ARABLE
FARMING
March 2017
Talking Policy
Glyphosate: Are you ready to play your part? Page 69 www.arablefarming.com
SPRING SPRAYING
Why not do your own trials?
Crop protection Bring in the beneficial bugs
Machinery Counting the horsepower cost
Sugar beet Sprayers
Sweeter times ahead?
Streamlining for efficiency improvements Innovation in action for progressive arable farmers
AF March Cover TR MC KH.indd 1
17/02/2017 10:44
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LEADER
a word from the
EDITOR
N
earing the end of a long drive back to Suffolk from the North West recently, my spirits were lifted by the sight of a sprayer and drill working in fields adjacent to
the road. Now this was approaching Newmarket, so it was on lighter land, but it just made me feel spring was round the corner. Admittedly, there have been a few other signs too – longer days, snowdrops – but for me seeing spring fieldwork get underway signals the season is changing. It led me to muse on what sort of year we might have ahead. It’s been a relatively mild winter and crops in the main appear to have come through well so far, although as ever there have been oilseed rape failures and may yet be more as pigeons continue their assaults. But we can perhaps be hopeful we have some good foundations in place. Without doubt there will be technical challenges in the coming season, that is the nature of arable farming; what is increasingly less certain is that we will have solutions to them. The arrival of new fungicide options will add some tools to the disease control armoury, but their introduction coincides with growing concern about resistance and loss of efficacy. Much of the talk at conferences and technical meetings this winter has been about reduced sensitivity to SDHIs in septoria populations and, as we were putting the final touches to
Contacts
this issue, the news came that the presence of less sensitive barley net blotch isolates had also been confirmed in-field in the UK. A massive question mark too hangs over our weed control strategies going forward, as we await a decision on glyphosate’s continuing approval, due towards the end of the year. If glyphosate is an important component of your weed control programme, now is the time to make your voice heard. The uplift in grain prices is welcome but is tempered by rising input prices. Against a background of political and economic uncertainty the pressure is on to keep costs under close control. Spending less is one route, growing more another. Which is best will, at the end of the day, depend on the individual farm situation, but for some it may be time for a new approach. There is a view that original thinking and innovation emerge from challenge. Perhaps 2017 will be a year of new ideas.
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Arable Farming, Briefing Media Ltd, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ Origination by Farmers Guardian, Briefing Media Ltd, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ. Printed by Headley Brothers, Invicta Press, Queen’s Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH. No responsibility can be accepted by Arable Farming for the opinions expressed by contributors.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p1 Leader TR MC KH.indd 1
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THIS MONTH
CONTENTS march Volume 39 Issue 3
Research
Potato crop Optimum routes from seed to market
70-71 Comment 4-6 8-13 22-28
Latest news Talking Arable Talking Agronomy
Regulars 14-15 68 72
Market analysis Arable marketplace BASIS news
Sugar beet
A new era Are there better times ahead for beet?
32-35 2
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p2 3 Contents TR KH.indd 2
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THIS MONTH
66-67
Management
Decision support A design for better decision-making
Crop nutrition
64-65
Farm trials Fertiliser strategies for milling wheats
Machinery
Sprayers
Buying a used machine
58-61
Spring spraying
Cereal disease
Making sense of resistance
36-43 MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p2 3 Contents TR KH.indd 3
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NEWS
NFU submits neonics application for third year
T
he NFU has applied for emergency use of neonicotinoid seed treatments to alleviate insect pest pressure on a proportion of English oilseed rape crops. For the third consecutive year, the NFU has committed to bringing forward evidence explaining the case for a limited number of farmers to have controlled access to the insecticides. The application will be put to the Chemicals Regulation Directorate and a recommendation from the Expert Committee on Pesticides to Defra will follow to inform the final decision. NFU vice-president Guy Smith said: “Neonicotinoid seed treatments work well when used as part of an integrated pest management approach, with other tools in the toolbox such as crop rotations, drilling dates and pyrethroid sprays. “This application recognises that, because of the neonicotinoid restrictions, pest numbers have increased in recent years to such
Where pest pressures are still low, use of neonicotinoid seed treatments would be beneficial, says NFU vice-president Guy Smith.
an extent there are now areas of the country where these seed treatments are less likely to be of benefit. Areas where the pest pressure is so high, the risk of losing OSR is too great and control with pyrethroids is compromised by increased pesticide resistance.” Over-reliance on pyrethroids, caused by the neonicotinoid
restrictions, is exacerbating this resistance problem, Mr Smith added. Pest pressures Where pest pressures are still relatively low, site-specific use of neonicotinoid treatment would be beneficial, according to Mr Smith.
He said: “There are areas where the pest pressure has not reached these levels yet, and where resistance has not been an issue, where we believe highly targeted, highly controlled use of neonicotinoid seed treatment would help deliver significant benefits in controlling flea beetles and allowing crops to establish and thrive. “It is these areas, equating to 11% of the national crop, which we have targeted with this application.” With the absence of neonicotinoids causing farmers to stop growing OSR, bees and beekeepers also stood to lose out from the restrictions as the food source area for bees declined. But Friends of the Earth food and farming campaigner Sandra Bell said the current ban on these pesticides should be strengthened, not weakened. She said: “Neonicotinoids can harm the insects farmers need for natural pest control. The NFU should concentrate on helping farmers find effective alternatives to these harmful chemicals.”
Count down to new chlorpropham use legislation JNew legislation on the use of chlorpropham (CIPC) requires potato store owners to use the sprout suppressant at lower dose rates and via ‘active recirculation’. From July 2017, all store owners must comply with new legislation stating that CIPC applications to stored potatoes must not exceed the maximum total dose rates. For potatoes destined for processing, this equates to a maximum dose rate of 36g/tonne and 24g/t for crop sent to the fresh market. Maximum dose rates have been ‘stepping down’ since 2012 under
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the Be CIPC Compliant campaign, following a need to reduce the level of CIPC residue found in stores. Maximise efficacy But, according to CIPC Stewardship Group chairman, Mike Storey, in order to maximise the efficacy of CIPC at lower dose rates store managers should use active recirculation whereby air containing CIPC fog is recirculated around the store. He said: “Research carried out by AHDB has clearly demonstrated the use of correct fans can systematically improve the uniformity of CIPC
distribution at the lower dose rate and reduce the need for maximum residue exceedance.” In order to help growers comply with the new legislation, the CIPC Stewardship Group recently launched a new technical guide the ‘Store Owner’s Guide to CIPC Application’. It offers solutions for store owners looking to introduce active recirculation systems and details new guidelines for bulk and box potato storage. According to Adrian Cunnington, chair of the Stewardship Tech-
nical Working Group, in 2016 about half of UK stores practised active recirculation, but Mr Cunnington insisted more needs to be done. He said: “There has been quite a lot of activity in the last year to move towards active recirculation, but inevitably we still have some way to go and, of course, the time available is expiring rapidly. “We’ve found ways of modifying stores which are much more costeffective than they used to be, so there’s really no reason why people can’t make the necessary changes to their stores.”
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
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NEWS
GM wheat trial given go ahead
Crack down on fake pesticides JThe European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) has called on the EU and national governments to crack down on the production of fake pesticides as they could have an effect on public health, the environment and crop yield. The push for a clampdown came as a new report from the European Union Intellectual Property Office showed fake pesticides cost EU businesses €1.3 billion every year. In the UK, total lost sales amounted to €76 million, and around 200 jobs were said to be lost as legitimate manufacturers employ fewer people than they would if counterfeiting were not an issue.
D
efra has granted permission for a field trial to find out if GM wheat crops able to photosynthesise more efficiently could achieve higher yields. The GM field trials at Rothamsted Research will take place between 2017 and 2019 following a review by the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and a 48-day public consultation. Ensuring food security is a major challenge given the projected need to increase world food production by 40% in the next 20 years and 70% by 2050.
Yield plateau Wheat provides a fifth of the total calories consumed globally, but the researchers said wheat yields have reached a ‘plateau’ and yield gains would not reach the level required to feed the 9 billion population predicted for 2050. Professor Christine Raines, head of the school of biological sciences at the University of Essex, said: “The efficiency of the process of photosynthesis integrated over the season is the
GM wheat trials at Rothamsted Research aim to boost crop yields.
major determinant of crop yield. “However, to date photosynthesis has not been used to select for high-yielding crops in conventional breeding programmes and represents an unexploited opportunity.
“But there is now evidence improving the efficiency of photosynthesis by genetic modification is one of the promising approaches to achieving higher wheat yield potential.”
Impact ECPA director of public affairs Graeme Taylor said: “One thing is the impact this has on our industry in terms of lost revenue. The other, and more concerning element, is the potential impact these counterfeit and illegal products could have on the environment and the health of those using them. “At a time when our industry’s products are rigorously tested and scrutinised, both politically and scientifically, the European Commission and national authorities should be doing more to combat illegal and counterfeit products, rather than arbitrarily reducing the legitimate number of products on the market.”
- Sow As You Combine • Split hopper for seed and pellets • Seed placed under straw bed • Flexible number of outlets • Straightforward use and claibration • Hydraulic fan
echneat MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p4 5 6 News TR MC KH.indd 3
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NEWS
Will agricultural research funding benefit farmers?
A
n Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund is being set up by the Government to help identify and develop UK industries which are fit for the future as part of its industrial strategy, however, there is little evidence so far that agriculture will benefit. Speaking at the Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum, Mark Turner, deputy director agri-tech, bioeconomy and chemicals, at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), said of a recently published Green Paper, ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’: “It doesn’t talk much about our sector. It is up to us to build importance into work going forward.” Answering charges that farmers had heard little about progress concerning the four Centres for Agricul-
tural Innovation – CHAP (now the Centre for Applied Crop Science) (crop health), CIEL (livestock), Agri-EPI (engineering) and Agrimetrics (data) since the AgriTech Strategy, of which they form part, was launched in 2013, David Flanders, CEO, Agrimetrics, said: “We have spoken to tens if not hundreds of farmers. Agrimetrics has been going less than a year. We are working with yield modelling and the Yield Enhancement Network. There is a project on potato yield which will hit the streets this season.” Dr Andrew Swift, director, science division, Capita with Fera Science, which encompasses CHAP, said: “Research is a long time-frame. We want to make sure researchers engage with farmers and work more closely with AHDB and innovative farmers.” Paul Rooke, head of policy,
Study seeks best practice for rhizoctonia control in OSR JBetter management of rhizoctonia solani is the aim of a three-year programme of work, part-funded by the UK Government’s Agri-Tech Catalyst fund. An aggressive soil-borne pathogen of oilseed rape, R. solani, can kill seedlings before or soon after they emerge. This is typically more problematic in close rotations, says AHDB. Disease strain One particular disease strain, AG2–1, is the main focus of the study because it is known to be associated with severe damping-off and has been shown to significantly impact on several root system traits of OSR. Currently, there are no disease resistant varieties and
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management of this disease is often dependent on the use of fungicides, according to AHDB. The project will look to identify genetic traits associated with resistance to R. solani in OSR, increase knowledge of disease epidemiology and yield loss, and investigate the potential of lowdose seed treatments targeted at soil-borne disease. Due to conclude in 2019, a key output of the work will be to produce the first guidelines for the integrated control of R. solani in OSR, says AHDB. The project has been awarded funding of £619,000, which includes £80,000 from AHDB, and is being delivered by Syngenta and the University of Nottingham.
Centres for Agricultural Innovation have been defending their progress.
Agricultural Industries Confederation, questioned whether the Centres for Agricultural Innovation have a viable future. “We’ve heard a lot about the time lag between a decision on the centres and implementation. There has been an expansion of the remit into food and movement away from production-based R&D. We want to have a better picture of what the centres are
doing, how they are interacting and opportunities to be involved. “There are signals Defra wants to provide a home for global R&D but it needs more than Ministerial words.” rResponses to the Green Paper, ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’ should be submitted no later than April 17, 2017. Visit: https:// beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/ strategy/industrial-strategy
AHDB Potatoes to launch new blight reporting website JAHDB Potatoes is launching a new interactive website for blight reporting. Speaking at the organisation’s Winter Forum, Clare Hodge said the new site had a more interactive map and would incorporate the recently adopted Hutton Criteria blight risk prediction method instead of the Smith Period. “The plan is to build the Hutton Criteria into these systems, improve the reliability and reach of blight risk reporting, and launch them in time for the 2017 blight pressure season, helping to
support decisions, refine action plans and re-empower growers against blight.” So-called ‘blight scouts’, who report incidences of blight, will be able to see results of samples they have submitted in previous seasons and data will remain anonymised, said Ms Hodge. Participants will receive an email by the end of February asking them to register (existing users will need to re-register) and will subsequently receive alerts about what is happening in their area, she added.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p4 5 6 News TR MC KH.indd 4
17/02/2017 13:56
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15/02/2017 12:35 09:35 30/01/2017
TALKING ARABLE
ANDREW
Robinson
Andrew Robinson is farms manager at Heathcote Farms, Bedfordshire. He is a former winner of the nabim/HGCA Milling Wheat Challenge.
“
Pigeons descended into our oilseed rape in the middle of January
N
ew Year saw the men busy with maintenance in both the workshop and grain stores. The grain store at Boughton is having an upgrade, with the old system being replaced with a second-hand elevator and cleaner which we removed from the main farm at Toddington last year; this will speed up the process there considerably. Including labour and the second-hand value of both items of machinery, this should all be done for less than ÂŁ3,500, which is somewhat pleasing. By the time you read this most machines will have been through the workshop for their winter strip down and service ready for the season ahead. The only maintenance job remaining to do is to service both the Ramsey valve and pump on the Bateman, a vital job on the most important machine on the farm. Crops are looking well and do not seem as large and frothy as last year due to both the drier than usual winter and some welcome frosts and spells of colder weather helping disease levels to remain noticeably
lower than last year. Barley, dare I say, actually still looks green instead of yellow, with wheat and rape looking healthy too, with the latter and the barley requiring their first dose of nitrogen fairly soon. Game covers Currently the contracted game covers are being topped with our new rotary topper which has brought much joy to the camp as our 18-year-old topper had became very unreliable and, with the plough following immediately behind, the ground is being turned over in excellent conditions. We have had to resort to the plough on this farm as unfortunately they have not been very vigilant with their weed control, so we have had to bury a large weed burden with the hope of starting again. Certain areas of game cover did not grow as we had anticipated at Toddington last season, so these areas will be soil tested and we will then act accordingly dependent on their findings. Interviewing for harvest students has taken place,
Keeping pigeons on-the-move is proving time-consuming.
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TALKING ARABLE Farm facts rHeathcote Farms, Toddington, Bedfordshire rTwo farms, eight miles apart r930ha on heavy Hanslope Clays r218ha on Greensand r200ha on contract combining rCropping: Winter wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape and spring beans rFarms manager Andrew Robinson plus two fulltime employees
with Wilson and Steven joining us from Harper Adams. It will be good to have two new students this year to work alongside Lee, who is coming back for a third year to drive the older Quadtrac, and Kieran, who is back again to run the grain store, cut hedges and help look after the compost enterprise. Matt and Sam had an enjoyable day at Lamma this year, with seemingly plenty on offer even if certain items seem to require ever deeper pockets. Without doubt this seems to be the go-to place to look at machinery for those seeking to purchase any future capital items. Pigeons descended into our oilseed rape in the middle of January in numbers which I have not seen since my days in Essex, which I assume is due to the lack of rape in the area. As a consequence we are spending a reasonable amount of time moving these grey pests. Gas bangers and flags have been strategically placed, with regular
The plough is following immediately behind the topper on the game cover.
patrols ensuring they never get settled. Communication with staff is vital in any business, but probably more so when there is a large dark cloud hanging over the industry post-2020. In truth nobody knows what is happening after this date, so we are ensuring the business is in a position to be able to survive with little or no payments.
The next generation TopDown
With this in mind, I have set a date to meet with the men to look over the business as a whole, including discussing possible improvements in efficiencies in any areas of the arable enterprise from a practical level, and to inform them of the costs of production of all the crops we grow, so we can analyse and see if any further improvements can be made to further streamline our business.
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MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p8 9 Robinson TR MC KH.indd 3
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TALKING ARABLE
JIM
Bullock
Jim Bullock farms in a family partnership at Guarlford, near Malvern, Worcestershire. He is a keen proponent of conservation tillage techniques and is a founder member of the conservation agriculture group BASE-UK.
“
The message is getting through that yield may not be king
W
ith little activity taking place on-farm, bar loading the last lot of beans and oats along with taking delivery of spring seed, it has been a good opportunity to attend as many meetings and conferences as possible. I find talking to other growers about their thoughts and plans as useful as the actual subject matter one has come to listen to, along with the collection of NRoSO points. We had our local AHDB winter meeting at the Three Counties Showground and, as we are only a mile from the venue, there was little excuse not to attend. I am pleased to say AHDB has listened to ‘those which fund it’ and was not rolling out the usual speakers encouraging the ever upward spiral of inputs, chasing every ounce of yield.
Joel Williams discussed soil health at AHDB’s meeting.
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The message is getting through that yield may not be king, but cost of production and profitability is now the name of the game. We had Sarah Cook, of ADAS, who gave an interesting paper on weed control without the use of herbicides, very useful when we look at the problems of resistance. Probably things we ought to have been doing for years, such as more diversity in cropping and rotation, mechanical weed control and so on, but the chemical alternatives have up until now been much easier and more profitable. The speaker who caught the attention of most attendees was Joel Williams, whose paper entitled ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Crops’ made you realise that perhaps some of the fungicides we apply to our crops might not be doing our soils much good. We were introduced to the soil food web and the importance of carbon in our soils. I had not appreciated the delicate balance between bacteria and fungi in our soils. Although we apply as much organic matter as possible, it might be the wrong sort, encouraging excess bacteria at the expense of fungi which are more beneficial to long-term natural soil fertility. Apparently we need to apply more woody, high carbon organic matter which is converted into long chain carbon molecules which are more stable than the carbon fixed by bacteria that is easily broken down. Continuing on the biological theme, I have just returned from the two-day annual Base UK AGM and winter conference. Base UK is a member-funded organisation like NIAB, so information gathered at its events is confidential, therefore I cannot divulge much of the detail. However, we had two packed days discussing
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TALKING ARABLE Farm facts rMember of a family farming partnership r292 hectares part owned, part share farmed, part tenanted rCropping over the last five years includes: Wheat (winter and spring), oilseed rape (winter and spring), oats and beans, along with an area of temporary grass and permanent pasture rSoils predominantly: Silty-clay-loams (up to 45% clay) rAll crops established either by direct drilling or min-till rAverage field size: 6ha rRainfall five-year average 700mm (865mm – 2014, 950mm – 2012)
many aspects of conservation agriculture with five farmer members sharing their experiences of the transition from plough-based systems to some form of direct-drilling along with industry experts and scientists. Now, with in excess of 150 paying members from as far north as Scotland through to Kent, it is obvious conservation agriculture is the future and will, perhaps, become the new conventional agriculture of the 21st century, as was chemical farming for the 20th century. The farm’s oat and oil radish cover crop is ready to spray off.
Bridge the gap Conservation agriculture bridges the gap between conventional farming and organic production. But it still depends on agrochemical inputs, especially glyphosate, so we need to do all we can to influence those making the decisions on its future. As I understand the situation it is up to the politicians
SPRING
now and they need facts from us, the users, as to how it is going to affect our businesses and ultimately food production. I do not see much urgency to apply any nitrogen too early this year, as the crops are still very green and with a reasonably dry winter we should not have seen too much leaching.
The first job we do need to do as soon as possible is to spray off the remaining cover crops and all the land destined for spring cropping. If we can get on in the next week or so there could be an opportunity for a second application if drilling is delayed until late March or early April.
