Australia
February 28, 2013
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has thrown its support behind WeedSmart, an important all-of-industry national program to arm growers and agronomists with the tools needed to fight herbicide resistance.
WeedSmart is a central pillar in the actions GRDC is taking to reduce the impact of weeds on Australian grain-growing properties and the broader industry.
GRDC Senior Manager Plant Health, Dr Rohan Rainbow (pictured), said a collaborative approach to the industry-wide problem of herbicide resistance was needed to protect productivity and preserve long-term access to important chemicals.
“Herbicide resistance costs Australian farmers more than $200 million every year, a figure that will rise unless growers deal with the onset of herbicide resistance and consider non-chemical ways of fighting weeds,” Mr Rainbow said.
“GRDC has played a key role in establishing this program, teaming with commercial organisations, educational institutions, advisors and growers to ensure successful weed management is at the forefront of global farming practice.
“WeedSmart forms part of the $29 million GRDC will invest in 2012-13 under its crop protection agenda which targets the prevention of weeds, pests and diseases from inflicting crop yield and quality losses.”
The WeedSmart campaign was launched at the Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge in Perth last week, and is being promoted at GRDC Grains Research and Crop Updates.
The campaign hub located at weedsmart.org.au contains specific resources for advisers and growers in the northern, southern and western cropping regions.
A WeedSmart App, available at weedsmart.org.au/app, provides a simple tool to gauge the risk of developing herbicide-resistant weeds in a paddock and how effectively the weed seed bank is being managed.
A comprehensive range of region-specific WeedSmart resources, including a suite of weed control videos from a range of leading experts, is also available for viewing and downloading.
To learn more about WeedSmart and how to tackle herbicide resistance, visit weedsmart.org.au.
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