WeedSmart Podcast: Recent Episodes
WeedSmart
Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast! Each fortnight we'll whip around the cropping regions, focusing on weed control and issues that have cropped up. Your hosts, Siobhon Eacott and Peter Newman, will deliver you snappy, informative updates on what matters in weed control, from the comfort of your tractor, ute, or wherever you may be on the road or farm.
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by two agronomists from the central west area of New South Wales: Charlie Mitton from Baker Ag Advantage and Ted O’Rafferty from AGnVET.
Charlie and Ted provide a unique dual perspective on the region, covering areas from Forbes and Condobolin to Grenfell. While Charlie predominantly works with straight cropping operations utilizing a four-year rotation of canola, wheat, barley, and pulses, Ted deals mostly with mixed farming enterprises that incorporate livestock, lucerne, and grazing crops. After a late seasonal break in the west, the region is having a good year with warm winter conditions and a lack of frost causing crops to fire through their growth stages.
The favourable weather has also brought weed challenges, particularly with annual ryegrass and wild oats showing resistance to common in-crop sprays. Charlie and Ted discuss the importance of robust pre-emergent programs and double break rotations to keep weed numbers low.
Charlie and Ted also both made the trip to Geraldton, WA, for WeedSmart Week last year - tune in to hear their thoughts on the event!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by herbicide resistance researchers Roberto Busi (DPIRD WA, The University of Western Australia) and Peter Boutsalis (Plant Science Consulting, Adelaide University) for a run-down of their latest resistance testing results.
This episode covers some of the fundamentals of herbicide resistance; what it actually is, how it happens, how to take a 'good' test, and what a positive result means for on-farm weed control decisions.
Roberto and Peter also share some of the findings from their latest research on glufosinate, clethodim and ammonium sulphate, and discuss what the APVMA's paraquat decision will mean for growers using 'quat products in summer weed control programs.
Click here for more information on herbicide resistance testing and to find a service near you.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
This episode of Beyond Resistance was recorded on 11 June, 2026, before the APVMA announced new restrictions for the use of paraquat and diquat products.
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by our own Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, and GRDC's Manager of Chemical Regulations, Gordon Cumming.
Australia has one of the most trusted chemical regulatory frameworks in the world and in this podcast, we aim to de-mystify how the maximum residue limit (MRL) system underpins our access to global markets.
Gordon and Paul discuss how growers can stay on the right side of the regulations, and the unfortunate reality of what happens if an Aussie shipment doesn't comply with overseas restrictions.
Ultimately, it all comes down to communication; read the herbicide labels, talk with your marketer before putting a crop in, and use all of the Big 6 strategies! We can all play a part in preserving Australia's hard-won reputation as a supplier of safe and high-quality food, while also protecting the efficacy of our available herbicides.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update we're joined by Rolleston grower, Kurt Mayne. Kurt's main crop is usually chickpeas, although he also rotates through mungbeans, sorghum and barley.
Kurt's a big believer in using every tool in the Big 6 toolbox for weed control. In addition to crop rotation, he also aims for zero weed seed set and uses harvest weed seed control.
He's currently got a self-propelled sprayer, two tow-behind sprayers and chaff decks on his header. This year he also experimented with swathing his mungbeans for the first time. Tune in to find out how it went!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by Adama Market Development Managers, Bevan Addison (WA) and Andre Sabeeney (SA), to discuss how this year's unusual seasonal dynamics and fuel/fertiliser issues are altering regional crop rotations and weed control.
Our guests unpack why maximizing weed control during pulse and canola phases is essential for driving down grass weed seed banks before returning to cereals, as well as the strategic value of mixing and rotating chemistry to protect herbicides for future seasons. Product choice is just one part of the equation!
So, if you're weighing up herbicide options in pulses, reviewing your pre-em program or looking to get more out of your post-em applications, this episode is for you!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Joe Koch, a grower from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
Joe and his family run a mixed "crops and chops" operation in separate high and low rainfall zones. With a rare wet start (200ml from the end of March - April!) under their belts, they've been faced with higher numbers of ryegrass, barley grass, marshmallow weed, capeweed and milk thistle!
Joe has been keeping busy on the boomspray, getting in some double-knocks as well as narrow windrow burning. With a bit of imi and glyphosate resistance starting to creep into the region, he's also a big proponent of diverse cropping and mixing and rotating herbicides.
Tune in to also hear his reasoning behind their latest purchase - a new green-on-brown sprayer!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, Shannon chats with South Coastal Agencies Lead Agronomist Rachel Minnett and Nutrien Farm Services Agronomist Tom Shaw about bridging the gap between university training and practical farm agronomy skills.
Tom and Rachel discuss how the WeedSmart Big 6 provide a good reminder to view weed control as part of a whole-farm system approach, rather than just individual jobs to be done. Rachel remembers carrying around a print-off of the Big 6 in her car during the early days of her career!
Both Rachel and Tom are big proponents of professional development for agronomists at all stages of their career. Tom recommends new agronomists think of their first two years as an apprenticeship, and try and learn as much as possible during this time. Rachel emphasises the importance of confidence, strong communication skills and coming prepared.
Tune in for some great advice for up-and-coming agronomists! And if you're looking for more resources, our website is chock full of articles, webinars, videos and fact sheets to help you call the shots against your weeds.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Will Woolcock, Branch Manager and Agronomist at Nutrien in Emerald, QLD.
Will's territory extends about 200km north and south of Emerald, where he's seeing a lot more growers planting chickpeas this year, in response to the current fertiliser cost and supply issues.
The region's current weed challenges are feather top rhodes grass, sweet summer grass and fleabane in the summer, with milk thistle and poppy causing issues in winter.
Will gives advice on fallow and in-crop chemistry and cautions growers against an over-reliance on glyphosate and glufosinate. He'd recommend looking into strategic tillage and crop rotations!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update we're joined by Paul "Chippa" Ackland, senior agronomist at Central Ag Solutions in Arthurton SA. Following a very hot summer, some much needed March rain has brought out ryegrass and cape weed germination on the Yorke Peninsula.
Paul notes that resistance in milk thistle, wild vetch and tares is a particular issue for the region. While he's been impressed by growers' uptake of harvest weed seed mills, he'd also encourage farmers to consider all of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategies, including diverse crop rotations and increasing sowing rates.
We end with a reminder to check on your mates, especially in these challenging times.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Angus Roberts, a young grower from Dandaragan, WA. Angus chats to host Shannon about his mixed farming operation 160km north of Perth and their history with clethodim resistance.
Since attending Mildura WeedSmart Week in 2022, Angus and his family have aimed to adopt all of the Big 6 strategies to lower their weed seed bank and prevent herbicide resistance. Angus is now a WeedSmart fan and convinced 20 of his mates to join him at WeedSmart Week in Geraldton last year!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
This Beyond Resistance podcast episode featuring experts Richard Holzknecht and Jeshua Smith from VICCHEM is an essential resource for farmers and agronomists looking to optimise their herbicide mix in the tank and ensure every drop counts. Since spray water typically makes up more than 95% of what goes into a spray tank, the quality of that water dictates whether a "chemistry experiment" succeeds or fails in the paddock. Our speakers explain how common issues like hard water, high pH, and bicarbonates can tie up active ingredients—such as glyphosate and clethodim—before they even have a chance to work.
By listening to this deep dive, you will learn why "plants don't drink rocks" and how poor water quality can lead to sublethal doses, which inadvertently accelerates the development of herbicide resistance.
This podcast provides practical, field-ready advice on how to transition from reactive troubleshooting to proactive water management.
Listeners can gain insights into the benefits of different water sources, the necessity of regular water testing, and the strategic use of conditioning agents like liquid ammonium sulfate (AMS) and citric acid to ameliorate quality issues. Also discussed is how to distinguish between genuine chemical resistance and spray failures caused by poor water, potentially saving growers from unnecessary and costly management changes. Whether you are an agronomist seeking to refine your recommendations or a grower aiming to maximise return on investment and protect the longevity of your chemical tools, this episode offers the technical expertise needed to stay ahead of the curve.
Resources:
VICCHEM Free Water Quality Test
GRDC Spray water Quality Factsheet
Upcoming GRDC Herbicide Behaviour Workshops
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email.
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we hear from Kate Shooter, an agronomist at McGregor Gourlay based in Toowoomba. Kate shares how conditions are progressing in the Eastern and Western Downs regions of Queensland, particularly in the wake of last November’s hailstorm.
With mung bean planting in full swing and sorghum crops just coming into head, Kate also flags barnyard grass, feathertop grass, milk thistle and fleabane as the region’s current priorities for weed control. Tune in to this episode to hear Kate’s advice on staying ahead of resistance and getting on top of summer grasses.
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we hear from Reece Rayson, who continues to make the best out of a couple of below average rainfall seasons, with an eye on the WeedSmart Big 6 to lead the challenge on herbicide resistance.
Reece attended WeedSmart Week 2025 in Geraldton this year, and highlights some of the common factors discussed and incorporated into their own system, from chemical fallow, pre-em controls, and fenceline management. Building a robust rotation, addressing soil constraints, along with mixing herbicides are some of the key takeaways to keep herbicide resistance on the boundary to maintain flexibility within the years were rainfall does prove a challenge.
When in the thick of a weather-affected harvest on a less than best season, keeping an eye on the end-game is important to be ready for the next season and next challenges ahead. Whether it be delayed starts to sowing or summer weeds germinating during harvest, having a plan from the Big 6 could help set you up for successful weed management.
Tune in to hear first-hand what a couple of WeedSmart Weeks can do for your system’s thinking and keep ahead of the curve!
WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we hear from our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists from the Western and Southern regions on steps to take from this point in the season with cool soft spring finish to the winter growing season and points to think about when considering harvest operations and planning the next season of weed control.
Pete Newman will highlight a few gems of research and on-farm practices to remember when dealing with this long growing season in the Western region.
Greg Condon speaks to the weed control options to consider across a range of on-farm situations for the Southern growing region going into the clean-up phase of the 2025 season.
WeedSmart Resources:
Why chaff decks are a great option for harvest weed seed control - WeedSmart
Setting up for chafflining - WeedSmart
Harvest weed seed control in a nutshell - WeedSmart
Learning Hub – HWSC 101
Other Resources:
Harvest resources - GRDC
Harvest weed seed control southern high rainfall zone
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of Regional Update, we hear from Erin Dalton, Baker Ag Advantage, an experienced agronomist working closely with growers in her region to tackle the season’s biggest challenges. Erin shares valuable on-the-ground insights into how local conditions are shaping cropping decisions, the strategies farmers are using to manage weeds, and the role weed management practices are playing in building resilience.
Erin brings a full Big 6 approach to the Forbes region pushing the boundaries around knowing what works and continuing to look to the future edge on weed management. A program of herbicide resistance testing has revealed differences in levels across the region, highlighting differences in management and machinery. Farming systems and weed control need to evolve, with Erin speaking to tailoring solutions to regional conditions demonstrated with trials – mixing herbicides, adopting other pulses plus testing newer varieties of wheat and canola for the area.
Whether you’re a grower, adviser, or industry stakeholder, Erin’s perspective provides a practical and timely snapshot of the current season and the innovations influencing
future farm practice.
Tune in for real-world updates, that will help you stay ahead in an ever-changing farming landscape.
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Tom Wolfe pulls back the curtain on the forces driving (and sometimes derailing) new spray technology – and how farmers can cut through the noise to find what will work for them!
In this episode of Beyond Resistance, spray technology expert Tom Wolfe tackles one of agriculture’s most complex balancing acts – aligning stewardship, technology, and on-farm practicality.
As optical spot spraying, precision application, and automation surge ahead, farmers are caught in the crossfire of competing priorities: herbicide manufacturers pushing product strategies, machinery manufacturers driving rapid equipment innovation, with industry’s shared responsibility for sustainable chemical use. Tom unpacks where these interests converge – and where they collide – revealing the practical realities farmers face when trying to integrate new tools without sacrificing agronomic outcomes or profitability.
We explore how stewardship principles can work hand-in-hand with technology, the regulatory and market pressures shaping decisions, and why the right fit for a farm isn’t always the flashiest or most promoted option. This is a candid, insightful conversation for growers, advisers, and industry stakeholders navigating the future of weed control in a world where every spray counts.
2025 GRDC Research Updates Paper
Agrimetrix Research & Training
Webinar: Making Every Drop(let) Count – An International Perspective on Spraying Efficiencies
AskAnExpert: How can I gain more spray efficiency?
Big6 #sprayefficacy #sprayefficiency #stewardship #weedsmart #innovation
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Austin Rayner, farm manager with EF Smart Pty Ltd, brings an update from Midwest WA with insights into the weed strategy after a period of soil amelioration investment combined with new chemistry, leading to a low weed seed bank plus leaving plenty of other tools in the toolbox for future management. While building to this situation using a diverse weed management program based around the Big 6, the Smart's enterprise continues to keep an eye on emerging challenges, ready to overcome through incorporation of all of the weed management tools where you can.
You can hear from Austin at the 2025 WeedSmart Week held at the end of July (29th and 30th) in the midwest region of WA at Geraldton!
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Our June Regional Update gives us an insight into the Northern cropping region during this year, as crops are being harvested and sown simultaneously with the season presenting a few challenges. Hear from UQ graduate, Max Schmelzer as he talks about herbicide resistance and tools in the box working to address the weed seed bank across their family farm.
A focus on the insights from new technology used helps to address the weed strategy for the future germinations across their dual season enterprise. Taking note of the data created from weed control applications helps inform potential sources of new outbreaks, adding value to the weed management strategy.
Take a listen!
Links and Further Information:
WeedSmart Big 6 Case Study: Jamie and Susie Grant, Jimbour Qld Weed management with a focus on prevention through stubble retention, soil health and rotation of chemicals using sensor spraying and automation.
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode, we hear from our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists, Jana Freebairn and Greg Condon, updating from their respective Southern and lower Northern growing regions.
With many farms commencing a dry seeding program to efficiently get across the hectares in what will be a less than ideal start to the winter growing season, the podcast focuses on tactics for short-term management with a long-term weed strategy.
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
As our farming environment changes with our management, so to do the plant populations growing across our landscape. Gazania, a long-term weed within Australia is taking advantage of harsher summers competing well where water is a scarce resource. Ali Bajwa, weed researcher and Senior Lecturer in Weed Science and Agronomy with @LaTrobe university is aiming to nip gazania in the bud with @GRDC research project (GRDC Code: ULA2402-002RTX).
WeedSmart Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey, introduces the foundation for this GRDC NGN project, putting grower funds to work on preventing gazania from as a hard-to-control weed becoming established in paddock situations.
Ali Bajwa describes progress and applicable trial work for managing gazania within broadacre situations, citing prevention is better than the cure. Coordinated approaches between public and private land managers need to be vigilant from letting this 'pretty and hardy garden escapee' from becoming a persistent perennial stealing precious soil water. @A1Bajwa @SABE_LaTrobe and @LaTrobe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-bajwa-686b5a37/
Mallee Sustainable Farming: https://msfp.org.au/gazania-wars-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-tackling-a-persistent-weed/
Technical Experts: Deep Dive Review Paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/915
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
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See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.
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The regional update from the southern growing region with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Chris Davey, providing you with a dry seeding update for 2025, soil moisture observations and challenges for crop health.
With negative moisture levels in the soil and limited rainfall over the last 12 months, looking over the spray records will be the key to success to plot the best course of action for the 2025 rotation.
Knowing the plantback period from last year's herbicide application dates and estimated rainfall requirement to ensure this season's crop health will be a key driver for a successful crop.
Residual chemicals for particular rotations may present a risk needing to be managed from the outset, especially with limited seed available to provide a better fit to suit the situation.
Knowing your soil, looking at your records and concentrating on 'how you sow' this year are potential strategies to set up your crop health for winter and spring. Talk to your local agronomist to check your assumptions.
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
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Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Welcome to 2025!
The first Regional Update of 2025 takes us to Lock Valley Farms in South Australia, with Henry Coleman, a mixed operations grower and Youtuber.
Documenting his life on the farm alongside his family, he filled us in on the season just been - though dry, he's remaining optimistic this coming year is going to be a ripper, and has been tackling the ryegrass, brome and legacy weed issues through optimising his rotations.
You can check out Henrys Youtube channel here, Lock Valley Farms.
Latest News and Related Links
Latest Article: Reinventing the pre-seeding double-knock tactic
The double-knockdown tactic is a key component of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategy, which aims to keep weed numbers low, preserve herbicide efficacy and give competitive crops a head start.
Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.
Don't forget to follow us on our socials:
Twitter/X
Bluesky
Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!
Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email
See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.
#drivesafe #farmsafe
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
In this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we talk about how weed seeds can adapt their dormancy, discussing the selection pressures, interactions with herbicides and the recommended actions from growers to get ahead.
We also caught up with Pete for a quick recap of the season in the West, after an explosion of weeds thanks to an especially wet winter.
If you're interested in finding out more about today's episode, you can catch Dr Gurjeet Gill via our WeedSmart Learning Hub, and watch or read our related content below.
News and Links
Webinar: Beating barley grass despite resistance and dormancy challenges
With Dr Catherine Borger, and Ben Whisson. Join us to hear about the new challenges, and some research and observations about how we will manage barley grass into the future.
Does delayed sowing help manage weed populations? With Dr Gurjeet Gill
The answer to this question is a very simple ‘no’. Waiting for weed seeds with longer dormancy to germinate before sowing costs yield and weeds often set more seed in late sown crops.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Join WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomists Jana Freebairn and Chris Davey in discussing the rising resistance to imi’s (imidazolinone) in broadleaf weeds, in 2024 and beyond.
Imi resistance is a growing issue within our cropping systems and is becoming ever more important when considering crop rotation, herbicide selection and yearly environmental pressures.
Jana and Chris share their experiences with imi resistance so far this year in the Southern Region of SA and the Eyre Peninsula, speaking to what they have seen within lentil crops and how the WeedSmart Big 6 can assist.
Delivered by our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists, Header Run videos are created for the on-the-move grower and are suitable for a watch or listen. The video can be found on our website.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!
Ian Pursehouse is our guest for this episode of the Regional Update.
Located in NSW, in West Wyalong, Ian and his family transitioned from a mixed operation to 100% dryland cropping in the late 2010's, and have been learning from every experience since.
Ian has a systems-focused approach, with an emphasis on optimising rotations to not only control weeds - one of the WeedSmart Big 6 principles - but minimise costs across the board. After a less-than-ideal season with low rainfall and frost, his philosophy of "controlling what you can" and strategic investment have ensured they are prepared for whatever comes next.
Links and Further Information:
GrainGrowers Paddock Perspective with Ian Pursehouse (referenced in Podcast)
The WeedSmart Big 6: Rotate Crops and Pastures Weeds love predictable rotations. They find it easy to evolve resistance to herbicides when they are used in a predictable manner. If we mix it up a bit, the weeds get confused and find it harder to adapt to the farming system.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This Regional Update Podcast episode, we're joined by grower Stuart Vlahov from Western Australia.
Stu is a grower in Ellendale, WA, around 35kms south-east of Geraldton near Walkaway, who has recently been using two drones to spray crops within his mixed farming operation spanning 3500ha.
With bogged crops and wild radish flourishing, Stu is employing the two DJI drones for weed control and fertiliser application. Talking with us about the drone's short down time, price, set-up and future applications, Stu is keen to see the space change and evolve.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we heard from Josh Hollitt, an Independant Agronomist located in the Eyre Peninsula, who is presenting at the upcoming WeedSmart Week in Port Lincoln.
Speaking on summer weed control strategies, Josh has over a decade of experience to share and is looking forward to hearing from other growers and agronomists in the region.
We also heard from co-host Pete Newman about his panel, focusing on HWSC and challenges growers have faced. If you're attending WeedSmart Week, take a listen to his tips and tricks to get the most out of the event!
If you're looking to secure tickets to WeedSmart Week, please find them here! We will also be recording the speaker presentations, so if you can't make it, make sure you stay tuned into our Twitter, @WeedSmartAU, or sign up for our Newsletter here to get our content in one place!
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by former agronomist and grower Vicky French.
With nearly 10 years of experience working for Elders as an agronomist, and now a grower with her husband in Derrinallum, SW Victoria, Vicky French has a wealth of knowledge to share - and will be doing so at WeedSmart Week this July!
Vicky will be speaking about glyphosate resistance and the strategies they have implemented to control ryegrass and wild radish, and gave us a small look into that talk on this episode.
If you're interested in hearing grower experiences like Vicky's, come along to WeedSmart Week, July 29-30, at Port Lincoln, SA. Early bird tickets are available until June 28! Grab yours here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Joining us on this extra-long episode of the WeedSmart Podcast was Mike Bell, who shared his extensive experience of soil nutrition and more recent work into P&K deep placement in the northern regions.
We also talked with Kurt Mayne, a grower from Rolleston, QLD, who has been implementing a deep placement regime into his operations, and heard about his recent experience with milk thistle.
NEWS and LINKS
Crop Competition: Improving soil health gives the crop the best chance at competing against weeds. Learn all about crop competition with our free online course via our Learning Hub, Crop Competition 101.
WeedSmart Week:Get tickets to the annual WeedSmart Week event! Held in Port Lincoln on July 29-30, the latest knowledge and advice around the WeedSmart Big 6 will be shared, with a focus on experiences from the Eyre Peninsula and southern region.
GRDC Deep placement update paper:Take a read of Mikes’ paper on deep P&K placement, or the fact sheet available here.
Kurt Mayne's WeedSmart Feature:Kurt and his family operate a 6000 ha mixed farming operation of dryland grain production and backgrounding steers for feedlots at ‘Broken Plains’, 13 km east of Rolleston in Central Queensland.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined byt agronomist Angus Dalgliesh.
Angus is an agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions who has recently moved from Dalby to Cloncurry in north-west Queensland, taking on the challenge and opportunity in the burgeoning cropping region.
Though weeds aren't a problem at this early stage, growers are finding an overabundance of rats impacting their systems, to which Angus is keen to find a solution for.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we talk to Bevan Addison of Adama about pre-emergent herbicide options in canola, and getting the best out of products.
We also spoke to Senior Research Officer Mechelle Owen, who works within the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) to monitor herbicide resistance and development.
NEWS and LINKS
Webinar: Achieve effective pre-em weed control while protecting the crop at seeding
Join WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Greg Condon, FMC's tech specialist Mark Yerbury, and ICAN's herbicide technology expert Mark Congreve in a discussion about getting the best out of your pre-emergent.
