TARGETED use of herbicide at early post-emergence on a Westcountry farm has got an emerging weed problem under control.

Farmer Anthony Slay, of Seymours Court, near Frome, in Somerset, had Canary Grass threatening to come out of the headlands and devastate winter wheat crops.

The problem for Mr Slay, who opted out of milk this April to convert the remaining third of his 620-acre tenanted unit to arable, and start up a bed and breakfast and wedding reception business, is avoiding weed problems on wet land that just cannot be touched until late next spring.

But his new agronomist, AICC Steve Harrison, advised use of what he describes as "crop kind" Stomp 400 SC at very early post-emergence to pre-empt problems with these winter establishing weeds the following spring.

"Where we used Stomp 400 SC early post emergence on a headland, we walked out the following spring and you could see to a line where the four litres a hectare went on," said Mr Harrison. "I'm a great fan of pendimethalin for weed control. Stomp 400 SC'S low water solubility fits this high rainfall region and it's flexible with growth stage time of application."

As the seed was treated there was no need for a BYDV specification, so Stomp 400 SC was used in isolation and its low solubility and persistence leaves the opportunity to be more flexible with low rate treatments the following spring.

"It's very persistent, very crop kind and another key thing from my point of view is the excellent range of broadleaf weed as well as grass weed control from one molecule, " said Mr Harrison.

Previous background weeds like Canary Grass could become a major problem as set-a-side strips can become pathways for weeds to spread round the farm, and particularly as more farmers rely on contractors to reduce costs on their units. "Contract balers are a real bone issue for me. If not cleaned between farms, or even fields, the flat bed of the machine is literally a giant seed bed spreading weed problems. I've seen this happen time and again in recent seasons," he said.

Keeping to a simple rotation of wheat/rape/wheat/rape, from Group Three wheats Claire on wetland and Robigus on the rest, with mainly expert rape as the clean-up, Mr Slay is wisely unwilling to spend out on expensive equipment. And he employs targeted use of chemicals as much as possible, which he obtains from crop advisors Independent Alliance of which Mr Harrison is one of 14 members, who share technical updating and business support as a group.

"The amount of seed one head of Canary Grass produces is unbelievable. I think mine got round before we had any chemicals to sort it out. Stomp 400 SC gives a chance to get on early while the ground conditions are there and shut the gate until spring," added Mr Slay.

With his arable weed problems out of the way Mr Slay and his wife Jane can concentrate on developing their alternative enterprises on the farm of high quality B&B accommodation, plus marquee based wedding receptions. "It was a lifestyle change decision as much as anything. We wanted to work and see more of each other and changing to all arable has made this possible. I am now much more involved with the field work, and we are both starting to build up our new alternative farm-based businesses," said Mrs Slay.

"After negotiations with our landlord it was agreed to make two rooms available for bed and breakfast, and amongst our first guests were members of the Channel 5 production team for The Farm, which was interesting. We also have our first major wedding reception booked early next year and I think I'm as nervous as the bride!"