Redekop has advanced its market-leading position in controlling weed seeds at harvest by developing the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) retrofit
Redekop has been the first choice for growers during the 2024-25 harvest season to fit a combine-mounted Seed Control Unit (SCU) that acts as a grinding mill to pulverise any weed seeds.
With all this happening during the normal course of the harvest. See how Redekop became the perfect fit for John Deere X9 Series harvesters this season here.
The Seed Control Unit (SCU) from Redekop works to eliminate any herbicide-resistant weeds thoroughly, and growers’ uptake has almost outpaced the brand’s availability over the past two seasons.
And while that dominance will continue for high-powered harvesters the company has thrown a lifeline to operators of small combines that don’t quite have the power to run a grinding mill.
Redekop has developed the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) retrofit system that can eliminate herbicide-resistant weeds at harvest with blue lights and infrared, and the design makes it ideal for lower-powered harvesters.
The Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) is being developed by Redekop together with US firm Global Neighbor Inc (GNI), a specialist in non-chemical weed control.
The Redekop alternative WSD system requires far less power than an SCU as it uses GNI’s Direct Energy technology to fire a high-intensity combination of blue light and mid-range infrared wave-lengths at the chaff. Any seeds exposed to this light immediately lose the viability to propagate.
There is no cracking or burning material to contend with, as it runs off a 24V system and only needs limited power to operate, making it ideal for previous generation lesser powered combines.
The kit for the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) is simply mounted at the back of the sieves.
Move to mechanical weed seed control
Controlling weeds has always been a challenge, and when Redekop stepped up to release its weed seed mill attachment for combines, it then became more about eliminating the dispersal of weed seeds during harvest than waiting to spray later.
In the first instance, the Redekop combine-mounted Seed Control Unit has eliminated the issue of growers having to contend with weed seeds distributed by the harvester and then taking root in the paddocks post-harvest.
In addition, the Redekop Seed Control Unit has become the first line of defence to combat weeds that have become resistant to herbicides. This has combined well with global efforts to reduce the use of chemicals on farms.
Up until now, these weed seed crushing units have typically required high-powered harvesters to draw energy from to be effective.
But now, Redekop has made a further breakthrough by developing a weed seed retrofit system, the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) that is compatible with earlier release smaller combines, providing an effective way to eliminate or at least reduce weed seeds.
Blue light and heat intersect weed seed
The weight of experience and technical advancement of equipment to manage crop residue has ushered the merger between Redekop and Global Neighbor Inc. (GNI) to create this new method to destroy unwanted weed seeds.
GNI has pioneering advanced lighting technology for destroying weed seeds, and Redekop makes a line of attachments for managing crop residue that places the blue light and infrared where it can kill weed seed effectively.
Jon Jackson, founder and president of Global Neighbor Inc, explains the benefits of the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD).
“We are excited to partner with Redekop, a global leader in harvesting technologies that improve farm efficiency and profitability. “Redekop’s extensive experience and operational strength will accelerate the commercialisation of our Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD), a complementary product to their existing offering.”
Jon Jackson adds, “Several universities in the US and elsewhere have tested our technology on eight different weed seed types, with a particular interest in palmer amaranth and ryegrass species (Italian, annual and others).
“The tests have identified efficacy in the high 90% range in paddock trials that have been conducted, with the details to be made public in due course,” Jon concluded.
The Weed Seed Destroyer only draws about 6kW (8hp) on a Class 7 combine, equal to about the variation in idle speed.
A retrofit installation will not be complicated, and Redekop plan to partner with dealers to perform the installation service and provide any ongoing support to WSD customers.
How the Weed Seed Destroyer works
In essence, the principle behind the WSD is to use innovative light energy to neutralise weed seeds collected during harvest, preventing the spread of weeds and reducing future weed problems.
GNI’s patented Directed Energy Flora Control (DEFC) technology is the key component supporting this solution. The DEFC system has already attracted significant interest due to growing concerns about herbicide-resistant weeds and the growing popularity of organic farming.
Redekop will offer the WSD as an addition to its market leading Seed Control Unit (SCU), resulting in a comprehensive range of weed control solutions for growers running just about any combine harvester model.
Redekop President Trevor Thiessen has thrown his full weight behind the program, “The WSD is perfect for smaller combines that we are not currently targeting, while our SCU remains suitable for higher powered recently released combine harvesters.
“With the two product ranges now offered, SCU and WSD, we can provide a full range of solutions to meet the needs of combine owners around the world.
Under the partnership agreement, GNI and Redekop will adapt the WSD to fit combine harvester models, including lower-powered models that were previously not suited for a SCU,” Trevor Thiessen added.
Future way to control weed seed
The WSD is designed to be cost-effective for retrofitting to older combine harvesters with a low power consumption of just 6kW (8hp), making it ideal for combines in Class 6 or 7 and below.
The co-branded product will be marketed and installed through Redekop’s leading dealer network, with first orders expected to be taken later in 2025 following further trials during the recent harvest.
GNIs says it’s committed to reducing the use of chemicals in farm environments is the driving force behind the WSD development. Supported initially by its Directed Energy technology that was first commercialised as a portable weed killer for use in the home and garden.
GNI is focused on tackling herbicide-resistant weeds and in the process reducing labour costs in agriculture. Together with AgLaunch, GNI has already conducted two years of agricultural trials through the AgLaunch Farmer Network, proving the concept and refining their product.
“For 2025, we plan to expand our testing with plans for a limited release in 2026. Farmers interested in participating in the 2025 testing season can contact Redekop Manufacturing for more information.”
Power behind 25,000 combine harvester retrofits
Dean Mayerle, Redekop’s Chief Technology Officer explains further, “Our close collaboration over the past two years has highlighted the synergy between Redekop’s engineering expertise and GNI’s technology.
“We are pleased to deepen our partnership with this agreement, by utilising state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to produce high-quality, reliable products for customers around the world,” Dean Mayerle adds.
The company is a major player in the production of straw chopper technology for combine manufacturers and has fitted Redekop technology to more than 25,000 combines worldwide.
In fact, Redekop straw and chaff management technology is now standard equipment on most well-known brands of combine harvester models.
As a manufacturer of straw chopper upgrades for combine harvesters, Redekop has developed Maximum Air Velocity (MAV) technology for superior residue management.
MAV technology outperforms any other product on the market today, achieving the widest spread and finest cut available. The MAV chopper rotor is available to upgrade the performance of many original choppers.
Once the Weed Seed Destroyer (WSD) is released it will benefit hundreds of thousands of growers running combines of Class 6 or 7 and below, while the Redekop SCU will continue to benefit later models to destroy weed seed at harvest.
More information about the availability of WSD and SCU technology can be gained from local Redekop area managers,
For more information about the availability of WSD and SCU technology or to find your nearest Redekop dealer, see www.RedekopMFG.com or contact your local Redekop expert on the ground, Marney Strachan, on 0419 912 903, or email mstrachan@redekopmfg.com
For more regional locations, call Neale Heinrich for the SA/Vic growing regions direct on 0418 823 627, or by email: nheinrich@redekopmfg.com or call Tom Fleay in WA direct at 0428 420 154, or by email: tfleay@redekopmfg.com for help and advice.
Redekop SCU action video
Catch the video about a John Deere X9 combine armed with a Redekop SCU here.
The Seed Control Unit has been optimised so that one mill configuration will operate under a wide range of crop conditions while minimising power usage and maximising throughput with weed seed kill rates of up to 98%.
