The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has just launched a new Integrated Weed Management Hub that takes pooling of information and resources to another level.

The IWM Hub at www.grdc.com.au/IWMhub has been developed specifically to help Australian grains industry advisers and growers find the latest weed research and management advice quickly and efficiently. 

With brief overview notes summarising key aspects of weed management, links to valuable resources on weed-related topics and self-assessment questions and answers, the free-of-charge IWM Hub is a fast way for growers and advisers to evaluate what they do and don’t know and be directed to key resources to learn more. 

GRDC Manager Delivery Platforms, Tom McCue, says the IWM Hub web pages provide a “one-stop shop” for detailed reference documents to enable growers and advisers to implement and communicate cost-effective weed management programs in the face of increasing weed resistance to herbicides.

“Herbicide resistance is one of the most pressing agronomic issues confronting our nation. The range of chemistries available to growers is limited and their long-term effectiveness is under pressure because of the spread of resistance,” Mr McCue said.

“It is critical that we employ non-herbicide tactics so we are not so reliant on herbicides to control weeds. It is therefore important that the grains industry has access to up-to-date information on IWM so growers can continue to grow crops in a viable and sustainable way well into the future.

“By using the IWM Hub, finding information on a particular issue or weed is easy, fast and logical, and for time-poor growers and advisers, that has to be a great advantage.” 

The front page of the IWM Hub links to nine sub-sections. They are herbicide resistance; agronomy to enhance weed management; managing weed seed bank; managing weed seedlings; stopping weed seed set; managing weeds at harvest; managing farm hygiene; profiles of common weeds of cropping; and case studies. 

Each sub-section provides links to recent GRDC Grains Research Update papers on weeds, weed management videos, regional weed management guides, specific information on key weeds, technical ‘how to’ information, weed identification tools, applications and web sites, herbicide resistance testing and the detailed and popular IWM Manual.

Recently updated by consultant Andrew Storrie, the IWM Manual is a key reference document from which content is drawn upon in all sections of the IWM Hub. 

Developed by ICAN consultants Erica McKay and John Cameron in conjunction with the GRDC, the IWM Hub also features a series of questions and answers to test users’ knowledge.

Considered a living web-based document, the content of the IWM Hub will be constantly updated and refreshed as new information, resources and advice comes to hand.

ICAN consultant John Cameron encouraged all grains industry advisers and growers to visit the IWM Hub and “bookmark it now as a favourite”.

“It’s a very valuable resource that will assist them to develop solutions to weed management problems as fast