From resistance hot-spot to low weed farming
Grain growers in the Midwest region were among the first in the world to feel the brunt of herbicide-resistant weeds. Three decades on, these same growers have shown that adopting integrated weed management practices is both profitable and sustainable.
WeedSmart western extension agronomist, Peter Newman says it is very fitting for Geraldton to host the flagship WeedSmart Week event this year. In preparation, he has been thrilled with the support the team has received from the region’s agricultural community.
“The farming landscape in the Midwest has changed dramatically from traditional mixed farming to majority continuous-cropping enterprises,” he says. “The 2006 and 2007 droughts resulted in a vast decline in sheep numbers, and growers have built very profitable, large-scale cropping businesses, where weeds no longer call the shots.”
Peter says that herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass and wild radish were enormous challenges that have been largely overcome through dedicated research into the mechanisms of resistance. WeedSmart plays an important role in extending practical and science-backed weed management tactics and grower innovations throughout the industry.
Project manager Karen Smith says the WeedSmart Week event in late July will showcase the successful implementation of both sustainable herbicide use and non-herbicide practices that underpin low-weed farming systems.
“The two-day event will delve into how Midwest growers adopted diverse weed management strategies to turn resistance on its head,” she says. “Just as importantly, the presentations and farm visits will also open up future-looking discussions about some challenges that are ahead of all growers.”
WeedSmart Week begins with the forum day at the Queens Park Theatre in Geraldton, on Tuesday, 29 July. The second day includes a bus tour to local farms, herbicide trials and a machinery expo on Wednesday, 30 July.
Peter says that the forum presenters will address the ‘big-ticket’ weed management topics relevant to modern farming systems.
“Mixing and rotating pre-emergent herbicides to manage annual ryegrass with multi-resistance is complex science that growers need to understand to achieve the best result in the field,” he says. “Craig Topham will introduce this discussion, followed by a panel session involving chemical company representatives.”
Another important discussion will centre on the knock-down herbicide options growers have available at a time when various herbicides are under review and resistance to key modes of action is becoming more common.
“Midwest growers are increasingly interested in adopting weed detection and spot spraying technology,” says Peter. “To assist, Bill Campbell will outline how to set up the weed detection booms to achieve correct spray quality and maximise weed control efficacy.”
The field day involves visits to two highly productive and profitable farms, both of which implement all the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics except harvest weed seed control, because their weed numbers are low.
“These farmers have addressed soil constraints using the ‘lime, flip and rip’ to lift crop performance and suppress weed seed production,” he says. “Non-wetting sands, acidity and compaction previously constrained their continuous cropping operations. Relieving these constraints resulted in an immediate response in crop competitiveness against weeds – giving the growers more crop, and fewer weeds, which results in higher profits.”
The bus tour will also visit herbicide trials conducted by Grant Thompson, Crop Circle Consulting, comparing the efficacy of several single products and mixtures on annual ryegrass.
Kondinin Group’s research manager, Ben White, will host the machinery expo at the Nanson Showgrounds, featuring the latest in spray and camera technology, impact mills and other mechanical weed control tools used on Midwest farms.
This flagship annual event attracts growers, farm workers, agronomists and students from all mainland states, highlighting the practical nature of the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with WeedSmart’s industry sponsors who will showcase their weed management tools at the forum and the machinery expo.
Check the full program and register for this important two-day event at the ‘early bird’ single ticket price of $295 (GST incl) until 30 June 2025, after this, the single ticket price is $335. This includes the bus tour, machinery expo, and forum, all fully catered. Group bookings and student discounts are also available.
Karen says the whole program highlights forward-thinking growers outlining how they implement the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics in their farming system.
“This will be the twelfth WeedSmart Week event and is made possible through the support of the GRDC as the major sponsor and a wide range of herbicide and machinery companies – all with skin in the weed control game,” she says. “Growers and advisors from other areas are encouraged to take advantage of GRDC’s financial support for study tours to attend events such as WeedSmart Week.”
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is a platinum supporter of WeedSmart. This investment ensures growers can access world-class research outcomes and strategies to mitigate weeds and control herbicide resistance.