We strongly recommend Charles (Merf) Merfield’s non-chemical weeding workshops. Even herbicide users should be considering non-chemical controls as part of an integrated weed management approach. Herbicide resistance is well established in New Zealand, and you’ll find the chemical companies are recommending a mix of controls.
Merf’s next workshop will be at Lincoln in July. Details here>
Merf has more than 30 years experience in non-chemical weed management. He started his career helping re-establish Sunnyfields organic vegetable farm in the UK after the previous manager had walked off having lost his war with the weeds. In a sink or swim moment, he devised a new weed management strategy which turned around the weed problem in just two years. From the UK he came to Aotearoa New Zealand for a working holiday from which he is unlikely to return. He worked extensively at Harts Creek Farm in Canterbury as they expanded their organic cropping systems across multiple farms.
He has also invented, designed and built a wide range of weeding machinery including an optimised naturally aspirated flame weeder, re-invented the direct-fired steam boiler and repurposed it for ag / horticultural use, the 4 Wheel Hoe, false seedbed cultivators, interrow hoes, basket weeders and even a new toolbar clamp!
He has over 40 publications on non-chemical weed management including peer reviewed papers and book chapters, conference proceedings and extension publications including though leading articles on the future of weed management.Have a look at ‘Redefining weeds for the post-herbicide era‘ and ‘Could the dawn of Level 4 robotic weeders facilitate a revolution in ecological weed management?‘ See his research page and the FFC website for more examples and additional information.