Innovative ways to produce potatoes will be showcased by crop trials at a new industry event next month. The Transformative Reduced Input in Potatoes (TRIP) project has taken three trial crop plots at the Potato Days UK event, which will be held on 4-5 September at Dyson Farming, Nocton,... Read more
Sugar Beet remains the only UK crop that has continued to deliver a year-on-year yield increase for farmers. This is down to two things: professional growers and heavy investment in research and development by plant breeders. After several reviews, NFU Sugar and British Sugar have both recognised the need... Read more
How seed pellets aid establishment
Wheat 01/08/2024
Pelleted seed mixes can encourage cover crop and companion crop establishment while saving growers time and money. Developed by RAGT, the method involves “glueing” together up to four different seeds encased in a water-soluble coating. This produces a pellet with a similar mass to compound fertiliser which can be... Read more
Heavy rain late in the season is highlighting the need to consider pod shatter resistance when selecting oilseed rape varieties. Pod shatter (POSH) is a natural process for seed dispersion in oilseed rape. But it can result in significant on farm seed losses due to extreme weather – including... Read more
Adjusting drilling dates and planting companion crops can help combat cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape. Drilling rape in the traditional mid- to late-August slot can exacerbate flea beetle problems – increasing the chance of crop failure, says ProCam technical manager Nigel Scott. Different thinking is needed to... Read more
Genetically diverse varieties can help spread risk when growing milling wheat in a challenging season, say experts. For many cereal growers, 2024 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons: persistent wet weather, a poor spring, lack of sunshine, huge disease pressure and a huge battle against brown and... Read more
Higher blackgrass pressure in early drilled crops this autumn will require a strong stack and sequence of herbicides. “The best practice and most robust advice when it comes to tackling difficult weeds such as blackgrass, ryegrass and brome is still to delay drilling until well into October,” says Bill... Read more
Changing emergence patterns are prompting advise for farmers to review and revise blackgrass control strategies. Stale seedbeds and delayed drilling have helped reduced blackgrass emergence during September and early October. But the weed is adapting to the control strategy, says Dick Neale, technical manager for agronomy firm Hutchinsons. “We... Read more
Crop science organisation NIAB has appointed Mark Fletcher as its head of agronomy services – a new role within the company. Dr Fletcher will lead NIAB’s team of 20 agronomists and consultants who deliver technical and consultancy services across the country. He previously led Agovista’s northern agronomy team for... Read more
Tips for best quality farm-saved seed
Arable 01/08/2024
Growers are being advised to optimise the use of farm-saved seed this autumn – with tight supplies of some certified varieties. Farmers looking to secure certified seed for autumn drilling should let their supplier know as soon as possible – if they haven’t already done so, says Stephanie Spiers,... Read more
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