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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.

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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.  

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

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In this episode of Regional Update, we hear from Reece Rayson, who continues to make the best out of a couple of below average rainfall seasons, with an eye on the WeedSmart Big 6 to lead the challenge on herbicide resistance.   

Reece attended WeedSmart Week 2025 in Geraldton this year, and highlights some of the common factors discussed and incorporated into their own system, from chemical fallow, pre-em controls, and fenceline management.  Building a robust rotation, addressing soil constraints, along with mixing herbicides are some of the key takeaways to keep herbicide resistance on the boundary to maintain flexibility within the years were rainfall does prove a challenge. 

 When in the thick of a weather-affected harvest on a less than best season, keeping an eye on the end-game is important to be ready for the next season and next challenges ahead.  Whether it be delayed starts to sowing or summer weeds germinating during harvest, having a plan from the Big 6 could help set you up for successful weed management. 

Tune in to hear first-hand what a couple of WeedSmart Weeks can do for your system’s thinking and keep ahead of the curve! 

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

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 In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we hear from our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists from the Western and Southern regions on steps to take from this point in the season with cool soft spring finish to the winter growing season and points to think about when considering harvest operations and planning the next season of weed control.  

Pete Newman will highlight a few gems of research and on-farm practices to remember when dealing with this long growing season in the Western region.  

Greg Condon speaks to the weed control options to consider across a range of on-farm situations for the Southern growing region going into the clean-up phase of the 2025 season.  

WeedSmart Resources:

Why chaff decks are a great option for harvest weed seed control - WeedSmart

Setting up for chafflining - WeedSmart

Harvest weed seed control in a nutshell - WeedSmart

Learning Hub – HWSC 101

Other Resources:

Harvest resources - GRDC

Harvest weed seed control southern high rainfall zone

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

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In this episode of Regional Update, we hear from Erin Dalton, Baker Ag Advantage, an experienced agronomist working closely with growers in her region to tackle the season’s biggest challenges. Erin shares valuable on-the-ground insights into how local conditions are shaping cropping decisions, the strategies farmers are using to manage weeds, and the role weed management practices are playing in building resilience.

Erin brings a full Big 6 approach to the Forbes region pushing the boundaries around knowing what works and continuing to look to the future edge on weed management.  A program of herbicide resistance testing has revealed differences in levels across the region, highlighting differences in management and machinery.  Farming systems and weed control need to evolve, with Erin speaking to tailoring solutions to regional conditions demonstrated with trials – mixing herbicides, adopting other pulses plus testing newer varieties of wheat and canola for the area.

Whether you’re a grower, adviser, or industry stakeholder, Erin’s perspective provides a practical and timely snapshot of the current season and the innovations influencing 
future farm practice.

Tune in for real-world updates, that will help you stay ahead in an ever-changing farming landscape.

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

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Tom Wolfe pulls back the curtain on the forces driving (and sometimes derailing) new spray technology – and how farmers can cut through the noise to find what will work for them!

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, spray technology expert Tom Wolfe tackles one of agriculture’s most complex balancing acts – aligning stewardship, technology, and on-farm practicality. 

As optical spot spraying, precision application, and automation surge ahead, farmers are caught in the crossfire of competing priorities: herbicide manufacturers pushing product strategies, machinery manufacturers driving rapid equipment innovation, with industry’s shared responsibility for sustainable chemical use. Tom unpacks where these interests converge – and where they collide – revealing the practical realities farmers face when trying to integrate new tools without sacrificing agronomic outcomes or profitability. 

We explore how stewardship principles can work hand-in-hand with technology, the regulatory and market pressures shaping decisions, and why the right fit for a farm isn’t always the flashiest or most promoted option. This is a candid, insightful conversation for growers, advisers, and industry stakeholders navigating the future of weed control in a world where every spray counts.

2025 GRDC Research Updates Paper 

Agrimetrix Research & Training 

Webinar: Making Every Drop(let) Count – An International Perspective on Spraying Efficiencies

#AskAnExpert: How can I gain more spray efficiency?

#Big6 #sprayefficacy #sprayefficiency #stewardship #weedsmart #innovation

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

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Austin Rayner, farm manager with EF Smart Pty Ltd, brings an update from Midwest WA with insights into the weed strategy after a period of soil amelioration investment combined with new chemistry, leading to a low weed seed bank plus leaving plenty of other tools in the toolbox for future management.   While building to this situation using a diverse weed management program based around the Big 6, the Smart's enterprise continues to keep an eye on emerging challenges, ready to overcome through incorporation of all of the weed management tools where you can.

You can hear from Austin at the 2025 WeedSmart Week held at the end of July (29th and 30th) in the midwest region of WA at Geraldton!

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

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Our June Regional Update gives us an insight into the Northern cropping region during this year, as crops are being harvested and sown simultaneously with the season presenting a few challenges.  Hear from UQ graduate, Max Schmelzer as he talks about herbicide resistance and tools in the box working to address the weed seed bank across their family farm.

A focus on the insights from new technology used helps to address the weed strategy for the future germinations across their dual season enterprise.  Taking note of the data created from weed control applications helps inform potential sources of new outbreaks, adding value to the weed management strategy.  

Take a listen!

Links and Further Information: 

WeedSmart Big 6 Case Study: Jamie and Susie Grant, Jimbour Qld  Weed management with a focus on prevention through stubble retention, soil health and rotation of chemicals using sensor spraying and automation.  

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, we hear from our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists, Jana Freebairn and Greg Condon, updating from their respective Southern and lower Northern growing regions.

With many farms commencing a dry seeding program to efficiently get across the hectares in what will be a less than ideal start to the winter growing season, the podcast focuses on tactics for short-term management with a long-term weed strategy.  

 

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

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As our farming environment changes with our management, so to do the plant populations growing across our landscape.  Gazania, a long-term weed within Australia is taking advantage of harsher summers competing well where water is a scarce resource.  Ali Bajwa, weed researcher and Senior Lecturer in Weed Science and Agronomy with @LaTrobe university is aiming to nip gazania in the bud with @GRDC research project (GRDC Code: ULA2402-002RTX).  

WeedSmart Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey, introduces the foundation for this GRDC NGN project, putting grower funds to work on preventing gazania from as a hard-to-control weed becoming established in paddock situations.

Ali Bajwa describes progress and applicable trial work for managing gazania within broadacre situations, citing prevention is better than the cure.  Coordinated approaches between public and private land managers need to be vigilant from letting this 'pretty and hardy garden escapee' from becoming a persistent perennial stealing precious soil water.  @A1Bajwa @SABE_LaTrobe and @LaTrobe 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-bajwa-686b5a37/ 

Mallee Sustainable Farming: https://msfp.org.au/gazania-wars-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-tackling-a-persistent-weed/

Technical Experts:  Deep Dive Review Paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/915

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