Reducing Spread Overview

Another reason black-grass is so difficult to control is how quickly it can multiply. This is why you need 97% control to truly irradiate the effects of black-grass on your farm, and why nothing can be left to chance. Ensuring seeds are not spread by completely avoidable activity is a crucial part in ensuring your black-grass strategy does not include a one step forward, two step back approach.

There are lots of different ways seeds can spread, so it’s important to consider them all. One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of black-grass seed is to ensure your machinery has been thoroughly cleaned, as discussed in previous years as part of our ‘keep it clean’ campaign.

Crop material and debris can accumulate in various areas and the direction of the wind , type of crop and crop moisture content can all impact where and how much it can build up. This means that it’s important to be aware of harvest conditions and adjust when and how regularly you clean your kit. It’s also a good time to check proper machine function and to reduce the risk of fire and general operator safety.

Certain areas within the combine may require more frequent cleaning, even multiple times a day. This will of course be a time investment, at a particularly busy period but it will be worth it, as even a handful of seeds can lead to big problems in years to come if left undetected.

If you’re using a contractor, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask them to check and cleans wheels and engine platforms before they get started. There’s one thing battling with your own black-grass problem, but to be affected by someone else’s is a bitter pill to swallow.

Supporting blogs

• 5 ways black-grass is spreading across the UK, and what you can do about it.
• Your printable check-list of farm visitors and contractors to help reduce black-grass seed
• John Deere’s guide to keeping a combine clean
• Farmer videos on their rules to follow to reduce black-grass seed spreading