Battle bus takes to road to fight black-grass

A black-grass battle bus will be on the road this summer in order to help growers combat black-grass.

Headed by BASF, the largest chemical producer in the world, the aim of the battle bus will be to share knowledge from a range of experts on cultural and chemical controls as well as ideas and tips from agronomists and growers on how they control their weeds.

Campaign manager, Ruth Stanley said: “The BASF Black-grass Battle Bus is a dedicated advice hub packed with information where growers can hop on board to get their black-grass control queries answered. 

“We’ve recruited a team of independent experts to share their thoughts on weed detection, cultivation techniques, application technology, machinery hygiene, weed biology, and the best chemistry.”

She continued: “There is no single element to successful weed control, but a combination of agronomic choices which can be made to improve the situation on farm.”

BASF environmental stewardship manager, Mike Green standing outside the Black-grass Battle Bus

There will be at least one expert at each scheduled event.

Destinations for the battle bus will include the Hurcott Farm Open Day in Somerset, the BASF Real Results Open Days that are held in East Yorkshire, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, as well as the KWS Open Week in North Yorkshire.

Ms Stanely said: “Growers often have some of the best ideas for controlling black-grass so we’d love to hear from them.

“They can either leave a black-grass beating tip on the Battle Bus or sign up to the BASF Black-grass Beaters campaign, which can be found at basfrealresults.co.uk/awc/black-grass and leave a suggestion there.”