• High rates of applied N increased plant height and leaf area. Multispectral imaging using an unmanned aerial vehicle clearly showed thermal, infrared and NVDI differences between N treatments.
• Grain yield of barley following perennial ryegrass increased with applied N, most likely as N was tied up in stubbles at the start of the season and unavailable for plant growth.
• WUE estimated by computer modelling was high (approx. 20 kg/ha.mm) and similar to the potential for wheat grown in Tasmania. However, grain yield and WUE of barley following forage rape was unresponsive to applied N.

• Glyphosate at either 1.0 or 1.5L/ha applied at the flowering stage of ryegrass was very effective in reducing the viability of seed set.
• Herbicides applied to barley at the soft or firm dough stage of grain fill did not reduce individual grain weight, grain viability or early plant vigour.

• Glyphosate and glufosinate applied to flowering annual ryegrass give better control compared to later applications. While paraquat and diquat can be applied later.
• Paraquat 0.8L/ha or glyphosate 2.0L/ha applied to flowering ryegrass gave over 90% control of viable seed set per head.
• Glyphosate at 1.0L/ha or glufosinate above 2.0L/ha gave more than 65% control of ryegrass seed heads.
• Herbicides applied to barley at the soft or firm dough stage of grain fill did not reduce grain number, weight or viability.

• All herbicide treatments reduced grain yield by 13% in TOS 1 and at least 8% in TOS 2.
• Glyphosate (540 g/L) at 3.0L/ha was the only treatment to significantly reduce germination, down to 7% at TOS 1 and 88% at TOS 2.
• For each application timing glyphosate (540 g/L), glufosinate (200g/L) and paraquat (250g/L) significantly reduced the germination percentage of ryegrass.

• Crop topping provides an excellent strategy to control escapee or resistant weeds in field pea
  crops.
• Yield can be severely penalised if crop topping occurs too early.
• Correct variety choice and careful timing of crop topping is essential
• Varieties should be selected to achieve maximum yield simultaneously with maximum weed
  control.
• Ontime spraying achieved excellent weed control as annual ryegrass and wild oats were at
  the flowering stage.

• Crop topping at the recommended time of application (ryegrass milky dough) resulted in no yield loss for any genotype.

• The dry and hot November in 2009 led to early senescence of pulse varieties and reduced
  grain yields in later maturing varieties. Many responses to the crop-topping treatments may
  have been masked by this rapid senescence eg Almaz and GenesisTM114 chickpeas.
• Some surprising results were observed in 2009, which may be due to either genetic
  responses or responses to rapid finish to the season eg forage pea grain weights.
• Field peas and Faba beans generally showed no yield loss at the recommended timing for
  crop-topping of ryegrass in 2009. Lentils and chickpeas showed significantly higher yield
  losses from crop-topping, averaging 15 and 21% yield losses respectively at this timing.
• The large biomass, mid-late maturing lentil Boomer also showed a yield loss when croptopped later than recommended for ryegrass control. These results indicate poor suitability of some lines to this agronomic practice.
• Early maturing lentil and chickpea lines showed yield losses from this practice at the
  recommended timing. This demonstrates the difficulty in employing this weed control
  technique in these crop types.
• The early crop topping treatment reduced grain yields of most pulse varieties. Field peas
  OZP0602 and Yarrum at Turretfield, and the Faba bean AFO3001 showed no difference in
  grain yield at the early cop-top timing and the nil, indicating good suitability to this practice.

• The wet season finish in 2010 favoured chickpea production, however this made timely
  weed control through crop-topping very destructive.
• There was little varietal response from crop-topping in 2010.
• All varieties showed reduced yield when crop-topped at or before the recommended timing
  for optimum ryegrass control (milky dough stage).
• Crop-topping 2 weeks after the recommended timing was the only timing considered “safe”
  for chickpeas in 2010, with only one variety showing reduced grain yield and one variety
  having reduced grain weight.
• These results emphasise the difficulty in employing this weed control method in chickpea.

• The wet and late finish to the 2010 season meant that early crop-topping was very detrimental to yield of all lentil varieties
• Later maturing lentil varieties also showed a yield penalty from crop-topping at the recommended timing (ryegrass milky dough stage).
• CIPAL0501 was the most sensitive variety to crop-topping, showing a reduction in yield from crop-topping at all three timings. This variety also has the latest maturity in this trial.
• The early crop topping treatment reduced grain yields of most pulse varieties, while the late
  crop-top timing had no effect on grain weight.

• There was no significant difference between sowing systems or level of nutrition on grain yield but higher grain yield at the higher nitrogen rate.
• Levels of brome grass were higher under the early sowing no-till plots and annual ryegrass was lower in the disc system.

• There was no significant difference between sowing systems or level of nutrition on grain yield.
• Levels of brome grass were higher under the early sowing no-till plots and annual ryegrass was lower in the disc system.
• There is very little difference in long term gross margin between seeding system or level of nutrition.

• Dry and hot spring conditions led to poor pod set and early senescence of faba bean varieties in 2007. Grain yields of earlier maturing varieties were higher than those of later maturing types.
• There was no significant interaction between crop topping timing treatment and variety
  performance for grain yield as late varieties were lower yielding in all treatments, including
  the nil treatment due to the dry seasonal conditions.
• Generally earlier maturing varieties incurred lower levels of grain yield loss than later
  maturing varieties when crop topped at the appropriate stage for effective ryegrass control.
  However this difference was not significant in the 2007 trial.
• The concept trial methodology for evaluating relative yield loss due to various crop timings
  was found to be sound and will be repeated in 2008, although trial layout changes will be
  made to improve spraying logistics. A very early timing treatment will be added to assess
  the extremes of yield loss potential in all varieties and detailed flowering and maturity
  scores will be taken. Field pea, lentil and chickpea varieties will also be evaluated.

• Ryegrass numbers were lowest in a minimum tillage and direct drill situation.
• Pre-sowing herbicide application with trifluralin and Avadex type products all reduced ryegrass number compared to the control, however, none of the treatment were commercially acceptable.
• Herbicide options based on trifluralin or Avadex are an additional tool in the battle with resistance ryegrass.

• In 2019 the IMI system had the lowest barley grass plant numbers.
• The Cultural Control strategy did not achieve the desired outcome of having a more even seed spread and increased competition in the inter row for barley grass weed control.
• The medic pasture produced low dry matter compared to the cereal systems, had the highest barley grass population and the lowest competitive ability with the barley grass.
• The loss of Group A herbicides to control barley grass within local pasture systems has the potential to change rotations and decrease farm profitability.

• In 2019 the IMI system had the lowest barley grass plant numbers.
• The Cultural Control strategy did not achieve the desired outcome of having a more even seed spread and increased competition in interrow row for barley grass weed control.
• The medic pasture produced low dry matter compared to the cereal systems, had the highest barley grass population, and the lowest competitive ability with the barley grass. 
• The loss of Group A herbicides to control barley grass within local pasture systems has the potential to change rotations and decrease farm profitability.

 

• Early and on time desiccation resulted in large yield losses.
• Early and on time desiccation resulted in large reductions in seed size, but not to the same
  degree as yield.
• What were the reasons (other than reduced seed size) that contributed to these yield
  losses? Was ‘pinched’ seed lost through the header at harvest?
• Yield losses were bigger in the later flowering variety Kaspa.
• Need to more closely fine-tune growth stages with physiological maturity to pick the “on
  time” desiccation spray.
• Oura and Pearl were early and the pick of varieties suited to crop-topping & desiccation.

