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STOCK AND LAND ARTICLEMay 2006Download as pdf file (24kb)Stubble Matters! By Rohan Wardle – Research and Extension Agronomist, Southern Farming Systems.
With seeding of crops progressing well and a bright outlook so far, I have been asked by many farmers a few common questions about the impacts that stubble retention may have on emerging crops. There are many important issues to consider.
With the overall aim of stubble retention to allow for increased plant available water at grainfill (even in the higher rainfall zone), the compromises can be many, sometimes a terrible mess. Knowing the issues now may be critical for future management.
Toolbar design, tine type and arrangement and closing tools are all very important components of the system. Blockages are typically a concern when tine arrangements are configured on a shallow bar, with build up occurring at the back of the assembly. Additional ranges allows for opening of the tine spacing with greater residue clearance and when complemented by press-wheels, vastly minimises collection, thus avoiding many hay stacks spread across a paddock.
Monitoring for slugs then becomes the next critical issue with retention of cereal stubbles, especially when seeded with canola. Cereals offer vast habitats and without baiting in the previous Autumn, numbers can reach points of devastation. Slugs will eat the plant before it emerges, so any canola planted in stubble needs to be monitored daily if not baited!
Seeding of all NLP and GRDC trials are occurring across the south-west with demonstrations in the next weeks. Review of locally built residue managers will be on display attached to the new SFS seeder. Further discussion on this topic will continue in next weeks article, however for details of each seeding event, contact your local branch coordinator, or watch this space.
Details about stubble retention and 2005 trial results are been posted on webpage: www.sfs.org.au/NLPStubble.htm . Any suggestions, comments and questions about stubble management or future research can be directed to myself on 0438 343079, or emailed to rwardle@sfs.org.au.
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