WeedSmart Podcast

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On this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we’re getting a preview of WeedSmart Week Mildura. Early bird tickets are on sale until July 31 – so make sure you get yours in the next couple of days so you don’t miss out on the discounted price! 

We hear from farmers Bec Marshall and Alistair Murdoch who will be presenting at WeedSmart Week Mildura. Nutrien Agronomist Andrew McMahen who is on our organising committee and will also be presenting, gives an overview of the issues in the region. We also catch up with Kondinin Group Research Engineer, Ben White, who will be facilitating our Machinery expo.

WeedSmart Week Mildura is happening from August 30 to September 1. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.

 Today's guests

 Andrew McMahen 

Andrew is on our organising committee and provides an overview of the key weed issues in the Mallee. Andrew will be on our “Applying the Big 6 in the Mallee” panel session on forum day.

Bec Marshall 

Bec will be presenting on our Forum Day on stopping weed seed set.

Alistair Murdoch 

We’ll be visiting Alistair’s farm on Day 2 of WeedSmart Week, before the machinery expo.

Ben White 

Kondinin Group Research Engineer Ben White will be once again hosting our machinery expo. Ben did an amazing job in Esperance and we’re so excited to be bringing this event to Mildura. The machinery expo will include:

• John Deere – See & Spray
• Kelly Tillage – Kelly Diamond: 4012 machine
• Goldacres – Self-propelled unit with Bilberry weed detection system
• Croplands – Weed-IT trailing display
• Seed Terminator – Seed Terminator unit
• iHSD – iHSD (static display)
• Redekop – static display - Redekop mill on John Deere combine (Hoiseworth JD dealer)

News and links

Webinars

On August 23, Research Agronomist Eric Koetz (NSW DPI) and WeedSmart Northern Extension Agronomist Paul McIntosh will discuss key weed control challenges cotton growers are facing. Register here. 

 Articles

We have an article related to upcoming WeedSmart Week Mildura event. Our content producer, Cindy Benjamin spoke with Agrivision General Manager, Ed Nixon, about the challenges northern Mallee growers are facing when it comes to preserving herbicide chemistry long-term.

Case Studies 

Make sure you check out our Case Studies – our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, catches up with farmers from all over Australia to find out about their farming systems. Our latest Case Study features Warren Treasure, from Moonyoonooka in Western Australia. Warren talks about how using an iHSD over five seasons has had a significant impact on lowering his weed seed bank.

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 

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

Nutrien Agronomist Phil Smyth joins us on the Regional Update this week. Phil is based in Coorow, Western Australia and farmers in his region have had a good start to the season this year.

They're hopeful of some more rain, but they were able to get in a double knock this year, which many farmers haven't been able to do for four years.

Phil talks about crop rotations and quite a few of the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics. You can learn more about these control solutions here. 

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, we talk about dealing with the stress of high farm input costs and labour shortages. Owen Catto from The Regional Men’s Health Initiative joins us to share some tips.

We also get an update on resistance testing in Western Australia. Agvivo Agronomist Tim Boyes has embraced resistance testing with his WA based clients and coordinated closely with Dr Roberto Busi who runs University of Western Australia’s resistance testing service. Tim shares what impact resistance testing has had on his client’s farming programs.

Our Southern Extension Agronomist, Greg Condon, joins Jessica Strauss for this podcast.

Links

Tickets for our WeedSmart Week Mildura event which is happening from August 30 to September 1 are on sale. We have also just released the program. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.

Webinar

Our Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Dave recently hosted a webinar with Canada’s technology expert, Tom Wolf. In this webinar, they covered efficient spraying application and how to become more efficient at keeping the boomspray in the paddock, rather than at the depot.

Articles

We have an article related to our podcast interview with Mike Ashworth. Dr Yaseen Khalil who managed this project explains how effective a legume pasture phase for ryegrass control is.

Case Studies 

Make sure you check out our Case Studies – our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, catches up with farmers from all over Australia to find out about their farming systems. Our latest Case Study features Warren Treasure, from Moonyoonooka in Western Australia. Warren talks about how using an iHSD over five seasons has had a significant impact on lowering his weed seed bank.

Mental Health Services

Regional Men's Health Initiative - WA
MensLine - national phone and online chat service

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!

On the Regional update today Giles Kearsley from Nutrien at Cleve Ag Services joins us.

Giles is based in Eyre Peninsula on the West Coast of South Australia.

Our Southern Extension Agronomist, Chris Davey, recently went through this neck of the woods and so we thought it would be good to catch-up with Giles and see how his region is going.

Giles gives us an update on how floods in January have impacted growers, gives an overview on how pre-emergent herbicides have performed and provides some weed control tips for his region. 

Follow Giles on Twitter here.

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!

On this podcast, find out about the benefits of smart phase farming. The Agronomy team at the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative in Perth is in the last year of a project looking at this system and there’s some great yield benefits to consider. 

We also will be getting a resistance status update from Peter Boutsalis who does work for both the University of Adelaide and runs Plant Science Consulting. 

And lastly – we have an exciting webinar coming up this month with Tom Wolf, who many of you might know as the ‘nozzle guy’ on Twitter.  Get some more details on our guests below: 

1.     Mike Ashworth – Smart phase farming

Dr Mike Ashworth who leads AHRI’s agronomy team explains what phase farming is and the benefits of this approach. This project focused on using serradella as the legume phase crop. 

