| Arable
Giant black-grass requires lock stock approach
Bigger black-grass heads and increased tiller numbers have been the topic of conversation for growers this year . If not managed effectively , this could pose a heightened risk for growers this autumn .
N igel Riches , Arable Technical Specialist for Certis , explains what he ’ s been seeing in the field .
“ Black-grass is a problem that in
Chris the past has generally been confined to the main arable areas , in the east of the country .
“ But increasingly we ’ re seeing this pernicious weed spreading further west each season . Where previously black-grass has not been a big issue in the region , it is now significantly reducing yields .
“ This year in particular , we ’ ve witnessed trial work where blackgrass plants have yielded more seeds per head than previously seen , with plant tiller numbers between 10 and 30 , whereas last year we were seeing between 6 to 15 tillers per plant . This is potentially due to the warm and wet winter and spring we ’ ve experienced .
“ Consequently , if not kept on top of , black-grass could be back to haunt growers next year with a vengeance ,” adds Mr Riches .
Year on year , growers are being encouraged to use all the tools in the box , and fully utilise cultural control methods in order to keep on top of black-grass . “ Growers need to see the benefit of taking a proactive approach to managing black-grass that consists of cultural control methods , combined with a robust herbicide programme ,” he says .
A recent study published by AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds has found that by delaying sowing by roughly three weeks from mid to late September , to early or mid- October , resulted in an average of 33 % less black-grass plants per metre squared . This , combined with other control options such as ploughing , spring cropping and higher seed rates can all help control this weed .
Chris Charnock , Arable Product Manager at Certis , explains that pre-emergence herbicides are key to controlling black-grass especially at the early growth stages . “ As long as there is enough moisture at the time of application , pre-emergence herbicides are vital and effective .
“ Stacking several products with different modes of actions , one of which includes flufenacet , will help in the fight against this economically damaging weed , while helping contribute to resistance management to prolong the life of the few modes of action we currently have .
Charnock
“ A minimum of 97 % control is needed each season in order for black-grass infestations to remain static . Considering what we ’ ve seen this year , growers need to be planning ahead as to how they are going to best keep on top of blackgrass in a way that is suited to their farming system ,” says Mr Charnock .
Advice on combining pea harvest from PGRO
Great care should be taken when harvesting peas to maintain quality .
F requently growers are tempted to leave the crop just one or two days too long before combining . When they are ready , peas should be the priority for harvest resources .
Peas will shatter from pods more easily if left in the field too long increasing pre-harvest losses
Yield and quality can be affected very quickly if peas are left too long before harvesting , and when moisture content is allowed to fall below 12 % or peas are overdried , the proportion of ‘ nonsoakers ’ may increase or they may split or crack .
Bleaching will occur in bright sunny weather - and wet weather at harvest can cause staining ,
adversely affecting quality . Peas will shatter from pods more easily if left in the field too long increasing pre-harvest losses . When combining , growers are advised to keep the forward speed up and good flow though the machine . Check and adjust for header and combine losses .
Peas can be combined when moisture content reaches 18 %, and higher quality seed and human consumption is often achieved by harvesting at 18 – 20 % moisture content followed by careful drying .
Attention to these points is essential . The difference between a good quality sample and one that goes for animal feed can easily be more than £ 100 / t , that is an average of £ 500 / ha off the gross margin .
14 | Farming Monthly | August 2016 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk