Riverine Plains Blog

Key messages:

• dry sowing can help farmers manage production risk and spread the labour load
• when dry-sowing, ensure depth of seed placement is correct
• avoid dry sowing into paddocks with high weed seedbanks and ensure separation of seed and pre-emergent herbicides

 Key Messages

• weed herbicide resistance levels are continuing to increase across the Riverine Plains region
• it’s important to monitor resistance, especially to post-emergent chemicals and glyphosate
• weed seeds can be collected from problem paddocks for resistance testing
• adopting an integrated weed management strategy, or methods from ‘The Big 6’, will ensure farmers stay on top of weed control issues

Key messages

• optical spray technology can offer dramatic savings in chemical, diesel and labour use
• green-on-brown (fallow) and green-on-green (in-crop) technologies are proving themselves with Australian farmers and can have a fit for all cropping operations
• low-cost options are available, with drones also having the capability to map and spray weeds across large areas

Key messages:

• check the efficacy of your pre-emergent herbicide applications – poor results may mean you need to reconsider your post-emergent spray program or other control options
• overall herbicide efficacy can be affected by a range of factors including plant stress, moisture and inadequate coverage
• delays or failures in weed control can be costly, so monitor now to manage the risk

Many Riverine Plains growers are still busy finishing their sowing programs, while also managing time-sensitive issues like slugs. Despite time constraints, it’s important to prioritise weed monitoring, including the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicide applications, especially in earlier sown crops.

Key Messages

• Phenoxy herbicides can cause significant off-target damage to susceptible summer crops
• Volatilisation of herbicide from the treated plant occurs more frequently during summer, when temperatures are higher
• Before using volatile herbicides, check with your neighbours about proximity to susceptible summer crops
• Always check with your agronomist to see if there are less volatile alternative products available

Non-intentional herbicide drift from Group I herbicides such as 2,4-D and other compounds occurs regularly across Australia, with cotton, grapes, soybeans, sorghum, forage brassicas, horticultural crops (i.e tomatoes) and other broadleaf species being especially susceptible.