Synopsis:

Weeds are the single largest contributor to crop losses worldwide. While they may seem like a nuisance in the garden, understanding how to manage them is vital for global food security. In this talk, Helen will explore what we mean by a “weed,” why farmers need to control them, and why they can also be beneficial. She will introduce the science of weed modelling and how researchers use computer simulations to predict weed growth, spread and management outcomes. She will also show how these tools can inform farming and policy decisions. The talk will also look at real-world case studies, including the growing public concerns and media debate around the controversial weed killer glyphosate, and blackgrass, a notoriously problematic weed for UK farmers. Together, these examples will highlight both environmental and technological approaches to integrated weed management, including new precision spraying methods. Attendees will gain insights into the hidden world of weeds, the challenges of balancing food production with sustainability, and how engineers and scientists are shaping the future of crop protection.

Bio:

Dr. Helen Metcalfe is a Research Scientist at Rothamsted Research, the UK’s oldest agricultural research institute. Her work explores how agricultural management can achieve the fine balance needed to produce enough food for everyone in an environmentally friendly and climate-resilient way. She focuses particularly on agricultural weeds, which can be both a detriment and an asset in farming systems. Helen develops and applies computer models to study weeds and agroecosystem dynamics at scales ranging from individual fields to whole farm landscapes. Living with a chronic illness has led her to embrace a slower way of life, and in her spare time she enjoys sewing her own clothes and reading fantasy and dark academia novels.

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