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MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p10 11 Bullock TR MC KH.indd 3
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TALKING ARABLE
IAIN Green
Iain Green farms in partnership with his parents Jimmy and Nan Green at Garmouth, Morayshire. The farm is an AHDB/ Quality Meat Scotland monitor farm for 2017-2020.
“
I have now locked into a total of 300 tonnes of malting barley for harvest movement
I
am pleased to say my New Year’s resolution has taken a turn for the better and I have now lost 8kg since January 9. It has not been easy, but I am determined to continue and keep the weight off this time, but with several social events coming up it will be difficult. I will just have to hope that with spring work and lambing around the corner I can work it off. The spell of unseasonably good weather has continued through January and into mid-February, allowing us to catch up with muck spreading and ploughing. With about 200 hectares left to plough for spring cereals, we are well ahead of last spring. With the grass continuing to grow, the ewes have only been fed hay and are in very good condition. Since scanning, we have started to give ewes carrying twins and triplets a liquid supplement and this year, having spare oats left, we have been feeding them instead of starting the bought concentrate so early. I was very happy with the results of the scanning
as we have achieved 206% for the ewes and gimmers and 132% for the ewe hoggs. Open day Our first monitor farm open day was very successful, with more than 100 farmers and associates and over 35 students attending. It will be interesting for me to see the students’ reports and projects as their task was to come up with ideas on how they would change our farming business. Going forward our next monitor farm meeting is planned for the end of May, where one of the topics will be soil compaction and care of the soil. I had decided to stop growing spring oats as the cattle feed ration they were destined for has been changed and it is now being purchased instead of home mixed. But when I see how well the ewes have done on the oats, I have decided to plough up small areas of old grass where out-wintered cattle have caused damage and drill those areas with oats, hopefully managing to get them harvested in time for direct reseeding back into grass in autumn.
The farm’s first monitor farm open day was attended by more than 100 farmers and over 35 students.
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TALKING ARABLE
Good weather has provided a chance to catch up on muck spreading.
We have our variable rate maps produced and ready to upload into the tractor screen for applying potash to our winter cereals as soon as ground conditions allow. All the fields with higher index levels of P and K received a base seedbed fertiliser of 250kg/ha of 0/20/30. Fields with lower indices received 250kg/ha of 0/26/26 at drilling and the variable rate application will now take them up to the required level for this year’s crop. I am hoping the weather stays dry and we can get onto the rest of the winter wheat which didn’t receive its herbicide in autumn, or we could have some very large weeds to control. I have now locked into a total of 300 tonnes of malting barley for harvest movement at an average price of £136.60/t based on wheat futures plus a £20/t malting barley premium to be added, making £156.60/t. The question is, do I lock in more or wait to see what the market does? Considering this is a very small percentage of my potential tonnage, I will be keeping a close eye on the markets and locking in more 100t parcels when I feel the price looks attractive. My only concern is I haven’t
Farm facts rW.J. and J. Green is a family partnership based at Corskie, Morayshire, in the north east of Scotland r1,234 hectares of owned and contract farmed arable land and grass for livestock enterprises, which include a pedigree Simmental herd and indoor pigs rSoils: Light sandy loam through to clay loam rCropping includes 107ha winter wheat (distilling/ feed), 72ha winter barley (own use for pig feed), 411ha spring barley (malting) and 10ha spring oats (own use for feed) rOne farm has been in continuous barley since the 1960s rW.J. and J. Green also runs a UK-wide haulage business
price fixed any feed barley for our pig unit for next season yet and it worries me that I could be in the same situation as we are presently, where we are paying £119 for spot feed barley and we only received an average malting barley price last harvest of £129.80/t.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p12 13 Green TR MC KH.indd 3
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16/02/2017 11:54
BUSINESS MARKET ANALYSIS In Europe rapeseed prices are high enough to allow imports from Ukraine and Canada.
While UK wheat is relatively expensive internationally, import parity is still a few pounds away, say analysts ODA.
UK wheat market stays tight
U Wheat
K wheat prices struggled to keep upward momentum in late January, with LIFFE wheat slipping by nearly £1.50/tonne. Despite these short-term price declines, the UK wheat market remains tight. Low grade wheat supplies are increasingly hard to purchase and demand remains firm, especially from the domestic consumer for spot delivery. While we believe the UK will become a net importer of
14
wheat later in the season, this is not the case just yet. Import parity, the price at which imported wheat can compete with domestic supplies, is still some few pounds away. So, while UK wheat is relatively expensive internationally, our analysis suggests this can and will continue going forward, so long as the pound does not rise too strongly in value. Elsewhere, the Euronext and Chicago wheat futures markets recovered most of the sharp losses endured either side of the last weekend in January. A large part of these earlier losses were due to technical
What to watch rWheat: UK and EU competitiveness; Black Sea weather and UK currency rBarley: Exports and imports in the UK and EU; the discount of UK feed barley; UK feed wheat prices rMaize: Sales/shipments in the USA; water levels on
the Rhine/Danube; weather in Argentina/Brazil rOilseed rape: Crude oil, currencies; import competitiveness in Europe; Canadian crushing and exports; Chinese demand rSoya: Weather in South America; USA, Brazil: exports and port basis; international demand
factors – the breach of a short-term bullish trend. Late January saw Egypt’s state grain buyer, General Authority for Supply Commodities purchase 410,000t of Russian wheat. The average purchase price has increased by $3/t (£2.40/t) since the previous purchase, the highest price for more than a year. Declining French wheat prices are boosting France’s competitiveness and in particular to North Africa, where French wheat is the cheapest origin to Algeria. Algeria has just issued an invitation to tender. With regard to the weather, our office in Ukraine is reporting that crusts of ice (damaging for
crops) are forming in some parts of Ukraine and Russia. Furthermore, southern Russia (the main export region) has experienced very low temperatures of around -20degC in recent days, with very thin snow cover. Barley Physical feed barley prices fell slightly (-£0.20/t) across the UK for the week ending January 26, despite gains for cash feed wheat (+£1.70/t). Official Corn Returns (ex-farm prices) for the week commencing January 23 showed average UK barley prices down to £120.60/t, while feed wheat prices rose to £143.50/t. Feed barley’s discount therefore
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AF March p14 15 Market Analysis TR MC KH.indd 2
17/02/2017 11:01
MARKET ANALYSIS BUSINESS Consultant details JOffre et Demande Agricole (ODA) is a private, independent consulting firm which helps buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities manage market volatility and price risks. For more information call 01223 894 791, or visit www.odaconnect.co.uk
increased from £21/t previously to £22.90/t below feed wheat. This is likely to be simply a lack of liquidity in the barley market, rather than any meaningful trend change for the wheat/barley spread, which is expected to narrow over the period ahead. Across the Channel, barley exports are still high thanks to strong export demand. This seems set to continue over the next few months given competitiveness is good at the moment. In January, 347,000t of barley were loaded in French ports mainly for Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Israel. Algeria issued a new invitation to tender for purchase of an unspecified amount of feed barley. Maize Water levels on the Rhine and Danube remain low. We believe navigation difficulties will continue for at least another month. Extremely high temperatures in Argentina are causing concern (42degC in the shade in places), although water reserves are generally good. In the USA, sales of maize have been very high since early January. During the week commencing January 23 almost 1.4 million tonnes were sold for export, almost three times the amount needed to reach the USDA’s target. The shipment rate is also on the increase and in line with that needed to meet the USDA’s target. Oilseed rape Given the corrections on oils prices and prices in the soya complex,
rapeseed prices have come under pressure on the Euronext market. In Canada, demand is still strong from the crushing industry and for export. When compared to last year, 820,000 more canola has been consumed since the beginning of the campaign – equivalent to the increase in production between 2015/16 and 2016/17. Growth in consumption will have to stabilise in Canada to avoid tightening the report. Canadian crushing margins have started to fall. With regard to demand, China’s imports for December 2016 are rather low at 241,000t, although January should be more dynamic, with China expecting nearly 650,000t, mainly from Canada. In Europe, rapeseed is high enough to allow imports from Ukraine and Canada. Availability is still low in Ukraine, however, and Canada’s shipping schedule seems to be full until the end of June. Europe’s only solution is Australian canola, but the figures do not add up. A rally in European prices (when compared to its Australian counterpart) is therefore to be expected. Soya The first week of February saw soya bean prices trading down sharply on the Chicago market. Several factors have brought pressure to bear on bean prices. Firstly, after driving prices up in recent weeks, the weather in South America improved in late January. It has rained in southern Buenos Aires and in La Pampa which had been experiencing dry conditions. The heart of the production region is still experiencing dry weather, with the ground saturated with water after the heavy rain of recent weeks. Secondly, international demand is slowing down. Asia’s New Year celebrations resulted in shortterm lack of demand from these countries. Thirdly, there is ongoing uncertainty about biodiesel mandates
in the USA for 2017. Last November, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced an 18% increase in biodiesel mandates compared with 2016, but following the inauguration of the new US President, Donald Trump, the validation of this mandate has been delayed. This is sowing the seeds of doubt in the oils market and having an effect on soya beans. Lastly, with regard to the old campaign, demand for meals is still good in the USA and Argentina. Good crushing margins in recent months, however, have led to a high rate of crushing and sharp increase in soya meal stocks. The weather in South America is likely to continue driving the market. In Brazil, even though the harvest is making good progress in Mato Grosso, operators are concerned about regular rain which is falling on mature soya; this could reduce yields and crop quality. In Argentina, some beneficial rain is expected in the south of the production region – beneficial because there is still a major water deficit. The return of the rains in the heart of the production region (up to 100mm is expected on the week), however, could lead to further damage.
Overview rWheat: ODA remains optimistic for UK wheat prices going forward, but will consider taking some profits when circumstances present themselves rBarley: UK barley’s discount still expected to resume a narrowing trend in the short- to medium-term rMaize: Feed demand in northern Europe is likely to continue focusing on French maize rOilseed rape: After falling under the influence of oils and the soya complex, rapeseed prices are likely to rally in Europe so as to ensure imports rSoya: After falling sharply this week due to weather improvements in South America, further rain in Brazil and the return of rain in the heart of Argentina’s production region could drive prices up again
Feed barley’s discount increased below feed wheat, likely to be due to a lack of liquidity in the barley market.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p14 15 Market Analysis TR MC KH.indd 3
15 17/02/2017 11:02
BUSINESS FEATURE Higher inflation rates are affecting the prices of fuel and crop inputs.
There has been pressure on crop prices over the last few years, but at least costs have been under control. That is changing. Cedric Porter finds out more.
Counting the cost of higher inflation
G
rowers will be happy wheat and oilseed rape prices are 40% higher than they were a year ago and there have been big increases in potato prices driven by shortage of supply. But optimism will be tempered by the prospect of higher costs. Brexit, or more precisely the weaker pound since the June vote, has had an impact on higher crop prices and higher costs, but it is not the only game in town. The pound is now 10% weaker against the euro than it was a year ago and 15% weaker against the US dollar. Higher energy prices around the world have pushed up the value of fuel and products which are
16
We can expect prices to rise in the short-term and perhaps remain higher in the longer term Clarke Willis made with it, including fertiliser. The price of crude oil has risen by 78% in the last year, although it is still half the value it was at for much of 2012 and 2013. Natural gas prices have increased by
Predicted increases in input costs over the next 12 months Source: Anglia Farmers rOverall increase in input costs of 9.5% rFuel costs, including electricity, to rise 15.2%
110% in the last year, with a 40% increase in ammonium nitrate prices since August. Fuel Anglia Farmers has been publishing a cost of production index since 2005. For this year it has published cost forecasts which predict an overall increase in input costs of 9.5%. It expects fuel, including electricity, to increase by 15.2% over
rFertiliser to increase by 14.6% rAgrochemicals to increase by 9%
the next 12 months; fertiliser to increase by 14.6% and agrochemicals to increase by 9%. Clarke Willis, the outgoing chief executive of Anglia Farmers, says: “In recent times we have seen price deflation for many costs which has helped cushion the blow of lower crop prices, but we can expect prices to rise in the short-term and perhaps remain higher in the longer term. “The weaker pound has
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p16 17 18 Cedric TR KH MC.indd 2
17/02/2017 10:53
FEATURE BUSINESS
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300
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Gas
Oil and fertiliser
Key energy and fertiliser costs - Source: Anglia Farmers
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200
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2013
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Brent crude US$/brl
2015 Urea US$/brl
2016
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Natural gas US$/mmBTu
FEED BARLEY
Willis urges growers to develop strategies to minimise the impact of higher costs by using risk management and buying strategies. “We now operate four risk management schemes, in fuel, feed, electricity and fertiliser. As an example, those who commit their fuel and electricity through AF’s fixed-price schemes are expected to benefit from a 2% reduction on the headline inflation figure to 7.5% as they look to save an anticipated 10p per litre on gas oil, 4p a litre on derv and 2p per unit on electricity.” Seed is another essential cost and prices have been increasing fast for some crops. Potatoes are one example. A smaller crop last year has put pressure on supplies, especially on some varieties, but UK growers are not facing the same increase in seed costs as some continental growers, with Belgian growers facing a doubling of seed costs for processing varieties to about €1,400/tonne (£1,190/t). For cereals, the only crop where growers may face higher prices this spring is spring barley, according to Barry Barker, seed specialist at Agrii. He says: “We are expecting an increase in spring barley area of up to 15% in some regions. Coupled with a slightly smaller area of spring barley seed grown
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p16 17 18 Cedric TR KH MC.indd 3
▼
Red diesel Mr Willis says it is a similar picture for fuel, with two companies now accounting for 70% of the UK’s red diesel sales and only 800 trucks delivering red diesel across the UK. Meanwhile, he believes UK farmers have been fortunate in having some of the lowest agrochemical prices in Europe and seen price rises of just 1-2% a year in the last few years. “We expect agrochemical prices to increase this year and remain higher,” says Mr Willis. With prices rising and expected to stay higher, Mr
Malting Barley
MALTING BARLEY
MALTING BARLEY
Malting FEED BARLEY Barley
Malting Barley
definitely had an effect, pushing up the cost of imported products, including many agricultural inputs. But there are other longer term issues which mean costs are increasing. “The UK operates in a global market and prices are governed by what happens globally. For instance, the UK accounts for just 1.2% of global fertiliser sales, with the value of imports at two-and-a-half times higher than the value of exports. “The fertiliser business is in the hands of fewer companies, while the logistics of supplying fertiliser is becoming tighter, with more strain on trucks and delivery times.”
Malting Barley
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www.lgseeds.co.uk/sienna @lgseedsuk Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN7 6DT Tel: 01472 371471 enquiries@limagrain.co.uk
17/02/2017 12:04
BUSINESS FEATURE Inputs, such as fertiliser, are predicted to increase in cost.
and reduced yields last year, this means there is pressure on supply. Elsewhere there are no issues with the supply of spring wheat, spring oilseed rape or pulses. “Looking to autumn, it is too early to say for some crops but, despite the reduced area of oilseed rape in 2016, there should be no issue with the overall rapeseed supply as hybrid seed is nearly all produced on the continent and we believe UK production of conventional varieties looks okay. “With spring 2018 plantings there may still be an issue with
spring barley seed availability due to the difficulty in getting a sufficient number of seed growers in some areas.” Investment Mr Barker says there is underlying seed price inflation of about 3% a year due to rising treatment costs and increases in royalties. As an example, wheat royalties rose by 3.3% in 2016/17, but he urges growers to remember investment in seed is essential if a good crop is to be grown and to put any price rises in context. “A £10/t increase in the cost
of wheat seed on a 9t/hectare crop translates into an increase in total costs of just 19p/t.” With most of the UK’s farm machinery imported, prices are starting to edge up as the weaker pound takes effect. Stephen Howarth, economist at the Agricultural Engineers Association, says: “It takes time for currency changes to filter through, but there is an expectation prices will have to rise. “How much prices will rise is open to question as many machinery suppliers will want to maintain sales. A rise in general
costs also means farmers may be looking for machinery which can increase efficiency and productivity. The weaker pound will benefit British manufacturers, making them more competitive in home and export markets, while it also supports the value of second-hand machinery on the export market.” So growers should prepare themselves for rising costs in the long term. The great thing about cost management is it is beneficial, whether costs are high, low, rising or not. Below are five tips for managing costs.
Cost management strategies
1 2
Know your costs. Without a true record of your costs, it is difficult to manage them Understand the relationship between inputs and output. Just cutting costs may cost more in terms of lost output or quality than any savings made Maximise the value of inputs. Using field mapping, precision techniques and good calibration can allow fertiliser, crop protection products and seed to be used
3
more effectively and reduce the risk of pollution Consider using buying groups. Group buying can allow costs to be spread and the best deals secured Buy ahead, rather than when you need the input. Most inputs will be known before the beginning of the season. Securing forward buying deals on these inputs can save money and time, allowing you to buy specific inputs when they are needed
4 5
Fuel prices are predicted to increase by 15.2% by March 2018.
18
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p16 17 18 Cedric TR KH MC.indd 4
17/02/2017 10:54
Chemistry
“For the most effective black-grass control, choose your moment.” Atlantis WG provides the best control when applied at the 1-3 leaf stage. To maximise black-grass control take advantage of any window of opportunity to spray. For optimum control, start planning with the Black-Grass Task Manager at www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk/bgtm
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Atlantis WG contains mesosulfuron and iodosulfuron. Atlantis is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call Bayer Assist on 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2017
Bayer Atlantis WP.indd 1
15/02/2017 09:41
BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Black Earth Farming unveils $200m sell-out
B
lack Earth Farming revealed it had agreed, in essence, a $200 million (£161m) takeover by Russia’s Kukura family in the most high profile of a series of retreats by foreign investors from the Black Sea agricultural market. Stockholm-listed Black Earth Farming, one of the biggest foreign-controlled farming groups in Russia, said it had agreed a sale of its operating companies to Volgo-DonSelkhozInvest, which is best known for its links to oil and gas giant Lukoil. The sale, valued at $200m including debt, is aimed to be followed ‘as soon as practically possible’ by the liquidation of Black Earth Farming. Most favourable Richard Warburton, the group’s chief executive, said: “Out of the several discussions we have
Black Earth Farming’s sell-out is the latest in a series of retreats by foreign investors from the Black Sea agricultural market.
conducted with interested parties, I am satisfied the transaction being proposed is the most favourable for Black Earth Farming’s shareholders in terms of both value and risk.” The disposal comes 12 years
after Black Earth Farming was founded, amid a wave of interest in farming in eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union, viewed as emerging agricultural markets. Black Earth Farming was initially lauded by investors keen to tap into what was seen as a strong story – marrying the need
About Agrimoney.com JAgrimoney.com is an online sister publication to Arable Farming. Its real-time coverage reveals where money is being made – and lost. rMore at Agrimoney.com
to feed a growing and increasingly wealthy world population with the vast swathes of under-utilised farmland in the likes of Poland, Russia and Ukraine. However, while the group reported profits in 2012 and 2015, these have been dwarfed by the losses prompted by factors such as the slide in global wheat prices since 2008 and Russia-specific factors, including the knock-on effects of export curbs and sanctions following the invasion of Crimea. Black Earth Farming had, as of 2015, achieved an overall net loss of some $250m (£201m).
