WeedSmart Podcast

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! 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 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 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! 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. 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 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! 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. Don't forget to follow us on our socials: Twitter/X Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here! Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #drivesafe #farmsafe

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! 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. Don't forget to follow us on our socials: Twitter/X Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here! Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #drivesafe #farmsafe

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! 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. Don't forget to follow us on our socials: Twitter/X Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here! Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an email See our other Regional Updates and Beyond Resistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #drivesafe #farmsafe

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! 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 by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! The regional update from the southern growing region with WeedSmart Extension Agronomist Chris Davey, providing you with a dry seeding update for 2025, soil moisture observations and challenges for crop health. With negative moisture levels in the soil and limited rainfall over the last 12 months, looking over the spray records will be the key to success to plot the best course of action for the 2025 rotation. Knowing the plantback period from last year's herbicide application dates and estimated rainfall requirement to ensure this season's crop health will be a key driver for a successful crop. Residual chemicals for particular rotations may present a risk needing to be managed from the outset, especially with limited seed available to provide a better fit to suit the situation. Knowing your soil, looking at your records and concentrating on 'how you sow' this year are potential strategies to set up your crop health for winter and spring. Talk to your local agronomist to check your assumptions. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Welcome to 2025! The first Regional Update of 2025 takes us to Lock Valley Farms in South Australia, with Henry Coleman, a mixed operations grower and Youtuber. Documenting his life on the farm alongside his family, he filled us in on the season just been - though dry, he's remaining optimistic this coming year is going to be a ripper, and has been tackling the ryegrass, brome and legacy weed issues through optimising his rotations. You can check out Henrys Youtube channel here, Lock Valley Farms. Latest News and Related Links Latest Article: Reinventing the pre-seeding double-knock tactic The double-knockdown tactic is a key component of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategy, which aims to keep weed numbers low, preserve herbicide efficacy and give competitive crops a head start. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! In this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we talk about how weed seeds can adapt their dormancy, discussing the selection pressures, interactions with herbicides and the recommended actions from growers to get ahead. We also caught up with Pete for a quick recap of the season in the West, after an explosion of weeds thanks to an especially wet winter. If you're interested in finding out more about today's episode, you can catch Dr Gurjeet Gill via our WeedSmart Learning Hub, and watch or read our related content below. News and Links Webinar: Beating barley grass despite resistance and dormancy challenges With Dr Catherine Borger, and Ben Whisson. Join us to hear about the new challenges, and some research and observations about how we will manage barley grass into the future. Does delayed sowing help manage weed populations? With Dr Gurjeet Gill The answer to this question is a very simple ‘no’. Waiting for weed seeds with longer dormancy to germinate before sowing costs yield and weeds often set more seed in late sown crops. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Join WeedSmart Southern Extension Agronomists Jana Freebairn and Chris Davey in discussing the rising resistance to imi’s (imidazolinone) in broadleaf weeds, in 2024 and beyond. Imi resistance is a growing issue within our cropping systems and is becoming ever more important when considering crop rotation, herbicide selection and yearly environmental pressures. Jana and Chris share their experiences with imi resistance so far this year in the Southern Region of SA and the Eyre Peninsula, speaking to what they have seen within lentil crops and how the WeedSmart Big 6 can assist. Delivered by our WeedSmart Extension Agronomists, Header Run videos are created for the on-the-move grower and are suitable for a watch or listen. The video can be found on our website. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Ian Pursehouse is our guest for this episode of the Regional Update. Located in NSW, in West Wyalong, Ian and his family transitioned from a mixed operation to 100% dryland cropping in the late 2010's, and have been learning from every experience since. Ian has a systems-focused approach, with an emphasis on optimising rotations to not only control weeds - one of the WeedSmart Big 6 principles - but minimise costs across the board. After a less-than-ideal season with low rainfall and frost, his philosophy of "controlling what you can" and strategic investment have ensured they are prepared for whatever comes next. Links and Further Information: GrainGrowers Paddock Perspective with Ian Pursehouse (referenced in Podcast) The WeedSmart Big 6: Rotate Crops and Pastures Weeds love predictable rotations. They find it easy to evolve resistance to herbicides when they are used in a predictable manner. If we mix it up a bit, the weeds get confused and find it harder to adapt to the farming system. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! This Regional Update Podcast episode, we're joined by grower Stuart Vlahov from Western Australia. Stu is a grower in Ellendale, WA, around 35kms south-east of Geraldton near Walkaway, who has recently been using two drones to spray crops within his mixed farming operation spanning 3500ha. With bogged crops and wild radish flourishing, Stu is employing the two DJI drones for weed control and fertiliser application. Talking with us about the drone's short down time, price, set-up and future applications, Stu is keen to see the space change and evolve. NEWS and LINKS Ask an Expert Article: Can drones provide early warning of herbicide resistance? Tristan Steventon, StevTech drone and data specialist says ultra-high-resolution cameras on drones provide a practical way to rapidly and remotely collect weed data for spray jobs and to monitor changes over time. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! In this episode of the WeedSmart Podcast, we heard from Josh Hollitt, an Independant Agronomist located in the Eyre Peninsula, who is presenting at the upcoming WeedSmart Week in Port Lincoln. Speaking on summer weed control strategies, Josh has over a decade of experience to share and is looking forward to hearing from other growers and agronomists in the region. We also heard from co-host Pete Newman about his panel, focusing on HWSC and challenges growers have faced. If you're attending WeedSmart Week, take a listen to his tips and tricks to get the most out of the event! If you're looking to secure tickets to WeedSmart Week, please find them here! We will also be recording the speaker presentations, so if you can't make it, make sure you stay tuned into our Twitter, @WeedSmartAU, or sign up for our Newsletter here to get our content in one place! Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! This week on the Regional Update, we are joined by former agronomist and grower Vicky French. With nearly 10 years of experience working for Elders as an agronomist, and now a grower with her husband in Derrinallum, Victoria, Vicky French has a wealth of knowledge to share - and will be doing so at WeedSmart Week this July! Vicky will be speaking about glyphosate resistance and the strategies they have implemented to control ryegrass and wild radish, and gave us a small look into that talk on this episode. If you're interested in hearing grower experiences like Vicky's, come along to WeedSmart Week, July 29-30, at Port Lincoln, SA. Early bird tickets are available until June 28! Grab yours here. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Joining us on this extra-long episode of the WeedSmart Podcast was Mike Bell, who shared his extensive experience of soil nutrition and more recent work into P&K deep placement in the northern regions. We also talked with Kurt Mayne, a grower from Rolleston, QLD, who has been implementing a deep placement regime into his operations, and heard about his recent experience with milk thistle. NEWS and LINKS Crop Competition: Improving soil health gives the crop the best chance at competing against weeds. Learn all about crop competition with our free online course via our Learning Hub, Crop Competition 101. WeedSmart Week: Get tickets to the annual WeedSmart Week event! Held in Port Lincoln on July 29-30, the latest knowledge and advice around the WeedSmart Big 6 will be shared, with a focus on experiences from the Eyre Peninsula and southern region. GRDC Deep placement update paper: Take a read of Mikes’ paper on deep P&K placement, or the fact sheet available here. Kurt Mayne's WeedSmart Feature: Kurt and his family operate a 6000 ha mixed farming operation of dryland grain production and backgrounding steers for feedlots at ‘Broken Plains’, 13 km east of Rolleston in Central Queensland. Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.