Weed & Pest Management

With risk of tick-borne diseases changing as new seasonal and geographical patterns emerge, Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) has brought together a new online resource to help farmers and vets to tackle these diseases.

Agronomy firm Hutchinsons is urging growers to push on carefully with follow-up grassweed herbicide treatments as long as conditions allow this autumn, rather than risk delaying control until the spring.

As a specialist in pest control, farm hygiene and animal health, Dave Reece, technical advisor to Lodi UK and owner of Oakwood Farm Services, offers his advice this season.

Following the wake-up call of one of the worst years for infestations in recent memory, growers across the country have been urged to put a much higher priority on wild oat control this season.

Industry interest in a 60-year-old herbicide is at an all-time high this autumn as growers and agronomists across the country deal with an upsurge in grassweed problems.

Independent trials have shown that ADAMA’s ferric phosphate-based slug pellets, Gusto IRON, remain mould-free, durable, and visible for longer thanks to the way they are manufactured.

In June, in lieu of a real-life event, BASF welcomed growers digitally, with the Real Results Virtual Farm Online Demo Week. One of the sessions focused particularly on grassweed control.

While ryegrass is reportedly becoming more of a problem, there’s no doubt black-grass is still the biggest weed challenge. But with so much talk about reduced tillage and a depleted chemical toolbox, are growers managing to control it and can it ever be beaten altogether? Rachel Hicks spoke to two farmers in different locations to find out their approach.

Researchers working to combat a devastating pest of oilseed rape have been supported by a fresh injection of funds. Being given £1.8m in funding to fight Flea beetle and protect crops in an environmentally friendly way.

With the phasing out of metaldehyde and a wet season farmers may need to update their programme to stay ahead of slugs. According to the latest tests ferric phosphate must be key player in ICM programmes.

The recent rise in wet summer weather is the ultimate breeding ground for slugs, so Farmers Guide took a look at Bullock Tillage’s slug pellet applicators for drills and ATVs.

Appreciating the advantages of different sized slug pellets and using tools such as the Calibration Wizard when switching between these products will optimise slug control this autumn.