Tuesday 05 November 2024, at 05:00 PM ACT local time
Enquiry deadline:
Tuesday 29 October 2024, at 05:00 PM ACT local time
Summary
Flannel bush and wild tomato, both native Solanum species, are increasingly impacting mixed livestock operations and continuous croppers in the low-rainfall region north of Geraldton. These thorny, woody shrubs, characterised by thick, hairy leaves, spread primarily through root fragments. In continuous cropping systems, including canola and lupins, these weeds are well-managed. However, they proliferate quickly when paddocks revert to pasture or fallow and are not effectively controlled during the cereal phase of the farming system. The challenge for growers, particularly in a drying climate, is that they often rely on a fallow-cereal rotation, with opportunistic planting of canola or legumes when conditions allow. This approach has contributed to the spread and persistence of these weeds.
Farmers dealing with flannel bush and wild tomato have tried various herbicide and adjuvant combinations with limited success, as the weeds tend to regrow even after significant brownout from herbicide application. Anecdotal evidence suggests that mechanical control methods (i.e. Kelly chains etc) may help manage this weed, but these approaches have not yet been scientifically tested or documented. Growers are seeking effective management strategies to control these persistent weeds.
Offer period
Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.
Document contact and enquiries
Attention: Laura Baugh Grains Research and Development Corporation Email: western@grdc.com.au
Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 29 October 2024.
GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.
Flannel bush and wild tomato, both native Solanum species, are increasingly impacting mixed livestock systems and continuous croppers in the low-rainfall region north of Geraldton. These thorny, woody shrubs, characterised by thick, hairy leaves, primarily spread through root fragments and pose a significant challenge. While effectively managed in canola and lupin crops, their rapid spread during fallow phases and poor control in cereals have contributed to their persistence. In a drying climate, reliance on a fallow-cereal rotation with opportunistic planting of canola or legumes has further exacerbated the issue for growers. Key challenges include:
Despite industry/grower led trials with herbicide combinations, flannel bush and wild tomato regrow post-treatment. Residual herbicides may be needed for long-term control, although their use is limited by crop rotation restrictions.
Strategies like burning (more effective for wild tomato) are often avoided for environmental reasons. Mechanical soil manipulation and the use of Kelly chains have shown mixed results, with some success in uprooting the weed.
Little is known about the best management timing for these weeds, complicating control efforts.
While some success has been achieved with high-rate Garlon x diesel mixes, reshooting remains a persistent issue, and the effectiveness of various herbicide options is uncertain. Growers are urgently seeking a sustainable management strategy to control these weeds in the medium and long term, including potential plant-back losses if control can be achieved over a longer period.
This investment seeks to bridge that gap by providing growers with a clearer understanding of the most effective management strategies. It aims to investigate both mechanical and chemical control that can successfully manage these Solanum species, particularly in fallow phases and wheat.
By April 2027, growers in the northern agricultural region of Western Australian will have improved knowledge and strategies on how to successfully manage flannel bush and wild tomato in their farming system.
By 2027, conduct a series of field trials showcasing and expanding on growers’ knowledge for refined agronomic strategies to effectively manage flannel bush and/or wild tomato (Solanum spp.) in their farming system
Details:
Over two seasons, 2 trials/annum at most will be conducted to demonstrate management strategies for solanum spp.
Trials will encompass mechanical and chemical practices for management of these weeds in fallow, and a combination of chemical and agronomic practices in cereal crops
Herbicide treatments/protocols will be developed to ensure use patterns are registered. Any additional ‘off-label’ treatments can be considered after consultation and approval of the GRDC project manager and GRDC Manager of Chemical Regulation
Assessments will encompass crop safety, effects on weed populations, crop yields, crop biomass.
Output 2
By 2026, conduct pot trials to evaluate herbicide options, optimising rates, timing, and adjuvant selection, determined in consultation with affected growers and advisers, to enhance control of Solanum species.
Details:
Over one season, conduct a series of pot trials screening prioritised herbicide options
Prior to the commencement of the trials, impacted growers and advisers will be consulted to gather input to determine herbicide options, application techniques and local challenges in controlling these Solanum spp.
Assessments of weed control efficacy will be conducted at multiple intervals, including both pre- and post-application, with recorded weed growth stages. Data collected will include weed injury/mortality, biomass reduction, and overall treatment performance.
Final herbicide treatments/protocols will be developed with consultation and approval of the GRDC project manager and GRDC Manager of Chemical Regulation
Output 3
By 2027, delivery of extension/communication activities targeted at growers to increase understanding of improved strategies for the control of Solanum species in the Northern Agricultural Region of WA.
Details:
In 2025 and annually thereafter develop a Communications and Extension plan – in consultation with GRDC Investment Manager and GRDC Communications.
The Communications and Extension content must encompass:
Conducting field walks at trial sites
Creating written content targeted at growers and advisers, with publication ensured through various GRDC platforms (i.e. GroundCover, WeedSmart etc)
Readiness to share and present this information during GRDC Research Updates and events as requested.
GRDC will contract under the terms of the Services Contract.
The schedule(s) attached to the contract will detail the project details: the outcomes, outputs, milestones, budget, participating personnel and required intellectual property.
The template contract containing the proposed Terms and Conditions is available on the Application resources page on the GRDC website.
It is anticipated that any resultant contract in relation to this procurement will commence with a proposed term of 18 months.
The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process:
The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners
The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate.
The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim.
The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The following are the mandatory content and format requirements that the Tenderer must complete and provide to participate in this procurement process:
In the table below are the Evaluation Criteria that the Tender Evaluation Team will use to assess the value for money of all Tenders.
No
Type
Weighting
1
A detailed plan to deliver the investment outcome and outputs, specifying the: - specific information, products and/or services to be delivered
key tasks/milestones, responsible parties and indicative timeframes
project team structure and management arrangements, including collaborations with organisations, commercial companies and/or other projects with relevant data.
60%
2
Evidence of the ability and experience to deliver similar investment outcomes and outputs, including details of previous relevant project/s where the organisation has:
met contractual obligations
managed and designed experiments
managed sub-contractors
collaborated with relevant organisations and industry (national and/or international) to build on the work already undertaken in this area - achieved impact.
Note: include details of the impact.
40%
2
Price - The tendered budget.
N/A
3
Risk - Risks inherent in the application including the degree of compliance with the draft contract and any actual or perceived conflict of interest.
N/A
4
Australian economy - The economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian economy.