WeedSmart Week:Get tickets to the annual WeedSmart Week event! Held in Port Lincoln on July 29-30, the latest knowledge and advice around the WeedSmart Big 6 will be shared, with a focus on experiences from the Eyre Peninsula and southern region.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, our new podcast host (and WeedSmart Communications Lead) Siobhon Eacott talked to Farm Manager Cameron Jenkin.
Cameron manages the wheat and chemical fallow operations of Mark and John Flannagan near Pindar, 125km east of Geraldton in WA in the low rainfall zone.
The Flanagan's have recently employed the services of an autonomous sprayer, named Alfie, who roams the 44,500ha property for primarily spot spraying.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we look at management strategies for glyphosate resistant weeds.
We're joined by University of Adelaide researcher Chris Preston, who recently presented on the topic at the GRDC Crop Updates in Dubbo.
We're also joined by Delta Ag agronomist David Strahorn who speaks about the current state of glyphosate resistance in his patch.
NEWS and LINKS
Webinar:
Spot Spray technology – opportunities & challenges incorporating the latest camera/optical spray equipment: Extension agronomists Greg Condon and Peter Newman spoke to representatives from Millers/McIntosh, John Deere, Goldacres and Croplands to understand the latest spot spray technology.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by grower and agronomist James Kearines.
James is an agronomist with Elders near Lake Cargelligo in central NSW, where he specialises in broadacre dryland agronomy, mainly dealing with the major crops of wheat, barley, canola, oats and pulses.
His family also manages a number of farms in the area and along with cropping, they also have a few Black Angus cattle.
After a below average year in 2023, James is excited for what 2024 might bring after receiving between 200 and 260 millimetres of summer rain.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we delve into the world of spot spray technology.
Rob Price, from South Australia, and Jake Hamilton, from Queensland, use Bilberry and John Deere See and Spray tech respectively.
They explain their motivations for using the tech, and discuss the opportunities and challenges they have faced when incorporating the latest camera/optical spray equipment into their cropping program.
NEWS and LINKS
Webinar:
Spot Spray technology – opportunities & challenges incorporating the latest camera/optical spray equipment: On March 6, Join Weedsmart Extension Agronomists, Peter Newman and Greg Condon as they explore the current spot spray technologies on offer and the opportunities and challenges with incorporating the latest spot (camera/optical) spray equipment.
Millers/McIntosh Tech specialist Scott Jamieson and John Deere’s Anton Kowalenko provide their insights into how farmers/spray contractors can address the challenges and opportunities with utilising this technology.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Welcome back to the WeedSmart Podcast for 2024.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by grower and agronomist Matt Elliott.
Matt farms with his family near Nandaly in the Mallee region of Victoria, and is also an agronomist with Dodgshun Medlin.
They crop mainly wheat barley, lentils, and export hay, and run their operation on a "take no prisoners" basis when it comes to weed control.
After a couple of wet years and a decent amount of summer rain, Matt is excited for what 2024 might bring.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we wrap up the 2023 season by talking with our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists.
Together, Northern Extension Agronomist Paul McIntosh, Southern Extension Agronomists Greg Condon and Chris Davey, and Western Extension Agronomist Peter Newman take us through the year that was in their various parts of the country.
The talk about the season itself, how harvest has panned out, and of course the weed control tactics that have proved most beneficial in 2023.
NEWS and LINKS
Webinar:
Biological control of grains weeds – development of novel tools and approaches for integration:Discover the pioneering work of CSIRO researchers Dr Ben Gooden and Dr Michelle Rafter on using biocontrol agents to control crop weeds. They will discuss their work conducting exploratory surveys of biocontrol agents and host-testing with pathogens and insects.
Articles
1. Testing optical sprayer technology return on investment: Machinery prices have sky-rocketed in recent years, leaving many growers wondering whether new technologies, like optical spot sprayers, can pay their way. Peter Newman, Planfarm farm business consultant and WeedSmart western extension agronomist, has run some figures for his clients to help them with boomspray purchase decisions, and found that the benefits often outweigh the upfront cost of weed detection technology.
2. Measuring the value of weed control expenses: Weed control is expensive, and it is often hard to measure the return on your investment. WeedSmart’s southern extension agronomist, Chris Davey, is determined to show that his advice to growers will put money back in their pockets through improved crop yield and fewer weeds to control in future seasons.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by grower Katrina (Treen) Swift.
Treen farms with her family near Parkes, NSW, where they grow summer and winter crops in incredibly variable conditions.
They have 13 different crops in their toolbox, including but not limited to, sorghum, mungbeans, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, lupins, vetch, canola, wheat, barley, and ancient grains.
The idea is that gives them options for weed and insect management by not being set in a very short and strict rotations.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we talk about crop rotations with two researchers from CSIRO.
CSIRO senior experimental scientist, Tony Swan, discusses the importance of diverse crop rotations, the benefits of a double break, and how well-planned crop rotations can help nitrogen management.
CSIRO farming systems scientist, Lindsay Bell, talks about rotations from a northern perspective, covering the importance of weed control during fallow, how soil water is a driver of decisions, and including legumes in crop diversification.
NEWS and LINKS
Upcoming webinar: Biological control of grains weeds – development of novel tools and approaches for integration
Discover the pioneering work of CSIRO researchers Dr Ben Gooden and Dr Michelle Rafter on using biocontrol agents to control crop weeds. They will discuss their work conducting exploratory surveys of biocontrol agents and host-testing with pathogens and insects.
Articles
1. Investment in holistic weed management pays off: An independent evaluation noted that WeedSmart has found a ‘real sweet spot to take a holistic approach to problems and develop viable solutions without bias’. Growers commented that WeedSmart has helped them be more aware of potential risks with farm management, crop rotations and chemical use, and keeping weed management front of mind when making all decisions.
2. By-pass mode can extend impact mill life: High rainfall region growers Stewart and Jessica Wallace (Esperance, WA) swapped their chaff carts for a weed seed impact mill to avoid burning the chaff heaps and retain all the crop residues on the paddock while driving down the weed seed bank.
CSIRO Links
1. Break crops and rotations for wheat:This review quantifies the yield increase, based on >900 comparisons of wheat growing after a break crop with wheat after wheat.
2. Herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass: Diverse systems and strategies to cost-effectively manage herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass in no-till wheat-based cropping sequences in south-eastern Australia.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by grower and Nutrien agronomist Dan Skerman.
Dan farms with his family near Dalby, Qld, on 2000 ha. They grow cotton, sorghum and mungbean in summer and wheat, barley and chickpeas in winter.
He gives us an update on how the season played out for him, considering the region went from one of the wettest 18-month periods on record to some of the driest three months of summer. Dan says they got 350 mm of rain in last year's winter growing season, versus only 20 mm this year.
Dan talks about his summer/winter rotation and the weed control practices he deploys on the farm.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we talk about harvest preparedness. We hear from two of WeedSmart’s extension agronomists.
WeedSmart southern extension agronomist, Chris Davey, discusses the different ways growers can get the crop dry enough to successfully put it through a harvester without any blockages, such as windrowing, desiccation and crop topping.
WeedSmart western extension agronomist, Peter Newman, talks about optimum harvester set-up to ensure weed seeds go into the chaff cart, chaff deck or weed seed impact mill.
NEWS and LINKS
Webinar recording: The economics of weeds — what they cost and the benefits of managing them effectively
We don’t often take the time to calculate what yield reduction weeds are actually responsible for, or what a well-planned rotation for weed management can make a farming business. In our latest webinar, we discussed the economic benefits of implementing an integrated weed management approach on your farm.
Upcoming webinar: Biological control of grains weeds – development of novel tools and approaches for integration
Discover the pioneering work of CSIRO researchers Dr Ben Gooden and Dr Michelle Rafter on using biocontrol agents to control crop weeds. They will discuss their work conducting exploratory surveys of biocontrol agents and host-testing with pathogens and insects.
Articles
1. Windrowing barley plus HWSC in the high rainfall zone:Tim Williams (Conmurra, SA) uses the barley phase to really drive down their weed seed bank. Tim says they windrow the barley as early as possible, cutting it low to the ground. This minimises weed seed shedding, particularly in ryegrass, so they can capture the seed and process it through the impact mills at harvest.
2. Never miss an opportunity to tackle weeds: Lance Turner says herbicide resistance, particularly glyphosate resistance, was going to take them out of cropping if they didn’t start using harvest weed seed control. Twenty-five years on and the Turners still have the newer chemistries ‘up their sleeve’.
3. Mills impact the weed seed bank: Bruce McLean farms at Bool Lagoon in South Australia’s high rainfall zone. He says that the limited harvest hours in the region were a major deterrent when it came to implementing harvest weed seed control, but they have found that the impact mill doesn’t slow them down too much, and they have the option to bypass it if necessary.
4. Can I take an integrated approach to summer fallow management? Glenn Shepherd, agronomist and director of IMAG Consulting in Dubbo, NSW, says growers have opportunities to take an integrated approach to fallow management using the WeedSmart Big 6 as a checklist. Read Glenn's summer fallow management tips.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this podcast, we’re talking about hybrid canola and how it might benefit your farming system.
We’ll hear from AHRI Agronomy Lead, Mike Ashworth, who has done research in this space, as well as Wagga Wagga grower, Michael Molloy, who grows Clearfield canola.
NEWS and LINKS
WeedSmart Week presentation recordings
WeedSmart Week Dubbo was a fantastic opportunity to learn first-hand how Western Plains growers control weeds whilst optimising yields and profits. If you were not able to join us in person, you can watch the recordings of the forum presentations on our website.
Articles
Our content writer Cindy Benjamin has written some excellent articles this month.
1. Keep clear of paraquat-resistant fleabane: The lack of new broad-spectrum knockdown herbicide options means that growers need to be working hard on other management tools where the double-knock is losing efficacy. Agronomist Barry Haskins gives his top tips to control fleabane.
2. Tackle weeds and herbicide resistance with the Big 6: Nutrien agronomists from across the country shared their tips to help control crop weeds.
3. Can annual ryegrass be beaten in the Northern region? Annual ryegrass is a relatively new weed in the North. With its capacity to produce large amounts of seed and readily evolve herbicide resistance, growers and agronomists should avoid widespread infestation. Garry Onus, senior agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, in Moree, NSW, gives his top tips to control annual ryegrass in northern farming systems in-crop and in the fallow.
4. Does ambient temperature affect herbicide performance? Applying herbicides outside the optimal temperature range is likely to contribute to a spray failure, even in susceptible populations. For example, twice as much clethodim is required to kill ryegrass if the product is applied after 3 days of frost. And glyphosate efficacy is much better at 20°C than at 30°C. Associate Professor Chris Preston (The University of Adelaide) explains how ambient temperature affects herbicide performance.
Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
East Pingelly grain farmer Lance Turner joins us on the Regional Update today.
Lance has farming land in the northern part of the Wheatbelt as well in Goodlands, as well as Corrigin.
The home farm in Pingelly is and has had quite good rainfall, but as Lance says in the podcast, it's been a mixed bag for his farming properties across the Western region.
Lance talks about the different conditions he's had at his properties, as well us how he's rectifying some set-backs, where a few mistakes a couple of years ago lead to a ryegrass blowout.
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This week on the podcast we're hearing about the key messages shared by presenters and panel members at WeedSmart Week Dubbo.
This was our 10th event and we also celebrated WeedSmart’s 10th anniversary.
We had excellent presenters and lively panels at the forum day, machinery expo and farm visits. Our Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon provides a great overview. We also hear from attendees Tess Dimond and Angus Dagliesh, as well as farm visit agronomist presenter, Chris McCormack, who manages Gus O'Brien's farm.
New webinar recordingYou can now watch the latest webinar recording, Combating resistant annual ryegrass in northern farming systems.
Annual ryegrass, the Australian grain industry’s most costly weed, is making an unwelcome appearance in summer crops and extending its range further north in winter crops.
In this webinar, Nutrien agronomist Garry Onus talks about practical strategies to prevent and manage incursions of resistant annual ryegrass populations in northern cropping systems.
Brad Jackson, with his brother Phil, runs a 2500-ha cropping operation in the Gurley area, Northern NSW. Brad shares the cultural, mechanical and chemical strategies he deploys to keep annual ryegrass at bay.
The webinar is facilitated by WeedSmart northern extension agronomist, Paul McIntosh.
New articles
1. More crop, fewer weeds at WeedSmart Week Dubbo: The 2023 event was an outstanding success, having attracted 200 registrations, mainly grain growers and agronomists, from across the country for the forum day alone. There was a positive vibe throughout the event particularly in response to the growers who shared their farming systems and weed management challenges and successes. Read all about it here.
2. What is the value of fixed nitrogen for suppressing weeds: Rohan Brill, research agronomist, Brill Ag, Ganmain is our August Ask an Expert. Results from research on hyper-yielding crops show that crops need fertile soils, not just fertiliser. One spin-off benefit of vigorous, high-yielding crops is strong crop competition and potentially fewer weeds. Rohan Brill, research agronomist with Brill Ag, Ganmain, NSW, says the results of GRDC-funded pulse research at sites across central and southern NSW have shown that the quantity of atmospheric nitrogen that legumes fix in the soil has been generally under-estimated. Get the details here.
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Temora grower, Jason Coleman, joins us on the podcast today to give a recap on his experience at WeedSmart Week Dubbo and an update on his farming system.
Jason farms with his family in Temora, NSW, on 6000 ha, growing primarily wheat and canola. He said his interest was piqued in the technology space at Dubbo, including the insights into optical spot spraying, drone technology (Single Agriculture) and automation.
He said he also found it interesting to hear directly from growers about their experiences on farm. Jason plans to narrow his rows off the back of some of the grower stories shared in Dubbo and surrounds.
Follow Jason on Twitter here.
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This is our 200th WeedSmart podcast episode – thank you for downloading the podcast and being part of the community since 2016.
In this episode, we talk about weed hygiene and how to deal with resistant ryegrass incursions, with Moree agronomist Garry Onus. We also talk to Ben Single from Single Agriculture about the Single Shot technology drone mapping technology which will be on display at WeedSmart Week Dubbo at the Machinery Expo on August 2nd.
Speaking of WeedSmart Week, this will be our 10th event and we’ll be celebrating WeedSmart’s 10th anniversary – so not only will there be practical information on weed control solutions, but it’ll also be a great networking environment. There’s still time to get your tickets, so head to the WeedSmart website today to secure your spot here.
Articles and events
Our content writer Cindy Benjamin has written some excellent articles this month.
1. Make every drop of herbicide count: For ten years, WeedSmart has stood alongside growers and agronomists, promoting science-backed practices known to drive down the weed seed bank and stave off the threat of herbicide resistance. To mark this milestone, the WeedSmart team and our research partners have reviewed the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics and made a few modifications, including the addition of ‘Optimise spray efficacy’. Read more here.
2. Plan your attack on the weed seed bank: Controlling weeds is an on-going task and requires determination and persistence. Having a great plan of attack is essential. Here we summarise the key components of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategies and the principles that underpin them. You can also test your plan using AHRI’s Weed Integrated Management (WIM) decision support software for annual ryegrass, brome grass, barley grass, wild oats and barnyard grass. Read more here.
3. How can I best tackle sterile oat in Northern region wheat crops? In this Ask an Expert, we chat with with Gulshan Mahajan, Adjunct Associate Professor, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. Sterile oat (Avena ludoviciana) is the northern region’s most competitive grass weed in cereal crops, costing growers more than 20 thousand tonnes in yield loss and a revenue loss of $4.5 million. Dr Mahajan, says an integrated approach to controlling this weed will save yield and drive down the weed seed bank. Read more here.
4. Upcoming Webinar
Webinar: Combating resistant annual ryegrass in northern farming systems
In this webinar, Nutrien agronomist Garry Onus will talk about practical strategies to prevent and manage incursions of resistant annual ryegrass populations in northern cropping systems.
Brad Jackson and his family run a 1,700 ha cropping operation in Gurley, in northern NSW, in addition to a 400 ha organic farming system at Westmar, southern Queensland. Brad will share the cultural, mechanical and chemica
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this Regional update, we head to Central Queensland, to hear from farmer Don Sampson.
Don uses a blade plough that cuts weeds off at the roots without inverting the soil.
This maintains soil moisture in his conservation farming system.
We met Don back in 2019 at our Emerald WeedSmart Week event, so we’re going to hear how he’s been going and how effective the blade plough has been over the last few years.
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
The WeedSmart podcast is produced and presented by WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss, with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Peter Newman as co-host. Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
For this Western Regional Update, we caught up with grower Sandon Knipe who runs a mixed farming enterprise with his family. We caught up in the field at his home farm based in Spencers Brook in WA's Avon Valley.
Sandon explained they've expanded their enterprise away from this region, acquiring more farmland in the Jennapullin township, which is north east of the home farm. This was a strategic decision to chase a dryer climate, better suited to broadacre farming.
In this chat, we chat about the evolution of Sandon's farming system, discussing how they effectively adopted a chaff cart, including the benefits of weed control and the ability to supplement their sheep feed. In recent times, Sandon said they've been running out of time to burn dumps and they've been looking at moving away from this practice for the key reasons of social license, time, and nutrient management. They've now acquired a Seed Terminator weed seed impact mill.
We also catch-up on how seeding is going for the Knipe enterprise.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On this podcast episode, we catch up with two growers to see how seeding is going get an insight into their farming systems.
We hear from Collie, NSW, grower, Andrew Freeth, who outlines his spray application strategy. This is also the topic he'll be presenting at our upcoming WeedSmart Week Dubbo event on August 1.
Tim Cooke from WA also shares insights on his mixed farming operation and how seeding has played out for him and his wife Anthea.
WeedSmart Week Dubbo
We're heading to Dubbo, NSW, for our 10th WeedSmart Week on August 1-3. Early bird tickets are on sale now. Secure your ticket here.
Articles
Our senior content writer Cindy Benjamin has written some excellent articles this month.
1. Power of crop rotation to combat herbicide resistance features Glenn Milne who presented at our WeedSmart Week Dalby event back in February. Glenn is a grower and agronomist who has effectively used crop rotation to curb resistance. Glenn’s farming system takes advantage of the variety of crops suited to the Darling Downs region to mix and rotate herbicides, reducing the selection pressure on each mode of action. Read more here.
2. Expanded options for spot sprayers looks at the increase in the adoption of this technology. Industry sources estimate that around 70 per cent of grain production businesses in Queensland and northern NSW either own or use a contractor with an optical spot sprayer. Until recently, only 2,4-D, paraquat, glufosinate and glyphosate were registered for use through optical spot sprayers. Increasingly widespread use of Optical spot sprayer technology has prompted a flush of new registrations and permits for a wide range of herbicides and use patterns. The new registrations and permit allow the use of many different knock-down and residual modes of action, making it possible to mix and rotate fallow weed control chemicals. Read more here.
Upcoming Webinar: Success stories and challenges – using weed seed impact mills in the High Rainfall Zone
Join us for an interactive discussion on getting the most out of a weed seed impact mill in high rainfall regions.
Each of the mill companies (Seed Terminator, iHSD, Redekop) will give an update on how mills can be best adapted to heavy residue loads and tough harvesting conditions.
Three high rainfall growers will then share their harvest weed seed control journey and provide insights into how they are persevering with a weed seed mill, and seeing results.
This webinar will be facilitated by WeedSmart HRZ extension agronomist, Jana Dixon, and Kondinin Group’s research manager, Ben White.
Register here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
An opportunity for a double knock has been few and far between for growers in the region surrounding Wirrabara in South Australia.
Russell Zwar is grower in this area, with over 2000 hectares on a zero-till, strip and disc farming system. With an average 450-550mm annual rainfall, the Zwar familiy grow wheat, barley, canola, faba beans and hay. The main problem weed is ryegrass.
Russell says the conditions this year have lined up well to be able to do a double knock. On the podcast he talks about this opportunity.
Russell, who presented at our Clare WeedSmart Week event in 2020, is now running a Seed Terminator. He was previously using chaff decks, but was finding the chaff wasn't breaking down in the rows as much as he would've liked. He talks about this evolution in his farming system as well.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this podcast, we talk about getting the most out of your autumn knockdowns with Mark Congreve.
My co-host Peter Newman also provides an update on the changes to the residue limits of canola treated with haloxyfop.
Spray application links
- Watch Mark Congreve's webinar on glyphosate application here.
- Read our article discussing spray quality, nozzles and application here.
- Learn about the expanded options for spot sprayers and access more resources here.
WeedSmart Week DubboWeedSmart Week Dubbo Tickets are live at early bird prices, and you get a 10% discount if you’re in a grower or agronomist group of 5 or more.
Join us at WeedSmart Week Dubbo from the 1st to the 3rd of August 2023. WeedSmart Week is designed to engage growers and advisors on the WeedSmart Big 6 messages.
We’re excited to be bringing WeedSmart Week back to New South Wales for our 10th event and to celebrate WeedSmart’s 10th anniversary! Don’t miss the celebration.
The program consists of a Forum day at the Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre and farm visits in the Western Plains to see how forward-thinking growers are implementing the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics to minimise the impact of herbicide resistance on their businesses. Get your tickets here.
New content
- Barley grass infestations of cereal crops have increased in southern and western Australia. GRDC partners in these regions tested localised integrated weed management strategies at demonstration sites in key low-rainfall zones. Read the report on our website here.
- Our webinar recording for 'Beating barley grass despite resistance and dormancy challenges' is now available. You can watch it here.
- We have a case study on Michael and Marnie Fels, who are based in the Wittenoom Hills of Western Australia. Cultural weed control has been a major focus for Mic and Marnie Fels. The resulting low weed numbers mean they can still use a range of ‘older’ off-patent herbicides, which helps keep herbicide costs to a minimum.
- For Ask and Expert this month, we caught up with Damon Grace, general manager of the COtL Mesonet in South Australia, says specialised mesonets can provide the data for informed decisions surrounding spray drift and other weather-related herbicide efficacy parameters, such as optimal temperature for applying specific herbicides. Learn more here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
This month on the Regional Update, we head to the Northern Region to chat with Peter Galea, who is a grower just north of Emerald. Peter grows both grains and cotton.
He joins host Jessica Strauss to run through his farming system and what works for him to control weeds.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On this podcast episode, we talk about glyphosate resistant ryegrass with WA grower Greg Curnow and get an overview on the new pre-emergent herbicides available and the stewardship around them from Dr Chris Preston.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode of the Regional Update podcast, we head to the Western region to catch up with Frankland Rural Agronomist, Tim Trezise.
Over the last few years, there has been a shift in farming systems, with canola being grown more. Historically it was a break crop, but with increased profit margins, and good growing conditions, more growers are planting it. Tim talks about this evolution in farming systems in the region and the catalysts behind it.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this episode, we're focusing on the Northern Region, as we get insights into two of our WeedSmart Week Dalby presenter's farming systems.
