Problems

Weeds are a major problem

• Weeds compete with combinable crops, particularly in the early stages of their establishment and also at harvest when they interfere with the combine. They erode yield and adversely affect quality.
• Grass-weeds in particular compete heavily, with black-grass being the No. 1 grass-weed problem in cereals and rape. Wild-oats, rye-grasses and brome are also important and damaging weeds, along with many broad-leaved weeds that compete for light and water.
• In addition the problem of herbicide resistance makes weed control more difficult and expensive.
• Weed resistance is now endemic with resistant black-grass being confirmed in 31 counties, with 83% of samples submitted for testing being resistant to fenoxaprop-p and 41% being target site resistant to ACC-ase herbicides.
• Resistant rye-grass has been found in 28 counties, resistant wild-oats in 26 counties, resistant chickweed in 11 counties and resistant poppies in 7 counties, confirming the spread of this problem not just geographically but also across a range of species.
• All farmers must adopt an effective anti-resistance strategy now.

A long-term and diverse strategy

• A long-term and diverse strategy using a range of planned cultural and chemical method is essential.
• Activities that will reduce the weed seed burden to a manageable level and minimise the weed population across the whole farm must be employed.