Data for UK trials
Controlling weeds at harvest is a novel concept in the UK so to explore the potential further, farmers and researchers have been trialling the Redekop Seed Control Unit (SCU) technology over the past two years in a bid to expand the non-chemical options for weed control available to UK growers. The technology, which is well proven across Canada, the USA and Australia, enables the milling of chaff to a fine dust, found in independent trials to destroy up to 98% of harvested weed seeds, such as meadow brome, blackgrass, and ryegrass. Trial work in the UK was initiated by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), in partnership with NIAB, and funded by Redekop. This is the first time it has been trialled in a maritime climate.
Year 1
Initial work was carried out at NIAB’s farm near Cambridgeshire with the technology fitted to a Case IH 7230 in a field with high meadow brome and wild oat burdens.
Year 2
The second year of research saw the technology rolled out onto commercial farms, all with varying weed pressures. The results - 83% weed reduction in the following crop of blackgrass seed retained in winter wheat, brome populations significantly reduced.
The Triallists
ADAM DRIVER, SUFFOLK Combine: Claas Lexion 8800 Weed challenge: Blackgrass build up in chaff lines of controlled-traffic farming system and brome.
JAKE FREESTONE, WORCESTERSHIRE Combine: John Deere S790i Weed challenge: A growing problem with meadow brome.
TED HOLMES, WARWICKSHIRE Combine: New Holland CR9.90 Weed challenge: Italian ryegrass is weed enemy number one
Fuel usage
The three triallist farmers noted anecdotally that this increased about 10% with the SCU engaged, which reflects experience from other parts of the world.
You can download the leaflet here.