CropEnergies lifts revenues UK wheat exports slump and earnings forecast JA recovering pound, and “Then we saw the pound start
JEuropean ethanol producer CropEnergies once again increased its forecast for earnings and profits in 2016-17, as prices rallied. “The main reasons for the better earnings situation are the spot prices for bioethanol which continue to be significantly higher than the previously expected forward prices,” CropEnergies said. Utilisation CropEnergies, which has an annual capacity of 1.3 million cu.m of bioethanol, from four plants in Germany, Belgium, the
20
UK, and France, noted ‘high capacity utilisation’ in all of its production plants. The company is owned by European sugar producer Sudzucker. Last summer CropEnergies re-opened its mothballed Ensus plant in the UK, in response to higher prices. CropEnergies now expects 2016-17 revenues to reach €800€810m (£680-£689m), compared to €723m (£615m) a year earlier. The company also lifted its forecast of operating profit to €85-€100m (£72-£85m), up from €87m (£74m) a year ago.
rising domestic prices, sent UK wheat exports crashing down in December, Government data showed. UK December wheat exports came in at 93,425 tonnes, the lowest level seen in December since the 2013-14 season. This was down 45% from November, and down 63% year-on-year. “It’s not a massive surprise when we consider the fact there was a strong, sustained pace through to November,” James Bolesworth, at CRM AgriCommodities told Agrimoney.
to recover in November.” Surging prices and the stronger pound have left UK dollar-denominated wheat prices expensive against other export origins, Mr Bolesworth said. Gain competitiveness “Therefore, we needed to see the price correct, trying to gain competitiveness in the export market,” he added. UK wheat prices at the start of December stood at £138/t, up 19% year-on-year, UK wheat imports were up 12% year-on-year, at 173,466t.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p20 Agrimoney TR MC KH.indd 2
17/02/2017 10:57
DuPont Provalia LQM ™
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The powerful new solution for broad spectrum weed control. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Unless indicated, trademarks with ® or ™ are trademarks of DuPont or affiliates. ©2017 DuPont. Provalia™ contains Thifensulfuron methyl, Metsulfuron methyl and Fluroxypyr-meptyl
Du Pont WP.indd 1
15/02/2017 09:36
TALKING AGRONOMY
CHRIS
Martin
Creating the optimum OSR canopy
“
With most crops relatively forward, nitrogen quantities and timings could have a major role to play this spring
22
M
ost oilseed rape crops across the region have come through early winter fairly well. Phoma lesions are easy to find on the usual suspect varieties, but of more concern, visible symptoms of light leaf spot (LLS), which had a major impact on last year’s rape crop yields, have been appearing in many crops from early January. Even leaves from crops which appeared clean and had received a robust autumn fungicide soon showed the symptoms after a couple of days in a plastic bag in the airing cupboard. Any fields which have not yet been treated since the New Year should now be sprayed as a priority. With most crops relatively forward, nitrogen quantities and timings, as well as appropriate plant growth regulators, could have a major role to play this spring if we are going to maximise potential. The biggest influence on rape yields is the number of seeds harvested, and the seed number is principally determined in a period of only two to three weeks at the end of flowering. During this critical period, it is important we have built a crop canopy which is going to photosynthesise as efficiently as possible, in order to maximise seed number. Too thin a canopy, and there will not be enough green material to intercept sufficient amounts of our most precious resource, solar radiation. Conversely, too thick a canopy will also lead to a suboptimal number of seeds as flowers will reflect sunlight, essentially wasting it. Thicker canopies also tend to create a more humid microclimate which encourages disease, which can both steal photosynthetic area and also reduce the efficiency of other vital plant functions. The aim, therefore, is to build a canopy with a Green Area Index (GAI) of about 3.5-4 at mid-flowering.
From above, you could probably be able to see up to 5% ground, so significantly smaller than most of us would have historically strived for. As each GAI of OSR contains around 50kg/ha N, the optimum crop at the end of flowering should contain around 175-200kg/ha of N in total during this critical period. Nitrogen applications and timings should therefore be tailored to build up to this optimum canopy without overshooting it. Once we have successfully built this optimal canopy, in order to maximise seed numbers, it’s then important we continue to keep the crop green and healthy for as long as possible, in order to maximise seed fill. While this trait is determined by a thermal period of time, we still need to ensure the crop has access to all the nutrients and moisture it needs to make photosynthesis as efficient as possible during this period. Soil structure, establishment choice and inclusion of companion plants at sowing can all have a big role to play in encouraging rooting of the rape crop to help it achieve this. Additional nitrogen to that required to build the optimum canopy at flowering will also have a big role to play. Solid N applications as late as farm machinery will permit an even spread, or foliar nitrogen alongside the main sclerotinia spray have both proved useful in maintaining the crop’s Green Area Duration (GAD), thus maximising seed fill. Nitrogen stabilisers such as N-Lock applied in early spring could have a major role to play here by helping keep nitrogen available for longer so it prolongs GAD, rather than overcooking the canopy at flowering.
Agronomist facts Chris Martin is a technical manager for Agrovista, based in the north east of England. His role is to provide technical advice to growers over an area extending from Lincolnshire to Scotland. Prior to this, he was an agronomist with the company for 15 years and continues to provide agronomy advice to a number of growers producing combinable crops in the Scotch Corner area
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p22 Martin TR KH MC.indd 2
17/02/2017 10:56
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15/02/2017 09:37
TALKING AGRONOMY
VICKI
Brooks W
Coming through winter with considerable promise
“
Most of our autumn-sown crops seem to be thriving from the continued week-on, weekoff winter
24
ith the possible exception of beans suffering more foot-rotting than we would like, most of our autumn-sown crops seem to be thriving from the continued weekon, week-off winter. As we move into mid-February, the cereals and what remains of our rape are looking green, healthy and full of promise, without that yellow and hungry look they so often have at this time of year. Yet, neither they nor any surviving grass-weeds are growing away, threatening to get ahead of both themselves and us. And, in most cases, the decent amount of cold has also held aphids and diseases at bay. If all goes according to plan, by the time you read this, things should have warmed up enough for us to have completed a good spring weed tidy-up, got on with our first fertiliser splits and be well into winter rape stem extension spraying, not to mention making a start on spring planting. Varying quite widely, our early N-mins are generally up on the past couple of years, reflecting the particularly dry, leaching-free early season. This and big variations in crop development, between relatively wetter and drier parts of fields, is making fertiliser planning interesting. Variable rate applications are, indeed, even being considered by those who would never previously have entertained them. As usual, we’ll be prioritising our winter rape and later-drilled and second wheats for early nutritional attention. Depending on their growth, they’ll be getting 60-80kg/ hectare of N, well-balanced with sulphur. Practicalities mean most of the SO3 will be going on early where we’re using solids, while with liquids the sulphur will be more drip-fed through the season. Following the latest research showing valuable winter crop responses, even where soil indices are satisfactory, we’ll be applying about 50kg/ha of fresh phosphate in many cases this spring too, using the specialist P-Reserve coating
AgriiFocus which trials have shown to be valuable in minimising mineral lock-up. More tissue analyses are also on our agenda this spring. In previous years they’ve highlighted low manganese and zinc levels in our wheats and boron and molybdenum imbalances in the rapes. But rather than just applying these micronutrients as standard or using belt and braces broad-spectrum products, we’re keen to give our crops the quality trace elements they actually need in the right balance. That way we allow them to fulfil their considerable potential as cost-effectively as we can. Spring micronutrients The 50% of our rape which survived the unbelievably dry autumn, followed by serious mid-winter pigeon hammering, will be getting its first spring micronutrients with the stem extension spray as we move into March. To keep on top of the light leaf spot we know is lurking, though can’t yet see on the leaves, this will be a combination of prothioconazole or prochloraz with tebuconazole. All but the most backward crops will also receive a specialist PGR – more to manage their variable canopies for the most even flowering than for any shortening effect. Spring micronutrient applications for the wheat will start at T0 towards the end of March. As well as the extent to which septoria develops in the next few weeks, our fungicide choices here will be very much variety-driven. Where the disease risk is high, a combination of metrafenone, epoxiconazole and fenpropimorph will be our weapon of choice, with a multi-site protectant included for varieties like Trinity, Gallant, and Zulu with less disease resistance than we’d like. For lower risk situations, we’ll probably go for an alternative mixture of prochloraz, proquinazid and tebuconazole, with slightly less power but broader activity than a simple multi-site.
Agronomist facts rVicki Brooks is an Agrii agronomist based in Essex. She provides agronomy advice to clients growing cereals, oilseed rape, sugar beet, potatoes, maize and field vegetables in Essex and Suffolk
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p24 Brooks TR MC KH.indd 2
14/02/2017 19:22
DK clearfield Imperial variety trials single page_Layout 1 09/02/2017 14:08 Page 1
DEKALB Varieties Top Independent Clearfield Variety Trials DEKALB varieties took the top three places in the first full set of independent trials assessing the UK performance of Clearfield oilseed rape, with DK Impression CL and DK Imperial CL standing out for their consistency as well as overall output rating.
DK IMPERIAL CL CHARACTERISTICS As well as its leading performance in independent Clearfield trials, DK Imperial CL stands out for the combination of other valuable characteristics it carries as part of the DEKALB package.
Resistance to lodging
NIAB-TAG testing of nine varieties of winter OSR tolerant to Cleranda and Cleravo herbicides across three sites in 2015/16 recorded a mean gross output of 3.54 t/ha. In a season of generally disappointing winter rape yields, the average variety performance at all three sites was very much in line with the organisation’s other OSR work at the same locations. Topping the three-site average with gross outputs of 108% and 107% of the trial mean respectively were DK Impression CL and DK Imperial CL. In third place with a gross output of 106% was the only other DEKALB variety in the trial, DK Imaret CL. All three varieties were clearly ahead of the six non-DEKALB varieties tested and among the only four to record above-average gross outputs.
110 108
107
Gross Output (% of trial mean)
104 100
100
(7)
Pod shatter resistance
Yes
Shortness of stem
6
Earliness of flowering
5
Earliness of maturity
5
Stem canker resistance
8
Light leaf spot resistance
6
Data from Monsanto trials
A medium to rapid autumn growth habit combined with its vigorous establishment ability makes DK Imperial CL suitable for drilling into early September and particularly well able to cope with less-than-ideal autumn conditions.
Pod shatter resistance will reduce the risk of seed losses in the run-up to and at harvest, protecting yields under difficult conditions or where combining is delayed and reducing subsequent volunteer control pressures.
106
100
Stem stiffness
Double phoma resistance gives valuable extra autumn spraying flexibility, while an autumn PGR may be appropriate before winter under favourable growing conditions.
Figure: NIAB-TAG Clearfield Variety Trials 2015-16 – Three Site Mean
105
8
99
95 90 89
88
85
The Clearfield trait makes DK Imperial CL tolerant to the sulfonylurea herbicide, imazamox.
80
ty ar ie
ty ar ie
KC LV
No n
-D
ty ar No n
-D
KC LV
ie
ty No n
-D
KC
LV
ar
ie
ty LV KC No n
-D
LV
ar
ie
ty ar ie
KC
No n
-D
CL ar et
No n
-D
KC LV
lC L
Im
ria DK
pe Im
DK
DK
pr e
ss
io nC L
75
Im
CLEARFIELD VALUE
Source: NIABTAG 2016 Clearfield Trials: WOR16-606
What’s more, both DK Impression CL and DK Imperial CL demonstrated their consistency by out-performing all the other varieties at both the highest and lowest yielding sites. Their average oil contents of 44.3% and 44.6% were noticeably ahead of the rest too, with the next best variety in this respect (DK Imaret CL) averaging 43.5% oil.
This means a single shot post-emergence spray of Cleranda or Cleravo can be used to control a wide range of broad-leaved weeds including problem crucifers, charlock, runch and hedge mustard; non-Clearfield OSR volunteers; and cereal volunteers, bromes, ryegrass and wild oats present at spraying. As a result, DK Imperial CL is especially valuable wherever : • • • • •
Cruciferous weeds are a problem; Double low volunteer OSR populations are significant; There is a risk of erucic acid contamination from HEAR volunteers; Pre-emergence herbicides are either inappropriate or undesirable; or SU herbicide residues from previous crops may restrict crop vigour.
For further information on DEKALB Hybrids visit www.dekalb.co.uk or call the Technical Helpline on 01954 717575
Monsanto Clearfield WP.indd 1
16/02/2017 11:28
TALKING AGRONOMY
LUKE
Wheeler
OSR showing signs of disease
“
This winter is also proving to be colder than the previous few, so light leaf spot is more of a risk
A
s I write, at the beginning of February, crops are just starting to get moving, albeit very slowly due to conditions turning rather wet, and at times quite cold. However, it’s only a matter of time until the weather starts changing and crops begin to grow at a serious rate of knots. Winter wheat is growing very slowly, which is to be expected at this time of year and black-grass control remains generally good. The combination of good seedbeds, a strong pre-emergence spray and some cold weather has contributed to the longevity of the residual herbicides and the low weed levels being seen. Oilseed rape disease levels are looking average, although higher than last year, with it being relatively easy to find both phoma and light leaf spot. An early spring fungicide for oilseed rape will be applied in the next two to four weeks, depending on weather conditions, aiming at the first signs of spring growth. The constitution of this application will depend on a number of factors. The variety Firstly, the variety in question. Cleaner varieties such as Elgar will be getting a reduced application, whereas dirtier varieties such as Charger will be getting a far stronger mix. In some cases, active phoma can be easily found which will mean a fungicide choice and rate to target this infestation. This winter is also proving to be colder than the previous few, so light leaf spot is more of a risk. In some varieties it is also easy to find. All applications will include micronutrients such as boron or manganese depending on soil type and crop need. Looking at adult flea beetle and at this time of year, the effect of flea
26
beetle larvae, ADAS has conducted research showing that when either the cotyledons, leaf 1 or leaf 2 are severely damaged, the final green leaf area achieved by the crop was either no different or better than crops which were not damaged, showing the compensatory effects of the oilseed rape crop. Conversely, this does not take into account the problems which may be experienced further down the line from larval damage. Beetle larvae Where oilseed rape has had high flea beetle pressure and has made it through to this stage, some of these crops are now showing signs of high flea beetle larvae in the plant petioles. Research has shown that when more than five larvae per plant can be found, yield benefits of about 0.34 tonnes/hectare can be achieved by including an insecticide in autumn or spring. Taking the plant and dissecting is the best way to determine this figure. The five larvae per plant figure is based on old studies; new varieties could well withstand more larvae pressure. When the larvae are in the plant petioles, insecticides won’t directly kill the pest, the larvae do, however, burrow in and out of the petiole and can therefore pick up the chemical residues on the plant surface and may be controlled to some degree.
Agronomist facts rLuke Wheeler is an independent agronomist with agricultural consultancy Indigro. Based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, he advises clients across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire, growing mainly cereals, oilseeds, legumes, maize and grass. He is a graduate of Newcastle University, an associate member of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants and is BASIS and FACTS qualified
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p26 Wheeler TR MC KH.indd 2
14/02/2017 19:24
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Bayer Siltra WP.indd 1
@Bayer4CropsUK
15/02/2017 09:39
TALKING AGRONOMY ROOTS
DARRYL
Shailes
Coping with a dry winter
“
The consequences of not getting it correct at the outset can be expensive
I
t has been pretty dry so far this winter in many parts of the UK, with significantly less than average rainfall – especially in the East. In my part of Norfolk, December was the driest we can remember, with about 2mm of rain and January hasn’t been much better. It’s the same in Western Europe and many ski resorts wouldn’t have any snow if it wasn’t for the snowmaking they’ve been doing. Some French resorts have had restrictions placed on them about how much snow they can make as the reservoirs are running dry. The Italian Dolomites are particularly badly affected and valleys are still green and brown when they should be white. The only snow to be seen are the ribbons of white on the pistes made by the snow guns, or at least they were when I was there in mid-January. Conversations I’m having with growers reveal some subsoils are still very dry, while for others river levels are pretty low, so winter filling of irrigation reservoirs has been a challenge. This may change of course, but too much rain could damage soil structure and impede early season field preparation. Scheduling models Most irrigation scheduling models use a Penman-Montieth equation to work out the evapotranspiration rate. Penman developed his model in 1948, to determine the evaporation from open water, bare soil and grass. This was modified by Montieth in 1965 and the resulting equation is now called the Penman-Montieth. These models use standard weather measurements such as solar radiation, air temperature, humidity and wind speed to work. The evapotranspiration rate is worked out and along with crop cover and rainfall the irrigation requirement is calculated. In agriculture when we use models there are always some assumptions which are made which can be overlooked in certain conditions. Most irrigation models assume soils are at field capacity on April 1. This means if we use models and don’t make adjustments based on
28
the actual soil moisture deficit, we can be open to errors from day one following a very dry winter. It’s not common, but I can remember a couple of occasions where this has happened and if you’re irrigating to a scab alleviation regime the consequences of not getting it correct at the outset can be expensive. So using some form of soil water measuring device such as enviroscans or neutron probes can be useful to help the models get off correctly. Also, dry soils can become hydrophobic and that causes water to collect on the soil surface rather than infiltrate in to the ground. Hydrophobic soils are common in some parts of the world and adjuvants are sometimes used to enable the water to infiltrate. It’s pretty common on bowling greens in the UK where water can just pool and stand on the grass surface – silicone wetters and the like are commonly used to help the water percolate in to the soil. It’s not that common but does occasionally happen and I can remember a few potato fields over the years being affected. One of them actually had to be irrigated three times in quick succession before any water got into the beds. Early season water is not only needed for scab control but also for canopy development – something which can be overlooked in a processing crop in a dry spring. We all know the function of the canopy is to capture sunshine to create carbohydrate in the tuber by photosynthesis, and anything which impedes its ability to grow quickly in spring to be able to utilise the sunshine which peaks in mid-June will have an adverse effect on yield. The canopy growth curves we see at various different conferences all show us the canopy development is directly related to yield and needs to be maximised to obtain the yields we need today to grow a profitable potato crop. So early irrigation can be essential in a dry spring. No doubt it will start raining now I’ve written this and we’ll be having to cope with wet soils, but hey-ho that’s farming.
Agronomist facts rDarryl Shailes is root crop technical manager for Hutchinsons, with a nationwide remit. He has been working in potato agronomy for more than 20 years
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p28 Roots TR MC KH.indd 2
14/02/2017 19:26
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AGCO VALTRA WP.indd 1
16/02/2017 13:52
SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Chris Eglington’s farm in Norfolk was under the spotlight at the Syngenta oilseed rape growers group’s latest meeting.
Precision farming focus for OSR
Brought to you by
Sulphur status
Testing times
OILSEED rape growers should
particularly with the focus on
LEAF tissue analysis is still
of 50-75kg/hectare (SO3), with
recent trials.
crop is deficient in sulphur,
higher yield potential sites with
be applying sulphur at a rate
ADAS trials last season on
little or no cost benefit or yield advantage from using higher
the 400-hectare Norfolk farm of
Results of extensive new
Eglington, based at North Hill,
rates.
research by ADAS, presented
Letton, seven miles south of
but growers needed to
Dereham, revealed significant
growers and agronomists
higher end of the range. Dr
selected loamy sand. Sulphur,
the existing RB209 fertiliser
of trials have shown these
recommendations, according
to ADAS soil scientist Dr Lizzie Sagoo.
Sagoo highlighted a series recommended rates are
suitable for all OSR crops,
irrespective of the expected
sulphur deficiencies on the
“The trial has shown
maximise yields. Even looking
the lower 50kg/ha supplement,
application had been up to
while crops on more sulphur-
four tonnes/ha in two extreme
responsive, lighter sandy soils should receive towards the
cases of deficiency, but more typically were about 0.5t/ha –
“The key is to wait until
from the soil, typically at the
yield increase.
Responses Yield responses from sulphur
sampling, she added.
produced an average 0.5t/ha
application on February 24,
less susceptible to sulphur
deficiency, might err towards
take care with the timing of
the plant is actively growing
applying 50-75kg/ha SO3
on heavier land, typically
indication of potential issues,
applied with the first N fertiliser
final yield.
