Crops growing well as harvest approaches
Arable 06/09/2024
Sugar beet crops look good going into autumn, despite earlier fears of virus yellows, writes Tim Giles, technical manager for SesVanderHave. But it remains important to be vigilant and monitor crops for new vector borne diseases and old adversaries, with more patches of beet cyst nematode observed this year.... Read more
Growers can use sugar beet seed treated with two stacked ingredients for 2025 sowing to protect against soil pests and diseases increasingly causing problems at emergence. Traditionally, Tachigaren (Hymeazol) has been used to protect against damping off. But the increased presence of maize in rotations plus a wet spring... Read more
Yara adapts approach to crop nutrition
Arable 06/09/2024
Chris Harrold (right) has been promoted to head of crop nutrition at Yara as part of a wider agronomy review within the company’s UK operation. Yara said it was adapting its agronomy advice to improve crop productivity – and do so sustainably – as more growers moved towards a... Read more
‘Time to take biosolutions seriously’
Arable 06/09/2024
Integrating biosolutions into conventional agronomy programmes can have a major effect on crop performance, suggest the latest trials. Enzymes, microorganisms, bacterial cultures and other biological tools can offer the same control as moderate fungicide approaches. But integrating them into reduced programmes can be as effective as full strength conventional... Read more
Border delays pose threat to crop trials
Arable 02/09/2024
Delays caused by changes to seed import rules threaten to undermine the latest oilseed rape variety trials. Brexit rules mean seed entering the UK since the end of April can now be regarded as high-risk – resulting in delays and inspections at a border control points before it can... 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
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
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
Risk management key in challenging season
Arable 01/08/2024
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