WeedSmart Podcast

With seeding and pre-emergent herbicide application kicking off around the country, we got in touch a couple of herbicide application experts to share some timely advice on getting spraying right this season. Dr Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide gives a preview of his WeedSmart Webinar "Use pre-ems to maximise winter crops in the South", sharing valuable insights into management strategies around pre-em application and also gives us an update on the resistance levels to pre-ems. DeltaAg Agronomist and Consultant Heidi Gooden, who is based in Lockhart, runs us through the current dry spell conditions being experienced in the Southern Cropping Region and what impact this has on pre-em herbicide application. She also provides insights into knocking down lingering Summer weeds and more. As mentioned earlier, our first Webinar Series for 2018 is next week and features Mark Congreve from ICAN and Chris Preston from the University of Adelaide. Both experts will be joined by AHRI’s Peter Newman and will be discussing pre-emergent herbicide tactics in the North and South, respectively. You can find out the full details here: https://weedsmart.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-April-Webinar-Invitation.pdf Music: bensound.com

With seeding around the corner (or potentially already started for some!), keeping weeds at bay will also be on the agenda. In this podcast, we chat with Lockhart farmer David Gooden. David not only farms but also developed the Sprayer Mate batching plant with his brother Owen. David is a Nuffield Scholar Recipient and has studied spray application technology. In this podcast, we learn about the benefits of using a batching plant, as well as receive a few reminders on best practice for mixing herbicides. You can download the GRDC's factsheet on mixing herbicides here: https://weedsmart.org.au/factsheets/mixing-requirements-for-spraying-operations/ Music: bensound.com

Harvest seed destroying mill technology has been the talk of the town among harvest weed seed control enthusiasts. For the podcast, we normally stick to seasonal issues, but in February, the Kondinin Group released a cracker Research Report, "Residue Management at Harvest". In this report, the Research Team (comprising of Ben White, Josh Giumelli and Mark Saunders), tested and reviewed a number of harvest weed seed control tools, including mill technology, which is the focus of this podcast. Jessica Strauss chats with Ben White about how mill technology works; the operational practicalities in the field; weed control; and mill wear issues. We also hear from two farmers who have invested in different branded mill machines, using them in both the 2016 and 2017 harvests. Farmers Roger Newman and Andrew Todd, both from WA, give candid insights into the pros and cons of their machinery thus far. Take a listen with your usual hosts, Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss! Music: bensound.com

Nearly a year ago, Extension Officer Greg Condon co-hosted a podcast with Jessica Strauss on disc seeding and stripper front systems. It's a bit more of an obscure system, but it sure generated a lot of interest and is currently our most played episode, with more than 750 listens (you can check it out here: https://weedsmart.org.au/podcasts/disc-seeder-stripper-front-systems/). Given the interest, we thought we'd put together another podcast of similar ilk, but this time focusing on disc seeding itself.  In this podcast, you'll hear from Murry Scholz. He's based in Henty, NSW and has a John Deere, with a disc seeder on 7.5” rows. He's a mixed farmer and 2017 was his first year using the disc seeder. You may already be familiar with the Hatty family as they hosted growers on their farm for WeedSmart Week in 2017 and have been featured in podcasts and stories through WeedSmart. In this podcast, Stephen Hatty gives us some insight into his disc seeding operation. Stephen is based in Matong, NSW and has an NDF disc on 10” rows, on heavy clay soils. Like Murray, 2017 was the first year he used the disc seeding system. Take a listen. Music: bensound.com

For many growers, planting seed is just around the corner, but to ensure quality seed is going in the ground, it's important to grade and clean it. In this podcast, we hear from seed cleaning contractor, David Bach who runs Toowoomba Grain and Storage. He explains the process of cleaning seed, why it's imperative and also provides some handy tips on grain storage. We also hear from Michael Meara who farms just south of Toowoomba in the Felton area. He shares a story about when he used a neighbour's seed when he ran out of his own and the consequences of that decision! You can find out further information about cleaning seed here: https://weedsmart.org.au/making-clean-seed-business/ Music: bensound.com

