Rotate crops and pastures
Crop and pasture rotation is the recipe for diversity!
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.
As well as confusing the weeds, diverse crop and pasture systems increase the range of weed control options that we have up our sleeve. For example, a pasture phase includes grazing animals and the ability to spray top the pasture. And what is better than rotating to a break crop? Rotating to a double break crop. Two break crops in a row is a great way of smashing the weed seed bank, setting the paddock up for a long crop phase.
Articles
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News
Plan your attack on the weed seed bank
Controlling weeds is a on-going task and requires determination and persistence. Here we summarise the key components of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategies and the principles that underpin them. Read More...
Case Study
Tom Lampe, Narrabri NSW
Tom and Nikki Lampe, Narrabri use livestock to kept weeds at bay in their fallow cropping paddocks and minimise compaction using 'coolers'. Read More...
Ask an Expert
Can pulse cover crops tackle multi-resistant ryegrass in irrigated systems?
The best weed control comes from tactics that also bring other benefits to a farming system. Read More...
Case Study
Single family, Coonamble NSW
Across the 4500 ha cropping area at ‘Narratigah’, the weed numbers are low as a result of the Single’s ‘farming moisture’ philosophy. Read More...
Case Studies
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Case Study
Tom Lampe, Narrabri NSW
Tom and Nikki Lampe, Narrabri use livestock to kept weeds at bay in their fallow cropping paddocks and minimise compaction using 'coolers'. Read More...
Case Study
Single family, Coonamble NSW
Across the 4500 ha cropping area at ‘Narratigah’, the weed numbers are low as a result of the Single’s ‘farming moisture’ philosophy. Read More...
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
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...
Videos
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Webinar
Can intercropping help with weed management?
Diverse rotations are a key aspect of the Big 6 and intercropping, despite its challenges, can provide opportunities for improving soils, weeds and risk management. Read More...
Webinar
Mixed farming – does it really help control resistant weeds?
Greg Condon and Craig Drum discuss the weed challenges their clients have been experiencing, and how introducing livestock has helped solve these challenges. Read More...
Video
Rod Birch on how the Big 6 is keeping weeds at bay at Catalina Farms
Rod Birch (Coorow, WA) gives an overview of what Big 6 principles are working for them. He also explas how they're approaching weed control at new property acquisition, 'Koobabbie', which hadn't changed hands for 115 years. Read More...