Individual live‐weight gains were highest at the lower stocking rates, but income per hectare was considerably greater at the higher stocking rates with income over $1000/ha at rates of 40 and 50 lambs/ha. Grain yields tended to be higher for the lowest stocking rate but it is likely this was largely due to increased populations of ryegrass with higher grazing pressure.

• High levels of herbicide resistance are present in annual ryegrass in South Australia and Victoria.
• Trifluralin resistance is high in South Australia, but lower elsewhere.
• There is no cross resistance to the new pre-emergent herbicides Boxer Gold and Bay 191.

• High levels of herbicide resistance are present in annual ryegrass in SA and Victoria.
• Trifluralin resistance is high in SA, but lower elsewhere.
• There is no cross resistance to the new per-emergent herbicides Boxer Gold and BAY-191.
• Trifluralin must be conserved because the new pre-emergenet herbicides are not selective in canola.

When UAN was used as a carrier at 60L/ha (with added water at 20L/ha to make the total spray volume up to 80L/ha) there was a significant increase in efficacy on ryegrass control.

• Dry sowing before the break limits the possibility of broad spectrum herbicide control of early germinating weeds.
• Annual ryegrass is very competitive if it emerges before or with the crop. Delaying sowing until the first flush of weed seedlings have emerged to allow an effective knockdown with a broad spectrum herbicide is pivotal when sowing into paddocks with a high ryegrass seed bank
• The seed rate and consequently the plant density will most likely not create conditions where the rapid early growth of Revenue will out compete the germinating ryegrass. In this case, the density of plants does not play a significant role in the outcome of weed suppression.
• Application of IBS herbicides (Sakura, Avadex Xtra) lose weed kill effectiveness with extended periods of hot weather and minimal rainfall.

 

• The dry sowing treatment had lower crop establishment in all treatments compared to sowing into moist soil.
• No additional herbicide was found in the row after rain for the dry time of sowing.
• For the moist soil sowing treatment there was a greater concentration of herbicide in the inter-row as indicated by the reduced growth of ryegrass.

• Fathom barley was more competitive than Hindmarsh barley, bread wheat and durum
• New durum variety Tjilkuri was no more competitive with ARG than older variety Tamaroi
• Increasing seeding rate reduced ARG head density and increased grain yields in all durum varieties; low seeding rates led to large numbers of ryegrass heads
• Narrower row spacing increased yield and reduced ARG head density in durum
• Early applied N improved early vigour, and reduced ARG head densities, but led to yield penalties due to induced moisture stress

• Hyperno (3.44 t/ha) and WID802 (3.50 t/ha) were the highest yielding durum varieties in this trial at Hart.
• Nitrogen application timing did not influence grain yield at Hart in 2009.
• Durum grain yield was reduced by 17% in the presence of ryegrass.
• Grazing in the absence of ryegrass increased durum grain yield.

• The presence of ryegrass reduced grain yields by 25%.
• Reduced sowing rates did not affect the grain yield or quality of new or standard durum varieties.
• A split application of nitrogen at GS31 and GS37 produced a significantly higher yield, 1.3t/ha.
• Growth regulants did not improve grain yield.

• Delayed sowing provided no advantage over early sowing in reducing ryegrass plant or head number.
• In two out of three seasons, later sown crops were lower yielding and did not provide as good crop competition allowing ryegrass head number to increase.
• Sowing time had no effect on the performance of pre-emergent herbicides for ryegrass control.

• The early break to the 2015 season meant soil moisture and rainfall conditions were similar between ToS 1 and 2 and there was little variation in annual ryegrass control among preemergent herbicides tested.
• Grain yield and quality were not affected by pre-emergent herbicide; however, there was a 0.7 t/ha yield penalty for the later ToS.
• Over two seasons of research ryegrass seed set was greater when sowing was delayed.

The early break to the 2014 season meant soil moisture and rainfall conditions were similar between ToS 1 and 2 and there was little variation in annual ryegrass control among pre-emergent herbicides tested. Grain yield and quality were not affected by pre-emergent herbicide however, there was a 1.22 t/ha yield penalty for the later ToS

• Harvest dates for the ryegrass trials were 22 September and 3 November 2011, while the harvest date for the legume trial was 2-3 November. Harvest date in 2012 was 2 October.
• Little growth occurred after this due to dry conditions.

• Harvest dates for the ryegrass trials were 22 September and 3 November 2011, while the harvest date for the legume trial was 2-3 November. Harvest date in 2012 was 2 October.
• Little growth occurred after this due to dry conditions.

A field trial was undertaken at Minnipa in 2020 to investigate combinations of wheat seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 2012 ± 461 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by herbicide treatment (P=0.008). Boxer Gold and Sakura + Avadex controlled ARG plant density by 63% and 70% respectively. Consistent with the trends observed for ARG spike density, ARG seed production was also significantly influenced by herbicide treatments (P<0.001) and while not significant there was a trend towards suppression of ARG seed production when wheat seed rate was increased (P=0.096). When averaged across all the seed rate treatments, the untreated control produced 13,155 ARG seeds/m2. The Boxer Gold treatment reduced ARG seed set by 69% to 4,018 ARG seeds/m2, while the Sakura + Avadex treatment reduced it by 70% to 3,849 ARG seeds/m2. Such high ARG seed set even when using pre-emergent herbicides highlights the importance of an integrated weed management strategy that incorporates diverse crop options such as hay and includes other cultural methods such as harvest weed seed collection and improved crop competitiveness. Consistent with the level of ARG control, herbicide treatments had a significant effect on wheat grain yield with Boxer Gold (1.869 t/ha) and Sakura + Avadex (1.871 t/ha) both increasing grain yield by 35% compared to the control (1.384 t/ha).

• There was no effect of a two-week delay in sowing (P=0.672) on in-crop ryegrass plant density with 390 plants/m2 in TOS 1 and 401 plants/m2 in TOS 2. The combination of dry autumn and high seed dormancy in this ryegrass population is likely to be the reason for the lack of sowing time effect on weed density.
• Combinations of pre- and post-emergent clethodim or clethodim + Factor failed to reduce ryegrass plant density below 200 plants/m2. Such a high level of ryegrass plant survival is likely to be related to the presence of a high level of group A/1 resistance in this population of ryegrass.
• Ryegrass seed production was significantly affected by canola sowing time (P<0.001) with TOS 1 producing 35,757 seeds/m2 as compared to 49,368 seeds/m2 in TOS 2. Greater seed production with delayed crop sowing is likely to be the result of reduced competitive ability of canola with weeds when sown later.
• Superior early crop vigour in Trophy was reflected in 21% lower ryegrass seed set than in Bonito (37536 seeds/m2 Vs 47,589 seed/m2). Canola sown at the higher seed rate (50 seeds/m2) resulted in a denser crop canola, which reduced ryegrass seed set by 38% (32,683 Vs 52,442 seeds/m2).
• Combination of early crop sowing, higher seed rate, hybrid variety and herbicide treatments allowed canola to produce more than 2 t/ha yield at this site with a high seedbank of multiple herbicide resistant ryegrass. However, ryegrass population that survived management was able to produce up to 60,000 seeds/m2. Future management of this trial paddock would require at least 3 years of effective ryegrass management before normal crop management programs can resume.

