Herbicide Resistance Field Day

Herbicide resistance is an issue of growing concern in the Wimmera Mallee with resistant weed populations, particularly ryegrass on the increase. The challenge for farmers and industry is to develop long-term strategies to deal with and prevent herbicide resistance in our farming systems. BCG is hosting a Herbicide Resistance Field Day on Wednesday 1^st October that will visit two trial sites that are investigating available options and practical ways to combat herbicide resistance.

Farmers at the 2007 Members Field Day at the Herbicide Resistance Trial at Jil Jil.

The day will commence at 9am at a Dodgshun Medlin trial site near Berriwillock. The site has 70% ryegrass resistance to trifluralin as tested by Peter Boutsalis at the end of 2007. The group will then travel to the second site, BCG’s Group A Herbicide Resistant trial site located at Jil Jil. There will be a trial tour and discussion session at each site conducted by some great guest speakers which include Dr Michael Walsh (WA Herbicide Resistant Initiative), Matthew Witney (Dodgshun Medlin), Gerard Bardell and Mark Slatter (Nurfarm) and Simon Craig (BCG research agronomist).

The speakers will discuss what trials are being conducted, how resistance develops, the importance of getting seeds tested for resistance, new chemistries available and what some viable options are for managing or combating herbicide resistance. At the conclusion of the trial tours, the group will travel to Ian McClelland’s home for a BBQ lunch at his wildlife pond.

When:	Wednesday 1 October 2008
Where:	Dodgshun Medlin Trial Site (followed by BCG trial site at Jil Jil)
Time:	9am sharp
Directions:	Travel south from Berriwillock along the Birchip-Berriwillock Road 1km from the town turn right into Godwin Road Continue along Godwin Road for approximately 8km The trial site is located on the left hand side of the road (there is a large channel in the paddock next to the plots)
Cost:	BCG members FREE $20 for non members

Click here to download a copy of the BCG publication Herbicide Resistance Manual.

For more information contact BCG on 03 5492 2787.