Adas researchers are urging UK growers to take part in a survey as part of a new European research project aimed to help farmers adopt alternative weed control strategies. 

With herbicide resistance, a lack of new active ingredients and legislation reducing the number of available herbicide actives, growers are being pushed towards biological and cultural methods of weed control.

However, many farmers are reluctant to adopt alternative methods because of the perceived complexity and costs.

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Therefore, to improve grower confidence in using these strategies, a H2021 European project called Oper8 will share guidance and advice on alternative methods that are proven to be effective against key weeds, explained Lynn Tatnell, principal weed research scientist at RSK Adas.

Oper8 is a three-year project led by the Agricultural University of Athens and is supported by eight partner organisations from seven countries.

The overall objective is to communicate, demonstrate and promote alternative weed control solutions to key stakeholders through networks across the EU.

The project builds on the findings from eight European innovation projects, two of which Adas was involved with, which investigated alternative weed control methods.

An inventory of factsheets, videos, e-learning modules, demonstration events and workshops will be used to disseminate the information gathered during these projects.

It will also provide policy guidance in the form of targeted national action plans.

Alternative weed control survey

To ensure the needs of British farmers are addressed, Oper8 is asking farmers, advisers and agricultural researchers to complete a short survey to share their opinions and use of alternative weed control.  

Dr Tatnell says: “Grower insight is pivotal for the project to be successful. Their feedback and experience will help develop national action plans and future alternative weed technology that align with growers’ needs to produce competitive crops with reduced availability of actives.”

For every survey completed, participants will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of winning a free annual subscription to Adas Crop Action or a hamper provided by Hamper Fayre.

The deadline for submissions is 8 March. The survey can be found online.