We hear from Wayne Ziesemer, whose farm we visited in Bongeen, Queensland. Wayne is passionate about strip tillage, as well as utilising his WEEDIT optical sprayer.
Glenn Milne presented at our Forum Day on Crop rotations and on-farm biosecurity to combat weeds. We get a snapshot of that talk in this episode.
News and eventsWe're heading to Dubbo, NSW, for our 10th WeedSmart Week on August 1-3. Early bird tickets will be on sale shortly. You can find out more here.
ArticlesOur content producer, Cindy Benjamin, has pulled together a great article on Bec Marshall, who presented at our WeedSmart Week Mildura event last year.
Increasing herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass has thrown up some challenges for Bec and Ash Marshall on their 3300-hectare farm at Normanville, Victoria, and led to a new approach to their farming system.
Hay, crop competition and a focus on mixing and rotating modes of action at every opportunity are some of the key tactics they’ve taken on board. Read about it here.
We’ve got a really fascinating Case Study this month, with Simon Burgess from Conara Tasmania. It looks at managing weeds through property development.
Giving weed management a high priority during significant property developments at Vaucluse, on the South Esk River in Tasmania’s midlands, has paid dividends.
Proterra’s Vaucluse Agricultural Company purchased Vaucluse in 2015 and added neighbouring Glen Esk in 2016, taking the total area to 4400 ha. Between 2016 and 2022, the company undertook a major redevelopment of the mixed farming operation, focusing on new irrigation infrastructure.
Operating partner Simon Burgess says reconfiguring paddocks for pivot and hard hose travelling irrigators brought up many issues related to previous management and land use, not the least of which were weeds. Read about it here.
VideosIf you couldn’t get to WeedSmart Week Dalby, we have uploaded videos of all of the presentations for you to watch in your own time. You can find the playlist and also a gallery of photos from the event here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On this edition of the Regional Update, we catch up with Nutrien Cummins Ag Services Agronomist, Mark Habner.
Mark is based in the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. There has been an increase in the adoption of weed seed impact mills, so we chat about what’s happening in that space.
We also get a general overview of what’s happening in the region at the moment, focusing on upcoming seeding and issues with powdery mildew.
You can follow Mark on Twitter here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast! This is our first longer episode back. In this episode, we’ll be getting a recap from our extension agronomists on how harvest went. Greg Condon will give an overview of the Southern Region and Paul McIntosh will share what’s happening in the north.
My co-host, Peter Newman will give an update on the Western region.
WeedSmart Week Dubbo
Our next event is in Dubbo! It'll be happening from August 1-3. You can learn more about the event here. This event is eligible to for funding from a GRDC study tour grant. Find out how to apply here.
Webinars
If you didn’t get to come to our webinar last year on crop competition with Dr Michael Widderick and WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, the recording is now available on the website. Watch Faba beans pack a punch against sowthistle.
Articles
Our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, has pulled together a great article on strengthening your pulse phase to combat weeds. This is An Ask an Expert with Dr Jason Brand, who is based in Horsham, working for Agriculture Victoria Research.
Jason says for pulses to be effective in a weed management program, they need as much attention as other major crops. Without attention to detail, the pulse phase can result in a weed blowout.
Read it here.
Videos
If you couldn’t get to WeedSmart Week Dalby, in the next few weeks we’ll be editing and uploading the forum day presentations for you to view. In the meantime, you can check out the entire playlist of our forum day presentations from WeedSmart Week Mildura is available to watch online here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
The WeedSmart Podcast is back for its 8th season!
In this Regional Update episode, we catch up with our Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, about what to expect at our upcoming event WeedSmart Week Dalby, which is happening on February 7-8.
We also speak with local grower Jordan Anderson. Jordan farms 2000 hectares with his brother Regan and their wives in and around Theodore. They also have a contract harvest and haulage enterprise which takes them from the Central Highlands of Queensland down to the Riverina in NSW. Jordan will be on our Forum Day panel ‘Diverse rotations to disrupt weed cycles and drive profit’ on February 7.
Get your ticket to WeedSmart Week Dalby here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Welcome to the last WeedSmart Podcast of 2022. On this episode, we catch-up with an expert from each cropping region in the eastern states to get insights on dealing with a wet harvest.
We hear from Agronomist Peter McKenzie from the Northern Region and our High Rainfall Zone Agronomist Jana Dixon who is based in Clare, South Australia, and Greg Condon, who is our Southern Extension Agronomist based in Junee, NSW.
Wet conditions have resulted in difficult and delayed harvests for many regions. The additional moisture also means more summer weeds. The agronomists provide regional tips on how to best tackle this looming problem.
WeedSmart Week DalbyWeedSmart Week brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience from local and interstate growers, agronomists, and technology experts – putting the spotlight on herbicide resistance and weed control.
Join us at WeedSmart Week Dalby from the 7th to the 8th of February 2023. WeedSmart Week is designed to engage growers and advisors on the WeedSmart Big 6 messages.
Get your tickets and check out the program here.
Articles
Our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, has been very busy this month. There's a stack of new articles on the WeedSmart website for you to check out.
Some highlights include an article which talks about how caution is required when retaining rain-affected seed. Dr Greg Rebetzke from CSIRO provides valuable information on this. Take a read here.
We also have comprehensive article looking at how the WeedSmart Big 6 can be implemented for Mallee farms in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Our Southern Extension Agronomists Chris Davey and Greg Condon provide insights into this. You can read it here.
We’ve also got a brand-new farmer Case Study with Michael Nichols from Sisters Creek in Tasmania.
The Nichols family has a passion for soil health and biodiversity. Their Redbank Farming operation at Sisters Creek, northwest of Launceston, is an intense and multifaceted business.
Michael and his wife Rochelle lease the 385-ha farm from the family trust. The 170 ha of arable land is divided into six 27 ha blocks, on uniform red basalt clay to loam soil and can be irrigated in six days.
Grain production from wheat, barley and canola provides an effective break from intense horticultural cropping. Their six-year crop rotation centres on potatoes for French fries, onions, and poppies in rotation with a wide variety of cereal and horticultural crops.
Thank youThank you for listening in 2022 for our 7th season of the WeedSmart podcast. We're looking forward Season 8 in 2023!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from podcast hosts, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, and the whole WeedSmart Team!
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On the Regional Update this month, we catch up with Nutrien Cummins Ag Agronomist, Marty Chandler, who is based in the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Marty provides an overview of how harvest is going, particularly with the wet conditions that have been present.
He also provides some management tips on dealing with summer weeds, which will likely be a big issue for many people with high soil moisture.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On this podcast episode, hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, welcome our latest WeedSmart Partner, Hardi! We catch up with Hardi Innovation Manager, Heath Thompson from Hardi to discuss the partnership, as well as find out about the the stewardship around their GeoSelect site-specific spraying system.
We also hear from our Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey, to get some insights on why resistance testing is such a success with his clients.
Webinars
If you didn’t get to come to our latest webinar on crop competition with Dr Michael Widderick and WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, the recording is now available on the website. Check it out here: Faba beans pack a punch against sowthistle.
You might also like to check out the webinar we did with Roberto Busi from AHRI on velocity resistance. Check it out here: Combat Velocity® resistant wild radish with the WeedSmart Big 6.
Articles
Our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, has pulled together a great article on testing for herbicide resistance, accompanied by some great video resources too. Take a look here.
We also have an article with Peter Broley from Primary Sales, looking at whether collecting weed seeds can make you money at harvest. Read it here.
Videos
Also, the entire playlist of our forum day presentations from WeedSmart Week Mildura is available to watch online. Check it out here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Today on the podcast we catch up with Jake Hamilton, who is a farmer from Condamine in Queensland.
Jake will be involved in our WeedSmart Week Dalby on December 6 and 7 talking about how he’s getting residuals to work in his farming system.
We catch up with him to find out about how things are at his place and what he'll be sharing as part of our WeedSmart Week event.
WeedSmart Week TicketsWe're so excited to be bringing WeedSmart Week to Dalby. Day one is a Forum Day with local and interstate speakers on the latest in weed control and growing a profitable crop. Day two we will have a Machinery Expo with the latest weed control machinery and we'll also have farm visits. Get your ticket today here.
WeedSmart Evaluation SurveyCan you believe WeedSmart has been around for nearly 10 years? We want to ensure we keep serving you with the best possible information on weed control solutions. We'd be delighted if you took 10 minutes to complete our survey. It will help shap the future of WeedSmart. Take the survey here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
On this podcast episode, we catch up with some of our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists to chat about stopping weed seed set ahead of harvest.
Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon co-hosts on this episode.
We hear from our Southern Extension Agronomist Chris Davey, who focuses on 2,4-D application. Our Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, provides an update on how harvest is going in his region and what the additional rain has meant for weed control in the north.
Western Extension Agronomist, Peter Newman also joins us to give an overview of desiccation and crop topping in the west.
Resources
- GRDC Pre-harvest Herbicide Use fact sheet
- GRDC Spray Application Manual
- 2021 crop topping podcast – this one is a bit more technical compared to the one we did for this episode.
WeedSmart Week Dalby
- Dec 6 & 7 at Dalby Showgrounds
- Forum Day, farm visits and Machinery Expo
Get your tickets here before Oct 23 for a discounted rate.
Crop Protection Forum
- November 16 at Riverina Playhouse Theatre in Wagga Wagga
- Focusing on research updates and practical solutions for weeds, diseases and pests
- This event is targeting agronomists primarily
Get your tickets here.
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this regional update, we're heading to the Western Region to catch up with Northampton farmer, Karl Suckling.
Karl has just finished an expansive soil amelioration project on his farm, which has been very successful, but it's meant he's had to take a break from growing lupins. He explains his approach and expands on what he'll be considering in the future for weed control at his place.
Soil amelioration resources
- Article: How does renovating non-wetting sands help weed control?
- Podcast: How soil amelioration saved the day for Warakirri’s Condingup enterprise
- Podcast: Soil amelioration changed the game for Esperance farming family
- Podcast: Upwards of 90% weed seed burial with some soil amelioration approaches
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
In this regional update, we're heading to the Western Region to catch up with Northampton farmer, Karl Suckling.
Karl has just finished an expansive soil amelioration project on his farm, which has been very successful, but it's meant he's had to take a break from growing lupins. He explains his approach and expands on what he'll be considering in the future for weed control at his place.
Soil amelioration resources
- Article: How does renovating non-wetting sands help weed control?
- Podcast: How soil amelioration saved the day for Warakirri’s Condingup enterprise
- Podcast: Soil amelioration changed the game for Esperance farming family
- Podcast: Upwards of 90% weed seed burial with some soil amelioration approaches
Learn more about WeedSmart by checking out our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.
Professor Chris Preston, University of Adelaide joins us on this episode to talk about what growers should consider when planting the new Titan AX Barley.
This new variety can be used as a strategic tool for controlling brome, barley grass and volunteer cereals. Chris explains how this variety came about and explains how to use this variety effectively.
Also, we recap WeedSmart Week Mildura! We hear from attendees: Tyler Nelson, Kate Finger and Ash Teasedale.
New contentTake a read of our recap article on WeedSmart Week Mildura and watch Kevin Morthorpe's acceptance speech for his WeedSmart Legend Award.
Watch our latest webinar with Eric Koetz on weed control in cotton. We've also got the recap article with all the highlights on the same page. Check it out here.
In this podcast, we’re finding out what gives faba beans the competitive edge when it comes to out-competing sowthistle. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland Principal Research Scientist, Michael Widderick, joins us to share research results he and his team have been working on over the last 5 years.
We also review how seeding went this year and consider the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicides. Bayer Market Development Agronomist, Gus MacLennan joins us to discuss this topic, as well as some trial work he is managing in this space.
We also discuss AHRI's Dr Roberto Busi's latest research which has shown Velocity® resistant wild radish.
WeedSmart Week Mildura - it's next week!
It's not too late to get your ticket to WeedSmart Week Mildura. It’s happening next week from August 30 to September 1 and we'd love to see you there. You can find out more and register here.
New content on the WeedSmart websiteIf you missed yesterday’s webinar with our Northern Extension agronomist, Paul McIntosh and Eric Koetz from NSW DPI on weed control in cotton, you can now watch the recording on our website.
ArticlesOur content producer, Cindy Benjamin, has produced some great new articles this month.
We have a brand new Ask an Expert with Dr Tom Wolf, Agrimetrix Research & Training (Saskatchewan). It’s entitled How can I gain more spray efficiency?
Most growers would know that efficiency is not all about speed. When it comes to spray application efficiency the keys to success are firstly hitting the target with the right product at the right time, and secondly, maximising the time the sprayer is in the field rather than refilling.
We also have a news article on a recent GRDC survey of 1200 grain growers. In response to a growing awareness of herbicide resistance in weeds, Australian grain growers are increasing the diversity of their cropping programs and implementing more cultural weed control tactics. To learn more about the findings, check out the article.
On this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we’re getting a preview of WeedSmart Week Mildura. Early bird tickets are on sale until July 31 – so make sure you get yours in the next couple of days so you don’t miss out on the discounted price!
We hear from farmers Bec Marshall and Alistair Murdoch who will be presenting at WeedSmart Week Mildura. Nutrien Agronomist Andrew McMahen who is on our organising committee and will also be presenting, gives an overview of the issues in the region. We also catch up with Kondinin Group Research Engineer, Ben White, who will be facilitating our Machinery expo.
WeedSmart Week Mildura is happening from August 30 to September 1. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.
Today's guests
Andrew McMahen
Andrew is on our organising committee and provides an overview of the key weed issues in the Mallee. Andrew will be on our “Applying the Big 6 in the Mallee” panel session on forum day.
Bec Marshall
Bec will be presenting on our Forum Day on stopping weed seed set.
Alistair Murdoch
We’ll be visiting Alistair’s farm on Day 2 of WeedSmart Week, before the machinery expo.
Ben White
Kondinin Group Research Engineer Ben White will be once again hosting our machinery expo. Ben did an amazing job in Esperance and we’re so excited to be bringing this event to Mildura. The machinery expo will include:
- John Deere – See & Spray
- Kelly Tillage – Kelly Diamond: 4012 machine
- Croplands – Weed-IT trailing display
- Seed Terminator – Seed Terminator unit
- iHSD – iHSD (static display)
- Redekop – static display - Redekop mill on John Deere combine (Hoiseworth JD dealer)
News and links
Articles
We have an article related to upcoming WeedSmart Week Mildura event. Our content producer, Cindy Benjamin spoke with Agrivision General Manager, Ed Nixon, about the challenges northern Mallee growers are facing when it comes to preserving herbicide chemistry long-term.
Case Studies
Make sure you check out our Case Studies – our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, catches up with farmers from all over Australia to find out about their farming systems. Our latest Case Study features Warren Treasure, from Moonyoonooka in Western Australia. Warren talks about how using an iHSD over five seasons has had a significant impact on lowering his weed seed bank.
Nutrien Agronomist Phil Smyth joins us on the Regional Update this week. Phil is based in Coorow, Western Australia and farmers in his region have had a good start to the season this year.
They're hopeful of some more rain, but they were able to get in a double knock this year, which many farmers haven't been able to do for four years.
Phil talks about crop rotations and quite a few of the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics. You can learn more about these control solutions here.
On the Regional update today Giles Kearsley from Nutrien at Cleve Ag Services joins us.
Giles is based in Eyre Peninsula on the West Coast of South Australia.
Chris Davey was through this neck of the woods and so we thought it would be good to catch-up with Giles and see how his region is going.
On this podcast, find out about the benefits of smart phase farming. The Agronomy team at the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative in Perth is in the last year of a project looking at this system and there’s some great yield benefits to consider.
We also will be getting a resistance status update from Peter Boutsalis who does work for both the University of Adelaide and runs Plant Science Consulting.
And lastly – we have an exciting webinar coming up this month with Tom Wolf, who many of you might know as the ‘nozzle guy’ on Twitter. Get some more details on our guests below:
1. Mike Ashworth – Smart phase farming
Dr Mike Ashworth who leads AHRI’s agronomy team explains what phase farming is and the benefits of this approach. This project focused on using serradella as the legume phase crop.
2. Peter Boutsalis – resistance status update
Dr Peter Boutsalis joins us in this interview to give an update on the GRDC funded random resistance testing results. He also gives an update on the resistance issues he’s been looking at from samples that have been sent in from farmers to his business, Plant Science Consulting.
3. Chris Davey – webinar overview
On June 15, we’ll be hosting a webinar with Canada’s technology expert, Tom Wolf. In this webinar, more efficient spraying application will be covered, as well as how to become more efficient at keeping the boomspray in the paddock, rather than at the depot. Follow Tom on Twitter here.
Links
WeedSmart Week Mildura event which is happening from August 30 to September 1 are officially on sale. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.
Articles
We have an article related to our podcast interview with Mike Ashworth. Dr Yaseen Khalil who managed this project explains how effective a legume pasture phase for ryegrass control is.
Case Studies
Make sure you check out our Case Studies – our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, catches up with farmers from all over Australia to find out about their farming systems. Our latest Case Study features Warren Treasure, from Moonyoonooka in Western Australia. Warren talks about how using an iHSD over five seasons has had a significant impact on lowering his weed seed bank.
In this edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Northern Region to catch up with Poole Ag Consulting Agronomist, Sam Simons. Sam is based in Moree, NSW.
Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast! This week we’re focusing on the benefits of soil amelioration and the advantages of fixing sub-soil acidity.
Our guests today include soil researcher Jason Condon from Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries Wagga Wagga Development Officer Helen Burns. They give some insights into research findings in the space.
We also hear from farmer and agronomist, Sandy Middleton, who has had some massive wins with fixing subsoil acidity.
Firstly though – our tickets for our WeedSmart Week Mildura event which is happening from August 30 to September 1 are officially on sale. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.
News links
We have an article on Maximising the benefits of new pre-em chemistry. Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon says the wet conditions experienced last season have provided some useful insights into the new chemistries under commercial field conditions.
We also hear from Shane Kelly from Kelly Tillage about how tickling your soil surface to stimulate weed growth before planting can be a beneficial weed control strategy.
We also have an updated article running through the Big 6 principles to help you plan out what weed control strategies might work for you this year.
Ask an Expert
Our latest Ask an Expert is Can faba bean crops outcompete sowthistle?
Dr Michael Widderick, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland, is our expert this month.
Michael talks about how faba bean crops have the potential to significantly curb common sowthistle, a problematic weed with widespread resistance to key herbicides, such as glyphosate and chlorsulfuron.
East Pingelly grain farmer Lance Turner joins us on the Regional Update today. Pingelly is based in WA’s wheatbelt, and the region has had a pretty good start to the season. Lance reckons it's a great time to consider doing a double knock, with conditions lining up well.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re focusing on getting spraying right. As we move from Summer to Autumn, it’s a good time to consider what spray practices are being implemented and to consider what practical changes might be worthwhile, such as switching out different nozzles.
Nufarm Field Development Lead for Australia & New Zealand, Mark Slatter joins us on this episode. He provides an overview on correct spray application and details the new Nufarm 2,4-D product, Dropzone.
We also catch up with Forbes Farmer Charlie French. Charlie explains the evolution of his spraying systems and what he’s using in the Big 6 to control weeds.
**Links
Webinar recording**
We have a new webinar recording available for you to watch. For the first time in Western Australia, annual ryegrass from a cropped paddock was found to be resistant to glyphosate and paraquat.
Farmanco Agronomist Consultant Brent Pritchard provides context on how this resistance evolved in the field.
AHRI Senior Research Fellow Dr Roberto Busi presents the preliminary results he obtained in recent glasshouse trials, which aimed to characterise the resistance. You can now watch it online here.
Articles
Ryegrass is adapted to a wide climatic range
Once considered a winter weed of southern cropping zones of Australia, annual ryegrass is being increasingly observed in more northerly districts and in summer crops in Victoria and South Australia. This article details work done by the University of Queensland’s Centre for Crop Science. Bhagirath Chauhan and his team looked at effects of temperature, salinity, drought, light and burial depth on germination of seed collected from annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) populations from northern and southern NSW and Victoria.
Summer weed control in a high input cost year
This article features Pete Newman. He answers the question: with the cost of glyphosate sitting around $14 a litre, is it still worth spraying summer weeds?
In this edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Southern Region to catch up with Growmore Agronomy Services Agronomist, Jeshua Smith. Jeshua is based in Young, NSW, which is in the High Rainfall Zone.
Farmers in Young have been dealing with an influx of ryegrass due to increase summer rain. We talk about how to get on top of this weed, as well as get a general overview of what to be considering at the moment when it comes to weed control.
Links
Make sure you sign-up for our upcoming webinar with AHRI Researcher, Dr Roberto Busi looking at WA's first case of paraquat resistance.
On this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we learn about how wheat with a longer coleoptile offers some unique benefits from a crop protection standpoint.
SLR Research CEO Michael Lamond has conducted which has found benefits for the wheat gene Rht18.
The longer coleoptile of Rht18 wheat enables it to emerge through the furrow fill with less damage from pre-emergent herbicide. It was also found to have more vigour.
We’re also going to find out about some exciting results from a five-year University of Adelaide weeds trial. This trial shows a triple threat strategy, rather than traditional methods has the potential to produce the best results for weed control in the Southern region.
University of Adelaide Research Agronomist, Ben Fleet, joins us to explain these findings.
Articles
“Invest in the weak link crop to avoid weed blow-out” is the latest article written by our content producer, Cindy Benjamin. Cindy caught up with Kym and Katie I’Anson who farm in the Marrabel district in South Australia.
They’ve said wheat is the weak link in their 2200 ha continuous cropping enterprise. While hay production and canola provide several opportunities to suppress weeds, ryegrass can flourish in the wheat phase if left unchecked.
They talk about how they use the WeedSmart Big 6 principles to tackle this.
Ask an Expert
Our latest Ask an Expert is: “New herbicide mode of action to help pulse growers tackle resistant grass weeds”.
The launch of a new pre-emergence herbicide this season is giving pulse growers more mix-and-rotate options to tackle resistance in key grass weeds.
Ashley Pilkington, Adama’s market development manager in South Australia, says the commercial release of Ultro® (carbetamide) brings a completely different mode of action into the weed control program for pulses.
WebinarAn exciting webinar recording is available to watch back. Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders and Ben White provided a technical update on all things precision weed control.
This webinar covered advances in spraying technology, green-on-green and green-on-brown camera developments, AI and robotics, drone and weed mapping, and targeted non-herbicide tools.
We'll be uploading this recording shortly and it will be available on our webinars page.
This is first main WeedSmart Podcast for 2022! So welcome back and thank you for joining us for our 7th Season of the podcast!
