Got BLACK GRASS? Then, I need your help...

Northantsplants · Aug 28, 2023

The big reveal of everything that is involved in this project is coming next week to those farms who have signed up to receive more info at:
https://eutrema.co.uk/the-black-grass-biology-group/

In the meantime, why not listen to our podcast episode all about black grass at:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5acl6d50ssighMNgoNvScF?si=E3J5OangTyOs4qSqvB5cyg

thanks for your patience
Russell

Northantsplants · Sep 9, 2023

I have just emailed the full details of the project to the farmers who have joined the group. If you signed up and didn't receive the presentation, please check your spam folder.

If you have not signed up yet and are interested in a new way to control black grass that you can use every year for a one off payment that is a fraction of your annual herbicide bill, please sign up below to find out more:
https://eutrema.co.uk/the-black-grass-biology-group/

Russell

Northantsplants · Nov 22, 2023

Many thanks to everybody who helped us with this project. The results will be on show at Croptec next week. We also hope to showcase it in Direct Driller magazine in the new year.
See pic below for a very sick looking black grass plant

Russ

alomy75 · Nov 22, 2023

Northantsplants said:
Many thanks to everybody who helped us with this project. The results will be on show at Croptec next week. We also hope to showcase it in Direct Driller magazine in the new year.
See pic below for a very sick looking black grass plant
Russ

I have never seen a blackgrass plant that big and bushy without an ear on it! Must be a scale thing. Definitely sure it’s blackgrass?!

Northantsplants · Nov 22, 2023

alomy75 said:
I have never seen a blackgrass plant that big and bushy without an ear on it! Must be a scale thing. Definitely sure it’s blackgrass?!

Yes, definitely is. We have given it a hell of a going over here in the lab. Refusing to let it reproduce too

alomy75 · Nov 22, 2023

Northantsplants said:
Yes, definitely is. We have given it a hell of a going over here in the lab. Refusing to let it reproduce too

Nice. I’ve just looked on your website; assume you’re using the blackgrass microbes listed there. Interesting stuff. I’m assuming the limiting factor is the logistics/application ie in the lab it works but once ‘farmers’ are introduced results could potentially be anomalous? I am a farmer but reading your details it seems there are lots of processes/rules to keep the stuff alive until it can do it’s thing?

Northantsplants · Nov 22, 2023

alomy75 said:
Nice. I’ve just looked on your website; assume you’re using the blackgrass microbes listed there. Interesting stuff. I’m assuming the limiting factor is the logistics/application ie in the lab it works but once ‘farmers’ are introduced results could potentially be anomalous? I am a farmer but reading your details it seems there are lots of processes/rules to keep the stuff alive until it can do it’s thing?

Thanks for the feedback!
I wouldn't say that there are a lot of processes/rules; just a comprehensive list of recommendations to keep the product from being destroyed in the spray tank. Same advise goes for any biological that is destined to be foliar sprayed.

Yes, we still need more data on in-field performance, hence the trial packs (50ha).
Russ

alomy75 · Nov 22, 2023

Northantsplants said:
Thanks for the feedback!
I wouldn't say that there are a lot of processes/rules; just a comprehensive list of recommendations to keep the product from being destroyed in the spray tank. Same advise goes for any biological that is destined to be foliar sprayed.

Yes, we still need more data on in-field performance, hence the trial packs (50ha).
Russ

Have you done any small plot replicated trials by an independent contractor?

Northantsplants · Nov 22, 2023

alomy75 said:
Have you done any small plot replicated trials by an independent contractor?

Hi Alomy
Yes, a good point.

Independent trials are all set up 2024. Plus we have a major trial over at Lamport with Agrovista.

Fully acknowledge that the technology is unproven in the field and this is reflected in the cost.

I am not one for the hard sell, and I know some people are cautious and others are early adopters of technology. I just ask those interested to consider the cost of circa £5/ha, compared to traditional herbicides that we know for certain from real world trials are not fully effective.

Please feel free to fire further questions if you have them. Russ

tr250 · Nov 22, 2023

@Northantsplants Did I hear you’re having a plot at Lamport?
Edit just seen your reply

thorpe · Nov 22, 2023

holmes65 said:
Are you planning to do any work with ryegrass?

thorpe · Nov 22, 2023

Two Tone said:
Me too. I’ve signed up.
I’m not far away either. But I reckon it is wetter here than in Daventry and the amount of ‘Wetness’ definitely affects the amount of BG we get each year.

shoudn't be any blackgrass left then

thorpe · Nov 22, 2023

alomy75 said:
I can think of one or two farmers who may disagree with that

there's one here who dosn't!

Northantsplants · Nov 23, 2023

thorpe said:

Yes, the same technology will be applied to perennial and Italian ryegrass next. Plus rat's tail fescue.

We won't be touching wild oats or brome for the foreseeable for scientific reasons.

alomy75 · Nov 23, 2023

Northantsplants said:
Yes, the same technology will be applied to perennial and Italian ryegrass next. Plus rat's tail fescue.

We won't be touching wild oats or brome for the foreseeable for scientific reasons.

Interesting. I’m assuming as trials are set up for 2024 that it goes on in the spring rather than to small plants growing now….what is the ideal application timing to avoid the worst weather and travelling conditions but also to avoid fungicide oversprays? Does the size of the blackgrass matter in terms of efficacy?

Northantsplants · Nov 23, 2023

alomy75 said:
Interesting. I’m assuming as trials are set up for 2024 that it goes on in the spring rather than to small plants growing now….what is the ideal application timing to avoid the worst weather and travelling conditions but also to avoid fungicide oversprays? Does the size of the blackgrass matter in terms of efficacy?

It is planned for early spring, then three further applications at three week intervals.

However, I am more than happy to send out extra spores to any customers for winter applications if they want to get out spraying in winter. I would do this if I was spraying something (other than a fungicide) on the crop at the same time. It would be no extra effort or cost.

Ideally avoid rain (wash off before infection), wind (spray drift), and mid day sun (UV).

We have seen infection on black grass of all ages, but the plan is to hit it early so its growth rate slows dramatically and the crop grows over it and smothers it.

carbonfibre farmer · Nov 23, 2023

Northantsplants said:
Hi Alomy
Yes, a good point.

Independent trials are all set up 2024. Plus we have a major trial over at Lamport with Agrovista.

Fully acknowledge that the technology is unproven in the field and this is reflected in the cost.

I am not one for the hard sell, and I know some people are cautious and others are early adopters of technology. I just ask those interested to consider the cost of circa £5/ha, compared to traditional herbicides that we know for certain from real world trials are not fully effective.

Please feel free to fire further questions if you have them. Russ

Were you at the agrovista event on Tuesday at Claas UK?
There was a presentation on biosciences and stimulants, but I'm reasonably sure it wasn't you!

Northantsplants · Nov 23, 2023

carbonfibre farmer said:
Were you at the agrovista event on Tuesday at Claas UK?
There was a presentation on biosciences and stimulants, but I'm reasonably sure it wasn't you!

No, that wasn't me.
I have written a fair few articles on bio-stimulants (what to look for, modes of action, etc) however, I have moved our focus away from them in recent years as lots of companies are now selling them. We still manufacture massive volumes of seaweed extracts and humic acid concentrate each year, but they are not the products that we focus our marketing effort on. Having said that, always happy to chat to anybody about biostimulants.
Russ

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