Podcasts Government The Tillage Edge Combine set up and the importance of stopping grass weed seeds spreading during harvest

Combine set up and the importance of stopping grass weed seeds spreading during harvest

Published: July 2, 2020, 8 a.m.

b'Dermot Forristal was the guest on this week\\u2019s Tillage Edge podcast to speak to Michael Hennessy about combine set up and also the importance of stopping grass weed seeds spreading during harvest.\\xa0 \\n\\nCrop through put, crop losses and quality are important factors in setting up the combine according to Dermot.\\xa0 \\n\\n\\u201cAdjustment varies according to combine make but in order to get the set up correct machine operators should make one adjustment at a time and check the results afterwards,\\u201d he said.\\n\\nHarvesting machinery from the combine to the baler, straw rakes and even tractors and trailers will spread grass weed seeds.\\xa0 Dermot is hugely concerned that farmers and contractors do everything possible to stop the spread of grass weeds especially blackgrass.\\xa0 \\n\\n\\u201cAll equipment should be thoroughly cleaned after leaving contaminated fields,\\u201d commented Dermot \\u201cAnd there cannot be any exceptions, especially with blackgrass.\\u201d \\n\\nDermot pointed out that farmers must take responsibility for grass weed problems on their farm and inform contractors well in advance of harvest and be prepared to leave the infected fields to the end of harvest to stop any further contamination.\\xa0\\xa0\\n\\nFor more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to\\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/\\n \\nThe Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.'