Known as WeedSmart Week, the event will be held December 6-7 at the Dalby Showgrounds, beginning with a forum where speakers will provide information on how WeedSmart solutions can improve broadacre crop yields in southern and central Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The program features panel sessions with growers and agronomists discussing their wins and challenges with managing weeds in commercial settings using the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics.

Program leader Jessica Strauss said early implementation of the herbicide and non-herbicide tactics that form the WeedSmart Big 6 effectively minimises the impact of herbicide resistance on farm profitability.

“The WeedSmart Big 6 tactics have been researched and demonstrated in the field so growers can confidently employ a diverse and integrated weed management program that will attack the weed seed bank and reduce the risk of herbicide resistance,” Ms Strauss said.

“WeedSmart Week events provide a unique opportunity for growers and advisors to share information and experience to solve real-world weed problems.”

The second day will include a machinery expo and farm tour with prominent growers of the Western Downs region showcasing their farms and sharing their innovative weed control methods.

The growers, agronomists and researchers speaking and participating in expert panels at the Day 1 forum will spark important discussions about crop competition, the role of residual herbicides, new spray-application technologies and harvest weed-seed control options for northern cropping systems.

Topics covered will include mixing and rotating herbicide modes of action as an essential and potentially complex tactic that requires a good understanding of the available chemistries and their best fit in the crop rotation.

Day 2 will begin with the machinery expo, where growers will speak about their experiences with the latest in spray and camera technology, autonomy, impact mills and other mechanical weed-control tools. at

The expo will be followed by a bus tour to visit farms in the Western Downs region.

To view the program for WeedSmart Week Dalby, click here.

GRDC support

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is a platinum supporter of WeedSmart, and its investment ensures growers have access to world-class research outcomes in strategies to mitigate weeds and control herbicide resistance.

“This will be the ninth WeedSmart Week event and is made possible through the support of the GRDC as the major sponsor and a wide range of herbicide and machinery companies, all with skin in the weed-control game.

Growers and advisors from other regions can apply for GRDC support for study tours to attend events such as WeedSmart Week. Growers that have attended previous WeedSmart Week events have returned home armed with new knowledge and heightened enthusiasm to tackle their weed problems head-on.

“We are also encouraging high school and university students to take this opportunity to better understand the mechanisms and impact of herbicide resistance.

“This knowledge is invaluable to early career advisors so they can confidently discuss and recommend both herbicide and non-herbicide options to their clients.”

Source: WeedSmart