Arable Farming Spring Edition

Integration

Reducing risk to gain reward

Pages 34-36 March 2024

Volume 47 Issue 1

YOU’VE GOT THE STAMINA TO GET THE JOB DONE

SPRING SPRAYING Straightforward selective machinery deployment

JUST LIKE REVYSTAR XE ®

Pages 12-14

REDUCING INPUTS Navigating reduced fungicide use Page 44

REVYSTAR® XE

Endurance. Versatility. Resilience.

It’s in our chemistry.

Revystar ® XE, powered by Revysol ®, delivers long-lasting control and canopy wide protection.

Revystar ® XE not only controls Septoria on the leaf it’s applied to, it changes the way the epidemic develops across the canopy, reducing future Septoria risk and maximising green leaf area and yield.

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.agricentre.basf.co.uk.

Revystar® XE contains mefentrifluconazole (Revysol®) and fluxapyroxad (Xemium® ). Revystar® XE, Revysol®, and Xemium® are registered Trademarks of BASF. ©BASF 2024. All rights reserved.

SPRING ADVICE

Negotiating impacts of prolonged flooding Pages 22

Innovation in action for progressive arable farmers AF Mar p1 3 MB AE OM.indd 1

16/02/2024 12:28

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DLG PowerMix field work: Fendt 728 Vario Gen7

242 g/kWh Diesel*

DLG PowerMix field work: John Deere 6R 250

257 g/kWh Diesel** (Status: November 2023)

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24.2 g/kWh AdBlue*

Fendt 728 Vario Gen7: Impressive in the field and on the road.

Others can only dream of these values. Profi magazine says: „In the practical PowerMix consumption measurements, the 728 Vario is more economical in all cycles – in some cases very significantly – than the average of all tractors tested to date. During transport, it is the most economical of all – even at 60 km/h.“ (profi issue 12/2023) Read more: fendt.com/728-powermix

p02_AF_March_2024.indd 1

Leaders drive Fendt.

14/02/2024 11:42

8 CONTENTS COMMENT

6

SEED CONCERNS

7

HARNESSING HEDGEROWS

Issues persist despite supply assurances New Basis course giving guidance on hedgerow maintenance

55 TAX EFFICIENCY

Advice on how to manage and understand some key tax implications of buying, selling or using vehicles and machinery

28

58 VARYING CROP PROGRESS

We catch up with six agronomists from different UK regions to discuss how crops are looking and what the next steps might be for growers

TECHNICAL

8

PLANT PROTECTION NEWS

Keep up to date with the latest advancements in chemical legislation

18 NURTURING RAIN-HIT WHEAT

Read how one Leicestershire farmer remains committed to maximising wheat potential after a delayed start

20 DESTRUCTION TOP TIPS 48

Glyphosate applications: top tips for growers looking to destroy winter cover crops with glyphosate

22 SPRING ADVICE

Expert advice for growers to examine the impact of prolonged flooding and how to manage crops moving forward

26 PATIENCE A VIRTUE

Technical comment from Darryll Shailes as one potato season draws to a close and the next cycle begins

28 POTATO UNCERTAINTY

Potato classification: Join Cedric Porter at the US Potato Expo as he finds out how US legislation changes could impact UK production

34 REDUCING RISK

When looking to create a more resilient arable system, livestock integration becomes an integral part

38 ENERGY CROP VARIETIES 54

Committing to energy crops – factors to consider before committing to attractive offers from anaerobic digestion plants.

40 GLYPHOSATE TOP TIPS

Choosing herbicide application conditions: Two industry experts give their top tips for effective applications during a challenging season

42 HERBICIDE APPROVAL

Only aclonifen herbicide on the market gets approved for field bean and combining pea growers

44 REDUCED FUNGICIDE

With economic, environmental, and social pressures to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in crops, we explore all the options

52 UNDER-SOWING MAIZE

Soil benefits – lessons from an under-sowing trial in Nottinghamshire

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p1 3 MB AE OM.indd 2

3 16/02/2024 15:38

a word from the

editor

Contacts Arable Technical Specialist Ash Ellwood, 07786 190 188 ashleigh.ellwood@agriconnect.com Machinery Editor Toby Whatley 07583 054 831 toby.whatley@arablefarming.com Machinery and Farm Tech Specialist James Huyton, 07787 242 185 james.huyton@agriconnect.com Deputy Head of Creative Services Katie Haydock, 01772 799 450 katie.haydock@agriconnect.com Picture Editor Marcello Garbagnoli 01772 799 445 marcelllo.garbagnoli@arablefarming.com Key Accounts Manager Jane Newton 01948 780 783 jane.newton@arablefarming.com Key Accounts Manager Mark Jackson 01322 449 624 mark.jackson@arablefarming.com Account Manager Chris Knowles 01772 799 550 chris.knowles@agriconnect.com Sales Director Mike Hartley 01772 799 532 mike.hartley@arablefarming.com Advertising Production Justine Sumner 01772 799 437 justine.sumner@arablefarming.com Circulation and subscriptions 0330 333 0056 help@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com © Agriconnect 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher.

The contents of Arable Farming are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. ISSN 0269-6797

W

inter is proving to be challenging, with amplified rainfall and stormy conditions resulting in a lot of mud and increasingly tricky field conditions. With whispers of a spring seed shortage (p6), many growers might find themselves facing difficult decisions when assessing winter crop establishment and planning future crops (p22-25).

In more positive news, and with the hope of better weather on the way, Defra’s latest iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive sees 50 new actions with a claimed 10% increase in earning potential. At the time of writing, this new offering has sparked more than 10,000 applications from growers looking to utilise the additional payments (p6), creating an air of certainty for those concerned about the end of the Basic Payment Scheme.

As we hopefully move closer towards the spray season – provided the weather starts to play ball – we delve into what is happening within the plant protection products sector (p8-11) as new product actives become approved and we stay afloat with possible legislation changes.

As profitability is probably at the top end of many growers’ minds, we have created a ‘Business Resilience’ section, with this issue’s feature centered around tax efficiency (P55-56) where an agricultural accountant offers his advice on how to manage and understand some key implications of buying, selling or using machines or vehicles.

Growers might also be interested in looking into producing energy crops as anaerobic digestion plants are offering some attractive contracts this year. However, before making your decision, be sure to check out what the considerations might be before committing to a crop (p38-39).

Finally, we have several case studies of growers doing things a little differently, from one Cheshire grower who has managed to dramatically reduce his fungicide

spend while still maintaining wheat yields (p48-50), one grower introducing livestock to boost the arable rotation (p34-35), to delving into how one Leicestershire grower is nurturing this season’s rain-hit wheat to maximise wheat potential (p18).

We hope you enjoy this issue and wish you a successful spring season.

And don’t forget, our Arable Farming offering, new for 2024, includes a digital-first approach, with timely yet technical content on offer at our online Arable Farming Hub (ArableFarming.com) and quarterly editions of the print magazine. Our experienced team is committed to providing balanced, informed and specialist content that we hope you will find beneficial within a range of enterprises.

We hope you enjoy this issue and wish you a successful spring season.

22

Arable Farming, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ

www.croptecshow.com November 29-30, 2024

4 AF Mar p4 Leader AE OM MB.indd 1

Origination by Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. Published by Agriconnect. Printed by Precision Colour Printing, Halesfield 1, Stirchley, Telford TF7 4QQ. No responsibility can be accepted by Arable Farming for opinions expressed by contributors.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 12:22

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Discover more about the benefits of Univoq and our latest application advice at: www.corteva.co.uk/univoq

Discover more at www.corteva.co.uk Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 E-mail: ukhotline@corteva.com 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.

Corteva Agriscience UK Limited, CPC2 Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: 01462 457272. ® , ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva.

Univoq™ contains fenpicoxamid (Inatreq™ active) and prothioconazole.

p05_AF_March_2024.indd 1 Farming A4.indd 1 TP26166 Corteva Univoq Arable

14/02/2024 31/01/2024 11:43 15:45

NEWS LATEST

Seed concerns persist despite supply assurances

C

oncerns over spring seed shortages continue to be raised, despite industry leaders’ assurances that the market will soon stabilise.

At a recent meeting held by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) and the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), both organisations stressed seed was still being processed, although they admitted there was ‘a long way to go’ until there was a clear picture of seed supply.

NFU senior crops policy specialist Luke Cox said: “They were confident that processors and merchants would be able to meet the needs of the cereals sector this spring, and that seed availability would continue to evolve.”

Seed is still being processed but there is a long way to go until there is a clear picture of spring seed supply.

Scramble The scramble for supplies has been blamed on months of wet weather, which severely hampered autumn planting as heavy rains either washed away seed or rendered planted crops useless.

However, AIC’s head of seed Rose Riby said: “The certified seed sector remains confident it can satisfy the exceptional

demand for spring seed this season.

“While demand pressures have been compounded by recent erratic ordering trends, merchants are working tirelessly to meet the needs of their customers.”

The matter has also been raised in Parliament by Defra chair Sir Robert Goodwill, who asked the

Government what it proposed to do about the problem.

Mr Goodwill said: “Supplies of spring seed are very tight, with many varieties already sold out, and while it is possible for some farmers to use farm-saved seed, it is illegal for it to be traded between farms.

“Many farmers did not grow

spring crops this year or, indeed, sell their crops at harvest. Is there a solution to the problem?”

In response, Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay said: “I am very alive to this matter... We need to look at what we can do constructively, working with them [farmers], to deal with what is an entirely legitimate issue.”

Defra hails 10,000 Sustainable Farming Incentive farmer sign-up JMore than 10,000 farmers across England have now applied for the improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) since it opened in September.

Defra said the scheme is ‘proving popular’, with farmers as one-ineight eligible businesses have now submitted an application.

The department said this was on

6 AF Mar p6 News AE OM.indd 2

top of the 32,000 Countryside Stewardship agreements which are already in place.

Positive experience Clive Bailye, an arable farmer based near Lichfield in Staffordshire, said for his business, SFI had so far been a ‘positive experience’.

He said: “We have been farming

regeneratively for some years and many of the options available – such as for cover crops, no tillage and so on – are very beneficial and make sense for us. I know it is not everyone’s experience but we joined the pilot, SFI 23 and SFI 24 and it has been hugely positive.

“Defra do not always get it

right, but I think they deserve some credit when they do.”

The figures come just days after the Defra’s latest Farmer Opinion Tracker which revealed that more than two-thirds of farmers said they are still ‘not at all’ confident Government schemes will lead to a successful future for farming.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 12:42

BASIS news

The latest news for BASIS and FACTS-qualified farmers and advisers.

Harnessing hedgerows

H

edgerows, a common sight in many parts of the British countryside, bring many benefits, including the ability to earn income under a recently launched Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) action. To help farmers and advisers gain a range of benefits from hedgerows BASIS has launched a practical online course.

Hedges can slow flood waters and reduce soil erosion from run-off.

And, with an increasing emphasis on agriculture’s drive to achieve net zero, hedgerows are particularly good at sequestering carbon and locking it up for the long term.

Now, farmers can also earn money under an SFI action which in

England can be worth up to £13 per 100 metres for managing each side of eligible hedges. The three English options all require an assessment of existing hedgerows and a written management plan to maintain and enhance the condition of hedges.

Thomas Vaughan, environment and course development manager at BASIS, says: “The new offering in the BASIS Classroom focuses on the practicalities of hedgerow assessment and management to help farmers, landowners and advisers understand what can be done to assess and manage existing hedgerows.

“The online course, which takes around an hour to complete, has been developed with input from experts in both wildlife and

hedgerow management.”

BASIS provides a template to create a statement of the hedge’s condition taking into account its history, past management, diversity of species etc. to aid in planning of future management.

“Management actions can include coppicing, gapping up, laying and cutting,” adds Mr Vaughan.

The BASIS Classroom includes farmer case studies recognising that on many farms there are benefits to be gained by ‘incremental’ trimming that does not go back to the previous cut, but lets newer shoots develop with added flowering and fruiting to benefit birds.

As with all BASIS Classroom courses, people can undertake the

Hedges have the ability to slow flood waters and reduce soil erosion from run-off.

course at any time to suit their commitments. Progress can be saved at any time and the course returned to when convenient.

Visit: basis-classroom.

MORE ONLINE co.uk/Courses

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PICTURE: TIM SCRIVENER

PLANT PROTECTION NEWS PESTICIDE REGULATIONS

New NAP regulations for the sustainable use of pesticides are due to be published and growers are urged to look-out for details of how IPM can be adopted on-farm.

D

efra’s National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides sets out to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment, while ensuring pests and pesticide resistance are managed effectively.

The last five-year plan – the 2013 NAP – was adopted under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012. A review of the plan is a statutory requirement and a consultation on a new draft NAP closed in 2021, but since then a series of deadlines have been missed. At the time of writing, the Government has yet to publish its new plan.

War in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and a series of ministerial reshuffles have contributed to the

8 AF Mar p8 10 11 PP News AE OM KH.indd 2

Pesticides regulation underpins the safe use of plant protection products in Great Britain. Teresa Rush reports on some of the regulatory issues growers should be keeping abreast of this season.

Divergence a concern as NAP delay continues delay and the situation currently is one of ‘wait and see’, says Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) head of crop protection and agronomy Hazel Doonan.

What is known, however, is that a new GB regulatory regime for pesticides, including a programme

for active substances renewal, will go hand-in-hand with the new NAP, says Ms Doonan, with Continues on page 10.

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 15:27

WEED OUT THE COMPETITION. UNLOCK PULSE POTENTIAL WITH NIRVANA®.

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Nirvana® maximises pulse yields by protecting against the widest range of weeds during the critical crop establishment phase. Even better, it includes two complementary modes of action for improved efficacy, Nirvana® provides powerful protection against weeds.

Visit agricentre.basf.co.uk/nirvana for more.

Nirvana ® is a registered Trade Mark of BASF. Nirvana ® contains pendimethalin and imazamox. 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.agricentre.basf.co.uk. © BASF 2022. All rights reserved.

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14/02/2024 11:45

PLANT PROTECTION NEWS PESTICIDE REGULATIONS improvements in efficiency and challenges around the illegal online sale of plant protection products (PPPs) among the issues expected to be addressed.

Farmers and growers should also look-out for details on the promotion of integrated pest management (IPM) and its adoption on-farm.

The new NAP will be a framework document and as such is not expected to contain legislative proposals, says Ms Doonan.

“I expect that following publication, Defra and Government will be looking at voluntary measures that might address some of the aims of the National Action Plan. And it may be that they will look at some legislation where they feel it is required,” she adds.

But while the GB crop protection sector waits on the new plans, divergence from pesticides regulation in Europe is taking place.

This is creating challenges around authorisations, maximum residue levels set for pesticide active substances, as well as potentially affecting trade in PPPs and treated products.

Glyphosate The intertwinement between politics and pesticides regulation is nowhere more evident than with glyphosate.

The non-selective herbicide was recently reapproved for a further 10 years in Europe by way of an Implementing Regulation, which the European Commission is obliged to adopt when member states are unable to reach a

We hope there will be a solution for grass-weed control this autumn for winter oat growers HAZEL DOONAN qualified majority either in favour of or against a proposal. In Great Britain, glyphosate is authorised for use until December 2025.