Today we’ll be focusing on how to use the new Adama pre-emergent herbicide, Ultro properly. Bevan Addison from Adama explains the stewardship around this product which is a new product for pulse crops.
We’ll also be talking about the ongoing supply chain issues when it comes to herbicides and fertilisers. Tony May from Bayer provides an overview for what's happening in this space.
Articles
We have a new WeedSmart Review for you to check out. It’s all about research out of University of Adelaide, which is one of our in-kind partners.
Researchers conducted a unique, 9-year integrated weed management trial was conducted at Lake Bolac from 2012 to 2020 to investigate the effects of cultural and herbicide control strategies across a rotation on annual ryegrass populations in a high rainfall environment. Check out the article for the results here.
We also have an article about the Birch family which describes how they bought a new property and had to form a plan around testing which herbicides they could use through resistance testing. Check it out here.
Ask an ExpertOur content producer, Cindy Benjamin caught up with Agronomist Greg Sefton to find out if pulse cover crops tackle multi-resistant ryegrass in irrigated systems. Check it out here.
We also have a new Ask an Expert on what you can do to control large feather top Rhode’s grass in fallow with Bhagirath Chauhan from our in-kind partner, University of Queensland. Read it here.
The WeedSmart Podcast is back! This is our first episode of 2022. This podcast is a Regional update with Jim Hunt who is an Agronomist with Hunt Ag Solutions in Gunnedah, NSW.
Our Regional Update Podcasts were so popular over 2020 and 2021, that we have decided to keep them. They originally served as a way to connect with the regions when COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from visiting places in person.
The Regional Update is now cemented itself as a staple in the WeedSmart calendar and we'll bring you a new Update each month, alternating between the Northern, Southern and Western regions.
Our guest Jim explains how widespread flooding has been devastating for some people in his region, but for others the additional rainfall has been quite positive. He also talks to us about issues with the supply chain for herbicides and provides some tips on how to best control weeds in his patch.
Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast – this is our last podcast of 2021, so thank you for joining us! On this episode we're focusing on diverse crop rotations and dealing with resistance. We hope there’s some helpful tips for you to take away.
CSIRO Chief Research Scientist for Farming Systems, Dr John Kirkegaard, joins us to tell us about current trial work he is leading looking at the impact of rotations on soil water, nitrogen, and profit in the face of variable climatic conditions.
Wimmera Farmer Tim Rethus joins us to update us on how he's keeping his weed seed banks as low as possible. Tim was one of our farm hosts back in 2019 at Horsham WeedSmart Week. We’re going to find out what’s changed for Tim with his farming system and how he’s going to approach his summer weed control program.
And last, but not least, Tim Frazer, who farms in Chinchilla Queensland, has a chat with us about how he’s managing Group A (Group 1) and Group M (Group 24) resistance.
Webinar recording
Our last webinar for the year was on Metolachlor usage in the northern region, presented by Rob Battalia from Syngenta, with WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist Paul McInstosh hosting. You can now watch it online here.
Case Studies
We have two new case studies for you to check out!
Jamie and Susie Grant, Jimbour Qld, over the years have adopted controlled traffic, minimum tillage, cover cropping and vigilant weed management as key strategies to maximise water infiltration and minimise losses to run-off, evaporation and wasted evapotranspiration throughout the year. Learn all about their farming system in this case study here.
Peter and Kylie Bach from Pittsworth Qld, are aiming for 130% utilisation of their cropping land through the year. Peter and Kylie Bach have developed a farming system that extracts full value from barley stubble and minimises weed pressure. Learn all about their farming system here.
In this Regional Update, we catch up with Nutrien Agronomist, Bernie Quade who is based in Wyalkatchem, Western Australia.
Bernie talks to us about how frost has affected his region and provides some tips on Summer weed control.
This is our last Western Region Update for the year! Thanks to Bernie for coming on and having a chat with us! Give Bernie a follow on Twitter here.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re looking at how to best use residual herbicides after harvest.
We hear from ICAN’s Mark Congreve on this.
Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel also joins us to talk about summer weed control how using an optical spray can maximise your use of residual herbicides.
We also hear from Frankland based Agronomist, Tim Trezise, who had a query on the challenges around crop topping weeds at the dough stage and whether you still get good control by using higher rates of paraquat or glyphosate. Pete answers this question in the podcast!
Links
- Podcast: Why crop topping is a great tool to prevent weed seed set
- Podcast: Richard Daniel explains results from Northern Grower Alliance survey on optical spraying
- GRDC: Consider Consider plant back implications after herbicide use
- Webinar: Register for our webinar “Metolachlor usage in the northern region”
This is our last Southern Regional Update for the year! Our WeedSmart High Rainfall Zone Agronomist, Jana Dixon, joins us to provide a regional update on Clare, SA and surrounds.
We also chat about what growers need to think about when it comes to planning around potential chemical shortages.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re looking at strategies to control late season ryegrass.
After a good couple of years in much of the Southern Region for rainfall, there is late season weeds coming through the crop.
In this episode, we hear from our Southern Region Agronomist, Greg Condon, who provides a great overview of the tools available to growers.
Elders Agronomist, Jason McClure talks to us about his experience with his clients in Naracoorte and surrounds in South Australia with windrowing to control ryegrass.
Farm Manager of Viridis Ag in Junee, Andrew Wilson, NSW, also joins us to share his experience with adopting tools like soil amelioration, diverse crop rotations and chaff decks to get on top of ryegrass.
Links
- We’ve updated Harvest Weed Seed Control 101! Our Communications Officer Jessica Scholle worked hard on this, with yourself and Dr Michael Walsh from University of Sydney. Register to do the freshly updated and free course here.
- Our webinar recording on intercropping is now available for you to watch online. Our Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon hosts, with guest presenter Dr Andrew Fletcher, who is a farming systems scientist at CSIRO. In this webinar, the principles of mixing different crops together and how this can potentially provide weed management options for growers is outlined. Watch it here.
- We also have a new WeedSmart Shorts video out with our Southern Extension Agronomist Chris Davey and Uni of Adelaide’s Dr Chris Preston on what the herbicide resistant hot spots are in the most recent ryegrass survey. Watch it here.
In this episode of the Regional Update, we're heading to the Northern Region to catch up with Peter McKenzie, who is Principal Agronomist and Director at Agricultural Consulting & Extension Services.
Peter talks to us in this episode about how with there likely to be some difficulties in acquiring agricultural chemicals, it's important to check in with what you need for your program down the track so you don't get caught out.
He's also got some great advice on weed control solutions for his region and gives a general overview of where people are at in and around his region in Quirindi, NSW.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re looking at how giving the soil a light tickle can help with uniform weed control with Shane Kelly from Kelly Tillage.
Kelly Tillage has just come on board as a Silver Partner of WeedSmart, so we're really excited to introduce them to you in this podcast.
We’re also going to have a chat with Tom Woods from Woods Group based in Goondiwindi about seed cleaning and what growers need to look out for across the entire chain to ensure the best quality seed is planted at seeding time.
News & Links
- Dr Mechelle Owens research on seed cleaning: what works best?
- Webinar: Can intercropping help with weed management?
Our Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon is hosting with guest presenter Dr Andrew Fletcher, who is a farming systems scientist at CSIRO. Andrew is passionate about the emerging role of diverse cropping systems. In this webinar, we’ll outline the principles of mixing different crops together and how this can potentially provide weed management options for growers. Register here. - Ask an Expert: What can I do at harvest to reduce my future weed burden?
Western Extension Agronomist Peter Newman fills us in on what people can do at harvest to reduce their future weed burden.
We had a small hiatus for the Regional Update due to school holidays, but we're back!
We head to the Western Region in this episode and catch up with Today WA farmer, Alex Davies. Alex is based in York and has a continuous cropping farming system and also runs sheep.
Alex also shares with us his experience about how the last three seasons have gone with having a Harrington Seed Destructor and the positive impact it has had on helping in reducing weed burdens on his farm.
You can follow Alex on Twitter here.
It's hard to believe that harvest is just around the corner! In light of this fast approaching reality, we wanted to talk about crop topping and spray topping.
Each of our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists provide a rundown on what to look out for in their cropping regions in regards to crop topping, swathing and desiccation.
- Paul McIntosh, Northern Region: crop topping or swathing/windrowing winter pulses, e.g. faba beans - jump to listen at 18:00
- Jana Dixon, High Rainfall Zone: crop topping barley and spray topping pastures - jump to listen at 30:00
- Chris Davey – desiccation and crop topping pulses - jump to listen at 41:30
- Greg Condon – crop topping canola - jump to listen at 55:00
Dr Chris Preston, University of Adelaide, also joins us to explain the mode of action classification system changes from a letters system to numbers system and what it’ll mean for growers.
Helpful links
GRDC Pre-Harvest Herbicide Use Fact Sheet
Global Herbicide Classification Look-Up
Recent WeedSmart Content
- News Article: Chaff carts were made for feeding livestock
- Ask an Expert Article: How can I set up my summer crops to help manage weeds? Our expert is Belinda Chase, who is an Agronomist with Dalby Rural Supplies
- Webinar recording: Mixed farming – does it really help control resistant weeds? Greg Condon hosts and Agronomist Craig Drum is our guest presenter.
Angus Dalgliesh, grower and agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, joins us on the Regional Update today.
Angus recently presented on our webinar What’s next in the North for weed control?
Today he provides an update on what to be looking out for with weeds at the moment and into the near future.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re focusing on controlling herbicide resistant ryegrass.
We’ll hear from grower Murray Scholz, who is based in Culcairn, NSW. Murray and wife Emma are having a real win with grazing to keep ryegrass at bay.
We’ll also be hearing from University of Adelaide’s Dr Peter Boutsalis. Peter will provide an update on clethodim resistance and share some practical tips on how to keep on top of ryegrass.
ResourcesGRDC Adjuvant Guide (Peter Boutsalis recommended on the podcast)
New WeedSmart ContentArticle: Chaff carts were made for feeding livestock
Ask an Expert: How can I set up my summer crops to help manage weeds?
Video: Rod Birch on how the Big 6 is keeping weeds at bay at Catalina Farms Subscribe
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date and don't forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter, the WeedSmart Whip Around.
We’ve had a bit of a break from the Regional Update as we were in Esperance for WeedSmart Week – but we’re back! This week we’re heading to the western region.
We hear from farmer Daniel Birch who is based near Coorow in Western Australia’s mid-west. Daniel recently took part in a resistance survey conducted by Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative Researcher, Dr Roberto Busi. I caught up with Dan at the resistance workshop Roberto held in Dalwallinu a few weeks ago.
Dan explains what prompted him to get involved and how the results influenced his decision making on his farm.
WeedSmart Week Esperance was a great success, so in this episode we provide recap on how it went.
We hear from growers on the day and also our machinery day host, Ben White from Kondinin Group.
We also be hear from Sean Roberts from Syngenta on their new sorghum seed safener Epivio C.
New Content
WeedSmart Week Forum Video Recordings
Throwing a wide net over mobile weeds
Chaff carts were made for feeding livestock
Our Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh joins us for this Regional Update for the north. He gives a good wrap on what to be thinking about in the region. He also gives an overview of the important weed control topics covered in our latest webinar.
WebinarCheck out our latest webinar, "What’s next in the North for weed control?" here.
WeedSmart WeekHave you got your tickets for WeedSmart Week in Esperance yet? It's next week! Get them here.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re providing a preview on our WeedSmart Week in Esperance event, which is now only two weeks away!
We hear from Beaumont farmers, Phil Longmire, and son Tom. Tom will be presenting at WeedSmart Week, providing a farmer experience on the forum day.
Phil, Bindy and Tom Longmire run a family farming business based in Beaumont, 110 km ENE of Esperance in a 425-450mm rainfall zone.
Soil amelioration and boundary mapping are just some of the approaches which have really helped them win the war against weeds.
We also catch up with Andrew Messina. Late last year we caught up with Andrew about the trials for Bilberry’s spot spraying technology which took place on his farm. He is going to give us an update and a preview of what he's going to share on the Innovation Panel at WeedSmart Week Esperance.
News
We’ve got a new article on advances made in weed recognition technologies. In this article we look at how blanket spraying of herbicides in low weed density situations could become a thing of the past in Australia as new weed recognition technologies enable site-specific weed control in-crop. Dr Michael Walsh from University of Sydney provides comment. Read it here.
You can also check out our latest webinar recording 'What's next in the North for weed control?'
Peter McKenzie, agronomist with Agricultural Consulting & Extension Services, and Angus Dalgliesh, grower and agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, join WeedSmart Northern Extension agronomist Paul McIntosh to discuss some of the weed challenges their clients have been experiencing in the North, and some of the weed management tactics they’ve been using to deal with these challenges.
WeedSmart Week
We’ve got a great program lined up for Esperance WeedSmart Week. This event really is about farmers talking to farmers, as we’ve heard from our guests today and at the event, we really get to explore that in more detail.
The 3-day program consists of a Forum Day at the Esperance Civic Centre with day 2 and 3 consisting of farm visits in the Esperance region to see how forward-thinking growers are implementing the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics to minimise the impact of herbicide resistance on their businesses.
You can get your tickets by heading to the WeedSmart website here.
In this edition of the Regional Update, we're catching up with Farm and General Agronomist, Greg Warren.
Greg will be presenting at WeedSmart Week next month, so gives us a bit of a snapshot of what he'll be focusing on. You can find out more and get your tickets here.
We also get an overview of what growers should be thinking about at the moment in terms of weed control in the region.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re going to chat to the Northern Grower Alliance CEO, Richard Daniel about the results they got from survey they recently did on optical spraying. Some of the results were quite surprising, especially when it came to how farmers were using the sprayers.
We also hear from Cotton Australia Chair, Hamish McIntyre. He explains why the Round-Up Ready Xtend Cropping System from Bayer is so important for cotton growers. Hamish also provides some context around why ensuring the stewardship of this product is so essential.
News & Links
We’ve got a new article on kicking the herbicide habit. We look at how random weed surveys are continuing to identify an increasing trend in herbicide resistance across broadacre cropping regions in Australia. Dr Peter Boutsalis & Dr John Broster provide comment here.
WeedSmart Week
Just a reminder that tickets are now able to be purchased for Esperance WeedSmart Week. The early bird price of $190 ends on July 31 and then goes up to $250 after this, so if you’re planning on going, get your tickets sooner rather than later for a discount!
You can get your tickets here.
Twitter and Facebook
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook. We post seasonally relevant information on weed control & promote good discussion.
You can also sign-up for our monthly blog, the WeedSmart Whip Around. Our content from the last month is featured, so it’s easy to get to all the latest news in one spot.
In this episode of the Regional Update, we catch up with our Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey.
Chris has been traveling across the Mallee region in the last week, catching up Matt Witney from Dodgshun Medlin and meeting growers across the region to talk all things WeedSmart.
We get an overview from Chris on his trip, as well as a regional update on the growing areas in South Australia.
On this edition of the podcast, we're looking at how farmers can now actively become citizen scientists by improving weed recognition for machine learning.
University of Sydney Precision Weed Control PhD student, Guy Coleman earlier this year, along with Dr Michael Walsh hosted a workshop on weed recognition and machine learning in Wagga Wagga.
Guy walks us through the key learnings presented at this workshop and also reveals details about a new open source weed locator his team is releasing.
We'll also be hearing from West Wimmera Farmer, Sam Eastwood, who is particularly keen on managing weeds in non-cropped and unproductive areas of the farm.
He shares with us he how he keeps on top of them and why it’s a priority for him.
Links mentioned in the podcast
The Machine Learning for Weed Recognition Workshop Guy spoke about in the podcast is available to watch online. Follow the links below.
Day 1 of the workshop.
Day 2 of the workshop.
You can check out the Weed AI Sydney website here.
You can follow Guy Coleman on Twitter here.
WeedSmart website - new content!
Make sure you check out our article explainer on what to expect for WeedSmart Week in Esperance. We’ve now released the program for you to view as well. Check it out here.
We’ve also got a new article which is looking at what the benefit is of a double paraquat knockdown. James Jess who is a research and technical services manager at Western AG in Ballarat provides the answers. Take a read here.
Webinar Recording
For those of you who couldn’t attend our webinar on ryegrass management in the High Rainfall Zone, the recording is now available on our website, and I’ll provide the link in the show notes.
Dr Chris Preston and Southern Farming Systems’ James Manson provided information, with our HRZ Extension Agronomist as host.
Watch the recording in full here.
WeedSmart WeekJust a reminder that tickets are now able to be purchased for Esperance WeedSmart Week. The early bird price of $190 ends on July 31 and then goes up to $250 after this, so if you’re planning on going, get your tickets sooner rather than later for a discount!
You can get your tickets here.
Twitter and Facebook
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
You can also sign-up for our monthly blog, the WeedSmart Whip Around. All of our content from the last month is featured, so it’s easy to get to all the latest news.
On this edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Northern region and catching up with Darling Downs & Western Downs Farmer, Andrew Ruhle.
Andrew is growing cereal grains using 12 metre controlled traffic, has cattle and a no-till approach.
We’re going to learn about how Andrew set-up a custom spreader for chaff tram lining on his Claas header and what impact it’s had on his weed control.
WeedSmart WeekJust a reminder that tickets are now able to be purchased for Esperance WeedSmart Week. It’s the first time in 5 years the event will be back in WA. It’s happening from the 17th to the 19th of August 2021. WeedSmart Week is designed to engage growers and advisors on WeedSmart’s Big 6 messages. You can get your tickets here.
You've heard from us before that soil amelioration can be a game changer - it can bury up to 90% of weed seeds! this edition of the podcast, we’re getting a snapshot into how soil amelioration saved the day for Warakirri's Condingup farm manager, Con Murphy, as well as getting an overview of what other Big 6 principles they're using.
We'll be visiting Con at Warakirri for WeedSmart Week in Esperance, so this interview gives a great snapshot into what to expect!
New content
Our next Regional Update will come out next Monday and we’ll be heading to the Northern Region. Make sure you're subscribed on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss it! You can find us by searching "WeedSmart Podcast" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox and any other podcast platform.
Make sure you check out our latest Ask an Expert. This month Dr Chris Preston answers the question How does ryegrass adapt so readily to farming practices and environmental changes?
We’ve also got a new Case Study for June on Elton and Pam Petersen from Moonie in Queensland.
A SwarmFarm robot, ‘Oscar’, has added another dimension to their integrated weed management program, which features the majority of the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics.
In two summer fallows the Petersens have regained control of glyphosate resistant feathertop Rhodes grass and awnless barnyard grass that was threatening their 2000 ha dryland cropping operation. Be sure to check it out.
Webinar
Join us to and hear how the WeedSmart’s Big 6 strategies are best utilised to combat annual ryegrass in the High Rainfall Zones of South Eastern Australia. Presented by University of Adelaide’s Chris Preston, followed by a Q&A with James Manson from Southern Farming Systems. Register here.
WeedSmart Week
Just a reminder that tickets are now able to be purchased for Esperance WeedSmart Week. It’s the first time in 5 years the event will be back in WA. It’s happening from the 17th to the 19th of August 2021. WeedSmart Week is designed to engage growers and advisors on WeedSmart’s Big 6 messages. You can get your tickets here.
In this edition of the Regional Update we’re heading to the Western Region and catching up with farmer, Adrian Perks. Adrian is based in Condingup in WA, which is 70 kilometres north east of Esperance. We’ll be visiting Adrian’s farm as part of Esperance WeedSmart Week, so we’ll find out more about that and get a weed focused update for his region.
WeedSmart WeekWeedSmart Week Esperance is 17-19 of August. To find out more about this event and to buy tickets, click here.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re doing our annual overview of how weed seed impact mills performed over harvest.
We feature farmer case studies from each of our mill partners, including HSD, Redekop and Seed Terminator.
The farmers we hear from are Steve Lord (Goomalling, WA - Redekop); Tyson Schutz (Grass Patch, WA - Seed Terminator); and Jon Beasley (Franklin River, WA - HSD).
We also be hearing from Kondinin Group’s Ben White who provides us with a technical overview and details the latest updates on this technology.
WeedSmart Week
This year, our annual flagship event will be held in Esperance, WA from the 17th to the 19th of August 2021. WeedSmart Week is designed to engage growers and advisors on WeedSmart’s Big 6 messages. You can get your tickets here.
New content
Make sure you check out our latest Ask an Expert. This month Dr Chris Preston answers the question “How does ryegrass adapt so readily to farming practices and environmental changes?”
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and also sign-up for our monthly blog. You can also subscribe to the WeedSmart Whip Around, so you never miss any of our content.
Related contentWe mentioned on the podcast that Tyson Schutz's Dad, Mick Schutz, featured in a GRDC publication entitled "Investigating the harvest weed seed control tools chaff lining and chafftramlining (chaffdeck) in the Esperance area". Check that out here.
In this edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Southern Region and catching up with Nutrien Agronomist, James Challis. James is based in Echuca in Victoria.
On this edition of the podcast, we’re looking at mixing partners for Group Gs, UAN (urea and ammonium nitrate placement effect on weed growth, and fence line weed control by planting lucerne.
WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey has great practical tips on Group Gs in this podcast.
We also hear from AHRI’s Dr Mike Ashworth. He talks to us about GRDC invested research he’s been leading in the agronomy space, with some practical information on post-em liquid nitrogen recommendations.
And finally, the problem of fence line weeds isn’t going away, so in the spirit of the WeedSmart Big 6, our Northern Extension Agronomist Paul McIntosh has a novel solution to plant lucerne to compete with weeds in non-cropped areas.
On this episode of the Regional Update, we catch up with Tim Bartimote. Tim is a Senior Land Services Officer in the Cropping division for NSW Central West Local Land Services. Over the last two years, Tim has been working on a chaff decking paddock demonstration project which has GRDC investment. Tim provides us with an overview of what this project is all about and gives us a regional update for his region.ResourcesVideo on chaff deck project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqdJQkkIHb0GRDC IWM handbook: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1218158/IWM2019-handbook-V4-AP.pdfWeed management options during harvest article: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west/articles-and-publications/crop-production/extra-weed-management-options-during-harvest
On this edition of the podcast, we’re taking a closer look at chaff decks! Chaff decks have been a mainstay in the harvest weed seed control space for a number of years, but with weed seed impact mills starting to increase in market share in this space, where will the chaff deck fit?
WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon, who is a big advocate of chaff decks, joins us to give us some answers!
We also hear from Northern Region grower, Chris Berry. He has had a chaff deck for a number of years and while he likes the concept of the mill, is sticking with the chaff deck for now.
