Challenging soils require diligent management and a long term view for gaining results. A recent article in Stock and Land from a farm walk with Geoff Rethus, where Geoff explains part of his soil management using cover crop and brown manure.
Also, Geoff comments on his use of Liquid P.
Biblio:
Stock and Land
Victorian No-Till Farmers Association
Clover
Brown Manure
Soil quality
cover crops
tram tracking
self mulching clays
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Soil Health / Soil Quality
Soil Quality ? . . .
. Soil Health?
Our view of soil management has certainly changed over the
last couple of decades. Rather than a
medium to be used, it is now has a broader integrated role in our management decisions,
whether the farm or the home garden. The more consideration and learning about
soils role and the value of its services, the more we as growers are exploring
the role we play in supporting our soils to provide a long term sustainable, productive
environment and economically value, providing food and recreation for people.
Often communicating the terms soil health and soil quality as
interchangeable, I see the definitions as distinctly different measures of the
condition and service of our soils. I see many soil tests, and work with
growers to manage that soil – specifically
for the crop being grown. Growing lucerne on the alkaline mallee sands of Lake
Boga compared with the acid clays of Ballarat, you get the picture that a
measure of healthy soil while both are, they will have different quality
measurement attributes in each environment which contribute to crop production.
It is our role as land managers to define both soil health and soil quality attributes
and manage soils accordingly.
I know I will require X amount of calcium and potassium to
produce X amount of lucerne crop with the feed value attributes buyers require.
This I refer to as a quality, as it has a distinct measure that I need to meet. Anything less, and I will not the meet quality measures. However, with soil health, I know in both regions, that earthworm numbers will be
very different, colour will be very different as will the likelihood and
distribution of layering in the soil. A healthy mallee sand will likely have a
few worms, compared with the Ballarat red soils of potentially dozens, but what do they
contribute to the crop.
In the next posts on Soil Health/ Soil Quality, we will discuss
the difference between Soil Health and Soil Quality and a range of measures and attributes we can use to measure improvement.
Monday, March 10, 2014
IPM - Wood Invading Fungi: Vineyard Management with Vinevax
Wood Invading Fungi: Vineyard Management with
Vinevax
Most viticulturists and vineyard managers are well aware of the problems caused by fungi or moulds such as the mildews and botrytis on the vine canopy but may be less familiar with diseases caused by wood invading fungi. At ground level the collar and root rots caused by Phytophthora and Armillaria may have been experienced, with the former more than likely confined to poorly drained areas in the vineyard, but there is another group of fungi which can cause vine decline in established vineyards.
Damage caused by injury from breakage or pruning, especially after major restructuring procedures in older vines, allows fungi such as Eutypa lata and Botryosphaeria stevensii to enter the woody tissues. It may be two or three seasons later before symptoms appear but usually the early symptoms of stunting, wilting and die back in the cane caused by these organisms progress into the main structure of the vine resulting in the condition known as dead or dying arm disease.
Although horticulture has at its disposal a wide range of chemical fungicides, very few, if any, have proven successful in eliminating fungal pathogens once they have become well established within the woody tissue of roots or vines. Many fungi have suppressive or antagonistic properties towards other fungi and harnessing this bio-activity can offer a solution for the problems of protection and control of this type of disease.
Scientists studying Trichoderma fungi, after the initial 1950’s discovery that it attacked and killed other fungi, have identified strains with activity against the wood-disease causing fungi Phytophthora, Armillaria, Eutypa and Botryosphaeria, as well as root disease pathogens Cylindrocarpon, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Fusarium.
Vinevax, registered in Australia, harnesses bio-protective properties of Trichoderma into practical products to help the vineyard manager contain and control these economically damaging vine diseases. Vinevax pruning wound dressing can help maintain vine health during vine pruning when wounds are at high risk of pathogen invasion. Vinevax bio-dowel implants can be used to help control woody tissue disease in whole and re-constructed vines aiding faster return of vines to high health and productivity.
Bio-dowels being placed - Henschke vineyard manager Travis Coombe installing a Vinevax Bio-inoculate dowel into the base of a vine.
Most viticulturists and vineyard managers are well aware of the problems caused by fungi or moulds such as the mildews and botrytis on the vine canopy but may be less familiar with diseases caused by wood invading fungi. At ground level the collar and root rots caused by Phytophthora and Armillaria may have been experienced, with the former more than likely confined to poorly drained areas in the vineyard, but there is another group of fungi which can cause vine decline in established vineyards.
