Watch: Farmers share their experiences of controlling grass weeds

Farmers involved in the Enable Conservation Tillage (ECT) Project have shared their experiences of controlling grass weeds on their farms.

A survey completed as part of the project has shown that grass weeds are an increasing problem in all tillage systems. However, both plough and non-plough systems can be operated successfully while keeping grass weeds to a minimum.

Below, a number of farmers who have worked with the ECT Project over the past five years share their experiences of differing establishment systems and how they are controlling grass weeds in these systems, with some of the weeds being problematic on some of the farms.

Michael Grace

Michael Grace farms near Clane, north Kildare, operating a strip-till system. In this video, Michael Hennessy, Teagasc Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, visits Michael’s farm to learn how he is dealing with grass weed issues that have developed over the last number of years.

Brian and Eoin Lyons

Down in Kilkenny, Brian and Eoin Lyons have converted from a plough-based establishment system to a direct drill based system. Introduced in 2018, Michael Hennessy, along with Mark Trimble, Teagasc Tillage Advisor, visit the farm to learn more on their reasoning for adopting this system and how it is fairing for them.

Simon Neville

In this video, Michael Hennessy visits Simon Neville, in south-east Wexford. Operating a min-till system, some of the challenges on the farm include sterile brome and canary grass. Watch the video below for insights from Simon on grass weed management and the implementation of his min-till system.

Gareth Browne

Farming in partnership with his brother, Gareth operates a min-till system, but he also uses some strip-till. Gareth is trying to get over some grass weed issues on the farm in Co. Wexford, some of them are around resistant wild oats, while sterile brome is also present. In this video, Gareth discusses his issues and the steps he is taking to control grass weeds.

Bill Shanahan

Bill Shanahan, who farms in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, is coping with some grass weeds – sterile brome in particular – but there is also an issue with blackgrass on the farm. In the video below, he tells Michael Hennessy of his move to min-till and how he’s controlling problematic weeds.

These farmers featured in the recent Teagasc and Enable Conservation Tillage Grass Weeds Conference. If you were unable to attend the conference, a recording is available on the Teagasc Crops YouTube channel.

Also read: Assessing the extent of grass weed problems on Irish tillage farms