If you suspect herbicide resistance in grass or broadleaved weeds, you should allow some of those weeds to go to seed. Collect the seed once it is ripe and send it for herbicide resistance testing.

There may still be weed seeds in unharvested fields or in the hedges or grass margins of fields after harvest.

You will need to collect a cup or two of smaller seeds like broadleaved weeds, blackgrass, Italian ryegrass and annual meadow grass. Bigger weed seeds like brome and wild oats will require more seed – one to two pint glasses.

Seeds should be placed in a paper envelope and sealed before sending for testing.

When sending the samples to Oakpark you need to attach a form, which you can find clicking this link.

Send dry seeds in a paper envelope with the completed form to: Vijaya Bhaskar, Teagasc Oak Park Crops Research Centre, Carlow, R93 XE12, or deliver by hand to Teagasc main reception, Oak Park, Carlow.

For queries, or if you want us to collect your population, contact Vijaya Bhaskar (087-060-9409).

It should be noted that this is the last year of free resistance testing. Next year resistance testing will still be available, but on a case-by-case basis.