ADVISORS and growers can increase their understanding of how herbicides work to maximise their performance on-farm with a series of events planned across SA from next month.
GRDC herbicide behaviour workshops, to be delivered by Independent Consultants Australia Network, will address the science underpinning how herbicides work.
“Participants will gain a better understanding of the key factors dictating herbicide performance and what can be done in the paddock to ensure weed control is maximised,” ICAN weed specialist Mark Congreve said.
“Weeds are one of the largest costs to grain producers and herbicide resistance is a key driver of increasing costs.
“When confronted with a range of weed problems and environmental conditions, the challenge is to optimise the results in the field.”
Mr Congreve said knowing what weeds would be controlled from applying a herbicide was relatively easy – as the information was outlined on the product label – but more challenging questions included:
- Why do herbicides perform or fail in some situations?
- Critical comments on the label. Why do they exist and how were they developed?
- How do adjuvants and water conditioning agents work? What should be used, when and why?
- How does resistance affect different herbicides? What strategies can be used as resistance emerges?
- How do residual herbicides work and what influences their breakdown?
Mr Congreve said the workshops would be customised for each location to focus on regionally important herbicides and management issues.
The small group workshops will each run for one-and-a-half days and participant numbers are limited to ensure active participation and discussion.
While the workshop content is targeted to experienced agronomists, interested growers are welcome to register.
Events will be held at:
- Wudinna – February 26-27
- Cummins – February 28- March 1
- Maitland – March 12-13
- Clare – March 14-15
More information about locations and times will be shared closer to the event.
