Business name:
Owner:
Address:
Farm numbers:
Mill Area:
Contact phone number:
E-mail:
Hectares under sugarcane:
Principles of Weed Management
Your weed management plan should address the principles of weed management:
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Identify the cause(s) of the weed problem
Control weeds at the optimum point to break the weed cycle and reduce spread
o Prevent seed set
o Fallow and older ratoons
Prevent new weeds entering the farm and the spread of weed infestations
o Clean down equipment and implements
o Have a protocol for others entering your property
Optimise the effect of control methods
o Spray water quality
o Use adjuvants if recommended
o Weed size and growth vigour
o Soil conditions for pre-emergent herbicides
o Weather conditions
o Nozzle selection and setup
Monitor and record
Post treatment review, evaluation and maintenance
Use chemicals safely and minimise the risk of off-site movement
o Personal protective equipment (PPE)
o Weather conditions and forecasts
o Product selection and application strategy (banding, directed spray)
1)
What spraying qualifications has the business manager attained?
ACDC licence
RTC3401A or AHCPMG301A – Control weeds
RTC3704A or AHCCHM303A – Prepare and apply chemicals
RTC3705A or AHCCHM304A – Transport, handle and store chemicals
ChemCert™ (completed within 5 years)
AusChem accredited (completed within 5 years)
Pilot rating licence
2)
If the spray applicator is an employee but is not the manager or does not apply chemicals
under the direct supervision of the manager, what spraying qualifications have they
attained?
ACDC licence
RTC3401A or AHCPMG301A – Control weeds
RTC3704A or AHCCHM303A – Prepare and apply chemicals
RTC3705A or AHCCHM304A – Transport, handle and store chemicals
ChemCert™ (completed within 5 years))
AusChem accredited (completed within 5 years)
Pilot rating licence
Note: ChemCert™ and AusChem accreditation are training schemes that offer re-accreditation
every 5 years to ensure growers are up to date with current legislation and spray practices. Both
schemes include the 3 listed competencies as a minimum.
3)
Do you have any Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) or Declared weed species on
your property/ies?
Yes _________________________________________________________
No
WoNS or Declared weed species will require a target specific Management Plan
Declared weeds under Queensland legislation can be found at:
http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/4790_7006.htm
Weeds of National significance can be found at:
http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/
4)
Identify buffer zones on farm map for the use of products containing ametryn, diuron or
hexazinone:
All spray areas are more than 20m away from DOWNSLOPE waterbodies,
or
I have a minimum 5m wide “effective vegetated treatment area” between the edge of
the downslope waterbody and any point where low flow runoff exits the inter-row, at the time
of spraying.
5)
Identify other chemicals likely to be used that have specific label buffer zones (check the
labels of the products you intend to use):
Example product
Buffer requirements
(Active constituent)
Atradex WG
20m from rivers, creeks
(Atrazine).
60m from lakes, dams
Nufarm Diuron 900DF, Dupont™
Velpar® K4™ DF®
(Diuron and/or hexazinone)
@250-450g ac/ha
25m DOWNWIND - aquatic areas
50m DOWNWIND -terrestrial areas
@1.8kg ac/ha
100m DOWNWIND – aquatic areas
200m DOWNWIND – terrestrial areas
Flame®
(Imazapic)
Soccer® 700WG
(Metribuzin)
50m of wetlands or waterways
Krismat®
(Ametryn/trifloxysulfuron sodium)
20m of any waterway, waterbody or other aquatic
area
Gesapax Combi®
(Atrazine/ametryn)
20m of any well, sink hole, intermittent or perennial
stream
30m of DOWNWIND waterway if not using droppers
75m of DOWNWIND non-target vegetation if not
using droppers
6)
Application of herbicide is dependant on current weather conditions and weather
forecasts (e.g. from BOM) immediately prior to application.
Yes
No
7)
Long range weather forecasts are also regularly checked to help with medium to long
term planning of future weed management and herbicide use strategies
Yes
No
FALLOW MANAGEMENT (first cycle) – Stage 6 (Weed Management Manual
2010): Breaking the seeding cycle and reducing the seed bank.
1. List major or problem weed species on farm:
i. Broad Leaf:
ii. Vines:
iii. Grasses:
2.
List major weed species around/adjacent to blocks:
3.
Identify on farm map which blocks are prone to flooding
4.
