Western Australia
January 18, 2011

Growers are encouraged to attend integrated weed management (IWM) workshops in Western Australia’s southern grainbelt which will give them the ammunition to fight herbicide resistance.

To be presented by Agronomo weed management consultant Andrew Storrie and Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) weed research agronomist Sally Peltzer, the workshops are supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Mr Storrie said the interactive, one-day events would ensure growers had the skills to manage weed populations so herbicide resistance did not dictate how they farmed.

He said the workshops were part of a national IWM project supported by the GRDC which recognised the threat herbicide resistance posed to the Australian grains industry.

“Another 10 cases of glyphosate resistant annual ryegrass were identified by the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) in 2010, with eight of these coming from Esperance farms,” Mr Storrie said.

“This highlights a disturbing trend of a dramatic increase in the occurrence of rarer forms of herbicide resistance.

“Most growers are familiar with failures of Group A herbicides, such as Hoegrass®, and Group B herbicides, including Glean®.

“However, we are now seeing the failure of other important herbicides including the Group M herbicide glyphosate in annual ryegrass, barnyard grass, liverseed grass, windmill grass and fleabane; and the Group L herbicide paraquat in annual ryegrass and barley grass.”

Mr Storrie said the workshops would clarify misconceptions about how herbicide resistance developed, then highlight weed seed bank dynamics and the importance of managing weed seed production.

“There will be discussion about relevant management tactics and how to integrate them in to local farming practices,” he said.

“The importance of quick action on blow-outs in weed numbers, and the consequences of inaction will also be investigated.”

The workshops will be held:

• February 17 – DAFWA conference room, Esperance;
• February 18 – Cascade Hall;
• February 22 – Borden Pavilion;
• February 23 – Gnowangerup;
• February 24 – Lake Grace Sportsmens Club.

Numbers are limited to 20 people per workshop, so bookings are essential, and the cost is $55.
 

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: January 18, 2011