24. From Zimbabwe to WA: Professor Ken Flower on No-Till, Weeds & the Future of Farming

In this 24th episode, Bill sits down with Professor Ken Flower to explore a remarkable career spanning Zimbabwe, the UK and Western Australia, and a lifetime of work in agronomy, weed science and farming systems. Ken shares how growing up on a farm in Zimbabwe shaped his path into agriculture, from early work in tobacco research and weed control to completing postgraduate studies in weed science and eventually moving into academic research. The conversation dives into the evolution of no-till farming, why early systems often struggled, and the key changes that helped no-till become a practical and widely adopted approach. Ken also reflects on the major differences between farming systems in Zimbabwe and Western Australia, particularly around input use, scale and efficiency. Now a Professor at the University of Western Australia, Ken is working at the intersection of agronomy, herbicide resistance, weed mapping and emerging technology. He discusses how AI, computer algorithms and better use of historical data could help farmers and researchers better understand weed distribution and improve future weed management. Topics covered include: • Ken’s farming background and early career in Zimbabwe • Tobacco agronomy and weed control • The transition from conventional cultivation to no-till • Moving to Western Australia and joining WANTFA • Herbicide resistance and weed management • Weed mapping and data-driven agriculture • The opportunities and limitations of AI in farming • What the future of agronomy could look like A fascinating conversation about how farming systems evolve, what we can learn from the past, and where technology may take agriculture next. Subscribe for more conversations with farmers, researchers and industry leaders shaping the future of Australian agriculture.