Our latest Regional Update looks at a three-year Barley Grass Project which is an investment by GRDC being delivered by the University of Adelaide and DPIRD alongside regional partners.
WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development research officer Catherine Borger and project participant, Ben Whisson from Consult Ag have some interesting preliminary results to share with us.
Barley Project
Learn more about the project described in the podcast here.
Weed Seed Wizard
Check out the Weed Seed Wizard tool here.
On this podcast we’re looking at good spraying practice with WA farmer Tim Critch and getting an explainer on Nufarm's new Group G herbicide, Terrad'or.Back in February and March of 2020 Tim had some summer rain and decided to look at the weeds not the temperature. If the weeds weren’t moisture stressed he kept spraying all day even when it was hot. He had some great results which we’ll get into in this podcast. We’ll also be hearing from Nufarm’s André Sabeeney and Mitch Allen about their new product Terrad’or. Terrad’or is a new Group G herbicide from Nufarm. This product is best partnered with glyphosate as a knockdown spike or mixed with paraquat for double knock application.SPRAY APPLICATION MANUALThe GRDC has published an excellent spraying manual you can access.This Spray Application GrowNotes™ manual provides information on how various spraying systems and components work, along with those factors that the operator should consider to ensure the sprayer is operating to its full potential.This manual focuses on issues that will assist in maintaining the accuracy of the sprayer output while improving the efficiency and safety of spraying operations. It contains many useful tips for your spray operations.The manual includes information on sprayer set-up, including self-propelled sprayers, new tools for determining sprayer outputs, suggestions for assessing spray coverage in the field, improving droplet capture by the target, drift-reducing equipment and techniques, the effects of adjuvant and nozzle type on drift potential, and surface temperature inversion research.Get the details here: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grownotes/technical-manuals/spray-application-manual?utm_medium=short_url&utm_term=National&utm_content=Spray%20Application%20Manual&utm_source=website&utm_campaign=BGC00003REGIONAL UPDATEOur next Regional Update will come out next Monday and is with Research Officer Catherine Borger from the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. You can ensure you don’t miss it by subscribing to the podcast on your app of choice. NEW CONTENTOur latest Ask an Expert is "How can I maximise grass weed control using hybrid canola?" EPAG Research agronomist, Andrew Ware answers the question and says the results of six years of trial work across the southern growing region with GRDC investment has demonstrated how important crop nutrition and time of sowing are for maximising canola vigour and yield.Read it here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/how-can-i-maximise-grass-weed-control-using-hybrid-canola/Also, don’t miss our latest Case Study on Single family, Coonamble NSW. Tony and Sharon Single farm with Tony’s parents John and Mary, south east of Coonamble in northern NSW with views of the Warrumbungle Range.Across the 4500 ha cropping area at ‘Narratigah’, the weed numbers are low as a result of the Single’s ‘farming moisture’ philosophy, which involves planting whenever there is sufficient subsoil moisture to establish a competitive crop on their heavy clay soils.Read it here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/single-family-coonamble-nsw/
With many parts of South Australia experiencing a dry start, independent Agronomist, Craig Davis talks to us about the challenges with controlling weeds and volunteer crops in his patch.
In this podcast we focus on the stewardship of the new Syngenta herbicide, Reflex.
With so many new products hitting the market and plenty more in the pipeline, it’s beneficial to find out the details about these new products and how they might fit into farming systems. Syngenta’s Technical Services Lead James Considine joins us to give an overview Reflex.
Planfarm Agronomist, Nick McKenna is also our guest. Nick has been speaking with growers who have just received their first allocation of Reflex. He provides some insights on how it's being received and what it could mean for the future of lupins and other pulses.
In this podcast we’re focusing on getting spraying right and new green-on-green autonomous spray technology!We’ve been following the innovative developments in the green-on-green space at WeedSmart quite closely, so we were excited to see Bilberry, SwarmFarm and Goldacres had teamed up to deliver some new autonomous spraying technology. So, in light of this, we caught up with Goldacres technical guru, David Tuppen who recently commissioned a fully autonomous sprayer with green-on-green weed detection using a SwarmBot robot and Goldacres Prairie Special trailing sprayer. We also hear from grower Broden Holland, who is based in Thuddungra, near Young in NSW. Broden is a keen precision ag farmer who has just updated to a G6 Crop Cruiser SP. We’re going to find out about his decision-making process behind this upgrade and his approach to spraying and spray drift prevention.NEW ARTICLESAsk an Expert with FMC's Stephen Pettenon on "How can I ensure my complex tank mix is compatible and will spray out": https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/how-can-i-ensure-my-complex-tank-mix-is-compatible-and-will-spray-out/REGIONAL UPDATERegional Update – Brent Pritchard, Agronomist, Albany, WA: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/audio/regional-update-brent-pritchard-agronomist-albany-wa/SUBSCRIBEMake sure you're subscribed to our monthly blog the WeedSmart Whip Around so you don't miss out on any WeedSmart news: https://buff.ly/2OaEhc0
On today’s episode, we’re heading to the Western Region to get an update from Farmanco agronomist Brent Pritchard who is based in Albany.
Brent recently featured in our WeedSmart article on managing fence line weeds off the back of research into glyphosate resistant capeweed which Brent had found at a farm near Borden in Western Australian.
So, in light of that we’ll get a regional update from Brent and also discuss some of the strategies for fence line weed management.
LinksWeedSmart fence line management article.
AHRI insight on glyphosate resistant capeweed.
Following on with our innovative farmer series from our last podcast, the in this episode we catch up with Northern Grower from Parkes in New South Wales, Bruce Watson. Bruce is primarily a winter crop grower but also has a block of sorghum on 50cm rows sown into a cover crop of barley & lentils.We also learn about Bayer’s Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System. This is Bayer's new cotton weed control system. Bayer Marketing Lead for seeds, traits & round-up Donny Benn & Bayer Market Advancement Manager Matt Hayes joins us to tell us more about the stewardship around this approach.XTEND WORKSHOPSLink: https://www.xtendflex.com.au/NEW WEEDSMART CONTENTMix up your approach to fence line weeds: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/mix-up-your-approach-to-fenceline-weeds/____________________________________________________________________Producer: Jessica StraussPresenters: Jessica Strauss & Peter Newman
Welcome to the Regional Update. If this is your first time listening to the podcast, each fortnight we check in with an expert from a different cropping region across the country to get a regional update from them.Today we headed to the Southern Region and heard from Tatyoon, Victoria grower and agronomist Craig Drum. Craig is in the high rainfall zone and provides some tips on dealing with the pressures or ryegrass in the region and covers the findings of widespread glyphosate resistance in the region.
This podcast is the first in our two part series on innovative growers tackling weeds with Big 6 principles. On this episode we're focusing on the Southern Region, hearing from two farmers who have quite different farming systems.Our first guest is farmer Damien Schneider (pictured above). Damien farms at Culcairn in southern NSW with his wife Carissa and their four children. Ryegrass pressure is solid in this region given the reliable rainfall and huge seedbanks, but Damien is achieving solid gains with Big 6.We're also joined by farmer Paul Jarrett from Maitland, South Australia. Paul has a controlled traffic farming system and uses chaff decks. He shares his journey so far with this system. On our next podcast we'll be hearing from innovative growers from both the Northern and Western regions who will share will us their stories and some of the thought processes behind the decisions they've made for their farming systems.NEW ARTICLEOur content producer Cindy Benjamin has updated the Messina family farm Case Study. As you would’ve heard from Andrew Messina on the podcast last year, the Messina’s are forging forward with new technology, including green on green from Bilberry. Check it out here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/messina-family-mullewa-wa/REMINDERJust a reminder that quite a few of our articles now are being read as well. You’ll see a play button on those articles at the top. This is great for if you’re driving, especially with spraying and seeding happening. Here's a great example of that on a soil degradation article: weedsmart.org.au/content/herbicide-residues-soil-fully-degraded/________________________________________________________________Podcast Co-Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast Producer: Jessica Strauss
Our WeedSmart Extension Agronomist, Paul MacIntosh has been very busy in the last month travelling, presenting and visiting farms and agriculture events across the Northern Region. Paul provides a great overview of what's happening in the region and what to look out for over the next few weeks when it comes to controlling weeds.
In this podcast, we'll be learning about a new approach in sorghum planting. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries principal research scientist Dr Michael Widderick will join us to explain the GRDC-funded research out of University of Sydney and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries conducted which found that narrower row spacing in sorghum leads to high yields and delete few weeds through crop competition. We also are going to get a WA grower perspective in follow-up to our podcast last fortnight which looks at soil amelioration. Brady Green from Yuna area of WA will join us to talk about what made him think seriously about implementing soil amelioration and the benefits he’s seen since doing so.WEBINARWe’ve got a timely webinar coming up on Group Gs on Friday, Feb 26. Uni of Adelaide’s Dr Chris Preston & our Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon will be hosting this webinar aimed at growers. If you’ve got any specific questions about this, let us know on Twitter, and make sure to join us on the day where you can ask them live. You can register here: https://uwa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y-StaYz2SyWumIAsOAW8KwARTICLESOur latest news piece looks at making seedbank management your priority this year. Check it out: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/make-seedbank-management-your-priority-this-year/Another recent article looks at taking resistance into account when planning tank mixes: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/resistance-amplifies-glyphosate-24-d-tank-mix-survival-rate/PODCAST LINKSSoil amelioration article: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/how-does-renovating-non-wetting-sands-help-weed-control/Sorghum article: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/weaponise-sorghum-crops-to-take-out-ftr-and-abg/_____________________________________________________________Podcast Producer: Jessica StraussPodcast Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter Newman
This is our first Regional Update for the Western Region in 2021. Planfarm Agronomist, Nick McKenna joins us to give an overview of how harvest went for his region in and around the Geraldton area. He also provides some tips on how to control weeds given the likelihood of some rain falling due to a tropical low tracking down the WA coast.
Welcome back to the WeedSmart Podcast for 2021! Your hosts, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman will join you again in 2021 each fortnight to look at a timely topic related to weed control. In this episode, we're focusing on soil amelioration. Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Research Scientist, Dr Stephen Davies joins us to explain what’s involved with soil amelioration and the benefits of this approach.We also hear from Daridyn Haywards from Lameroo in the South Australian Mallee. He was involved in a project called: "Spading header rows for grassy weed control, improved crop yields and better soil protection", led by Chris Donohue and has been continuing to adopt the practice of using soil amelioration for both soil improvement and weed control benefits. Daridyn's initial main focus was to build up the organic carbon levels in the soil for improved soil health, water holding capacity & hopefully overcoming the Rhizoctonia issue he faced. The weed seed burial was part of that process as we’ll hear.Peter Newman has been an advocate for soil amelioration for a number of years and has contributed to this article on the subject: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/how-does-renovating-non-wetting-sands-help-weed-control/We also have a great Case Study on Andrew Kenny who uses this approach too: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/andrew-kenny-badgingarra-wa/NEW CONTENTOver the Christmas period our content producer Cindy Benjamin was very busy. There’s a range of new articles and videos available to check out. You can learn all about how to weaponise sorghum crops to take out Feather Top Rhodes and Awnless Barnyard Grass here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/weaponise-sorghum-crops-to-take-out-ftr-and-abg/And we’ve also got a new article on running down the summer grass seedbank in mungbeans: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/run-down-the-summer-grass-seedbank-in-mungbeans/
Welcome back to the Regional Update! This is our first podcast for the year.We’re kicking things off in the Southern Region, with Elders Agronomist Chris Toohey joining us to give an update on his region. Chris is based in Albury, New South Wales.
Welcome to the last WeedSmart podcast of 2020! What a year it’s been. On this episode we take a deep dive into spot spraying technology. We’re joined by Bilberry CEO, Guillaume Jourdain who provides us with an update on their green on green technology. WA Farmer Andrew Messina also was part of trial work Bilberry did on this technology and he joins us to share his experience.As this is the final 2020 podcast, we'd like to thank you - our listeners - for listening over the year. We love bringing you the latest information in the weeds space and look forward to sharing more stories with you in 2021. On the podcast we mentioned that even though things are winding up, we do have some new content filtering through. Our latest Ask an Expert is with our Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh. Paul answers the question: What alternatives are there for desiccation and crop topping? Check it out here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/what-alternatives-are-there-for-desiccation-and-crop-topping/Have a lovely break over the festive season! We’ll see you in the new year!________________________________________________________________Podcast presenters: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast producer: Jessica Strauss
This is our last Regional Update for 2020. This was a new concept we brought about initially as a way to connect with you more due to COVID-19 disrupting in-person events, but it went so well we decided to keep it. So you can expect more Regional Updates in 2021!On this episode, we caught up with Total Ag Services Agronomist, Paul Nelson, from Croppa Creek in NSW. Paul gives us an update on the Northern region, with a focus on how they're dealing with weed burdens over the Summer period.
Today on the podcast we chat with WA farmer Clayton South about his experience with grazing chaff dumps. We also hear from Bayer’s Australian Field Leader of Integrated Weed Management, Craig White about their new herbicide product “Mateno Complete” and how to use it effectively and sustainably in your farming system. As mentioned on the podcast, our latest Ask an Expert on soil degradation can be found here.
Podcast presenters: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast producer: Jessica Strauss
WA farmer Ben Webb joins us on the Regional Update to give us an update on how his year is panning out. He gives some insights into how he's gone using chaff carts and talks about a few other novel approached he has on farm. If you'd like to find out more about Ben's farming system, you can check out the case study on him we did here: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/content/ben-and-emily-webb-kojonup-wa/
On this week's podcast we take a look at a different approach to double knocks. WA-based Farmanco agronomist, Mark Lawrence (pictured) shares with us the benefits of double paraquat and other strategies his clients in the medium to high rainfall zone in WA’s south west region are using. We also find out more about BASF’s new Group G herbicide, Voraxor. BASF Technical Development Manager Ian Francis joins us to tell us more about their new Group G pre-emergent broad leaf weed herbicide and how it can fit into farming systems.____________________________________________________________Podcast presenters: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast producer: Jessica Strauss
On this episode of the Regional Update, we catch up with Agrivision Agronomy Consultant Matt Bissett. He’s based in Swan Hill in the Victorian Mallee. He gives us a regional update on the Central and Southern Mallee and Northern Wimmera.
Today on the podcast we’re going be talking about harvester set-up to minimise losses. Professional Contract Harvester Rod Gribble recently did workshops on harvester set-up alongside our NSW based Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon and he joins us on the podcast to share his tips. We also hear from Brett Asphar. He’s a Harvester Specialist with Seed Terminator and also ran workshops in WA alongside our Western Extension and podcast co-host, Peter Newman. He shares his tips on getting harvester set-up right too.Webinar this FridayJoin us this Friday, November 6, for the webinar "How do I make the right decision on using Group Gs with Chris Preston & Chris Davey".New contentDon’t forget to check out our latest content on the website. We’ve got a blog post looking at livestock containment areas. Sam and Emily Eagle share their experience with how this has been a valuable long-term livestock production and weed control tool.https://weedsmart.org.au/more-lambs-less-weeds-in-sheep-containment-systems/We also have two Case Studies for you to check out if you haven’t already. The first is on Andrew and Gina Kenny who farm at Badgingarra, in WA’s west midlands. They’re using an integrated program of crop rotation, mouldboard ploughing, grazing and chaff lining to keep their weed numbers very low.https://weedsmart.org.au/case-studies/andrew-kenny-badgingarra-wa/The second is on Mat Freeman who farms an aggregation of cropping properties at Mullewa and Walkaway in the Geraldton Port Zone of WA. https://weedsmart.org.au/case-studies/mat-freeman-walkaway-wa/_________________________________________________________________Podcast Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast Producer: Jessica Strauss
Agronomist Belinda Chase from Dalby Rural Supplies provides a regional update on the podcast today. Fleabane and Feathertop Rhodes grass has been particularly problematic for her region, so she provides some tips on how to get on top of these species.
On this edition of the WeedSmart podcast, we’re talking all things pre-harvest. Our South Australian-based Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey joins us to give us the rundown on what growers need to be thinking about before harvest kicks off.We also catch up with GROW advocate, Virginia Tech Associate Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist, Michael Flessner about the new partnership between WeedSmart and GROW. GROW stands for Getting Rid of Weeds and is a publicly led network coordinating research and outreach, providing science-based information and decision support tools to make agriculture more sustainable and precise.On the podcast, we also mentioned we've got some great new content. Here are the details:We’ve got a new blog post looking at livestock containment areas. Sam and Emily Eagle share their experience with how this has been a valuable long-term livestock production and weed control tool. Check it out here: https://weedsmart.org.au/more-lambs-less-weeds-in-sheep-containment-systems/We also have two new Case Studies.The first is on Andrew and Gina Kenny who farm at Badgingarra, in WA’s west midlands. They’re using an integrated program of crop rotation, mouldboard ploughing, grazing and chaff lining to keep their weed numbers very low. Check it out here: https://weedsmart.org.au/case-studies/andrew-kenny-badgingarra-wa/The second is on Mat Freeman who farms an aggregation of cropping properties at Mullewa and Walkaway in the Geraldton Port Zone of WA. Read it here: https://weedsmart.org.au/case-studies/mat-freeman-walkaway-wa/_____________________________________________________________Podcast presenter and producer: Jessica StraussPodcast presenter: Peter Newman
Caltrop is becoming an increasingly problematic weed to deal with in parts of WA’s farming regions and is a pest Australia-wide. Growers in the Esperance port zone recently raised the issue of caltrop weed in their region at a recent grower network member meeting. So, today on the Regional Update, agronomist Andrew Storrie, who is also known as “Agronomo” will talk to us about how to best control this weed.
Today on the podcast we’re going to be learning about CBH Group’s new approach to residue limits. CBH Group Agronomist, Steven Tilbrook, will join us to discuss how they’re addressing maximum residue limits.We also will be hearing from John, Tony, and Ben Single about their air-borne weed sensor, Single Shot. This weed sensor rapidly detects and maps weeds. Ben Single describes how he saw the benefits of separating the weed detection and weed spraying tasks and set about building the platform, working with Newcastle-based company, Robotic Systems to make the idea a reality.On the podcast, we also mentioned we've got some great new content for you to check out.If you'd like to find out more about Single Shot, you can read an article we did on it here: https://weedsmart.org.au/taking-a-single-shot-at-weeds/We’ve got a new “Ask an Expert” article with University of Adelaide weeds research and PhD candidate, Alicia Merriam. She answers the question "Where to next in controlling herbicide resistant broadleaf weeds in IMI-tolerant lentils?: You can find the answer here: https://weedsmart.org.au/where-to-next-in-controlling-herbicide-resistant-broadleaf-weeds-in-imi-tolerant-lentils/We’ve also got a new article on stacking the odds against awnless barnyard grass. Check it out here: https://weedsmart.org.au/stacking-the-odds-against-awnless-barnyard-grass/Thanks for tuning in and we'll catch you on the Regional Update next Monday!____________________________________________________________Podcast producer: Jessica StraussPodcast hosts: Jessica Strauss, Peter Newman
Today on the Regional Update, we catch up with our WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon, who is based in Junee, NSW. We focus on late-season weed assessments and what growers and advisers need to plan for the rest of the season.
Today on the podcast we hear from two South Australian farmers, Russell Zwar and Tom Gardner, who were part of our recent Clare WeedSmart Week event. They tell us all about how they apply the Big 6 in their farming systems. We also hear about some new research into bromegrass. The latest research supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation shows that any amount of harvest weed seed control is better than none.Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development research officer Catherine Borger, joins us on the podcast to tell us more. We plug our upcoming webinar 'Handling weeds in high residue farming systems – Strip & Disc' with Dr Michael Walsh and our Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon in the podcast. You can register for it here: https://uwa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CWxAGlrrTLmgJgimXewFSQAlso, if you'd like to check out the Weed Seed Wizard decision tool, you can do so here: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/weed-seed-wizard/weed-seed-wizard-download-and-help_______________________________________________________________Podcast Producer: Jessica StraussPodcast Hosts: Jessica Strauss, Peter Newman
On this episode of the Regional Update, we’re catching up with Delta Ag Agronomist, Rob Long. Rob is based in Moree in Northern NSW. Rob provides an overview of the regional conditions and what to look out for this time of year, with a focus on weeds. He says collecting weeds for resistance testing is really critical.
Today on the podcast we talk about potential new herbicide tolerant pulse varieties and we also get a summary of how WeedSmart Week in Clare went.Agriculture Victoria’s Dr Garry Rosewarne is our first guest. He joins us to talk about the research he’s been leading in looking at herbicide tolerances in pulses. As many growers are aware, pulses have limited in-crop herbicide options. However, with the development of breeding techniques involving mutagenesis, pulse germplasm has been developed with herbicide tolerances. Our newly appointed WeedSmart Extension Agronomist for South Australia & Victoria, YP AG’s Chris Davey also joins us today. He tells us about how WeedSmart Week in Clare faired.If you'd like to register for our latest webinar on strip and disc systems, you can do so here: https://weedsmart.org.au/webinars/_____________________________________________________________Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanPodcast producer: Jessica Strauss
Today we’re catching up with WA farmer, Dylan Hirsch, for the regional update. Dylan is a self-professed farming and science geek and he was a 2018 Nuffield Scholar recipient. Dylan farms in Latham, which is in the mid-west of WA.You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/hirschirsch
After a short break, we're back! Today we’re catching up with Business Development Manager West at Bayer, Hugh Trenorden about the lifting of the GM moratorium in South Australia and what that means for growers.WeedSmart Week in Clare is also next week! You can still get tickets up until midnight tonight. You can find out more about the event and get your tickets here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-south-australia/In light of this, we’re catching up with Herbicide Resistance Weed Specialist at University of Adelaide and Director of Plant Science Consulting, Dr Peter Boutsalis to get a preview on what he’ll be presenting on the forum day.We also talked about our upcoming webinars on the podcast.Our next webinar is this Friday with Dr Roberto Busi. He'll be presenting with Peter Newman on testing all herbicides used on-farm for herbicide resistance. You can find out more and register here: https://uwa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WGF2_9KQQMWVIZ_6mFdvsw___________________________________________Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanProducer: Jessica Strauss
After a short break, the Regional Update is back.On this episode, we're catching up with Ben Wundersitz who farms on the Yorke peninsula at Anna Binna. Ben gives us an overview of the seasonal conditions he's been experiencing in his region as well as a teaser as to what he'll be sharing in his presentation at WeedSmart Week in Clare next week. Anna Binna is spread across 6,000 hectares, from Port Victoria to Price and employs five full-time staff. Anna Binna is run as a lean operation and Ben has been an early adopter of precision guidance systems which means plant and equipment can be operated 24 hours a day when necessary.Twitter: @AnnaBinnaFarmTickets to WeedSmart Week are on sale until Wednesday, August 26. Get yours here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-south-australia/
On this week's Regional Update, CSIRO Agriculture's Dr Stephen Yeates is taking us all the way up north to the Burdekin to give a Northern Regional Update. Steve has been working on a GRDC invested project in this area and will reveal some of the key outcomes. He also gives an insight into the farming systems in this region and how best to keep on top of weeds.