We're back for 2018! This is our first podcast of the year and we are excited to get into another year of informative and fun podcasts to ensure you have more crop and fewer weeds! Join your co-hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman to delve into Summer weed management and learn about a mechanical weed tool - the Harvest Residue Topper (HRT). HRT developer Phil Bradley candidly discusses what lead him to build the HRT and provides a great explainer on how it works. We also hear from Bolgart farmer John Young who has been using his HRT for the last three harvests. He provides a good overview of the positives and drawbacks of using the HRT. Forbes-based Agronomist from Baker Ag Advantage, Chris Baker, gives us a rundown on the best management practice for Summer weed control. Take a listen! Music: bensound.com

In our last podcast for the year, we present an overview of the recent Cropping and Resistance 'Riders of the Storm' Forum which was supported by GRDC and hosted by AHRI and CCDM. There was a great turnout for the 3rd GRDC Crop Protection Forum which was held at Bunya Campus in December. For the past two decades, agronomic practices have dramatically improved the profitability of farming systems, however, there is a steady increase in weeds, disease and pests that threaten crop productivity. The Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) partnered with the Centre for Crop & Disease Management (CCDM) to deliver key messages from their latest research. Senior researchers from AHRI, CCDM, University of Queensland, NSWDPI and more will gave their insights into how to control weeds, pests and disease, whilst also providing practical recommendations to maintain the efficacy of current practices. In this podcast, we hear from Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel about manager wild oats in the North and Dr Lee Hickey about his work in developing new crop varieties using old genetics. We also get an insight into what agronomist Tony Lockrey from Moree, Queensland thought of the event, as well as event organiser Paul McIntosh. Music: bensound.com

This time of year, Summer fallow management is on the radar to ensure weeds are kept at bay and don't rob soil moisture and nitrogen from next year's crops. Ag Grow Director and Agronomist, Barry Haskins goes over some tips for getting summer fallow management right. Podcast co-host Peter Newman also discusses the importance of considering spray drift and how to avoid it. Later on, we hear from Brad Hanson who is a researcher at UC Davis in California. Brad talks about the challenges with resistance in orchards and vineyards in California with podcast host Jessica Strauss. The perennial crop industry in California is a diverse and high-value crop sector that is highly dependent on a relatively small set of herbicides. The challenges with glyphosate-resistant weeds in this crop sector differ considerably from those in broadacre crops and so do the opportunities.  Brad Hanson discusses the current status of resistance in the approximately 1.2 million hectares of tree, vine, and other perennial crops in the Mediterranean climate of California’s Central Valley. Because of the importance of glyphosate in this crops sector, glyphosate-resistance is the most widespread challenge.  However, emerging issues with resistance to glufosinate, paraquat, and the graminicides as well as changing production practices and weed control options suggest that research and education efforts remain a high priority. Take a listen! Music: bensound.com

Research out of the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM)has indicated that the harvest weed seed control tool (HWSC), narrow windrow burning, also help manage the damaging fungal disease sclerotinia stem rot. Kyran Brooks did his Honours in this research, with supervisors Mike Ashworth (AHRI) and Sarita Bennet (CCDM). The trials found providing temperatures were high enough and reasonably consistent (at least 350°C maintained for 10 seconds), sclerotinia was killed. An important finding was that sparse canola stubble that had not been windrowed was difficult to burn and could not achieve the temperatures required to kill sclerotinia. We also speak with research fellow Dr Chris O’Donnell from the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland. He explains how the Australian Ground Spray Calculator works. He'll be going into more detail about this at the 'Cropping and Resistance Forum' which will be held on December 6 in Dalby. You can get tickets here: www.ahri.uwa.edu.au/events If you'd like to receive a copy of the calculator before it's official launch, you can email Chris O'Donnell and request it: c.odonnell@uq.edu.au Music: bensound.com

