In early June, we spoke with CCDM Director Mark Gibberd and five agronomists to find out how the season is shaping up in their regions. These agronomists share their perspectives on key seasonal issues, along with practical advice for growers: Jake Rademacher (SA), Elizabeth Lobsey (QLD), Sean Randell (WA), Emma Ayliffe (NSW) and Brendan Smith (VIC).
Jake Rademacher, Growers Supplies Agronomist, Warooka (SA)
“The Yorke Peninsula is experiencing one of the best autumns in recent years, with crops emerging within 5–7 days of planting and green paddocks appearing early,” says agronomist Jake Rademacher.
Despite earlier concerns around predicted Super El Niño and high fertiliser and diesel prices, he says the season has started positively, supported by good rainfall and strong soil moisture.
However, some early-season challenges have emerged. “We’ve been quite vigilant with issues linked to the green bridge, which we haven’t seen for a long time,”
Jake explains. “Snails are probably our biggest pest right now, holding some crops back — particularly in southern areas with high populations. But overall, most crops have germinated without any major issues.”
Disease pressure also remains a consideration. Jake advises growers to continue monitoring crops closely for diseases such as net form net blotch in barley and to seek advice on fungicide resistance and application timing.
“A lot of those older fungicide chemistries just aren’t performing as well as some people expect,” he says. “We have strong data to support that, so growers can make informed decisions that improve returns rather than add unnecessary costs.”
Overall, Jake says he is excited to see how early sown crops will perform. “If we can just get average rainfall from here on in, we should be looking at some strong outcomes for everyone.”
Elizabeth Lobsey, Meteora Agronomic Consulting, Dalby (QLD)
“The Darling Downs has had a slow start to the season, with cold weather and rainfall delaying crop planting,” says agronomist Elizabeth Lobsey.
Conditions have been dry up until the last 3–4 weeks, with growers focusing on ground preparation for coming crops. She explains, the current focus is on wheat and barley, with some chickpeas also being sown.
We had some oats planted back in March that weren’t performing well due to hot, dry conditions, but they’ve improved slightly now.
Some planting that made it in between rain events have some pockets that are now very wet, so establishment may be variable.
Disease pressure is expected to remain relatively low, although crown rot in cereals could become a concern if conditions turn unfavourable.
“Some cereal crops are going back into cereal rotations, so there may be some background disease, but overall pressure last season was low,” she says.
Despite recent rain improving soil moisture, yield potential will depend on how the season progresses.
“Yield potential will be down on previous years if the season remains dry, but we’ll still get a crop because the soil profiles are now quite full. If we receive rain, the potential will be similar to previous years. It will really depend on when and if it rains again.”
Looking ahead, Elizabeth is hoping for more rain and a warmer-than-average season, although El Niño remains a concern.
“Some rain in September would be ideal. Although days don’t feel particularly warm, overnight temperatures have been relatively high so far, so the season is tracking warmer than average and, as a result, crops could grow a bit quicker than previous seasons.”
“If you’ve got a paddock where the soil profile is drier, don’t rush decisions based on a partial profile and the current date. Focus on paddocks that have at least an 80% soil moisture profile – especially with our heavier clay soil types.”
Sean Randell, Consult Ag, Esperance (WA)
“The south coast of WA has experienced one of the best starts to the season I’ve seen in a decade, with most areas receiving close to 200mm so far this year,” says agronomist Sean Randell.
“The soil profile started dry, so it’s absorbed rainfall really well — we haven’t seen issues like leaching or erosion.”
According to Sean, crops are well established and tracking strongly. “Everything is in the ground and growing well. Wheat sown later is around the 3–4 leaf stage, while canola sown in late March to early April is starting to bolt, with early flowers coming through.”
While fertiliser and herbicide costs remain high, Sean notes that many growers secured inputs at better prices last year, helping support early-season decisions and easing some financial pressure.
Disease pressure is currently low. “There’s a little bit of blackleg in canola and some barley scald, but nothing too concerning at this stage,” Sean says. The focus for now is maintaining crop nutrition to support plant health and reduce disease risk.
Looking ahead, Sean expects powdery mildew to become more prominent. “Powdery mildew in wheat will likely become an issue as the season progresses, especially in susceptible varieties.”
To manage this, he emphasises a proactive approach. Using fungicides preventatively rather than curatively, along with rotating modes of action, will be important for managing both disease pressure and fungicide resistance.