Damage caused by injury from breakage or pruning, especially after major restructuring procedures in older vines, allows fungi such as Eutypa lata and Botryosphaeria stevensii to enter the woody tissues. It may be two or three seasons later before symptoms appear but usually the early symptoms of stunting, wilting and die back in the cane caused by these organisms progress into the main structure of the vine resulting in the condition known as dead or dying arm disease.
Although horticulture has at its disposal a wide range of chemical fungicides, very few, if any, have proven successful in eliminating fungal pathogens once they have become well established within the woody tissue of roots or vines. Many fungi have suppressive or antagonistic properties towards other fungi and harnessing this bio-activity can offer a solution for the problems of protection and control of this type of disease.
Scientists studying Trichoderma fungi, after the initial 1950’s discovery that it attacked and killed other fungi, have identified strains with activity against the wood-disease causing fungi Phytophthora, Armillaria, Eutypa and Botryosphaeria, as well as root disease pathogens Cylindrocarpon, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Fusarium.
Vinevax, registered in Australia, harnesses bio-protective properties of Trichoderma into practical products to help the vineyard manager contain and control these economically damaging vine diseases. Vinevax pruning wound dressing can help maintain vine health during vine pruning when wounds are at high risk of pathogen invasion. Vinevax bio-dowel implants can be used to help control woody tissue disease in whole and re-constructed vines aiding faster return of vines to high health and productivity.
Bio-dowels being placed - Henschke vineyard manager Travis Coombe installing a Vinevax Bio-inoculate dowel into the base of a vine.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Rhizosphere4
|
IPM MasterClass promotes programs
and events contributing to learning, and has no role nor responsibility for the
information provided.
Liquid Phosphorous
Phosphorous does not exist in soils in its
simple elemental form. Phosphorous
exists as inorganic or organic, with organic being chemically bonded to a
carbon compound.
Ortho
A single
phosphate molecule is called orthophosphate. Orthophosphate is a negatively
charged anion and is the form of phosphorus absorbed through the root and taken
up by the plant.
Poly
“Poly”
refers to multiple phosphate molecules linked in a chain. Each linkage of
phosphate molecules has a name depending on its length, although polyphosphate
is the general term that includes all of these linked molecules, no matter what
length. The size or length of the chain is not fixed and can be of various
lengths. Thus “polyphosphate” is simply strings of “orthophosphate” ions of
various lengths.
This
phosphorous form is made utilising Ammonia products, therefore a valuable
amount of nitrogen is supplied and the end product is referred to as Ammonium
Polyphosphate ( APP). The most common APP fertilizer is
16-23-0. Liquid 16-23-0 contains 65 to 70% polyphosphate and 30 to 35%
orthophosphate. When polyphosphate is applied to the soil, moisture will add
water back (hydrolyse) to the polyphosphate to form orthophosphate over time.
Polyphosphates
are not absorbed by plant roots.
Why is APP helpful in P management?
The
complexity (long chains of molecules) of the polyphosphate provides a barrier
to the typical fixing and immobilisation of phosphorous that we see in soils.
Polyphosphate
fertilizers offer the advantage of a high nutrient content in a clear,
crystal-free fluid that is stable under a wide temperature range and has a long
storage life. Some small amounts of other nutrients may be mixed with
polyphosphate fertilizers, making it a good carrier for micronutrients that may
be needed by plants
Fluids are
convenient for farmers since they can be easily blended with many other
nutrients and chemicals and each drop of fluid is exactly the same. For most
situations, the decision to use dry or fluid fertilizers is based on the price
of nutrients, fertilizer handling preferences, and field practices.
more information:
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Phosphorous ( P ) in Plants and Soil
Phosphorous is essential for the best possible crop yields
and is a challenging nutrient to understand and manage.
Phosphorous enables photosynthesis and respiration, storage
and transfer of energy, and is involved in root, flower and fruit development
through cell division.
Soils generally contain large amounts of total phosphorous,
with most in insoluble forms that are unavailable to plants. Phosphorous availability
is limiting to crop growth in many agricultural soils.
Phosphorous does not exist in soils in its simple elemental
form. Phosphorous exists as inorganic or
organic, with organic being chemically bonded to a carbon compound.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Its on once again.
USA
Crop Nutrition Tour
Feb
2014
conNEXUS global hosts
the 2014 USA Fluid Fertiliser Education Tour
Including
the Fluid Forum
Talking Stick Casino
Scottsdale, AZ,
February 17-19, 2014
Talking Stick Casino
Scottsdale, AZ,
February 17-19, 2014
conNEXUS
global hosts the 2014 USA Fluid Fertiliser Education Tour incorporating the
Fluid Forum, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The tour will take in fluid fertiliser production facilities, meeting with innovative growers to discuss fluid fertiliser programs, and instruction from leading crop nutrition researchers in application and crop management.
