NGN - Developing control strategies for key problem weeds in North West NSW

⁠⁠⁠Growers at Northern Region National Grower Network (NGN) Forums and industry meetings have raised the issue of ongoing management of key winter and summer weed species. These growers and advisers seek demonstration of locally relevant management approaches to addressing priority issues.

Given the cost (per hectare) of weeds for the northern region are estimated to be at least twice those in the southern and western regions (Llewellyn et al 2016), there is a need to ensure growers and advisers receive timely information on key weed management strategies and to continue communication and extension activities related to weed management.

GRDC seek a partner organisation to undertake an investment addressing the top two (2) priority summer and winter weeds, as identified by growers and advisers using a participatory approach, for North West NSW. It is proposed that this investment will host local meetings within the sub-region to identify and prioritise key weed species that require development and extension activities to support management by growers. Results are reported back at the end of each growing season. This investment aims to equip growers and their advisors with management strategies tailored to local requirements.

This proposed investment is one of four across the sub-regions of South West Qld, South East Qld, North West NSW and North East NSW. Applications are welcome for one or multiple procurements. Collaboration across these four (4) investments is expected to ensure efficiencies are identified and to mitigate trial repetition.

Outcome:

By June 30, 2027, growers and advisers in North West NSW will have the knowledge and confidence to implement research outcomes to effectively manage key weeds on farm.

Outputs.

Output 1.

Title: Consultation Meetings and Demonstration Trials.

Description:

By June 30, 2025, (recurring annually), this investment will develop strategies to help growers in the North West NSW sub-region to manage regionally specific priority weeds more effectively. A minimum of six (6) trials per season will target the management of the top two (2) priority weeds in each of the summer and winter seasons annually. This will be achieved by:

- Hosting bi-annual participatory consultation meetings with local growers and consultants to identify priority weed issues for the sub-region and disseminate results.

- Conduct trials to develop strategies for the management of the top 2 identified priority weeds.

Minimum 3 trials per weed, per season i.e. a minimum of 36 trials for life of program. Winter 2024 x 6, summer 2024/25 x 6, winter 2025 x 6, summer 2025/26 x 6, winter 2026 x 6, summer 2026/27 x 6

- Herbicide treatment lists to be developed in coordination with GRDC and limited to registered products

- Flexibility on number of trials can be provided if similar weeds are prioritised across multiple sub-regions.

Output 2.

Title: Extend, monitor and evaluate activities.

Description: Extend information to growers and consultants identified in Output 1.

Activities must include:

 - extension of trial results, this may include field walks, technical workshops, field surveys, case studies, simple decision support tools, provision of technical content for GRDC publications and multi-media use.

- monitor and evaluate the program of work to assess impact adoption of information on farm against the Outcome.