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The Teagasc Specialist report, entitled Tillage Crops Report, released this week, highlighted the threat posed by grass weeds to Irish farmers, and emphasised the increased danger of blackgrass in crops.
Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides), is also known as slender fox tail, which describes its general shape. The heads will often take on a dark purple to black colour and this is what gives it its most-used name.
The plant mainly germinates in autumn, but individuals can also germinate in spring.
By the time you see the heads, you have missed any potential selective control opportunity by six to eight months, but you should seriously consider removing infested areas to help prevent seed return.
The report, which was assembled by the specialist team at Teagasc, encouraged farmers to implement a grass weed control plan and to carefully monitor the situation.
Teagasc will host a series of septoria workshops in early July.
These will address emerging septoria resistance issues and the best ways to address season-long control.
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