She advocated growers
The malate:sulphate
ratio test could give a good
Dr Lizzie Sagoo
can have confidence in
advised Dr Sagoo.
the iOSR meeting host, Chris
at the latest Syngenta iOSR
grower meeting, demonstrated
the best way to assess if the
should be sufficient to
to achieve the high yield
and taking up available S
beginning of stem extension; if the leaf is taken too early it could indicate plants are
less deficient than will be the case.
However, it does need
potential on this farm, there
to be done in time to take
of applying more SO3,” she
crop is stressed by sulphur
would appear little benefit advised.
corrective action before the deficiency,” she advised.
Light exposure WITH oilseed rape growers
manager James Southgate.
growing season, which
penetrate to lower leaves, to
part, having established
growers should be looking to
at harvest.
which will drive yield.”
winter well, thoughts have
ensure they made best use of
reporting crops, for the most strongly and come through turned to how to make the
most of the potential for the coming season, according to Syngenta technical
He advocated iOSR
build on crop structures to
reflected in disappointing yields
Management
available sunlight.
“However, growers can
highlighted the issues of low
of plants with Toprex PGR
“Last year really
light capture through a dull
manage the height and shape treatments to ensure light can
convert into the energy reserves Mr Southgate detailed results of
research trials and growers’ experiences which showed
application at early stem extension (GS31) would prove the most
effective in suppressing extension
To read more about Syngenta’s iOSR initiative and the growers involved, visit www.fginsight.com/iOSR
30
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p30 31 iOSR Signed off.indd 2
17/02/2017 13:36
SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Precision placement OILSEED rape plays an
important role on the rotation on Mr Eglington’s farm. For
inputs is integral to high yields, he told iOSR growers.
two decades he has followed
Drilling system
wheat crops, followed by winter
designed and farm-built precision
a four-course rotation, with two
And at the heart of that is his own
barley as a timely entry for the
drilling system, incorporating a
OSR.
Giving oilseed rape plants
the room to grow and make
best use of the improved soil conditions and agronomy
sugar beet drill which delivers accurate seed placement.
Working at 57cm row spacing,
that means a seed every 8.75cm for 20 seeds per sq.m, or seven cm for 25 seeds/sq.m.
Mr Eglington calculates
to achieve establishment
rates of between 80-95%+
plants from seeds – adjusting rates according to seasonal
conditions and looking to take 20 ppm2 into winter.
After several trial incarnations,
Chris Eglington
the seed placement units are
now at the back, behind a
tillage train incorporating leg lifters, cultivation and disc press packers. The CTF system means it has a relatively low power
requirement as it looks to
move as little soil as possible to create a good tilth and
even seedbed for precision placement and plant establishment.
“The front subsoil tines
have always pulled up
sufficient soil moisture for the
CTF route
conditions,” reported Mr
STRICT adherence to a Controlled
been to ensure sufficient
is already paying dividends in
seed placement into good
Eglington. “But the key has consolidation to hold the
available moisture for the seedling.”
Lincolnshire iOSR grower
Traffic Farming (CTF) system
improved soil structure for faster
and stronger crop establishment for Mr Eglington.
He pointed out drone imagery
Andrew Ward added: “The
could pick up every transgression
the strength, of every plant in
identified the culprits, but ably
size, and most impressively
the row shows that precision
placement is so important for oilseed rape establishment and its yield potential.
“The combination of Chris’
drilling, with the soil conditions
The precision drilling system is at the heart of Mr Eglington’s system.
Deeper rooting has been one of the beneficial effects CTF has had.
from the tracks. It not only
demonstrated how one wayward
pass with a tractor was having an
impact on the soil structure, which manifested in the next crop’s
development and performance.
created by the CTF system,
Sub-soiler
consistent and extremely
Hill, Letton, seven miles south
has produced an incredibly
His selected system at North
impressive even crop across
of Dereham, works on an eight-
the whole field.”
metre track. A sub-soiler is
used to pull out wheelings each
summer, with rotational ploughing one year in four.
“I am convinced that, even after
of the main raceme and
you get a visible consolidation
just four seasons, CTF is having a
development with a more
shorter time span.
structure, and it will continue to get
encouraging even plant efficient open structure.
Consolidation “Furthermore, the treatment synchronises the plant’s
development and flowering, so
of the flowering period into a
really beneficial effect on the soil
better,” he said. “Oilseed rape has
“There is less light
been one of the biggest winners,
reflectance by the yellow
with the improved soils enabling
flowers, which means more
far more effective precision sowing
energy is available for the plant
and giving faster establishment
green leaf area to utilise and drive higher yield.”
James Southgate
with deeper rooting.”
Ask Syngenta OSR questions and join iOSR discussions on Twitter by using #iOSR
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p30 31 iOSR Signed off.indd 3
31 17/02/2017 13:52
FEATURE SUGAR BEET As quotas disappear later this year, and with Brexit on the horizon, the British sugar industry is free to shape its own destiny. So how can growers make the most of this opportunity? Marianne Curtis reports.
Sweeter times for beet growers?
T
his spring will see an uplift in the amount of sugar beet being drilled, as growers answer British Sugar’s call to grow more of the crop in the postquota era. British Sugar managing director Paul Kenward says: “We have a strong and cost-efficient sugar beet industry in the UK and I am consequently very optimistic about the opportunities beyond the old sugar regime. By working together with NFU Sugar and our growers, I anticipate improved returns in the future. “Nobody can predict future agricultural market prices with complete accuracy. However, if the average EU sugar market price for the 2017/18 marketing
“
By working together with NFU Sugar and our growers, I anticipate improved returns in the future Paul Kenward year reflected the futures market’s view of world sugar prices at that time, our contracts could deliver beet prices for growers in the region of £23.50/tonne on the one-year contract and £26/t on the three-year contract option.” However, Andersons farm business consultancy is more
cautious about prospects in its Outlook 2017 publication. “The opportunity to commit to a three-year contract has to be the right step for those who can make a positive margin from production before subsidy. However, those numbers of growers are relatively few and not subject to high market rents,” it says. Currency “If the pound continues to weaken, given the currency-related wheat price improvement, this will make the 2017 beet offer look comparably worse.” Dan Downs, head of agriculture at British Sugar’s Wissington plant, says the UK crop area was down by 20-25% in 2015 and 2016, a reduction of 20,000 hectares, from a record crop in 2014.
“The sugar market went into decline. There was a large amount of sugar in stock and we could only sell a certain volume
Edward Hagues
Pam Chambers
ethofumesate/ha in any three-year period P.C. Use clethodim, for example Centurion Max post-em. It is important to get timing right. If there is a flush of black-grass early on
give control priority over broad-leaved weeds Sources: Pam Chambers (P.C.), UPL, and Edward Hagues (E.H.), root crops product manager at Bayer
Weed control tips E.H. Over the last few years there has been a trend towards including more actives in a single product with the aim of simplifying weed control, for example Betanal MaxxPro (desmedipham + ethofumesate + lenacil + phenmedipham) P.C. Alternatives are Betasana Trio and Sniper which contain desmedipham, ethofumesate and phenmedipham E.H. Options are becoming fewer and more prescriptive. Chloridazon,
32
for example, which used to be widely used post-em, is now only registered for pre-em applications unless in combination with quinmerac
Black-grass P.C. Always go pre-em and include ethofumesate plus a tank mix partner such as metamitron. With a solid preem, two sprays post-em for annual broad-leaved weed control may be sufficient depending on weed species. To protect groundwater the maximum total dose must not exceed 1kg
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p32 33 34 35 Sugar beet MC TR KH.indd 2
16/02/2017 09:04
SUGAR BEET FEATURE @dowagrouk uk.dowagro.com UKHotline@dow.com
Sugar beet growers are in demand this year as the quota era draws to a close.
Healthy uptake British Sugar and the NFU are reporting a healthy uptake of contracts. Paul Bee, of British Sugar, expects the area to rise from 80,000ha to 100,000ha for processing in 2017/18. “In round figures it is back to where we were, with some current growers expanding area and some new growers.” Expanding the range of the transport allowance from within a 50-mile to 60-mile radius of sugar plants has attracted some new growers, says NFU Sugar committee member David Papworth.
More information rThe British Beet Research Organisation has recently published its 2017 Sugar Beet Reference Book containing the latest comprehensive information on growing sugar beet. Visit www.bbro.co.uk
“They can justify growing it if they are paid for the extra 10 miles.” Growers can opt for one- or threeyear contracts. “I get the impression there is slightly greater take up of the one-year contract than the three-year deal,” says Mr Papworth. Aside from the economics of growing sugar beet, increasing concerns over black-grass and opportunities for control prior to drilling as well as in the growing crop, are also stimulating interest. Those returning to sugar beet
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▼
[quota] for food use into the EU. Stock will be used up by September 2017, coinciding with the end of the current sugar regime. “This allows us to expand processing back to where it was before and post-2017 we can sell as much sugar as we like if there’s a market.”
Cold? Relax.
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p32 33 34 35 Sugar beet MC TR KH.indd 3
33 16/02/2017 09:04
FEATURE SUGAR BEET will notice significant yield gains have been made in recent years, in particular through improved genetics, according to Mr Bee. “We are now growing 70100t/ha, whereas we used to grow 40-50t/ha. This was unheard of a few years ago.” Sensible aim Mr Downs says 80t/ha is a sensible aim from growers. “A lot achieve way beyond this.” Attention to detail is key to maximising yields, he says. “Growers are now using a full fungicide programme of at least two sprays. Good chemistry can be used on beet crops. Because it is not a flowering crop, neonics can still be used.” Continuing research on seed advancement by companies such as Germains Seed Technology offers growers the opportunity to plant seed which is at
䴀愀爀琀椀渀 䰀椀猀栀洀愀渀
Drills have improved, with faster speeds and improved accuracy, and increasing numbers are benefiting from these
an advanced stage of germination, he adds. Optimising number of plants per hectare is also key, says 䌀漀洀瀀愀挀琀
匀瀀爀愀礀椀渀最 匀礀猀琀攀洀猀
䄀 猀瀀爀愀礀攀爀 昀漀爀 攀瘀攀爀礀 愀瀀瀀氀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀
吀爀愀挀琀漀爀 ⴀ 吀爀愀椀氀攀搀 ⴀ 䄀吀嘀 ⴀ 䐀攀洀漀甀渀琀 䘀甀氀氀礀 挀甀猀琀漀洀椀稀愀戀氀攀
Mr Bee. “We’ve done a lot of work to encourage higher plant populations within a window of 80,000-100,000 plants/ha.” Drills have improved, with faster speeds and better accuracy and increasing numbers of growers are benefiting from these developments through using contractors, says Mr Bee. “In the old days everyone had their own drill and harvester. Now contractors drill and harvest and with an ex-farm contract a grower can either join a haulage group or British Sugar
operates a harvest and haulage scheme where it collects.” Good break crop For growers achieving good yields, sugar beet is a good break crop to have, says Pam Chambers, technical support manager UPL. “If it is on heavy soil and not giving good yields think carefully. Look at spend. A high proportion of spend is on seed and herbicides, varying from £100-£200/ha depending on products and weed burden. Take all this into account.”
圀椀搀攀 爀愀渀最攀 漀昀 琀愀渀欀 猀椀稀攀猀
Pest and disease control tips
眀眀眀⸀洀愀爀琀椀渀氀椀猀栀洀愀渀⸀挀漀洀
34
㜀㜀㠀 㐀㈀㘀㘀 ⼀洀愀爀琀椀渀氀椀猀栀洀愀渀氀琀搀 䀀䴀愀爀琀椀渀开䰀椀猀栀洀愀渀
JThere has been a trend towards using two fungicide sprays for all except the earliest lifted sugar beet crops. Recommended timing for the first spray is around mid- to late-July and the second, four weeks later around the end of August. While many achieve the first spray timing, sometimes the second
one proves difficult due to clashes with harvest, however, a prolonged interval is risky in high disease pressure situations.
Trials Data from 10 Bayer trials conducted over the last six years show that a first spray of Escolta (cyproconazole + trifloxystrobin) provides an average 6.7t/ha increase in yield, with a second spray
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p32 33 34 35 Sugar beet MC TR KH.indd 4
17/02/2017 13:45
SUGAR BEET FEATURE Case study JClosure of the Peterborough sugar factory in 1991 and insufficient yields to justify hauling further afield led B.H. Bradshaw and Son, based at Stibbington, near Wansford, Peterborough, Cambs, to abandon sugar beet growing 25 years ago. However, this year the crop is making a come-back to the farm. “Peterborough closing didn’t help,” says Mike Bradshaw. “We had our own lorry and loaders. It all went to contractors after that and became less viable because of the distance to the factory [Wissington or Bury St Edmunds]. The yields could not keep up with what we needed.” The 300ha farm on limestone brash has operated on a winter barley/oilseed rape/winter feed wheat rotation for many years, however, concerns about blackgrass have prompted Mr Bradshaw to consider spring cropping alternatives.
Irrigation licence “Spring crops don’t tend to grow well on dry land. But we have an irrigation licence which could work on sugar beet.” After an oilseed rape crop was hit by cabbage stem flea beetle after drilling, he has decided to replace it with 10ha of sugar beet.
lifting yield by a further 4.8t/ha. At the 2017-18 base price of £22/t, this is said to deliver an extra £250/ha over untreated trials.
Increased The proportion of treated sugar beet seed drilled is said to have increased significantly in the last five-10 years. For example, Poncho Beta (beta-cyfluthrin + clothianidin) targets aphids
“
Spring crops don’t tend to grow well on dry land. But we have an irrigation licence Mike Bradshaw Mr Bradshaw has opted for British Sugar’s three-year contract because of the potentially better prices it offers compared with the one-year option. “If it’s going well enough we could probably get more tonnage anyway. I like a bit of longevity rather than a one-year hit. We’ll get a three-year average of how we’ve done. With one-year if you get a really dry year you might not go in again which might be the wrong decision.” Contractors will drill, spray and harvest the 10ha crop. “As long as it stands on its own versus oilseed rape and is a good clean-up crop for black-grass and if we get decent yields, hopefully it should work.” Mr Bradshaw is hoping for a gross margin of about £450/ha. “We’ve looked at growing everything over the years – flax, linseed, peas, beans and spring barley, but nothing works spring-wise unless we can water it.”
which can carry beet virus yellows. Bayer root crops product manager Edward Hagues says: “For most sugar beet crops, Poncho Beta gives enough protection to see it through the critical stages. As the aphid population has developed resistance to more actives, seed treatments have become vital in protecting against viruses.” Source: Edward Hagues
@dowagrouk uk.dowagro.com UKHotline@dow.com
Wet? Relax. Don’t let a damp winter or spring showers put you off. With Arylex you’re always good to go.
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. Dow AgroSciences Limited, CPC2, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: +44 (0) 1462 457272. ®TM Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. PIXXAROTM EC contains halauxifen-methyl (ArylexTM Active) and fluroxypyr. Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 | UKHotline@dow.com | uk.dowagro.com
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p32 33 34 35 Sugar beet MC TR KH.indd 5
35 17/02/2017 13:45
FEATURE SPRING SPRAYING Resistance to SDHI fungicides has been identified in field populations of septoria and net blotch. So what is the advice to growers? Teresa Rush and Marianne Curtis report.
Seeking the way of least resistance
M
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36
Will crucial SDHI fungicides come under further pressure this season?
net blotch isolates with reduced sensitivity to SDHIs have now also been identified in the field. With SDHIs providing the linchpin for cereal disease control, it comes as no surprise the development of resistance to them has been a key topic of discussion among researchers, agronomists and growers over the winter period. In early February AHDB confirmed mutated UK net blotch isolates less sensitive to SDHI fungicides had been detected at high enough frequencies to raise concerns about efficacy. Tests The discovery was made during tests on barley samples from a field which hosted an AHDB fungicide performance trial in 2016, in which straight SDHI products gave variable and poorer than expected performance against net blotch. Although it is not thought field control will be significantly impacted in 2017 – provided appropriate mixtures of actives are used – the findings provide further evidence of the need to follow guidance issued by the Fungicide Resistance Action Group UK (FRAG–UK), says AHDB. Resistance to SDHIs in net blotch isolates had previously been confirmed in France and Germany, and according to Rosie Bryson, BASF team lead for arable fungicide development in Europe, the pattern of its development may be of relevance to septoria. Speaking at the Association of Independent
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
AF March p36 37 38 42 43 Resistance TR KH MC.indd 2
17/02/2017 13:25
SPRING SPRAYING FEATURE @dowagrouk uk.dowagro.com UKHotline@dow.com
Relax. It’s Arylex. NEW Broad-leaved weed control for cereals
SDHI septoria resistance timeline
2015 rLow/moderate/highly SDHI insensitive septoria isolates detected at low frequencies at a few sites
2016
early season/ untreated plots rSamples from ADAS, SRUC, NIAB, Agrii, Frontier, Hutchinsons, ProCam, Velcourt rOne of 32 samples positive for low insensitivity mutation at low frequency
Dry? Relax. A sudden run of warm, sunny days is great, with Arylex you’re always good to go.
2016
late season from plots including an SDHI rNine of nine samples positive for one or more low/moderate insensitivity mutations rHighly insensitive strains remain very rare rSamples from trials sites may not represent the frequency of insensitive strains in commercial crops Source: AHDB
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. Dow AgroSciences Limited, CPC2, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: +44 (0) 1462 457272. ®TM Trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. PIXXAROTM EC contains halauxifen-methyl (ArylexTM Active) and fluroxypyr. Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 | UKHotline@dow.com | uk.dowagro.com
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Crop Consultants (AICC) annual conference, she described how resistance in France, first detected in 2013, had developed as a result of predominantly one mutation, while in Germany several more and more complex mutations have evolved. “The point is it is not like QOI [strobilurin] resistance; it is not on and off and it is not just one mutation, it is more complex,” she said. And given that complexity, and with new products coming to the market, including the first fungicide to contain two co-formulated SDHI actives, growers and agronomists are keen to hear views on whether cross-resistance is an issue. “This is a point of discussion; are SDHIs cross-resistant or not? Some people talk about incomplete crossresistance. I think this is a little bit of an academic discussion; it is incomplete because we are in an emerging situation. We don’t want to be in a complete cross-resistance situation because that means we have lost control with SDHIs,” said Dr Bryson. As to what was going to happen next, the answer currently is ‘who knows?’, she added. “I don’t think any of us fully know. It may be there are fitness penalties, it may be that we start off with a few mutations but over time, we know from net blotch, that we have an
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p36 37 38 42 43 Resistance TR KH MC.indd 3
37 17/02/2017 13:25
FEATURE SPRING SPRAYING
With less sensitive isolates of septoria and net blotch identified in-field, growers are being urged to use SDHIs in line with resistance management guidelines.
increase in mutations and more and more complex mutations.” Currently the consensus is that SDHIs are cross-resistant, she said. “In the fullness of time we may be proven wrong, but at the moment I think it is important to stress that using two SDHIs from a dose point of view is a different question. Septoria control may or may not be improved, but having two SDHIs together is not a resistance management strategy. Sensitivity shift “I don’t think we are in a panic situation but we are in a situation where we need to be aware. “What we are seeing in the general population, in farm fields, is a slight shift in sensitivity, but what
How to achieve robust septoria control mixture partners to enhance effectiveness, and protect azoles and SDHIs against resistance rAzole applications, other than when mixed with SDHI, should be minimised where possible rSDHIs should be used in mixture with a robust dose of azole and a multi-site rUse the minimum dose
of SDHI required to obtain effective control. Maintain the flexibility to use two applications of products containing SDHI, where needed rThe use of two applications of SDHI should be the exception, rather than the norm Source: AHDB
we are getting from trials sites is more extreme, which is not a surprise. “To date we know that SDHI mutations are at very low levels in the intensive cereal production
areas of the UK and Ireland, however, we have to use SDHIs wisely by making sure they are used with a robust resistance management partner.” Despite a shift in sensitivity of
“The industry and science experts have come together as FRAG-UK and agreed anti-resistance guidelines for fungicides which are practical and easy to implement. “The guiding principle is to make life as hard as possible for pathogens by avoiding overexposure to any one fungicide group. Certainly, SDHIs should always be used in balanced mixtures, never
applied with weak partners or outside of statutory limitations. The addition of multisites to programmes also adds protection. “It is more important than ever to follow FRAGUK guidance, as it is the most effective way to slow the emergence of these mutations and maintain the disease control which growers need.”
the azoles both epoxiconazole and prothioconazole remain effective against septoria at practical dose rates and so growers should make sure they are part of their fungicide programme, advised Dr Bryson. SDHIs need to be protected to maintain effective disease control, particularly when the pipeline of new actives is so much slower now due to the new regulations, she said. There was a reassuring message from Andreas Mehl, of Bayer, who pointed out SDHIs had been in the market place for more than 10 years, since the launch of boscalid in 2003, yet we were still not seeing resistance at worrying levels. “Recent work by Bayer in the UK and France has shown a recovering sensitivity in septoria to prothioconazole. Ireland is still at higher risk but levels have not
rSDHI insensitive strains are a serious threat but have only been detected in the field at low frequency rInsensitive strains are unlikely to be at sufficiently high levels in 2017 to affect field control rMulti-site acting fungicides have low resistance risk. They should be used as
Resistance guidance
t
JFiona Burnett, Scotland’s Rural College and chair of FRAG-UK, says: “We now have evidence several cereal pathogens have evolved mutations in the SDHI binding site of succinate dehydrogenase. “Although frequency of these mutations has, so far, been low, it provides compelling evidence of the need for united action.
