![Farmers are urged to check barley crops, such as this, for loose smut. Farmers are urged to check barley crops, such as this, for loose smut.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/5Q2j7ezUfQBfUJsaqK3gfB/6c46c1ac-b4f9-44ce-8e8b-6b1c16032cbb.JPG/r0_305_3264_2140_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Loose smut
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Barley growers are being urged to monitor for loose smut infection before harvest after low levels of the disease were found in some crops in south-eastern Australia.
Agriculture Victoria Plant Pathology Research Scientist Dr Mark McLean said smut infections have been found in crops even though they have already had registered seed treatments applied.
“Due to some barley varieties being very susceptible to loose smut, crops that have been treated have still shown the presence of the disease,” Dr McLean said.
“Loose smut is a seed-borne disease that replaces grain heads with smut, which appear as masses of spores.
“Once a crop is infected there is nothing that growers can do this season to stop infections.”
Ag Vic retirement
Agriculture Victoria has farewelled one of its longest serving staff members with the retirement of Horsham-based department stalwart Terry Lewis.
Mr Lewis worked for Agriculture Victoria for 40 years in seven different departments.
SA harvest
THE HARVEST is slowly picking up in South Australia’s western region according to bulk handler Viterra.
There were receivals of 30,000 tonnes of grain over the past week, including 7000 on Saturday.
The company expects it will be another fortnight before serious tonnages of grain start hitting the storage system.
ADM profit
US-based agribusiness ADM has reported a 35pc year on year increase in third quarter earnings.
Net income in the quarter ending September 30 was $A448million, up from $A331 million in the previous corresponding period.
ADM staff attributed the gains to better operating conditions especially in the agricultural services sector.
Changes at GLNC
MICHELLE Broom has become the new manager of the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC), replacing Georgie Aley.
Dr Broom was previously the general manager of the organisation.
The council held its annual general meeting last month and welcomed the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) as a foundation contributor of the GLNC.
This step will ensure funding for GLNC’s continued operation.
GLNC will retain its identity and will continue to operate as Australia’s independent authority on the nutrition and health benefits of grains and legumes.
AEGIC’s chair and three directors – Terry Enright, Matt Macfarlane, Ron Storey and Alick Osborne – will be added the GLNC Board, joining current GLNC Directors Steve Marshall and Robyn Murray. Former GLNC chair Michele Allan and director Peter Schutz retired from the GLNC board at the AGM.
Ms Aley leaves the GLNC after four years in her position.