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AgNews Column

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

By Department of Primary Industries - 14th April 2010 - Back to News

Check weak grapevines for phylloxera

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has advised grape growers to thoroughly check the causes of any poor vine growth in their vineyards, to ensure it has not been caused by grape phylloxera. DPI Senior Plant Standards Officer Greg King said a number of instances of poor vine growth have been attributed to soil and water conditions when in reality grape phylloxera has been the reason.

"Even in cases of shallow soil, the previous location of a tree, nutrient deficiency or blocked drippers, if there is poor vine growth, DPI recommends a survey of the root system for signs of pests or diseases," Mr King said.

"Phylloxera has a distinctive effect on vine root growth, causing the fine feeder roots to swell up and form a gall near the tip of the root.

"On thicker storage roots, the surface takes on a rough, warty appearance and the yellow insects may be seen in the crevices along the roots.

"The insects are quite small and difficult to see directly by eye, so an X10 hand lens is recommended.

"Soil should be dug near the vine trunk to more easily locate the infested roots."

Damaged roots can produce a range of stress symptoms on vines, so investigation of the cause is vital. Mr King said that any vines having symptoms of phylloxera must be reported to DPI and it is an offence not to do so.

"Immediate action is required to control the spread of phylloxera, since the economic impact of an unchecked spread of the pest can be devastating."

The Victorian Government is conducting surveys under the Future Farming Strategy to have more of Victoria's grape-growing regions declared free of phylloxera. Further information can be obtained from the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or on the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/psb. Grape vines need to be checked for poor growth.

Dairy Reminders for April

Pastures and forages

· Ryegrass leaf appearance rate is 12 to 15 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture on dryland farms); and 12 to 15 days per leaf for irrigated pasture.

· The estimated grazing rotation length is 35 to 45 days between each grazing.

· The area of farm to graze today is one thirty-fifth to one forty-fifth of grazing area in 24 hours.

· Recommended pre-grazing decision: following good autumn rainfall, it is important to allow pastures to grow beyond two leaves before grazing. This generates superior root mass and development, and as a result greater leaf area for photosynthesis and increased pasture growth rate.

· Recommended post grazing decision: don’t graze below 4 to 6 cm. This ensures faster growing ryegrass plants in autumn and less soil erosion and space for weed germination.

· Seasonal management tasks include spraying broadleaf weeds in new pastures when weeds are about 3 to 5 cm in diameter (six to eight weeks old); sowing new pastures if needed before the end of April, identifying barley grass dominant areas, spraying out with herbicide recommended for annual grasses, and re-sowing with perennial ryegrass.

· The estimated soil temperature is 14 to 16 degrees Celsius.

· The estimated daily evaporation is 4 to 6 mm per day.

· The average daily pasture growth rate is 15 to 25 kg DM/Ha/day on dryland farms following autumn rainfall. Those with irrigated rye grass pastures can also expect an estimated 15 to 25 kg DM/Ha/day.

Establishing and managing new pastures

· Try to get pasture seed in the soil before the end of April.

· If you have concerns with ryegrass staggers, then select one of the new ryegrass varieties with novel endophyte (eg AR1) which has less effect on cattle.

· Grazing with young stock can be undertaken when new pasture does not pull out of the ground when pulled up by hand. Do the ‘pluck test’, ie when leaves tear off rather than the roots coming out of the ground.

· Ideally, the ryegrass seedlings should have three emerged leaves prior to the first grazing and ensure that stock do not overgraze.

· Graze if canopy closure is beginning to occur, ie no bare ground can be seen when looking from above.

· Avoid overgrazing - leave at 4 to 6 cm residual.

Feed buying plan

· Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program advises farmers to have a feed buying plan. Having a whole year plan connected to your budget means you won’t need to buy on the spot, week to week.

· Farmers should use contracts, not vague arrangements on the phone, and should understand how the grain and fodder market works.

· Check out Dairy Australia’s fortnightly Grain and Hay Report at www.dairyaustralia.com.au

Cows

· If possible maintain your current cows’ diet by continuing to use supplementary feeds until all pastures have reached the targeted leaf stage. Implementing a long rotation for building pasture cover may mean feeding the herd with a small portion of their diet in pasture and the remainder as fodder crop, palm kernel extract, silage, hay, pellets or grain.

· If autumn calving, prepare for the start of mating by ensuring all equipment is ready. Decide which heat detection methods to use and train and allocate jobs to staff.

· Make sure you have the necessary bull power!

· If running autumn and spring calving cows in the same herd, tail painting spring calving cows with a different coloured paint may help by showing which cows do not need to be checked.

Heifers

· Feed quality supplements to dairy heifers. Advice from InCalf suggests that heavier, well-framed heifers get in calf easier, produce more milk in their lifetime, need less help at calving and cope better with herd competition.

· Use lightweight, portable troughs that can be moved from paddock to paddock to increase growth of smaller heifers. Larger grain or pellet self-feeders cost a bit more, but save a lot more labour as they don’t need refilling as often. Some can be shifted using forks while others have wheels for towing. Importantly, remember to take action to minimise the risk of acidosis with self feeders.

· For larger heifers, a simple platform with metal skirting will reduce fodder wastage.

Milking management

· Now is a good time to get a shed test done to make sure the milking plant is functioning properly.

· Have a look at your laneways and upgrade if required and clean out drains especially around culverts.

Water Issues

· Clean out your effluent pond to create maximum storage capacity for the coming season’s rainfall.

· Irrigate if necessary and remember the value of late irrigation.

· Make a note in your diary of irrigation trouble spots that need maintenance. Farm channel maintenance, irrigation stop maintenance and pump maintenance need to be planned ready for the next irrigation season.

· Start planning for any dam construction you plan to do over winter.

Forward Planning for May

· Make a feed budget for winter and looking after new calves.

· Start getting your financials in order and book a meeting with the accountant.

Who does what with water?

A special water management seminar will be held at Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Ellinbank on Wednesday, April 28. The Gippsland-focused seminar will discuss the key areas of farm water use and planning with speakers from DPI and Southern Rural Water. It will also explain the roles of various government agencies responsible for water policy and strategy development, cover how surface and ground water resources are managed, and licensing of water use and compliance. The free seminar will be held at DPI Ellinbank, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. For more information, please contact Julie Williams at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2285.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com