38
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
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17/02/2017 13:25
Your field, your soil, your conditions.
THE RESULT: 100% certainty of what works on your farm.
JOIN THE TRIAL and become part of the BASF Real Results Circle.
We’re looking for 50 farmers to test Adexar ® or Librax®, against any other SDHI at T1 and T2. We’ll provide you with everything you need for the trial, and in partnership with ADAS and AgSpace, we’ll help you determine the best wheat fungicide program for your farm. Join today and become part of the BASF Real Results Circle. Go to www.basfrealresults.co.uk /wheat
Adexar and Librax are registered trademarks of BASF. Adexar contains Xemium and epoxiconazole. Librax contains Xemium and metconazole. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols, you can refer to www.agricentre.basf.co.uk
BASF Adexar 0831038 BASFWP.indd Fungicide1 A4_AW.indd 1
15/02/2017 15:12 09:34 13/01/2017
Advertising feature
We look at Bayer’s new T2 fungicide Ascra and see why it came out top in recent grower trials
Ascra is the first fungicide to combine two SDHIs with an azole. It delivers broad spectrum disease control, including more activity against Septoria than any other fungicide, and the highest yields.
2016 AHDB FUNGICIDE PERFORMANCE TRIALS Ascra delivered the biggest yield and outperformed all other SDHIs in both the protectant and curative Septoria trials
9.0 8.5
Ascra 1.2 L/ha* Librax 1.25 L/ha*
Yield (t/ha)
8.0 7.5 7.0 Elatus Era AscraXpro
6.5 6.0
Librax
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
%of full label rate *Typical recommended rates. Mean of seven trials.
Bayer Ascra DPS.indd 2 AscraAdvertorial-ArableFarmingArtwork.indd All Pages
16/02/2017 14:52
Now we can reveal their real results
Mark Ireland
David Hoyles
Our normal T2 application of Adexar yielded 10.52 t/ha and our trial plot yielded 10.97 t/ha, so we had an increase of 4%. Across the whole of our wheat area that would equate to around about £11,000 extra income.
Paul Drinkwater
Our Judge for Yourself result came in at 11.66 t/ha this year. That was more than the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) plot in the same field (11.29 t/ha), which also had extra nutrition compared with the Ascra plot. The extra Ascra yield would have been worth around £30-40/ha.
Last season we saw mean responses to Ascra over Adexar of 0.3 t/ha. Whether you look at our data, AHDB fungicide dose response or independent trials such as from the AICC it all points to Ascra being the most potent Septoria weapon in our armoury.
70% of farmers who tried Ascra in 2016 improved their yields 2
1.5
1
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.5 L/ha
Aviator 1.2 L/ha
Librax 1.35 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 L/ha
Aviator 0.8 L/ha
Imtrex 1.0 + Osiris P 0.75 L/ha
Imtrex 1.25 + Opus Team 1.0 + CTL 1.0
Adexar 1.0 L/ha
Imtrex 1.0 + Amistar Opti 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.0 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.5 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Imtrex 1.0 + Rubric 0.75 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Aviator 1.25 L/ha
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 + CTL 0.75 + Comet 0.3 L/ha
Librax 1.1 + Bravo 1.0 L/ha
Pexan 1.2 + Gemstone 0.6 L/ha
Imtrex 1.0 + Osiris P 0.75 + CTL 0.7 L/ha
Imtrex 1.5 + Cortex 1.0 L/ha
Imtrex 1.0 + CTL 1.0 + Osiris P 1.0 L/ha
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Librax 1.25 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 + Bravo 1.0 L/ha
Librax 1.25 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Imtrex 1.5 + Rubric 0.7 L/ha
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.6 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Pexan 1.25 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
Aviator 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 + Bravo 1.0 L/ha
Adexar 1.25 L/ha
Imtrex 0.8 + Brutus 0.75 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
-2
Aviator 1.2 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
-1.5
Adexar 1.25 L/ha
-1
Librax 1.5 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
-0.5
Aviator 1.25 + Amistar 0.4 L/ha
0
Librax 1.2 + Cortez 0.5 + CTL 1.0 L/ha
0.5
Imtrex 1.25 + Rubric 0.8 + Bravo 1.0 L/ha
Yield advantage t/ha to competitor treatments Yield advantage t/ha to Ascra 1.5 L/ha
S
I
In 2016, 42 farmers tried Ascra in ‘Judge For Yourself’ trials
n 2016 Bayer asked 42 farmers to compare their standard T2 fungicide treatment with 1.5L/ha of Ascra. That’s it – they didn’t specify what that treatment needed to be, or what programme they used at other timings, because they were confident that Ascra would live up to its potential they had seen in their trials. The growers were asked to put the different treatments over a weighbridge, and send them the results. Ascra yielded more than the standard T2 treatment in 70% of the trials - on average that equated to 0.3 t/ha more yield.
Ascra contains prothioconazole, bixafen and fluopyram. Aviator contains prothioconazole and bixafen. Ascra, Aviator and Xpro are registered Trade Marks of Bayer. All other brands listed may be Trade Marks of other manufacturers and proprietary rights may exist. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call Bayer Assist on 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2017.
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changed in the last three years – so this means the practices which we are adopting are certainly helping to manage the situation.” At the 2016 AHDB Agronomists’ Conference ADAS crop protection group head Neil Paveley offered some advice on how to maintain robust control of septoria (see panel, p38). SDHI resistance monitoring last year showed nine out of nine late-season samples collected from research organisation and agronomy company trial plots treated with an SHDI were positive for one or more septoria mutations which are low or moderately insensitive to SDHIs. “If low or moderate resistance strains came to dominate the population we could still control septoria. The dose would be
Looking ahead Worst case scenario rAzoles and SDHIs lose efficacy rOne or two years reliant on multi-sites rMulti-sites at risk from regulation r‘Sophisticated’ strains overcome new azole rNo effective mixture partners for new mode of action rNew mode of action stops working
SIGN UP NOW and become part of the BASF Real Results Circle.
Best case scenario rEpoxiconazole and prothioconazole performances stabilise rNew azole gives good efficacy for 15 years rSDHIs maintain performance rStrong mixture partners for new mode of action rControl maintained long-term Source: AHDB/ADAS
42 AF March p36 37 38 42 43 Resistance TR KH MC.indd 8
higher and control would be less. However, if highly resistant strains came to dominate, all bets are off.” Dr Paveley sketched out a best and worst case scenario concerning septoria resistance to fungicides, taking account of a new azole (Revysol) and mode of action (Inatreq) expected to come to market in the next few years (see panel, below). “The reality is likely to be somewhere between those two scenarios. It depends on how fit the strains are and how well they compete against those in the field.” Early observations Based on early observations from a small number of trials last year, as well as using mixtures of products with different modes of action, there are further steps growers can take to slow down resistance in septoria, said Dr Paveley. “We don’t want to mess with T2 sprays, they’re too critical, but we need to look at what we can do around the edges. “At T3, if you have a good septoria resistant variety and T2 doesn’t need topping up you’re focusing on fusarium. If it’s been a dry spell around flowering, ask does the crop need this azole at T3 this season? “At T0, with a good septoria resistant variety would a multi-site be sufficient? Do we really need an azole? With yellow rust would a Qol do it? “These are tough decisions but do we need one or two SDHIs in a programme?” Looking at margin over fungicide cost data, Dr Paveley said that for 2016 AHDB trials, this was respectively £623/ hectare where a single SDHI was used and £620/ha where two SDHIs were used. “It is difficult to come to the conclusion that two SDHIs should be the norm. If you have a variety with low resistance and are in a high disease pressure situation you may need two SDHIs but it shouldn’t be the norm for more resistant varieties.”
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING 17/02/2017 13:50
SPRING SPRAYING FEATURE
Tough decisions will be needed on actives for septoria control.
SDHI resistance in net blotch JThe effectiveness of fungicides against net blotch in winter barley is tested as part of independent AHDB fungicide performance trials. At the 2016 AHDB Agronomists’ Conference, Stuart Knight, of NIAB, reported that straight SDHI performance was ‘disappointing’ in one 2016 trial which tested a range of products against net blotch in a protectant situation. As good performance was observed from the straight azole (Proline) and mixtures in the same Norfolk trial, it pointed to a possible SDHI efficacy effect, rather than a seasonal effect. Paul Gosling, who manages fungicide performance and resistance work at AHDB, says: “When compared to the previous three years, 2013 to 2015, the drop in straight SDHI performance in 2016 was quite pronounced. “The two solo SDHIs trialled failed to achieve more than 30-40% control of net blotch, even at the full label rate. “We wanted to investigate possible reasons for the observed poor performance, so we analysed samples though our complementary screening work to quantify any changes in pathogen sensitivity and identify if DNA mutations, which
cause fungicide target protein changes, were present.” Leaf samples were taken from winter barley volunteers at the affected trial site by NIAB.
Mutations From these samples, 12 net blotch isolates were isolated and tested for fungicide sensitivity. Additional genotyping showed that nine of these isolates contained mutations in the SDHI binding site formed by succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh) subunits B, C and D. Three types of Sdh mutations were detected: D-H134R (five isolates), C-S135R (three isolates) and C-H134R (one isolate). A clear genotype-tophenotype relationship was also established, meaning the mutant isolates were less sensitive to SDHIs. Bart Fraaije, who conducted the screening studies at Rothamsted Research, said: “These mutations have been found in Europe but it is the first time they have been found at high frequencies in a UK population and it helps explain the poor performance observed in the 2016 trial. “We will continue to monitor the situation to help establish the spread and frequency of Sdh mutations in UK net blotch populations.”
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING AF March p36 37 38 42 43 Resistance TR KH MC.indd 9
Profitability in OSR – a real growth area. OSR can be notoriously difficult to grow due to its unpredictable and fickle nature. However, prices for this crop continue to rise and there is potential for big profits this year. We believe that there are several easy ways to ensure that you get the most out of your crop. By creating tailored advice and general tips, backed up with real science from our partners, ADAS, we want to create a circle of individuals that will utilise the in-depth, technical advice to make a real difference to the success of their OSR crops in 2017. We’ll be delivering live updates throughout the season, empowering you with the information you need to improve your yields.
Sign up now and become part of the BASF Real Results Circle. basfrealresults.co.uk/osr
43 17/02/2017 13:26
FEATURE SPRING SPRAYING Interest is growing in farmer-led trials. Marianne Curtis and Abby Kellett report on some of the latest initiatives and get some advice for growers on how to conduct their own trials on-farm.
Conducting your own trials allows individual farm conditions and practices to be considered.
Why not do your own farm trial? hectare over Bayer’s Aviator Xpro (bixafen + prothioconazole). Mr Bailye, a partner at 1,600ha TWB Farms, Hammerwich, decided to challenge the assertion. He says: “I prefer to draw my own conclusions based on my own on-farm trials, be it varieties, chemicals or machinery. I was pretty sceptical and £20/ha was a bold claim which stood out to me.” On-farm trial He devised an on-farm trial incorporating three treatments (see table, below). The third regime – Aviator at T1 followed by a T2 application of Adexar – was the one recommended by his independent agronomist and used for the rest of the farm’s 2016 wheat cropping. He selected a 24ha field with a consistent soil type close to the yard for the trial, which, he says, ‘made it easy to manage’. The milling wheat variety Sky-
fall was chosen for the trial. Soils on-farm are light. Each plot was 4ha and did not include headland as there was an ‘avoid’ strip between each plot. Mr Bailye says: “We did not have an untreated plot, as I did not want 4ha of rubbish wheat. The farm was not being paid to do a trial, it was just to prove fungicides have some use.” According to BASF agronomy manager Robin Rose, who visited the trials frequently, there was little visible difference between them through the season. He says: “It was not until much later when T3 was about to go on. It was as the crop got into grain fill and started to senesce when you could pick up differences in leaf greenness.” Each plot was harvested separately and put into different trailers. The farm has a public weighbridge, as it offers commercial storage for grain merchants.
Hammerwich House Farm 2016 wheat fungicide trial
wTreatment
T1 Adexar/T2 Librax
T1 Aviator/T2 Aviator
T1 Aviator/T2 Adexar
Rate (litres/ha)
1/1.25
1/1
1/1.25
Cost (£/ha)
78.92
71.25
69.75
Yield (t/ha)
9.55
9.12
9.43
Protein (%)
13.18
13.21
13.33
Bushel weight (kg/hl)
79
75.2
76.5
Source: Data collected from on-farm trial
44
Real Results Circle rBASF is seeking 50 partner farmers to run wheat trials on their farms for the 2017 season and beyond rTrial partners will be ADAS and AgSpace who will visit all farms during the season to determine cereal output potential rParticipating growers will receive an independent ADAS/AgSpace report with recommendations for optimising yields and returns rParticipating growers will receive free product – Adexar for use at T1 and Librax or Adexar for use at T2 rTo find out more and sign up to become part of the BASF Real Results Circle of growers, go to www. basfrealresults.co.uk
Mr Bailye says: “We are Gafta Trade Assurance Scheme-accredited so have industry-calibrated lab equipment for bushel weight, protein and moisture.” Chemical prices were the best Mr Bailye could get the day he bought them. Similarly, the wheat price used to calculate margin was based on what he could
t
F
armers and growers have always valued independent, farm-focused trials but, with changes to government policy and funding over the last two decades, the number of such trials has fallen dramatically. Now, however, there are signs growers are rising to the challenge and conducting their own trials, either through supported programmes such as Innovative Farmers and the demonstration farms run by a number of organisations, including AHDB and Leaf, or directly with help from manufacturers and R&D or advisory organisations. Staffordshire farm manager Clive Bailye embarked on his own farm trial last season after seeing a BASF marketing campaign which claimed the firm’s fungicide products Adexar (epoxiconazole + fluxapyroxad) and Librax (fluxapyroxad + metconazole) could increase yields and profits by £20/
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
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This is what Septoria looks like inside your wheat leaf
Find out more at solatenol.co.uk
ELATUS™ ERA
POWERFUL, CONSISTENT, COMPLETE
Syngenta UK Ltd. Registered in England No. 849037. CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE Tel: 01223 883400 Fax: 01223 882195 Email: customer.services@syngenta.com Web: www.syngenta.co.uk ELATUS™ ERA is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. ELATUS ERA (MAPP 17889) contains benzovindiflupyr and prothioconazole. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.syngenta.co.uk ©Syngenta AG January 2017. GQ06948.
Syngenta Solatenol WP.indd 1
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FEATURE SPRING SPRAYING Why do your own trial? JEnormous environmental variation can occur from field to field, in fact, from hectare to hectare, but in practice many farmers use results from trials, sometimes located in different countries, to help determine what practices they adopt on-farm. But there are pros and cons associated with using data gained from research organisations. One of the big plus points is the benefit of large data sets from trials which have often been replicated over a number of years, according to Bayer’s commercial technical manager Gareth Bubb. However, these trials are often unable to account for individual farm challenges. Mr Bubb says: “When doing trials on your own farm, you are on your own land, your soil type and weather conditions, so it is always going to be more
sell it for at harvest with achieved specification. The trial resulted in extra mar-
Gareth Bubb, Bayer
“The disadvantage of conducting your own trials is you will not be able to do replicates because of the size of machinery and you will have to make decisions on limited data, whereas trial companies tend to have large data sets.” In reality, sourcing data from research organisations and backing it up with specific on-farm trials is likely to achieve the best outcome, says Mr Bubb.
relevant to you. Other trial plots will not be able to mimic that.” By conducting on-farm trials, products are applied as they would be in a ‘real-life’ situation, he says. “Spray application, for example, will reflect how you would spray all crops on-farm. A drawback from small plot trials is conditions such as nozzle types and forward speed are not always the same as out in the field.
What to consider
gin from T1 Adexar/T2 Librax over T1 Aviator/T2 Aviator of £57/ha, says Mr Bailye.
“It is a result which means T1 Adexar/T2 Librax will become standard on-farm in 2017.
the Duchy Future Farming Programme, funded by the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Foundation. The network is backed by a team from Leaf, Innovation for Agriculture, the Organic
Research Centre and the Soil Association, and is supported by Waitrose. Currently there are 25 projects underway across the industry, including arable/horticulture projects on managing weeds without herbicides, soil improvement, varieties for low input systems, improving disease resistance in potatoes and bioinoculants and stimulants. For more information visit: rwww.innovativefarmers. org rTwitter: @IFarmers
But when opting to set up on-farm trials, what do growers need to consider? Mr Bubb says: “My advice would be to try not to make things too complicated. Only vary one aspect of agronomy and keep all other variables the same, otherwise you will not be able to judge which factor is giving you the result.” One challenge associated
Innovative Farmers JInnovative Farmers brings together groups of farmers with researchers from top agricultural institutions in practical ‘field labs’. The initiative is part of
“I would love to do similar trials with new chemicals from Bayer and Syngenta against BASF existing products and throw in a cheaper generic which is not the latest technology.” Initiative Following on from Mr Bailye’s trial, for 2017 BASF has teamed up with ADAS and AgSpace to launch an ambitious initiative to recruit 50 farmers from across the whole of the UK to undertake cereal profitability trials on their farms. Entitled the Real Results Circle, the aim is farmers will join a 50-strong network and receive a detailed report on their farm’s output potential, based on detailed mapping and testing carried out by ADAS and AgSpace throughout the growing season. In addition, partner farmers will be asked to put BASF’s cereal fungicides – Adexar and Librax – to the test on their
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Suffolk farmer John Pawsey is conducting trials on-farm as part of the Innovative Farmers programme.
with large-scale farm trials is ensuring the only variable is the factor you are looking to test. “Since on-farm plot size is limited by machinery size, making sure all plots are the same is difficult. Growers should try and pick a field where soil conditions are similar throughout if possible. “Ultimately, if you are planning on testing crop protection products across different varieties, for example, you will be limited by spray width. However, if you were wanting to compare sowing dates or drilling depths, you could use much smaller plots and potentially replicate them.” Mr Bubb also recommends using three-metre buffer zones when comparing varieties or crop protection products, for example, to avoid contamination.
