Steve is weed specialist, and has spent most of his working life studying black grass, the equivalent of our annual ryegrass. It was interesting to chat about management techniques they are using to control this difficult weed, but unfortunately they are not doing anything different from what we are doing with ryegrass.
I also was able to chat to Alison, a scientist that had been involved in the large farm scale field trials of GM crops in England about 10 years ago. The trials were to determine if GM crops had an effect on native birds and wildlife. The results concluded that GM silverbeet and canola did have an effect on native biodiversity, but GM Maize did not. Unfortunately, a lot of the results shown to the general public, alluded to the idea that it was the GM plants themselves were affecting the biodiversity, rather than the timing of ther herbicide sprays. It is so important to get the message accross clearly!
Rothamsted are about to begin a GM wheat trial. They have invested a huge amount of money in the security of the trial, and are even going to employ a full time security guard for the site.
I had a quick look at the oldest running wheat and grass trials in the world, although it is obviously not the best time of the year to look at trials!
I had to scoot my little bluey back to Cambridge, and just got onto the train to London before dark. I have booked into what I now call 'my' b and b in Kings Cross. John has me organised as how to get to the airport by 5.30am tommorow, taxi and train. So lucky to have him organising my public transport !
Looking forward to heading to Amsterdam tommorow, and catching up with all the Nuffield gang!
Wheat in controlled growth room used for extracting genes from wheat.
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