Today on the podcast we have a special preview of WeedSmart Week in Clare. As you might have already seen, WeedSmart Week is going ahead and tickets are now on sale!In this podcast, we’re going to be hearing from YP AG Agronomist, Chris Davey who has helped put the event together and will also be presenting on our Forum Day. We’ll also be hearing from grower Jarred Tilley. Jarred will be hosting a farm visit at his property for WeedSmart Week Clare.Finally, we hear from one of last year’s attendees and farm visit hosts, Sam Eagle.If you'd like to get your tickets for WeedSmart Week Clare, click here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-south-australia/To check out the WeedSmart Big 6, click here: https://weedsmart.org.au/the-big-6/To follow us on Facebook, click here: https://www.facebook.com/WeedSmartAU/To follow us on Twitter, click here: https://twitter.com/WeedSmartAUFinally, make sure you're subscribed to our monthly newsletter, the WeedSmart Whip Around: https://weedsmart.org.au/subscribe/___________________________________________________________Host: Jessica StraussProducer: Jessica Strauss
David Kingston is a mixed farmer from The Rock in southern New South Wales. He farms with his brother and they're making decisions on their farm on how to get on top of glyphosate resistant ryegrass. His brother recently attended a workshop in Temora which was put on by Farmlink and the GRDC which delved deeper into glyphosate resistance. David and his brother have made some big changes in response to the ryegrass problem they're facing and he shares their experience with us on the podcast today.
Today on the Regional Update podcast, we are going to be getting the details on the 2020 Summer Weed Survey of WA Cropping districts, which GRDC invested in. Between January and April this year, 197 paddocks were surveyed to assess for what weeds were present to provide a detailed insight into the trends in Summer weed emergence. We’re going to be chatting with Andrew Storrie, also known as AGRONOMO, to find out more. In this podcast, Andrew talks about the importance of killing weeds when they're small, particularly for Summer weeds as they can be harder to kill once they get bigger. Check out the updated GRDC broadacre cropping weeds ute guide here to help you identify weeds at all growth stages: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/national/2020/may/new-and-improved-grdc-weed-ute-guide-now-available_________________________________________________Host and producer: Jessica Strauss
Today on the WeedSmart podcast we’re focusing on problem weeds across Australian cropping regions. We’ll be hearing about the weed blue lupins from WA grower Jamie Greaves. We’ll also be focusing on Feathertop Rhodes Grass and how this is proving to be an issue for growers in Northern New South Wales, with sporadic patches popping up. University of Adelaide Professor, Dr Chris Preston and Northern Grower Alliance CEO, Richard Daniel, join us to shed some light on this issue and how to get on top of this weed. Our Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon, joins us as the podcast co-host today. _____________________________________Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Greg CondonProducer: Jessica Strauss
Today on the Regional Update Podcast, we’re catching up with our WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh. Paul is going to give us some pointers on what to be mindful of with summer planting in the Northern region.
Today on the Regional Update Podcast, we’re chatting with Neil Durning, who is a Private Agronomist with Riverina Independent Agronomy. Neil facilitated a glyphosate resistance ryegrass day last week, supported by the GRDC and FarmLink, which was held in southern New South Wales.
Today on the podcast we’re going to be learning about how to use S-Metolachlor effectively and within the guidelines. Area Sales Manager from Syngenta Crop Protection for the Northern Commercial Unit, Tim Fraser joins us to tell us about this. We also will be hearing from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development grain researcher, Martin Harries, about a six-year focus paddock survey he has led. The survey work Martin did collected data from 184 paddocks spanning 14 million hectares of cropping land in Western Australia. It was all made possible with a DPIRD and GRDC investment and the collaboration of 13 farming groups; including the Facey, Liebe, Mingenew-Irwin groups and WANTFA.Links I promised in the podcast:Listen to the Regional Update here: https://weedsmart.org.au/resources/regional-update-podcast/Subscribe to the WeedSmart Whip Around here: https://weedsmart.org.au/subscribe/The WeedSmart Big 6: https://weedsmart.org.au/the-big-6/AHRI insight on Martin Harries' work: https://ahri.uwa.edu.au/epic-wa-focus-paddock-project-shows-were-having-a-win/______________________________________Podcast Producer: Jessica StraussPodcast Hosts: Jessica Strauss, Peter Newman
On today’s Regional Update Podcast, we’re going to focus on the weed Matricaria, which has been a growing concern in Western Australia’s eastern Wheatbelt since it first emerged the late 1960s. Matricaria has spread to neighbouring regions and developed into a weed of serious concern for growers, particularly those in the Geraldton and Kwinana port zones. Alex Douglas from DPIRD joins us to explain how to identify and control this weed.You can find further information on this weed by checking out this GRDC Paddock Practices article: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/west/2020/june/paddock-practices-herbicide-timing-key-in-managing-matricariaAlex Douglas also has written a Grains Research Update paper on Matricaria which you read here: http://bit.ly/2TOHT05
On this week's Regional Update we're zoning in on Central Queensland, with Rolleston grower, Kurt Mayne. You might remember Kurt from his involvement at Emerald WeedSmart Week in 2019 and previous podcast appearances. Kurt gives us an overview of weeds causing issues in his region and how best to deal with them.
Today on the podcast we’re going to be getting the details on getting spray application right with expert, Bill Campbell. We’ll also be finding out a bit more about the MCPA LVE shortage and what considerations you need to make for alternative weed control solutions with Nufarm National Technical Lead, André Sabeeney.Podcast Hosts: Jessica Strauss & Peter NewmanProducer: Jessica Strauss
Today on the Regional Update we’re catching up Geraldton based consultant, Chris Pinkney. Chris is one of the Directors of Agrarian Management. His area got hit pretty hard recently by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Mangga colliding with a cold front which saw winds rip through the region, blowing away valuable topsoil from farmland in the process. We’ll find out about those seasonal conditions and get some tips on keeping on top of weeds specific to this region.
On this Regional Update podcast, we get an update on Central Queensland from Nutrien Ag Agronomist, Anthony Lee, based in Clermont.
Today on the podcast we’re focusing on the use of pre-emergent herbicides and knockdowns, with a special focus on group Gs.Associate Professor Dr Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide joins us to talk about how Group G herbicides fit into farming systems and what role they are playing as an increasingly popular tool to control weeds.We’ll also be catching up with Delta Ag Director and Farm Consultant, Tim Condon. Tim provides an overview of where the season is at, with a focus on the Southern region, including knockdowns and pre-emergent herbicides. We’ll also touch on controlling weeds along fencelines.If you'd like to check out our latest webinar "Know thy enemy – biology of our most problematic crop weeds with Dr Catherine Borger", click here: https://weedsmart.org.au/webinars/know-thy-enemy-biology-of-our-most-problematic-crop-weeds-with-dr-catherine-borger/Our upcoming webinar is on June 12 and is entitled "New chemistry - What's new, what's coming & how to keep them for longer with Greg Condon". You can register for it here: https://uwa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JBzle1E7R_-21FxTiTD-IAAnd finally - our new resource on in-crop weeds is available here: https://weedsmart.org.au/keep-control-weeds-in-crop/ _______________________________________________Podcast hosts: Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman
Today on the Regional Update, we mix it up a bit by focusing on a problematic weed in the Basalt to Bay region - gorse weed. The seed of this weed can last over 50 years and can cause havoc for farmers as it is difficult to get control of and also can acidify the soil it grows in. Basalt to Bay Landcare Project Manager, Lisette Mill runs a project to control this weed in the region. She talks about some handy resources at the end of the podcast too - you can find those here: http://www.basalttobay.org.au/Also, you can find more information from the Victorian Gorse Taskforce here: https://www.facebook.com/VictorianGorseTaskforce/
On this episode, we’re catching up with Farm and General Agronomy Manager, Greg Warren. He’s based in Esperance and is going to give us a regional update on this area which is in the South East of Western Australia. We also discuss how WeedSmart Week will be coming to Esperance next August!
Today's podcast focuses on getting tank mixes right to avoid glugs and ensure they’re as effective as they can be.Bayer Market Development Agronomy and Field Leader of Integrated Weed Management Australia, Craig White, talks to us about how to get mixing orders right to avoid glugs in tanks and to get the best tank-mix possible. We also hear about a new formulation of Sakura called Sakura Flow.Nufarm Territory Manager for the Downs, Maranoa and South West Queensland, Malcolm Salisbury joins us on the podcast to provide an overview of some of the considerations that need to be made when mixing herbicides for the Northern Region. He also has some general tips on mixing too!
Today on the WeedSmart regional update, we catch up with B & W Rural agronomist, Casey Onus. Casey is based in Moree and gives us an update on Northern NSW, with a focus on residual herbicide use.
On this episode, we catch up with Tasmanian grower and GRDC southern panel member, Michael Chilvers. Michael gives us a regional update and also tells us a bit more about our upcoming webinar on Friday on ryegrass control in the high rainfall zone. Michael is keen to encourage growers to take a more integrated approach to weed control. You can register for our webinar on Friday here: https://t.co/AgW35xGwBl?amp=1
This week, we're catching up with University of Adelaide weeds researcher, Dr Peter Boutsalis, to talk about the latest resistance testing results he’s collated, tips on post-em weed control and FMC’s new product, Overwatch. We're also going to hear from FMC Australasia R&D Manager, Geoff Robertson, to get the rundown their new product, Overwatch. Overwatch has now received full registration in Australia and will be available for the 2021 winter crop season. This pre-emergent herbicide has shown to be effective at killing annual ryegrass, as well as other weeds such as silvergrass, sowthistle and more.
On this episode, we’re catching up with Nutrien Ag Solutions Agronomist, Ross Pomroy. He’s based in Dalby and is going to give us a regional update on the Darling Downs. Ross works in cotton and all broadacre crops, both summer and winter, as well as irrigation scheduling.
On this episode, we catch up with Agrivision Agronomy Consultant Matt Bissett. He’s based in Swan Hill in the Victorian Mallee. He’s going to give a regional update on the Central and Southern Mallee and Northern Wimmera.
Today on the podcast we’re doing a special on intercropping and companion cropping.Before we get into it, here's what both intercrops and companion crops are:Intercrop: where two or more species are sown and harvested together with the objective to harvest the grain of both species. Companion crop: Where two or more species are sown together with the objective to harvest the grain of a single species. The other species are either grazed out or terminated using herbicidesWe hear from CSIRO Farming Systems Scientist, Dr Andrew Fletcher. He tells us about the potential role of companion and intercropping in Australian grain farming systems. Andrew also recently presented this topic at the Perth GRDC Updates, which has sparked interest in this space in Australia. We also hear from farmer Murray Scholz, who has a mixed farming operation in the Southern Region in Culcairn NSW, which is halfway between Wagga Wagga and Albury. Murray has been on the podcast before, talking about his use of disc seeding. So, thanks to him for coming back! And finally, we hear from WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon. He gives a detailed overview of companion and intercropping in his region and explains some of the quirks to how it all works.
Bayer Market Development Agronomy and Leader of Integrated Weed Management Australia, Craig White, joins us for a Regional Update for the South West of Western Australia.
Today on the Regional Update Podcast, we chat with Rural Directions Graduate Agribusiness Consultant, Jana Dixon.Jana is based in Clare, South Australia and provides a great regional update for what growers and advisors should be considering at the moment, with a particular focus on knockdown herbicides. We also provide an update on what is happening with WeedSmart Week in Clare.
We're very excited to announce on the podcast that our new Crop Competition 101 course is now live! On the podcast, we chat with Dr Michael Widderick and Dr Gurjeet Gill about their contributions to the course. You can register for this free online course here: https://www.diversityera.com/courses/crop-competition-101We also hear from agronomist Andrew Johnson from Dalby Rural supplies to get an update on using knockdowns.And on the podcast, we mention our webinar 'What’s next in broadacre weed control – is green on green a reality?' from last week with Greg Condon. If you missed it, catch up here: https://weedsmart.org.au/webinars/whats-next-in-broadacre-weed-control-is-green-on-green-a-reality-with-greg-condon/
We’re doing a new podcast in these crazy times as in-person events can no longer go ahead for the time being due to COVID-19. Each Monday we’ll have an expert from a different cropping region to provide a regional weeds-focused update.This week we’re catching up with Moree-based Amps Senior Consulting Agronomist, Tony Lockrey.
It's been almost two years to the day that we released our first podcast on weed seed impact mill technology. Back then, we caught up with WA (Cuballing) farmer, Roger Newman about his experience with the HSD and Andrew Todd (Dowerin, WA) about his experience with the Seed Terminator (check out the 2018 podcast here).
Well, as you would know, there's been lots of developments in the mill space, with Redekop and now TecFarm coming onto the scene with their own mills.In this podcast, Jessica Strauss is joined by guest co-host, agricultural engineer and Manager of Research and Development for the Kondinin Group, Ben White.
Ben gives a comprehensive overview of where mill technology is at. We have interviews from farmers who are running different weed seed impact mills, including an update from Roger Newman, mentioned above; Dave Trewick from Elmore, Victoria, who has an HSD and Seed Terminator; Lyndon Bird from Goomalling, WA, who has a Redekop SCU; and Tom Lewis from Tecfarm who talks about the most recently released mill, the WeedHOG.Thanks to everyone for making this podcast possible!
Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to find out about why mixing and rotating herbicides is the way to go.
Today we’re chatting with AHRI researcher Roberto Busi about his latest research into resistance in wild radish and annual ryegrass and why it’s so important to mix and rotate herbicides in your farming system.
Peter Newman has this week also written AHRI insight on Roberto's work which evaluates the mix and rotate message in more detail. You can check it out here: https://ahri.uwa.edu.au/luximax-gets-its-own-new-box/
In this week's episode, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman catch up in person to talk about the highlights of the GRDC Crop Updates which have been taking place across the country.Peter talks about what he presented at updates, including research done by Dr Michael Walsh from University of Sydney on the efficacy of chaff lining.
We also talk about research on weed seed mills and new machinery on the horizon. Pete also talks about his presentation on strip and disc systems and how they might fit into farming systems in WA.We also discuss the Weed Chipper, developed by Dr Andrew Guzzomi and Dr Carlo Peressini from UWA and researchers from University of Sydney.
The Weed Chipper now has a commercial partner in Precision Agronomics Australia. This project had received funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and was created in response to the growing concerns about herbicide resistance and the associated difficulties with fallow weed control.Director of McFadyen Ag Consulting and Northern Panel Chair Andrew McFadyen about the effects of the Summer rain the Northern region has received. *In the podcast we chat about presentations which were standouts.
We didn't give the full name for 'Keith' - his full name is Keith Norman and he is a UK Farm Management Specialist. We also talked about the model on HWSC Pete developed so you can calculate the cost of different HWSC options on your farm. You can download the model here.
Technology in general, including in the ag space, is moving forward at an accelerated rate. While green on brown technology is now being adopted and good results are being seen in the field, green on green technology is on the cusp of being a commercial reality.
And while there might be fears it'll be cost-prohibitive, AutoWeed Systems Engineer who is a guest on the podcast this week, says that the technology will be comparable and in some cases cheaper than the green on brown tech available today.
The University of Sydney's weed researchers Dr Michael Walsh and Guy Coleman recently ran a workshop with delegates from all over the world looking at how to make machine learning more accessible for green on green technology by making open source libraries of broadacre weeds and crops available to anyone who might want to access them, including companies working on making this tech a reality.
WeedSmart's Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon provides us with an overview of how the workshop ran and what he presented in on in terms of how this tech might fit into different farming systems. Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and learn more!
We're back for our first podcast of 2020 and the decade! Join your hosts, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, as they talk about Summer Cropping and highlights from the massive agricultural tradeshow, Agritechnica.
With recent rainfall in parts of the Northern region, some farmers will be considering putting in a Summer crop. We catch up with our Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh for a broad overview on this, as well as, Agricultural Consulting and Extension Services Agronomist, Peter McKenzie.
Peter provides some insights into how to control weed burdens and get the best possible yield outcome for crops in these tough drought conditions.We also catch up with Rabobank Agricultural Analyst Wes Lefroy about his trip to Germany where he went to Agrictechnica.
Automation was a big focus in 2019 and Wes gives his perspective on how that technology will fit into Australian cropping systems. Wes also appears on the Rabobank podcast. Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1190107144?app=podcast&mt=2
This is our last podcast for 2019! It's been such a great year, covering a broad range of topics related to integrated weed management.In this episode, hosts, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, give an overview of what were the most popular podcasts and articles WeedSmart produced in 2019.In following up from our last podcast where we got an overview of the new WeedSeeker, in this podcast we catch up with Dalby Rural Supplies Precision Ag Specialist Jeremy Jones about the new WEEDit Quadro.We also catch up with Steven Mirsky. He's a Research Ecologist with the US Department of Agriculture and is a member of the US group, GROW (Getting Rid of Weeds). The group recently did a national farm tour in Australia, learning about our farming systems and how we control weeds. If you're wanting to follow up on some of our top podcasts and posts of the year, you can check them out below.TOP PODCASTS (based on likes, downloads, listens)1. "Redekop weed seed impact mill and hay market overview"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/redekop-weed-seed-impact-mill-and-hay-market-overview/2. "New chemistry derived from the Aussie bottlebrush; BASF new actives and Tecfarm mills"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/new-chemistry-derived-from-the-aussie-bottlebrush-basf-new-actives-and-tecfarm-mills/3. "New herbicide resistance test and getting crop topping right"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/new-herbicide-resistance-test-and-getting-crop-topping-right/TOP PODCASTS (most listened to overall)1. "Chaff dump management and ‘strip and disc’ systems"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/chaff-dump-management-and-strip-and-disc-systems/2. "Vertical iHSD test results and the WEEDit"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/vertical-ihsd-test-results-and-the-weedit/3. "Weather forecast accuracy and crop competition trial results"https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/weather-forecast-accuracy-and-crop-competition-trial-results/TOP ASK AN EXPERTS1. “What’s the latest in optical sprayer technology? https://weedsmart.org.au/whats-the-latest-in-optical-sprayer-technology/2. “Is mechanical site-specific weed control a practical fallow management option?” https://weedsmart.org.au/is-mechanical-site-specific-weed-control-a-practical-fallow-management-option/3. “How can I avoid getting stuck in an imi herbicide cycle?” https://weedsmart.org.au/how-can-i-avoid-getting-stuck-in-an-imi-herbicide-cycle/4. “Is rapid, on-farm herbicide resistance testing possible?” https://weedsmart.org.au/is-rapid-on-farm-herbicide-resistance-testing-possible/5. “Does diversity help with weed control and herbicide resistance?”https://weedsmart.org.au/does-diversity-help-with-weed-control-and-herbicide-resistance/TOP BULLETIN POSTS1. “Stacking the Big 6 in a strip and disc system” https://weedsmart.org.au/stacking-the-big-6-in-a-strip-and-disc-system/2. “Robotics opens up more non-herbicide options” https://weedsmart.org.au/robotics-opens-up-more-non-herbicide-options/3. “And then there were three – impact mills on the market” https://weedsmart.org.au/and-then-there-were-three-impact-mills-on-the-market/4. “Vertical iHSD maintains the brand’s 98% weed kill rate” https://weedsmart.org.au/vertical-ihsd-maintains-the-brands-98-weed-kill-rate/5. “Is sunlight breaking down pre-em herbicides where farmers are dry sowing?” https://weedsmart.org.au/is-sunlight-breaking-down-pre-em-herbicides-where-farmers-are-dry-sowing/
On the podcast this week, we find out about the new bells and whistles of the WeedSeeker 2 and we also get an insight into the weed control findings of a CSIRO-led farming systems project in the Northern region.McIntosh Distributions Sales Representative Scott Jameson provides a great overview of the just-released WeedSeeker 2. It’s a complete upgrade from the original WeedSeeker, with the only thing remaining from the old system being the way the sensors detect weeds.CSIRO's Lindsay Bell also gives us a great overview of a 5-year farming systems project he has been leading in the Northern Region. The project had DAF, GRDC and CSIRO investment. We also mentioned on the podcast to register for our upcoming webinar with Bhagirath Chauhan and Paul McIntosh on weed biology insights to improve management of Feathertop Rhodes grass and Barnyard grass. Get all the details here: https://weedsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Weed-biology-with-Bhagirath-Chauhan-Paul-McIntosh..pdf
On the podcast today, you're joined by co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to find out some practical tips on grain storage and delve into the details of a stripper front and chaff deck system.Grower Jamie Phillis from Ungarra, in the Lower Eyre Peninsula, South Australia joins us on the podcast to tell us about his farming system and approach to harvest. He’s running a Shelbourne stripper front for cereals and a draper front for other crops and he's using a chaff deck in combination with both of these fronts.We also catch up with grain storage specialist, Phillip Burrell to get some practical tips on getting grain storage right. You can follow up on some of Phillip's tips by checking out the stored grain website here: https://storedgrain.com.au/Take a look at the podcast on our website here: https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/stripper-front-and-chaff-deck-system-explainer-and-grain-storage-tips/
As you’re probably already aware, here at WeedSmart we’re big advocates of harvest weed seed control. However, getting this right starts with good harvester set-up. In this podcast, we catch up with one of our WeedSmart advocate farmers, Warwick Holding, about setting up your harvester correctly, with a focus on chaff decks.We also chat with Dr Peter Boutsalis from Plant Science Consulting. He gives us a rundown on how to collect weed seeds correctly for herbicide resistance testing. Check out this link to see pictures of weed seeds ready for collection: https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/setting-up-your-harvester-for-hwsc-and-practical-resistance-testing-tips/
It’s that time of year where crop topping is on the agenda. In this podcast, we catch up with WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon about crop topping pulses and also canola and the value you can get out of it. We’ll also be talking about double knocking spray fallow and late-season weed identification. We’ll also speak with AHRI researcher Roberto Busi. He’s found cross-resistance between a few of our key pre-emergent herbicides. Roberto gives us an overview of the work he’s been doing in this space. We also find out more about the new herbicide resistance testing service being offered through UWA is coordinating.Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and take a listen now.
In the podcast this week we chat with Redekop’s Trevor Thiessen about their weed seed impact mill, the Seed Control Unit, or SCU. Redekop Manufacturing is based in Canada and sells a range of crop residue management tools. We also hear from Tim Ford from Feed Central. This Queensland-based company provides a buying and selling platform for hay. Tim explains how the hay market has evolved over time and some of the challenges faced today.Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and find out more!
