Tractor and trailer tour and fish lunch pot luck
The group recently enjoyed a tractor and trailer tour of a local arable farm at Gilston Mains led by owner and PhD student Edward – his research focuses on ‘the efficient and widespread use of herbicides in arable cropping systems post-war has reduced the seedbank population of arable weeds with unknown consequences for ecosystem services.’
For the past 20 years, herbicide and fertiliser use has been modified at the crop edge in order to maintain arable weeds as host plants for phytophagous invertebrates. Herbicide and Nitrogen fertiliser are periodically omitted on a four-year rotation from the outer 7 m of the cereal headlands enabling arable weeds within the crop to flourish. The technique is called a ‘Wild Headland’. Edward showed us around some of his experimental fields and land and our informative and enjoyable day was completed by delicious home made pizzas provided by George Lorimer at Stubborn Slice .
We also enjoyed a group pot luck lunch to celebrate Summer Solstice, it was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy the sunshine of the longest day in Anne’s garden.
