Growers experiencing or expecting a wet harvest are encouraged to adapt their program to harvest next season's seed requirements and the most profitable crops as a priority.
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Maintaining low temperatures, humidity and grain moisture content is critical as weather damaged seed deteriorates faster than sound seed in storage.
HRZ Ag Consulting adviser Chris Bluett said the scenario that could bring grain quality down would involve prolonged wet periods, which did not allow crops to dry out.
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He said prioritisng harvesting of crops from a quality and pricing perspective to protect profits and next year's seed was a safe option.
"If harvest ends up wet, the most important thing is to get the grain off as any delays can cost growers quality and money," Mr Bluett said.
Controlled traffic farming allows growers to potentially harvest again sooner, once grain moisture levels allow, as they have compacted tracks to drive on, according to Mr Bluett.
"Getting machinery bogged in waterlogged soil can cost you time and make a mess of your paddock," he said.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation's southern region panel member and agricultural cropping consultant Jon Midwood recommends growers have weather-damaged grain tested for viability before sowing next season.
"Seed testing is a very small cost in the scheme of things and can offset future losses as a result of not sowing seed at the optimum density," Mr Midwood said.
The likelihood of a wetter than normal harvest was recently confirmed with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a La Nina weather event.
Wet conditions prior to or during harvest can cause seed to discolour or germinate, reducing starch and protein and downgrading grain to feed grades.
Strategic harvesting of paddocks or areas of paddocks, with well draining soil types while waiting for paddocks to dry out or grain moisture levels to decrease is one suggested way growers can ensure quality is retained in harvested grain.
It could also require growers to target small areas of each crop type to harvest the seed required for next season before continuing their usual program.
For more information about the implications of a wet harvest, visit the GRDC Paddock Practice at bit.ly/2JvKwo0
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