A field trial was undertaken in 2020 to investigate the effects of sowing time, canola variety, seed rate and herbicides on annual ryegrass management at a high rainfall site in Victoria (Winchelsea). Crop establishment at this trial site was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.006) and the seed rate (P<0.001) and there was an interaction between time of sowing and seed rate (P=0.014). Crop establishment was close to half of the target density, which may have been due to dry soil conditions in TOS 1 but there may also have been some slug damage. Select and Factor herbicides provided a much higher level of ARG control in TOS 2 than in TOS 1. Evaluation of weather data for the site showed that there were 4 frost events before the application of POST herbicides on 12 June in TOS 1, including the day of herbicide application. Previous research has shown a negative effect of frost on the level of weed control provided by these herbicides. Grain yield of canola was significantly influenced by sowing time (P=0.008), variety (P<0.001), seed rate (P<0.001) and herbicide (P<0.001). There were also significant interactions between time of sowing x variety (P=0.023), sowing time x seed rate (P<0.001) and sowing time x herbicide (P<0.001). Lower grain yield in TOS 1 compared to TOS 2 (2.3 Vs 3.4 t/ha) is most likely related to significantly lower canola plant density. The average grain yield of hybrid Ignite (3.13 t/ha) was significantly greater than that of open pollinated Wahoo (2.54 t/ha). There was a strong correlation between annual ryegrass spike density from herbicide treatments and canola grain yield (R2=0.96). Sowing time x herbicide treatments that provided weaker control of ARG also produced lower grain yield and vice versa. These results show that ARG can be highly competitive with canola in high rainfall environments and all efforts need to be made to achieve good crop establishment and selection of effective herbicide strategies.

A field trial was undertaken in 2020 to investigate the effects of sowing time, canola variety, seed rate and herbicides on annual ryegrass management at a high rainfall site in South Australia (Frances). As expected, canola plant density was also significantly influenced by the seed rate (P<0.001). The lower seed rate had 26 plants/m2 as compared 52 plants/m2 in the higher seed rate. Therefore, crop seed rates selected were able to achieve the target crop density. Delayed sowing did not have any effect on in-crop ryegrass density (P=0.355). Application of pre- and post-emergent herbicide treatments resulted in a significant reduction in ARG plant density. However, there were no differences in ARG plant density between the herbicide treatments. These trends were also reflected in ARG spike density. The large amount of spikes produced by ARG in all the treatments indicates high tiller production by the plants that survived herbicide treatments as well as later emergence of ARG at this site. ARG spike production, which is the main determinant of its seed production, was significantly affected by canola variety (P=0.007). Hybrid variety Hyola 650TT was able to reduce ARG spike density by almost 50% compared to open-pollinated Wahoo. As seen with ARG spike density, canola variety had a significant effect on ARG seed set. Hybrid canola Hyola 650TT reduced ARG seed set by 73% as compared to the open-pollinated Wahoo (P=0.017). Herbicide treatments also had a significant effect (P=0.014) on ARG seed set. The treatment where Select + Factor + Atrazine were used post-emergent was the best performer with significantly lower ARG seed set than the other three treatments. Addition of Factor (butroxydim) has been shown to significantly improve control of clethodim resistant ARG populations. Canola variety selection also had a significant effect on grain yield (P<0.001). Hyola 650TT produced significantly higher grain yield than the open-pollinated Wahoo. These results clearly highlight the benefits of good early vigour of the hybrid variety for grain yield and weed suppression in this high rainfall environment.

A field trial was undertaken in 2019 to investigate combinations of faba bean sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P=0.012). The 3 week delay in seeding faba beans had no impact on ARG plant density, as shown by the similar ARG density in the simazine + trifluralin treatment. However, POST clethodim and butroxydim had much greater efficacy in the 2nd time of sowing (TOS 2) than in the TOS 1. The same trend was evident in ARG seed set when crop seeding was delayed. In the Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) treatment there was only an 8% reduction in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. However, Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) fb Clethodim had a 62% reduction in ARG seed production in TOS 2 than in TOS 1. ARG seed production was also strongly influenced by faba bean seed rate (P<0.001). The high faba bean seed rate had 43% less ARG seed set compared to the low faba bean seed rate. This result indicates that faba beans can be highly competitive with ARG at the high seed rate. Faba bean grain yield was significantly influenced by crop seed rate (P<0.001), with the high seed rate yielding 14% and 30% higher than the medium and low seed rates, respectively. Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on faba bean grain yield. When POST clethodim was applied after the Simazine + Trifluralin IBS (1.55 t/ha), faba bean grain yield improved by 43% to 2.211 t/ha. Crop yield responses to herbicides treatments were consistent with their efficacy on ARG, which highlights the sensitivity of faba bean grain yield to weed competition. This study has shown that at high plant density, faba beans can provide a significant suppression of ARG. However, faba beans were very intolerant to weeds as shown by the large yield losses. Higher seed rates, are important to both increase competitiveness of faba beans in suppressing ARG, and to also maintain grain yield. However, fungal disease management would need to be monitored and managed effectively.

• Propyzamide provided stable and effective ryegrass control at both sowing times. In contrast, simazine + Trifluralin by itself or followed by clethodim was more effective in TOS 2 than in TOS 1. It is possible superior soil moisture conditions at sowing in TOS 2 may have improved weed control in these treatments.
• Increased crop ground cover from higher faba bean seed rates reduced ryegrass growth and spike density. An increase in faba bean seed rate from 20 to 40 seeds/m2 reduced ryegrass spike density from 35 to 21 spikes/m2 (41%).
• The combination of propyzamide followed by Factor + Clethodim was able to almost eliminate ryegrass spike production (0.1 spikes/m2). Previous studies have also shown improvement in ryegrass control when Factor (butroxydim) is added to clethodim when treating clethodim resistant populations.
• Faba beans sown on 26 May produced significantly greater grain yield than the crop sown on 22 June. This is consistent with general grower experience of superior performance of faba beans when sown early.
• As ryegrass density at the trial site was low (<35 plants/m2), grain yield of faba beans in herbicide treatments ranged from 2.48 to 2.65 t/ha and was unaffected by herbicide treatments (P=0.309). These results suggest faba beans can tolerate low ryegrass densities without suffering any loss in grain yield. However, failure to effectively control low ryegrass densities can lead to large build-up in ryegrass seedbank for subsequent crops.

A field trial was undertaken near Winchelsea, VIC to investigate the effect of faba bean sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments on annual ryegrass (ARG) control. ARG plant density was unaffected by the seeding date but was significantly influenced by the herbicide treatments. The results of seed production were somewhat surprising. As expected in such a long growing season, the use of pre-emergent treatment of Simazine + Triflur X IBS was unable to provide adequate weed control and resulted in the highest ARG seed set. The results also show that the post-emergent application of Select and Factor were relatively ineffective when used in TOS 1. However, the post-emergent treatments were highly effective in TOS 2. Previous research has shown reduction in the efficacy of these herbicides under cold and frosty conditions as in this study. Crop seed rate had a significant effect on faba bean grain yield (P<0.001) but time of sowing did not influence grain yield (P=0.61). Grain yield increased significantly as seed rate increased from low (4.65 t/ha), medium (5.96 t/ha) to high seed rate (6.51 t/ha). At this high rainfall site, simply relying on pre-emergence herbicides proved inadequate. Simazine + Triflur X had a significantly lower grain yield than faba beans sprayed with a combination of pre- and post-emergence herbicides. Even though the highest ARG plant density present at the site was 33 plants/m2, it was quite competitive with the crop (P=0.01) and reduced its yield by 0.4 t/ha as compared to the treatments where Select or Select + factor were used as post-emergent treatments.