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MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
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FEATURE SPRING SPRAYING own farms, under the vagaries of their own growing conditions and using their own kit. “We’ve launched this initiative for two reasons,” said BASF’s UK marketing campaign manager Tim Short. “The first is that BASF, ADAS and AgSpace want to work with growers to understand what their farm potential is for their wheat crops, what’s holding yields back and what changes can be made to maximise returns. Opportunity “The second reason is that farmers have told us there is nothing better than conducting trials on their own farms, so we want to give these 50 farmers the opportunity for this, with the expert support and advice from ADAS and AgSpace. “As part of the initiative, we’ll ask farmers to put our cereal fungicides to the test, because we believe BASF’s SDHI chemistry, Adexar, Librax and other Xemium brands can outperform our competitor’s SDHIs, and we want farmers to put this belief to the test.” All farmers accepted into the trials network will be visited by ADAS and AgSpace twice during the growing season to produce a report on the farm, including soil nutrient status and soil mapping, as well as in-season crop assessments, including yield prediction assessments. As part of the Real Results Circle,
Farmers have told us there is nothing better than conducting trials on their own farms Tim Short 48
farmers will also be given free product – Adexar for use at T1 and Librax or Adexar for use at T2. At the end of the season, all partner farmers will be invited to a conference to hear the results from the season. Mr Short says: “We’ll cover the costs of the BASF products, expertise and on-farm trials management, to prove Adexar/ Librax delivers the highest yields and margins.” Daniel Kindred, ADAS senior research scientist, says: “Farmers will be deciding on what fungicide comparisons are to be made, what will be most relevant to them on their farm. “We are involved to make sure the comparison is fair to start with and that the two areas of the field chosen are comparable. We know there is spatial variation in fields and it is easy to come up with the wrong conclusion. We will be using statistical approaches we have developed and so, if there is a difference between treatments, we will be confident this is due to the treatment rather than the inherent variation. “Across the 50 farms in different regions of the UK, you will then be able to see where you have the biggest effects and where you don’t have any effects. It will also be possible to see how certain situations, for example extremes of weather influence the treatments.” Mr Short adds: “Growers will discover a lot more than simply the best fungicide – they will get great insight into unlocking yield potential.” At the end of the trial, growers will get a detailed independent report on the crop, with results and yield potential/barriers. Those participating will also get an invitation to a Real Results Conference, where they can meet the 49 other farmers in the trial. “Joining this initiative gives you the best of both worlds, learning about your farm and also being part of something bigger, which gives you an idea of whether
A grower’s perspective JOn-farm trials are part of Wiltshire farmer manager Martin Smart’s approach to agronomy on the 1,600ha of arable land he oversees. He says: “Trials enable me to see what works well with our farming practices and on our own soil types, which vary from flint to chalk to heavy clay and Cotswold brash.” On-farm Mr Smart has experimented with an array of factors, including input rates, spray nozzles and varieties, many of which have prompted a change in standard farm practice.
Wheat nitrogen “I have just done a wheat nitrogen trial, looking at what happens if we push Skyfall, Crusoe and Illustrious on light ground, to see if protein will go up with yield or if yield will go up but not protein.
Martin Smart
“I have some interesting results, with a difference in yield of 2t/ha. “My advice to farmers wanting to do trials is it is very time-consuming and to get the most out of it you have to give 100%. “Do not try to do too much and keep the trials as near to base as possible so you can keep an eye on them regularly. Keep records of weather data, such as rainfall and ground temperature, which may affect your trials.”
Wiltshire farm manager Martin Smart has conducted numerous trials to support his decision-making on-farm.
these effects are true across other situations and systems. It gives the result more validity. “We hope this will be the start of something, as over time we can begin to understand what is driving yields,” Dr Kindred adds. And involvement is not limited to the 50 chosen farmers. Mr Short says: “If you aren’t one of the final 50 farmers, you can still
be involved. By registering your interest, you’ll get access to the content and information from the 50 farmers selected and advice and information on how you can set up your own trials in a simple but effective way. You can also submit results to be benchmarked against other farm results of similar variety, soil type and establishment technique.”
MARCH 2017 ARABLE FARMING
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HHP TRACTORS A new, high horsepower tractor with all the latest tech is always tempting, but could two smaller units or a second-hand machine be a better choice economically? Jane Carley investigates.
Getting to grips with horsepower costs
A
“
Tractor leasing packages can include servicing, which helps to fix costs and could avoid a more expensive breakdown.
which the farm is able to sustain, says Fisher German agricultural partner James Goodson. “Fixed costs and machinery are often where people look to cut costs in more challenging times but however this is achieved, it is important output is not compromised,” he says. “For typical arable businesses power and machinery costs represent 25-30% of turnover and this is, in general, more than we would expect to see for an efficiently equipped operation.” Tractor purchasing has to be done for business reasons, calculated carefully and the costs
Cost needs to take into account depreciation, interest, fuel, downtime, labour, insurance and repairs James Goodson 50 ARABLE MARCH 2017
clearly understood, maintains Mr Goodson. “It should not be because your neighbour has bought a new machine, or because the salesman said the deal was too good an opportunity to miss. Indicators of success “It’s important to remind yourself that your farming business is not measured by its success in acquiring expensive tractors and equipment, it is farm profits and serviceability/repayment of debt. These are key performance indicators of success and information your bank manager will
James Goodson
be interested in, not the amount of new kit which is on HP and finance leases, as this can have a huge impact on cashflows
t
verage horsepower purchased in the United Kingdom continued to rise in 2016, with 161-200hp tractors being the sector showing the greatest growth, according to the AEA. The industry also reports a growing trend towards replacing machinery every three to five years – and this is evidenced by the amount of shiny new metal in most fleets. But this all comes at a cost: ongoing developments in technology, many necessitated by emissions legislation, mean high horsepower tractors represent a six-figure investment. Can this always be justified? The key is striking the balance between being equipped (either the farm itself or through contractors) to a level where the business is able to perform operations in a timely fashion and to a standard so as not to compromise crop (or herd or flock) performance, but at a cost level
FARMING
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TRACTORS HHP
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Big ticket items should be costed carefully, but Philip Tuckwell expects his new Amazone Pantera to cut chemical costs and offer time savings.
Case study JThe Tuckwell Partnership, based near Milton Keynes, grows 800 hectares of maize as anaerobic digestion feedstock, as well as offering contracting services. Partner Daniel Tuckwell admits he ‘purchases a lot of machinery’ but always with the objective of increasing his output per hour or cutting costs. He cites the recent purchase of an Amazone Pantera self-propelled sprayer as an example. “We expect to save 8% on our chemical bill with the new sprayer by using individual nozzle shut-off,” he explains. “We have also gone up to a 36-metre boom from 24m to increase outputs – we spray 8,000ha per year and expect to cover this in 100 hours less than in 2016, saving fuel and labour costs.” He suggests choosing tractors to meet the requirements of the job rather than personal preference is essential. “We looked at changing from five Fendt tractors and 10 Claas tractors to all Fendt
in November 2016. The Fendts are ideal for heavy work such as cultivations, drilling and square baling, as their Tractor Management System maximises fuel efficiency. But we don’t really need them for operations requiring lower horsepower, so we have kept the split as it was for now.”
Teamwork
Short-term hire Tractors are purchased on short-term hire purchase agreements with subsidised finance and, for the Fendts, Mr Tuckwell adds an extended warranty and servicing package for 6,000 hours. “This fixes my costs over the life of the tractor and you do need cover even on new machines – all tractors have small problems at some point.” Putting high hours on every tractor in the fleet rules out considering second-hand machines, he adds: “They work very hard so we don’t need to buy something which already has hours on it – it’s essential to have the full warranty.”
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HHP TRACTORS and affect profitability [in some cases] when overspend has occurred.” Purchasing policy Devising a machinery purchasing policy is a highly individual process as each farm is different and the requirements on the tractor fleet can be varied. Mr Goodson points out that an understanding of the actual running cost per engine hour of each tractor is absolutely critical for any farming business, however. “This cost needs to take into account depreciation, interest, fuel, downtime, labour, insurance and repairs. These costs along with the anticipated engine hours per year can then equate to a ‘running cost’ per hour.” Once this cost has been ascertained this can then be used to make the following decisions: How does this cost compare to using a contractor?
2 3
Can you share the cost with another farmer? Would it be better to hire in a tractor?
One decision which many businesses are faced with, especially when taking on more land or revising cultivation practices,
is whether one higher horsepower tractor can replace two smaller machines. “Again this is all down to cost
New Holland prefers
lubricants
1
A second-hand tractor can offer a low running cost per hour, but be aware an expensive repair could see that cost rise.
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TRACTORS HHP per hour. Two smaller units could enable greater flexibility and their combined cost per hour could actually be less than a higher horsepower tractor. However, the bigger tractor would see an increase in hectare output per hour,” Mr Goodson says. Amount of hours “The key to this, however, is the amount of hours per year this tractor will do and the running cost per hour again being compared to using contactors.” Buying new and with a warranty is a way of avoiding repair costs, however a replacement policy has to be adhered to, avoiding gaps in warranty and thus, expensive repairs. “New tractors have to be purchased for the right reasons and to earn their keep, enough hours must be completed per year to justify their running cost per hour,” Mr Goodson adds.
Fixed costs and machinery – aim for the green zone Fixed costs per hectare
<£500
£500-£700
>£700
Machinery depreciation per hectare
<£140
£140-£180
>£180
Horse power per hectare
<1
1-2
>2
Fuel use per hectare (litres)
<80
80-120
>120
Source: Fisher German
One effect of growing new tractor purchases in the higher horsepower sector is an influx of second-hand machines in the market. The variable in the ‘new vs used’ calculation, suggests Mr Goodson, is the potential for a big repair cost. “I have many clients who have happily used second-hand high horsepower machines for years at a low running cost per
hour, however, we are mindful an expensive repair could see that cost increase substantially one year. That said, the average running cost per hour can be modest and competitive versus using contractors.” Every ‘big ticket’ item should be costed carefully, he says. “When you consider most farmers have a sprayer or a combine, for example, sharing these
machines or using contractors should always be considered, once a review of the cost per hour of running these machines has been undertaken. “Once you have the cost per hour of the tractor it is a straightforward calculation to work out the cost of running an implement and arrive at a figure per acre completed per hour. Question “The question then needs to be asked, am I doing this at a comparable rate per acre as a contractor, or is it best to hire a machine in, or consider other alternatives? “There is no right and wrong regarding new vs second-hand, the key is what it costs per hour, is the purchase essential, could alternatives be used and how will the decision which is made affect business performance and subsequent cashflow implications?”
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MACHINERY SPRAYERS East Anglian-based joint venture Griffin Farming is in the process of reorganising its sprayer fleet to make the most of shared resources and logistics with a 2,200-hectare workload. Geoff Ashcroft finds out more.
Efficiency focus sees sprayers streamlined
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onservation agriculture is a key aspect of Griffin Farming, a newlyformed joint venture farming business which has seen Hogsbjerg Farms and Belchamp Farm Services, both based in Suffolk, pool their machinery resources.
The combined machinery fleet available to the business is currently going through a transitional period to streamline equipment and enable the farming company to maximise its efficiency. And one of the first areas to be closely scrutinised is that of crop spraying. Through integration, the new
Aaron Hogsbjerg is pleased with the performance of his trailed sprayer.
business found itself with three sprayers for its 2,200ha workload when it embarked on the joint venture at the beginning of 2015. These included Belchamp Farm Services’ two 5,000-litre self-propelled Multi Drives with 32-metre booms, and Hogsbjerg Farms’ trailed Berthoud with a 28m boom and 3,200-litre tank.
Aaron Hogsbjerg says: “At this stage, Griffin Farming just doesn’t need three sprayers. But the business does need two high-performers with the same size booms.” Trailed sprayer At first glance, logic might suggest the 28m trailed sprayer
The 7,000-litre, 32-metre trailed sprayer has led to more productivity for Griffin Farming, which offers farming services in south Suffolk and north Essex.
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SPRAYERS MACHINERY should have been side-lined in favour of the two self-propelled models with their 32m booms. But a history of trailed models at Hogsbjerg Farms meant a new trailed unit was the preferred option. It would run alongside the remaining self-propelled sprayer. “There is a lot of cost to be saved when buying a trailed machine over a self-propelled sprayer,” says Mr Hogsbjerg. “And there is the option of choosing a much larger spray tank too, which is even more practical with liquid fertiliser applications. “You don’t have to fill a big tank, but when the going is good, you can make full use of output potential.” Those concerned about compaction and soil structure could take some comfort from Griffin Farming’s approach to cultivations. Other than some shallow cultivation to level fields after sugar beet, there really is not any to do. With a clear focus on no-till strategies and enhanced soil biology, the operation is gradually increasing water infiltration and organic matter, to boost soil structure and condition.
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Supporting traffic Longer term, it is thought that by leaving weed seeds on the surface and not safely tucked up in a freshly-moved seedbed ready to grow, the business can significantly reduce the seed bank in all the soils it farms. Cropping includes winter wheat, winter and spring barley plus sugar beet – the latter is increasing and will account for 325ha this season, as the firm looks to improve its gross margins, yields and soil structure as a result of moving towards direct drilling most of the crop. The business is also looking to introduce spring oats, peas and mustard seed to the rotation. “While most of the land farmed by Griffin Farming is already enjoying a no-till approach, we still have some work to do to bring a few fields up to scratch,” says Mr Hogsbjerg. “And cover crops play a large part in that process.” He says since the shift into no-till, there have been noticeable improvements in each soil’s ability to support traffic. “We no longer need to consider looking into controlled traffic practices, but we do take a minimal traffic view point,” he adds. “The upshot of improved soil health means larger and heavier equipment can be carried more effectively, without risk of sinking or causing untold damage to soil structures.” It is this approach which has enabled
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MACHINERY SPRAYERS
Larger capacity kit has provided Griffin Farming with the opportunity to improve sprayer productivity and logistics across the farming business.
Griffin Farming to look at opportunities to improve sprayer productivity and logistics across the farming business, by moving to larger capacity kit. And the arrival of a new 7,000-litre Horsch 7GS trailed sprayer offering more than twice the capacity of the previous sprayer, reflects that ethos. “Boom levelling and stability was a driving factor in sprayer choice,” he says. “I looked at a lot of different trailed sprayers, trying to find something which would give us an element of future-proofing. The dream
Griffin Farming rArea farmed: 2,220ha rCropping: Winter wheat, winter and spring barley, sugar beet, with plans to introduce spring oats, peas and mustard seed to the rotation rSoil types: From sand to clay rStaff: Aaron Hogsbjerg, Julian Swift, plus four full-time
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purchase was a Horsch Leeb with advanced boom stability and the option to spray at ultra-low boom heights, but on paper, it looked out of reach.” With balanced costs versus technology approach, he looked at several others and a Chafer trailed sprayer was a strong contender. “It was only when we started adding specification that the cost of a Chafer went through the roof,” he says. “It ended up being very close to the cost of a Horsch, which made our decision a much simpler process.” Mr Hogsbjerg also wanted as much capacity as possible, and while the price increase from a 6,000- to a 7,000-litre model was a palatable £1,500, the leap to an 8,000-litre trailed model was a step too far. “The 8GS is based on a much heavier chassis, hence the considerable extra cost,” he says. “And despite the final price creeping into six figures, the 7GS which we bought came in at just £7,000 more than the smaller capacity Chafer Sentry.” Contract farming for 11 different customers and accessing a range of field sizes from 0.3ha
up to 48ha, Griffin Farming requires a high degree of operational flexibility. Water volumes extend from 150-300 litres/ha, with 100 litres being the target. “Field sizes and blocks of crop do dictate how much liquid we put in the spray tank,” he says. “If we’re operating on slopes, we’ll leave the steeper parts of a field until the tank volume has dropped to a level we can comfortably handle. Liquid fertiliser “My MF6485 does struggle with the sprayer when fully laden with liquid fertiliser, but a little thought about where you go and when, will make a difference to the way output is managed,” he adds. “To make the most of spray timings we must make the most of sprayer output and productivity.” With water tanks at multiple locations, he thinks output of the trailed sprayer is on a par with the Multidrive self-propelled at 200ha/day. Mr Hogsbjerg is confident the trailed sprayer could better the self-propelled, simply because it gives away less downtime when using its spray tank to full effect.
With triple-fold boom, multi-select nozzle system with 25cm nozzle spacings and the ability to spray at 30cm above the crop, Mr Hogsbjerg thinks performance is impressive. “I can run at 20kph all day long,” he says. “Boom stability is seriously impressive, and the way it hugs the ground and follows contours is simply fantastic. “The nozzle system automatically uses combinations of nozzles to create the required output and spray pattern. I just drive,” he says. “The spray computer will switch between nozzles, and will simultaneously use more than one nozzle if required.” The only downside with a higher forward speed appears to be managing dirt thrown from the tractor and sprayer tyres. In the farm workshop, Mr Hogsbjerg and his team have built a three-point linkage-mounted framework which carries ultra-long mudguards. “It is based on pieces of horse matting from a local firm, but it does the job of keeping the sprayer clean. And mudguard
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SPRAYERS MACHINERY extensions are also fitted behind the sprayer’s wheels.” This approach to machine cleanliness does not stop with mudguards – Griffin Farming also coats the sprayer with Waxoyl on a yearly basis. “This helps to combat a lot of the corrosion issues with handling liquid fertiliser, and it also protects the machine’s paint,” he says. “It also makes it easy to wash the sprayer after use, and we don’t suffer with staining from pre-emergence chemicals.” LED boom lights provide an advanced level of illumination for spraying at night, and a hydraulic pto pump has been chosen in place of a pto shaft, so the sprayer does not have to rely solely on the power demand of the tractor. “The Massey does have power beyond, but its hydraulic system capability is on the limit of what’s needed for the sprayer – there is nothing in reserve,” he explains. “So a pto-driven hydraulic pump was needed to let the Massey handle the sprayer much more effectively. Given the MF6485 does struggle with the sprayer when fully loaded with liquid fertiliser, when the time comes to change the tractor we will go for more horsepower.” When it comes to liquid fertiliser appli-
cations, Mr Hogsbjerg chooses to fit two nozzles to the boom so the computer can make use of either nozzle – or both – to achieve the output he needs. Spraying efficiency With auto section control across the boom’s 12 sections (x10 at 3m, plus two 1m end sections) plus auto start/stop at headlands, spraying efficiency has taken a considerable leap forward. But to improve logistics further, the business is looking at ways to support its sprayers with a bowser. “We can still extract more productivity and limit our downtime when we need to make the most of spraying conditions by
introducing a bowser,” he says. “If we adopt a pre-mixing system we can make the most of the potential in both the self-propelled and the trailed sprayer.” While Mr Hogsbjerg is still working through tank sizes, fill areas and bowser dimensions, he is quite clear about its role at Griffin Farming. “We will be looking to send the bowser out with either sprayer, and I would like the option of using it to simultaneously support both of them if we can settle on the right size and specification,” he says. “It all depends on the workload, but the importance for us is having capacity and flexibility to make the most of application timings.”
An induction system and fast-fill pipework has helped reduce turn-around times, though a pre-mix bowser is the next step.
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MACHINERY SPRAYERS
Whether buying direct or from trade, it is important to think carefully about what you want from a second-hand machine before purchase.
Need more sprayer capacity? A used trailed sprayer could be a useful piece of kit, providing you buy the right one. Jane Carley gets some advice.
Spraying for a bargain?
F
irst of all, consider what the sprayer will be used for and the acreage to be covered before scanning the classified adverts. Does the boom width meet your needs now and in the future and will the tank capacity be adequate? Also, look at the pump capacity, especially if you are looking to apply liquid fertiliser. A dedicated filling pump is useful to give the filling speed needed.
