Integrated Weed Management in Armidale, New South Wales | Higher education

Integrated Weed Management

Locality: Armidale, New South Wales

Address: University of New England 2351 Armidale, NSW, Australia

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25.01.2022 WINTER COVER CROPPING FOR WEED MANAGEMENT https://youtu.be/Hseuw8JeIck In 2018 and 2019, we worked with Ivankovich Farms in Myalup and David Grays Aglink in Perth, Western Australia, on a two-season trial to explore the effects of different winter cover crop varieties in suppressing weeds in vegetable production.... In this video, Peter Ivankovich from Ivankovich Farms and Grant Swan from David Grays Aglink discuss the positives and negatives of the various cover crop treatments included in this trial. They discuss cool season cover cropping from the weed management perspective but also with regard to some of the practicalities of growing the various treatments during the cool season in south-western Western Australia. For Peter, water availability is a limiting factor on cover cropping options. However where water is abundant, the trial indicates some preferred cover crop varieties to maximise weed suppression during the winter fallow. Providing sufficient resources to the cover crop to maximise its performance, will also maximise its weed suppression benefit. We are very grateful to Ivankovich Farms and David Grays Aglink for their generous support of this research.

24.01.2022 Interesting article from "Strip-Till Farmer" in the US, about the capacity of Cereal rye cover crops to suppress growth of the weed Amaranth. Rapid biomass accumulation is the key - a very similar finding to the winter and summer cover crop trials carried out during this project. https://www.striptillfarmer.com//3574-biomass-is-key-to-we

22.01.2022 Here's some good information about the various benefits of cover crops. Based on a summary of global findings, cover crops reduce weeds by about 40%!! They also reduce diseases (but not pest insects), improve a range of important soil functions and slightly increase yield. Pretty impressive!! From: Jian, J., Lester, B.J., Du, X., Reiter, M.S. and Stewart, R.D. 2020. A calculator to quantify cover crop effects on soil health and productivity. Soil and Tillage Research. 199: 104575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104575

17.01.2022 INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT (IWM) WEBINAR Last week, we participated in the SoilWealth/Integrated Crop Protection (SWICP2) seminar series, presenting on 'Integrated weed management a practical approach for vegetable growers'. If you were not able to attend, please watch a recording of the webinar at https://www.soilwealth.com.au//integrated-weed-management/... We look forward to taking part in the next webinar in the SWICP2 IWM series, 'Cover cropping - how can it improve integrated weed management for vegetable growers'. This webinar is scheduled for Thursday 10th December at 1pm AEDT. Visit the webinar registration page to listen in https://register.gotowebinar.com/regist/1493961834717665294 Thanks to the SWICP2 team for facilitating these webinars, and to vegetable growers for their various contributions to our research.

15.01.2022 Our first case study on effective integrated weed management is now available for download. Please visit https://www.une.edu.au//iwm-case-study-loose-leaf-lettuce- The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company (Kevan, Barry and Maureen Dobra, and farm manager Steve Allie) have had great success in reducing the weed burden in their vegetable crops through several years of diligent hand weeding, integrated with fallow herbicide application and tillage. The key to their success is minimising... the number of weeds that mature and produce seed, and this principle applies to all vegetable farms. We hope you find this case study useful, and we thank The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company team for their generous support of this project.

15.01.2022 Compost trials for vegetable production! Our friends from the Greater Sydney Local Land Services Demonstration Farm in Richmond have just published a video detailing short and long term compost trials conducted at the Farm. Watch Peter Conasch from GS LLS explain more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBgZNuyoTbs

15.01.2022 New fact sheet available at https://www.une.edu.au//iwm-case-study-schreurs-and-sons-v HOW CAN VEGETABLE GROWERS REDUCE THEIR RELIANCE ON HERBICIDES AND IMPROVE WEED MANAGEMENT AT THE SAME TIME? This was the question faced several years ago by Adam Schreurs and his team from Schreurs & Sons in Clyde, Victoria.... After noticing that the limited range of herbicides available to them were controlling weeds less effectively than in the past, Schreurs & Sons have successfully made stale seed beds before planting the crop, and inter-row cultivation within the growing crop, more important parts of their integrated weed management approach. As a result of this change, they have observed a range of benefits regarding weed impact, soil health, and farm management costs. Read the fact sheet to find out more about Adam's willingness to innovate, and the contribution this way of thinking makes to the continued success of the business. And a reminder; two videos are also available where Adam explains these changes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist

