AIC Urges Growers to Follow WRAG Guidelines to Minimise Glyphosate Resistance Risk
Ahead of glyphosate applications for pre-harvest use, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is reminding UK growers that it is vital to follow the Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) guidelines to help minimise glyphosate resistance, particularly in light of findings involving Italian ryegrass earlier this year.
In January 2025, the Weed Resistance Action Group (WRAG) announced that a single field population of the weed Italian ryegrass had been identified as resistant to glyphosate at the maximum label rate. This marks the first fully documented case of glyphosate resistance in the UK.
At the time, three other cases of suspected resistance were also identified. Further analysis showed that two of these populations demonstrated significantly reduced control from appropriate doses of glyphosate, and a third population exhibited decreased glyphosate sensitivity in testing.
Throughout the spring, samples of Italian ryegrass that survived glyphosate application were submitted to ADAS for resistance testing. Early reports suggest that some of these populations may be cause for concern. However, it is important to emphasise that these were preliminary tests and need to be confirmed.
Emerging issues with glyphosate sensitivity and effectiveness continue to be associated with a dramatic reduction in mechanical weeding (cultivation), the use of low-disturbance or no-till designs combined with extended periods outside of cropping (e.g., stubbles or fallows) where no weed control is practiced.
Ahead of pre-harvest glyphosate applications, it is therefore timely to remind growers of the importance of following WRAG guidelines to minimise the risk of glyphosate resistance in the UK.
In short these are:
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Prevent survivors: Avoid repeat applications to surviving plants.
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Maximise efficacy: Apply the correct dose rate to kill all target weeds (reduced rates increase the risk of reduced efficacy), at the right timing (when weeds are actively growing, avoiding stem extension growing phase), in the right conditions (do not apply to plants under stress from waterlogging, drought, or very cold weather).
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Use alternatives: Where practical, use non-chemical options such as cultivation, and use other herbicides in sequence.
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Monitor success: Remove survivors and report potential resistance issues to your advisor and/or the product manufacturer.
For pre-harvest uses, growers are advised to consult their BASIS-qualified agronomist to determine the appropriate rate and timing of glyphosate application. This will help minimise the risk of resistance developing in further populations of Italian ryegrass.
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Authors
Hazel Doonan
Hazel is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for management and coordination of the Crop Protection Sector.
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.