To what extent the GB regulatory authority aligns with its EU counterpart when glyphosate comes up for renewal remains to be seen.

“The interesting thing is the [European] renewal gives a lot of autonomy to member states to decide if they want to approve products containing the active substance,” says Ms Doonan.

Glyphosate’s reapproval in Europe last November came with certain conditions, including the withdrawal of its use as a harvest aid, although use for pre-harvest weed control is still permitted.

EAMUs As the chemical crop protection toolkit continues to shrink, extension of authorisation for minor use (EAMU) has provided much-needed control options where economically damaging

levels of weeds, pests or diseases occur, particularly in relatively minor crops where there is no on-label authorisation.

Minor crops However, a review of EAMUs in some ‘major’ minor crops has seen several fall by the wayside, including diflufenican (DFF) + flufenacet mixes for grass-weed control in winter oats.

Stakeholders including CRD, Bayer (the approval holder for the flufenacet + DFF herbicide Liberator), AIC, and the British Oats and Barley Millers Association have been working on the issue, and Bayer has put forward a solution to CRD, says Ms Doonan.

“We hope there will be a solution for grass-weed control this autumn for winter oat growers,” she adds.

But not all ‘fallen’ EAMUs will be saved, and fewer PPP options – and/or more costly alternatives – will continue to pose crop protection challenges in some crops.

Crop protection news in brief

Source: BCPC, UPL, Gowan UK

rBASF has gained approval for ametoctradin + potassium phosphonates (Privest, M20742) for blight control in potatoes rThe HSE is proposing to withdraw approval for active substance mancozeb, which is a key

to February 15, 2028 rExpiry dates of chlormequat products have been extended to August 31, 2029 rSpring wheat has now been added to the Avadex Factor label this season

10 AF Mar p8 10 11 PP News AE OM KH.indd 3

component of blight control programmes rExpiry date of insecticide Mavrik (tau-fluvalinate) has been extended by one year to December 31, 2025 rExpiry dates of straight prothioconazole products have been extended

JFungicides faced a tough septoria

tritici test last season and the 2023 results, presented at the AHDB Agronomy Conference, included data for SDHI isoflucypram (Iblon) in Vimoy for the first time.

In terms of protectant activity against septoria, Vimoy’s overall performance was similar to that of DMI mefentrifluconazole (Revysol) in Myresa, with QII fenpicoxamid (Univoq) in Peqtiga giving good control at lower dose rates.

Rebecca Joynt, plant pathologist for agriculture consultant ADAS, said: “You can see a step up from inclusion of mixture partners, with Revystar giving greater control than the solo product.”

Products containing fenpicoxamid + prothioconazole (Univoq) gave the highest levels of protectant control.

Ascra Xpro (bixafen + fluopyram + prothioconazole) returned to the trials in 2023, performing comparably to Revystar XE (fluxapyroxad + mefentrifluconazole).

Trials In over-year trials between 2021-2023, extending to 17 trials over the last three seasons, the data was largely consistent with that seen in 2023, with a single full application of the multi-site folpet (in Arizona) giving about 40% control on average.

For more information, MORE ONLINE including fungicide performance data for barley and oilseed rape, go to ahdb.org.uk

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 15:28

PESTICIDE REGULATIONS PLANT PROTECTION NEWS

On the back of a tough septoria year, new fungicide Vimoy containing Bayer’s new active Iblon was performance tested in the latest AHDB disease trials.

New SDHI included in latest fungicide performance data A lower level of control was seen overall in eradicant situations compared to protectant situations in seven trials over three years (2021-23), reflecting the importance of spray timing, said Ms Joynt.

“You can see a benefit in Myresa separating out from the other products at lower dose rates,” she added.

Looking at yield performance, the advantage of the mixtures was apparent, with Univoq yielding higher than Peqtiga and Revystar higher than Myresa.

“At a full label rate, you can see

Myresa and Vimoy performing comparably, and yield responses of over a tonne were achieved by the best-performing products at full label rate from a single spray application,” said Ms Joynt.

Yellow rust There was just one yellow rust trial in 2022-23 at Terrington in Norfolk. Disease pressure was very high, with around 45% infection levels in untreated plots.

SDHI Elatus Plus (benzovindiflupyr) was added to the trials programme for 2022-23 and gave

high levels of control at all dose rates.

Myresa, Vimoy and Peqtiga all performed comparably at dose rates below 50%, separating out a little at approaching full label rate.

“For both Myresa and Peqtiga, you can see a step-up in control from addition of mixture partners in Revystar and Univoq, and this is largely consistent with what we see over-year. [We are] perhaps seeing a little more separation at the lower dose rates for Peqtiga,” said Ms Joynt.

Yellow rust over-year yield data (three trials, 2021-23) reflected persistence of control, and more

separation between the straights was evident, with applications of Vimoy tending to outyield Myresa or Peqtiga.

Highest yields were achieved with Elatus Plus and Univoq – more than a tonne/hectare higher than the untreated at full label rate, with mixtures providing a boost in yellow rust control.

“Again, you can see the step-up in control from Myresa to Revystar from the addition of fluxapyroxad, and from Peqtiga to Univoq with the addition of prothioconazole,” said Ms Joynt.

Find your next career move Get the latest jobs in your inbox with our free email alert service and never miss a great job! Scan the QR code or visit:

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MARCH 2024 AF Mar p8 10 11 PP News AE OM KH.indd 4

11 15/02/2024 15:28

SPRAY TECHNOLOGY

Ecorobotix has developed the ARA selective sprayer, which can be used in a range of row crops including oilseed rape.

Selective spraying offers benefits both for budget and environment and deploying the technology can be relatively straightforward, according to Ecorobotix. Jane Carley reports.

M

any manufacturers are looking to integrate spot spraying technology into existing equipment, either a sprayer or a multi-purpose mechanical/chemical weeding implement.

But Swiss start-up Ecorobotix has developed a specialist localised sprayer designed to selectively apply chemicals, cutting costs and mitigating environmental impacts.

The company, which has developed all of its technology

On target for selective spraying in-house, recently raised USD$52 million (£41m) in European Series B funding for its automated precision spraying machines for row crops and grassland.

Abbey Flury, of Ecorobotix, says: “The technology was

developed for plant-by-plant treatment with our own artificial intelligence integrated into the hardware.

“We continue to develop new functions, such as the ‘spray all but crop’ operation, and while the initial focus has been on

The shrouds minimise light interception and also prevent drift, allowing wider spray windows.

12

herbicide application, we are also seeing interest for the insecticides and fungicides applied to the crop itself.”

Originally conceived as an autonomous machine, Ecorobotix technology is now deployed in the ARA tractor-mounted sprayer. This six-metre unit is spilt into three folding modules, and has 156 nozzles at 40mm spacings.

It is capable of spraying down to 60x60mm precision and targeting weeds using individual nozzle control, which is activated by a weeding map to allow even small targets to be treated.

The boom can be set at 200-600mm above the crop, depending on the product and application.

It can also be programmed to apply products such as fungicides and insecticides to the crop only, treat all soil

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w 0

MARCH 2024

AF Mar p12 13 14 Spring Spraying Tech TW KH AE OM.indd 2

H

16/02/2024 12:32

TECHNOLOGY SPRING SPRAYING while avoiding the crop or apply non-selective herbicides while avoiding the crop in a ‘safety zone’. This safety zone can be adjusted according to requirements such as crop size.

Algorithms Images are collected by two RGB and 3D cameras in each module and analysed in real-time, using algorithms to identify individual crops and weeds.

The algorithms allow ARA to be used for green-on-brown (weeds on bare soil) and green-on-green (in crop) applications. Nozzles are then switched on and off to apply spray liquid according to the treatment plan created.

