Driving forward improvements in agriculture and the battle to combat black-grass is the subject of a highly relevant seminar which will be held at next month’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Combatting this resilient and invasive weed is an issue on many farmers’ agendas so the chance to hear the latest research and tactics will come under the spotlight at the breakfast seminar on Thursday July 16.

The event is being organised by the Farmer-Scientist Network which is run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The Society is best known as the organiser of the Great Yorkshire Show. The Network is chaired by Prof Rob Edwards, Head of Agriculture at Newcastle University.

Prof Edwards said: “Black-grass is a serious threat to UK arable farming and in particular, to winter wheat production. Infestation currently affects 34 counties in England, predominantly in the east and south, but it is now moving north and into Yorkshire. There is reported herbicide resistance in over 16,000 farms so this has the potential of a national emergency in terms of winter wheat production.”

He added: “The seminar is an opportunity to hear the latest on ground breaking research towards the first steps in the control of this invasive weed and will provide farmers with the knowledge and long term planning tactics needed to deal with it.”

The farmer’s perspective will be given by arable farmer Tom Allen-Stevens of Oxfordshire, whilst Dr Paul Neve, Senior Research Scientist , Rothamsted Research will address understanding resistance in black-grass and Prof. Rob Freckleton, of the University of Sheffield, speaking on its affects in the North of England. There will also be opportunities for questions.

The seminar runs from 8:15am to 9:30am, on Thursday July 16 and takes place at the Regional Agricultural Society’s offices at the Great Yorkshire Showground. For more details and to register please contact Holly Jones, Farmer-Scientist Network on 01423 546251 or email hollyj@yas.co.uk