Landquip managing director Richard Abbott says: “To cover more acres it could be worth looking at a larger tank than you originally had in mind. A trailed machine will need plenty of capacity to cover 400 hectares.” Specification For any machines you are interested in, it is worth visiting the manufacturer’s website and making a note of standard and optional specifications, he adds.
“Draw up a list of your specification requirements. This could include details such as whether a light or heavy duty boom is fitted. Several manufacturers offer a ‘contractor’ boom to suit heavy workloads.” Make sure shortlisted sprayers match your tractor – so hydraulic flow rates on the tractor are sufficient and the tractor has air or a compressor if the sprayer is fitted with air brakes or air switching for boom sections.
Have a good look at the boom for any twists or damage – heavy duty booms can be a good purchase.
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A sprayer which has been used for liquid fertiliser may be a good purchase if it has been well looked after, says Mr Abbott. “It is likely to have a heavy duty chassis and high capacity pump. They need to have been well maintained. Washing down every night helps prevent corrosion, although an aluminium boom resists this.” Investigate the cost of updating an older machine to your requirements. Modification “Most older 24-metre sprayers have four boom sections, so check with the manufacturer the practicality of upgrading to eight to 12 sections to allow GPS auto-switching. This is a modification which we regularly make to second-hand sprayers.” Mr Abbott also says the budget should be related to what the sprayer is being bought for and its expected lifespan. “We find many customers are looking for a used machine to last them six to 10 years, rather than as a stop gap, so a budget of £20,000 is about right, although this is a ball-park figure as models and specification vary so much.”
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SPRAYERS MACHINERY
A look at the backframe will reveal areas of wear to the boom lift.
Tilt the headstock to see whether there is excessive movement.
A sprayer which has been with one owner for seven or eight years should have all its paperwork and service records, so you can see exactly what it has had done. But if it has had two or three owners, this can be hard to track. “Check for regularity of servicing, especially for items such as the pump, and by whom it has been carried out. “If buying from trade there is
the sprayer will tell you plenty about how it has been looked after, he says. “Also, is the farm fairly tidy and, if the sprayer is on a tractor, what sort of condition is that in? These are all telltale signs of whether a sprayer is likely to be a good buy.” If viewing a sprayer on-farm, it should be clean so you can look round it properly. A sprayer
with a lot of contamination on it also means a big job to get it clean after purchase, especially if you plan to use it on susceptible crops such as vegetables. Ask the vendor about the workload the sprayer has had. “Roadwork is not an issue with a trailed unit in the way it is for a self-propelled sprayer as there’s no transmission or engine to worry about.
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no reason a second-hand sprayer should not be almost as good as new. A manufacturer or dealer should put it through its workshop and attend to any points which need servicing or upgrading. You may also get a one-year guarantee on a reconditioned sprayer, which is what we offer,” says Mr Abbott. First impressions count for a lot – the general appearance of
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MACHINERY SPRAYERS However, if the sprayer has done a lot of roadwork, covered large acreages or done ‘rough work’, such as spraying potatoes, it is especially worth checking the wheel bearings for wear and the chassis for cracks. “Brakes are serviceable but difficult to inspect, but if they have been burnt out this will be revealed by missing paint and rust on the hubs.” The age of the machine can dictate its ability to cope with a tough workload as modern suspension systems offer some protection, he points out. “Age itself is not vital, although a sprayer with a good build specification should stand the test of time better than a budget machine.” All sprayers should have a current NSTS certificate, but a pre-purchase exam needs to go deeper, Mr Abbott says.
Ensure agitation heads, return pipes and tank baffles are functional inside the tank.
Checklist – buying a used trailer sprayer rDo your homework Consider what the sprayer will be used for and the acreage to be covered. Draw up a list of specification requirements rCheck the paperwork Read through the service records rFirst impressions count The sprayer’s appearance will say plenty about how it has been looked after
Ask the vendor to open the booms – they should be straight, with the hinge points in good working order. Twists suggest an impact from an accident, while steel booms need checking for missing paint and rust. Pressurise If possible, ask the vendor to put some water in the booms and pressurise the system to five bar – then you can check for leaks or seals blowing off. Look at the boom lift system, checking the parallelogram or height mast rollers for wear and tear. If the lift cable is frayed or pulleys elongated, this would suggest the sprayer has been poorly maintained. “Think about which faults might be costly to rectify. Boom suspension barrels are about £200 to replace.” Multi-nozzle bodies are
A multi nozzle holder is useful, especially if you have fertiliser work.
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rInspect booms Ask to see the booms opened and, if possible, see water put through them. Check the lift system for wear and tear rMain and rinse tanks Check the efficiency of the washout system by taking off end caps and looking for residues. Inspect the condition of the washout tank
“
A sprayer with a good build specification should stand the test of time better than a budget machine Richard Abbott
useful, especially if the sprayer is to be used for fertiliser. Check the electronic valves for section switching, which should be up-to-date so parts can easily be sourced. Check the efficiency of the washout system by taking off the end caps and looking for residues.
rExamine electronics Control boxes need to be up to date and serviceable rInspect plumbing Check the pipework for wear, cracks and leaks, especially round the back frame rTest axles and drawbars Rock the wheels to test for loose bearings, which can indicate a high workload Source: R Abbott/Landquip
Look inside the tank to ensure agitation heads, return pipes and tank baffles are present and functional. Inspect the condition of the washout tank. Internal tanks must be fully sealed to prevent chemicals from the main tank contaminating the fresh water. Incorrectly used, the pump can create a vacuum and suck into the wash tank, causing it to crack. A good, well-built fibreglass tank can be as reliable as steel, especially as the intricate folding patterns used on sprayer tanks can make them difficult to wash out, says Mr Abbott. “Look for a tank which has been made by hand with a matted construction. We have also had a lot of success with polypropylene tanks, with 6,000-litre units working with no problems.”
It is important to inspect the pipework for cracks or leaks.
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SPRAYERS MACHINERY Control boxes need to be up-to-date and serviceable. Obsolete electronics can be costly to upgrade, in the region of £2,000-£3,000. A few modern sprayers may have IsoBus control and there is a new standard for this now, so make sure the control can be upgraded to match modern tractors. Look for a familiar make of control – the older RDS boxes are still fairly serviceable, for example.
“
Think about which faults might be costly to rectify. Boom suspension barrels are about £200 to replace Richard Abbott
Pipework Check pipework for wear, cracks and leaks, especially round the loose bearings, which can back frame. indicate a high workload. Mr Abbott says: “A recircuIf the sprayer can be jacked lation system has been offered up, it is easier to inspect the for most brands since the early 2000s, priming the nozzles kingpins and bushes. Also look before spraying and returning at the bushes on a drawbar as unused chemical from the lines they are prone to wear. Bearings to the tank. This is worth having, on a headstock attachment are so it’s a bonus if it is featured on greaseable, so likely to be in better condition, but tilt the heada second-hand machine.” to rock the wheels to check the condition of the wheelbearings. stock to check its movement. Rock the wheels to test for ZA-V_ArableFarming_LAMMA_Flash(139x210).qxp:139x210 4/1/17 Try 11:34 Page 1
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FEATURE BENEFICIAL INSECTS Encouraging beneficial insects can help to tackle pest populations and reduce chemical use. Chloe Palmer reports.
Bring in the beneficials
A
s more crop protection chemicals are taken off licence, growers are assessing the alternatives to tackle crop pests and diseases. Organic farmers have harnessed the power of beneficial insects for decades and now the wider industry is focusing on biological methods of control. Dr Mark Ramsden is an entomologist with RSK ADAS and he suggests research into beneficial insects ‘is not about replacing pesticides’. Defining the predators of pests as ‘natural enemies’, he says: “Natural enemies are one of the oldest forms of pest management and are partly responsible for stopping pests reaching damaging levels in crops in some years.” A variety of these help control crop pests. “Every pest will have
Natural enemies are one of the oldest forms of pest management Dr Mark Ramsden its own suite of natural enemies. Some will be generalist predators, such as ground beetles which are common on agricultural land and will eat almost anything they catch. Others, such as parasitoid wasps, are more specialist and will only lay their eggs on a limited number of hosts. “Seven-spot ladybirds are one of our best recognised natural
enemies. They are generalists, attacking soft-bodied insects, especially aphids.” Impacts Insecticides potentially remove the food source of many of these natural enemies, says Dr Ramsden, as well as having other unintended impacts. “Applying insecticides can
Creating beetle banks across larger fields will help less mobile beneficial insects move into crops.
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damage non-target organisms as well as pests, but they also select for pests resistant to the chemicals. This problem of resistance is now quite widespread.” Control thresholds are important to reduce the effect of pesticides on non-target species, he says. “Using thresholds to assess whether or not it is necessary to spray pesticides is advisable, but they do not directly account for the presence of natural enemies. There is a loose correlation as, if pest numbers are low, it is likely the natural enemies are working. “Many thresholds were developed some time ago and some do not reflect new research findings. For example, we now have a better understanding of how crop density influences the amount of pollen beetle damage oilseed rape can tolerate before yield is affected.” The challenge for farmers wanting to increase the numbers and variety of natural enemies on their farms is ensuring adequate resources for these species to complete their life cycle. “The complication arises when the resources needed by natural enemies cannot be provided by the crop alone. For example, hoverfly larvae will eat aphids but the adult flies will not.
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BENEFICIAL INSECTS FEATURE Benefical insects and pest control – key points rA variety of natural enemies help control crop pests rApplying insecticides can damage non-target organisms as well as pests rControl thresholds are important to reduce the effect of pesticides on non-target species rTo increase the numbers and variety of natural
Crops alone may not provide adequate resources for beneficial insects to complete their lifecycle.
“Adult hoverflies rely on the presence of a source of sugar solution and pollen for survival. Many other adult stages of natural enemy species also need pollen and nectar from floral resources. “Margins containing simple flowers, such as species from the umbellifer or daisy family, are the best as they are more accessible to a range of insects. “Crop areas rarely provide a useful resource for natural enemies in winter, although stubbles are better than fallow land. The better habitat is found on less disturbed, non-cropped areas.” Dr John Holland, head of farmland ecology with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has done extensive research on natural enemies and he supports Dr Ramsden’s view of the importance of providing a range of habitats.
“The more diversity there is on-farm the more robust the control provided by beneficial insects. Retaining grassland in the farming system is also good for invertebrate species but not always practical.” Predators Dr Holland’s research has shown flying predators, such as hoverflies, parasitic wasps and long-legged flies, are more successful when reducing aphid numbers compared to ground active species such as spiders and beetles. “Hoverflies are important for aphid control as their larvae are predatory and some species have reduced significantly in recent years. Spraying large areas across a farm in the same day threatens these species as there are no refuges left for them.”
Top tips for encouraging beneficial insects rUse thresholds as part of a programme of integrated pest management to assess the need for pesticide use and to avoid over applications rProvide diversity across the farm. A range of cropped and non-crop habitats will provide
more cover, feeding and overwintering opportunities rBreak up larger fields by using beetle banks, grass strips and margins to allow beneficial insects to move between non-cropped areas rUse minimum tillage wherever possible
Investigating the importance of field margins to beneficial insects has been a key element of Dr Holland’s research. Results show aphid control increased with larger areas of grass margin, although it was apparent some species, such as long legged flies, were only able to fly short distances from the margins to the crop. “There are also many other less mobile species, so creating beetle banks across larger fields or introducing grass strips and retaining unmanaged areas will help them move into the crop,” Dr Holland says. Many beneficial insects overwinter in soil, according to Dr Holland, so minimising disturbance to the soil profile will reduce mortality levels. Disruption “Minimum or no-till systems cause the least disruption to soils, so allow beetles and their larvae to persist over winter. Reduced cultivations also help maintain soil organic matter levels which foster detritus-feeding insects, a source of alternative prey for natural enemies,” he explains. The widespread occurrence of ‘impoverished soils’ with low organic matter content may be a factor in the declining numbers of some insects, so including livestock in rotations is recommended, Dr Holland says. Where this is not practical, Dr Holland advocates the inclusion of leguminous crops, cover
enemies on-farm ensure adequate resources are available for species to complete their life cycles rProviding a range of habitats is important rThe more diversity there is on-farm the more robust the control provided by beneficial insects Source: M. Ramsden, RSK ADAS/J. Holland, GWCT
crops or mixed silage crops containing legumes in rotations. These will contribute organic matter and provide a nectar and pollen source for insects. Controversially weeds are also important for many beneficial insects, providing cover and food in the form of seeds, pollen and nectar. Dr Holland admits it is tricky to retain weeds without running the risk of infestations, but says ‘scruffiness is good for biodiversity’. “There is a balance between the cost of maintaining a clean crop and the value of effective biocontrol provided by nontarget species. Retaining some unmanaged areas will harbour insects which can play an important part in pest control and leaving uncompetitive weeds can also save money.” Dr Ramsden agrees and suggests solutions will need to be more farm-specific. He says: “Achieving an equilibrium to avoid favouring the pest species is a challenge and we do not have all the answers yet. Using natural enemies to tackle pests takes more effort to understand and there will be variations in effectiveness on different farms so solutions must be more bespoke. “Ultimately, it is about using the right tools at the right time. And if a pest gets away from a natural enemy, we will still need to resort to insecticides to avoid crop yields being reduced.”
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TECHNICAL CROP NUTRITION Farm trials have highlighted five key management areas to help growers get the best yields and quality from new generation milling wheats, says CF Fertilisers.
Achieving yield and quality with new milling wheats 1
Know the starting point Knowing exactly what nitrogen is available in the soil is the essential starting point for calculating how much extra will be needed in the shape of additional fertiliser. Across eight farm trials where calculated nitrogen need was compared to existing farm practice, not only were better results achieved with the more precise approach, margin improvements of between £75/hectare and £150/ha were also recorded. Wheat will always use available nitrogen to create yield before building quality, so if you do not supply enough you will never reach the point at which it is being used to increase grain protein content. Testing for soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) is a good starting point and while important, it only really gives you a picture of what is in the soil at the time of testing. CF Fertilisers arable agronomist Allison Grundy says: “Use an N-Min test which combines the SMN analysis with a measure of additional available nitrogen [AAN] – the N likely to be mineralised in the soil between spring and harvest. When SMN and AAN are added to the amount
Table 1 – 2016 Skyfall fertiliser trials – J. Sykes and Sons, Tadcaster, Yorkshire N rate Ferts + Yield Protein Nitrogen Total Margin (kg N/ SNS (t/ha) (%) (£/ha) output (£/ha) ha) (kg N/ (£/ha) ha) 260 280 300
342.8 362.8 382.8
10.4 10.7 11.2
13.5 12.4 13.2
Advantage (£/ha)
169 1,372.80 1,203.80 0 182 1,358.90 1,176.90 +79.60 195 1,478.40 1,283.40 +106.50
Table 2 – 2016 Trinity fertiliser trials – G.B. Daniel and Sons, Stillingfleet, Yorkshire
w N rate
Ferts + Yield Protein Nitrogen Total Margin (kg N/ SNS (t/ha) (%) (£/ha) output (£/ha) ha) (kg N/ (£/ha) ha) 289 302 342
358 371 410
12.36 12.51 12.57
of nitrogen already taken up by the crop, it gives the full picture of soil nitrogen supply [SNS].” Be realistic about yield potential Once you have the true picture of SNS you need to factor this into your fertiliser calculations, but to do this properly you have to be realistic about your yield potential. Modern varieties like Skyfall and Trinity have huge yield potential but there is no point targeting 12 tonnes/ha crops if the farm, field
11.6 13.3 14.1
Advantage (£/ha)
187.85 1,483.20 1,295.35 0 196.30 1,651.32 1,455.02 +159.67 222.30 1,659.24 1,436.94 +141.59
showed the more nitrogen you put on, the more able it is to build yield while keeping proteins relatively stable, so the higher nitrogen rates give the best margins (see table 1, above). With Trinity using 25-0-13 (7S03) and 34.5% N, the trials showed the optimum rate for the variety could be 20-30kg N/ha down from that needed for Skyfall. Where higher rates were used these continued to improve protein levels, but without always adding to yield (see table 2, above). Table 3 – 2016 Skyfall fertiliser trials – C. Richardson, Swaton, Lincolnshire Feed the crop properly The latest milling wheat varieProtein Nitrogen Margin Advantage wTreatment N rate Ferts + Yield ties are hungry crops generally, but (kg N/ SNS (t/ha) (%) (£/ha) (£/ha) (£/ha) they ha) (kg N/ all respond slightly differently to nitrogen applications. ha) Generally speaking, if you want Farm prac. 250 370 11.19 13.0 162.50 1,314.58 0 to get a 10t/ha crop at 13% protein N-Min 150 then you have to feed it as if it is (target a 12t/ha crop as farm trials from 10t/ha) 150 270 10.73 13.0 97.50 1,318.86 +£4.28 Lincolnshire last year using Skyfall N-Min 215 show (see table 3, left). (target The reason for this is that the 12t/ha) 215 335 11.57 13.0 139.75 1,387.49 +72.91 crop will not build quality until its
2
or soil structure is not really up to delivering this. Much of this will be driven by the rotation, but you must be honest about the land’s ability to produce a high yield. While you do not want to starve a good crop, if you put more nitrogen on than the crop can realistically use, not only will it impact on margins it could also create environmental issues. Last year’s trials with Skyfall in Yorkshire using 27N 12SO3
3
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CROP NUTRITION TECHNICAL
An N-Min test is a good starting point for working out what the precise nitrogen requirement will be in milling crops.
need for yield has been fulfilled. Only when enough seed has been set will it divert nitrogen to increasing protein levels. It is very likely that in many crops of Skyfall, where proteins are less than expected, it is because plants are not reaching that point at which they start to produce quality. Over recent years, fertiliser levels have been falling and we are all understandably nervous of applying too much, but it might be that we have to recalibrate the amount of nitrogen we need to get the best economic return out of these new varieties. The issue was not helped last year when dull, cool days during the critical month of June stopped grain fill, but it is likely many crops were potentially starved of the vital nitrogen they needed. Little and often is the way When we are using application rates of 300kg N/ha plus indicated by some of the trials, it is essential this gets utilised by the plant as efficiently as possible and this means looking at when fertiliser is applied. Trials have shown that four, maybe five, applications are more appropriate if a larger amount of
4
nitrogen is calculated to be applied as opposed to the more traditional three-way split carried out on many farms. Applying more frequently means the crop will receive smaller amounts each time improving the recovery of nitrogen by the crop. Application timing can also be used to manage the canopy. In slow growing years, early nitrogen can be used to build tiller numbers and in forward crops, as is the case in many parts of the country this year, later applications can help thin crops out. An optimum to aim for is about 1,000-1,200 tillers/sq.m, with a view to build around 400-600 ears/ sq.m. For more forward crops with 2,000 tillers/sq.m delaying the first application will be beneficial to starve some of this growth off. When it comes to the final solid nitrogen application, this ideally should take place just before growth stage 35–39 to encourage optimum protein building. Do not forget P, K and S Adequate levels of P and K, particularly potash, are essential to avoid growth checks and soil indices of around 2 need to be maintained to ensure optimum nitrogen utilisation. Without this the plant will not be able to use nitrogen efficiently and both yield and quality are likely to suffer if these nutrients are not in balance. Trials at the RAU, Cirencester, last year showed applying a crop’s full P and K requirement as part of compound granular fertiliser – NPKS 24-8-8 (8SO3) – in spring rather than applying P and K on its own in autumn can increase wheat yields by 1t/ha. Most wheat crops destined for premium markets are also likely to require additional sulphur as levels in the air have decreased considerably in recent years. Sulphur is required for the formation of the long chain amino acids cystine and methionine which help add volume and elasticity to dough and are key components of high quality milling wheat.
