Crop competition

Optimise crop growth

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.

There are six main aspects of crop competition:

  1. Higher seeding rate
  2. Narrow row spacing
  3. Orientation of crop – a crop sown east – west will give your crop enough sunlight, and shade the furrows to starve weeds of sunlight
  4. Vigorous crop traits
  5. Soil health – give your crop the best chance by having healthy soil
  6. Time of sowing – early sowing is usually best

It’s hard to get all of the six points above right, and growers need not aspire to practise 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.

The checklist:

  • Adopt at least one competitive strategy, but two is better.
  • Target higher plant populations using increased seeding rates, weed-free seed tested for germination, vigour and 1,000 seed weight.
  • Aim for even seed distribution and establishment.
  • Sow competitive crop types and varieties.
  • Improve soil health (fertility and structure) and crop nutrition, e.g., soil amelioration (if necessary), no-till, stubble retention, nutrient budgeting.
  • Utilise early sowing and adopt East/West sowing if practical.
  • Reduce row spacing where possible.

You can learn more about crop competition in our free online course, Crop Competition 101.

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Case Study
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Case Study
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Case Study
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Case Study
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Reconfiguring paddocks for irrigation can bring up many issues related to previous management and land use, including weeds. Read More...
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Jamie and Susie Grant, Jimbour Qld

Proactive use of automated optical weed detection technology, allows continuous spraying and treating smaller and smaller weeds. Read More...
Case Study
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Peter and Kylie Bach, Pittsworth Qld

Peter and Kylie Bach are using crops to compete with weeds throughout the year, aiming for 130% utilisation of their cropping land. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Single family, Coonamble NSW

The Singles gain good weed control year round using crops and fallow in both winter and summer on their farm near Coonamble. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Jason Rogers, Moree NSW

Keeping weed numbers down, managing patches and minimising weed seed set has been a high priority for Jason Rogers, Moree. Read More...
Case Study
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Andrew Kenny, Badgingarra WA

Andrew and Gina Kenny (Badgingarra, WA) use an integrated program of crop rotation, mouldboard ploughing, grazing and chaff lining to keep their weed numbers low. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Stephen and Michelle Hatty, Matong NSW

The Hatty family uses a double break crop sequence strategy of a pulse then canola, followed by wheat then barley to put firm downward pressure on the weed seed bank. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Tim Rethus, Horsham Vic

Wimmera grower Tim Rethus and his family are taking an integrated approach to the weed management with a strong focus on weed-free crops. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Bruce family, Alford SA

Harvest weed seed control helps bring down grass weed numbers in the Bruce brothers' continuous cropping business. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Edwards family, Port Broughton SA

Pete Edwards is doing everything in his power to stop herbicide resistance in brome grass and wild radish. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Gary Lang – Wickepin, WA

Sowing early also means the Langs can make use of trifluralin to provide pre-emergent weed control until the crop canopy closes. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Kohlhagen Family, NSW

The Kohlhagens have developed and implemented a comprehensive weed management program for their 100 per cent cropping operation in southern NSW. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study News

Making clean seed your business

Grading and cleaning seed for planting removes weed seeds and selects the largest seeds with high vigour to out-compete weeds next season. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Mark Sandow, SA

Herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass has been an ongoing challenge for grain producers in the Mintaro area of South Australia since the 1980s. Read More...
Case Study
Case Study

Colin McAlpine, WA

Colin has thrown everything he can at reducing the weed burden on his farm while taking all precautions to protect the available herbicide modes of action. Read More...

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Control barley grass in LRZ farming systems

Barley grass in Southern and Western regions requires 3 to 4 years of seed set control to run down the weed seed bank. Read More...
Fact Sheet

Wild radish factsheet

Growers are adopting diverse and integrated control strategies to manage herbicide resistant wild radish populations. Read More...
Fact Sheet

Northern IWM factsheet – common sowthistle

Understand the ecology of common sowthistle and effective management tactics. Read More...
Fact Sheet

Windmill grass – Northern Region

Understand the ecology and effective management tactics to better manage this key weed. Read More...

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