CROP rotations are primarily on growers' minds at the moment; whether to stick to their rotation plan or whether to decrease their barley area in order to put in a crop that has a better gross margin.

This year could give growers an opportunity to put in a much-needed break crop or even spell the paddock as gross margins for Feed Barley are lacking. 

In the past few years we have seen the same trend of growers decreasing their stocking rates and increasing their cropping hectares but we may now be seeing many growers looking to other avenues in order to make a profit.  

It seems the tables have turned and growers are looking to increase their stocking rates and decrease their cropping areas. 

However, with sheep prices at record highs, can growers afford to follow the trend, and more to the point, will these prices be sustainable for a long period of time? 

New Feed Barley varieties such as Fleet and Hindmarsh have become very popular in the past two years as growers were fed up with growing malting varieties and missing out on different malting specifics year in year out. 

Therefore, growers decided to change there train of thought and try and grow high yielding Feed barley varieties like the two mentioned above. 

The yields of these verities have been plentiful but the prices haven’t. 

It will be interesting to find out if growers stay with their decision to grow feed barley varieties or look to other crops to take its place within the rotation.

Good rainfall across most of Victoria has brought growers a lot of promise as we get closer to getting the seeder out and serviced for yet another winter crop. 

Growers will feel a lot better about growing Canola this season when compared to last season as soil moisture levels are more abundant. 

The decision on what type of canola to grow this year is another very important decision for growers to make.  

Growers now have more choice within canola varieties and they can decide on a conventional variety for their clean paddocks as well as  choosing from three different options when it comes weed control with Clear field, Triazine tolerant and GM roundup ready canola varieties. 

What ever type of Canola the grower chooses, lets hope this year can be a prosperous one.