With the help of GRDC, Planfarm recently held Harvest Weed Seed Control (#HWSC) workshops in Western Australia. All the current approaches to HWSC were discussed in detail. In this podcast, Jessica Strauss is joined by two co-hosts, Peter Newman (AHRI, WeedSmart, Planfarm) and Nick McKenna (Planfarm) where they provide an overview of the learnings from the workshops. We hear from Goomalling farmer John Even who attended one of the workshops. He talks about his approach to weed control, including his reasoning behind choosing chaff lining as his primary HWSC management tool this season. The Cropping and Resistance Forum is also coming up in Dalby on December 6. Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel is going to be presenting at the forum on sowthistle and wild oat management. He gives an overview of the current issues facing the northern region and gives some details on what he'll be presenting at the forum. You can get all the information and tickets for the forum here.  Music: bensound.com

It's that time of year already where farmers are getting out their spray rigs and dealing with in-crop weeds. While it is a busy time of year, it's essential to ensure you're across good spraying technique to ensure spray drift does not occur. Spray drift expert Mary O’Brien explains wind inversions and provides tips for avoiding spray drift. You can follow Mary on Twitter at @spraydriftgirl Autonomous farm machinery is the topic of the moment. The possibilities to do seem endless, but how far away are some of these machines away from hitting Australian shores? Cory Beaujot from DOT Tech Corp says it might be sooner than you think. He gives us a detailed insight into this family business making autonomous farm machinery out of Saskatchewan in Canada. Some of the benefits the company says you’ll see with using their Dot Power Platform (which can be used as a seeding rig and more) are a reduction in costs for fuel, labour and equipment. Music: bensound.com

Development Officer at Merredin Research Station Glen Riethmuller gives some useful insights into harvesting low, crop lifters and also discusses crop topping. We also hear from Meckering farmer Darren Morrell. He recently received resistance test results which showed one of the farms he is leasing has 80% trifluralin resistance. Darren talks about what tactics he'll be using to get on top of the weed problem he is now facing.

Jessica Strauss is joined by co-host Greg Condon who is one of the AHRI extension officers and also runs Grassroots Agronomy with wife Kirrily. Greg and Jessica discuss some of the upcoming technology in the ag space. In light of the technology theme, we hear from CSIRO farming systems scientist Rick Llewellyn about virtual fencing and its applications. The CSIRO and Agersens have been working on virtual fencing for a decade with assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The technology is not far away from commercial release and has applications for weed management. Later on, we hear from farm consultant and agronomist Cam Nicholson who is based near Geelong in Victoria. He discusses some of the outcomes of the recently completed GRDC funded Grain and Graze project, as well as his new role as the High Rainfall Zone RCSN lead in his region. Take a listen! P.S. You can learn more about the outcomes from Grain and Graze here: http://www.grainandgraze3.com.au/ Music: www.bensound.com

In Part 2 of our WeedSmart Week coverage, hear from Day 2 of the Farm Visits, featuring Stephen Hatty (@stephen_hatty); Ben Cruikshank (@ganmain) and Dan Fox (@dfox05). We also hear from attendees on the day including Di Holding. A variety of farming systems are explained, with tactics like the use of stripper fronts; chaff lining; chaff decks; disc + tyne seeding discussed. Music: bensound.com

WeedSmart Week in Wagga Wagga was a cracker of an event. We're so thankful to all the contributors, including the stakeholders, the AHRI and WeedSmart teams, the presenters and farmers, and also those who attended. We had a Forum Day on Day 1, followed by farm visits on Day 2 & 3. In this podcast, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman reflect on the event itself and we also hear from farmers and attendees on the first farm visit day. Warwick and Di Holding, as well as Mark and David Taylor's farm visits both feature in this podcast. Practices like Warwick's 'weedlining' and chaff lining are covered, plus much more. Music: bensound.com