Mr Angus Butterfield1, Dr Yolanda Plowman1
1Birchip Cropping Group, Birchip, Australia
Biography:
Angus is a research agronomist for the Birchip Cropping Group (BCG). He has been at BCG for two years and has been involved in a range of projects including fodder production, pulse agronomy and weed control. Before commencing work at BCG, Angus completed a Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology with Honors in Agronomy at La Trobe University.
Abstract:
The presence of fleabane (Conyza spp.) weed is steadily increasing across key agricultural regions in Australia. Herbicide strategies are often unsuccessful in controlling the weed and this poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity. In this study, we conducted field trials in Ouyen and Jil Jil, north west Victoria, to assess the efficacy of different spray treatments in controlling fleabane infestations. Treatments included both double knock and single pass approaches. The growth stage of fleabane infestations at each site differed; Jil Jil had plants that were pre-flowering and shorter (5-10cm) whereas Ouyen had weeds that were more mature and taller (20+ cm). These more advanced weeds are even more difficult to control. The trials include several herbicides strategies and aimed to determine the most effective strategies for fleabane management at different growth stages. The results showed that differences in the efficacy of the treatments were noted across both growth stages. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing fleabane control strategies and the economic impact of each strategy; this will assist growers and advisors in decision-making for controlling this pervasive weed.