Australia
September 3, 2012
Northern region weeds advisers have gathered in Brisbane to declare war on problem weeds and warn growers that weeds won’t wait for them to realise the extent of the problem.
The advisers from central Queensland, the Darling Downs, northern NSW and central west NSW hunkered down to map out a strategic approach to weed management as the march of herbicide-resistant weeds continues to threaten crop yield and quality.
No till farming systems reliant on chemical controls are under threat from resistant weed populations including ryegrass, feathertop Rhodes grass, windmill grass and barnyard grass.
James Clark, GRDC northern panel chair says northern grains region researchers and advisers are putting their heads together to find solutions, both strategic and tactical, that will give growers effective methods for combatting the scourge of difficult-to-control weeds.
Rohan Rainbow, GRDC senior manager plant health, Paul Castor, Michael Castor and Associates and Ian Taylor, Taylored Agricultural Systems.
“The time to act is now because every year in every district herbicide resistant weeds are surviving sprays – and if left to set seed they proliferate,” Mr Clark said.
“It is emerging across Australia that seedbank management is vital for reducing numbers of resistant seeds on farms.
“Other key messages for growers include rotating crops and chemical groups, testing for resistance and monitoring the effectiveness of sprays.”
GRDC brought the northern weeds advisers together in Brisbane recently to share knowledge and identify gaps in the research effort that may need further funding.
The use and role of pre-emergent herbicides was a major issue of discussion, along with increasing use of tillage as a last resort where weeds were herbicide-resistant or too large for traditional chemical controls.
“GRDC has funded research into the double knock technique across the region and remains committed to this control measure,” Mr Clark said.
“We urge growers to access the results from research done by the GRDC-funded cropping solutions groups including the Northern Grower Alliance (NGA), Grain Orana Alliance (GOA) and the Central Queensland group.
“Results can be downloaded from the revamped GRDC website at www.grdc.com.au.
“It is important to take on the recommendations and get the technique right.”
Border district agronomist Paul Castor, Michael Castor and Associates led the thinktank as part of a new GRDC role that will see him fostering further exchange of information between the four cropping solutions groups (which also includes a new coastal farming group).
GRDC/Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) jointly funded cotton and grains weeds adviser, Ian Taylor, Taylored Agricultural Systems was also on hand to facilitate discussion.
Rohan Rainbow, GRDC senior manager plant health, who travelled from Canberra for the workshop, said the threat of difficult-to-control and herbicide-resistant weeds was being taken very seriously by the Corporation.
Dr Rainbow said strategic research funding was continuing to address the issue and recent northern region investments included strategic tillage work being undertaken by Dr Yang Dash, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA) and Dr Michael Widderick’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) integrated weed management research and extension.
For more information on GRDC-funded research, visit www.grdc.com.au.
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