Issues with germination of wheat in southern Queensland has prompted agronomists to push farmers to test germination levels in their seed prior to planting.
Landmark agronomist Andrew McPherson, Goondiwinidi, said a number of farmers in the area had experienced a reduced strike with wheat seed that was retained from harvest last winter.
“In one instance, we collected a sample going into storage at 96 per cent and we got the results back the other day and they were at 44pc, so from harvest to planting time we've lost pretty close to 50pc of the germination ability of that seed,” Mr McPherson said.
“There are people at different levels of severity as far as germination goes and obviously there hasn’t been a great deal of wheat sown around the area because of the dry conditions.”
At present, the only issue has been with Lancer wheat being that it’s an early-plant variety, but Mr McPherson said it’s more a combination of timing and varieties as to the effect being seen in the paddock.
“Leading into harvest last year, we had some rainfall right as we were getting going, so basically the rainfall just before harvest has lowered the germination or the viability of the seed,” Mr McPherson said.
“We've also seen germination levels decline over the storage period in silos.
“The vigor of the seed might have been reduced from the harvest conditions and over time the germination percentage has reduced on that seed.”
Mr McPherson said because dry conditions had prohibited a large planting across the region, the issue was likely limited in its affects but a general rainfall could change that outcome.
“The message I'd be trying to get out is if you were planning to plant wheat seed and you did have rainfall at harvest, it would be worthwhile checking the germination of any seeds you did have stored from last year's harvest, especially after what we've seen with Lancer so far,” he said.
Luke Arbuckle, Warrandine, Talwood is one of several farmers in the district that has had issues with germination.
Mr Arbuckle planted 530 hectares of Lancer wheat in early May and said he’s had next to no germination across the entire area.
“I think it was just the wet harvest, but I've been through a wet harvest before and never had any germination issues either,” he said.
“I’ve since been able to get Suntop into one of the paddocks, but had to go a bit deeper to still be in moisture and it’s started germinating already.
“I've got my Suntop being tested but I needed to plant before I got it retested while I still had the moisture and it seems to be germinating fine.
“I had close to full moisture when planting, but I lost a lot of it working the country the first time I planted.”