Overview
On the arable side of things, the rotation is based on a three-year cropping plan which includes winter wheat, winter barley and AB6 (enhanced overwintered stubble). On the very worst blackgrass land, fields are taken out of the rotation and put into GS4 (herbal legume pasture) for 5 years to help bring pressures down.
Read more in his blog below:
DOWNLOAD BLOG
Questions & Answers
Blackgrass is a major issue for us. It’s a pernicious weed, it’s very adaptable and it changes and mutates very quickly. It has always been an issue on farm. Even a small amount of resistance to any chemical will just cause it to explode.
Control starts with deciding how we’re going to prepare the ground. If it’s a good year, we’ll try to direct drill, but if there is a serious blackgrass situation then we’ll plough. We also use glyphosate prior to drilling.
We then deploy a very robust pre-emergence programme. This is very important. We do have to be careful not to stack too many actives, however, as this can damage the crops.
Case Study
Image Gallery
Richard Ward, farm manager
Kirsty McKenzie, commercial technical manager and Richard Ward, farm manager
Farm Facts
Location: Gloucestershire
Arable hectares: 200ha
Average wheat hectarage: 50ha
Soil type: Varied – Warwickshire clay, Banbury iron stone and sand
Crops in rotation: Winter wheat and winter barley
Grass weed issue: Blackgrass
Richards tip for tackling blackgrass
Control starts with deciding on how you’re going to prepare the ground
If it’s a good year, try to direct drill. If there is a serious blackgrass situation then plough
Use glyphosate prior to drilling