15.01.2022 The team from Soil Wealth and ICP: Community of Practice have recently completed a very interesting IWM trial in Bathurst, NSW. They have evaluated the performance of various weed management practices (conventional cultivation, inter-row cultivation, pre-emergent herbicide application and strip tillage) in a pumpkin crop, used in various combinations. Pre-emergent herbicides played a role in controlling many important weeds in the pumpkin crop, but did not suppress some speci...es. Other methods are therefore required to manage non-susceptible weeds. In the trial, weed suppression was most successful where conventional rotary hoeing (before planting) was combined with pre-emergent herbicide application and inter-row cultivation. Strip tillage combined with pre-emergent herbicide application was also satisfactory, by maintaining some ground cover and minimising soil disturbance. However, growers need to be aware of the potential for the cover crop stubble to reduce herbicide contact with weeds growing beneath the stubble. The weed burden was highest where only conventional rotary hoeing and pre-emergent herbicide was used. The team concluded that using a number of weed management techniques in a logical sequence will provide the highest level of success against a diverse weed population. With thanks to the Soil Wealth and ICP team for completing this trial! Read more at https://www.soilwealth.com.au//iwm-on-a-bathurst-pumpkin-/ ... and check out the great range of case studies and other resources available through Soil Wealth and ICP: https://www.soilwealth.com.au/

14.01.2022 About one month after commencing, UNE PhD candidate Sita Tiwari continues to monitor a pot trial where she is evaluating the ability of two cover crop treatments (Nemat and cereal rye) to suppress the growth of two weed species (fat hen and ryegrass). Early in this trial, it appears that cover crop and weed emergence time may be critical in the ability of weeds to 'get away' and compete with the cover crop. If a cover crop emerges before weeds, it seems more likely to out-com...pete with and suppress growth of these weeds. However if weeds emerge before the cover crop, they are better able to get above the cover crop canopy, grow large, and produce seed. This is particularly noticeable in the case of the weed fat hen. The broadleaf cover crop Nemat also appears to be suppressing weeds more effectively than the grass cover crop cereal rye. We are interested to see if final results support these early observations, as the cover crops and weeds continue to grow to maturity. The lessons for cover crop variety selection and timing of sowing should be very interesting!

14.01.2022 COVER CROPPING AND INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT WEBINAR Webinar recording and associated resources now available: https://www.soilwealth.com.au//integrated-weed-management/... Along with the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection team, last week we participated in a webinar on the ways in which cover cropping can contribute to IWM on vegetable farms. This included the main lessons from our trials in WA, Tas, NSW and Qld. Thanks to the Soil Wealth ICP team for hosting these webinars.

09.01.2022 SUMMER COVER CROPPING FOR WEED MANAGEMENT https://www.youtube.com/playlist In 2019 and 2020, we worked with the team from the Greater Sydney Local Land Services (GS LLS) Demonstration Farm in the Richmond Lowlands, New South Wales, on a two-season trial to explore the effects of different cover crops in suppressing weeds in vegetable production.... In this two part video series, Mario Muscat and Peter Conasch from the GS LLS Demonstration Farm discuss the positives and negatives of the various cover crop treatments from the weed and farm management perspective, and the role of the Demonstration Farm in extending novel management practices to vegetable growers. We are grateful to Peter Conasch, Mario Muscat and Nikki McGrath from GS LLS for their support in producing this video, and sharing their story.

07.01.2022 We've just published a weed management guide for blackberry nightshade. Check it out at: https://www.une.edu.au//une-weeds-blackberry-nightshade.pdf Blackberry nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is an annual and sometimes perennial herbaceous plant, growing from 0.1 m to 1 m in height.... Compared to most other important broadleaf weeds in vegetable production, many of its important impacts come from the fleshy fruit, which is initially green and then turns purple-black when ripe. These impacts can include staining of the crop, 'gluing' soil and crop plant parts together during harvest due to the high level of moisture it contains, and being difficult to distinguish from peas during harvesting and processing. Blackberry nightshade grows quickly and produces large quantities of seed which remain dormant in the soil for many years under ideal conditions. Dense infestations in vegetable crops will compete for light and resources, and reduce crop yield. We hope this brochure provides some ideas to help improve management of this weed on your farm.

