October for the Border Rivers has been one “Fast Start”, despite being very slow at first. For the first week of October, the only planting activity was our first dryland trial at “Getta Getta” being planted. The ground cover and the moisture was good, along with the soil temperatures, which led to a job well done by all involved.
Soil temperatures began to rise rapidly by the second week of October and with nothing likely to slow us down, it was time to make a start on planting. Growers were able to start planting within 10 days of pre-irrigating, while others chose to plant some areas dry, before watering up. Growers and farm consultants, along with their agents, checked their Auslot numbers and used that information to their benefit when planting. There has been no looking back, as the irrigated crop is almost all in and should be up, by the end of the month, all very well executed.
The only real hold-up for October was a storm that started south west of Mungindi on the evening of Friday 17 October that ended up crossing the border west of Boomi and headed north east of Bungunya. 40mm of rain was recorded at “Boolarwell”, which allowed us to plant a second dryland trial.
In terms of agronomic advice I perhaps to do not have a lot to offer at this early stage of the season. The only replanting I am aware of was in some new bankless bays, where water was a bit high. Feedback from one local consultant is to start these new endeavors in the morning. Soil born insects seem to be under control and with the speed the crop is establishing itself at, it should hopefully out pace any sucking insect pressure early on.
Over the last few weeks I have been able to plant 6 of 7 irrigated variety trials, along with 3 of 4 side by side variety trials. Once we know they are all established I will circulate a list of these. Lastly, I have been slightly forward on the virtues of Siokra 253B3XF and the opportunity it presents in overhead irrigation systems - see photo below. While we are yet to better understand its growth habits in regard to vegetative to reproductive ratios, the okra leaf shape affords us the opportunity for greater air movement through the canopy. This genetic trait may assist in reducing the impact of boll rot down the track.
Moving forward, as the crop starts to establish itself as stress free as possible, considerations start to move towards where we are at with nutrition. Stay tuned for more as crop growth progresses.
