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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Case Study
Simon Burgess, Conara Tasmania
Reconfiguring paddocks for irrigation can bring up many issues related to previous management and land use, including weeds. Read More...
News
Stop ryegrass in its tracks: First step is to prevent seed set
Bec and Ash Marshall have seen the benefits of resistance testing and implementing tactics that drive down weed numbers fast. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How can I strengthen the pulse phase to combat weeds?
Many herbicide-tolerant pulse varieties are very specific in their tolerance to different active ingredients, even from the same mode of action group. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How can I use the WeedSmart Big 6 to keep old chemistry working?
Any herbicide program that relies heavily on one or two herbicide modes of action for a target weed is bound to fail eventually. Read More...
Case Study
Michael Nichols, Sisters Creek, Tas
When herbicide resistant annual ryegrass arrived on their farm Michael Nichols knew he needed to prevent a ‘stop farming’ event. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How does crop competition support other weed control tactics?
Crop competition is a quiet achiever in weed control that also has a synergistic effect when applied with other tactics. Read More...
News
Australian grain growers tackle herbicide resistance
Australian grain growers are responding to the challenge of increasing herbicide resistance in weeds through the adoption of IWM practices. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How to beat barley grass in two years
Barley grass control requires a two-year, multi-pronged strategy using crop competition, herbicide-tolerant crops and effective in-crop herbicides. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How effective is a legume pasture phase for ryegrass control?
A single species pasture legume such as serradella can make a large dent in the seed bank of annual ryegrass and other grass weeds. Read More...
News
Plan your attack on the weed seed bank
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...
News
Safe sorghum planting while controlling weeds
Changes to the label use patterns and the launch of a new seed safener product can expand the usefulness of S-metolachlor in sorghum. Read More...
Ask an Expert
Can pulse cover crops tackle multi-resistant ryegrass in irrigated systems?
Field pea provides an effective winter fallow clean to manage resistant ryegrass ahead of planting rice or wheat. Read More...
Ask an Expert
Can multi-species planting provide effective weed control?
Some crops simply don’t have a competitive edge, but a multi-species planting might offer extra punch to smother weeds. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How can I set up my summer crops to help manage weeds?
It pays to plan ahead to manage weeds in winter fallows destined from summer crops – such as cotton, sorghum, mungbean and sunflower. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How does ryegrass adapt so readily to farming practices and environmental changes?
Short rotations make it easy for weeds like annual ryegrass to adapt to multiple herbicide modes of action and cutural practices. Read More...
Ask an Expert
How can I maximise grass weed control using hybrid canola?
For a competitive canola crop to halve grass weed seed set, use a vigorous variety, robust pre-em herbicide and the best agronomic package. Read More...
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
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...
Case Study
Mat Freeman, Walkaway WA
While fixing the constraints associated with non-wetting sands is the primary reason for mouldboard ploughing, there is also a weed control benefit. Read More...
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
Eagle family, Horsham
Sam and Emily Eagle say their livestock and cropping activities complement each other, keeping their pastures and crops performing at their best. Read More...
Case Study
Paul Slack, Moree NSW
Dryland cotton and grain grower Paul Slack and his agronomist Tony Lockrey have been working on crop rotation options to deal with herbicide resistance in weeds. Read More...
Case Study
Curry family – Junee, NSW
A desire to minimise the build-up of herbicide-resistant weeds on their Junee property in southern NSW is a driving force behind the Curry family farming operation. Read More...
Case Study
Karl Raszyk & Robert Hughes, Scaddan WA
Karl Raszyk saw potential in the chaff tramlining system to help manage herbicide-resistant weeds. Read More...
Case Study
Michael and Marnie Fels, WA
Mic and Marnie Fels use a wider range of ‘older’ off-patent herbicides, which helps keep herbicide costs to a minimum. Read More...
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
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...
Ask an Expert
Is crop rotation an economic option for managing weeds?
Adding a broadleaf break crop to the cropping sequence helps keep wheat profitable in a sustainable cropping system. Read More...
Ask an Expert
Will longer crop rotations really help manage weeds?
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 […]...
Podcasts
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Podcast
S08E04: Strip tillage benefits and farm biosecurity insights from Dalby WeedSmart Week presenters
In this episode, we focus on the Northern Region, as we get insights into two of our WeedSmart Week Dalby presenter's farming systems. Read More...
Podcast
S07E17: Considerations for Titan AX Barley and WeedSmart Week recap
Professor Chris Preston talks about what growers should consider when planting the new Titan AX Barley variety on this podcast episode and we get a recap on WeedSmart Week Mildura. Read More...
Podcast
Crop selection, rotation tips and post-harvest spraying
On the last podcast for 2018, we spoke with Dr Haydn Kuchel, CEO & Head of Breeding at AGT Breeding. AGT Breeding develops new field crop varieties. Read More...
Case Studies
View all
Case Study
Simon Burgess, Conara Tasmania
Reconfiguring paddocks for irrigation can bring up many issues related to previous management and land use, including weeds. Read More...
Case Study
Michael Nichols, Sisters Creek, Tas
When herbicide resistant annual ryegrass arrived on their farm Michael Nichols knew he needed to prevent a ‘stop farming’ event. 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...
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
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...
Case Study
Mat Freeman, Walkaway WA
While fixing the constraints associated with non-wetting sands is the primary reason for mouldboard ploughing, there is also a weed control benefit. Read More...
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
Eagle family, Horsham
Sam and Emily Eagle say their livestock and cropping activities complement each other, keeping their pastures and crops performing at their best. Read More...
Case Study
Paul Slack, Moree NSW
Dryland cotton and grain grower Paul Slack and his agronomist Tony Lockrey have been working on crop rotation options to deal with herbicide resistance in weeds. Read More...
Case Study
Curry family – Junee, NSW
A desire to minimise the build-up of herbicide-resistant weeds on their Junee property in southern NSW is a driving force behind the Curry family farming operation. Read More...
Case Study
Karl Raszyk & Robert Hughes, Scaddan WA
Karl Raszyk saw potential in the chaff tramlining system to help manage herbicide-resistant weeds. Read More...
Case Study
Michael and Marnie Fels, WA
Mic and Marnie Fels use a wider range of ‘older’ off-patent herbicides, which helps keep herbicide costs to a minimum. Read More...
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
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...
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...
Video
WeedSmart Week Forum Day Videos
Watch all the videos from our Esperance WeedSmart Week Forum Day! Read More...
Webinar
What’s next in the North for weed control?
Agronomists Peter McKenzie and Angus Dalgliesh discuss the weed control tactics their clients have been using to deal with their weed challenges. Read More...
Video
What considerations should be made for glyphosate tolerant canola?
With GM canola becoming available in South Australia this season due to restrictions being lifted, WeedSmart’s High Rainfall Zone Extensions Agronomist, Jana Dixon, caught up with Clovercrest Consulting agronomist, Simon Mock to discuss what growers and agronomists need to be across on this topic. Read More...
Webinar
Handling weeds in a strip and disc system
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 […]...
Webinar
You don’t know what you don’t know about managing weeds
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 […]...
Webinar
WeedSmart in HRZ – practical options for dealing with ryegrass
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 […]...
Video
Preserving glyphosate through diversity
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 […]...
Fact Sheets
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Fact Sheet
Maximising crops and minimising weeds with smart phase farming
View the data from this research as presented at the GRDC Update (West) on 22 April 2022. Read More...
Fact Sheet
Farm Business Management Factsheet
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 […]...