2.     Peter Boutsalis – resistance status update

Dr Peter Boutsalis joins us in this interview to give an update on the GRDC funded random resistance testing results. He also gives an update on the resistance issues he’s been looking at from samples that have been sent in from farmers to his business, Plant Science Consulting. 

3.     Chris Davey – webinar overview

On June 15, we’ll be hosting a webinar with Canada’s technology expert, Tom Wolf. In this webinar, more efficient spraying application will be covered, as well as how to become more efficient at keeping the boomspray in the paddock, rather than at the depot. Follow Tom on Twitter here.

Links

WeedSmart Week Mildura event which is happening from August 30 to September 1 are officially on sale. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.

Articles

We have an article related to our podcast interview with Mike Ashworth. Dr Yaseen Khalil who managed this project explains how effective a legume pasture phase for ryegrass control is. 

Case Studies 

Make sure you check out our Case Studies – our content producer, Cindy Benjamin, catches up with farmers from all over Australia to find out about their farming systems. Our latest Case Study features Warren Treasure, from Moonyoonooka in Western Australia. Warren talks about how using an iHSD over five seasons has had a significant impact on lowering his weed seed bank. 

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 edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Northern Region to catch up with Poole Ag Consulting Agronomist, Sam Simons. Sam is based in Moree, NSW. 

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!

Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast! This week we’re focusing on the benefits of soil amelioration and the advantages of fixing sub-soil acidity. 

Our guests today include soil researcher Jason Condon from Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries Wagga Wagga Development Officer Helen Burns. They give some insights into research findings in the space.

We also hear from farmer and agronomist, Sandy Middleton, who has had some massive wins with fixing subsoil acidity. 

Firstly though – our tickets for our WeedSmart Week Mildura event which is happening from August 30 to September 1 are officially on sale. You can head to the events page on our website to find out more information and get your ticket.

News links

We have an article on Maximising the benefits of new pre-em chemistry. Southern Extension Agronomist Greg Condon says the wet conditions experienced last season have provided some useful insights into the new chemistries under commercial field conditions. 

 We also hear from Shane Kelly from Kelly Tillage about how tickling your soil surface to stimulate weed growth before planting can be a beneficial weed control strategy. 

 We also have an updated article running through the Big 6 principles to help you plan out what weed control strategies might work for you this year. 

Ask an Expert

Our latest Ask an Expert is Can faba bean crops outcompete sowthistle?

Dr Michael Widderick, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland, is our expert this month. 

Michael talks about how faba bean crops have the potential to significantly curb common sowthistle, a problematic weed with widespread resistance to key herbicides, such as glyphosate and chlorsulfuron.

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!

East Pingelly grain farmer Lance Turner joins us on the Regional Update today. Pingelly is based in WA’s wheatbelt, and the region has had a pretty good start to the season. Lance reckons it's a great time to consider doing a double knock, with conditions lining up well. 

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!

On this edition of the podcast, we’re focusing on getting spraying right. As we move from Summer to Autumn, it’s a good time to consider what spray practices are being implemented and to consider what practical changes might be worthwhile, such as switching out different nozzles. 

Nufarm Field Development Lead for Australia & New Zealand, Mark Slatter joins us on this episode. He provides an overview on correct spray application and details the new Nufarm 2,4-D product, Dropzone. 

 We also catch up with Forbes Farmer Charlie French. Charlie explains the evolution of his spraying systems and what he’s using in the Big 6 to control weeds.

Links

Webinar recording

We have a new webinar recording available for you to watch. For the first time in Western Australia, annual ryegrass from a cropped paddock was found to be resistant to glyphosate and paraquat.

Farmanco Agronomist Consultant Brent Pritchard provides context on how this resistance evolved in the field.

AHRI Senior Research Fellow Dr Roberto Busi presents the preliminary results he obtained in recent glasshouse trials, which aimed to characterise the resistance. You can now watch it online here. 

 Articles

Ryegrass is adapted to a wide climatic range

 Once considered a winter weed of southern cropping zones of Australia, annual ryegrass is being increasingly observed in more northerly districts and in summer crops in Victoria and South Australia. This article details work done by the University of Queensland’s Centre for Crop Science. Bhagirath Chauhan and his team looked at effects of temperature, salinity, drought, light and burial depth on germination of seed collected from annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) populations from northern and southern NSW and Victoria.

Summer weed control in a high input cost year

This article features Pete Newman. He answers the question: with the cost of glyphosate sitting around $14 a litre, is it still worth spraying summer 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 edition of the Regional Update, we’re heading to the Southern Region to catch up with Growmore Agronomy Services Agronomist, Jeshua Smith. Jeshua is based in Young, NSW, which is in the High Rainfall Zone.

Farmers in Young have been dealing with an influx of ryegrass due to increase summer rain. We talk about how to get on top of this weed, as well as get a general overview of what to be considering at the moment when it comes to weed control.

Links

Make sure you sign-up for our upcoming webinar with AHRI Researcher, Dr Roberto Busi looking at WA's first case of paraquat resistance. 

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