5
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17/02/2017 12:11
MANAGEMENT DECISION SUPPORT Decision support tools are not new to agriculture. Yet despite the apparent benefits they offer their uptake has been low. Teresa Rush caught up with a researcher who has been finding out why this is so.
In support of a better decision
D
o you use decision support tools (DSTs)? If not, what might lead you to do so? DST, from simple paper-based approaches to more sophisticated software or app-based systems, are designed to help users make more effective decisions. In a farming context they can provide a means to record data, analyse it and generate recommendations. However, despite their apparent value, uptake of decision support tools by farmers and advisers has been limited, says Cambridge University researcher David Rose. This is a problem for two reasons, firstly, lack of uptake means the aim of improving the evidence base for decisions is not realised, and secondly, resources are wasted.
More information rwww.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/ S0308521X16305418) rwww.siplatform.org.uk
Now, as part of Defra’s Sustainable Intensification Platform (SIP), the University of Cambridge, alongside other partners, has led work to find out why farmers and advisers use, or do not use, decision support tools, with the aim of helping DST developers provide tools farmers will want to use. Using focus groups, surveys, and interviews, farmers across six sectors, as well as arable and livestock advisers, were asked about whether, and why, they used tools to make decisions. The researchers compiled a list (not exhaustive) of 395 different DST available to farmers. Of these, 73 were found to be in use in practice. Overall, 49% of the farmers surveyed used some kind of DST to inform decisions, with software the most useful (28% of those using DST), followed by paper-based (22%) and apps (10%). With the study recently completed, the research team suggests 15 factors are influential in uptake and use of tools and has compiled a checklist to inform the future design of tools.
Younger farmers are likely to lead the way in terms of using DSTs.
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Performance expectancy The performance of a decision support tool in terms of improving decision-making and productivity was a widely mentioned factor. Dr Rose says: “The key question here was ‘Can you convince me it is better than how I make decisions currently?’” Often there was a need for a tangible benefit from use of a DST. What that benefit might be depended on the tool, but often it was improved productivity. Ease of use Simplicity, ease of use, speed of use and clarity of information produced were all-important considerations, even for paper-based systems. Peer recommendation Personal recommendation, between farmers or advisers, was a key determinant of uptake of DST. Trust Trust in a DST determined whether or not it was used in practice. Both farmers and advisers were keen to use tools from trusted sources, while advisers were particularly concerned with the evidence base behind DST development. An important finding was that trust was easily lost – an example might be mis-identification of a weed because of the way a photograph inputted into the DST was taken – farmers were nonetheless reluctant to return the tool once this had happened. Cost Tools were more likely to be trialled if they were free or a grant was provided for purchase.
New research findings could help improve decision support tools aimed at farmers.
Habit Habit was a significant factor affecting use. While the research team found there could be an aversion to trying out new approaches, there was also evidence of a feeling younger farmers accustomed to using computers and smartphones were likely to move easily into using software- or app-based DSTs. However, even those farmers who had embraced software-based decision support indicated they would find it hard to move away from their current tools if new ones were developed. “I think this is the most challenging one. Habit is probably one of the most difficult factors to overcome as it will not be affected by designing more user-friendly systems which perform better,” says Dr Rose. Relevance to user A decision support tool’s ability to be tweaked according to individual farm conditions, such as soil type and differences in local weather conditions, was seen as important and insufficient flexibility in this respect was likely to lead end users to consider it unsuitable for their situation. Compatibility The need for knowledge exchange between farmers and advisers was found to facilitate use of DST.
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DECISION SUPPORT MANAGEMENT
A number of further factors modified use of DST, including age, scale of farming, farming type and IT education. Among farmers age affected whether a user thought a high-tech tool could be beneficial
or easy to use, with younger farmers using DST more and finding software most useful. Farm size was significant, particularly in terms of the cost/ performance benefit of using a tool. The survey results showed the probability of using DST is higher on larger farms. “The bigger the farm the more likely they were to have the cashflow to be able to use DST or the more likely there was to be a performance benefit – if you have got so many fields, with so much going on, you need some sort of system to help you,” says Dr Rose. Farming type was closely linked to the scale of farming as a key determinant of DST use. Arable and dairy farmers and advisers in these sectors were more likely to need DST than upland livestock farmers. Analysis showed the probability of use of DST and of finding software useful was higher among cereals farms. Once a farmer decides they want to use a DST, the next question is
whether they are able to use it. Potential issues in this respect included poor internet access and phone signal, poor compatibility with existing systems and mismatch between tool and end user workflows. A number of ‘driving factors’ were found to be useful in encouraging use of DSTs; these included compliance (where a DST could help satisfy legislative or market needs), as well as effective marketing. So, as farming increasingly looks to harness the value of ‘big data’ in search of yield and quality improvements and cost reduction, what can be done to deliver decision support tools which will deliver benefits onfarm and that farmers can trust? First and foremost designers could use the 15 factors identified in the research (see panel) as a checklist alongside which to measure the quality of new tools, says Dr Rose. But instead of focusing on designing sophisticated, easy to use tools, some of the other key but seldom highlighted factors, such as helping
DST – checklist for good design 1 Performance 2 Ease of use 3 Peer recommendation 4 Trust 5 Cost 6 Habit 7 Relevance to user 8 Farmer-adviser compatibility 9 Age 10 Scale of business 11 Farming type 12 IT education 13 Facilitating conditions 14 Compliance 15 Level of marketing Source: Rose et al, Agricultural Systems
users satisfy legislative requirements, should also be taken into account, he suggests. And aiming tools at younger users, on larger arable farms could well be a good starting point.
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New generation sulfonylurea herbicide JThe first of a new generation of liquid sulfonylurea herbicides launched by DuPont will give UK cereal farmers a cost-effective and reliable new solution for control of cleavers and other broad-leaved weed species in winter wheat and barley, says the firm. Provalia LQM (metsulfuron + thifensulfuron + fluroxypyr) is a new liquid formulation said to deliver improved spray retention, uptake and translocation by the weed, resulting in faster activity and better performance under marginal conditions. Another benefit of combining active ingredients such as fluroxypyr is that the control of some ALS-resistant weeds such as chickweed can be optimised, says DuPont.
The first of new generation of liquid SU herbicides will give cereal growers a new solution for control of cleavers and other broad-leaved weeds.
Provalia LQM is said to be effective against larger weeds and provides control of a weed spectrum of more than 40 weed species, including cleavers. It can also be used as part of a threeway sequence with other ALS herbicides.
Until now, a maximum of two applications of ALS herbicides have been allowed, which has restricted spring herbicide choice when growers had used flupyrsulfuron and Atlantis WG (iodosulfuron + mesosulfuron) as part of their autumn grass-weed strategy.
SDHI seed Beet herbicide announced treatment Shiro â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at a glance JSyngenta UK has received UK approval for its SDHI-based fungicide seed treatment, Vibrance Duo. The approval, which covers use on seed of winter wheat, winter triticale, winter rye and spring oats, marks the first UK registration for the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-new SDHI seed treatment active ingredient, sedaxane, says Mark Bullen, Syngenta seeds and seedcare campaign manager. In Vibrance Duo, sedaxane is combined with established seed treatment, fludioxonil, as found in Beret Gold. In addition to providing control of diseases which reduce crop establishment, sedaxane also delivers improvements in crop rooting power, says Syngenta.
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JUPL has announced a new addition to its sugar beet product range in the form of herbicide Shiro. Sulfonylurea Shiro works mainly by foliar action and in tank-mix with other herbicide actives providing control of a wide range of broadleaved weeds, including black-bindweed, charlock, cleavers, fat hen and volunteer oilseed rape, says UPL. The new herbicide contains 500g/ kg of triflusulfuron and is formulated as a water dispersible granule. It is most effective if applied when weeds are small and actively growing and should always be applied in conjunction with a recommended adjuvant or suitable herbicide tank-mix partner. Only winter cereals should be sown in the same calendar year following application of Shiro to a beet crop.
rAI: Triflusulfuron-methyl rInclusion rate: 500g/kg rFormulation: Water dispersible granule (WDG) rCrops: Sugar beet and fodder beet rMaximum individual dose: 30g/hectare rMaximum number of treatments: Four per crop rApplication timing: Before first leaves of crop meet between rows (BBCH 39) rPack size: 120g rLERAP: B rLabel water volume: 80-150 litres/ha Source: UPL
Rodent damage protection JPest control business Lodi UK has launched a new Anti-Rodent Spray, said to provide long-lasting protection against rodent damage. For use in domestic and agricultural buildings, the spray protects the fabric structures, including electrical cabling and insulation materials, as well as their contents, such as machinery, and anything else rodents might damage by biting or chewing. Quick and easy to apply, Anti-Rodent Spray contains a specially formulated, colourless solution which vaporises to form a durable film, which remains effective for up to six months, says the firm. Applied to any surface which needs to be protected, the spray discourages rodents from damaging the treated area.
Anti-Rodent Spray discourages rodents from damaging building fabric and contents.
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TALKING POLICY
MIKE
Hambly
Mike Hambly farms in a family farming partnership near Callington in south east Cornwall. He is currently the chair of the NFU Combinable Crops Board and is the first Cornishman to hold the position.
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We have only nine months left to make the case for the continued use of glyphosate
Farm facts rFamily farming partnership, farming 200ha in south east Cornwall rArable and beef enterprises rArable cropping includes wheat, oilseed rape, barley, oats rFive year average rainfall is 1,407mm
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he fall in the value of sterling and no pre-harvest forward sales had left me feeling pretty smug. My marketing inactivity was a piece of inspired genius, and the uplift in grain prices is going at least some way to mitigating the disappointing yield from last harvest. Mindful of the currency impact on input prices, I have been buying early for spring crop treatments. A reassessment of glyphosate stocks highlighted a top up was prudent – the shock was an increase in price of 24% since three months ago. But the biggest shock and impact on the business might be yet to come. We are all aware glyphosate is in the spotlight; the failure of a European Commission Standing Committee to achieve reauthorisation in June 2016 led to a last-minute extension for 18 months while further data was gathered. With the process to be completed by December 31, we have only nine months left to make the case for the continued use of glyphosate in the EU. For crop farmers this is a really big deal; some have told me the impact on their business and cropping from the loss of glyphosate could be more radical than the outcome from Brexit. For more than 40 years farmers have used glyphosate in a safe and responsible way. But when the International Agency for Research on Cancer somewhat controversially classified glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’, some organisations, often with anti-GM agendas, saw this as an opportunity to remove glyphosate from some markets. This classification put glyphosate on an equivalent level of cancer hazard as working as a hairdresser and being of lower hazard than sunlight and alcohol. But we’ve seen a series of campaigns based on fake news and emotion rather than weight of evidence developed.
What had been conveniently, perhaps deliberately, forgotten was the basic principle established by the father of toxicology Paracelsus: “The dose makes the poison.” When we examine published information on hazard we know glyphosate is less toxic than caffeine, table salt, aspirin and ibuprofen. If you try to help the barley market and overdo the beer or whisky one night you might feel the need for a strong coffee, aspirin or bacon sandwich the next morning. All of these carry a higher risk to you than the glyphosate which might have been used in the growing of the barley. Highlight the benefits It is critical during the rest of 2017 that we are present with the public and politicians at a national and European level, highlighting facts about the benefits glyphosate delivers and that used appropriately it is safe. Farmers who use Twitter have already been using #glyphosateisvital to good effect. Some farmer tweets were picked up by a campaigner against GMOs and used in an article in the Huffington Post claiming it was somehow part of a campaign orchestrated by Monsanto; perhaps this reaction may be an indication we have started to make an impact. Are you ready to play your part? The NFU can arm you with some key facts, you can tell it as it is on your farm, put some perspective into the issue and show you care for our health and our environment. Whether they know it or not, everyone understands risk and hazard; our appetite for it may vary, but everyone makes decisions on risk every day. Engage wherever you can, it doesn’t have to be on social media, spread the word when you’re at the rugby club, talking to other parents on the school run, or wherever an opportunity arises. Speak up now, in just a few months it could be too late.
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TECHNICAL RESEARCH IN ACTION New research on the potato crop to signpost more closely the optimum routes from seed to market is underway. Andrew Blake reports.
Exploring potato ‘seed to market’ pathways
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dvances in understanding the effects of chronological age of seed have shown that differences in production cycles can affect seed rates required to optimise marketable yield. However, variation in seed stock performance remains largely unexplained and further improvements in seed use need better understanding of the multiplication system, particularly the impact of different storage and handling regimes on seed physiology and pathology. Work on the AHDB-funded 64-month project* began only
Research project r*AHDB project 1140032 Quantifying effects of potato seed multiplication systems and storage practices on ware production rSeptember 1, 2016 – March 31, 2022 rTotal cost: £693,156 AHDB – £578,156 Industry collaborators – Greenvale AP and McCain Foods – cash and in-kind – £115,000
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David Firman
last September, so there are no results so far, says David Firman, of NIAB CUF, who leads it; but it has a range of potential benefits. “Better understanding of the effects of storage and handling of seed on seed health and performance throughout multiplication should allow seed growers to become more efficient,” he says. “It should also provide ware growers with seed of predictable performance to help meet market needs more effectively and reduce waste.” Scientists should gain a deeper understanding of seed physiology and pathology, adds Dr Firman. “This knowledge should allow them to show how to make more effective use of seed within
commercial multiplication systems.” And identifying more closely how agronomy and the environment during ware crop growth affects the physiology and pathology of tubers in-store should allow production methods to be better adapted for specific crops to improve quality and reduce wastage, he believes. Lessons Many lessons have been learned as potato production has become more specialised, but there are still more to be discovered, maintains Dr Firman. “We know, for example, that the performance of seed stocks varies with differences in stem numbers, rate of emergence and canopy development. “Some differences in seed performance and disease are linked to production practices, for example date of emergence, and some are attributable to storage and handling conditions, for example through uncontrolled sprout growth.
“We also know that some reductions in quality and losses during ware storage are associated with differences in the agronomy of the growing crop.” He hopes the new research will answer a range of important questions, including which storage and handling conditions contribute most to causing variability in seed performance? Finding the answer should lead to more appropriate agronomy and improved storage practices for specific needs, he suggests. “We also need to know more about the impact of agronomic practices on quality and losses during ware storage so risks can be mitigated as appropriate.” The new research is monitoring and collating data on a range of commercial seed stocks, says Dr Firman. This includes gathering information on, for example, planting, defoliation and harvest dates, storage conditions, the use of sprout suppressant, and agronomy. The work is using varieties
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RESEARCH IN ACTION TECHNICAL The new research aims to help provide ware growers with seed of predictable performance.
Highlighting key questions for growers to put to suppliers JWare growers should question their seed suppliers more about the potential performance of different stocks, according to Alistair Redpath, chief executive at Cygnet PB. However, they still need to better know and understand the relevant questions to ask, he believes. “This project will highlight those need-to-know issues and how management practices, such as seed spacing, should be adjusted to maximise potential savings and/or benefits all the way down the supply chain,” says Mr Redpath, who chairs the AHDB Potatoes research and knowledge transfer committee. “It’s not about a specific seed stock being better or worse than another; but better knowledge may allow seed growers to achieve premiums where there are genuine benefits to be had by ware growers.
“ Further improvements in seed use need better understanding of the impact of different storage and handling regimes, says David Firman.
from both processing and fresh market supply chains. “This is to allow aspects of the distinct requirements for the different sectors to be investigated,” he says. “But the principles of the research findings on physiology and pathology should be more generally applicable to all varieties.” The aim is to take seed samples at key stages of the storage period to undergo physiological tests, for example on sprout
development and weight loss, and tests for diseases such as soft rots. Stocks from common seed sources will be monitored. Parallel experiments will take place concurrently at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR) and commercial stores. Experiments and split-field comparisons in commercial ware crops will be conducted at the AHDB Strategic Potato farms to investigate the effects
Work at CUF has highlighted the potential effects in ware of differing chronological seed ages on stem and tuber numbers Alistair Redpath of agronomy and environment on physiological conditions, for example, dormancy and storage diseases. There will also be replicated trials at NIAB CUF.
“For example, if the project can reliably identify particular seed stocks which will influence the storage potential of the subsequent ware crop through say, delayed senescent sweetening, that stock shouldn’t then be allocated to a grower with an ‘off-thefield’ contract. “I think growers will appreciate the split-field comparisons at the SPot farms and the opportunity to follow these through to real crops in real stores.
Knowledge “Work at CUF has highlighted the potential effects in ware of differing chronological seed ages on stem and tuber numbers, but this knowledge isn’t yet routinely adopted by growers. One reason may be poorly understood inconsistencies between seasons and the UK’s seed-producing regions. “This project will, I hope, uncover barriers to uptake and simplify the process so ware growers can better manage stem populations, and seed growers can supply replantable area without oversupplying seed. “Similarly, being able to identify which defects are really important to different ware growers’ crop performance, rather than just aesthetically disappointing, should maximise the availability of often scarce stocks of particular varieties.”
The project also involves an SBCSR review of information on chitting technology, including potential use of LED lighting to manipulate seed potential.
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BASIS NEWS
BASIS news
The latest news for BASIS and FACTS-qualified farmers and advisers.
Course gains 1,000th successful candidate JThe BASIS Soil and Water Management course goes from strength to strength. The 1,000th successful candidate has recently gained the award which enables farmers, agronomists and other advisers to understand the importance of topics ranging from reducing pesticide or nutrient loss to managing flood risk. The course was developed in conjunction with Silsoe back in 2003 and was designed to meet an increasing need for advisers to look beyond the basics of crop protection and crop nutrition. It was a time when stewardship campaigns, such as the Voluntary Initiative, were becoming important to deliver a broader based protection to the environment, especially water quality. An aspect of farm management which has become more important, not less, over the intervening years. The course has proved popular with a broad range of participants. For some advisers with BASIS Crop Protection or FACTS qualifications, it is a means of extending their knowledge and the service they deliver to clients. A significant number of farmers are included in the 1,000 successful candidates as they too
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recognise the important aspects which the course covers. The broad objective, according to the syllabus, is that ‘candidates will know the principles governing the maintenance of soil organic matter content, the maintenance of good soil structure and methods for the prevention of erosion by water and air. They must have knowledge of the legal and quasi legal requirements for the protection of soil and air and the maintenance of soil health and clean air’. Relevant The course remains relevant as the debate on cultivations continues. Course delegates learn about equipment choice, timing and impact of operations and their potential effects on compaction and erosion. As well as candidates, the course is recognised and supported by a range of organisations with a keen interest in the issues of soil management and water protection. The 1,000th successful candidate, Wayne Davies, is a Catchment Sensitive Farming officer (CSFO) working in Herefordshire in the River Wye catch-
Wayne Davies, a CSFO working in Herefordshire, is the 1,000th candidate to gain the BASIS Soil and Water Management qualification.
ment. Mr Davies decided to take the course partly to extend his own knowledge, but also because an increasing number of farmers he deals with had taken it. “As it is a national qualification and very relevant to my work, the course really appealed to me,” says Mr Davies, who studied for his qualification at Harper Adams University. Improving soil health is an essential element of Mr Davies’ role as a CSFO. “Improving soil health is often a vital step to achieving my key objectives of reducing the amount of nutrients, sediment and pesticides entering waterways. “The course provided me with just what I wanted to improve my understanding of some of the key issues in both managing soils and water in farmland.”
Having secured his first BASIS qualification, Mr Davies is enthusiastic to undertake further training. “With so much of my work focused on crop nutrients, I am thinking of taking the FACTS course next,” he says. The Soil and Water Management course has been developed and kept up-to-date to meet a specific need. However, BASIS chief executive Stephen Jacob points out it is also one of the options for those looking to gain the higher qualification of the BASIS Diploma. “Whether a member of our Professional Register or interested in crop protection or crop nutrition, this particular course will deliver knowledge which is relevant,” says Mr Jacob.
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