The theme of the podcast this week is new tools! We talk about new weed seed impact mills out of Tecfarm and also look at some new chemistry on the horizon for agriculture. Syngenta will soon be releasing a new pre-emergent herbicide called Callisto for Australian cereal growers. It has some surprisingly Australian roots, with its active ingredient stemming from the Australian bottle brush. Syngenta's Ben Parkin joins us to talk about this. BASF is also releasing several new actives. BASF Crop Solutions WA Senior Area Sales Manager Murray McCartney talks to us about Luximax, which will be available next year. We also learn about BASF’s new group H post em, Frequency and also Voraxor, which will be available in 2021.Tecfarm Director Tom Lewis talks us through the journey so far for Tecfarm in developing and testing their weed seed impact mill too.We also have a survey at the moment on HWSC that will only take you a minute to complete. You can complete it here: https://t.co/ySB4zyTOHi?amp=1You can also access the HWSC model Peter Newman talks about in this podcast here: https://ahri.uwa.edu.au/whats-the-cost-of-hwsc-for-you/
This week we have an array of interviews from the ground at Horsham WeedSmart Week. Join your hosts, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, as they take you to the event via podcast. There are a few interview packages in this podcast, so here's a guide in case you want to refer back to them:1. Tim Rethus, Farmer and BCG member2. Jana Dixon (Rural Directions Agronomist), Guillaume Jourdain (Bilberry CEO)3. Adam Cooke, Greg Swades, Richard King, Ross Berryman (mainly harvester Workshop focused)4. Kyle, Ian Taylor, Billy Peddler, Dominic Garden (Farmer experiences for the whole event)Without the support of our stakeholders and our co-organiser BCG, this event would not have been possible, so thank you very much for their support.We'll be hosting WeedSmart Week 2020 in South Australia. Make sure you're following us on social media and signed up to our blog to be the first to hear more about it.
Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to recap Emerald WeedSmart Week, which took place in Central Queensland on August 13-15. Jessica was on the ground at the event and spoke to attendees and presenters about their farming systems, what they saw and what they were inspired by and would potentially adapt to their farming system.This podcast provides a snapshot of the event in four interview packages:1)SwarmFarm's Andrew and Jocie Bates2)Hannah Murphy (Radicle Seeds), Evan Shannon (agronomist at Farmacist), Simon Green (farmer)3)Rhys Daniels (farmer, Theresa Downs), Sam Bradford (farmer, Arcturus Downs), Matt Anning (farm manager at Cedar Park, owned by Colorada Cotton), Don Sampson (farmer)4)GRDC Weeds Manager, Jason EmmsThank you so much to everyone who made Emerald WeedSmart Week such a great success. If you liked what you heard, this year we have two WeedSmart Week events and there's still time to attend our Horsham event which is kicking off on Tuesday, August 27. Get your tickets here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-horsham/
Australian farming treasure Ray Harrington joins us on the podcast to share his success with getting on top of weeds in his farming system. He reckons that instead of the weeds calling the shots, he's calling the shots!WeedSmart Week in Horsham is at the end of this month too. We catch up with a local farmer, Sam Eagle, to find out about his innovative approach to stock containment in his mixed farming system. He's going to be presenting at the event and we'll also be visiting his property.Furthermore, we catch up with Dr Jack Desbiolles, who is a senior agricultural research engineer at the University of South Australia. He's recently been featured on our Bulletin Board talking about his work in paired row sowing. He's undertaken extensive trials investigating the benefits of increasing the space between seeds in the seedbed. Paired-row sowing is one of the ways to effectively achieve this and can deliver both increased yield and useful suppression of weeds. Jack gives an extensive overview of the benefits and how to adopt it.You can read the article here: https://weedsmart.org.au/paired-rows-give-entry-level-crop-competition/, but first...Take a listen!
Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to learn the latest in precision ag and find out more about Emerald, the location of our first WeedSmart Week event for 2019.In this podcast, we chat with Southern Precision Director Grant Yates about shielded spraying and other innovative technology which helps with farming system efficiencies. Grant started the company as he found that the latest equipment and tools that could reduce input costs and improve efficiencies were not readily available to farmers. We also catch up with Graham Spackman about the Northern Region and some of the issues faced there. Graham is a Northern GRDC panel member and is a Director of Spackman Iker Ag Consulting.He’ll be speaking on the Forum Day at Emerald WeedSmart Week, which is now only 2 weeks away! You can get your tickets to the event here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-emerald/If you're closer to Horsham, WeedSmart Week will be happening there on August 27. Get your tickets here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-horsham/We also have an excellent webinar coming up on the state of play of glyphosate. You can learn more and register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2530858464317343234
Emerald WeedSmart Week is less than a month away, so Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, guest co-hosts with Jessica Strauss to highlight some of the excellent speakers who will be presenting over the 3-day event.In this podcast, we hear from InFarm Managing Director Jerome Leray who will be presenting at WeedSmart Week. InFarm is an Agricultural Intelligence company based in Goondiwindi. The company has been recognised by Microsoft for becoming the first commercial company to receive the AI for Earth grant in Australia. The company has developed a drone to tractor fallow weed solution. It can save farmers up to 95% on herbicide and integrates with standard variable rate sprayers. It provides a solution to fallow weed spot spraying using the equipment farmers already have. We also speak with local CQ farmers, Kurt Mayne and Scott Becker about their farming systems and how WeedSmart's Big 6 principles have shaped some of the practical changes they've made, including some big purchases, like the WEEDit. You can get your tickets for Emerald WeedSmart Week here: https://weedsmart.org.au/weedsmart-week-emerald/Take a listen!
This week on the WeedSmart podcast, Jessica Strauss interviews co-host Peter Newman on why he's telling farmers they might not need a knockdown.We also chat with farmer Ian Taylor, who will be presenting at WeedSmart Week in Horsham about his innovative farming system and how his family is farming with the premise of reducing their reliance on chemicals.“Farmers are all in a war against weeds. We are winning, but you’re never going to win because the war will always continue. However, with an open mind, we’ll win the battle, but not the war,” Ian Taylor. Ian aims to keep his farming system going well beyond 100 years and he shares how they plan to do that. Finally, we chat with Central Queensland Grower Solutions Group Extension Officer, Hayley Eames about why it's so important WeedSmart Week comes to Horsham.
Herbicide mixes are not all one of the same. The efficacy of a mix can be affected significantly by the adjuvant its mixed with. On this podcast we chat with Research Agronomist with Jubilee Consulting, Andrew Somervaille. He explains herbicide mixes in more detail, with a particular emphasis on glyphosate. South Australian Independent Consultant, Craig Davis also talks about herbicide mixes and shares what advice he gives his clients in this regard.We also talk to Tim Rethus. He's an innovative farmer who will be presenting at the upcoming WeedSmart Week in Horsham. He farms with his brother Luke, father Geoff and long-time worker Glenn. His farm, near Horsham in the Wimmera is a 100% dryland winter cropping enterprise, receiving 425mm annual rainfall with around 3/4 of that rain falling during the growing season. In this interview, we get a snapshot of the farming system Tim and his family has adopted on their farm, as well as some guidance on how to make innovate decisions for your farming enterprise.Take a listen!
We're excited to officially launch the ticket sales for not one, but two WeedSmart Week events in 2019 in this podcast. Our extension agronomists join us this week to provide overviews of our events in both Emerald and Horsham in August.An event which is just around the corner though is the Australian Local Government Association Conference where one of the topics will be roadside weeds. This is taking place from June 16-19. Andrew Storrie 'Agronomo' joins us on the podcast to explain how roadside weeds can directly impact farmers and provides some options for effectively controlling them. Take a listen!
Soil compaction is an issue farmers face in regions across the country, however, there are some unique differences between management approaches in the Western/Southern regions, compared to the Northern region. In this podcast, we chat with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA Agricultural Development Officer, Bindi Isbister, who is based in Geraldton, WA, to get a Western/Southern perspective.Agronomy professional & crop nutrition specialist, Bede O’Mara, gives us the Northern perspective. He works at Incitec Pivot Fertilisers in Toowoomba.Soil compaction leads to aeration issues and reduced water infiltration rates. This impacts negatively on a crop as its roots have less access to water and nitrogen.Compacted areas reduce water movement and decrease plant growth, leading to a less competitive crop and potentially more weeds.Take a listen to the podcast to learn how to prevent soil compaction and how to deal with it if you do have compacted soils.
This week on the podcast, we look into how to utilise weather forecasts and get the latest information on crop competition trials conducted by YP AG.Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey provides an excellent overview of what weather forecasts to take seriously and those which you should probably take with a grain of salt. Dale has a real knack for simplifying this complicated topic, so if you want to get a good overview of the weather, he's your man!Dale refers to no breaking rains yet in the interview but since the interview, there have been some breaking rains across parts of southeast Australia. You can check out the latest map for May rain thus far here: http://www.bom.gov.au/web03/ncc/www/awap/rainfall/totals/cmonth/colour/latest.hres.gif. Also on related climate topics, the 'Climatedogs' animations (key climate drivers)were updated for a national audience recently and you can check them out here: http://www.climatekelpie.com.au/index.php/climatedogs/. And if you'd like to keep up-to-date with all of Dale's weather forecasting, you can simply hit a button to subscribe to The Break here: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/weather-and-climate/newsletters. We're also excited to have Agriservices Agronomist Chris Davey on this podcast talking about crop competition at seeding time. Chris is based in Kadina, South Australia and he recently wrote a great article in YP AG’s agronomy newsletter, where he said ‘weed seed reduction starts at seeding’. There are multiple benefits of crop competition, including increasing crop yield in weedy situations, reducing weed seed set, and improving the efficacy of Harvest Weed Seed Control. Chris has kindly given us access to his article if you'd like to refer back to it after the interview on the results from YP AG's recent trials and some tips on crop competition. You can download it here: https://weedsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20190507-WeedSmart-AHRI.pdf
Did you know you can bale your chaff dumps? South Australian farmer Andrew Ridgway, who is based in Pine Hill, has baled his chaff dumps this year to provide additional feed for stock in his area. Andrew tweeted about this novel way of managing chaff dumps, so we followed up with him to find out more about the process. We also caught up with WA farmer Rod Messina about how he's managing his dumps this year. Rod also talks to us about his recent trip over east where he was introduced to strip and disc farming systems. He talks about how some elements of the system could potentially be applied in WA farming systems.
Technology in agriculture is rapidly evolving and being adopted by farmers in Australia. In this podcast, we catch up with the University of Sydney Associate Professor and Director of Weed Research Dr Michael Walsh to find out what his recent test results were on the vertical iHSD. He looked at the efficacy of the machine killing weed seeds and also looked at the effectiveness of the kill rate as the harvester increased its speed. We also caught up with Dalby Rural Supplies Precision Ag Specialist Jeremy Jones to find out more about the WEEDit and how it's performing in the marketplace. He also shares with us what ag tech has got him excited! Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to learn more!
Our new free course is here! In this podcast, you'll hear from your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, who are joined by course presenters, Dr Chris Preston and Mark Congreve. WeedSmart Content Creator Cindy Benjamin also provides an update on what's new on the WeedSmart website. Pre-emergent Herbicides 101 will take you through the in’s and out’s of pre-emergent herbicides.The course is taught by Dr Chris Preston (Uni of Adelaide) and Mr Mark Congreve (ICAN)and the course covers why pre-emergent herbicides are an important tool in Australian cropping systems and how pre-emergents help you to manage herbicide resistance in crop weeds. (Especially in a world where 11 of the 17 modes of action have documented resistance.)If you're an agronomist and you'd like to deepen your understanding of how pre-emergent herbicides work (in both winter and summer cropping systems), this is the course for you!You can register for the course (for free!) here: http://www.diversityera.com/courses/pre-emergent-herbicides-101Mark Congreve also chatted about workshops he's running on effective use of pre-ems. You can get all the details here: https://t.co/wZFqXZxh9v
In our last podcast we heard from weed seed impact mill company representatives, so this week we're hearing from farmers on the ground and finding out about how they faired over harvest with both the Seed Terminator and iHSD. Farmers Kim Slarke and Scott Walton both share their experiences. We also hear from WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon on what he has been presenting at GRDC Updates this year. He gives an overview of the benefits of crop competition and diverse rotations, as well as providing an overview of some of the hot topics at Updates this year. Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and take a listen.
We're so excited to be back for 2019! This is our first podcast for the year and we look at how both the Seed Terminator and iHSD fared over harvest. Seed Terminator research and development director Dr Nick Berry gives insights into how the Seed Terminator went and talks about new models which are now available. McIntosh and Son Katanning branch manager Devon Gilmour tells us about how the iHSD went and talks about the now commercially available vertical mechanical iHSD. We also hear from DPIRD's Research Officer Catherine Borger about the benefits of lime application on crop-weed competition. Your hosts are Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman.
On the last podcast for 2018, we spoke with Dr Haydn Kuchel, who is CEO & Head of Breeding at AGT Breeding. AGT Breeding develops new field crop varieties. Haydn talks to us about AGT-run crop competition trials and how they influenced their breeding programs. We also learn about crop varieties coming online in the future. Finally, we checked in with AHRI and WeedSmart extension agronomist, Greg Condon. He gives an overview of crop sequencing and rotation, as well as providing some tips on post-harvest spraying.
Would you like to know more about the changes to 2,4-D regulations? Nufarm Technical Marketing Lead André Sabeeney joins us on the podcast to give an overview. He also shares some more broad advice on spray drift. We’re also joined by Professor John Thompson from the Centre for Crop Health based at the University of Southern Queensland. He talks to us about beneficial fungi and its impact on crop growth. The benefits for crop growth occur when the beneficial fungus is in combined with the crop root. This is called Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza. It previously was referred to as VAM and now more commonly AMF. A lack of AMF can result in poor early crop growth and therefore poor crop competition with weeds. We also learn more about a similar effect of root-lesion nematodes causing poor growth of intolerant wheat varieties and poor weed suppression. Join your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and take a listen!
We have a special guest co-host this week, with Planfarm Agronomist Dani Whyte joining Jessica Strauss, providing insights on farmer interviews she conducted last harvest.Dani has been working on a GRDC RCSN project, looking at harvest weed seed control practices in the Kwinana East port zone. She conducted 10 farmer interviews in total. In this podcast, we hear from three of the farmers who participated in the project.Farmers Clint Della Bosca, Stephen Dolton and Ty Kirby all share their HWSC experiences. The focus of this project is getting the weeds in the front of the header in low yielding crops. The core messages are: - Harvest low – 10-15cm (this means paddocks need to be clean of rocks/stumps and staff need to be trained accordingly)- Coreflute attached to finger tyne reel- Knife extensions/crop lifters on the front of the harvester. Take a listen to learn more.
In the podcast this week, we focus on crop topping and the relatively new herbicide, Sharpen. In our last podcast, Andrew Messina talked to us about Case IH harvester set-up. This week farmer Lance Turner gives us the rundown on John Deere gear.AHRI and WeedSmart Agronomist Greg Condon talks to us about the benefits of crop topping and what to do if you suspect you’ve got herbicide resistance.We also hear from BASF Technical Services Manager, Phil Hoult, about the herbicide Sharpen. It’s now registered as a harvest aid in winter pulses, for winter cleaning of Lucerne and for wild radish seed-set control in winter cereals, so we’ll find out in more detail about its applications for broadacre croppers.
In the podcast this week, we’re focusing on harvester set-up and we also discuss how to capture weed seeds in the chaff fraction.John Broster from CSU gives some insight into the research on capturing weed seeds which was done by himself and Michael Walsh from Sydney University.A few years back, they measured how many weed seeds were entering the chaff fraction in a modern harvester. We also hear from WA farmer Andrew Messina about setting up Case harvesters.Finally, with the terrible drought conditions in Queensland and NSW, many farmers have had to source feed from totally different parts of the country. We chat with Grains Farm Biosecurity Officer for Biosecurity Queensland Kym McIntyre about the implications.
In this podcast, we’re focusing on research and ideas out of the 21st Australasian Weeds Conference.WeedSmart's Jessica Strauss was lucky enough to attend and caught up with a number of researchers who presented. The AWC is a biennial conference and carries on a long tradition of bringing the weed management community together to discuss new developments and share information about cutting-edge and best weed management practices.The conference attracts more than 250 delegates from across Australasia and globally. In this podcast, we hear from Professor Antonio DiTommaso from Cornell University. He was the International Keynote Speaker and spoke on the topic “Climate Change and Weed Migration: What do we know and what next?”Dr Michael Widderick, who is the Principal Research Scientist at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries also presented. He spoke on “Research priorities for weed suppression by crops in Australia”Last, but not least, we hear from Dr Cheryl McCarthy. She’s a Research Fellow at the Centre for Agricultural Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland. She spoke on “Machine Vision Systems for Robotic Weed Sensing in Real World Commercial Environments”.
Serious herbicide resistance news has come out of South Australia, with a population of ryegrass from the Eyre Peninsula, having been confirmed resistant to all of the pre-emergent herbicides – Avadex, Arcade, Trifluralin, Propyzamide and Sakura, as well as two lesser-known herbicides EPTC and Thiobencarb. It was sampled in 2014 just two years after the release of Sakura in Australia. Metabolic cross-resistance is at play here. The really serious news is that a random survey in the South East of South Australia found many more populations of ryegrass with multiple cross-resistance to a range of pre-emergent herbicides, and the perplexing thing is that there is no predictable cross-resistance pattern.This is the research by the team of Chris Preston, Peter Boutsalis, David Brunton and Gurgeet Gill from the University of Adelaide with GRDC investment and we speak with Chris Preston about the findings and what they mean. If you'd like to learn more about the technical side of this finding, you can read AHRI insight here: https://ahri.uwa.edu.au/alphabet-cross-resistance-in-south-australia/In positive news, we learn about Truflex Canola technology which is being released by Monsanto in 2019. TruFlex canola is Monsanto’s second-generation weed control trait offering growers greater flexibility through an extended glyphosate application window up to first flower and an opportunity to apply Roundup Ready® Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD® by Monsanto at higher rates for enhanced weed control. AHRI Director Hugh Beckie explains how the technology works and WA Grower Chad Eva gives his perspective on how it will fit into his farming system. If you'd like to learn more about this technology in person, you can head along to a field day near you: http://www.roundupreadycanola.com.au/truflex-canola/#RegisterHereFinally, we catch up with WeedSmart Content Writer and Producer to learn about who she is and get an update on what's new on the WeedSmart website. Take a listen!
The podcast is a bit late this week as we've been busy in Northern NSW presenting WeedSmart Week! We kicked off the event with the Forum Day in Narrabri at Lochaber Station and then toured around the region visiting farms and hearing from growers and agronomists on their farming systems and weed control tactics. In this podcast, join your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman as they discuss how the event faired and hear from growers, agronomists and other industry folk who attended the week. Take a listen!
Join your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman as they discuss crop competition and optical spraying in the Northern region.Gulargambone Farmer Chris Roche talks about crop competition in his farming system and Agronomist Rob Long discusses optical spraying options in the Northern Region.Both Chris and Rob will be speaking at the WeedSmart Week Forum in Narrabri on August 20th.
As a whole, the northern grains region has had a very tough start to the 2018 winter cropping season. With a few showers around there are hopes of some reprieve from a long, dry spell. Unfortunately, weeds will most likely be the first to respond to rainfall and growers will need to make some difficult decisions surrounding their cropping program, pre-emergent herbicide applications and maximising the competitiveness of any crops that get established.In this podcast, we hear from grower Brad Jackson and agronomist Peter McKenzie about why attending WeedSmart Week is a valuable investment of your time.WeedSmart Week, aimed specifically at growers and agronomists, will kick off in Narrabri with the Forum Day on 20 August, followed by two days of farm visits in the region.Three growers from the region who attended the 2017 WeedSmart Week in Wagga Wagga will be making presentations over the three days, outlining ways they have tackled herbicide resistance head-on.One of those growers is Brad Jackson, who farms with his father Peter and brothers Phil and Matt at Gurley where they usually have a robust winter cropping program featuring wheat, barley, chickpea, canola and linseed. Following 2017 WeedSmart Week they’ve reintroduced the use of pre-emergent herbicides to their herbicide program and are taking every opportunity to mix and rotate herbicide modes of action. The Jackson’s WeedIT optical sprayer has revolutionised their herbicide program, allowing them to spray low weed density paddocks more frequently and target small, fresh seedlings. Brad and Phil are also developing valuable weed management tactics, such as camera-guided inter-row cultivator and green manuring, that can be employed in an organic farming system at Westmar.WeedSmart Week attendees will have several opportunities to see and discuss cutting-edge technologies such as optical sprayers, autonomous tractors and emerging ‘green-on-green’ spray sensors. The growers, agronomists and researchers who will speak and participate in expert panels at the Day 1 forum will spark important discussions about herbicide resistance and how the Big 6 tactics can be used to target the weed species and farming systems in the northern cropping region. There’s one thing for sure – doing nothing is not an option.Register for this important 3-day event for the single ticket price of $95 here: https://weedsmart.org.au/northern-weedsmart-week-august-2018/
This week we're catching up with two of the 2017 Syngenta Growth Awards winners.We were very proud that our Extension Agronomist Kirrily Condon nabbed the Adviser award in the Sustainability category. For Junee-based Kirrily, the goal is always the same. If she can provide advice that is making farming more profitable as well as sustainable, then she’s set out what she aimed to achieve.We also caught up with Duncan Young who farms out of Beverley in Western Australia with JT Young and Sons. He received the Grower award in the Sustainability category. Duncan has always been passionate about agriculture and practices sustainable farming. He's put a self-imposed ban on some chemicals in certain places next to a river, he uses technology like knife rollers over his paddocks instead of burning stubble and he has established a significant buffer on his property of up to 100m along the nearby Avon River.Each year, Syngenta profiles growers and farm advisers from different regions across Australia and New Zealand, showcasing their contribution in one of the following categories:Productivity: Recognises growers and advisers who use best practice in achieving consistent productivity gains.Sustainability: Recognises growers and advisers who are committed to addressing industry issues to create a sustainable and profitable future.Community & People: Recognises growers and advisers who make a leading contribution to their community, workers and fellow growers.Nominations for the Growth Awards are invite-only and 25 regional winners are chosen from the pool of nominees and announced in October.The regional winners attended The Growth Awards dinner last November and recently went on their study tour to the UK and Switzerland.The winners are chosen by an independent panel comprised of industry representatives and stakeholders.Join your host Jessica Strauss and guest co-host Greg Condon to find out about Kirrily and Duncan's approaches to agriculture and what they learned on their study tour.
