To investigate proactive non-herbicide management strategies for reducing ryegrass seed set and so 'run down' the seed bank.

• Early sowing of barley may be an effective way of controlling ryegrass growth and limiting seed set.
• Results in wheat are more variable than for barley: at Wanilla, mid-May seemed the optimal time of sowing to reduce ryegrass with less effect obvious at Yeelanna.
• Higher seeding rates also followed the same trend, with little ryegrass suppression benefit seen in wheat but a benefit evident in barley.
• Increasing seeding rate did not improve wheat yields significantly however barley (Fleet) did seem to benefit from higher seeding rates when sown late (mid-June).