Facilitated RD&E in weed management - Improving strategies for summer perennial weeds

Summary

​Adoption of recommended weed control practices is, in general, poor. The case is either not compelling, the information provided not relevant in the business context, or is poorly described.  Recommended management practices are largely untested in the context to which they will be placed (different climate zones, production systems, crop rotations and soil types etc). This project proposes an unprecedented information delivery approach, through a grower-centred bottom-up approach in differing geographic ranges across five states. With the aim of benefitting the largest number of growers possible, farm scale participatory on-farm validation sites of best practice (BMP) will be conducted through active coordination of state and local government agencies, private sector contractors and advisors, and local growers groups. Research activity will refine the BMP to be relevant to individual producer's business context. Improved adoption of BMP will be achieved through raising awareness, identifying drivers and barriers of adoption, demonstrating the cost and return of the BMP and developing regionally adapted BMP.