The tour will take in fluid fertiliser production facilities, meeting with innovative growers to discuss fluid fertiliser programs, and instruction from leading crop nutrition researchers in application and crop management.
The
program has been designed to improve skill and knowledge of growers, advisers
and retailers incorporating fluid (liquid) fertilisers in the production of
crops or agronomy recommendations. Including the 2014 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 are using or
considering the use of fluid fertilisers or want to learn more about crop
nutrition.
For
further information on this trip please contact Owen McCarron on 0419 006 100, owen.mccarron@connexusglobal.com
My personal invitation
Since 2009, the Fluid Forum, an international conference specific to the use of liquid fertilisers in soils and crop management, has been the central point of the USA Liquid Fertiliser Tour. Many keen farmers and advisers travel with me to key destinations learning first hand about the use and application of fluid fertilisers in soils and crop management.
Since 2009, the Fluid Forum, an international conference specific to the use of liquid fertilisers in soils and crop management, has been the central point of the USA Liquid Fertiliser Tour. Many keen farmers and advisers travel with me to key destinations learning first hand about the use and application of fluid fertilisers in soils and crop management.
The tour is designed to rapidly increase farmers and advisers
knowledge and skills in liquid nutrition bringing the advantages back to their
own operations and business’s.
In February 2014, I will again lead a group with site visits
to Kansas, California, Texas and Washington. 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 your attendance with our
group and I look forward to discussing details and your attendance.
Owen McCarron
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Fertiliser – soil and crop nutrition – decisions are not always difficult?
Owen McCarron IPM MasterClass
Owen McCarron IPM MasterClass
With the likelihood of good yields in 2010/11 and substantial nutrient removal off the farm what needs to be done and who do you listen to for fertiliser advice for 2011?
Over the next few editions of the VNTFA journal I will challenge the readers and provoke thought and discussion about these issues as well as:
- Macro elements – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur
- Trace elements – zinc, copper, manganese, other
- Liquid (fluid) and or granular forms
- Nutrient forms
- Conventional and or organic/biological fertilisers
- Analytical tools – soil, plant or grain testing
If you would like the complete article visit www.ipmmasterclass.com and register for access to the knowledge base
conNEXUS global
17th February - 1st March, 2011
conNEXUS global hosts the 2011 USA Fluid Fertiliser Education Tour incorporating Fluid Forum, Scottsdale AZ.
The tour will take in fluid fertiliser production facilities, innovative growers deploying fluid programs and instructions from leading crop nutrition Researchers in application and crop management.
The program has been designed to improve skill and knowledge of growers, Advisers and retailers incorporating fluid (liquid) fertilisers in the production of crops or Agronomy recommendations. Including the 2011 Fluid Forum you will have the opportunity to hear the latest research and developments in crop nutrition. This tour is a must if you are using or considering the use of fluid fertilisers or want to learn more about crop nutrition.
For detailed information on the 2011 tour click on this link USA Crop Nutrition Tour Feb 2011
Please do not hesitate to call me at anytime if you have any questions or would like to discuss the tour further.
Owen McCarron 0419006100
OUTLOOK 2011 CONFERENCE – CANBERRA: tUES 1 & WED 2 MARCH 2011
For insight and understanding of Australia’s economic outlook across the agriculture, natural resources, trade, commodity and climate sectors, the annual national Outlook conference is the premier event for industry. Over two days, 20 sessions and more than 70 speakers, Outlook provides unrivalled access to economic data, international and nationally recognised speakers, and is attended by industry decision makers.
At Outlook, ABARES releases year ahead and five year forecasts for Australia’s major export commodities with the key commodity sessions debating sector trends. Forecasts are available in the March edition of the quarterly Australian commodities publication. Outlook 2011 is on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 March in Canberra, the 41st conference for the bureau.
For further information please contact the Marketing & Events Manager or visit the Summit Website.
At Outlook, ABARES releases year ahead and five year forecasts for Australia’s major export commodities with the key commodity sessions debating sector trends. Forecasts are available in the March edition of the quarterly Australian commodities publication. Outlook 2011 is on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 March in Canberra, the 41st conference for the bureau.
For further information please contact the Marketing & Events Manager or visit the Summit Website.
IPM MasterClass Nutrition Series
Victorian Liquid Fertiliser Forum
1st February 2011
Keynote Speaker – Professor Mike McLaughlin Adelaide University
The Victorian Liquid Fertiliser Forum is an education resource connecting research, on farm application, and knowledge of liquid fertiliser and crop nutrition.
