VICTRATO® harvest reveals crown rot triumph at Goondiwindi
When Tom Woods incorporated VICTRATO® into his crown rot management program at planting, he was investing in protection. Come harvest, we returned to Billa Billa, home of Woods Pastoral near Goondiwindi, where Tom and his team were enjoying some outstanding results.
"These are some of the biggest yields we've ever seen," Tom said. "This has been an exceptional year. No crown rot to speak of. Screenings are minimal, test weights high. I've got to give VICTRATO® a lot of the credit."
The harvest results demonstrate the value of proactive crown rot management. Woods reports yields averaging 5.8 to 5.9 tonnes per hectare in some very large paddocks - some of the best results seen in the region.
Syngenta Business Development Lead Andrew Dayas said there had been good uptake of VICTRATO® in Northern Australia.
"In many cases across northern NSW and southern Queensland, we're seeing record levels of yield, which is really exciting," he said. "The quality of grain is exceptional."
In other areas where crown rot management hasn’t been effective, Tom said he had received some distressing reports.
"I've heard of places that haven't used VICTRATO® and they are having yield losses of 20 to 30%.”
Reducing Crown Rot Pressure
For Woods, the most significant outcome has been the effectiveness of VICTRATO® in reducing crown rot symptoms throughout the season - addressing a disease that has challenged grain growers in the region for years.
"It is wonderful to see a crop come to maturity," he reflects. "There's always a little bit of crown rot, but this year (it was) very minimal.
At harvest, the benefits of the treatment were evident." To find a whitehead was more difficult," Tom said, referring to the telltale sign of crown rot infection that sometimes only appear days before harvest.
Part of an Integrated Strategy
VICTRATO® has become the newest component in Tom’s overall crop management approach, working alongside other best practices. "I've grown varieties this year with more confidence that are crown rot susceptible," he explained. "In the past, a year like this would have been rife with crown rot."
The return on investment has been substantial. "This year yields have been extremely high, which is really exciting, giving growers the payback for investing in that technology."
A Critical Management Tool
Tom said VICTRATO® represented an essential risk management tool. "To me, it's a game changer. It's an insurance policy. I'm going to continue to use it because I believe in the research, and now I'm just observing our own results this year - and so far it's performing."
Critically, he emphasised that VICTRATO® delivers best results within a comprehensive management framework. "You have still got to use all your good farming practices and rotate," he cautioned. "VICTRATO® reduces all symptoms of crown rot while providing yield benefits, but it works best as part of your overall disease management strategy."
Planning for Next Season
MCA Ag Group are trusted advisors to Woods Pastoral. Agronomist Stuart Thorn observed excellent efficacy, with reduced basal browning and whiteheads. As growers begin planning their crown rot management programs for next season, Stuart is clear about his approach. "As they come into planting next year, VICTRATO® will certainly be part of my planting recommendations."
Managing Crown Rot with VICTRATO®
VICTRATO® is a seed-applied fungicide that provides season-long crown rot management. Applied at planting, it protects seedlings through the critical emergence stage and continues working through to crop maturity, reducing all symptoms of crown rot while delivering yield benefits.
For optimal results, use VICTRATO® as part of an integrated management approach including crop rotation, inter-row sowing, and careful variety selection.
To assess your potential return on investment, try the VICTRATO® ROI Calculator.
For more information about incorporating VICTRATO® into your crown rot management program, contact your local Syngenta representative.
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