RootWave to host eWeeding demonstration days

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RootWave’s new tractor-powered eWeeder will be in action at a series of special events for growers and agronomists during the summer.

The events will be held in commercial orchards and vineyards in Kent and Herefordshire in August. They will present a chance for growers and agronomists to see the eWeeder in action, and see trial plots previously treated with RootWave’s tractor-powered eWeeder.

Places are limited and by invitation-only. To request an invitation to one of the events, please fill out the form below.

Request an invitation to a RootWave eWeeder demo day

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    Independent study explains why RootWave technology is the safest electrical weed control

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    A study has shown that RootWave’s patented 18 kHz electrical weed control is safer than 50Hz or DC devices, by orders of magnitude.

    In 1891, Jacques-Arsene d’Arsonval found that using high frequency alternating electric current significantly reduced the likelihood of serious injury from electric shock.

    The study on RootWave’s technology built on this and undertook extensive literature searches, modelling, and analysis to assess the severity of injuries a person could sustain from electric current. The conclusions are consistent with d’Arsonval, and show that ‘operating electrical weed control devices at around 20 kHz is much safer than operating lower frequency devices (including DC)’.

    RootWave’s patented higher-frequency eWeeder is 10,000 times less likely to cause cardiac arrest than a device using standard 50Hz AC in the event of accidental contact with an electrode. For DC devices, RootWave is 2,500 times less likely.

    The design of the product is intended to minimise the risk of someone coming into contact with live eWeeding electrodes, but this study gives assurance that RootWave high frequency technology is significantly less harmful should that unlikely scenario occur.

    Safe use of electricity

    The study, completed in 2022 by professors who work for AMC Consulting and Imperial College, London found that operating at around 20 kHz gives ‘substantially greater opportunity to increase the power levels of the equipment without causing ventricular fibrillation (arrythmia of the heart/cardiac arrest), should a person come into direct contact with the electrodes.’ Concluding ‘It is thus advisable to operate weed control devices in the region of 20 kHz.’

    Graph: The Y axis shows electrical power, the X axis shows frequency (log. scale) with green (low) and red (high) denoting the risk of ventricular fibrillation (cardiac arrest). This shows RootWave can operate at high powers with relatively low risk. [each listing reffers to full exposure to a single eWeeding module]

    Frequency, in electrical terms, is simply how many times the current oscillates from positive to negative per second. Standard 50Hz electricity oscillates 50 times per second, at 18kHz it is 18,000 times. Direct Current (DC) has no oscillation.

    International patents

    RootWave has patented this technology in all major markets.

    Founder and Head of Research Robert Diprose says: “Our technology is cutting edge. Fundamentally the concept of driving electricity around a circuit that includes the weed the ground and then the return is relatively simple.

    “However, we do things differently, we use waveforms that are intrinsically safer, we use control systems that allow us to manage every joule of energy that flows through the system in real time, then we put wrap around safety protocols on our systems to ensure that accidental injury is unlikely to occur.”

    The study is helpful in explaining why RootWave’s patented waveforms are safer. Initial results from trials with RootWave’s tractor-powered eWeeding machine in sugar beet, maize and apple crops also show that the technology can provide full control of a range of weeds.

    Better weed control arrives for orchards, vineyards and fruit

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    Independent trials of our tractor-powered eWeeder in orchards, show that RootWave delivers full control of weeds.

    Read more

    EU to further increase pesticide reduction targets, but it could be the weeds that are in for a shock

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    The European Union has set a goal to reduce the use and risk of hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. However, a leaked draft report from the European Parliament shows that the Member leading the revision of the EU’s pesticide framework is pushing for more ambition, advocating for an 80% reduction in the use of more hazardous plant protection products by 2030. This goal is in line with the demands of the citizens’ initiative, ‘Save bees and farmers’, which called for a general reduction of synthetic plant protection products by 80%.

    In recent years farmers have had worries about their ‘toolbox shrinking’, but fortunately, there is a solution that can help farmers meet this target: electric weed control (eWeeding).

    eWeeding kills all weeds, delivering full control in independent trials. Moreover, electricity treats deep into the roots, and does not disturb the soil or seed bed, helping to reduce new weed growth, and create healthy soils to capture carbon.

    Furthermore, while weeds might develop resistance to chemical herbicides, this is not the case with eWeeding.

    This method is not only effective, but also safe for earthworms and other soil macrofauna, and can be used near water courses and in environmentally sensitive areas.