A field trial was undertaken at Washpool in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 2249 ± 284 seeds/m2. There was no evidence at this site of any reduction in ryegrass infestation in wheat by delaying sowing by three weeks between TOS 1 (77plants/m2) and TOS (74plants/m2). This result suggests the Washpool ARG population likely has a high level of seed dormancy, reducing the rate of ryegrass germination after the opening rainfall events. Herbicide treatment had a significant influence on ARG plant density (P<0.001). Boxer gold and Sakura + Avadex reduced ARG plant density by 45% and 73% from the untreated control (125 ARG plants/m2). Wheat was much more competitive against ARG when it was sown early. This was made evident by the large increase in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. When averaged across all other treatments TOS 1 produced 1634 ARG seeds/m2, which was 73% lower than 5974 ARG seeds/m2 produced in TOS 2 (P=0.013). Wheat seed rate had a significant influence on ARG seed production (P=0.005), with the high wheat seed rate supressing ARG seed production by 37% when compared to the lowest wheat seed rate (100 seeds/m2). Wheat grain yield at this site was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.001), seed rate (P=0.001), herbicide treatments (P=0.001), and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicides (P=0.011). Wheat was much more tolerant to ryegrass competition when sown early (TOS 1) as shown by the small increase in grain yield in herbicide treated plots. In contrast, there was a significant increase in wheat grain yield in herbicide treatments in TOS 2. The results of this study clearly show that delayed sowing of wheat allows for greater seed set by ryegrass and is also associated with a large yield penalty.

• Herbicide treatments had a significant (P<0.001) effect on ryegrass density. The highest ryegrass plant density was observed in Boxer Gold; other herbicide treatments provided significantly greater weed control than Boxer Gold.
• Boxer Gold treatment was also the worst performer in terms of ryegrass spike density with 223 ryegrass spikes/m2. Overwatch and Sakura + Avadex Xtra provided significantly greater suppression of ryegrass spikes than Boxer Gold. The best result was obtained where Overwatch applied before seeding was followed by Boxer Gold at 1-2 leaf stage of ryegrass.
• Boxer Gold was the lowest yielding treatment, which was consistent with its highest ryegrass spike density. Herbicide treatments that provided greater reduction in ryegrass spike density resulted in higher wheat grain yields.
• Overwatch followed by Boxer Gold was the highest yielding treatment in this trial (5.26 t/ha). The results of this trial highlight the importance of increasing the duration of herbicide activity in high rainfall areas such as Frances.

• The site mean for ARG plant density was 845 plants/m2, which is a reflection of the high seedbank. Delay in sowing from TOS 1 to TOS 2, reduced ARG plant density by 27% in the control (knockdown only). Further delay in sowing (TOS 3), reduced ARG plant density by 39%. Among herbicide treatments, Overwatch + Avadex Xtra provided the greatest reduction ARG plant density in all TOS.
• As wheat seed rate was increased from 100 to 200 seeds/m2, ARG spike density declined by 37%, which is quite similar to the previous results. Further increase in wheat seed rate had a marginal additional benefit for reducing ARG spike density.
• As wheat seed rate increased from 100 to 200 seeds/m2, ARG seed set decreased by 41%. Further increase in wheat seed rate to 300 seeds/m2 only had a small additional effect on ARG seed set.
• When only the knockdown herbicide was used to control ARG (control), wheat grain yield increased with delayed sowing, which is most likely due to improvement in ryegrass control. However when pre-emergent herbicides were used, wheat yield declined with delay in sowing. In these pre-emergent treatments, grain yield declined by >1 t/ha as crop sowing was delayed from 21 May (TOS 1) to 27 June (TOS 3).
• Yield improvements of more than 3 t/ha were achieved by combining early sowing with optimum wheat seed rate and effective pre-emergent herbicides.

A field trial was undertaken in 2020 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. Increase in wheat seed rate from 100 to 200 seeds/m2 caused a significant reduction in ARG spikes and seed set. The level of additional weed suppression from higher wheat seed rate ranged from 30-35%. As expected, both pre-emergent herbicides caused a significant reduction ARG plant density, spikes and seed production. Even though there was a general trend for Sakura to be slightly more effective than Boxer Gold, these differences were non-significant. It is somewhat disconcerting to note that even with the use of the tank mix of Sakura + Avadex Xtra, ARG was able to set more than 34,000 seeds/m2. These results highlight the need for integrating multiple weed control tactics to drive down the populations of this resilient weed. Wheat grain yield at Roseworthy ranged from 1.85 t/ha to 3.48 t/ha and with a site mean across all treatments of 2.773 t/ha. Time of sowing wheat did not have a significant effect on wheat grain yield in 2020 (P=0.168). However, wheat grain yield was significantly influenced by crop seed rate (P=0.023) and herbicide treatments (P=0.001). There was no interaction between these management factors. As seed rate increased from 100 to 200 seeds/m2, wheat grain yield steadily increased by 15%. Herbicide treatments had a highly significant (P<0.001) effect on wheat grain yield in this trial, which was not surprising considering the high ARG seedbank and weed density. Application of Boxer Gold and Sakura + Avadex Xtra increased wheat yield by 41% and 54% compared to the untreated control.

• Deep ripping to 500mm increased plant biomass, tiller numbers and ultimately yield, by 500kg/ha
• There was no significant difference in weed numbers between ripped and un-ripped treatments; however, weeds in the deep ripping treatment were bigger and had more seeds, therefore potentially a greater seed bank.
• The root lesion nematode species P. neglectus population increased over the season with a ten times higher increase in un-ripped compared to ripped soil. 

Three years after application of lime, soil pH (CaCl2) increased by 0.68–1.45 units at 0–10 cm depth, 0.20–0.47 units at 10–20 cm and 0.08–0.18 at 20–30 cm depth. • Lime reduced density of ryegrass by 42% and barley grass density by 67%, improved barley crop vigour by up to 13%, and increased barley grain yield by up to 7% in 2013. • Boxer Gold in 2013 season together with Sakura and simazine in previous seasons reduced annual ryegrass density by 96% and barley grass density by 99%, improved barley crop vigour by up to 15%, and increased barley grain yield by up to 16%. • Lime effect on efficacy of herbicides in controlling weeds was not evident.

Wheat plant density was significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.027) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The Ribbon seeder system had the highest wheat density (196 plants/m2) as compared to the knife-point system (180 plants/m2) and the Zero row spacing (177 plants/m2). Wheat plant density in the inter-row space in the Zero row spacing treatment was reduced by Treflan + Avadex and Boxer Gold. Annual ryegrass plant density was only affected by the herbicide treatments (P<0.001). Pre-emergent herbicide activity was much lower than expected (24-29% efficacy) and is likely to be due to extremely dry soil conditions at the site (decile 1 growing season). Similarly, the reduction in ryegrass spike density by the herbicides relative to the untreated control was low and ranged from 6 to 24%. There was no significant reduction in ryegrass seed production by the herbicide treatment, which was surprising because Sakura and Boxer Gold did reduce ryegrass spike density. Ryegrass was able to produce 18-20,000 seeds/m2 in different herbicide treatments, which highlights the poor efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide in dry conditions. Herbicide treatments had a significant effect on wheat grain yield with Sakura producing the highest yield (2.31 t/ha), closely followed by Boxer Gold (2.13 t/ha). Sakura and Boxer Gold treatments increased wheat grain yield by 29% and 19% compared to the untreated control, respectively.  These results show that ryegrass was quite competitive against wheat under the dry conditions experienced in 2018. The treatment of Sakura ($40/ha) increased wheat yield by 0.5 t/ha compared to the untreated control, which would have improved the gross margin by $150/ha.