The 2011 Victorian Liquid Fertiliser Forum will be held on the 1st February 2011, at Sylvania Park
Keynote address
Keynote address
Prof. Mike McLaughlin of Adelaide University and CSIRO, world renowned soil scientist, will open the Forum with a keynote presentation. Mike will discuss the future of crop nutrition in Australia
Key instructors
Participants will hear from leading Australian researchers into liquid fertilisers. Included are presentations on the roles and functions of critical crop nutrients; a 10 year grower case study and how growers and advisers are working through the decision to put into practice the use of liquid fertilisers.
- Therese McBeath Ph D,
Adelaide University - Bob Holloway Ph D, retired - Review & Vision - Liquid Fertiliser Research in Australia
- Andrew Longmire farmer Salmon Gums WA – Liquid P – A 10 year case study
- David Pfeiffer Synergy Consulting WA – Liquid Nitrogen - The business decision to change
- Glenn McDonald Ph D,
Adelaide University
Education Value
Significant information will be provided through the Forum to allow growers to consider using or conducting on-farm trials to evaluate liquid fertilisers for their farming operation prior to the 2011 cropping season.
Location and Times
Sylvania Park , 808 East Rd, Wimmera (Horsham), Victoria
Date: 1st February 2011
Registration: 9AM
Finish: 3.30PM
VNTFA Members $75 ex GST
Non VNTF Members $95 ex GST
To register click Event Registration - VLFF0211
Is IPM really working?
No, not yet.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not a new approach to an old problem. IPM has been practiced since agriculture began. Observation of what was occurring in the crop and the environment, and the farmer trying to modify the environment to support a reduction in whatever risk is present. Quite sophisticated really, observation and modification, development of knowledge, and more observation.
IPM appears to have taken on a simpler view in recent years, being dominated by insect pests as the primary theme of IPM and its implementation. I don’t agree with this simplification and I argue for a broader platform to be presented, taking into account the complete system, of crop and specific varieties, local environment, soils, plants, weather and climate, growth stage, landscape and cultural practices to include only a few aspects. IPM cannot be well served by reductionist science or economic rationalists. Real IPM will only flourish when a more complex systems approach is developed and growers are skilled to actively participate in contributing to knowledge delivered into the system. I call this Real IPM.
Yes, the science needs to continue, and there is a wonderful array of sophisticated and relevant research occurring internationally. But only a few thinkers are connecting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
I will note the writing of Fritjof Capra, The Web Of Life. Not an agricultural treatise by any measure, but a whole of biology message well suited to farmers wanting to change their thinking on farm management. Real IPM isn’t about a balance of chemical and cultural practices, its about the living system, and the very small changes that can be utilised to modify an environment to exclude a pest. Real IPM is landscape scale, not an insect on a leaf scale.
We have presented the Nutrient Series as part of the IPM MasterClass, and guests have asked what nutrition has got to do with IPM. Is the answer . . . lots . . . adequate? If a plant is deficient in a nutrient it is already losing productivity as it cannot function to its biological potential. It is more vulnerable to insect, disease and weather stresses. I include nutrition in Real IPM as an inexpensive, easily managed component of the farming and crop system. Aspects mentioned above are similar.
Whilst working internationally, I had significant problems with a number of species of white grub producing beetles. Observation and other knowledge tools helped me find it was a common flowering hibiscus that was providing habitat for these pests. By replacing the hibiscus with indigenous plants, reduction of beetles was immediate, to levels below economic damage thresholds. Similar research is occurring at the landscape level here in Australia. It is occurring in soil health also. Let’s work to seeing these aspects added into the mix for Real IPM.
Darren Cribbes
No, not yet.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not a new approach to an old problem. IPM has been practiced since agriculture began. Observation of what was occurring in the crop and the environment, and the farmer trying to modify the environment to support a reduction in whatever risk is present. Quite sophisticated really, observation and modification, development of knowledge, and more observation.
IPM appears to have taken on a simpler view in recent years, being dominated by insect pests as the primary theme of IPM and its implementation. I don’t agree with this simplification and I argue for a broader platform to be presented, taking into account the complete system, of crop and specific varieties, local environment, soils, plants, weather and climate, growth stage, landscape and cultural practices to include only a few aspects. IPM cannot be well served by reductionist science or economic rationalists. Real IPM will only flourish when a more complex systems approach is developed and growers are skilled to actively participate in contributing to knowledge delivered into the system. I call this Real IPM.
