grdc growers' report - Grains Research & Development Corporation

investment highlights
Emerald Farming Systems Grower Update in the Northern Region. Photo: John Cameron
C A S E S T U D Y :
Training advisers for the fight against foliar diseases
Foliar diseases cause significant yield losses to grain crops across Australia.
Effective management of diseases requires a diverse range of management
decisions—from selecting the right mix of genetics for a given environment,
seasonal situation and cropping history, to choosing a foliar fungicide or seed
or soil treatment—as well as a good understanding of the agronomic system
of a grain-growing enterprise. Both crop yield and grower revenue could be
increased by improving the ability of farm advisers to work with growers to
combat diseases.
In 2010–11, the GRDC recognised that existing education programs did not
allow sufficient depth of coverage and time for advisers to learn and practise
the use of a range of management options in a cohesive strategy for disease
management. As a result, the GRDC supported the development of a nationally
accredited training workshop for grains advisers on the management of cereal
foliar diseases.
After a small number of pilot training courses proved successful, Independent
Consultants Australia Network facilitated the development of a technical training
course with pathologists, researchers, agribusiness and the GRDC.
Course participants learn to effectively:
• identify and name key cereal growth stages and emergence of the important
leaves
• relate the impact of environment and day degrees on crop and disease
development to the economic management of foliar diseases in cereals
• relate the impact of environment on plant part contribution to yield and
economic management of foliar disease
• understand modes of action for key fungicide groups
• identify key intervention points for disease management in cereals and
relate this to environment and genetics to formulate cost-effective disease
management plans
• identify canopy management interactions and be able to relate this to
decisions on foliar disease management
• identify key cereal foliar disease symptoms in wheat and barley.
Training courses were held in six regional centres across Australia in 2010–11,
and more are planned for 2011–12.
(Left-right—Front row) Agronomists Sarah Hyde
(Narrogin-Corrigin), Holly Swarbrick (Kojonup), and
Tristan Cornwall (Narrogin) with (Back row) Geoff
Thomas, Plant Pathologist with DAFWA.
Michael Durant (Albany) and Lisa Leonhardt (Lake
Grace), Agronomists from Landmark, checking the
growth stage of cereals at a technical workshop.
Fungicide workshop hosted by Bayer and the
GRDC in Albany, WA, in March 2011.
Photos: Craig White, Bayer CropScience
26 GRDC GROWERS’ REPORT 2010–2011