Wheat plant density was significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.012). The Ribbon seeder system had the highest wheat density (171 plants/m2) as compared to the knife-point system (156 plants/m2) and the Zero row spacing (151 plants/m2). The establishment of wheat plants in the inter-row space in the Zero row spacing treatment was strongly influenced by the pre-emergent herbicide treatment (P=0.002). Trifluralin, Avadex or Boxer Gold were higher risk pre-emergent herbicides for wheat establishment, whereas Sakura appears much safer where wheat seed is placed on the soil surface in the Zero row spacing system. Annual ryegrass (ARG) plant density was not significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.513) or pre-emergent herbicide treatments (P=0.13). ARG spike density was not significantly influenced by wheat planting arrangement (P=0.185). Herbicide treatment did have a significant influence on ARG spike density (P=0.023) and ARG seed production (P=0.003). The best performing herbicide treatment of Sakura + Avadex still produced 16824 ARG seeds/m2. While this is 51% lower than the Treflan + Avadex, it will replenish the soil seedbank to a highly problematic level for the future. Wheat grain yield was significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.034) and the herbicide treatments (P=0.004). Even though the differences in wheat yield were small <10% for planting arrangement and <14% for herbicide treatments, they were statistically significant.

The herbicide treatment had a significant effect on ARG density (P<0.001) in this field trial at Minnipa. Favourable rain events in June were highly suitable for the activity of both pre-emergent herbicides investigated in this trial. Averaged across the row spacing and SBU treatments, Boxer Gold and Sakura + Avadex reduced ARG plant density by 88% and 90%, respectively. The density of ARG spikes was significantly influenced by the herbicide treatment.  Boxer Gold reduced ARG spike density by 74% compared to the untreated control, whereas Sakura + Avadex caused 85% reduction in ARG spike density. The density of ARG spikes in Sakura + Avadex were significantly lower than in the Boxer Gold treatment. ARG seed production was also significantly affected by the herbicide treatment (P<0.001) but not by wheat row spacing (P=0.272) or seed boot design (P=0.994). ARG produced 5740 seeds/m2 in the untreated control, which was reduced by 74% by Boxer Gold and 86% by the mixture of Sakura + Avadex. Presence of ARG at 190 plants/m2 in the untreated control, reduced wheat grain yield by 11% compared to Boxer Gold or 8% compared to Sakura + Avadex. However, it was still profitable to control ARG with effective herbicide treatments. Based on cash grain price of Australian Premium Wheat (APW) of $400/t in 2018, Boxer Gold would be expected to increase the gross margin by $68/ha as compared $12/ha increase for Sakura + Avadex.

• New pre-emergence herbicides provided effective control of annual ryegrass under both knife point and disc systems.
• Good crop safety was observed with preemergence herbicides under knife-points; however, herbicide damage was evident under discs and was due to shallow seeding depth.

A field trial was undertaken at Watchman in 2020 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass. The average seedbank of brome grass at the site was 2140 ± 178 seeds/m2. Delaying sowing by three weeks did not impact on barley establishment (P=0.368) and brome grass plant density (P=0.417). However, delayed sowing of barley did have a significant effect on brome panicle density (P=0.019) and it had an interaction with herbicide treatment on brome seed production (P=0.049). This lack of an effect of delayed sowing on brome plant density, compared to other brome sites indicates presence of high seed dormancy in Watchman population. Barley seed rate did not have a significant effect on brome panicle production (P=0.854), or brome seed production (P=0.392). However it did have a small, but significant impact on barley yield with a 6% increase in grain yield when barley seed rate was increased from 100 to 200 seeds/m2 (P=0.049). Increase in barley seed rate also significantly reduced barley grain contamination with brome grass seeds by 38% (P=0.049). Herbicide treatments had a significant effect on brome plant density (P<0.001), brome panicle density (P<0.001), brome seed production (P<0.001), brome grain contamination (P<0.001), and barley grain yield (P=0.023). Where IMI herbicide treatments were applied in this trial, brome grass control was improved greatly, which resulted in an increase in barley grain yield. These IMI herbicides were effective in providing high levels of brome grass control and should be considered a very useful tool in the management of brome grass. While herbicide resistance to these herbicides is common in annual ryegrass, IMI resistance in brome grass is far less common. However, over reliance on IMI herbicides should be avoided in order to preserve their activity for the future.

• There were large weed control benefits of delayed sowing of barley at Minnipa. However, when a highly effective pre-emergent herbicide was applied the benefit of delayed sowing was negligible.
• In barley a three week delay in sowing time did not significantly reduce grain yield as it did in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity and more competitive nature compared to wheat.

 

A field trial was undertaken at Minnipa in 2019 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 4168 ± 411 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P<0.001). There was a large impact of the 3 week delay in seeding barley on ARG plant density. This was particularly evident in the untreated control in which ARG density decreased from 676 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 379 plants/m2 in TOS 2. This large reduction in ARG density due to delayed sowing is most likely related to rainfall events in early May, which would have caused weed emergence. Pre-emergence herbicides had higher efficacy in TOS 2 where the density of ARG plants had been reduced by the delay in seeding. This trend held through the season in the untreated control in which ARG spike density decreased from 306 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 to 199 spikes/m2 in TOS 2. In the trifluralin treatment, ARG produced 5078 seeds/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 9192 seeds/m2 in TOS 1, a 45% reduction in ARG seed production. Unlike wheat in 2018, barley grain yield at Minnipa was not significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.644). However, seed rate (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and had a significant effect on barley grain yield. As stated earlier, there were large benefits of delayed sowing on weed control. In barley a three week delay did not significantly reduce grain yield as it had in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity than wheat.

• Three week delay in seeding barley reduced annual ryegrass (ARG) plant density by 45% in the control (knockdown only) and by 28% for the weaker Trifluralin treatment. However in the most effective herbicide treatments (Boxer Gold and Overwatch), high levels of ARG control was achieved in both TOS 1 and TOS 2.
• The interaction between sowing time and herbicide (P<0.001) was reflected in 45-50% lower ARG spike density in TOS 2 than in TOS 1 for the control and Trifluralin treatments. However, no such effect of delayed sowing was observed for the more effective treatments of Boxer Gold and Overwatch that reduced ARG spike production by 81% and 78%, irrespective of sowing time.
• Barley seed rate did have a significant effect on ARG seed production (P=0.022) with crop sown at 150 and 200 seeds/m2 having 29% and 21% lower ARG seed set than seed rate of 100 seeds/m2. It is a serious cause for concern that ARG was able to set 7705 and 8700 seeds/m2 in the most effective herbicide treatments Boxer Gold and Overwatch. These results highlight the need for growers to integrate tactics such as improved crop competitiveness and harvest weed seed control along with herbicides to achieve a decline in the seedbank of this difficult to manage weed.
• Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on barley grain yield with Trifluralin (1.99 t/ha) increasing grain yield by 16%, Overwatch (2.30 t/ha) 34% and Boxer Gold (2.33 t/ha) by 36% compared to the control (1.72 t/ha). These yield gains approximately equate to a 5:1 return on the cost of Trifluralin, a 4.5:1 return on Overwatch and a 5.8:1 return on Boxer Gold.  

Barley grain yield as significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.025), seed rate (P<0.001) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The delay of 4 weeks between the two sowing dates caused 22% (0.69 t/ha) reduction in grain yield or 25 kg/ha/day. Averaged over the two sowing dates and three seed rates, Boxer Gold treatment (2.996 t/ha) produced significantly greater barley grain yield than Treflan (2.634 t/ha) and the control (2.648 t/ha). Barley sown early (TOS 1) at high seed rate and sprayed with Boxer Gold produced 3.6 t/ha grain yield as compared to later sown crop (TOS 2) at low seed rate but treated with the same herbicide which produced 2.4 t/ha.

