Hints & Tips for Summer Crops

Hints & Tips for Summer Crops

With summer crop planting just around the corner, now’s the time to set your season up for success. Whether you’re sowing pasture, corn, millet, sorghum or soybeans, a little planning now can make all the difference to establishment, yield, and return on investment. Below are some simple but effective tips to guide your preparations and help you get the basics right.

1. Fallow Preparation

Getting your paddock clean before sowing is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take. A weed-free fallow reduces early competition for nutrients and water, allowing your crop to establish with less pressure. Nufarm Crucial is a proven tool for effective knockdown control, helping you start with a clean slate.

2. Lock in Seed Supply & Variety Selection

Seed demand always peaks in the lead-up to planting. If you haven’t secured your seed yet, don’t leave it too late. Speak with your Norco agronomist about the best varieties for your rotation, soil type and local conditions. Choosing the right seed upfront helps manage risks around disease, maturity, and end-use goals. We proudly stock quality options from trusted suppliers such as Barenbrug.

3. Support Early Growth with Starter Fertiliser

A strong start sets the tone for the season. Starter fertilisers provide the essential nutrients crops need in those crucial early stages, helping boost vigour and resilience. Impact Fertilisers offer a wide range of blends to suit different crops and soil requirements – ask your local team which option is best for you.

4. Stay Ahead with Weed Control

Weeds don’t stop once the crop is in the ground. Planning a pre- and post-emergent herbicide strategy now will save headaches later. This is particularly important in crops like corn, sorghum and soybeans, where early weed competition can significantly impact yield potential.

5. Plan for Top Dressing

As crops establish, it’s important to reassess nutrient needs. Nitrogen top-dressing is often required in crops such as corn, sorghum and millet to drive yield and quality. Monitoring crop performance and being ready to act will ensure your plants don’t run short during peak demand periods.

6. Monitor for Pests Early

Young crops are highly vulnerable to insect attack. Regular monitoring of newly emerged paddocks allows for early detection and fast response to pest activity. Keeping ahead of issues like grubs, aphids or armyworm will help safeguard establishment and protect your season’s yield potential.