Identify on farm map soils with management issues:
E.g. Heavy clay soils with some drainage issues, pH levels, sandy soils
Remedial actions:
5.
Farming system being followed:
Conventional
Minimum Till
Zonal Tillage
Other
6.
Identify blocks on farm map on which mill mud has been applied?
7.
Identify blocks on farm map that have been limed
8. Has soil test been done?
Yes
No
9.
Describe other management requirements:
E.g.Blocks are laser levelled during fallow and mole drained where required, lasering, drain
maintenance & tree buffer maintenance
Operating Plan
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Prevent all weeds from seeding; kill all volunteer cane, annual and hard to kill perennial
grasses, e.g. para grass, guinea grass, sour grass and couch grass.
(List operations, products and rates – an example is included – delete and substitute your own
program)
FLOOD PRONE BLOCKS
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Not applicable
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
FLOOD FREE BLOCKS
Offset twice and roll for laser levelling
Soil test after levelling
Pre emerge with Treflan™ (Trifluralin) @ 1.5 L/ha to control guinea grass
germination
Plant Soybeans at 92 kg/seeds/ha
Spray over top of mature soybeans with Fusilade Forte® @ 1.24L/ha to kill
Guinea grass, couch and other grasses.
Disc out beans at mature stage
Prepare land for planting using ripper, rotary hoe & plant cane
Post plant treatment of Stomp® Extra @ 2.5 L/ha
Treat at 3-4 leaf stage with over row treatment of Gramoxone® 250 @1.2 L/ha
Note:
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Round-up® Attack™ is formulated for compatibility for a range of products containing 2,4D - check label
Cultivation to manage weeds may not be possible, and should be limited to reduce the likely hood of sediment
loss.
If using legumes pre-emerge with Stomp®, Dual® Gold or Spinnaker® for grass and broadleaf control.
If weed pressures are high do not grow a legume cover crop in the first fallow rotation. It is more beneficial
in the first cycle to manage weeds effectively and aim for a break crop/legume fallow at the end of the planned
weed management cycle when weed pressures have been substantially reduced
PLANT CANE WEED MANAGEMENT (first cycle stages 1-4 Weed
Management Manual)
10.
List major weed species:
i. Broad Leaf:
ii. Vines:
iii. Grasses:
11.
12.
13.
Describe land preparation system:
Conventional
Minimum Till
Zonal Tillage
Other
Planting system to be used:
Conventional
Double Disc
Mound Planter
Farming system to be applied:
Conventional
Minimum Tillage
Zero Tillage
Other management considerations include:
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Weed management until crop has full canopy
Weather conditions
Soil moisture
Soil type being planted
Time of year.
Operating Plan
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After planting let weeds emerge (2-4 leaf stage) and then apply herbicide treatment. This
will give longer weed control. A knockdown product will be required in the mix.
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(List operations, products and rates – an example is shown – delete and substitute your own
program)
i.
ii.
iii.
Stage 1-2: Apply Stomp Xtra @ 3.3L/ha + Gramoxone @ 1.2 L/ha (if weeds have
emerged) + wetter.
Stage 3: At the out of hand stage apply a directed spray of Velpar K4 @ 900g/ha +
Gramoxone @ 1.6L/ha + wetter @100mL/100L spray volume.
Stage 4: Over the top application of Starane advanced @ 0.8L/ha + Tordon 75D @ 0.8
L/ha + 2,4-D amine 625 @ 0.8 L/ha + wetter (activator 1.5 L per 1000 L tank)in blocks
where vines emerge.
Note:
 Monitor vine pressures to determine if late broadleaf control measures are required.
 Do not apply the higher rates of hexazinone and diuron during the “no-spray” periods
when high rainfall/flood events are more likely to occur.
 Rotate chemical groups as part of a herbicide resistance management strategy.
 NB: Soccer, Balance, Flame, Stomp, Trifluralin, Dual Gold and Krismat alone or in
combination with other registered products could be considered where suited as
possible replacements for diuron, hexazinone, atrazine and ametryn.
RATOON CANE GCTB MANAGEMENT (first cycle – Stage 5 Weed
Management Manual)
14.
