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Know How / Blackgrass

Blackgrass is a major problem facing cereal growers in the UK. Herbicide resistance and glyphosate regulation means that farmers need to use a combination of chemical and cultural controls. See the latest advice on stopping the spread and how to use an integrated approach to tackle this prolific grassweed.

Advice and tips

CROP MANAGEMENT

Advice on backwards and poorly established crops this spring

An early dose of nitrogen to nurse backwards cereal crops into action will be key to optimising yield after crops battled intense rainfall this winter. Soils could be carrying 40-60kg/ha…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Herbicide mix shows good ryegrass control

Good control of ryegrass in winter wheat can be achieved using a new herbicide alongside others with different modes of action, cultural controls and timing sprays when there is adequate…

BLACKGRASS

Farm trial shows best blackgrass strategy with new herbicide

The arrival of a new mode-of-action residual herbicide has seen major changes to one farming company’s pre-emergence programme on winter wheat, after trialling different combinations. Velcourt has spent the past…

BLACKGRASS

Tips on tackling brome caused by blackgrass measures

Brome problems arising from blackgrass measures can easily be tackled, providing that farmers know which species they are dealing with.   Both meadow and soft bromes have been an unwanted…

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Case studies

ARABLE

Grower moves to direct-drilled OSR and companion crops

Dorset grower Andrew Fry is growing oilseed rape for the first time and is hoping for a good yield from his new break crop. There is also £100/ha of government…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Video: Leicester farm trials weed seed unit on Fendt combine

Europe’s first Redekop seed control unit (SCU) fitted to a Fendt Ideal 10T combine, aimed at controlling weed seeds, is being put to the test this harvest in Leicestershire at…

BLACKGRASS

Borage and herbage seed helps Essex farm fight blackgrass

Borage and herbage seed break crops have helped one heavy land Essex arable farm get on top of blackgrass, with double spring-sown breaks and low soil disturbance seen as the…

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Insights

BLACKGRASS

Why low disturbance subsoiling raised yields in trial

Cracking soil with a low-disturbance subsoiler has been the springboard to help raise yields in the direct drilling plots of Agrii’s Stow Longa long-term blackgrass trial. The silt-rich soils at…

BLACKGRASS

Why traffic light approach is vital for blackgrass this autumn

Growers are advised to use a traffic light approach in each field to avoid drilling loss-making winter wheat crops, as the pressure to drill earlier rises this autumn in the…

BLACKGRASS

Blackgrass control as later-germinating populations emerge

Blackgrass emergence patterns are shifting towards later-germinating populations, which are prompting growers and agronomists to adapt control strategies to keep on top of the weed. Evidence is also suggesting that…

DRILLING

3 risks to assess before drilling winter wheat early

Winter wheat growers are being advised to think hard about three heightened risks before going for early drilling this autumn – namely blackgrass, aphid-borne disease, and septoria. After a very…

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News

BLACKGRASS

Best practice reminder - applying Avadex granules with drill

Growers are being reminded of best practice when applying Avadex (tri-allate) granules with a drill this autumn, to get the best grassweed kill. The benefit of applying tri-allate with a…

BLACKGRASS

New blackgrass biological control product in testing phase

A biological approach to blackgrass control, which effectively infects them with disease, is being tested on UK farms.  Rather than killing the weed, the product uses fungi to stunt its…

BLACKGRASS

Drainage key to combatting blackgrass, research shows

Blackgrass often thrives on heavy, waterlogged land, and new research has revealed how the problematic weed uses specific adaptations in root structure to flourish in saturated soils. Scientists at Rothamsted…

ARABLE

Application conditions vital for herbicide success in February

Farmers who were unable to apply herbicides as planned last autumn are being advised to check crops for their weed status and apply a post-emergence herbicide as soon as conditions…

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Test and reviews

New Defy 3D nozzle: Sprayer operators give their verdict

Agrochemical giant Syngenta has launched its new Defy 3D spray nozzle, which will provide growers with improved grassweed control and reduced spray drift. The new nozzle is an evolution of…

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Video

WEED MANAGEMENT

Video: Leicester farm trials weed seed unit on Fendt combine

Europe’s first Redekop seed control unit (SCU) fitted to a Fendt Ideal 10T combine, aimed at controlling weed seeds, is being put to the test this harvest in Leicestershire at…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Video: Electronic robot weed zapper cuts inputs and carbon

Four farms will use field robots this autumn to identify weeds, which eventually will lead to electronically zapping them, in a move likely to appeal to growers looking at more…

BLACKGRASS

Video: The plan that battered blackgrass in 12 months

Three Cambridgeshire growers are fighting back against a heavy yield penalty imposed by blackgrass with a new establishment system and have seen a dramatic turnaround in just 12 months. Declining…

ESTABLISHMENT

Video: Advice on autumn establishment and weed control

There are four core factors that determine the success of an autumn established wheat crop – soil and seed-bed quality, weed control, timing and herbicide application. Laying the foundations of…

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