Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text!

In this episode of Regional Update we're joined by Paul "Chippa" Ackland, senior agronomist at Central Ag Solutions in Arthurton SA. Following a very hot summer, some much needed March rain has brought out ryegrass and cape weed germination on the Yorke Peninsula.

Paul notes that resistance in milk thistle, wild vetch and tares is a particular issue for the region. While he's been impressed by growers' uptake of harvest weed seed mills, he'd also encourage farmers to consider all of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategies, including diverse crop rotations and increasing sowing rates.

We end with a reminder to check on your mates, especially in these challenging times.

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'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.

Resources:

VICCHEM Free Water Quality Test

GRDC Spray water Quality Factsheet

Upcoming GRDC Herbicide Behaviour Workshops

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 u

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