Our research and food & farming experts worked with Rothamstead Research to analyse the economics of blackgrass on behalf of client Bayer.
Bayer was concerned about the resistance of key herbicides to blackgrass as there was little prospect of new products. Therefore they were keen to remain engaged with their clients promoting alternative (husbandry) methods of blackgrass control.
Our research identified how on-farm returns might change as resistance to key herbicides increases, and whether returning to ploughing, using more spring cropping or even fallowing fields are cost-effective management practices.
The Bayer Blackgrass Model was designed to provide an assessment of blackgrass populations in the crop and seed bank over a crop rotation and consequent impact on yield and loss of revenue. A second analysis provides a simple estimate of the likelihood of resistance developing to the herbicide group applied. The model is based on the available research work, and designed as a tool for agronomists and farmers and not as a research tool.
Consequently, a number of simplifications have been introduced to make the calculator reasonably easy to use. It is assumed that the management inputs are typical of normal practice.
The calculator is fully compatible with touch screen devices and notepad computers, with an important feature being that any of the assumptions can be updated as knowledge increases and herbicides added or deleted as necessary.
The client was very happy with the outcome using the tool for training staff and illustrating the control effectiveness of available options.