More than 60 per cent of growers confirmed black-grass remains the most problematic weed on-farm, in new poll results this week.

As part of Arable Weed Week (AWW), which saw farmers and experts share the latest thinking on sustainable weed management, growers were invited to take part in a series of polls to uncover some of the most pressing weed challenges on-farm.

The results reflected the reservations of farmers on the ground, including featured AWW farmer Sam Markillie, Cambridgeshire farmer at Trinity Hall Farm, who reminded the community a ‘zero tolerance approach would be crucial to ensuring the grass-weed did not get ahead of growers.

We have a bulletproof pre-emergence programme for blackgrass; we dont have any resistance on-farm but its important we dont become complacent and let it slip, he said.

The findings also revealed nearly 50 per cent of farmers used diflufenican as their standard pre-emergence treatment on farm, with AWW shining a light on the importance of mode of action diversity and the benefits for herbicide resistance.

Ryegrass and bromes were highlighted by growers as weeds of emerging concern, as identified in AWWs ‘new innovation webinar, sponsored by Bayer, which saw leading weed biologist at NIAB John Cussans, explain how ryegrass was spreading outside of localised hotspots.

Alongside weed pressure, the polls revealed reduction to single farm payment as the most significant challenge to farming businesses going forward.

To catch up on all AWW action, including debates and discussion with some of the best and brightest in the industry, content is now on demand for you to watch at www.croptecshow.com/aww.