Sean’s key advice to growers is clear, “the most expensive spray is the one that doesn’t work – timing and conditions are critical.”
“Overall, yield potential is as good as it could be at this point — the sky’s the limit if conditions hold. If the season finishes well, we could be looking at 2.5 t/ha+ canola and 4 t/ha+ cereals.”
Emma Ayliffe, Summit Ag Agricultural Consulting, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo (NSW)
Central West NSW agronomist Emma Ayliffe says the season had a mixed start, with early April rainfall allowing some growers to plant canola and grazing crops.
However, a following 6–8-week dry period meant most crops were dry sown, with many growers shifting away from pulses and towards cereals, including more oats than usual.
Rain from late May into early June has helped crops establish, although the season is running a couple of weeks behind. “There’s still a handful of farmers sowing now, with some late barley, wheat and oats going in,” Emma says.
While crops are generally up and away in warm conditions, she notes moisture remains a key limitation. “We’ve got around 20–40 cm of soil moisture, but there’s no subsoil ‘bucket’ underneath, so follow-up rain over the next couple of months will be critical.”
Yield potential is currently reliant on in-season rainfall. “We’re budgeting canola at around 1.2–1.5 tonnes and wheat at about 2 tonnes, with some upside if conditions stay wet,” she says.
Disease risks are also emerging. Emma expects crown rot to be a concern, particularly if the season turns drier, and early signs of disease in oats are being investigated.
“We suspect Septoria avenae blotch but are waiting on confirmation — it’s a watch-and-act situation for now.”
Fungicide resistance remains on the radar, with reduced sensitivity already identified in some wheat diseases, reinforcing the importance of ongoing monitoring and testing.
Despite the challenges, Emma remains cautiously optimistic. “We can still grow solid crops on average rainfall — it just needs to fall at the right time.”
Brendan Smith, WesternAG, Ballarat (Vic)
In the southwest of Victoria, agronomist Brendan Smith says the season has started well, with minimal frost and above-average growing season rainfall, despite below-average annual rainfall.
“We were able to get crops in on time, with rainfall not long after planting, which led to a terrific germination.”
Canola is one of the more popular crops in the region, with crops now at the 4–5 leaf stage and showing strong growth due to timely planting and favourable conditions, he says.
“Due to on time sowing and warm soils in the southwest seedling blackleg or stem canker is unlikely in the region to be a big issue this season for us. Our main disease focus in canola will be upper canopy blackleg which comes later in the season.”
As for wheat, Septoria tritici remains the key disease to watch, particularly following recent prolonged rainfall.
Fungicide resistance remains a concern, with Brendan advising growers to mix and rotate fungicides. “Use multiple modes of action and understand what chemistry you’re applying and what disease you’re targeting.”
Growers in the southwest are feeling optimistic about the season, despite ongoing challenges with insect pests.
“Currently, we’re seeing increased risks from slugs, earwigs, millipedes and slaters,” Brendan says.
Despite these challenges, Brendan says the season is shaping up positively, with strong crop establishment helping shift the focus from recent increased input pricing. His advice is to keep checking paddocks and stay alert, especially as crops establish.
Mark Gibberd, CCDM Director
“We’re off to a good start, and that’s the best position we could hope for at this stage for many regions,” said CCDM Director Mark Gibberd, noting it’s encouraging to see crops establishing well across the country.
However, every region is different and carries varying levels of risk, particularly when it comes to disease development and management. Regular monitoring and early action are key.
“Growers need to strike a balance between managing disease pressure, maximising yield potential, and protecting the longevity of fungicides,” says Mark.
Beyond fungicide choices, broader agronomic practices such as crop rotation also play a critical role in managing disease risk. In tighter rotations, pressure can build over time.
CCDM plays a leading role in fungicide resistance research, working to monitor changes in pathogen populations and detect resistance early to help guide effective management strategies.
“If you’re experiencing fungicide failure, please reach out to CCDM — and if needed, we’ll ask for a sample,” he added.
Overall, Mark said the next four to six weeks will be critical for monitoring and disease management, encouraging growers to stay proactive as the season unfolds.
Links and Resources:
- Check out the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network website for resources on fungicide resistance.
- Get in touch with the fungicide resistance group if you see fungicide failure, to get some samples across for testing. Contact them at frg@curtin.edu.au
