Local farmers are being encouraged to have their input into a strategy to better understand future weed control needs in low-rainfall zones.
The survey is part of a three-year GRDC-funded project that is investigating alternatives to chemical herbicides, including cover cropping, row spacing and direction, the use of chaff carts, and narrow windrow burning.
The five-minute online survey asks a range of questions about current and future weed control measures, seeding systems and crop types.
BCG research officer Kelly Angel, who is managing trials being carried out for the project in the Mallee region, said that survey is a chance for farmers to ensure that research and development is undertaken in line with grower needs.
“Survey data will provide us with a baseline understanding of current weed management strategies, which we’ll compare with information from a future survey,” she said.
“It also provides a valuable information to influence future research decisions in herbicide management”.
The survey can be accessed and completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SLVB7MV. Data gathered as part of the survey process is stored confidentially, with results to be compiled and analysed as a group.
The Overdependence on AgroChemicals initiative is being managed by Central West Farming Systems, with trials carried out by Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), EPARF, Upper North Farming Systems and Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF).
Overdependence on AgroChemicals is funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), project number CWF00020.