The boom’s shroud minimises light interception and is also designed to reduce spray drift extending the spray window, but LED cameras within the shroud allow work in all

conditions, including at night. Output is said to be four hectares per hour, working at 7.2kph.

Water and chemicals are carried on the front linkage in 600-litre and 300-litre tanks respectively. The concentrated product is injected directly into the spray line, avoiding wastage of premixed spray fluid.

After initial treatment, the optimal mix of spray liquid for a given area is automatically calculated. Currently, only one product can be injected, but research into further mixes is ongoing.

Data In the cab, a tablet terminal is used to select the crop and type of treatment, with settings automatically calculated to match the driving speed. Data is collected during the operation, including the amount of product used and area worked, and

Here’s an idea

Nozzles are individually controlled according to real-time data captured by cameras in the ARA modules.

A sprayer so advanced it uses up to 80% less agrochemicals

When it comes to chemical saving, AMAZONE’s unique AmaSelect nozzle control ticks all the boxes.

The electric, four-way nozzle body can select up to 7 different combinations of nozzle on the move – controlling droplet size and minimising drift.

Around bends, CurveControl gives you even dose rates across the full boom width and the individual nozzle switching means less wastage.

Band spraying with AmaSelect Row can further cut chemical usage by up to 65% but, to top it all, spot-spraying to a predetermined weed map using AmaSelect Spot can save you up to 80% of active ingredient use. More clever thinking from AMAZONE.

IDEAS FOR OUR FUTURE www.amazone.co.uk 01302 755 725

Add a little dose from the NEW DirectInject system and those savings go up yet another notch.

Find out how NEW Amazone technology saves on your chemical bills.

AF Mar p12 13 14 Spring Spraying Tech TW KH AE OM.indd 3

16/02/2024 12:32

SPRING SPRAYING TECHNOLOGY Trials with sugar beet JEcorobotix compared broadcast spraying with treatment using ARA, and the 10-week trial revealed that selective spraying reduced herbicide consumption by

nearly 85% compared to traditional spraying methods.

The untreated sugar beet exhibited satisfactory growth initially, but the excessive weed presence would have

eventually overtaken and suppressed the crop.

The utilisation of ARA led to an almost twofold increase in crop biomass compared to broadcast spraying, suggesting

that selective spraying also helps to preserve the health and abundance of crops by mitigating phytotoxicity (see pictures of trial results below).

Weeds eventually suppressed the untreated crops.

Broadcast sprayer

Untreated

LED lights under the shrouds allow ARA to be used at night.

ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer

stored in the cloud for access via a login. An application map suitable for further analysis of each field is also generated.

ARA has been used for herbicide applications, both in trials and commercially, in a range of crops: grassland, where it controls thistles and docks; onions; oilseed rape; and sugar beet. It is not limited by row widths. Weeds from small seedlings or larger targets, such as volunteer potatoes, can be treated.

A recent study on the plant-by-plant treatment of docks, conducted by trials group Agroscope Tanikon in Switzerland, has been published in the scientific journal Landtechnik.

The aim of the study was to verify the accuracy of plant recognition and spraying.

Results Results in three fields showed that more than 90% of dock plants were correctly detected.

Measurements performed using

14

a fluorescent tracer in the spray liquid showed that 89% of the dock leaves’ surface was sprayed.

Further algorithms for carrots, broccoli and spinach are being developed. Trials work has also been carried out in France for the application of biological products.

Investment Priced at about €115,000 (£98,074), Ecorobotix suggests that the return on investment is about four years.

Ecorobotix has importers across Europe, the United States, Canada, and South America, with farmers and contractors reporting favourable results in a range of crops and conditions.

Several ARA models are working in the UK, where consultant VCS Agronomy held demonstrations in 2023.

At LAMMA 2024, Ecorobotix announced Lincolnshire vegetable machinery specialist Burdens Group as its UK importer.

MARCH 2024

AF Mar p12 13 14 Spring Spraying Tech TW KH AE OM.indd 4

16/02/2024 12:32

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cropscience.bayer.co.uk/iblon Based on 3 years of observations and independent assessments of Bayer and external field trials alongside interpretation of AHDB fungicide performance data for both solo active and product performance against Septoria, Yellow Rust, Brown Rust, Mildew, Eyespot and Fusarium at typically applied field rates as indicated by manufacturer recommendations and Kynetec data. iblon contains isoflucypram. iblon is a registered Trade Mark of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2024.

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14/02/2024 11:47

SPRING SPRAYING MAXIMISING YIELDS

Nurturing this seas o

B

ased near Market Bosworth, Will Oliver of A.H. Oliver and Son is no stranger to taking a proactive approach to crop management - and this is set to continue in 2024.

Farming 850 hectares - comprising 400ha of winter wheat, 200ha of grain maize, 200ha of winter beans, and 50ha of grassland, plus environmental stewardship crops – he has made big changes since returning to the family farm after university in 2011.

Key among these changes has been a £3.5 million investment in a broiler unit, with poultry litter alongside digestate, sewage sludge, cover crops and shallower cultivations used to improve soils.

These efforts have paid off as the soil organic matter has increased from 3.2% to 4.8%, slashing the farm’s requirement for bagged fertiliser by 50% and increasing winter wheat yield by 0.9 tonnes/ha.

While the start of this season’s winter wheat drillings was only delayed a fortnight or so by the rain, drilling dragged on and crops sat in waterlogged conditions in the clay loams over winter. Accordingly, Mr Oliver has clear agronomy plans to bring them back to maximum health.

On one Leicestershire farm, wheat plantings were not as delayed as others, but they still suffered. Nevertheless, Will Oliver remains committed to maximising their potential. Arable Farming reports.

Walking across a field of wheat planted after maize, Mr Oliver feels these strategies have helped. A fast-growing variety was chosen for the later plantings, drilled at an increased seed rate of 250kg/ha.

Apart from some puddled areas, December-drilled wheat had established well by early January, with even germination.

Will Oliver

Mr Oliver says: “You cannot compromise yield. We started drilling wheat in late October, but it trickled on into early December as we direct drilled it immediately behind the maize.

“We took the view that maize was better left in the field as it was alive, and so was still taking moisture out of the ground.

“By direct drilling, my idea was also that the maize roots left in the soil would act as channels to help drainage. Because we are only harvesting the cob, the trash left in the field also acts as a moisture barrier.”

Nitrogen The first priority now is to improve tillering using spring rolling and early nitrogen. Soils no longer require phosphate and potash, but he plans to be generous with the first N dose - conditions permitting – increasing it from the usual 75kg/ ha and applying a molasses-based liquid fertiliser for an added boost.

He says: “We will go as early as we legally can with N to get tillering going - the end of February should be okay. The trash from the grain maize also locks up N.” Although crops are backward, one benefit of the later drilling could be fewer grass-weeds. Maize in the rotation, plus roguing and patch

spraying, means the farm’s black-grass, ryegrass and brome populations have been reduced over the years. However, a lack of opportunities to apply residual herbicides last autumn means spring herbicides with contact activity are now planned.

He says: “The majority of the wheat did not get an autumn pre-emergence herbicide - partly because we could not travel and partly because we did not want to hold crops back. It also gets to the point where you do not want to spend on the crop until you know you actually have a crop there.”

After weed control, a key focus will be disease protection, using a strategy of prevention rather than cure to maintain good yields and reduce the cost of production per tonne. If crops are not adequately protected, inputs such as N cannot be counted on to deliver yield, says Mr Oliver.

“Getting plants healthy from day one is crucial. If crops are stressed, they struggle with disease,” he says.

