Keeping up to date with Rake and Roll

UK - October 16, 2012



Following up the farm scale demonstration of the new Rake and Roll cultivator on Jon Sharp’s Yorkshire farm, the technique appears to have successfully stimulated black-grass to germinate and allowed glyphosate to be used to control emerged black-grass plants prior to drilling oilseed rape.

Independent consultants Simon and Dale Senior of JK Senior and Sons together with Dow AgroSciences set up this field scale demonstration to show that using cultural control methods together with integrating and optimising performance of available chemistry across the rotation is the way to successful weed control.  “The straw rake and roll technique was designed to create the best possible chance for black-grass seeds to germinate, whilst preserving soil structure and with minimal soil disturbance. It looks as if it has done a good job.”

Ian Corr of Dow AgroSciences, who has been involved in this experiment from its inception, says that the rake and roll technique used on wheat stubble has helped to reduce the black-grass numbers on the field by allowing a pre-drilling application of glyphosate. The field is now awaiting an application of Kerb Flo 500 when conditions are right for optimal performance.  “Kerb Flo 500 has a key role to play as it delivers high levels of weed control when used at its optimum timing and under optimum conditions. It also has no black-grass resistance issues which on this farm and thousands of others in the UK continues to be a challenging problem to overcome.”

“Normally the Kerb window is from mid November onwards, so we are waiting for the best conditions before application. To get the best from Kerb, soil temperatures need to be low - around 10ºC at 30cms and falling. Cold temperatures mean longer persistence. Good soil moisture is needed to help the herbicide distribute evenly in the top few cms of the soil and Dow AgroSciences report regularly on soil moisture and temperatures. Growers and advisors can get this information on a regular basis throughout the autumn and winter from us directly or via our web site at http://www.dowagro.com/uk/oilseed/kerb.htm.”

Ian reminds growers that Kerb Flo 500 is now available in a new easy to use liquid formulation with new dose rates.  “New Kerb Flo 500 is 25% more concentrated and now comes in 10 litre packs. This means you only need to open and rinse 17 packs of Kerb Flo 500 to treat 100 hectares of oilseed rape, whereas you would need 42 packs of 400g propyzamide in 5 litre packs. With this new formulation comes a new top dose rate of 1.7 l/ha. Another time saver is Kerb’s new packaging which has a self seal cap and no metal foil to dispose of. New Kerb Flo 500 makes the most of available spray days by making it easier and quicker to apply.”