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CROP MANAGEMENT SERVICE

Our Crop Management Service (CMS) currently monitors in excess of 30,000ha of winter crops on a regular basis for a set fee per area, with a small amount done on an “as-needs” basis at an hourly rate.

A major strategy provided by the service involves constructing crop plans which meet both the yield, quality and fodder requirements of the whole farm.  The implementation of rotation plans has been instrumental in increasing average yields with clients.  The plan is reviewed annually with respect to paddock performance and market trends.  Projections for future years are also performed to take account of herbicide rotation and residue management, future feed requirements and overall balance of cropping and pasture areas.

Prior to planting the crop, advice is provided on moisture conservation, seed bed preparation, pre-emergent weed control applications, crop nutritional requirements, appropriate herbicide strategies and varietal choice.  All of these issues are addressed so as to maximise cropping potential, as the greatest proportion of the crops potential is achieved prior to planting the crop.

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Monitoring is carried out after sowing, and advice is supplied on weed and insect control, disease and nutrient management and general crop progress. The monitoring of the levels of disease present in the crop is carried out to devise improved management plans for following crops and enable improved paddock and varietal choice.  Yield performance is assessed to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the cropping plans.

Advice on equipment set up, appropriate machinery and up-to-date management issues in relation to the management of crops is provided to assist in achieving improved crop performance. Telephone and internet (via e-mail) support during the growing season is provided during and after business hours for general management advice and crisis management.

A small amount of monitoring work is done on an hourly rate basis.  IMAG prefers to offer the full package as described above, as it offers a greater opportunity to build sustainable, low-cost systems by preventing problems from occurring, rather than providing reactive agronomy.

IMAG’s role as independent consultant agronomists includes keeping clients informed on the changes to existing products and the benefits and costs of new fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. IMAG’s information is constantly updated through direct linkages to all major crop protection companies, GRDC, NSW Agriculture and a network of agronomists around Australia.

One of the major competitive advantages of the agronomy service offered by IMAG, aside from being completely independent of product sales, is the knowledge of farming systems.  Agronomic advice is currently provided to clients who receive average annual rainfall ranging from 450mm to 700mm (18 to 28 inches) across all major soil types found in the central west.  By analysing over thirty years of benchmarking data, IMAG has identified the factors that contribute to profitable, sustainable farming operations.  Equally important, it has been identified that the factors affecting profitability vary between different farming regions.  It is this background in profit analysis that allows IMAG agronomists to give advice that is tailored to produce the best outcome in both the silo and the bank balance – the highest yielding crop is rarely the most profitable.


Beet Western Yellows in canola
Beet western yellows virus in canola.  It is critical to be able to differentiate between diseases and nutrient deficiency Good planning and correct chemical choice is vital.  The chickpeas on the left did not receive a pre-emergent chemical application. Knowing the susceptibility of the variety, paddock history and regular monitoring are keys to avoiding problems such as rust.


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