“I do not work to a budget. If you have a budget, you might think: ‘I

H y

By direct drilling winter wheat into maize stubble, the aim was to use the maize roots left in the soil to act as channels to aid surface drainage.

K

c

18 AF Mar p18 19 AE MB OM.indd 2

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:50

TP2617

MAXIMISING YIELDS SPRING SPRAYING

s on’s rain-hit wheat am not spending an extra £30/ha’.

But that might cost you 1t/ha.

Because I do the agronomy, I can see the situation myself.”

Disease control With this in mind, disease control typically starts with a T0 triazole fungicide, while at T1 Mr Oliver believes an SDHI gives one of the best returns on investment.

Ever since the loss of chlorothalonil, which was previously included at T0 and T1, Elatus Era (benzovindiflupyr + prothioconazole) has been the T1 SDHI of choice – primarily for protection against septoria, but also for its recognised yellow rust activity. Pressure from yellow rust increased during last year’s hot and dry June, says Mr Oliver, so it must not be overlooked.

He says: “Septoria is always at the forefront of my mind, but last year yellow rust was also there.”

Despite this, winter wheat still averaged 8.78t/ha with variable costs of just £60-£70/t in 2023; down only slightly from 8.9t/ha with variable costs of £58/t in 2022.

Even if disease levels appear low, a similar T0 and T1 strategy is planned for this spring.

With crop potential already reduced this season, Mr Oliver believes it is important not to let further yield slip away.

He says: “We will also go with a fairly robust plant growth regulator.

We use Moddus (trinexapac-ethyl) and Chlormequat. We often get a spell of good weather in spring and crops grow quickly, but it helps tillering and rooting too.”

Getting plants healthy from day one is crucial, says Will Oliver.

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Corteva Agriscience UK Limited, CPC2 Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: 01462 457272. ® , ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva. Broadway® Star contains florasulam and pyroxsulam.

AF Mar p18 19 AE MB OM.indd 3 TP26174 Broadway Star Arable Farming half page 210 x 139mm.indd 1

16/02/2024 22/01/2024 13:51 12:39

SPRING SPRAYING COVER CROP DESTRUCTION As spring drilling edges closer, Ash Ellwood highlights some top tips for growers looking

to

Top tips for glyphosate a

O

n the back of a challenging autumn drilling campaign, growers might be looking towards spring drilling and making sure seedbeds are ready for planting over the next few months.

If not already planted with winter crops, cover crops have become increasingly popular through the winter due to the desire to keep soil covered.

To ensure the following crop is not contaminated by the cover, glyphosate is a popular destruction method alongside mechanical rolling or crimping and grazing with livestock.

Robert Purvis, Voluntary Initiative Integrated Pest Management champion and Kent-based agronomist at Agrovista, says work at Agrovista’s Lamport trial site has shown earlier cover crop destruction can lead to average wheat yield increases of one tonne per hectare, compared with waiting until two weeks before drilling.

Denitrification He says: “As the cover crop dies, it can cause denitrification which can have an impact on the establishment of the following crop. Leaving an adequate gap to break the green bridge between crops is also important, especially after a mild winter.”

However, when you can spray glyphosate largely depends on the weather as environmental factors that can impact the desiccant’s ability to control weeds include drought, temperature, relative humidity, presence of dew, rainfall, light, dust, and wind.

Optimal conditions for plant growth usually result in the best

20 AF Mar p20 21 Spring Spraying Cover AE OM.indd 2

Reducing risk of spray drift JSpray drift is the movement of pesticides away from the target area and can pose a risk to both biodiversity and neighbouring fields.

To mitigate the risks, Robert Purvis recommends glyphosate be applied through a well-maintained, calibrated, and serviced

machine with nozzles producing the correct spray quality for the target.

He adds: “Boom height at 0.5 metres above the target and forward speed of below 12kph will help reduce drift. The addition of driftreducing products, such as Chaperone, will also help to maximise the amount of

glyphosate hitting the target, by reducing driftable fine droplets.”

The adoption of reduced drift technology and buffer zones will also help reduce bystander and resident exposure and Mr Purvis advises operators to use the advice on each product label to reduce exposure.

weed control with the optimum range for glyphosate to work between 15degC and 25degC, so periods of prolonged frosts can lead to poor results, adds Mr Purvis.

Another consideration for growers is the differences in

plant susceptibility to glyphosate, which depends on both the species and growth stage.

“Chicory, yellow trefoil, sanfoin, vetches, and lucerne can be difficult to control in the spring and the dose of glyphosate needs to be aimed at the

most challenging species in the mix.

“As a rule, plants become harder to control at the stem extension stage and non-chemical destruction can work well in combination with a glyphosate application, reducing the

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 12:13

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Glyphosate is a popular destruction method alongside mechanical rolling or crimping and grazing livestock.

reliance on the active and helping to open up the crop and allow coverage of previously shaded weeds,” he says.

Resistance Growers can also use the properties of species such as phacelia, berseem clover, and mustard, which can be killed by frost and rolling of the crop before frost, rather than solely relying on glyphosate.

“Getting this right is key to resistance management.

“Use the right rate for the target weed on actively growing plants and use cultivation or other non-chemical control

The dose of glyphosate needs to be aimed at the most challenging species in the mix

METRIS

ROBERT PURVIS when practical,” adds Mr Purvis.

Growers are advised to remove any surviving plants to prevent seed spread.

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p20 21 Spring Spraying Cover AE OM.indd 3

21 15/02/2024 12:13

COMBINABLE CROPS SPRING ADVICE With many areas hit by prolonged waterlogging or flooding over recent months, Arable Farming seeks advice from experts who examine the impact on crops and how to manage them.

Spring advice for waterlogged crops

T

he wet autumn and winter presents serious difficulties for crops in the ground, as well as those yet to be drilled.

While there are some good looking winter crops that were sown early and escaped the worst of any flooding, others have been hit hard, says Hutchinsons technical manager Neil Watson.

When soils become waterlogged, this starves roots of oxygen, causing them to stop functioning and preventing the movement of water or nutrients, adds Mr Watson.

He says: “In a normal situation, tiller production might be around 1,200/sq.metre, producing 500-600 ears/sq.m. But in extremely wet

Neil Watson

conditions, particularly when waterlogging occurs close to emergence, tillering may be nearer to half that.”

In severe situations, crops can also ‘cannibalise’ nutrients from

How waterlogging affects crops on lighter soils (particularly N, sulphur and boron) rAnaerobic conditions inhibit the activity of soil microbes involved in many processes, including organic matter decomposition, mineralisation, and N fixation rShallower rooting increases lodging risk and reduces nutrient uptake rDelayed or reduced tiller production rAnaerobic conditions cause mineralisation of organic sulphur to sulphides rather than sulphate

rAlters physical soil properties, for example, reduced soil porosity and gas diffusion, leading to soil oxygen deficiency and limiting root growth and function rConsolidation of soil structure, making it harder for roots to penetrate and access nutrients rImpacts gas transfer from soil to roots rCompromises nutrient uptake rDenitrification (in saturated, anaerobic soils), reducing nitrate to nitrite, which is toxic to plants and releases gases rNutrient leaching, especially

older leaves to support newer growth, causing early leaf senescence, he says.

Roots often adapt to wet conditions by growing closer to the surface to facilitate gas exchange in anaerobic soils. However, shallow rooting presents issues as the season progresses, especially when conditions turn dry and crops need increased scavenging ability for water and nutrients.

“Without the foundations, you haven’t got the critical structure to build growth throughout the season,” says Mr Watson.

The first step is to assess the soil and crop condition in individual fields, identifying issues and crop requirements. Inevitably, some tough questions may need to be asked as to whether some areas of crop are still viable, or whether it is better being re-drilled or put into a cover crop to recover soil structure for next season.

