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In this episode of Regional Update, we're joined by two agronomists from the central west area of New South Wales: Charlie Mitton from Baker Ag Advantage and Ted O’Rafferty from AGnVET.

Charlie and Ted provide a unique dual perspective on the region, covering areas from Forbes and Condobolin to Grenfell. While Charlie predominantly works with straight cropping operations utilizing a four-year rotation of canola, wheat, barley, and pulses, Ted deals mostly with mixed farming enterprises that incorporate livestock, lucerne, and grazing crops. After a late seasonal break in the west, the region is having a good year with warm winter conditions and a lack of frost causing crops to fire through their growth stages.

The favourable weather has also brought weed challenges, particularly with annual ryegrass and wild oats showing resistance to common in-crop sprays. Charlie and Ted discuss the importance of robust pre-emergent programs and double break rotations to keep weed numbers low.

Charlie and Ted also both made the trip to Geraldton, WA, for WeedSmart Week last year - tune in to hear their thoughts on the event!

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.

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Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

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In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by herbicide resistance researchers Roberto Busi (DPIRD WA, The University of Western Australia) and Peter Boutsalis (Plant Science Consulting, Adelaide University) for a run-down of their latest resistance testing results.

This episode covers some of the fundamentals of herbicide resistance; what it actually is, how it happens, how to take a 'good' test, and what a positive result means for on-farm weed control decisions.

Roberto and Peter also share some of the findings from their latest research on glufosinate, clethodim and ammonium sulphate, and discuss what the APVMA's paraquat decision will mean for growers using 'quat products in summer weed control programs.

Click here for more information on herbicide resistance testing and to find a service near you.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.

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Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

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*This episode of Beyond Resistance was recorded on 11 June, 2026, before the APVMA announced new restrictions for the use of paraquat and diquat products.*

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we're joined by our own Northern Extension Agronomist, Paul McIntosh, and GRDC's Manager of Chemical Regulations, Gordon Cumming.

Australia has one of the most trusted chemical regulatory frameworks in the world and in this podcast, we aim to de-mystify how the maximum residue limit (MRL) system underpins our access to global markets.

Gordon and Paul discuss how growers can stay on the right side of the regulations, and the unfortunate reality of what happens if an Aussie shipment doesn't comply with overseas restrictions.

Ultimately, it all comes down to communication; read the herbicide labels, talk with your marketer before putting a crop in, and use all of the Big 6 strategies! We can all play a part in preserving Australia's hard-won reputation as a supplier of safe and high-quality food, while also protecting the efficacy of our available herbicides.

Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website.

Don't forget to follow us on our socials:

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Keen for a monthly update? Subscribe here!

Got a question or topic you are interested to hear about? Send us an: weedsmart@uwa.edu.au

Queue up our other WeedSmart podcasts & audio: #RegionalUpdates & #BeyondResistance podcasts for great stories from across the Australian growing regions. #Paddocktalk fortnightly weed management news & updates for you.

#drivesafe #farmsafe