Effective control of brome grass in the southern and western cropping regions

Brome grass is a serious weed of many Australian cropping regions but is widespread across the sandy soils of the low-medium rainfall zone of WA, SA, Vic and south-western NSW. It is estimated to cause $22.5M in loss of revenue annually across all regions, which is fourth on the list of cropping weeds. There arecontinued reports from areas such as the low rainfall regions of WA (Geraldton Port Zone, Kwinana East and Kwinana West), southern NSW and the southern region low rainfall zone that brome grass is still causing significant impacts and is especially damaging in dry years.

The control of brome grass has previously relied upon Group 2 (B) herbicides in cereal crops and Group 1 (A) grass selective herbicides in broadleaf crops. Significant resistance to SU herbicides has been found and Group 1 resistance is developing. Practical farm management relies heavily on Clearfield technology, which can be very effective. However, reliance on this chemistry imparts potential rotational restrictions, has caused market access concerns for barley and therefore alternative multi-faceted management strategies need to be proven at a local level. Brome Ryegrass Integrated Management (BRIM) modelling demonstrates sustainable control of brome requires a multi-year approach. Whilst these modelling scenarios show there are gains to be made through current knowledge and thus localised research and demonstration is important (Output 2), and communications is critical (Output 3), there is still a need for research into potential new innovative control tactics (Output 1) given limitations by imidazolinone herbicide use and the long period required to drive down brome grass seedbanks.

It is expected that this investment will motivate, enable and support growers across regions to implement IWM strategies which incorporate multiple control tactics to abate and manage herbicide resistance and ensure that brome grass can be cost-effectively controlled.

Note: Statistical support for experimental design and data analysis will be available through GRDC’s separate investments in statistical capacity e.g., Statistics for the Australian Grains Industry (SAGI). If you wish to access this support, we request applicants discuss their requirements with SAGI statistical consultants at Curtin University as part of tender preparations. Please make enquiries to SAGI West Leader Mark Gibberd at [email hidden] (attn.: Mark Gibberd).

Investment Outcome

By May 2027, the economic impact of brome grass will be reduced by 10% across the low rainfall zones of the Western and Southern Regions and southern NSW through the implementation of specific integrated weed management strategies.

Outputs

Output 1 - By December 2024, deliver new insights into tactics for effective brome grass control.

Description

The delivery of novel and innovative solutions for brome grass control will be achieved through considering a combination of:

• modelling
• glasshouse experimentation
• field experimentation

Both Chemical and non-chemical tactics need to be considered. This may require partnering to gain access to pre-commercial opportunities. All stages of the weeds lifecycle may be considered.

Output 2 - By February 2027, growers will have localised IWM strategies for the sustainable management of brome grass through the engagement with local demonstration sites.

Description

• Field sites demonstrating a range of chemical and non-chemical strategies against brome grass for three years established and managed across the southern (SA, VIC) and western (WA) regions and southern NSW.
• Field sites need to be located strategically where brome grass managemnet is problematic and there is an identified need for RDE. Field site locations need to be justified on sound rationale.
• This output may implement knowledge from Output 1
• Upload completed reports from these field sites to GRDC Online Farm Trials

Output 3 - By April 2027, the delivery of a communications package nationally to inform industry of the management of brome grass.

Description

• The strategic communications package should be aimed to be delivered for the duration of the investment.
• Package to include using established communication platforms such as WeedSmart and GRDC Communications and other didcated products such as local FSG newsletters as well as localised activities such as field walks at the field sites.
• A legacy publication should be developed in consultation with the GRDC Team.

Evaluation criteria which will be used to evaluate each application.

1. A clear and thorough plan to achieve the project outputs, specifying:

a) method to be used (including anticipated statistical analysis capacity)
b) proposed timeline
c) proposed locations of field experiments
d) staffing (including relevant skills, experience and availability of key personnel and proposed subcontractors)
e) budget (defining the funds sought in each year of the project and the potential investment from all parties)

f) project structure and management arrangements

2. A summary of the IP including:

• existing IP that you intend to use during the project and whether this would cause any restrictions on the use, publication or commercialisation of the intended project outputs
• new IP that may be created in the course of the project
• how IP will be managed.

3. A summary of data management, including:

• existing data that you intend to use during the project and any potential restrictions on it's use, publication or the subsequent commercialisation of the intended project outputs
• new data that may be created in the course of the project
• how all data will be managed during and post investment

4. A detailed plan to deliver relevant project outputs to target audience/s, specifying:

• the target audience's for each output - e.g. growers, advisers, plant breeders, GRDC
• information, products and/or services for each output
• the methods and structures for delivering of the outputs, which may include commercialisation, communication, and/or additional R&D.

Unweighted Criteria

Price - the tendered price

Risk - the risk inherent in the application including the degree of compliance with the Draft Contract and any modern slavery risks identified during the procurement process, application process and evaluation process, including as a consequence of the review of the GRDC Supplier Questionnaire (if required) and any actual or percieved conflict of interest.

Australian Economy - the economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian Economy.