Over the past few months, SRA’s Weed Specialist Emilie Fillols has presented weed research updates to growers at a range of events run by SRA and industry stakeholders.
As a result of the success of Emilie’s trials, new herbicide recommendations are now available for:
- Wild Sorghum (a particular problem in the Burdekin). An additional trial is also being monitored.
- Sicklepod (a problem in several districts but particularly in Central Queensland).
- Itch grass (a problem in the Burdekin, Central and Far North Queensland).
Meanwhile, progress in trials for the control of Milkweed (particularly problematic in Central Queensland) will see a new fact sheet available soon, after the analysis of new data.
Two new trials are currently being monitored for control of Hymenachne (a problem for growers in several Northern districts).
Emilie has also updated growers on progress in the SRA-funded project on alternatives to paraquat for the control of key grass weeds as all growers have requested it on the agenda.
“We have started screening five new herbicidal actives in pot trials for their knockdown efficacy to control grasses and their toxicity on cane. We are also revisiting registered grass knockdown herbicides. When compared to paraquat, some of the old and new compounds are giving promising results and will be further investigated in pots and field trials in the coming months,” Emilie Fillols said.
Her presentations have been well received by growers who have expressed their appreciation for her work.
“In turn, I’d like to thank the growers who attended and told me they like the new fact sheets when it targets a particular weed issue they are battling on their farms,” Emilie said.
“The itch grass factsheet has proved very popular as this species is spreading in new districts. Growers who are experiencing problems with weed species which they have not seen on their farms before should get in touch with me.”
Emilie’s presentations were given at: SRA Burdekin – 26 February; SRA Mackay – Proserpine 20 April, Mackay 21 April and Carmila 24 April; HCPSL Walk & Talk Day – 14 April; Innisfail Canegrowers meeting – 17 April; Mulgrave Mill pre-season meeting – 7 May; South Johnstone mill pre-season meeting – 7 May; and SRA Meringa Field Day – 14 May.
For those growers who have missed out, Emilie will next be presenting at the Wide Bay Southern District Field Day on 27 May, held at SRA Bundaberg Station.
Meanwhile South Johnstone growers have asked Emilie for an advanced pre-emergent herbicides workshop which will be delivered on Thursday 11 June from 8-11am, at the Board Room, Innisfail Canegrowers, 88 Rankin Street, Innisfail.
