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    Be aware of blackgrass pressures when returning SFI ground to crop rotations

    Matthew TiltBy 2 Mins Read

    Hutchinsons is warning growers with a history of blackgrass pressure to be aware of increases in populations within Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options.

    Alice Cannon, Hutchinsons foundation technical manager, says that those considering SFI options in areas where blackgrass is a risk may be better off in the long term considering the lower payment of multi-species cover crops, rather than higher-paid options (such as birdfood mixes) that do not allow for blackgrass control.

    “The first step would be to sow a winter cover in August. That would be sprayed off in March, followed by a spring-sown cover crop, which would remain in the ground from March until June.

    “The next stage would be the summer-sown cover, lasting from June until August. The total support payment would be £455/ha per year, which is often better than spring bean gross margins.

    “This regime offers a break in rotation, plus three opportunities to bring black-grass under control and potential to provide a clean and fertile seedbed which would boost first wheat yields,” she says.

    Alice adds that selecting the right mix is key to maximising the benefits, with multi-species mixes offering more advantages.

    “The diversity of growth habit and root structure helps build a more resilient soil structure, and improves aeration and water management,” she says.
    “The soil will have a greater ability to store water lower down in the profile in times of prolonged drought. It will also ensure moisture is not lost closer to the surface through run-off in high rainfall situations.”
    Legume fallows should include grasses as well to increase competition against blackgrass. “They can be mown as required (no restrictions) within the first 12 months once black-grass begins to head, however continuous mowing can lead to black-grass growth habit switching to a short profile and becoming more difficult to tackle,” Alice says.
    “In year two, fallows can be mown between March and mid-June, leaving eight weeks uncut in the summer.”
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    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

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