    In addition, eWeeding can be lower cost than using chemical herbicides on a per hectare, per season basis.

    RootWave will release its first tractor-powered eWeeding machine in 2024 for use in orchards and vineyards, with products for arable row crops expected from 2026.

    If the EU are to take bold steps towards protecting ecosystems by increasing their pesticide reduction goals – in the case of weed control at least, farmers may actually be heading for a better future than they imagined.

    In numbers – the squeeze on herbicides:

    • In the EU, chemical herbicides that account for 82% of the herbicide value in  fruit crops are being revoked or are at significant risk of being revoked. (33% for cereal crops, 87% for broad-acre row-crops, 94% for vegetables, and 98% in municipalities).
    • There is herbicide resistance with 68% of the current modes of action. No new herbicide mode of action has been discovered in the past 20 years.
    • In fruit crops, glyphosate accounts for 76% of the herbicides used.  88% of academic studies since 2016 conclude glyphosate is carcinogenic.  In the EU, its license was extended by one year until end-2023 whilst the authorities reassess its safety.  Glyphosate was recently withdrawn for US Consumers due to safety concerns and litigation costs.  There are currently 533 legal cases against herbicide manufacturers relating to safety.
    • EU Green Deal looking to halve the use of pesticides, including herbicides, by 2030 and COP15 committed to halving the risk from pesticides by 2030.
    • There is a 11% CAGR in organic retail sales and 8% in organic farmland with EU committed to increasing organic farmland to 25% by 2030.

    For more information on RootWave eWeeders, click here.

    View from the Chair: “There is real opportunity for RootWave”
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    Dr Andy Jones joined the RootWave board as Chairman in April, bringing with him over 35 years’ experience in agriculture, and the AgriChem industry. In this article he reflects on his first year, and the size of the opportunity for RootWave in an industry he knows so well.

    I have a very high-level of confidence that RootWave will become one of the leading brands in weed control. One of the reasons for that is because the technology works brilliantly. I joined RootWave as chair of the board in spring 2022 – at that point I was really impressed with the level of technical validation already achieved.

    Since then we have had the field trials in maize, sugar beet and orchards and I think everyone at RootWave and growers have been very excited by the results. I am certainly excited by what we can achieve.

    I have been in crop protection virtually my whole career, and I know there is a need for the solution that RootWave is delivering. Food supply and demand in the world is finely balanced – just look at how the war in Ukraine has sent shockwaves in food prices. The job of chemicals in crop protection has been to help growers produce food for a growing and hungry population, and they have done it very well. 

    But, as science and technology has advanced, we understand the impact some of the chemical products can have on the environment and on human health.  We need crop protection technologies with lower environmental impact and risks.  RootWave is exactly that – a safe and cost effective way to control weeds.

    I have been impressed with the team RootWave has in place to take advantage of this opportunity.  There is a lot of energy and a lot of drive within the team, and also a lot of knowledge and expertise. The team here understand the technology and how it can be applied to various markets, whether that is fruit, row crops or other areas of agriculture.

    I think farmers will look at what RootWave has to offer and say – “this is fantastic”! That might look different in different sectors, for example for those in the organic market, where they are currently relying on mechanical hoeing, which disturbs and damages the soil – I think growers will be very excited. But it doesn’t end there, we know more and more growers are operating in an environment where the use of chemicals is restricted. That could be for regulatory reasons, or due to preferences within their supply chain – what our trials have shown us is that eWeeding can work better, and with the right utilisation level can cost way less.

    With the right partners and the drive and energy we have in the team we can demonstrate to the market that eWeeding works, and actually it can also cost farmers less in the long run.

    I think it is an exciting time ahead, and one that can be very rewarding for our team, partners and investors.

    RootWave and IPM

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    RootWave can help nature restore soils, water and biodiversity by reducing the amount of chemicals in a farming system, and for fruit growers there are further benefits. Non-chemical practices such as mechanical weeding can negatively impact beneficials like earwigs (Dermaptera), a natural predator of pests such as codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea), major pests that can damage fruit crops. eWeeding doesn’t disturb the soil therefore leaving beneficials such as earwigs to do what they do best.

    A RootWave eWeeder provides flexibility to orchard managers, as its excellent efficacy and the fact that it can be used in a wide range of conditions mean that treatment can be made at optimal times. This helps growers reduce pesticide use, showing RootWave can form a key part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) farming system.

    Team stories: This is the best team I’ve worked in – Mick Bennett

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    Mick Bennett is a quality and supply engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the automotive and white goods industries. He has worked within international supply chains and developed an expertise in working with suppliers in China.  In January 2020 he joined RootWave  – he says it was the best move he could have made.

    “This is the best team I have worked in – the level of knowledge and expertise we have here is astounding. The support I have received within our operations team has been great. We are a small team with a good variety of experience, and we also get on with each other very well – the morale is fantastic.

    I think the leadership team has done a great job on recruitment, because not only have we got the skills we need, but also everyone has the right attitude. In my role I come into contact with most people and everyone here is so nice. They approach each day with positivity and a can-do mindset.

    I am proud of the work that my team and I have done since I have been here, it’s probably the best of my career. I joined shortly before the pandemic and lockdowns – many of the companies in the industries I came from were putting people on furlough or making people redundant, but we managed to keep the business going in a safe way.

    There was a real challenge within supply chains, it was hard to source parts because some suppliers were shut – but we always found a way. Because of the nature of what we do, we have to have things ready for the spring, when weeds are growing and we were successful in doing that – its something I take a lot of pride from.

    Our Volta machine for top fruit is a very exciting project. It has been a great challenge for me working with new suppliers to find bespoke and off-the-shelf parts for our high frequency technology. This season we will be working with contract manufacturers to bring the product to market, which is another good challenge. It’s one we have been successful with for RootWave Pro. Getting the detail right and building a relationship with the supplier is key and I am looking forward to it.

    I love working here, the variety within my working week is great. One minute I’m ordering carboard boxes, the next it’s bespoke parts for a high frequency electronics system. When you add that to the exciting products and the supportive team – it means I don’t mind putting extra hours in during the times it is needed. I believe in this company, they have believed in, and supported me – it motivates me to go above and beyond, because I enjoy my work.”

    ***

    To view our current vacancies visit our careers page

    RootWave win award at SALTEX 2022!

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    Visitors to SALTEX at the NEC on 2-3 November 2022 showed a lot of interest in electrical weed control at the RootWave stand (G041).

    Several of the contractors, land managers and gardeners reported that they were looking for alternatives to chemical herbicides due either to external pressure or a desire to provide a more sustainable service.

    Interest in RootWave was high, due to the fact that high voltage electricity treats the roots as well as above ground. And RootWave even won an award for their stand at the show – “Best stand (under 30m2) – for excellence in stand design and customer experience”.

    Head of Global Sales, Stephen Jelley said:

    “It was very encouraging to see the level of enthusiasm for RootWave Pro at the largest trade event for land and amenity management in the UK.

    “the conversations we had with professionals from the industry, made it clear that people are looking for a safe and effective alternative to herbicides – and that is exactly what RootWave Pro provides.”

    SALTEX is an exhibition operated by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), the not-for-profit membership organisation representing the grounds care industry. Now in its 76th year, SALTEX is Europe’s largest sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition attracting over 10,000 visitors.

    Judges who presented RootWave with their award for best stand under 30m2 said they were impressed with the exciting product, the bright and clear design of the stand and the open and engaging nature of the RootWave team.

    RootWave Pro was launched in 2017 and there are over 150 machines in operation across Europe. Those interested in a demonstration within the UK should contact Stephen Jelley on hello@rootwave.com

    RootWave officially a good place to work

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    Best Companies has rated RootWave as the 13th best company to work for in UK construction and engineering.

    The Warwickshire-based electrical weed control pioneers released their award-winning hand-weeder RootWave Pro in 2017. Following a period of growth, tractor-mounted systems for chemical-free weed control in fruit and row crops produced excellent results in independent trials this summer.

    RootWave has a diverse and growing team. It has also improved its rating with Best Companies this year – moving into the top 100 companies to work for in the West Midlands.

    Laura Wrench, Head of People said:

    “We are building a team that has the tenacity to solve global challenges. We have an incredibly talented and diverse workforce that is passionate about what we do and what we deliver.

    “We believe that we can change the world, and to do that we will need to create an environment and culture that inspires. That is why we benchmark ourselves with Best Companies each year and strive to improve our ranking.”

    Best Companies is an independent employee engagement accreditation service that uses an annual staff survey to provide an employee led ranking for UK businesses. In 2022, they found that a majority of RootWave team members felt cared for, that they had the chance to grow and enjoyed their job – contributing to an overall rating of “Good to work for” and “One to watch”.

    RootWave is continuing to grow its team, see the latest vacancies here, or visit our LinkedIn Life page to learn more.