Fertiliser – soil and crop nutrition – decisions are not always difficult?
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

Recent research into analytical testing and its real value by Professor Patrick Brown of UC Davis in California is enlightening and challenging the approach to crop nutrition input decision of farmers and recommendations from advisers. 

If you would like the complete article visit www.ipmmasterclass.com and register for access to the knowledge base

conNEXUS global

USA Fluid Fertiliser Education Tour

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 41^st 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

1^st February 2011

Horsham, Victoria

Keynote Speaker – Professor Mike McLaughlin Adelaide University and CSIRO

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 1^st February 2011, at Sylvania Park, 808 East Rd, Wimmera (Horsham), Victoria

 

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 and sustainable farming as well as the value of fluid fertiliser in Australian production systems.  

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 – Liquid Phosphorus – Soil, Foliar, Chemistry and Formulation selection
• 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 – Plant Physiology - How nutrients work Zinc, Manganese and Copper

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:               1^st 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

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.

1. Education and learning.
2. Business and Management processes.
3. Farm performance measures.
4. Yield outcomes and farm sustainability.

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:

1. Improve the on farm application of skills and knowledge.
2. Educate for growers, agronomists, employees, and advisors using the IPM knowledge theme.
3. Develop IPM as a whole farm management model to continuously improve performance.
4. 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.

Welcome to the IPM blog.