List major weed species:
i. Broad Leaf:
ii. Vines:
iii. Grass:
Other management considerations:
 Spot spray guinea grass stools
 Spot spray para grass patches
 Slash headlands and spoon drains
 Spray a band approximately 1m wide around each cane block to prevent green couch
incursion or its spread into blocks by harvesting machinery.
Operating Plan
(List operations, products and rates – an example is shown – delete and substitute your own
program)
i.
ii.
Apply Roundup® Attack™ @ 825 mL/100L spray volume to control weed in a 1M band
around cane edges.
For vine and sicklepod control at the out of hand stage apply Starane™ Advanced @
0.8L/ha + Amicide® 625 @ 0.8 L/ha + Tordon™ 75-D @ 0.8L/ha + wetter
Note:
 Monitor vine growth to see if a second over the top application may be
required.
 Soccer, Balance, Flame, Stomp, Trifluralin, Dual Gold and Krismat alone or in
combination with other registered products could be considered where suited
as possible replacements for diuron, hexazinone, atrazine and ametryn.
GENERAL FARM WEED MANAGEMENT
(List routine management - an example is shown- delete and substitute your own program)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Slash headlands as required prior to seeding
Band spray block edges as required prior to seeding
Slash grass to manage water ways
Spot spray guinea grass with Daconate® (1 L) + Balance® (50 g) per 100L spray volume
Spot spray para grass and sicklepod patches as required
Respray the 1m buffer strip around cane fields when required
Clean all machinery, including harvesting equipment between blocks and farms to
prevent the spread of weeds.
REMEMBER prevent all weeds from seeding to break the seeding cycle.
Note:
Inspect all jobs 1 or 2 times after weed management treatments have been applied to
monitor results. Enter observations in spray record sheets or other farm record keeping
program. Always review results and progress with your IWM program at the end of the
growing period and seek advice from your local Extension officer/Advisor/Consultant
where required.
SECOND CANE CROPPING CYCLE.
15. Note major weed species remaining:
16. Plan chemical rotation strategy.
For example:
 Rotate chemical groups. Use a range of knockdown herbicides where appropriate
 Trial new herbicides and herbicide mixtures. Plan program to trial the use of products
such as Flame®, Balance®, Soccer®, Stomp® Xtra, Treflan™, Krismat® and Dual® Gold for
grass and broadleaf management
17. Plan/list fallow management issues that need to be rectified:
For example:
 Flood damage to some areas, Drainage in wet/low lying areas
 Repairing blocks damaged when cut under wet conditions
 Moisture management of heavy clay soils
 Continued laser levelling and block amalgamation
18. Decide whether rotational cropping is feasible:
19. Soil tests to be taken on each block as soon as possible after harvest!
20. Decide if lime is required. ( amount to be applied will be determined by the soil test results)
21. Review results of the IWM with your Advisor to discuss future operational plan. This will
form an ongoing part of a whole farm weed management plan review to map progress and
plan future requirements.
Operating Plan
(List changes to weed management that you might like to consider for the next cropping cycle
– some examples are shown – substitute with your own program)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
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Monitor and review results
Investigate using GPS guidance for my farm operations
Trial new application methods e.g. shielded sprayer
Plant legumes in the fallow where possible
Grow legumes/rotation crops on preformed beds
Continue using low drift nozzles, application techniques and equipment for herbicide
application
Use coarse or other prescribed droplet sizes for all herbicide applications
Rotate chemical groups
Trial new herbicides and herbicide mixtures
Continue to develop and improve a whole farm record keeping system
Use knockdown herbicides where appropriate
Vine spraying will be required especially in older ratoons
Keep up the general farm weed management and machinery hygiene to ensure the
seeding cycle is broken.
NB: Always review results and progress with your IWM program at the end of the
growing period and seek advice from your local Extension Officer/Advisor/Consultant
where required. Inspecting weed control operations, recording results and regularly
reviewing your program are key factors in IWM to break the seeding cycle, reducing
herbicide inputs, reducing production costs and developing a sustainable farming
business.
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Keep the prescribed records for each spraying operation
Maintain a chemical purchase and stock register
Have a copy of MSDS sheets for all chemicals being used, readily available
Always use the appropriate safety equipment for mixing and application operations.
Store chemicals in a locked location in accordance to the chemical storage requirements
Record keeping is a key component in successful weed management and developing
knowledge and skills in weed management.
Advisor’s/Consultant’s name and contact details:
E-mail: