Australian farmers have been urged to adopt a two-pronged approach to the debate surrounding glyphosate use in relation to their future farming practices.
Farmers need to vigorously defend the use of glyphosate at every opportunity, but at the same time develop a backup plan in case the chemical is withdrawn from the market according to long-standing ag consultant and WeedSmart northern extension agronomist, Paul McIntosh.
As reported by Grain Central, Mr McIntosh was speaking at the recent Crop Consultants Australia 2020 Regional Workshop in Goondiwindi. He explained that although science had shown glyphosate was one of the safest herbicides on the market, it was still coming under increasing pressure by the wider community.
The need for farmers to investigate their Plan B, and even Plan C, options now in relation to glyphosate use in their regime was outlined in the presentation along with several possible alternate strategies.
Read the full article here…defend-the-use-of-glyphosate-but-have-a-backup-plan
What’s your glyphosate backup plan?
While there isn’t one solution to fit all operations, here at Brookfield we have been working on a number of Plan B’s and C’s with farmers for some time in relation to reducing the reliance on glyphosate.
Strategic and targeted tillage, along with cover crops have proven key weapons in the approach. At Brookfield we have long believed these will be crucial components for many farmers to integrate into their management tactics in both the short and longer term.
If we all get behind using glyphosate in moderation, we hope it will remain available to use for much longer than is anticipated.
Four steps to reducing your chemical use with the BROOKFIELD Strategic Tillage System
We have been working alongside farmers as they moved away from traditional cropping practices and into reduced or zero-till operations.
We have prided ourselves on assisting farmers to solve their associated production issues, reduce chemical use, build organic matter, reduce soil erosion, improve yields, and solidify overall profit margins.
Throughout this process we have evolved our machinery and our philosophy to develop a next generation approach – the BROOKFIELD Strategic Tillage System.
The four simple steps to reducing your chemical use and solving your production issues with strategic tillage include…
- Post-Harvest – If there is leftover stubble, a BROOKFIELD® Knuckle Chain will flatten and crimp stubble, mainly leaving it attached and starting the breakdown process.
- Summer Stubble/Weed Management – The BROOKFIELD® ChainBar with Disc Chain is used with summer rains to work over the stubble, mulching it into the top 30mm or so of soil and giving a high weed-kill as well.
- Pre-Sowing – If a further weed-kill is required, a DiscChain is run across again – sometimes incorporating chemical or fertilizer. This system retains moisture to the maximum, builds up organic matter and stirs up microbial activity.
- At Sowing – The BROOKFIELD® SuperDrill is then used to sow into this enriched seedbed with sowing chains.
Watch an introduction to Strategic Tillage here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-86zKniBTmc#
SD150S-TR SuperDrill proves the “Ultimate Weapon”…
Launched at the 2018 Henty Field Days, the BROOKFIELD® SD150S-TR SuperDrill has continued to impress in the field as a chemical, fuel, and time reducing management tool.
The SuperDrill was described by one satisfied customer from Northern NSW as the “Ultimate Weapon” taking out all three stages in one pass – stubble knockdown, sowing, and covering the seed.
The versatile seeding system, combined with the proven capabilities of the ChainBar, gives you the ability to plant most broadacre crops and fine seeds in all types of conditions, levelling the soil in front, seeding with the centre coulters and finishing with the rear chains.
The SuperDrill is a next generation seeder incorporating your entire soil management in the one tool. It is the only seeding machine of its kind in the world and is set to further revolutionise your Plan B “Cover Cropping” with the ability to simultaneously plant two different crops.
The SuperDrill’s ability to plant at very narrow spacings (in any trash level) also increases weed competition. This is the single most effective means of weed control without a negative impact on yield.
Call BROOKFIELD today on 1800 774 274 for a demo, quote, or some advice on how the BROOKFIELD Strategic Tillage System and the BROOKFIELD® SD150S-TR SuperDrill can assist your farming operation in reducing chemical usage.
For more information or to download brochures and product guides – see here…
BROOKFIELD Strategic Tillage System https://brookfield.net.au/strategic-tillage/
BROOKFIELD® SD150S-TR SuperDrill https://brookfield.net.au/products/superdrill/
Reference
Lyon, N. (2020, September 30) Defend the use of glyphosate – but have a backup plan
