Editor’s View: Complacency will risk future glyphosate use
© GNP Who needs another worry? There have been enough of them in recent weeks.
Farmer confidence across the board is at rock bottom, thanks to the government digging in on inheritance tax, fears mounting about the next spending review, and the weather doing no one any favours.
News that the first case of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass has been confirmed in Kent has hardly helped lift the mood.
See also: First case of glyphosate resistance confirmed on UK farm
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Glyphosate is sometimes referred to as the “world’s most popular herbicide”.
With a well-proven safety record, it is without doubt one of the most important tools in the UK crop grower’s armoury.
The emergence of min- and no-till cultivation techniques, and expansion of regenerative farming, have increased that reliance further, as the chemical is used to clean up seed-beds ahead of autumn and spring drilling.
Anything that jeopardises its efficacy is undoubtedly concerning.
The word from crop experts at this week’s Association of Independent Crop Consultants conference in Towcester is that the development is not a surprise.
The growing number of glyphosate resistance cases across the globe – especially in North and South America, but also in southern Europe – had led many to conclude that it was just a matter of time before it appeared in the UK.
Nevertheless, farmers should not panic. So far, glyphosate resistance has been found in one weed species, on one farm, in one county (although there are another three suspect cases under investigation).
Adas, Niab and plant protection product manufacturers undertake widespread testing every year, and this is the first time Italian ryegrass is known to have survived a correct application of glyphosate.
That is no excuse for complacency, however, and the message is that farmers need to up their game in terms of vigilance and best practice, as set out in the Weed Resistance Action Group guidelines.
Key advice is to use the correct dose, applying enough glyphosate to kill the most resilient weed species on the plot and minimise the chance of “survivors”.
Sprayer maintenance and operation is also critical, ensuring the correct nozzle, appropriate forward speed, and good water quality.
Spraying should be timed to coincide with active weed growth, and avoid repeat applications to individual plants.
Any survivors should be controlled with a different chemical, or better still removed altogether using mechanical weeding.
Achieving all this requires great attention to detail, including active monitoring of treated areas, swift action if the ryegrass is found to persist, and reporting any suspicions of resistance.
And if in doubt, call in a qualified agronomist to evaluate if a perceived resistance problem is not just a case of inadequate application procedures.
There is no doubt that glyphosate is a controversial product, with various environmental groups keen to see it banned.
But it also an essential product, especially for regenerative farming, with no obvious replacement in the pipeline.
It is therefore beholden on the whole industry to act responsibly, secure its efficacy, and preserve its use for years to come.