In my view
arable
By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife
Here’s to 2020 and new beginnings…we hope!
its brown rust rating has gone up from 5 to 6 on this year’s Recommended List. LG Skyscraper also has Orange Wheat Blossom Midge resistance (OWBM) which is an important trait that is of increasing value in wheat varieties due to restrictions on insecticide products, says Mr Flatman. LG Skyscraper’s excellent performance across the UK, once again dispels any myths surrounding soft wheats being lower yielding than hard wheats, adds Limagrain’s arable technical manager, Ron Granger. He points out that LG Skyscraper offers a large grain and its specific weight of 76.9 kg/hl and HFN coming in at 218, makes an attractive package when compared to other feed varieties. “As a soft wheat, LG Skyscraper has the additional
benefit of distilling, which in a season when it will be critical to make as much as possible from crops in the ground, is a very valuable attribute.” For many growers who are still looking to drill their wheat, it is worth noting that in Limagrain’s 2019 trials, LG Skyscraper was the highest performing variety in the late drilled slot. In fact, the variety has shown itself to take this poll position over three very different seasons, he points out. “LG Skyscraper can be drilled comfortably up until the end of January, and even later into February further north, but seed rates will need to adjusted accordingly.” “LG Skyscraper ticks a lot of boxes for on-farm performance and is an excellent choice for the second wheat situation,” adds Mr Granger.
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Hopefully in the not too distant future I shall be able to use this article to discuss some sensible practical developments facing the industry. However, as I write this – two days before the general election – the focus is on the farming implications of the election from the various parties. Frankly – at this stage – my own thoughts are not which party will do us in farming best – but which one will do us the least harm. I am still of the view that the European CAP has served us well in farming – not just for the financial support – but for the importance it gave agriculture in the EU. I do worry about the effect the future trade restrictions with the EU will have on our exports – particularly for us in Scotland. Conversely I worry about the implications of new trade deals, especially with North and South America. Not just from a cost of production view but also because – so far – none of the political parties have given any assurance that our present high standards of production in the UK will also require to be met in respect of imports. The phrase ‘cheap and …..’ comes to mind! But the recent emergence of Swine Fever in China and
elsewhere emphasises the importance of quality of production in all its aspects. The uncertainty of Brexit has been somewhat masked for some of us with the resultant weak pound helping with export potential, although the beef market appears to remain firmly in the doldrums. Meanwhile to coin a phrase from the film ‘Casablanca’ – we wait and wait and wait to learn our future! To finish on a practical note, it was good to hear ScotEID giving a series of talks recently on the future of technically improved ear tags and their impending compulsory use by 2021. While none of us like being told what to do this has to be a move in the right direction. The price of a new compatible tag reader did give me some concern however – it appears they are likely to cost in the region of £600/700. Maybe once Government has established the new criteria for the future availability of finance for the industry – we can have a grant for the purchase of these new valuable pieces of equipment and the improvement in husbandry it will bring. A good investment! Meantime I wish all readers a profitable, peaceful and progressive New Year! 7