inundating many cropping and grazing paddocks, introduced weeds - perhaps of species that have never been seen on the farm before - are raising their ugly heads. In cropping land, weeds will be emerging in stubble paddocks or ready to germinate when temperatures are suitable. Soil moisture levels will be high, competition has been drowned, so there is potential for a weed explosion. If left uncontrolled, weed growth during this current period can reduce the yield of the next crop by robbing seedlings of available soil nitrogen, depleting the soil of this potentially valuable stored moisture and reducing crop emergence. Growers can expect an average farm crop yield increase of up to 400 kilograms per hectare with consistent summer weed control. On the other hand, if left uncontrolled, weed burdens of 2.5 tonnes per hectare can cause a loss of available soil nitrogen and burdens of more than 3t/ha can reduce following wheat yields by as much as 40%. And chemical control is not always the answer. Too heavy a reliance on chemicals invites resistance in weed species, and is incompatible with most regenerative agriculture principles. Even for many farms that have adopted a regenerative agriculture philosophy to their farming business, an important tool in an integrated management approach is strategic tillage. Choosing an implement that will chop and bury weed plants before they seed set, and/ or burying weed seed to depths that hinder germination are features that you should look for in a tillage implement. Two implements that effectively deal with a summer weed problem and also handle carryover stubble are the Speedtiller ® and the Flexi- Mulch ® , both developed by K-line
approach is not only focused on improving the soil health but also on improving the overall sustainability of the farm. Is regenerative agriculture suitable for your farm? That is a question that is best answered by conducting your own research and examining what you want to achieve in terms of the productivity and long-term sustainability of your land. Regenerative agriculture is a current topic of interest and debate for agronomists in Australia, as it offers a holistic approach to farming that can improve soil health, increase crop yields and resilience to drought, and promote biodiversity. While regenerative agriculture is as much a philosophy as a suite of farming practices, strategic tillage, using the most suitable and efficient machinery must remain a vital element in the farmer’s toolkit.
Ag. These two high-speed, dual- purpose disc-tillage machines can efficiently cut and incorporate high levels of mature or emerging weeds as well as crop residue. Both have the flexibility and adjustments to suit most trash burdens and soil conditions. Soil erosion from wind and water is drastically reduced by the excellent incorporation ability of these implements. Machinery that can achieve these results in a speedy and effective manner is attractive to even the most ardent no-till advocate. While not everyone is sold on the idea of regenerative agriculture, the approach is becoming an increasingly popular approach among farmers in Australia. Its aims are certainly worthy: to improve the environment, to help farmers improve their yields, reduce costs, and increase their resilience to changing weather patterns. This
Weed control is a compelling reason for introducing tillage into a cropping program or a pasture renovation phase. Image: GRDC.
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