What is the issue?

Black-grass is the costliest weed that UK arable famers must deal with. With a unique lifecycle that enables it to thrive in arable systems, it can drive down yields by up to 70%. Up to one fifth of wheat in the UK is under threat due to farmers’ inability to control populations of weeds such as black-grass.

In 2014 the weed reached epidemic levels. Whilst the problem had been emerging for a number of years, it became clear that it had become resistant to most of the herbicides being used to treat it. To compound the problem, regulators were putting pressure on the agricultural industry to limit the use of herbicides. As a result, black-grass grew out of control in many areas. Urgent action is needed if the crisis is not to be repeated.

‘When it’s up and running, this crop protection platform will help famers to manage black-grass, reduce their herbicide expenditure and, hopefully, increase wheat yield. By ensuring farmers don’t unnecessarily use a herbicide if the black-grass is resistant to it, we should see environmental benefits too. Policy makers, NGO’s interested in sustainable agriculture, consumers, agri-businesses and agronomists can all make use of the data we collect through the farm network.’ Dr Paul Neve, AHDB. Formerly project lead at Rothamsted Research

JOIN US

Science, events and institute updates and discussions.