WeedSmart Podcast

WeedSmart•www.weedsmart.org.au

Welcome to the WeedSmart Podcast Channel!

Each fortnight we'll bring you updates and in-depth interviews with farmers, agronomists and weed researchers from around our north, south and west cropping regions. #AusAg #Broadacre #Grains #Cotton #WeedManagement

Our regional update will talk to our industry leaders focusing on managing weeds, emerging regional issues and practical science-based solutions for use on-farm by you. #RegionalUpdate

Our technical update will speak with leading experts to bring the latest application of science to paddock supply chain of diverse weed management to mitigate herbicide resistance and maximise crop gross margins. #BeyondResistance

Our current podcaster, Shannon Beattie, will bring the conversation to you in your paddock, ute or tractor, so you can stay connected and plan ahead for future diverse weed management on your farm. Shannon will be joined by our team of WeedSmart Extension Agronomists Pete Newman, Chris Davey, Jana Freebairn, Greg Condon and Paul McIntosh.

Listen in to the latest podcast or scroll our back catalogue for progressive weed management over the years in Australian broadacre agriculture. Our previous podcasters Siobhon Eacott and Jessica Strauss provide a range of great interviews with farmers and agronomists for a local updates or technical experts bringing the science to you.

Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay WeedSmart.

#weedsmartau

Last refreshed: July 11th, 2025 at 5:35 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Spraying Out A Failed Crop

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! It's been a tough season in many parts of the country for farmers. In particular, the northern wheatbelt in Western Australia hasn't received decent rain, leading to some farmers considering whether it's worth keeping the crop or if they should spray it out. In this podcast, hosted by Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman, you'll hear from Planfarm agronomist Richard Quinlan. He gives an overview of the season so far and provides timely in...

Aug 02, 2017•30 min

SwarmFarm robotics and resistance testing

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! What will the future of agriculture look like? One of the founders of SwarmFarm Robotics joins us on the podcast to discuss the robots they're releasing into the agricultural community and what applications they currently have and may have in the future. We also chat about the Quick Test for testing herbicide resistant weeds and check in with Peter Boutsalis from Plant Science Consulting about what he's finding out about resistance ou...

Jul 19, 2017•36 min

Wagga WeedSmart Week; chaff lining + carts + cotton update

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! In this choc-a-block podcast, hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman investigate chaff lining and chaff carts, get an overview of WeedSmart Week and a seasonal overview of cotton.Mick McClellend farms in the Mallee in Victoria and has been using chaff lining in his farming system for the last three years. He gives an overview of the successes he has had using it. Tom Lewis from Tecfarm manufactures chaff carts. He chats about the bene...

Jul 05, 2017•45 min

Dry Season Special

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman provide a national seasonal update in this podcast. With dry conditions affecting many parts of Australia, we check in with agronomists Richard May from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Andrew Somervaille from the Northern Region and Pete gives some insights into how to manage weeds which are moisture stressed and gives an overview of the season in WA.Music: bensound.com Learn more about We...

Jun 21, 2017•36 min

Mic Fels talks weed management and Richard Daniel gives a seasonal update

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! In this week's podcast, we hear from Esperance farmer Mic Fels who discusses the cost-effective weed management practices he is using on both his Esperance farm and Three Springs property. We also hear from Northern Grower Alliance CEO Richard Daniel. He talks about the issues with glyphosate resistance in the northern region and how to manage them, as well as gives a seasonal update of his patch.Music: bensound.com Learn more about W...

Jun 07, 2017•32 min

Post-emergent spraying and Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge Conference udpate!

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Peter Newman is back from the Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge Conference with an overview and an interview with Aaron Hager from the University of Illinois. We also chat with Adama Market Development Manager Bevan Addison about applying post-emergent herbicides and some of the implications when there are patchy rain conditions.Music: bensound.com Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management pract...

May 24, 2017•26 min

Disc seeder & stripper front systems

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! One system which some might consider a bit more obscure is that of a disc seeder and stripper front combination. While it's not a new concept, it's not used as much in Australia, as it is in other parts of the world. That could potentially change though, with those who are using it finding they're having a win with weed management, soil moisture and reduced soil erosion. While Pete Newman is trying to keep his RV on the road in Americ...

May 10, 2017•25 min

Spray contracting and getting a double knock right

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Sometimes outsourcing some of the big jobs on the farm can be of real benefit. Whether it's because you don't have your own spray rig, or you simply want to rake back some hours to do other things, using a contractor to spray weeds is worth considering. In this podcast Jessica Strauss chats with spray contractor Andrew Irving out on his property in Tammin in Western Australia. Co-host Peter Newman discusses the benefits of using a spr...