Early nutrition to boost root

development and build biomass is crucial, and early nitrogen is one of the most important considerations, says Hutchinsons fertiliser manager Tim Kerr.

N-min He says: “The first N-min results for this year show there is less residual N in the soil than we would normally see, primarily as a consequence of nitrate leaching.

But it is a quadruple whammy; there is less N in the soil, less in the crop, poorer rooting, and reduced mineralisation due to the impact of waterlogging on soil microbes.”

Applying N in ammonium nitrate form is generally preferred, as this is more readily available to plants than urea-based fertiliser, which must go through two chemical changes – both reliant on microbial activity – for it to become plant-available.

“In normal conditions, plants are slower to respond to urea fertiliser, but if soils are in a less-than-ideal

MARCH 2024

AF Mar p22 23 24 25 Combinable Crops AE KH OM.indd 2

Fa

M T

Get infl

Adv

When soils become waterlogged the roots are starved of oxygen, causing them to stop functioning.

22

Adv

16/02/2024 10:31

SPRING ADVICE COMBINABLE CROPS Manipulating rooting JTimely application of plant growth regulators can play an important role in manipulating crops to offset some of the damage done by waterlogging or flooding, says Alice Cannon, regional technical support manager for Hutchinsons.

Tramline and small plot trials last year showed early PGR applications at T0 (GS30-31) and T1 (GS32) can significantly improve stem diameter and stem width, boosting the plant’s lodging resilience – something that will be particularly important in shallow-rooted crops, which may be more

state, that process could be even slower. Inhibited urea is even slower to work, so be careful what you use,” says Mr Kerr.

Early sulphur will also be important on almost every soil this

prone to lodging as biomass develops, she says.

The same trial also found a benefit to tiller survival from early PGRs.

Tillers Ms Cannon says: “Tillers will abort from stem extension, and that’s simply not an option this year given we are already facing a reduction in tillering due to the compromised foundation period.

“The potential for fertile tillers is determined by the number of leaves present at stem extension, so keeping green

area index going through March is crucial to building yield.”

Care is needed with product choice and rates on backward crops, she adds, while more forward, early-sown cereals may benefit from slightly higher rates.

“GS30 will be an extremely important timing this season.

It is traditionally a disease control timing, but it’s just as important to manipulate crops at this stage to maximise their potential,” says Ms Cannon.

year, as sulphate – like nitrate – is easily leached, he adds.

“Ideally, apply sulphur with the first N, or alongside the potash. Rates should generally be in proportion t o the amount of N applied.”

Boron is another easily leachable nutrient, and testing of samples in recent years shows more than 70% to be low in boron – especially on lighter land.

Mr Kerr says: “Deficiency

symptoms are rarely seen, but boron plays a vital role in root and shoot development. Trials in 2020 showed a positive response from foliar boron applied at growth stage X 30 and GS39.”

Alice Cannon

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16/02/2024 10:32

COMBINABLE CROPS SPRING ADVICE Disease control be more problematic given the wet autumn and generally low varietal resistance, he says.

Wet soils may increase take-all spread, and mildew is likely to be a greater risk in stressed crops; perhaps more so in barley, where risk from the rain splash diseases net blotch and rhynchosporium are also likely to be higher.

While more backward, latersown wheats may face lower septoria pressure, later drilling does usually increase rust risk, and with a lack of hard frosts to kill inoculum so far

JWhile it is hard to predict disease pressure through the main growing period, the indications are that certain diseases are likely to be a greater risk due to prolonged wet weather and lack of significant cold temperatures.

Close monitoring and early action will therefore be vital, says David Howard, head of integrated crop management at Hutchinsons.

Mild and wet conditions have favoured septoria development in early-sown wheats, while eyespot could

Mild and wet conditions have favoured septoria development in early-sown wheats.

David Howard

this winter, rust could be a challenge in some situations, says Mr Howard.

He adds: “We might see some benefit where flooding has taken away the lower leaves that can carry rust or septoria spores over winter, but that will be balanced against the damage flooding has done to crop stress and development.”

Early action at T0 and T1 will be crucial, with fungicide choices tailored to the specific needs of individual fields, says Mr Howard. He also notes previous trials that have shown good results from using elicitors around GS30 to increase energy uptake in stressed crops, thereby

supporting natural disease protection. Products that mimic natural disease defence mechanisms are also worth considering for septoria and mildew protection, but more so as a preventative measure in healthier crops.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for disease control will be around spray timings in patchy crops, says Mr Howard. He advises growers to time sprays based on the parts of the field with the highest proportion of higher yield potential.

Alternative control methods applied, they move through the plant, negating the need to reapply on newly emerged leaves.

JPlant health elicitors could be seen as a new tool for disease management due to the loss of key fungicides such as chlorothalonil (CTL) impacting early-season wheat disease management.

Until revocation, CTL was a popular T0 product choice as it was a protectant fungicide with a low-resistance risk. By physically acting on the disease to protect the leaf, it also worked in a way that suited how fungicides were used through the rest of the programme.

Plant health elicitors work by stimulating the plant’s own defence mechanisms before an infection has taken place. Once

24

Elicitor Presently, a popular elicitor is Iodus (laminarin). Derived from a natural plant extract, Iodus mimics the degraded cellular material released from a fungal attack, which activates nearby cells’ defence systems.

Applying elicitors before a fungal pathogen attacks the plant prepares it for when an infection occurs.

Stuart Jackson, head of technical services at UPL, says: “A litre of CTL at T0 gave

farmers three to four weeks protection of leaf 4. However, when leaf 3 emerged, it was completely unprotected until the T1 was applied because the CTL would not transfer onto it.

“The key difference with laminarin at T0 is you already have the protection on the newly emerged leaf. Once you apply it at T0, the active moves through the whole plant and tells leaves 3, 2 and the flag leaf – hidden in the sheath – to prepare for an infection.”

Last year, the effect of elicitors at T0 on following fungicide programmes was analysed in trials conducted by agriculture consultant ADAS,

near its Rosemaund site in Herefordshire. The trials compared the activity of Iodus at T0 and Thiopron (sulphur) mixed with the T1 in two different situations, investigating whether the rate of the T1 fungicide could be reduced following elicitor use at T0 or inclusion in the tank mix.

Trials Ella Bradfield, crop pathology consultant at ADAS, oversaw the work. She says one trial was high pressure, using the variety Elation – which is highly susceptible to septoria – and was sown on September 28 to increase the exposure to

MARCH 2024

AF Mar p22 23 24 25 Combinable Crops AE KH OM.indd 4

16/02/2024 10:32

Early nutrition to boost COMBINABLE CROPS root development and build biomass is crucial.

Key actions

“Don’t wait for poor areas to catch up and risk letting disease into the good parts,” he says.

He also recognises the need to get on with early N to give backward crops a boost, but says care is needed because large doses can cause excess N in the leaf, potentially increasing disease pressure.

He says: “A split-dose approach may be more effective, both for efficient crop uptake and for minimising disease risk.”

disease. The other was a more typical commercial situation using Graham, sown on October 13.

She says: “In the Elation, we had an average of 56% disease across leaves 1, 2 and 3 in the untreated on June 13.

“There was a good dose response to the different Ascra Xpro [bixafen + fluopyram + prothioconazole] rates used at T1. Adding Iodus at T0 improved disease control, especially at the lower doses [of Ascra Xpro].

“Adding Thiopron [sulphur] at T1 lowers the septoria pressure further still, particularly at the lower doses of Ascra Xpro.

