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Weed densities in U.S. and Canada out of control by Australian standards. Aussie farmer has an answer for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds.

John Vogel, Editor, American Agriculturist

November 16, 2014

2 Min Read

Imagine pulling a cage mill-on-wheels behind your combine that eats chaff and seed tailings, then spits them out. Well, you don't have to imagine it.

More than a year ago, Farm Progress reported on Aussie Ray Harrington's novel way of busting out-of-control weed populations at harvest – with a tag-along cage mill. To read it, click on Nail Next Year's Weeds At Harvest Via A Tag-Along 'Seed-Buster.

Now, Weed Science Society of America experts are taking a close look at the strategy for controlling out-of-control populations of herbicide-resistant weeds.

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By Aussie standards, weed densities on many U.S. and Canada farms are "out of control", contends Michael Walsh, a member of the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative. That used to be the case in Australia. "After a decade of struggling with multiple types of herbicide resistance, we simply don't tolerate weeds at any stage in our cropping system," says Walsh. "Taking preemptive action with harvest-time weed seed control can benefit crop yields and improve profitability."

Despite declaring they'd never do it, many Australian farmers now attach a chaff cart to the back of each harvester. Weed seeds are gathered in the cart with other chaff and then destroyed or used for feed.  "Bale direct" systems take things one step further. The chaff is actually baled as it is collected and then used for livestock feed. Chaff carts and bale direct systems can capture 90% or more of the weed seeds gathered by the harvester and keep them from being blown back onto the field. 

A better idea?
Harrington designed a system that mills chaff to destroy weed seeds as they're collected. Residues can then be dispersed directly onto the field so moisture and nutrients are conserved.

A recent study shows the Harrington Seed Destructor successfully destroys more than 90% of harvested weed seeds. Harvest-time seed control techniques help farmers achieve significantly better weed control results than with herbicides alone, suggests Walsh.

For WSSA tips on managing herbicide-resistant weeds, visit http://wssa.net/weed/resistance.

About the Author(s)

John Vogel

Editor, American Agriculturist

For more than 38 years, John Vogel has been a Farm Progress editor writing for farmers from the Dakota prairies to the Eastern shores. Since 1985, he's been the editor of American Agriculturist – successor of three other Northeast magazines.

Raised on a grain and beef farm, he double-majored in Animal Science and Ag Journalism at Iowa State. His passion for helping farmers and farm management skills led to his family farm's first 209-bushel corn yield average in 1989.

John's personal and professional missions are an integral part of American Agriculturist's mission: To anticipate and explore tomorrow's farming needs and encourage positive change to keep family, profit and pride in farming.

John co-founded Pennsylvania Farm Link, a non-profit dedicated to helping young farmers start farming. It was responsible for creating three innovative state-supported low-interest loan programs and two "Farms for the Future" conferences.

His publications have received countless awards, including the 2000 Folio "Gold Award" for editorial excellence, the 2001 and 2008 National Association of Ag Journalists' Mackiewicz Award, several American Agricultural Editors' "Oscars" plus many ag media awards from the New York State Agricultural Society.

Vogel is a three-time winner of the Northeast Farm Communicators' Farm Communicator of the Year award. He's a National 4-H Foundation Distinguished Alumni and an honorary member of Alpha Zeta, and board member of Christian Farmers Outreach.

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