05.01.2022 Check out this brilliant clip of terminating buckwheat using a crimp roller by VegNet Tasmania! Buckwheat is also an effective cover crop for weed suppression if grown in the right conditions, given its ability to germinate and grow quickly, and the high level of biomass produced.

04.01.2022 WHAT DO WEEDS COST AUSTRALIAN VEGETABLE GROWERS? In 2019, we completed a case study assessment of the farm-level impacts of weeds in vegetable production. You can read the full report at https://www.une.edu.au//315241/Economics-report-VG15070.pdf... The economic impact of weeds was assessed on 19 vegetable farms in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. Each case focused on a specific vegetable crop, and four organic farms were included in the case studies. The direct costs of managing weeds and their estimated economic impact on crop yield and quality were included in the evaluation. Across the 19 farms, the weighted average reduction in operating profit due to weeds was $2,090 per hectare, comprising $1,403 per hectare net costs added due to weeds, and $687 per hectare revenue lost due to weeds. The reduction in operating profit due to weeds on organic farms was approximately six times higher than in conventional (herbicide-focused) management systems. A range of specific innovative weed control practices were also evaluated in 16 cases, including cover cropping and biofumigation, diligent hand weeding to reduce the weed seed bank over time, thermal weed control, stale seed beds, and inter-row tillage. The per-hectare impact of adopting the innovative weed control practices on whole farm operating profit ranged from -$5,586 to $152,199. The impact was negative (reduced profit) in six of the evaluations, but positive (increased profit) for the other ten. In many cases where the impact was negative, a range of benefits outside of weed control were noted but could not be valued. The economic impact of these practices might be positive for the farm overall, if all benefits could be accounted for.

04.01.2022 MANAGING WILD RADISH New management guide available at https://www.une.edu.au//0/350249/une-weeds-wild-radish.pdf Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is an important cool season weed of Australian vegetable production.... It is highly competitive with winter crops in particular for resources, and can host a variety of insect pests and crop diseases that are especially relevant to brassica crops. Populations of this weed resistant to several herbicide mode of action groups have been found in broadacre crops in Australia. Herbicide-resistant wild radish populations are likely to exist in vegetable fields as well. Integrated management of wild radish, including a variety of herbicide and non-herbicide approaches, is therefore becoming increasingly important. We hope this brochure provides you with some new ideas for managing wild radish on your farm.

04.01.2022 UNE PhD candidate Sita Tiwari has just commenced a glasshouse pot trial to evaluate the ability of two cover crops (Nemat and cereal rye) to suppress the growth and seed production of two weed species (fat hen and annual ryegrass). This effect is being tested in circumstances where weeds germinate before, at the same time as, and after the cover crop treatments. The objective is to test the effect of cover crop sowing time on weed seed production within cover crops.... In a second experiment, the allelopathic effect of these cover crops on weed germination and growth will also be evaluated, by applying cover crop extracts to soils in which these weeds are growing. Understanding more about how these two cover crops may suppress weed seed production in glasshouse conditions will provide important supporting data on their performance in our field trials in NSW and WA. We will provide more updates over the coming weeks.

03.01.2022 Although this is about grain cropping, there are some relevant general principles for integrated weed management https://www.diversityera.com/courses/crop-competition-101

01.01.2022 COVER CROPS FOR VEGETABLE GROWERS https://www.soilwealth.com.au//Covercroptableposter_WEB03_ We can't recommend this new resource highly enough!... The Soil Wealth and ICP: Community of Practice team have recently released a cover crop selection poster. This poster provides a great starting point for vegetable growers wanting to know which cover crop variety will best suit their circumstances and management goals. Learn about the relative benefits of different cover crop varieties for weed suppression, soil nutrition, improvement and protection, and biofumigation. The poster also summarises the most suitable conditions (climate and soil type) for each cover crop variety, sowing recommendations, and time to establish. With thanks to the Soil Wealth ICP team for this brilliant initiative.