DPI rolls out herbicide resistance field day blitz across 15 cropping centres

DPI Manager Broadacre Cropping, Myles Parker, said herbicide resistance was the number one issue affecting cropping system profitability and sustainability.

He said a series of approximately 15 field days would be held across NSW’s major cropping districts, stretching from Moree in the north to Deniliquin in the south.

“The field days will showcase herbicide options for controlling weeds such as ryegrass and wild oats in wheat,” Mr Parker said.

“Each will be attended by industry experts and leading herbicide company specialists and will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss herbicide resistance issues and potential management options.

“The field days are part of a new strategic action plan developed by DPI agronomists from around the State to tackle the issue of weed resistance.

“The establishment of the taskforce follows feedback from farmers, advisors and DPI cropping agronomists who highlighted that resistant weeds are a major threat to cropping areas.

“The taskforce is also conducting research to gain insight from farmers on potential issues and where the gaps in knowledge and service delivery exist.
“One of the most important parts of this significant project is gaining resistant test data from across the State that will help strengthen DPI’s research, increase our extension services and establish best practice for cropping farmers.”

He said the field days were being organised with the support from local farmers, agronomists and herbicide companies.

The first field day is being held on Wednesday 1 August at DPI’s Condobolin Agricultural Research Station as part of a mixed farming bus tour.

Herbicide Resistance field days are also scheduled for:

• Merriwagga/Hillston on Thursday 2 August, and
• Barellan/ Ardlethan on Friday 3 August

Bus tours will be visiting a number of farm demonstration sites that highlight resistance to herbicides, including glyphosate.

The Merriwagga/Hillston Barellan/Ardlethan bush tours will look at the role of fallows, break crops, pre-emergent herbicides and more. At Hillston the tour will visit a demonstration site where Basta® was used as an option for controlling glyphosate resistant ryegrass (an option in Liberty® link cotton).

These two tours will have input from one of Australia’s leading scientists Dr Chris Preston, who works for Adelaide University, specialising in the science of herbicide resistance.

For further information on the Condobolin field day, contact DPI agronomist at Condobolin Ian Menz on 0427 008 472 email ian.menz@dpi.nsw.gov.au

For further information on the Merriwagga/Hillston and Barellan/Ardlethan field days, NSW DPI agronomist at Griffith Barry Haskins on 0427 007 418 barry.haskins@dpi.nsw.gov.au

As field day details are finalised information can be found on the events page, or contact Phil Bowden DPI District Agronomist 6942 4957 or 6942 3922 email philip.bowden@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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