A field trial was undertaken at Washpool in 2020 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass (ARG). The average seedbank of ARG at the site was 1949 ± 496 seeds/m2. Time of sowing significantly influenced ARG plant density, with lower ARG plant density when seeding was delayed (P<0.001). Herbicide treatment had a significant influence on ARG plant density (P<0.001) due to 58% reduction in ARG plant density by the tank-mix of Boxer Gold and Trifluralin compared to the untreated control (155 plants/m2). Herbicide treatments also reduced ARG spike density and seed production. The mixture of Boxer Gold and Trifluralin reduced ARG spike density and seed production compared to the untreated controls by 45% and 42% respectively. ARG seed set was significantly lower in TOS 1 (18,911 seeds/m2) than in TOS 2 (30,990 seeds/m2) (P<0.001). Even though there was a higher ARG plant density in TOS 1 than TOS 2, greater competitive ability of early sown barley was able to reduce ARG spike density and seed production. Barley grain yield at this site was significantly affected by the time of sowing (P=0.014) and herbicide treatments (P=0.009). The control of ARG by the mixture of Boxer Gold and Trifluralin was reflected in barley yield improvement. The results of this study clearly showed that delayed sowing of barley can reduce ARG plant density but reduced competitive ability of the later sown crop often allows greater seed set by ryegrass that is also associated with a yield penalty.

General application of Sakura + Avadex over the whole trial site provided good control of ARG. As a result, follow-up application of Boxer Gold @ 1.5 L/ha or 2 L/ha at GS 11 (1-leaf stage) did not significantly reduce ARG plant density.  Post-emergence application of Boxer Gold at 1.5 or 2 L/ha after pre-emergence Sakura + Avadex extended the period of weed control, which reduced spike density of ARG (P=0.02). At both sowing times, increase in wheat plant density from 100 to 200 plants/m2 reduced ARG spike density by 44%. Delayed sowing at this site reduced the competitive ability of wheat against ARG. Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, ARG produced 234 spikes/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 75 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 (68% reduction in TOS 1). Additional post-emergence application of Boxer Gold significantly increased wheat grain yield (P=0.008) compared to the baseline treatment of Sakura + Avadex. Wheat yield increased by 9% or 0.4 t/ha with the additional post-emergence treatment of Boxer Gold as compared to Sakura + Avadex treatment alone. Wheat grain yield was also significantly affected by wheat seed rate (P<0.001). Wheat grain yield increased from 4.6 t/ha at the density of 100 plants/m2 to the maximum of 5.48 t/ha at the seed rate of 200 plants/m2. This yield gain of 0.9 t/ha clearly indicates that early sowing, wheat density of 200 plants/m2 and effective use of herbicides can have a large influence on the profitability of wheat in the HRZ.

Wheat grain yield at Minnipa was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.002), seed rate (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide treatments (P<0.001). Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, wheat produced grain yield of 1.67 t/ha in TOS 1 as compared to 1.06 t/ha in TOS 2. There were large benefits of delayed sowing on weed control. However, these benefits came at a significant cost in wheat grain yield.

Annual ryegrass (ARG) spike density and seed production were significantly reduced when seeding was delayed by two weeks (P=0.015 and P=0.017). This was not expected as ARG plant density was not significantly different between TOS 1 and TOS 2. Greater seed production by ARG in TOS 1 than in TOS 2 appears to be associated with good rainfall in late spring, which was used effectively by ARG but the crop was approaching physiological maturity and could not make use of increased plant available water. Crop type had a significant influence on ARG seed production with 23 to 53% lower ARG seed production in other cereals than Scepter wheat. Both ARG spike density and ARG seed production were significantly influenced by the herbicide treatment (P=0.017 and P=0.052). The new herbicide Overwatch® provided 30% greater ARG control than Boxer Gold®. Crop type also had a significant influence on grain yield (P<0.001), with barley generally yielding higher than wheat. Herbicide treatment had a significant influence on grain yield (P<0.001), where a 30% greater ARG control by Overwatch® than Boxer Gold® resulted in a 14% improvement in grain yield.

The average seedbank of ARG at the site was 3932 ± 270 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P<0.001). The delay in seeding from TOS 1 to TOS 2 (16 weeks) caused a large reduction in ARG plant density. This was particularly evident in the untreated control in which ARG density decreased from 825 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 31 plants/m2 in TOS 2 (96% reduction). This large reduction in ARG density due to delayed sowing is most likely related to an effective knockdown herbicide treatment after most ARG had emerged before TOS 2. Herbicide treatments reduced ARG plant density significantly in TOS 1, however herbicide effect on ARG plant density in TOS 2 was non-significant, possibly due to a much lower ARG density. While the delay in sowing significantly reduced ARG plant density (P<0.001), it did not significantly reduce ARG seed spikes (P=0.495). This result indicates that despite low ARG plant numbers in TOS 2, faba beans failed to compete effectively with ARG and suppress its growth. As a result, even at a relatively low density ARG was able to produce a large amount of seed for future infestations. Faba bean grain yield at Frances was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.033), seed rate (P<0.003), and herbicide treatment (P<0.001). Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, faba beans produced grain yield of 1.34 t/ha in TOS 1 as compared to 1.81 t/ha in TOS 2. Superior faba bean grain yield in TOS 2 In 2018 at Frances is most likely due to the reduction in ARG plant density.

A field trial was undertaken at Frances in 2019 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was quite low (472 ± 143 seeds/m2), which was reflected in low plant density at the site. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.037), and herbicide treatment (P=0.009). There was a 37% reduction in ARG plant density between TOS 1 (20 plants/m2) and TOS 2 (13 plants/m2). Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on ARG plant density, with Boxer Gold showing lower efficacy on ARG than Treflan and Boxer Gold + Treflan. Unlike ARG plant density, ARG spike density was not influenced by time of sowing (P=0.171). ARG spike density was significantly influenced by barley seed rate (P=0.016), herbicide treatment (P=0.01) and the interaction between TOS and herbicide treatment (P=0.019). ARG spike density was 34% and 40% lower in medium and high seed rates respectively when compared to the low seed rate. These results suggest an improvement in ARG suppression from increasing barley competiveness with increased seed rate. Barley grain yield at the site averaged 6.6 t/ha. Herbicide treatment had a small (4-6%), but significant effect (P=0.009) on grain yield with Boxer Gold < Treflan ≤ Boxer Gold + Treflan for barley yield.

Pre-emergent herbicide treatments had a significant effect on annual ryegrass (ARG) plant density (P<0.001), ARG spike density (P<0.001) and its seed production (P<0.001). Wheat seed rate on the other hand, did not have any effect on ARG spike density or ARG seed set. In this trial, the lowest target wheat density was 150 plants/m2, which appears to be adequate for providing competition with ARG. Even with the use of the best pre-emergent herbicide treatments, ARG was able to produce more than 28,000 seeds/m2. These results indicate that even with the best pre-emergent herbicides currently available, ARG seedbanks are likely to build-up after the wheat phase in problem paddocks. Therefore, integration of pre-emergent herbicides with tactics such as harvest weed seed control is extremely important. ARG was highly competitive with wheat in this trial, which was reflected in large yield increases in the effective treatments. For example, wheat yield increased by 70% (1.4 t/ha) in the Overwatch® treatment compared to the untreated control. In contrast Boxer Gold®, which had higher ARG spike density also provided a smaller increase in wheat grain yield.

Sowing into moist soil improved crop emergence compared to dry soil, but did not increase yield.

Under low and variable ryegrass pressure, herbicides did not reduce overall ryegrass density, but did reduce inter-row ryegrass density.