“The yield graph showed adding Iodus and Thiopron had a benefit

rAssess fields to identify issues and decide on the most appropriate management rDo test digs to assess the impact of waterlogging on soils and root development rCheck plant populations to determine a realistic yield potential rTailor inputs to crop need and yield potential, considering all available options rConsider re-drilling or sowing spring cover crops on worst areas with no viable crops

of about 0.2 to 0.3 tonnes per hectare. We calculated the margin using wheat at £200/t and the approximate costs of the products used, and this pulled the results out further.”

Although the trial on the Graham had less disease, with the untreated leaves having 34% disease across leaves 1, 2 and 3 on June 20, there was a clear difference in the disease control improvement by adding elicitors T0 and T1.

This season, the ADAS team is repeating the trial but comparing the benefit of elicitors at T0 across Champion, KWS Dawsum and LG Skyscraper at the same site.

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p22 23 24 25 Combinable Crops AE KH OM.indd 5

25

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Discover more at www.corteva.co.uk Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 E-mail: ukhotline@corteva.com Always read the label and product information before use.

For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

Corteva Agriscience UK Limited, CPC2 Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: 01462 457272. ®, ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum.

16/02/2024 10:34

POTATOES BLIGHT RESISTANCE Hutchinsons’ root crop technical manager Darryl Shailes talks through allthings potatoes as one season draws near and the next cycle begins.

Many stores are filled with good sized potatoes with minimal breakdowns reported due to blight.

Patience will be a virtue after wet winter

P

otato yields have been strong this season, and most stores were filled with good sized potatoes. However, we also saw that the earlier planted crops into wet, cold soils were much poorer, both in terms of yield and quality, than those planted even into June in drier, warmer conditions.

The work done by AHDB and the Cambridge University Potato Growers Research Association showed that smearing and compacting potato beds and ridges was a sure-fire way

of reducing yield, so, patience will be a virtue come planting time.

I have not heard of any major breakdowns in-store being attributed to blight, which is good considering the level of blight in crops in 2023.

More worrying, is the development of blight-resistant strains in Europe. This appears to be driven by certain countries unwilling to give up on their blocking approach to fungicide usage.

In the UK, it has long been advised to alternate actives, not only to utilise a strong anti-resistance package, but also to manage minimum intervals between repeat application of some products.

Some EU countries have a different strategy and use two, three or even four applications of the same product as a stand-alone and this appears to have driven resistance development on some

About the author JDarryl Shailes has been a potato agronomist for more than 20 years with a nationwide remit. He works for agricultural and horticultural inputs and supplies advice company Hutchinsons as a root crop technical manager.

26 AF Mar p26 Potatoes AE OM.indd 2

clones of blight to certain actives.

Towards the end of the blight control programme, repeat applications of fluazinam selected for the EU37 strain were subsequently found to be resistant to the active and several stores broke down with blight.

In reality At first it was thought it was one single variety, but in reality it was not following a good anti-resistance programme that was at fault. This was later confirmed by the Eurofins trials the following summer, when the fluazinam-treated plots were destroyed by blight.

Unfortunately, the CAA group of chemistry, and now oxathiapiprolin, have also had clones of blight which have developed resistance by growers using repeat applications and not adopting a strong anti-resistant strategy. Some clones of EU43 have shown to be resistant to CAAs and some EU43 and EU46 to oxathiapiprolin.

These resistant clones have

developed rapidly in the Low Countries where repeat applications of the same active has been applied.

As it stands, EU43 and EU46 have not been detected in the UK, but we must be on our guard.

With the withdrawal of mancozeb in the UK going forward, which has been a very good component of a strong anti-resistance strategy, we will be more challenged.

At present, we have known resistance to Metalaxyl with EU13 and fluazinam to EU37 in the UK, with EU43 to CAA and both EU43 and EU46 to oxathiapiprolin in Europe.

We have a limited range of actives available and resistance to four of them is known. All of these actives will still need to be used, but in a different manner.

We often speak about integrated pest management and anti-resistance fungicide strategies, but they can no longer just be offered lip-service and must be at the forefront of any blight programme going forward.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 14:15

Privest

®

A new potato late blight product for the best start to your programme. agricentre.basf.co.uk/privest Privest® is a registered Trade Mark of BASF. Privest® contains ametoctradin and potassium phosphonates. © BASF 2023. All rights reserved. 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 agricentre.basf.co.uk.

p27_AF_March_2024.indd 1

14/02/2024 11:48

POTATOES US CLASSIFICATION As possible US Government intervention surrounds dietary guidelines and vegetable categorisation, Cedric Porter highlights what this could mean for producers on his visit to the US Potato Expo which took place in Texas in January.

Uncertainty surrounding US potato classification

S

urprisingly for the Land of the Free, there can be more Government intervention in food and farming in the US than in the UK. An example of this is the regular publication of Dietary Guidelines by the US Department of Agriculture. It is currently finalising its guidelines for the 2025 to 2030 period, with fears that potatoes might be taken out of the vegetable category and placed in a category along with grains, including rice. The threat to potatoes’ status as a vegetable has gained international press attention.

Beth Johnson, principal of consultancy Food Directions, said that she is working with the National Potato Council for the guidelines to recommend similar or increased consumption of potatoes, reflect the

The UK is the world’s second largest potato market in the world after the US, importing a record 820,000 tonnes of frozen chips or fries in 2023.

fact that potatoes fit into a healthy diet, that potatoes are no longer associated to colorectal cancer, they are recognised for their cultural and nutrient contributions and their cost

American potatoes in the UK? JFollowing a very small harvest in 2022, the US lifted its largest potato crop for five years in 2023 at 19.7 million tonnes. That is weighing on the market, with free-buy prices halving and barely covering the cost of production. It is a similar picture in Canada which has produced a record crop. This is likely to increase US potato and product exports.

The surplus comes at a time when UK and European production has been hit by the very wet autumn. The UK crop is likely to be the smallest on

28 AF Mar p28 Potatoes AE OM.indd 2

record, with crops still to lift at the end of January.

The UK is the world’s second largest potato market in the world after the US, importing a record 820,000t of frozen chips or fries in 2023. The lack of British and other European potatoes this season may mean that there are imports from the US and Canada. Canada has supplied fries to the UK in recent years, while the US has done so in the past.

Meanwhile, fresh potatoes have been shipped across the Atlantic to the UK in short seasons in the past.

effectiveness in ensuring nutrition security.

Work by the industry-funded Alliance for Potato Research and Education over the last year has included a study encouraging children to eat more vegetables.

Children between three and 18 are recommended to eat 2.5 to three cups of vegetables a day, while most only eat one. It was found that serving peas and carrots with smiley face potato products increased intake of the vegetables, while serving them with seasoned potatoes reduced intake.

The danger of replacing starchy vegetables with grain-based alternatives such as wholegrain foods was described in a study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. It found a 21% decrease in potassium, a 17% decrease in vitamin B6, an 11% drop in vitamin C and a 10% reduction in fibre.

The role of carbohydrates in diet is central to the development of a

new Carbohydrate Food Quality Score (CFQS). It includes nutrients such as sodium and potassium and creates a scoring system for grain and non-grain carbohydrates.

Dr Judy Rodriguez, of the department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida, who helped develop the score, said: “The new CFQS clearly recognises that carbohydrate foods are not homogenous, and nuance is needed when communicating this to consumers.

“For example, while potatoes and grain-based foods are considered ‘carb foods’ and contribute important nutrients to the diet, their nutrient profiles and quality vary.

The CFQS can help identify those foods that can be chosen frequently as dietary staples.”

The loss of AHDB Potatoes means there is not the same amount of focus on promoting the health benefits of potatoes in the UK as there is in the US and elsewhere.

