Browsing by Author "Ross, P"

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2,4-D: new labelling for sugarcane
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Ross, P; Billing, B
2,4-D: new labelling for sugarcane
Alternatives to diuron in the Wet Tropics: Wrap-up of the 2014-2015 trials
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Ross, P
A series of trials in Far North Queensland is assessing the performance of pre-emergent herbicides in trash blanketed ratoons, across a range of environmental conditions. Four trials were carried out in 2014-15 and three trials have been established for 2015-16. Results from the trials in 2014-15 are summarised in this article and tables.
Are you rat ready?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Cane growers are allowed to bait for rats from 1 October through to 30 June. However, there are a few things you need to consider in managing rats. The rats that cause most damage to cane, the ground rat (Rattus sordidus) and climbing rat (Melomys burtoni), are both native mammals and are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Baits may be used as part of a management program under the conditions of an industrywide Damage Mitigation Permit, issued by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
Diuron – can we keep it?
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
Although good progress was made towards achieving the Reef Protection Plan’s 2013 target of a 50 per cent reduction in pesticide loads, with water quality improvement continuing to be a major priority, a new target of 60 per cent reduction has been set. This could mean that diuron-based herbicides run the risk of further restrictions on use if run-off levels are not brought under control.
Exotic weed finds its way to Australia : Red witchweed : Striga asiatica
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Growers will be aware that the Class 1 Declared weed Striga asiatica (red witchweed) is present on a few farms in the Mackay area. Biosecurity Queensland is continuing to survey properties to define the weed’s distribution. To date the weed has been confirmed on four farms.
Eyes on herbicides
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Growers will be very aware of the increasing scrutiny the sugarcane industry is under regarding herbicide run-off from farms.
Field day supports growers to improve water quality
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Rodman, G; Ross, P
Field day supports growers to improve water quality
Field Day supports growers to improve water quality
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Rodman, G; Ross, P
SRA’s Meringa Station hosted a field day with a water quality focus on May 1, supporting several projects underway in the Wet Tropics.
Handy tips – Nutgrass
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
Nutgrass competes intensely with cane for water and nutrients and can affect cane emergence and growth even before it emerges.
Herbicides and the water quality conundrum
(ASSCT, 2017) Ross, P; Fillols, E; Billing, B; Davis, A
Herbicidal impact on the health of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon came to the forefront in 2009 with the Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009 and the concurrent review of diuron by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Subsequently, Federal and Queensland government programs have maintained the spotlight on both freshwater and marine water quality. Ambitious pesticide load reduction targets have been set by the Reef 2050 Plan, as one of the means to improve water quality and the resilience of the GBR ecosystem. Photosystem II (PSII) herbicides in particular are targeted under the plan. Gaining sustained industry practice change is paramount to achieving these targets. Progress is being made, although the challenges remain, both on the practice change level and on the technical knowledge level. Weed management practices with demonstrated environmental benefits include timing spray applications to avoid run-off within the 20–25 days following spraying, incorporation of residual herbicides by non-run-off inducing irrigation or rainfall, switching to strategic and/or banded application of residual herbicides, and avoiding the use of residual herbicides on ratoons where trash blanketing provides sufficient weed suppression. Other farming system improvements such as controlled traffic may reduce the amount of run-off, contributing to reductions in overall herbicide losses. Growers are switching to alternative residual herbicides in response to tighter controls on the PS II herbicides diuron, atrazine, ametryn and hexazinone. Relative risk rankings being developed indicate that alternative herbicides can offer reduced environmental risk.
Looking at the big picture with water quality
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Rodman, G; Ross, P
Looking for new weed management systems
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2015) Ross, P
Weed management is one of the important factors that contributes to a successful farm management plan. With continued scrutiny on diuron, how do some of the alternative herbicides stack up in the Wet Tropics?
Metering technology for liquid insecticide and herbicide application
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
Metering systems have been used in other cropping systems for many years to precisely apply insecticides and herbicides. This technology is now beginning to be used by sugarcane growers.
Pathways to water quality improvement in the Myrtle Creek sub-catchment : final report 2017/810
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2021) O'Dea, M; Ross, P
The Pathways to Water Quality Improvement in the Myrtle Creek Sub-catchment project (Myrtle Creek Project) has run in the Proserpine area for three years (2018-2021), connecting sugarcane growers in the Myrtle Creek sub-catchment to their local waterway, demonstrating practice change for improved water quality while maximising efficiency and assisting growers to adopt practices that can improve water quality in their district.
Pre-emergent herbicide options to help growers overcome diruon restrictions
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
A recent collaborative demonstration—between Sugar Research Australia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and Plane Creek Productivity Services—has shown that other pre-emergent herbicide strategies can manage weeds just as effectively as traditional mixes based on diuron.
Reviving GrubPlan to ensure appropriate use and application of imidacloprid for control of cane grubs
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2020) Ross, P
The focus of the project was to:
Stool tipping? Yellowing? Gaps in ratoons? Maybe you’ve got canegrubs
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ross, P
With 19 different species, canegrubs have the highest potential of all our pests to cause economic loss.
Taking the mystery out of precision spraying
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Ross, P
Tully region growers Brian and Jamie Dore are integrating GPS technology with their spot spraying, delivering useful results.
Using diuron-based herbicides? Know your no-spray periods
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ross, P
Following the Australian Pest and Veterinary Medicines Authority APVMA review of diuron, the APVMA permit PER 13874 which allowed for the phase out of old stock of diuron-based products has now expired. This means that all diuron-based herbicides should be used as per their new product label instructions.
Weed management in sugarcane manual
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2017) Ross, P; Fillols, E
This manual covers all stages of the sugarcane crop cycle, as well as looking at the suitability of various herbicides for various weeds, and the best application of herbicides. It also provides the latest information on record keeping, environmental considerations, and herbicide resistance. It provides indicative cost estimates of various weed control measures.