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*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.

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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.

#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!

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

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Bluesky

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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 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!

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

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

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

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

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

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

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an: [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 Paul "Chippa" Ackland, senior agronomist at Central Ag Solutions in Arthurton SA. Following a very hot summer, some much needed March rain has brought out ryegrass and cape weed germination on the Yorke Peninsula.

Paul notes that resistance in milk thistle, wild vetch and tares is a particular issue for the region. While he's been impressed by growers' uptake of harvest weed seed mills, he'd also encourage farmers to consider all of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategies, including diverse crop rotations and increasing sowing rates.

We end with a reminder to check on your mates, especially in these challenging times.

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an: [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 Angus Roberts, a young grower from Dandaragan, WA. Angus chats to host Shannon about his mixed farming operation 160km north of Perth and their history with clethodim resistance. 

Since attending Mildura WeedSmart Week in 2022, Angus and his family have aimed to adopt all of the Big 6 strategies to lower their weed seed bank and prevent herbicide resistance. Angus is now a WeedSmart fan and convinced 20 of his mates to join him at WeedSmart Week in Geraldton last year!

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an: [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 Beyond Resistance podcast episode featuring experts Richard Holzknecht and Jeshua Smith from VICCHEM is an essential resource for farmers and agronomists looking to optimise their herbicide mix in the tank and ensure every drop counts.  Since spray water typically makes up more than 95% of what goes into a spray tank, the quality of that water dictates whether a "chemistry experiment" succeeds or fails in the paddock.  Our speakers explain how common issues like hard water, high pH, and bicarbonates can tie up active ingredients—such as glyphosate and clethodim—before they even have a chance to work. 

By listening to this deep dive, you will learn why "plants don't drink rocks" and how poor water quality can lead to sublethal doses, which inadvertently accelerates the development of herbicide resistance. 

This podcast provides practical, field-ready advice on how to transition from reactive troubleshooting to proactive water management.  

Listeners can gain insights into the benefits of different water sources, the necessity of regular water testing, and the strategic use of conditioning agents like liquid ammonium sulfate (AMS) and citric acid to ameliorate quality issues. Also discussed is how to distinguish between genuine chemical resistance and spray failures caused by poor water, potentially saving growers from unnecessary and costly management changes. Whether you are an agronomist seeking to refine your recommendations or a grower aiming to maximise return on investment and protect the longevity of your chemical tools, this episode offers the technical expertise needed to stay ahead of the curve. 

Resources:

VICCHEM Free Water Quality Test

GRDC Spray water Quality Factsheet

Upcoming GRDC Herbicide Behaviour Workshops 

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

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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.

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.

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about?  Send us an: [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 hear from Kate Shooter, an agronomist at McGregor Gourlay based in Toowoomba. Kate shares how conditions are progressing in the Eastern and Western Downs regions of Queensland, particularly in the wake of last November’s hailstorm. 

With mung bean planting in full swing and sorghum crops just coming into head, Kate also flags barnyard grass, feathertop grass, milk thistle and fleabane as the region’s current priorities for weed control. Tune in to this episode to hear Kate’s advice on staying ahead of resistance and getting on top of summer grasses.  

WeedSmart Week 2026 is heading to Griffith, NSW, August 18-19! Join us for an engaging week of peer-to-peer discussion and learning about sustainable weed management and herbicide stewardship. The event will include a forum day, farm tours, machinery expo, plus plenty of food and fun! 

Tickets are on sale now!

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:

Twitter/X

Bluesky

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Keen for a monthly update?  Subscribe here!

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