax Bio-Dowels are specially formulated to support colonisation within the vine as a living guard to protect from destructive wood invading fungi such as Eutypa lata, and Botryosphaeria stevensii,  further promoting healthy vines.  Further benefit of the SAR response is the vine directing energy and resource for growing and producing instead of fighting infection.

REF: Ryals, Uknes, Ward 1994, Plant Physiology.