Event Date : June 1, 2015
This field lab examines the approaches and experience that John Pawsey has had bringing sheep back onto his arable farm and the range of strategies available for dealing with a black grass problem. The Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme (DOFF) funded field trial, looking at the effect of grazing a winter wheat crop with sheep in the spring on black grass populations and crop yield will be demonstrated as one approach.
This field lab will demonstrate the results of the on-farm field trials whilst differences in black grass numbers are most obvious during flowering. Results from the trials so far will be presented and participants will be able to see differences in black grass populations in the field. A CTM Weed Surfer will also be demonstrated as another option for black grass control in cereal crops. Timing of using the machine and whether cut black grass seeds are viable will be discussed. John Pawsey will also talk about his experience of bringing sheep back into his rotation and how this will help with black grass on his farm.
1230 – Arrivals and light lunch
1300 – Introduction to field lab and the farm
1315 – Presentation of results so far from sheep grazing trial and other trials. (Nick Fradgley, ORC)
1330 – Demonstration of sheep grazing trial and crop trial plots.
1430 – Demo and discussion of weed surfer on black grass.
1530 – tea/coffee
See photos from first field lab here
More information here