We don’t want to give the weeds a free kick by growing un-competitive crops. Crop competition with weeds is a double-edged sword. There is the effect of the weeds on the crop, and the effect of the crop on the weeds. A competitive crop will suffer less yield loss at the hands of the weeds, and will also reduce seed set of the weeds compared to an un-competitive crop. In other words more crop, fewer weeds.In this week's podcast, AHRI Extension Agronomist Greg Condon and AgriVision Agronomy Consultant Matt Bissett provide excellent overviews on the different crop competition approaches that can be employed. There are six main aspects of crop competition:1. Seed rate2. Row spacing3. Orientation (north-south vs. east-west)4. Crop variety/species5. Soil health6. Time of sowing – early sowing is usually bestIt’s hard to get all of the six points above right, and growers need not aspire to practising all six of these competition factors, but they can use a range of these practices to ensure that their crops have a fighting chance against the weeds.So take a listen, as our regular hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman take you on the crop comp journey!
We have two diverse topics for this week's podcast. Firstly we'll hear from Peter Aikman, who is a Mallee grain grower. He will share his experience on using the Rootboot for his paired rows, revealing the positive impacts and some of the negatives too. We also hear from Nuffield Scholar recipient Richard Hinchliffe. Richard is a grower and agronomist based in Yorkshire in the UK. By using a variety of diverse tactics, he's had a major win with controlling the very problematic weed blackgrass on his farming property. You're joined once again by your two co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman.
With dry conditions in many parts of the country, we catch up with WANTFA Executive Director Dr David Minkey to find out if herbicides do in fact degrade in dry soil over time. We also chat with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Principal Scientist Paul Grundy about controlling volunteer and ratoon cotton. Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman and take a listen!Music: bensound.com
With many parts of the country facing little to no Autumn rainfall events so far, many growers are dry seeding. ConsultAg Agronomist Geoff 'Fos' Fosbery joins us in this podcast and provides some great tips on ensuring you get dry seeding right, including tips on herbicide application, such as trifluralin. We also hear from WA Farmer Kit Leake, who has been dry seeding for many seasons. He shares his insights and explains how he plans out his program well in advance. Music: bensound.com
In this podcast, we learn about what's happening in the robotics space for broadacre agriculture from Professor Salah Sukkarieh, who is an international expert in the research, development and commercialisation of field robotic systems. Last year he won the 2017 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science. We also hear from University of Illinois Crop Sciences Associate Professor, Aaron Hager. He gives us an update on how growers are dealing with herbicide resistance in the US and how metabolic resistance has been a real driver for change. He also shares what's happening in herbicide resistance research in the states. Take a listen!Music: bensound.com
With seeding and pre-emergent herbicide application kicking off around the country, we got in touch a couple of herbicide application experts to share some timely advice on getting spraying right this season.Dr Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide gives a preview of his WeedSmart Webinar "Use pre-ems to maximise winter crops in the South", sharing valuable insights into management strategies around pre-em application and also gives us an update on the resistance levels to pre-ems.DeltaAg Agronomist and Consultant Heidi Gooden, who is based in Lockhart, runs us through the current dry spell conditions being experienced in the Southern Cropping Region and what impact this has on pre-em herbicide application. She also provides insights into knocking down lingering Summer weeds and more.As mentioned earlier, our first Webinar Series for 2018 is next week and features Mark Congreve from ICAN and Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide. Both experts will be joined by AHRI’s Peter Newman and will be discussing pre-emergent herbicide tactics in the North and South, respectively. You can find out the full details here: https://weedsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-April-Webinar-Invitation.pdfMusic: bensound.com
With seeding around the corner (or potentially already started for some!), keeping weeds at bay will also be on the agenda. In this podcast, we chat with Lockhart farmer David Gooden. David not only farms but also developed the Sprayer Mate batching plant with his brother Owen. David is a Nuffield Scholar Recipient and has studied spray application technology. In this podcast, we learn about the benefits of using a batching plant, as well as receive a few reminders on best practice for mixing herbicides. You can download the GRDC's factsheet on mixing herbicides here: https://weedsmart.org.au/factsheets/mixing-requirements-for-spraying-operations/Music: bensound.com
Harvest seed destroying mill technology has been the talk of the town among harvest weed seed control enthusiasts. For the podcast, we normally stick to seasonal issues, but in February, the Kondinin Group released a cracker Research Report, "Residue Management at Harvest". In this report, the Research Team (comprising of Ben White, Josh Giumelli and Mark Saunders), tested and reviewed a number of harvest weed seed control tools, including mill technology, which is the focus of this podcast.Jessica Strauss chats with Ben White about how mill technology works; the operational practicalities in the field; weed control; and mill wear issues. We also hear from two farmers who have invested in different branded mill machines, using them in both the 2016 and 2017 harvests. Farmers Roger Newman and Andrew Todd, both from WA, give candid insights into the pros and cons of their machinery thus far. Take a listen with your usual hosts, Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss!Music: bensound.com
Nearly a year ago, Extension Officer Greg Condon co-hosted a podcast with Jessica Strauss on disc seeding and stripper front systems. It's a bit more of an obscure system, but it sure generated a lot of interest and is currently our most played episode, with more than 750 listens (you can check it out here: https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/disc-seeder-stripper-front-systems/). Given the interest, we thought we'd put together another podcast of similar ilk, but this time focusing on disc seeding itself. In this podcast, you'll hear from Murry Scholz. He's based in Henty, NSW and has a John Deere, with a disc seeder on 7.5” rows. He's a mixed farmer and 2017 was his first year using the disc seeder.You may already be familiar with the Hatty family as they hosted growers on their farm for WeedSmart Week in 2017 and have been featured in podcasts and stories through WeedSmart. In this podcast, Stephen Hatty gives us some insight into his disc seeding operation. Stephen is based in Matong, NSW and has an NDF disc on 10” rows, on heavy clay soils. Like Murray, 2017 was the first year he used the disc seeding system.Take a listen.Music: bensound.com
For many growers, planting seed is just around the corner, but to ensure quality seed is going in the ground, it's important to grade and clean it. In this podcast, we hear from seed cleaning contractor, David Bach who runs Toowoomba Grain and Storage. He explains the process of cleaning seed, why it's imperative and also provides some handy tips on grain storage. We also hear from Michael Meara who farms just south of Toowoomba in the Felton area. He shares a story about when he used a neighbour's seed when he ran out of his own and the consequences of that decision!You can find out further information about cleaning seed here: https://weedsmart.org.au/making-clean-seed-business/Music: bensound.com
We're back for 2018! This is our first podcast of the year and we are excited to get into another year of informative and fun podcasts to ensure you have more crop and fewer weeds! Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to delve into Summer weed management and learn about a mechanical weed tool - the Harvest Residue Topper (HRT).HRT developer Phil Bradley candidly discusses what lead him to build the HRT and provides a great explainer on how it works. We also hear from Bolgart farmer John Young who has been using his HRT for the last three harvests. He provides a good overview of the positives and drawbacks of using the HRT.Forbes-based Agronomist from Baker Ag Advantage, Chris Baker, gives us a rundown on the best management practice for Summer weed control. Take a listen!Music: bensound.com
In our last podcast for the year, we present an overview of the recent Cropping and Resistance 'Riders of the Storm' Forum which was supported by GRDC and hosted by AHRI and CCDM.There was a great turnout for the 3rd GRDC Crop Protection Forum which was held at Bunya Campus in December.For the past two decades, agronomic practices have dramatically improved the profitability of farming systems, however, there is a steady increase in weeds, disease and pests that threaten crop productivity.The Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) partnered with the Centre for Crop & Disease Management (CCDM) to deliver key messages from their latest research.Senior researchers from AHRI, CCDM, University of Queensland, NSWDPI and more will gave their insights into how to control weeds, pests and disease, whilst also providing practical recommendations to maintain the efficacy of current practices.In this podcast, we hear from Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel about manager wild oats in the North and Dr Lee Hickey about his work in developing new crop varieties using old genetics. We also get an insight into what agronomist Tony Lockrey from Moree, Queensland thought of the event, as well as event organiser Paul McIntosh.Music: bensound.com
This time of year, Summer fallow management is on the radar to ensure weeds are kept at bay and don't rob soil moisture and nitrogen from next year's crops. Ag Grow Director and Agronomist, Barry Haskins goes over some tips for getting summer fallow management right. Podcast co-host Peter Newman also discusses the importance of considering spray drift and how to avoid it. Later on, we hear from Brad Hanson who is a researcher at UC Davis in California. Brad talks about the challenges with resistance in orchards and vineyards in California with podcast host Jessica Strauss. The perennial crop industry in California is a diverse and high-value crop sector that is highly dependent on a relatively small set of herbicides.The challenges with glyphosate-resistant weeds in this crop sector differ considerably from those in broadacre crops and so do the opportunities. Brad Hanson discusses the current status of resistance in the approximately 1.2 million hectares of tree, vine, and other perennial crops in the Mediterranean climate of California’s Central Valley. Because of the importance of glyphosate in this crops sector, glyphosate-resistance is the most widespread challenge. However, emerging issues with resistance to glufosinate, paraquat, and the graminicides as well as changing production practices and weed control options suggest that research and education efforts remain a high priority. Take a listen!Music: bensound.com
Research out of the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM)has indicated that the harvest weed seed control tool (HWSC), narrow windrow burning, also help manage the damaging fungal disease sclerotinia stem rot. Kyran Brooks did his Honours in this research, with supervisors Mike Ashworth (AHRI) and Sarita Bennet (CCDM). The trials found providing temperatures were high enough and reasonably consistent (at least 350°C maintained for 10 seconds), sclerotinia was killed. An important finding was that sparse canola stubble that had not been windrowed was difficult to burn and could not achieve the temperatures required to kill sclerotinia. We also speak with research fellow Dr Chris O’Donnell from the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland. He explains how the Australian Ground Spray Calculator works. He'll be going into more detail about this at the 'Cropping and Resistance Forum' which will be held on December 6 in Dalby. You can get tickets here: www.ahri.uwa.edu.au/events If you'd like to receive a copy of the calculator before it's official launch, you can email Chris O'Donnell and request it: c.odonnell@uq.edu.auMusic: bensound.com
With the help of GRDC, Planfarm recently held Harvest Weed Seed Control (#HWSC) workshops in Western Australia. All the current approaches to HWSC were discussed in detail. In this podcast, Jessica Strauss is joined by two co-hosts, Peter Newman (AHRI, WeedSmart, Planfarm) and Nick McKenna (Planfarm) where they provide an overview of the learnings from the workshops. We hear from Goomalling farmer John Even who attended one of the workshops. He talks about his approach to weed control, including his reasoning behind choosing chaff lining as his primary HWSC management tool this season. The Cropping and Resistance Forum is also coming up in Dalby on December 6. Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel is going to be presenting at the forum on sowthistle and wild oat management. He gives an overview of the current issues facing the northern region and gives some details on what he'll be presenting at the forum. You can get all the information and tickets for the forum here. Music: bensound.com
It's that time of year already where farmers are getting out their spray rigs and dealing with in-crop weeds. While it is a busy time of year, it's essential to ensure you're across good spraying technique to ensure spray drift does not occur. Spray drift expert Mary O’Brien explains wind inversions and provides tips for avoiding spray drift. You can follow Mary on Twitter at @spraydriftgirlAutonomous farm machinery is the topic of the moment. The possibilities to do seem endless, but how far away are some of these machines away from hitting Australian shores? Cory Beaujot from DOT Tech Corp says it might be sooner than you think. He gives us a detailed insight into this family business making autonomous farm machinery out of Saskatchewan in Canada. Some of the benefits the company says you’ll see with using their Dot Power Platform (which can be used as a seeding rig and more) are a reduction in costs for fuel, labour and equipment. Music: bensound.com
Development Officer at Merredin Research Station Glen Riethmuller gives some useful insights into harvesting low, crop lifters and also discusses crop topping. We also hear from Meckering farmer Darren Morrell. He recently received resistance test results which showed one of the farms he is leasing has 80% trifluralin resistance. Darren talks about what tactics he'll be using to get on top of the weed problem he is now facing.
Jessica Strauss is joined by co-host Greg Condon who is one of the AHRI extension officers and also runs Grassroots Agronomy with wife Kirrily. Greg and Jessica discuss some of the upcoming technology in the ag space. In light of the technology theme, we hear from CSIRO farming systems scientist Rick Llewellyn about virtual fencing and its applications. The CSIRO and Agersens have been working on virtual fencing for a decade with assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The technology is not far away from commercial release and has applications for weed management. Later on, we hear from farm consultant and agronomist Cam Nicholson who is based near Geelong in Victoria. He discusses some of the outcomes of the recently completed GRDC funded Grain and Graze project, as well as his new role as the High Rainfall Zone RCSN lead in his region. Take a listen!P.S. You can learn more about the outcomes from Grain and Graze here: http://www.grainandgraze3.com.au/ Music: www.bensound.com
In Part 2 of our WeedSmart Week coverage, hear from Day 2 of the Farm Visits, featuring Stephen Hatty (@stephen_hatty); Ben Cruikshank (@ganmain) and Dan Fox (@dfox05). We also hear from attendees on the day including Di Holding. A variety of farming systems are explained, with tactics like the use of stripper fronts; chaff lining; chaff decks; disc + tyne seeding discussed. Music: bensound.com
WeedSmart Week in Wagga Wagga was a cracker of an event. We're so thankful to all the contributors, including the stakeholders, the AHRI and WeedSmart teams, the presenters and farmers, and also those who attended. We had a Forum Day on Day 1, followed by farm visits on Day 2 & 3. In this podcast, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman reflect on the event itself and we also hear from farmers and attendees on the first farm visit day. Warwick and Di Holding, as well as Mark and David Taylor's farm visits both feature in this podcast. Practices like Warwick's 'weedlining' and chaff lining are covered, plus much more. Music: bensound.com
Today is the last day to register for WeedSmart Week in Wagga Wagga, which kicks off next Monday, August 21! In this podcast, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman give a preview of some of the presentations and farm visits which will be occurring over the three-day event. Grassroots Agronomy and AHRI team member Greg Condon chats about his presentation, which will look at crop competition and disc and stripper front systems. Marrar farmer, Daniel Fox, talks about how he's implemented narrow rows, diverse rotations and chaff lines and gives us an insight into what to expect from his farm visit and Ray Harrington has a yarn about what to expect from his presentation on harvest weed seed control and the importance of capturing that chaff fraction! Take a listen!Music: bensound.com
It's been a tough season in many parts of the country for farmers. In particular, the northern wheatbelt in Western Australia hasn't received decent rain, leading to some farmers considering whether it's worth keeping the crop or if they should spray it out. In this podcast, hosted by Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, you'll hear from Planfarm agronomist Richard Quinlan. He gives an overview of the season so far and provides timely information on spraying out failed crops. You'll also hear from northern wheatbelt farmer Glen Thomas. He's had to spray out failed crops in the past. He talks about how he had to spray out a failed crop in 2006, including the decision making process and whether it was, in fact, the right decision. Music: bensound.com
What will the future of agriculture look like? One of the founders of SwarmFarm Robotics joins us on the podcast to discuss the robots they're releasing into the agricultural community and what applications they currently have and may have in the future. We also chat about the Quick Test for testing herbicide resistant weeds and check in with Peter Boutsalis from Plant Science Consulting about what he's finding out about resistance out on farms. WA farmer Ben Webb also gives a seasonal overview and gives some insights into how doing the Quick Test helped him make the decision to incorporate a chaff cart into his farming system. Also, don't forget WeedSmart Week registrations are open and early bird tickets end soon, so make sure you head over to www.weedsmart.org.au/wagga to register.Music: bensound.com
In this choc-a-block podcast, hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman investigate chaff lining and chaff carts, get an overview of WeedSmart Week and a seasonal overview of cotton.Mick McClellend farms in the Mallee in Victoria and has been using chaff lining in his farming system for the last three years. He gives an overview of the successes he has had using it. Tom Lewis from Tecfarm manufactures chaff carts. He chats about the benefits of using one for weed control. Chaff carts can be used in mixed and broadacre farming systems.WeedSmart Week is not far away, with the forum kicking off on August 21, and the farm visits following on August 22 and 23. Greg Condon talks about who will be presenting and what farmers and advisors can expect from the day. For more information about WeedSmart Week in Wagga and to register, click here: weedsmart.org.au/waggaThe Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) has recently jumped on board as a sponsor of WeedSmart. We welcome them aboard and get a seasonal update and find out what they're doing weed management-wise from CottonInfo's Regional Extension Officer Annabel Twine and Tech Specialist Eric Koetz. Music: bensound.com
Hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman provide a national seasonal update in this podcast. With dry conditions affecting many parts of Australia, we check in with agronomists Richard May from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Andrew Somervaille from the Northern Region and Pete gives some insights into how to manage weeds which are moisture stressed and gives an overview of the season in WA.Music: bensound.com
In this week's podcast, we hear from Esperance farmer Mic Fels who discusses the cost-effective weed management practices he is using on both his Esperance farm and Three Springs property. We also hear from Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel. He talks about the issues with glyphosate resistance in the northern region and how to manage them, as well as gives a seasonal update of his patch.Music: bensound.com
Peter Newman is back from the Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge Conference with an overview and an interview with Aaron Hager from the University of Illinois. We also chat with Adama Market Development Manager Bevan Addison about applying post-emergent herbicides and some of the implications when there are patchy rain conditions.Music: bensound.com
One system which some might consider a bit more obscure is that of a disc seeder and stripper front combination. While it's not a new concept, it's not used as much in Australia, as it is in other parts of the world.
That could potentially change though, with those who are using it finding they're having a win with weed management, soil moisture and reduced soil erosion. While Pete Newman is trying to keep his RV on the road in America on holiday, AHRI extension officer and Grassroots Agronomy owner Greg Condon fills in. He talks to co-host Jessica Strauss about the down and upsides of the system, as well as giving a seasonal update. Tom Robinson from Hoyleton in South Australia uses this system and had a chat with Jessica about why he and his father Ashley adopted it on their farm. He also gives an insight into the pros and cons. Why not take a listen?!
And if you like to find out more about WeedSmart, head on over to our website here: weedsmart.org.au
Music: bensound.com
Sometimes outsourcing some of the big jobs on the farm can be of real benefit. Whether it's because you don't have your own spray rig, or you simply want to rake back some hours to do other things, using a contractor to spray weeds is worth considering. In this podcast Jessica Strauss chats with spray contractor Andrew Irving out on his property in Tammin in Western Australia. Co-host Peter Newman discusses the benefits of using a spray contractor and also gives some timely tips on double knocks and setting up your boomspray for spraying.Music: bensound.com
If Yaseen Khalil’s recent research is anything to go by, trifluralin would make a wonderful dye and is just about as hard to wash off stubble as it is clothes. Yaseen is completing his PhD at UWA under Ken Flower and has done some fantastic research to help understand which herbicides wash off wheat residue with rainfall and which are more tightly bound.Your hosts Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss chat with both Yaseen and Ken to find out more about this research. Yaseen compared Sakura, Trifluralin and Aracde (prosulfocarb) herbicides by spraying them onto wheat stubble then trying a whole range of techniques to wash the herbicides off the residue with simulated rainfall. He found;•Sakura washes off easily, Arcade less so and trifluralin less so again.•5mm of rainfall was enough to wash all Sakura off residue and into the soil.•Herbicides sprayed onto wet stubble are more tightly bound than dry stubble.•Rainfall intensity had little effect.While this is good news for Sakura, this research also showed that rainfall, in general, does wash a range of the herbicides from stubble, just some more than others. Take a listen for the full story! Music: bensound.com
Sleep. It's something essential to human survival and most people would say they love a good nap! Turns out weed seeds tend to like to take a rest too, but they prefer the depths of the soil, rather than a comfy bed/couch/passenger car seat. Anyhoo, while the seeds are hibernating, much like bears(not really like bears), it can have real implications on your crop. AHRI researchers Danica Goggin and Mechelle Owen give us an insight into why seed dormancy can be an issue. Your hosts Peter Newman & Jessica Strauss also talk about herbicide application of pre and post-emergent herbicides. Music: bensound.com
Correct early crop sowing strategies can be unravelled by a frost event later in the season. In this podcast, we get a preview into the topics which will be covered in our March 22 webinar.Early sowing is a proven strategy that can be used to minimise the weed burden and maximise crop yield – the question remains how to manage frost risk?ConsultAg Agronomist Garren Knell (who will be on the webinar too) and farmer Gary Lang discusses mitigating the risks of frost with your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman.You can register for the webinar here: http://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/144%E2%80%A6957630362625Music: bensound.com
Join your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman in the first podcast for March! Spraying weeds and choosing seeds are the hot topics this podcast. We chat with Nufarm Australia Spray Application Specialist Bill Gordon, who gives some great tips and insights on correct set-up. Rohan Brill also joins us for insight on choosing canola seeds and the benefits of crop competition! Our webinar series is also kicking off for 2017 next week! If you'd like to register for the March 7 webinar with Rohan Brill, who will be going into more detail on crop competition, click here: http://weedsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-March-webinar-invitation.pdf Music: bensound.com
Dr Chris Preston chats to us about correct pre-emergent herbicide use and Colin McMaster discusses how treating Summer weeds while they're small has benefits for your back pocket, by ensuring nitrogen and soil moisture is kept available for your crops! Music: bensounds.com
It's the first podcast of 2017 and we're excited to be chatting with Andrew Storrie from Agronomo and the Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group about Summer Weeds. Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss catch up too and chat maximising soil moisture to get the best crop possible!Music: bensounds.com
Harvest is done and dusted for the majority of growers across the nation. In this Christmas edition podcast which is our last for the year, we catch up with Nick McKenna from Planfarm, who caught up with growers in WA's Esperance region on their use of chaff lines and tram lines. We also hear from farmers in that region. Our Northern Region Extension Officer Paul McIntosh officers his insights into Grain Sorghum too. It's our last podcast for 2016, so come along for the ride!
In this second podcast focusing on harvest Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss discuss harvest losses and chaff carts, talking to guests Kondinin Group's Ben White, and Agpro Management owner Ed Riggall.
For more details on chaff carts, take a look at AHRI Insight #74 here.
With harvest kicking off across Australia, we check in with Warren Treasure who is using an iHSD. John Broster talks about the research he and Michael Walsh conducted on catching weed seeds and we hear from Ray Harrington on the history of the Harrington Seed Destructor and where it is today.
Over the last few weeks the parts of Western Australia have been impacted by frost, while some growers in the East have had to deal with floods. In this first AHRI WeedSmart podcast, we look at what this means for growers, as well as checking in with some new research on 2,4-D.