Yes, the science needs to continue, and there is a wonderful array of sophisticated and relevant research occurring internationally. But only a few thinkers are connecting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
I will note the writing of Fritjof Capra, The Web Of Life. Not an agricultural treatise by any measure, but a whole of biology message well suited to farmers wanting to change their thinking on farm management. Real IPM isn’t about a balance of chemical and cultural practices, its about the living system, and the very small changes that can be utilised to modify an environment to exclude a pest. Real IPM is landscape scale, not an insect on a leaf scale.
We have presented the Nutrient Series as part of the IPM MasterClass, and guests have asked what nutrition has got to do with IPM. Is the answer . . . lots . . . adequate? If a plant is deficient in a nutrient it is already losing productivity as it cannot function to its biological potential. It is more vulnerable to insect, disease and weather stresses. I include nutrition in Real IPM as an inexpensive, easily managed component of the farming and crop system. Aspects mentioned above are similar.
Whilst working internationally, I had significant problems with a number of species of white grub producing beetles. Observation and other knowledge tools helped me find it was a common flowering hibiscus that was providing habitat for these pests. By replacing the hibiscus with indigenous plants, reduction of beetles was immediate, to levels below economic damage thresholds. Similar research is occurring at the landscape level here in Australia. It is occurring in soil health also. Let’s work to seeing these aspects added into the mix for Real IPM.
Darren Cribbes
Monday, October 18, 2010
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the central knowledge theme in crop and pest management around the world. IPM employs numerous tactics to manage plants and carries the promise to overcome many concerns of plant management and pesticide use.
IPM is the grower management model of choice as most farm production systems are impacted by pests and improving the management of the farming system can limit economic loss.
Applied IPM Management Practices
IPM brings together all crop and farm management techniques to manage production.
IPM is the grower management model of choice as most farm production systems are impacted by pests and improving the management of the farming system can limit economic loss.
Applied IPM Management Practices
IPM brings together all crop and farm management techniques to manage production.
- Education and learning.
- Business and Management processes.
- Farm performance measures.
- Yield outcomes and farm sustainability.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The IPM MasterClass presents the REAL IPM Series.
REAL IPM - Crop Diseases - Real Issues, Real Options
Peter Magarey, author, researcher, educator and international knowledge leader in grapevine Powdery Mildew will present REAL IPM – Crop Diseases - Real Issues, Real Options.
This program will focus on Australian viticulture’s main foliage disease as a model of how that disease and others like it, can be controlled more effectively using sustainable solutions.
Peter will discuss the disease triangle and the innovative concept of EpiSeason pathology and management of Powdery Mildew and the day will progress with discussion on how to use this approach for IPM Management in horticulture and agriculture.
Peter will bring a local view of management and practice, and report on recent international research to assist guests understand disease management and practices using a different approach.
If you have disease management improvements to make or are having trouble managing the foliage diseases of grapes, this program is for you.
Instructors:
We welcome Peter Magarey to the Instructor Network of the IPM MasterClass. Peter is internationally regarded as an author and researcher on the mildew diseases of grapes, with a skill of sharing that knowledge.
Locations:
Day One – Mornington Peninsula
Day Two - Mornington Peninsula
Program One
Plenary One – Grapevine Powdery Mildew – The Disease Model and concept of EpiSeason and ‘Lag Phase Control’
Session Two – Using the Disease model to understand plant diseases
Session Three – Establishing farm practices for disease Hygiene and management reducing inoculum reservoirs
- Farm management and records worksheet
Program Two
Session One – Discussion of farm records and findings – Biodynamics, organics, Conventional management
Session Two – Research and observations for the future management of Plant Diseases.
Welcome to the IPM MasterClass Blog
The IPM MasterClass provides premium education events as an independent and trademarked brand across the Australian, Asia-Pacific and China regions. We cooperate with internationally respected Professors and Researchers to present all growers with advice and information specific to the improvement of their farms performance.
The IPM MasterClass introduces the IPM knowledge model, assisting guests in developing practical management frameworks that support decisions relating to sustainable farm management.
Using the IPM MasterClass as an independent forum, we work with industry groups to support their stakeholder’s education. Events are managed to support specific groups needs in a cooperative manner.
Recruitment of instructors for the IPM MasterClass is a serious consideration. Instructors are required to be thought leaders in their fields, be able to share extensively with guests at the IPM MasterClass and be able to engage in skilled teaching with guests during the IPM MasterClass
Objectives of the IPM MasterClass
Usually one day events, we provide guests with the knowledge and skills to:
- Improve the on farm application of skills and knowledge.
- Educate for growers, agronomists, employees, and advisors using the IPM knowledge theme.
- Develop IPM as a whole farm management model to continuously improve performance.
- Conduct the IPM MasterClass to support adult learning through the development of take home action plans. A detailed learning manual is provided for all attendees.
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