Path of least resistance

We need to look after glyphosate – or risk losing it, says Fen Tiger

The discovery of glyphosate resistance earlier this year on a farm in south-east England was only a matter of time – and perhaps unsurprising given that some formulations of the herbicide sometimes appear to be less effective than others.

But it still came as a shock. Glyphosate resistance has big implications for farmers, however much we were expecting it. Many of us – including regenerative farmers – use the kill-everything method to  destroy green cover crops and blackgrass.

That said, no matter how much we rely on glyphosate, confirmation of resistance will be seen by critics as another reason to stop using it altogether. And the glyphosate licence is up for renewal yet again.

The government remains committed to reducing pesticide use on farms – including through its UK National Action Plan for pesticides – a five-year plan to reduce the risk of agrochemicals on human health and the environment.

Government approval for glyphosate is also up for renewal – something which will also focus attention on any associated human and environmental health risks around the product going forward.

Under pressure

We’re all under scrutiny. It seems to me that the farming world is continually under pressure to reduce its reliance on pesticides – but at the same time expected to produce enough food to feed the nation.

Many farmers believe glyphosate is vital to their systems of farming. Without it, they would have to drastically change the way they produce food. But could it be that this resistance is self-inflicted?

Over the last 30 years, spray programmes have progressively reduced pesticide rates. Rather than hitting weeds and diseases hard, we take a softer approach. As a policy, it sounds laudable – but it also deserves closer examination.

Older metsulfuron products, for example, were wonderful when they first came to the market. But rates were trimmed and wetters added so that over the years we suddenly saw a red carpet of resistant poppies covering parts of the countryside.

I also remember Atlantis. It started off as a great blackgrass killer – but continually lower rates meant it ultimately failed to help farmers.

Different world

No doubt glyphosate will continue to be use for many years to come. But we are in a different world these days – one where robot weeders and other autonomous machines are being rapidly developed and touted as chemical alternatives.

But mechanical weeding on a huge scale is a long way off. In the meantime, my advice is to use glyphosate to best effect and avoid skimping on rates while abiding by good practice and stewardship guidance.

Check the growth stage of weeds and adjust rates if necessary. Apply according to the conditions and avoid potential drift. Drive appropriately at the correct boom height with the proper water volume.

Many farmers know this already. But  unless we are careful – the glyphosate we know today may not become reliable for much longer. Then what will we do?