WeedSmart Podcast

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On this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by Mitch Allen, Commercial Technical Lead of Crop Protection at Nufarm. Mitch joins host Shannon Beattie to chat all things knockdowns!

Australian farmers are facing a period of adjustment to adapt knockdown strategies for up-front weed control at seeding, but we're not on the ropes yet! Mitch says the mix and rotate pillar is only one part of the Big 6 toolbox which provides a framework for transitioning to challenges now and into the future.

Knowing your resistance status, getting timing and OSST technology right, using rotations, HWSC and crop competition, all support the chemical tactics to ensure each mixing partner is pulling its weight in the spray tank. 

The challenge is knowing when you’re onto a good thing – don’t stick to it! Building good stewardship strategies for herbicide use helps ensure new knockdown and mixing partner registrations are here for a long time and a good time!

In this episode Mitch discusses why ammonium sulfate is a non-negotiable with glyphosate, what drives the success of paraquat and group 14 mixes, and why more products in the tank is not always the answer!

Shannon and Mitch also discuss how some pre-ems are showing useful knockdown activity beyond their residual roles, where glufosinate performs and where it doesn't, and what OSST is making possible in fallow weed control.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

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Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

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In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Bordertown farmer, Ted Langley!

Ted and his family run a zero till, 12m controlled traffic farm, growing wheat, faba beans, lentils, clover seed, pasture hay, oaten hay, canola and prime lambs.

Ted aims to hit all of the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics in his weed control operation. Soil health is one of his main priorities, and the lighter soils on the farm have been ameliorated twice. 

The family have also adopted 2 impact mills on their harvesters, to complement a diverse rotation plan, narrow row spacing and increased seeding rates, which they achieve with a disc system.

In addition to mixing and rotating herbicides, Ted is also careful with his spray water quality to ensure maximum efficacy.

Tune in to hear more about Ted's farming operation and weed control strategies!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

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Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

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In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by two agronomists from the central west area of New South Wales: Charlie Mitton from Baker Ag Advantage and Ted O’Rafferty from AGnVET.

Charlie and Ted provide a unique dual perspective on the region, covering areas from Forbes and Condobolin to Grenfell. While Charlie predominantly works with straight cropping operations utilizing a four-year rotation of canola, wheat, barley, and pulses, Ted deals mostly with mixed farming enterprises that incorporate livestock, lucerne, and grazing crops. After a late seasonal break in the west, the region is having a good year with warm winter conditions and a lack of frost causing crops to fire through their growth stages.

The favourable weather has also brought weed challenges, particularly with annual ryegrass and wild oats showing resistance to common in-crop sprays. Charlie and Ted discuss the importance of robust pre-emergent programs and double break rotations to keep weed numbers low. 

Charlie and Ted also both made the trip to Geraldton, WA, for WeedSmart Week last year - tune in to hear their thoughts on the event!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

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Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

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In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by herbicide resistance researchers Roberto Busi (DPIRD WA, The University of Western Australia) and Peter Boutsalis (Plant Science Consulting, Adelaide University) for a run-down of their latest resistance testing results.

This episode covers some of the fundamentals of herbicide resistance; what it actually is, how it happens, how to take a 'good' test, and what a positive result means for on-farm weed control decisions. 

Roberto and Peter also share some of the findings from their latest research on glufosinate, clethodim and ammonium sulphate, and discuss what the APVMA's paraquat decision will mean for growers using 'quat products in summer weed control programs.

Click here for more information on herbicide resistance testing and to find a service near you.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

*This episode of Beyond Resistance was recorded on 11 June, 2026, before the APVMA announced new restrictions for the use of paraquat and diquat products.*

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by our own Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, and GRDC's Manager of Chemical Regulations, Gordon Cumming.

Australia has one of the most trusted chemical regulatory frameworks in the world and in this podcast, we aim to de-mystify how the maximum residue limit (MRL) system underpins our access to global markets. 

Gordon and Paul discuss how growers can stay on the right side of the regulations, and the unfortunate reality of what happens if an Aussie shipment doesn't comply with overseas restrictions. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to communication; read the herbicide labels, talk with your marketer before putting a crop in, and use all of the Big 6 strategies! We can all play a part in preserving Australia's hard-won reputation as a supplier of safe and high-quality food, while also protecting the efficacy of our available herbicides.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Regional Update we're joined by Rolleston grower, Kurt Mayne. Kurt's main crop is usually chickpeas, although he also rotates through mungbeans, sorghum and barley.

Kurt's a big believer in using every tool in the Big 6 toolbox for weed control. In addition to crop rotation, he also aims for zero weed seed set and uses harvest weed seed control.

He's currently got a self-propelled sprayer, two tow-behind sprayers and chaff decks on his header. This year he also experimented with swathing his mungbeans for the first time. Tune in to find out how it went!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by Adama Market Development Managers, Bevan Addison (WA) and Andre Sabeeney (SA), to discuss how this year's unusual seasonal dynamics and fuel/fertiliser issues are altering regional crop rotations and weed control. 

Our guests unpack why maximizing weed control during pulse and canola phases is essential for driving down grass weed seed banks before returning to cereals, as well as the strategic value of mixing and rotating chemistry to protect herbicides for future seasons. Product choice is just one part of the equation!

So, if you're weighing up herbicide options in pulses, reviewing your pre-em program or looking to get more out of your post-em applications, this episode is for you!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Joe Koch, a grower from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

Joe and his family run a mixed "crops and chops" operation in separate high and low rainfall zones. With a rare wet start (200ml from the end of March - April!) under their belts, they've been faced with higher numbers of ryegrass, barley grass, marshmallow weed, capeweed and milk thistle!

Joe has been keeping busy on the boomspray, getting in some double-knocks as well as narrow windrow burning. With a bit of imi and glyphosate resistance starting to creep into the region, he's also a big proponent of diverse cropping and mixing and rotating herbicides.

Tune in to also hear his reasoning behind their latest purchase - a new green-on-brown sprayer!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, Shannon chats with South Coastal Agencies Lead Agronomist Rachel Minnett and Nutrien Farm Services Agronomist Tom Shaw about bridging the gap between university training and practical farm agronomy skills.

Tom and Rachel discuss how the WeedSmart Big 6 provide a good reminder to view weed control as part of a whole-farm system approach, rather than just individual jobs to be done. Rachel remembers carrying around a print-off of the Big 6 in her car during the early days of her career!

Both Rachel and Tom are big proponents of professional development for agronomists at all stages of their career. Tom recommends new agronomists think of their first two years as an apprenticeship, and try and learn as much as possible during this time. Rachel emphasises the importance of confidence, strong communication skills and coming prepared.

Tune in for some great advice for up-and-coming agronomists! And if you're looking for more resources, our website is chock full of articles, webinars, videos and fact sheets to help you call the shots against your weeds.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe 

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by Will Woolcock, Branch Manager and Agronomist at Nutrien in Emerald, QLD.

Will's territory extends about 200km north and south of Emerald, where he's seeing a lot more growers planting chickpeas this year, in response to the current fertiliser cost and supply issues. 

The region's current weed challenges are feather top rhodes grass, sweet summer grass and fleabane in the summer, with milk thistle and poppy causing issues in winter.

Will gives advice on fallow and in-crop chemistry and cautions growers against an over-reliance on glyphosate and glufosinate. He'd recommend looking into strategic tillage and crop rotations!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website. 

Don't forget to follow us on our socials @WeedSmartAU

Twitter/X Facebook Instagram Bluesky LinkedIn

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an email: [email protected]

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions.  #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe