UK farmer adopts mechanical weeding over herbicides

In response to diminishing returns from chemical herbicides and increasing concerns over resistance, Jonathan Hodgson, a farmer in East Yorkshire, has shifted his weed control strategy to incorporate mechanical weeding. This transition comes at a time when optimal spring conditions have allowed Hodgson to reintroduce the hoe to his fields, targeting a 35-hectare stretch of winter wheat to control blackgrass.

With conventional contact herbicides becoming less effective and selective in combating unresistant strains of blackgrass, Hodgson has largely phased them out. “The chemistry is not achieving full control, which makes it not worth the investment,” Hodgson stated, pointing out the potential for resistance to exacerbate weed problems.

The focus at Hodgson’s 280-hectare arable farm has now pivoted to a robust pre-emergent regimen, employing a combination of Avadex (tri-allate) granules and a split dose of Liberator (diflufenican and flufenacet), Luximo (cinmethylin), and Stomp (pendimethalin). This chemical groundwork is supplemented in the spring with the use of a Claydon Terrablade inter-row hoe, a piece of equipment Hodgson describes as “an important extra tool in the toolbox.”

The effectiveness of the Terrablade hoe is contingent on the right weather conditions, particularly dry soil which ensures the friable texture necessary for optimal operation. Despite investing in the hoe four years ago, the past two wet springs prevented its use. “When the weather eventually dried up, we were so busy drilling and getting crops into the ground, that we were at full capacity and didn’t have enough time to use the hoe,” Hodgson admitted. However, this year’s cold and dry conditions provided an ideal setting for the hoe’s deployment.

The timing of mechanical weeding is critical, particularly in autumn-sown crops. Hodgson aims to hoe before the plants’ stem extension, around growth stage 32. He explains, “Crops are currently in GS30 which is the ideal timing, plus this allows the ability to go back into the crop for a second weed, if required.”

Hodgson uses a targeted approach for mechanical weeding, only addressing areas most afflicted by weeds, which helps in managing the delicate balance between removing weeds and avoiding damage to the wheat plants. “If you don’t take out blackgrass, this would likely have an even greater impact on yield over the long-term,” he noted.

For those considering mechanical weeding, Hodgson recommends trialling a hoe on-farm or hiring a local contractor to ascertain its suitability for their specific farming system. This approach underscores a growing trend among farmers seeking sustainable alternatives to chemical herbicides.