Crop Competition Q&A

In this WeedSmart webinar, we talk to WeedSmart northern extension agronomist Paul McIntosh and Syngenta’s Field Biology Manager Rob Battaglia about how S-Metolachlor (Dual Gold) works, its efficacy, and what potential resistance problems might be around the corner. They explain what tactics growers should adopt to reduce potential resistance problems on this key grass weed herbicide, referring to the WeedSmart Big 6.
Topics covered include:

Application considerations for maximum efficacy
Incorporation
Effect of stubble
Herbicide solubility
Herbicide binding characteristics
Herbicide safener “EPIVIO-C”

This WeedSmart webinar outlines the principles of mixing different crops together, and how intercropping may provide weed management options for growers.
Dr Andrew Fletcher is a farming systems scientist at CSIRO who is passionate about the emerging role of diverse cropping systems. He is joined by WeedSmart southern extension agronomist, Greg Condon.
Topics covered include:

Characteristics of intercropping and companion cropping
Australian intercropping data
Canadian intercropping data
Implications for weed management
Examples of in-paddock applications

In this webinar, WeedSmart Southern extension agronomist Greg Condon looks at the mixed farming system and explains how the Big 6 principles encourage diverse weed management. Greg focuses on solutions in the medium rainfall zone whilst grower and agronomist Craig Drum focuses on the high rainfall zone.
Both Greg and Craig share real-life examples of clients who successfully controlled resistant weeds by using a mixed farming system, whilst remaining profitable.
Topics covered include:

What the WeedSmart Big 6 looks like in a mixed farming system
How to be profitable whilst reducing the seedbank of resistant weeds
Harvest Weed Seed Control opportunities: baled chaff, chafflines
4 examples of clients who successfully controlled their resistant weeds using mixed farming

Angus’ presentation focuses on the current practices for weed control in Queensland, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to weed control in order to preserve existing herbicides.
Topics covered include:

Knockdown strategies
Residual chemistry – In-crop and fallow
In-crop herbicides
Problem weeds moving forward

Peter discussed some of the tactics currently used for weed management in the Liverpool Plains of Northern NSW, and what the future might hold.
Topics covered include:

Current levels of resistance/tolerance in summer and winter weeds
Fallow management
Chipping
Crop competition
Farm hygiene
Rotation planning/fixed rotations
Chaff chutes
Harvest weed seed control
Green-on-green technology and GPS systems

This webinar was hosted by Jana Dixon, WeedSmart’s High Rainfall Zone extension agronomist.

In this webinar, we focus on what factors influence the residual control of weeds by pre-emergent herbicides with a focus on Trifluralin, Sakura and new-to-market herbicides.
Chris Davey, YPAG and WeedSmart Extension Agronomist and Mark Congreve, ICAN Senior Agronomist, assessed the sowing issues in South Australia and discussed strategies on using pre-emergents.
Factors covered include:

Soil type/texture
Rainfall forecast (after application)
Characteristics of the herbicide
Characteristics of the crop
Sowing time (tine vs disc) – sowing depth, speed, soil throw, stubble
Resistance status

GRDC Spray Application Manual
This Spray Application GrowNotes™ manual provides information on how various spraying systems and components work, along with those factors that the operator should consider to ensure the sprayer is operating to its full potential.
This manual focuses on issues that will assist in maintaining the accuracy of the sprayer output while improving the efficiency and safety of spraying operations. It contains many useful tips for your spray operations.