Weed control Practices  – Chip or Spray

Being observed in the paddock chipping away with the tried and faithful mattock, some comments were made, is that not too much work, why not just spray?

At this landholder practice the answer is: Yes, it is a lot of work no matter which way you practice weed control.

In the natural order of things that grow it is competition to survive and proliferate. So the two methods help in being selective on what plant will dominate the field. A third method is burning off, but not all of us can do that at a time that suits or is possible.  Albeit, you might be able to claim it on your CFI plan?  More on that in a later story.

Essential items in the shed for the chip or spray battle: The mattock, grass seed, a drum of glyphosate, a drum of flupropanate, spraying machine, protective gear, a way to record what you have done.  For yourself it is be competent to handle all above and make the time to do or supervise the work.

Why not just spray:

Each year more weeds are reported to be resistant to herbicide, the increase is now described as ‘dramatic’. For instance CropLife Australia recently reported:

• Fleabane resistance to glyphosate had escalated from eight cases listed last September to more than 50 sites this year, and two years ago there were no reported cases of chemical resistance in fleabane.
• The number of weeds showing resistance to one or more chemicals in Australia sits at 16 grasses and 22 broadleaf species.
• Annual ryegrass is the most prominent weed standing up to chemicals, with more than 30,000 sites across Australia with reported resistance to herbicide.
• The follow types also show increasing resistance brome grass, wild radish, awnless barnyard grass, barley grass, etc, etc.

And, in this part of the country we have a problem with serrated tussock control. Chip earlier and it reduces the need to spray. Note the words ‘reduces’, and CO2Land org is not alone in saying that careful thought needs to be part of the control plan as even the chemical companies and crop biotechnology businesses – encourages farmers to adopt integrated weed-management strategies to counter herbicide resistance.