There was no difference in efficacy between the 1.5L/ha and 3.0L/ha of TriflurX®.

• The levels of resistance reported are from targeted problem ryegrass paddocks and are not a true indication of the area's overall resistance status.
• There is a high level of ryegrass resistance to 'fop' chemicals in these tests.

• High operational speed reduced sowing depth of both disc and tyne openers.
• Counts of unsprayed (nil) annual ryegrass were greater for the tyne machine than the disc seeder at 8km/h and 14km/h.
• Within the applied herbicide treatments herbicide efficacy was fairly high. 
• all standing stubble and poor seed placement at 8km/h and 10km/h by the tyne machine severely affected crop establishment.
• At 14km/h the discs ability to penetrate the soil was greatly reduced, impacting sowing depth.
• Barley yields were higher for the disc sown treatments than the tyne sown treatments.

• Phosphorus rates of 10 and 20 kg/ha applied in various straight, compound, coated and liquid fertiliser forms were not found to result in any significant responses in grain yield or quality.
• Results were impacted by the failure to control a population of herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass at this trial site using both pre- and post-em herbicide options, resulting in a high variability between plot measurement.

• Bambatsi Panic and Rhodes grass have good drought tolerance but maintaining a high plant density has proved difficult.
• Due to low rainfall seasons, more drought tolerant species are required on the site hence planting the saltbush alleys.
• Salinity varies over the site and therefore so does the ground cover, species composition and FOO.
• Roly-poly control can be achieved by spraying with 2,4-D Ester ad Garlon and rolling.

• Two trials were conducted to compare dry matter production and subsequent grain yield from cereal crops. In one trial four cereal crop species wheat (Mackellar), barley (Urambie), triticale (Breakwell), and oats (Bass) were compared. With a longer vegetative period, a second DM cut was able to be taken from Bass oats and consequently total DM production was significantly higher than from Mackellar which in turn produced significantly more DM than Breakwell and Urambie. Grain yield was significantly higher from Breakwell (9.4 t/ha).
• In a second trial, 7 wheat varieties and breeding lines were compared. There were statistically no differences in DM production between the wheats. The CSIRO line 95102.1 and Alberic were the highest grain producers.

Mackellar wheat showed the most potential as a dual purpose crop with the highest grain yield and DM production comparable to all other varieties except Bass. The latter produced the most fodder but the lowest grain yield. There was no significant difference in DM
production between Mackellar, Breakwell, Urambie and Franklin however there was a large difference in when this was produced. Franklin barley (and a Chinese line) were far more vigorous early whereas the later developing varieties, in particular Bass, tended to produce less DM but extra cuts ensured a higher total DM.

Like many comments for 2008, the later break and well-below average rainfall in spring, saw disappointing  ield responses. In a better season, a winter cut followed by multiple measurements in the spring, would show some more promising yields (This would also assist in reducing variance within the trial, currently at 22%). Hardier plants such as oats and ryegrass were able to produce large amounts on lower amounts of rainfall, whilst shorter season annuals legumes such as vetch and arrowleaf clover had struggled to produce bulk, before flowering and before early December rains.

• A range of cereal, grass, vetch, brassica and clover varieties were selected for their suitability in medium-high rainfall zones ina forage break in cropping rotations.
• In 2009 and 2010, specialist forage oats (Graza 51 and Graza 80) and annual ryegrass (Grassmax and Drummer) grew the largest amounts of dry matter.
• In 2009 Morava vetch grew the highest amount of dry matter for legumes, whilst in 2010 it was Zulu II arrowleaf clover.
• In 2010, the site was extremely wet, and some varieties performed better than others. If 2011 also proves to be wet, growers need to carefully select their varieties.

With increasing pressure on rotations, there are a number of forage options that can be considered;

• On higher fertility sites, with better N levels-  Annual ryegrass such as Drummer and Grassmax as well as forage cereals such as Graza 80 and 51 are an option
• Brassicas (Leafmore) should be avoided on canola stubble
• On lower N sites, Blaza Crimson Clover,  Laser Persian Clover, Zulu Arrowleaf clover and Bolta Balansa grow reasonable hay and fix Nitrogen
• Further work needs to be conducted to evaluate competition value (esp with Wimmera RG) and yield benefits to following crops.   

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options at the MFMG site at Frances.
• Drummer Annual tetraploid ryegrass (6.482t/ha DM) grew the largest amount of dry matter, followed by Graza 80 (5.491t/ha DM) and Grassmax (5.099t/ha)
• The annual clovers grew signifcantly less dry matter, with Laser Persian Clover growing (3.025t/ha DM), Zulu Arrowleaf (3.008t/ha DM) and Bolta Balansa (2.977t/ha)
• The cereal/grass based options grew more DM and offered more competition, but legume & broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in case of legumes, nitrogen fixation.
• More work required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options atthe MFMG site at Frances and Conmurra. 
• At Conmurra and Frances,the highest DM producing forages were annual ryegrass; R2 tetrapkhid annual ryegrass (12.28 t/ha DM) at Conmurra and Grassmaar Diploid annual ryegrass  (7.53 t/ha DM), primarilty due to their ability for a winter cut. 
• The best annual clovers at both Conmurra and Frances include Zulu II Arrowleaf (6.46t/ha and 3.93t/ha) and Bolta Balansa (6.27t/ha and 4.11t/ha).
• The cereal/grass based options generally grew more DM and offered more competition but legume and broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in the case of legumes, nitrogen fixation. 
• The legume and brassica varieties produce forage of a higher quality than that of cerels and grasses, which provides greater benefit to grazing animals.
• More work required to show possible yields both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Crop-topping 7-14 days prior to milky dough stage of ryegrass caused significant yield loss at all three sites, and ranged from 24% at Melton to 72% at Bool Lagoon.
• Crop-topping at the milky dough stage (MDS) of ryegrass caused significant yield loss at only one of the three sites (Bool Lagoon).

• Grain yields of beans were lower in 2012 in than previous seasons, averaging 3.6t/ha at Bool Lagoon.
• All varieties showed higher yields sown early.
• Later maturing varieties PBA Rana and PBA Kareema performed similarly to other varieties in this trial in 2012, despite the low season rainfall.
• The three earlier maturing varieties (Farah, Fiord and Nura) showed increased yield from increasing plant density, while no yield response was seen in later maturing and larger seeded varieties (PBA Rana and PBA Kareema).
• Fiord showed the most response from varying plant density across the three seasons of trials.
• Crop-topping trials showed a 9% yield loss across all varieties from crop-topping at the milky dough stage of ryegrass in 2012 and caution is required with this practice in later maturing regions. No yield loss was generated from later treatments.

Ryegrass and barley grass were the dominant weed species along fence-lines.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• New varieties of field peas are available for southern Victoria, offering a range of grain types and forage options, associated with excellent yield potential.
• Kaspa continues to perform well with new line OZP1101 consistently producing the highest yields.
• Crop topping saw a yield reduction in most varieties due to crops not being advanced enough when ryegrass was at milky dough stage.
• In 2013, a fortnightly fungicide program proved profitable to control disease in field peas (particularly black spot).
• Sowing earlier has been found to be most profitable in this region, but disease management needs to be a priority.
• Based on yields achieved where disease was managed (4.7 t/ha) peas could have achieved a net profit of approximately $1000/ha based on management costs of $370/ha and grain price at $300/t.
   

