Combating resistant annual ryegrass in northern farming systems

This costly weeds has spread to northern farming systems through roadside escapes, harvest contractors and hay supplies in the drought years of 2018 to 2020. Recent flood events in northern NSW and southern Qld also spread herbicide resistant annual ryegrass seeds onto northern paddocks.

Annual ryegrass is a highly competitive weed that northern growers should aim to eradicate before it gains a foothold in the north.

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.

Topics covered include:

• Ecology of annual ryegrass
• Stop seed set in fallow
• Stop seed set in crop
• Spray topping and crop topping
• Impact of plant population
• Narrow windrow burning and chaff decks

Speakers

Garry Onus, Senior Agronomist, Nutrien Ag Solutions

Garry graduated with a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England in 1978. He operated a contract farming operation and managed farms for around 8 years before starting as an agronomist with Seed & Grain Sales in 1987. Garry has remained with subsequent companies as acquisitions happened. He moved to Moree in 1999 to run the local branch until 2001, then went back into full-time agronomy. Garry provides agronomic advice on most broadacre crops except cotton. He is currently Senior Agronomist at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Moree.

Brad Jackson, grower in Gurley, northern NSW

Brad Jackson, with his brother Phil, runs a 2500-ha cropping operation in the Gurley area, Northern NSW.

Paul McIntosh, WeedSmart northern extension agronomist

Paul is the WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist and is based in Toowoomba, Qld. With more than 40 years of agronomy experience in the northern region, which offers both winter and summer crop options, Paul has become familiar with the unique farming issues and opportunities that come with such diversity in the region.

Relevant resources

Garry Onus’ presentation at WeedSmart Week Dalby (2023): Stopping weed seed set in annual ryegrass (video recording)

Case study (2019): Brad Jackson, Gurley NSW