Accurately identifying weeds is a key part of effective management - and now a handy new resource from the GRDC could help make the task easier for growers and agronomists.
The Corporation recently released its first comprehensive 'Common Weeds of Grain Cropping: The Ute Guide' - available as a hard copy or digital manual - covering most key weeds impacting farming systems across Australia.
This national version replaces the former regional and seasonal weed ute guides.
GRDC Manager Weeds, Dr Jason Emms, says the new and improved national guide was developed in response to calls from industry for a practical, easy-to-access tool for weed identification in the paddock.
"Weed management is one of the toughest challenges facing Australian growers and costs them an estimated $3.3 billion every year," he says.
What's out there this year?
Dr Emms says correct identification of weed species is critical for effective management and the new guide aims to help support those working in the paddock.
"This time, we have opted for a comprehensive national guide due to the capacity of weeds to evolve, adapt and move into new geographic locations - and because many weeds are no longer just summer or winter problems," he says.
Weed management is one of the toughest challenges facing Australian growers and costs them an estimated $3.3 billion every year.
Guide features
Dr Emms says the new ute guide is a larger format and includes descriptions and images of weed species through a range of growth stages.
"This guide is designed for relatively rapid weed identification in the paddock," he says.
"We tried to select more than 120 of the most common weeds in Australian cropping systems.
"Obviously, it is impossible to include all weeds in a single publication."
Dr Emms says in response to feedback from industry, GRDC made sure there were print versions of the ute guide available.
"So in areas with connectivity challenges, growers and their advisers can keep a copy in their vehicles," he says.
"To ensure the guide is also very practical, we have made a point of putting weed species that are closely related and difficult to physically distinguish on the same page, such as: hairy panic (Panicum effusum); Hillman's panic grass (Panicum hillmanii); and witch grass (Panicum capillare)."
Dr Emms says the guide is intended solely as an identification tool.
He says for weed control and management information, growers should contact their local adviser or refer to the GRDC manual 'Integrated Weed Management in Australian Cropping Systems'.
Where to get the guide
Growers, advisers, students and researchers can order copies of the 'Common Weeds of Grain Cropping: The Ute Guide' free of charge - although there are standard postage and handling charges of $10 per copy.
Where more than one copy, or bulk quantities are ordered, the postage and handling cost will reflect the weight of the order.
GRDC Research Codes ARN00003; COR1909-005SAX; and HEU1909-001SAX
More Information: To order copies of the ute guide free-call 1800 11 00 44 or email: ground-cover-direct@canprint.com.au and quote GRDC Order Code- GRDC1331.