For years farmers have relied on herbicides to control any weeds that appear in their crop, but today grass weeds, particularly black grass, are becoming more difficult to control. Most herbicide manufacturers now suggest farmers use a mix of chemical and cultivation techniques to achieve a satisfactory overall level of weed control.
To increase awareness of these issues, Lemken has launched its Weed Wise initiative that aims to educate farmers about the cost of poor weed control, and the cultivation techniques available to support their chemical control methods. A series of posters produced by the firm guide visitors through the problem, and important steps towards providing a solution. The key points are:
- The cost of weeds in the crop.
- How cultivations can support the chemical weed control program.
- The difference between ploughing and ‘good’ ploughing. Many users are not burying their weeds properly today.
- How to reduce the weed seed bank.
- Why two passes are more effective than one when it comes to preparing a stale seedbed.
Lemken has been a leader in cultural weed control for many years. The company’s range of plough bodies and skimmers, and Lemken expert advice, ensures the plough will always bury seeds properly. The Smaragd cultivator, meanwhile, that was launched in 1986 to prepare a stale seedbed on sandy soils, sold more than 25,000 units and is the company’s best-selling product of all time.
The Rubin disc harrow is Lemken’s best-selling machine today and Europe’s leading compact disc harrow. It’s designed to prepare a stale seedbed on clay soils, or where there is a lot of surface straw.
Lemken UK is currently in year two of a five-year trial with Agrii that was established specifically to understand the effects of cultivation system on black grass. The company has built a vast experience and knowledge of cultural weed control, and Weed Wise gives farmers the opportunity to benefit from this knowledge.
For more information visit: www.lemken.com.
