Keeping glyphosate off-the-ropes in the Esperance Port Zone (Condingup)

Random glyphosate resistance surveys detect levels between 2-4% of samples as resistant while those submitted by agronomists and farmers regularly show resistance in 25% of samples. Polls on Twitter tend to show even higher levels of resistance on participants’ farms.

Currently there are 17 glyphosate resistant weed species in Australia and this is set increase along with the incidence of paraquat resistance resulting its increased use. Cases of resistance to multiple modes of action are also increasing.

The Esperance port zone has a higher incidence of summer rain than most areas of southern Western Australia. Additional summer rain means more spraying. This has the potential to increase incidence and severity of glyphosate resistance without weed management plans in place that counter the resistance development. It is imperative that Esperance growers understand the threats being faced with the potential loss of cheap and effective herbicides and learn management techniques and tools to achieve long-term effective weed control.

Topics include:

• Pesticide residues in grain in the Esperance Port Zone
• Resistance status around Esperance / world for the local species, or their close relatives
• Review of resistance mechanisms
• Resistance testing – why, how and where?
• Summer fallow management alternatives by major weed
• Double knocking during summer – making it work
• Crop-topping – glyphosate alternatives by crop
• An update of alternative / new technologies - non-chemical control methods, weed seeker, microwave, flame, steam etc.