Black-grass Survey 2016

This survey aims to assess the extent of the black-grass problem on farm so that we can gain a better understanding of the solutions currently being implemented and direct our research accordingly. It is 11 short questions so should only take around 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you for taking part and helping to shape the future of black-grass management.

Question Title

* 1. How widespread is your black-grass problem?

All across the farm

No black-grass problem

In some fields - approx. x% of cropped area

Question Title

* 2. How serious do you rank the implication of black-grass on whole farm profitability and productivity?

Little or no effect

Extremely serious

Little or no effect

Extremely serious

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* 3. How would you best describe your black-grass experience over the past three seasons?

It’s getting worse and out of control

It’s getting worse, but believe we now have the measures to get back in control

No significant change

It’s getting better and the measures appear to be working

It is significantly better and we’ve got it well under control

Any additional comments on your successes and recent experiences with black-grass control:

Question Title

* 4. What measures have you employed to tackle black-grass and how do you rate their effectiveness? [Only rate those you have used]

	Limited value				Highly effective
More spring cropping	More spring cropping Limited value	More spring cropping	More spring cropping	More spring cropping	More spring cropping Highly effective
Fallow	Fallow Limited value	Fallow	Fallow	Fallow	Fallow Highly effective
Delayed drilling date	Delayed drilling date Limited value	Delayed drilling date	Delayed drilling date	Delayed drilling date	Delayed drilling date Highly effective
Increased herbicide stacking	Increased herbicide stacking Limited value	Increased herbicide stacking	Increased herbicide stacking	Increased herbicide stacking	Increased herbicide stacking Highly effective
Burn-off infested crop patches	Burn-off infested crop patches Limited value	Burn-off infested crop patches	Burn-off infested crop patches	Burn-off infested crop patches	Burn-off infested crop patches Highly effective
Rogueing	Rogueing Limited value	Rogueing	Rogueing	Rogueing	Rogueing Highly effective
Ploughing	Ploughing Limited value	Ploughing	Ploughing	Ploughing	Ploughing Highly effective
Increased seed rates	Increased seed rates Limited value	Increased seed rates	Increased seed rates	Increased seed rates	Increased seed rates Highly effective
Growing more competitive hybrid barley	Growing more competitive hybrid barley Limited value	Growing more competitive hybrid barley	Growing more competitive hybrid barley	Growing more competitive hybrid barley	Growing more competitive hybrid barley Highly effective

Any additional comments on you use of Integrated Crop Management for black-grass control:

Question Title

* 5. How many different herbicide products would you typically now include in your black-grass programme?

More than 5

Any additional comments on specific herbicide effectiveness:

Question Title

* 6. When do you apply your black-grass herbicides, and how effective are the different timings? [Only rate the timings you currently apply]

	Limited value				Highly effective
Pre-crop stubble	Pre-crop stubble Limited value	Pre-crop stubble	Pre-crop stubble	Pre-crop stubble	Pre-crop stubble Highly effective
Pre-emergence	Pre-emergence Limited value	Pre-emergence	Pre-emergence	Pre-emergence	Pre-emergence Highly effective
Peri-emergence	Peri-emergence Limited value	Peri-emergence	Peri-emergence	Peri-emergence	Peri-emergence Highly effective
Post-emergence	Post-emergence Limited value	Post-emergence	Post-emergence	Post-emergence	Post-emergence Highly effective
In crop pre-harvest	In crop pre-harvest Limited value	In crop pre-harvest	In crop pre-harvest	In crop pre-harvest	In crop pre-harvest Highly effective

Any additional comments on effectiveness of specific herbicide timings:

Question Title

* 7. Do you map the extent of black-grass populations to determine effectiveness of control?

Yes - during crop walking

Yes - using drones or new technology

Yes - using a combination of crop walking and new technology

No - but looking to do so in the future

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* 8. Do you consider you have herbicide resistant black-grass?

Yes - because we have had it regularly tested

Yes – because we believe we have seen reduced herbicide efficacy

Not sure

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* 9. Would you consider investing £30,000 in new sprayer technology specifically for black-grass control, if it gave a 10% better level of control and reduced overall herbicide use by 20%?

Yes

Maybe, if it could be utilised in other crops

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* 10. Where do you consider the main costs associated with black-grass occur on your farm (average cost per ha)?

Cost of pre-emergence herbicides in cereals

Cost of post-emergence herbicides in cereals

Cost of black-grass herbicide treatments in break crops

Cost of other Integrated Crop Management measures

Cost of yield loss to black-grass

Overall farm cost of black-grass

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* 11. Arable cropped area (hectares):

Question Title

* 12. Please provide your details to be entered into the prize draw for your chance of winning £250 wine vouchers*

Email address

County

This survey is being carried out in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Practice which means that the information you share will be combined in our report with the information provided by other farmers who also participate in this survey.

* Syngenta UK Limited and their affiliates will use this information to provide the services requested by you and to communicate product information, services and offers that we believe are relevant to your business. WE DO NOT, HOWEVER, PASS INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES. If you do not want to receive these communications from us, please write to cropmarketing.uk@syngenta.com.