Apr 26, 2017•23 min

Herbicides and stubble – some wash off, some don’t

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! If Yaseen Khalil’s recent research is anything to go by, trifluralin would make a wonderful dye and is just about as hard to wash off stubble as it is clothes. Yaseen is completing his PhD at UWA under Ken Flower and has done some fantastic research to help understand which herbicides wash off wheat residue with rainfall and which are more tightly bound.Your hosts Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss chat with both Yaseen and Ken to find ...

Apr 13, 2017•29 min

Seed dormancy & herbicide application

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Sleep. It's something essential to human survival and most people would say they love a good nap! Turns out weed seeds tend to like to take a rest too, but they prefer the depths of the soil, rather than a comfy bed/couch/passenger car seat. Anyhoo, while the seeds are hibernating, much like bears(not really like bears), it can have real implications on your crop. AHRI researchers Danica Goggin and Mechelle Owen give us an insight int...

Mar 29, 2017•27 min

Grow A Crop Worth Frosting

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Correct early crop sowing strategies can be unravelled by a frost event later in the season. In this podcast, we get a preview into the topics which will be covered in our March 22 webinar.Early sowing is a proven strategy that can be used to minimise the weed burden and maximise crop yield – the question remains how to manage frost risk?ConsultAg Agronomist Garren Knell (who will be on the webinar too) and farmer Gary Lang discusses ...

Mar 15, 2017•24 min

Spray Drift And Crop Competition

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Join your hosts Jessica Strauss and Peter Newman in the first podcast for March! Spraying weeds and choosing seeds are the hot topics this podcast. We chat with Nufarm Australia Spray Application Specialist Bill Gordon, who gives some great tips and insights on correct set-up. Rohan Brill also joins us for insight on choosing canola seeds and the benefits of crop competition! Our webinar series is also kicking off for 2017 next week! ...

Mar 03, 2017•26 min

Pre-emergent herbicides and ensuring summer weeds are kept at bay

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Dr Chris Preston chats to us about correct pre-emergent herbicide use and Colin McMaster discusses how treating Summer weeds while they're small has benefits for your back pocket, by ensuring nitrogen and soil moisture is kept available for your crops! Music: bensounds.com 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: Twitter/...

Feb 15, 2017•27 min

How to control summer weeds

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! It's the first podcast of 2017 and we're excited to be chatting with Andrew Storrie from Agronomo and the Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group about Summer Weeds. Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss catch up too and chat maximising soil moisture to get the best crop possible!Music: bensounds.com Learn more about WeedSmart and the Big 6 framework for proven weed management practices by visiting our website . Don't forget to ...

Feb 01, 2017•28 min•Season 2Ep. 1

Weed control in the Esperance region & Northern Region Update

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Harvest is done and dusted for the majority of growers across the nation. In this Christmas edition podcast which is our last for the year, we catch up with Nick McKenna from Planfarm, who caught up with growers in WA's Esperance region on their use of chaff lines and tram lines. We also hear from farmers in that region. Our Northern Region Extension Officer Paul McIntosh officers his insights into Grain Sorghum too. It's our last pod...

Dec 20, 2016•55 min

Learn how to prevent harvest losses

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! In this second podcast focusing on harvest Peter Newman and Jessica Strauss discuss harvest losses and chaff carts, talking to guests Kondinin Group's Ben White, and Agpro Management owner Ed Riggall. For more details on chaff carts, take a look at AHRI Insight #74 here. 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: Twitter/X ...

Nov 30, 2016•33 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Crushing weed seeds using the iHSD

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! With harvest kicking off across Australia, we check in with Warren Treasure who is using an iHSD. John Broster talks about the research he and Michael Walsh conducted on catching weed seeds and we hear from Ray Harrington on the history of the Harrington Seed Destructor and where it is today. 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 o...

Nov 15, 2016•45 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Frost, floods and 2,4-D

Got a question or topic you're interested in? Send us a text! Over the last few weeks the parts of Western Australia have been impacted by frost, while some growers in the East have had to deal with floods. In this first AHRI WeedSmart podcast, we look at what this means for growers, as well as checking in with some new research on 2,4-D. 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: Twi...

Oct 26, 2016•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1

← Prev

Hosted on Buzzsprout

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android