Weedsmart Podcast

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

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.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

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.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

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

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

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.

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.comLearn more

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 @spraydriftgirlAutonomous 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.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our

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.Learn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

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.comLearn

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.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

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.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Today is the last day to register for WeedSmart Week in Wagga Wagga, which kicks off next Monday, August 21! In this podcast, Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman give a preview of some of the presentations and farm visits which will be occurring over the three-day event. Grassroots Agronomy and AHRI team member Greg Condon chats about his presentation, which will look at crop competition and disc and stripper front systems. Marrar farmer, Daniel Fox, talks about how he's implemented narrow rows, diverse rotations and chaff lines and gives us an insight into what to expect from his farm visit and Ray Harrington has a yarn about what to expect from his presentation on harvest weed seed control and the importance of capturing that chaff fraction! Take a listen!Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

It's been a tough season in many parts of the country for farmers. In particular, the northern wheatbelt in Western Australia hasn't received decent rain, leading to some farmers considering whether it's worth keeping the crop or if they should spray it out. In this podcast, hosted by Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, you'll hear from Planfarm agronomist Richard Quinlan. He gives an overview of the season so far and provides timely information on spraying out failed crops. You'll also hear from northern wheatbelt farmer Glen Thomas. He's had to spray out failed crops in the past. He talks about how he had to spray out a failed crop in 2006, including the decision making process and whether it was, in fact, the right decision. Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

What will the future of agriculture look like? One of the founders of SwarmFarm Robotics joins us on the podcast to discuss the robots they're releasing into the agricultural community and what applications they currently have and may have in the future. We also chat about the Quick Test for testing herbicide resistant weeds and check in with Peter Boutsalis from Plant Science Consulting about what he's finding out about resistance out on farms. WA farmer Ben Webb also gives a seasonal overview and gives some insights into how doing the Quick Test helped him make the decision to incorporate a chaff cart into his farming system. Also, don't forget WeedSmart Week registrations are open and early bird tickets end soon, so make sure you head over to www.weedsmart.org.au/wagga to register.Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

In this choc-a-block podcast, hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman investigate chaff lining and chaff carts, get an overview of WeedSmart Week and a seasonal overview of cotton.Mick McClellend farms in the Mallee in Victoria and has been using chaff lining in his farming system for the last three years. He gives an overview of the successes he has had using it. Tom Lewis from Tecfarm manufactures chaff carts. He chats about the benefits of using one for weed control. Chaff carts can be used in mixed and broadacre farming systems.WeedSmart Week is not far away, with the forum kicking off on August 21, and the farm visits following on August 22 and 23. Greg Condon talks about who will be presenting and what farmers and advisors can expect from the day. For more information about WeedSmart Week in Wagga and to register, click here: weedsmart.org.au/waggaThe Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) has recently jumped on board as a sponsor of WeedSmart. We welcome them aboard and get a seasonal update

Hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman provide a national seasonal update in this podcast. With dry conditions affecting many parts of Australia, we check in with agronomists Richard May from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Andrew Somervaille from the Northern Region and Pete gives some insights into how to manage weeds which are moisture stressed and gives an overview of the season in WA.Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

In this week's podcast, we hear from Esperance farmer Mic Fels who discusses the cost-effective weed management practices he is using on both his Esperance farm and Three Springs property. We also hear from Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel. He talks about the issues with glyphosate resistance in the northern region and how to manage them, as well as gives a seasonal update of his patch.Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

Peter Newman is back from the Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge Conference with an overview and an interview with Aaron Hager from the University of Illinois. We also chat with Adama Market Development Manager Bevan Addison about applying post-emergent herbicides and some of the implications when there are patchy rain conditions.Music: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmart by visiting our website. Don't forget you can follow us on Twitter too.

One system which some might consider a bit more obscure is that of a disc seeder and stripper front combination. While it's not a new concept, it's not used as much in Australia, as it is in other parts of the world.That could potentially change though, with those who are using it finding they're having a win with weed management, soil moisture and reduced soil erosion. While Pete Newman is trying to keep his RV on the road in America on holiday, AHRI extension officer and Grassroots Agronomy owner Greg Condon fills in. He talks to co-host Jessica Strauss about the down and upsides of the system, as well as giving a seasonal update. Tom Robinson from Hoyleton in South Australia uses this system and had a chat with Jessica about why he and his father Ashley adopted it on their farm. He also gives an insight into the pros and cons. Why not take a listen?!And if you like to find out more about WeedSmart, head on over to our website here: weedsmart.org.auMusic: bensound.comLearn more about WeedSmar