The huge cost of weeds
Farmer's Weekly|November 24, 2023
Losses due to weeds in lands and weed seeds in commercial grains in South Africa in 1985 were estimated at R1 billion a year [R11,5 billion today], according to Dr WP Grobbelaar, [then] chief director of agronomy of the [then] Department of Agriculture and Water Supply.
The huge cost of weeds

The total value of chemical herbicides used during 1985 in plant production, including the citrus, deciduous fruit and sugar industries, as well as all field crops, came to R246 million [R2,8 billion]. When these figures are considered, the magnitude of the weed problem becomes even more evident, Grobbelaar says. Of the R246 million, 54,5% is spent on weed control in maize, 13% on sugar cane, 8% on winter cereals, 6% on grain sorghum, and 4% on oilseeds. The rest goes to other crops. 

This story is from the November 24, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.

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This story is from the November 24, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.

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