Seasonal outlook shared over breakfast

Wimmera grain growers have learnt about the upcoming season at a Horsham East Ag Group breakfast update at Taylors Lake Hall.

Over a cooked breakfast, the weekend’s rain totals were compared before Agriculture Victoria climate specialists had their say about the season ahead.

Delivering a ‘virtual’ presentation, seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey summarised recent climate model predictions for the next three months.

“My assessment of 12 climate models suggest most models are firmly sitting on the fence at average rainfall and temperature,” he said. “Pressure patterns over south-east Australia have been normal or better indicating that it could rain, we just need all the ducks to line up.”

On a positive note, Mr Grey said according to the Agriculture Victoria soil moisture-monitoring network, cropping paddocks where weeds had been controlled had retained a significant amount of moisture.

This message was reiterated by seasonal risk agronomist Dale Boyd, who also presented at the Taylors Lake update.

He said soil cores taken recently to groundtruth data from the soil moisture probe at Taylors Lake indicated the presence of soil moisture at depth, 30 to 100 centimetres.

“However, the paddock where the Taylors Lake soil moisture probe is located was in fallow in 2017, so this would have influenced the data,” Mr Boyd said.

He reminded growers that a range of influences would affect soil moisture levels this season.

The morning concluded with participants discussing the merits of a proposed nutrition field trial and suggesting treatments that should be included.

Plans were also made for further meetings and workshops scheduled throughout the next 12 months, including a soil pit, which will be looked at later in the year.

People can call Heather Drendel on 0427 868 705 for more information about the Horsham East Ag Group.