• Clethodim sprayed with medium droplets provided better control of annual ryegrass (ARG) than very coarse droplets when at the 4 leaf growth stage of the weed
• Clethodim effectively controlled ARG at mid-tiller and late-tiller growth stage, irrespective of nozzle type
• Delaying spraying until ARG is at late-tiller stage may compromise canola yield 

The double incorporation of trifluralin method is designed to minimise the number of ryegrass that emerge from the edge of the furrow wall. However, there was no effect of incorporation with rolling harrows, or the snake chian on ryegrass density in the furrow of this trial.

• The ability to capture barley grass seeds at harvest is limited.
• If seed can be captured and placed in windrows, windrow burning can reduce grass weeds.
• Seed capture at harvest is higher with annual ryegrass than with barley grass.
• Burnt narrow windrows sustained temperatures above 400oC for longer than 10 seconds, which is sufficient to sterilise annual ryegrass seed.
• Snail numbers were reduced with windrow burning.
• Barley grass germinates later in Minnipa Agricultural Centre cropped paddocks than in non-cropped areas.

• Both the oats and the ryegrass recovered very quickly from each graxing, however, the legumes were very slow to start growing as expected.
• The treatments in this trial were set up for intensive strip grazing.
• The pasture and DSE carrying capacities are representative of this type of system.

• The use of Group B herbicdes such as chlorsulfuron can help fight the battle against Group A resistant ryegrass. Although they have a different mode of action, Group A resistant ryegrass populations can rapidly become resistant to Group B herbicides.
• This trial showed that when different products from Group B were applied to ryegreass of the same growth stage, varying results were observed. Glean offered marginal control when applied to tillering ryegrass, while Hussar successfully controlled the same ryegrass population.

Triflur480 (trifluralin) and Stomp (pendimethalin) were compared on wheat and canola in relation to crop emergence and ryegrass control. The canola crop failed due to the dry conditions. The wheat crop was very marginal (average yield of 0.1 t/ha) and no yield differences between products could be determined. In relation to ryegrass control the higher rates of the products applied and incorporated by sowing (IBS) (Triflur480 1.2L and Stomp 1.8L) were more effective compared the lower rates of these products (0.8L and 1.8L respectively) when applied and incorporated 5 days prior to sowing.

• There are several Group G herbicide spikes on the market for use prior to broadacre crops with their specific benefits and limitations
• It important to read the herbicide label and be aware of plant back restrictions before the use of any herbicide.
• Sharpen Group G herbicide significantly increased percentage of brown out across the weed spectrum 7 DAA at Frances in 2012.
• At Frances in 2012 all Group G herbicides showed increased percentage of brown out 7 DAA on annual ryegrass but there was no significant difference between treatments 22 DAA.
• Sharpen, Hammer 400 and Valour significantly increased percentage brown out 22 DAA on clover at Frances in 2012.
• At Frances in 2012 the results indicated Glyphosate was providing majority control of lesser loosestrife.
• Sharpen Herbicide showed a significantly increase in brownout on capeweed 7 DAA at Frances in 2012.

• Both barley varieties out yielded wheat by approximately 1000kg/ha in all treatments
• Barley yields responded to the highest rate of early post emergent nitrogen (75kgN/ha) with wheat yields plateauing at the 50kgN/ha rate
• Ryegrass biomass was two to three times higher in wheat than barley, and this may have significantly reduced wheat yield

• Herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is increasingly becoming a challenge for growers across southern Australia.
• Harvest weed seed control (HWSC) — the collection and/or destruction of weed seeds at harvest — is a non-chemical control method, which can be used to reduce the seedbank of weeds such as annual ryegrass.
• A major premise of HWSC is that the targeted weed species retain a high proportion of their total seed production at crop maturity.
• Where pre-emergent or in-crop herbicides have not been applied, ryegrass weeds are shedding before wheat is harvested.

• Timeliness of harvest is critical to try and maximise the number of annual ryegrass (ARG) weed seeds captured (prior to the onset of seed shedding).
• Harvest height will aid in the capture of increased numbers of ryegrass.
• The amount of ARG captured will depend on conditions prior to harvest and the level of lodging that occurs prior to harvest.
• When weed levels get too high, several years of alternative crop sequences may be required to get numbers down to an acceptable level.
   

• Harvest weed seed collection showed barley grass is harder to capture using harvest weed seed collection techniques due to its habit of shedding seed early.
• Burning windrows decreased the number of weed seeds present in the soil seedbank at Minnipa in 2017.
• Harvest weed seed collection allows for the capture of ryegrass weed seed and cereal screenings, potentially increasing feed utilisation for stock when placed in chaff dumps or rows.

• Narrow windrow burning can be an effective tactic against ryegrass provided:
  • 1) weed seeds are captured and concentrated at swathing & harvest
  • 2) the burn heat and duration are enough to kill weed seeds.
• Annual ryegrass control in canola was more variable than last season with 37-86% control of the seed captured and concentration in the windrow. Higher control (86-93%) was achieved for wheat residues concentrated into narrow windrows.

Narrow windrow burning canola can be an effective tactic against ryegrass provided weed seeds can be captured and concentrated at swathing & harvest. Of the ryegrass seed captured between 93-99% was controlled by burning narrow windrow canola

• Harvest weed seed control (HWSC) — the collection and/or destruction of weed seeds at harvest — is a non-chemical control method, which can be used to reduce the seedbank of weeds, such as annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidium).

• Techniques include mechanical weed destruction, or methods involving carting or baling chaff straight after harvest. Chaff can also be concentrated behind the header in a row, which is then left to mulch (chaff lining or decking) or concentrated in a narrow windrow behind the header and burnt (narrow windrow burning).

• A major premise of HWSC is that the targeted weed species retain a high proportion of their total seed production at crop maturity.

• There was no difference between a harvest height of 30cm and 15cm in terms of the number of weed seeds returned to the soil.

• In wheat crops with high annual ryegrass plant populations, a large percentage of the ryegrass seed matures and drops in the month before wheat harvest, limiting the effectiveness of HWSC in the Riverine Plains region. In 2017, approximately 30% of total ryegrass weed seeds were removed by the harvest process.

• HWSC could be used as one tool in a larger integrated weed management strategy.

For results please see the attached trial report.

• No significant difference in ryegrass control was found between plots treated with any of the three pre-emergent herbicides tested.
• Though not statistically significant, the trial demonstrated a trend of increased herbicide efficacy with increasing herbicide carrier volume.

• Thirty two barley grass populations were collected from grower paddocks from Eyre Peninsula and Upper North regions in 2019 and screened for resistance to major herbicide groups in 2020. This was not a random survey because most of these populations were considered difficult to control with herbicides. 
•  All of these barley grass populations collected in 2019 from Eyre Peninsula and Upper North regions were completely killed by glyphosate and paraquat and were rated as herbicide susceptible.
• Resistance to the FOP herbicide quizalofop was confirmed in 50% (n=16) of these targeted populations tested in 2020. In addition to this, 19% of the populations (n=6) were classified as developing resistance. 
• Ten barley grass populations were confirmed resistant to clethodim at 250mL/ha. At the higher clethodim dose (500mL/ha), only three populations were rated as resistant. This result is consistent with research results for annual ryegrass where higher rates of clethodim can improve weed control. Growers could improve barley grass control by increasing clethodim dose but this is unlikely to be a long-term solution to the problem. 
• Out of 1 O clethodim resistant populations, only 3 showed resistance to butroxydim at 90 g/ha and only 1 was resistant at 180 g/ha. These results are consistent with the findings from the previous year, which showed the susceptibility of many clethodim-resistant populations to butroxydim.
• Resistance to the IMI herbicides still appears to be very low in barley grass. Only one barley grass population from Eyre Peninsula was found to be highly resistant to Intercept® and showed no reduction in plant survival or biomass.