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 12:14

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14/02/2024 11:49 21/12/2023 09.19

SUGAR BEET MACHINERY Sugar beet machinery specialist Vervaet showed off harvesting and field transport developments at importer J Riley’s biennial working day – alongside the latest liquid application kit for its Quad and Trike applicator machines. Martin Rickatson reports.

Dutch-developed harvester and haulage designs

W

ith sugar beet growers having been through tough times in recent seasons, capped by this year’s price negotiation affair, manufacturers serving the sector with the dedicated equipment it requires have faced knock-on challenges as farmers and contractors alike have questioned their commitment to the crop.

But there were plenty of reasons to remain confident about its future and therefore the need for machine developments to maintain and boost production efficiency.

That was according to Matt Carse, now managing director of

J Riley Beet Harvesters, UK importer of Dutch firm Vervaet’s harvester range, since jointly buying out the business with Vervaet from the retiring Jeremy Riley in late 2022.

Speaking at the Riley field demonstration day held near the firm’s Norfolk premises in late January, he said he believed there remained sufficient support among growers for the value of the crop in rotations to overcome the challenges of questions over issues such as soil structure damage.

Mr Carse added: “Modern machine design, which spreads the weight across the harvester’s full width, has made a huge difference here, and developments such as our beet chaser

Customers in the sector tend to be very loyal to their choice of campaigns, and we now have chasers at work in the UK. beet harvester if nine These types of development it is backed with enable much higher harvesting with significantly less the right support outputs soil damage.”

MATT CARSE conversion complement this by bringing the benefits of full flotation to crop haulage off the field.

“Demand for self-propelled beet chasers has been steadily increasing during recent

Converted The chasers are built using ‘retired’ Vervaet Beet Eater 625 or 925 tanker harvesters that have been converted at the J Riley premises. While using a chaser may not suit every contractor or large-scale grower, some can gain significant

There are now nine Vervaet beet chaser conversions in the UK.

30 AF Mar p30 31 32 Root Crops AE TW.indd 2

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 15:39

SUGAR BEET trailers to be kept to the headland or roadside, and can provide contractors with a potential additional income stream in terms of offering a chaser service alongside lifting.”

Vervaet reports to have already sold a significant number of harvesters for 2024-25, suggesting some confidence remains in beet.

benefits – and from a contractor’s point perhaps additional work – from offering such a service, believed Mr Carse.

“While we find a good market for refurbished machines, the pre-refurbishment appraisal of some high-houred, hardworked, older machines indicates it makes more economic sense to consider them for an alternative use, removing the lifting gear and converting to a self-propelled chaser.

“For a fully-prepared 15-year-old machine like the

one on demonstration, the purchase cost would be between £100,000-£110,000, and for that it will have been checked over thoroughly and overhauled as necessary, given a respray, new tyres and a front weight block.

But we can produce chaser conversions for £50,000£60,000. The engine may have clocked 10,000 hours, but for a DAF truck engine this is not overly high, and a looked-after and properly serviced unit will have plenty more life in it.

“Such machines can have a The four-wheel Q-616 remains the most popular seller in Vervaet’s UK product offering, according to J Riley.

particular role in situations where keeping mud off the road is especially critical, allowing

Share lifting system In terms of 2024/25 developments to the current harvester range – which continues to comprise the four-wheel Q-series and the contractor-targeted six-wheel Beet Eater – the key change is the addition of a new share lifting system for turbine-type machines. Already fitted to the company’s roller bed-type harvesters, the shares are contained within a new modular frame for machines specified with turbine primary cleaning systems.

One of the key aims of the redesign is said to have been an improved view across the shares, but it is also thought to enhance X lifting performance by

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MARCH 2024 AF Mar p30 31 32 Root Crops AE TW.indd 3

31 16/02/2024 15:40

SUGAR BEET MACHINERY allowing the operator to confidently push the machine harder. Service access is also made simpler, giving easier access for maintenance and adjustments.

For those whose budget does not stretch to a new harvester, J Riley continues to offer refurbished used machines, as well as a refurbishment service for owners’ harvesters. While there is a market among smaller sugar beet growers and contractors, several refurbished units are also finding second homes in the west for harvesting fodder beet, added Mr Carse.

“While this market mainly used to be about older machines, this has more recently become a significant outlet for younger trade-ins, with a steady number of customers purchasing ex-eastern England sugar beet harvesters to harvest as much as 600 hectares of fodder beet annually.

“The Irish market is also a steady home for refurbished used machines, with five units

having gone there over recent months, doing as much as 280ha, but also as little as 60ha.

“For some users, it makes sense to have their own machine at their disposal so they have complete independence and can harvest as they wish. This past year has been good in this respect, with an increased number of growers seeking to secure their own crops with their own machine. And this also benefits the complete business chain, helping to keep used machines moving on.”

Faith Mr Carse said he considered some faith in the sugar sector had been restored by the recent agreement between the NFU and British Sugar on next year’s pricing.

“Certainly that would appear to be reflected in new harvester orders for next season, given that we have already sold seven machines for 2024-25. Considering that our total sales for the whole of the previous year was

Enhancements for 2024 include the addition of a new share lifting system for turbine-type machines, contained within a new modular frame.

eight units, we are very pleased.

That gives us confidence in the security of the sugar sector over the coming year and more.

“While there will always be a few growers and contractors choosing to leave beet for a variety of reasons, the acreage always gets mopped up somewhere, and so I remain

confident about the size of the business it gives us to go at. We are fortunate to have a dominant position in harvester sales, and while there are competitors with good products, customers in the sector tend to be very loyal to their choice of beet harvester if it is backed with the right support,” he added.

full machine width by putting each wheel on a separate path, it is capable of hosting a 22,000-litre tank, with capacity further extendable through the addition of a trailed tanker. Drive is via a combination of hydrostatic transmission and mechanical axles with diff locks.

The importer also now offers several implements from a range of different suppliers to apply liquids to land via its two self-propelled machines when equipped with tankers. From Bomech comes a range of 7.5- to 30-metre trailing shoe applicators, while J. Riley also offers disc injectors from TBL, and a variety of slurry application tools from Evers Agro, including strip-till applicators.

Other partners comprise

Vogelsang, for which the firm is now a UK dealer for products including application booms, and Kumm-Technik, which manufactures trailed tankers with capacities of 16,500-31,000 litres.

Manure business continues to grow JWhile it has been in the market for self-propelled applicators for some time with its Hydro-Trike that can handle 16,000- or 20,000litre tank bodies, Vervaet took

a significant step forward much further up the capacity scale with the 2022 launch of its 550hp Quad four-wheeler.

With crab-steer capability to spread the weight across the J. Riley now offers its Hydro-Trike and Quad directly fitted with liquid application tools from a number of suppliers.

32 AF Mar p30 31 32 Root Crops AE TW.indd 4

Good results Matt Cause said: “We have had good results with the new system of offering a range of application tools alongside our tanker vehicles.

“Aside from Vogelsang, some of them may be a little less familiar to UK farmers and contractors, but they have been selected to provide the best possible match for the Hydro Trike and the Quad. It makes sense to offer in-house the equipment needed to complete the machines we offer.”

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 15:40

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14/02/2024 11:50 09:42

PICTURES: ED HORTON

PUSHING FIELD BOUNDARIES LIVESTOCK

Ed Horton has introduced livestock into the arable rotation to reduce fungicide inputs and improve the gross margin.

T

he phasing out of direct payments through the Basic Payment Scheme and the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Incentive has left many farm businesses looking for a new direction.

Economic factors, increased input costs, and ‘boom or bust’ grain prices have forced astute arable businesses to look at leaner production methods to turn a profit.

Ed Horton, of S.S. Horton and Sons, farms in Poulton, Cirencester, with his father Charles. Ed is the farm manager

Ed Horton

34 AF Mar p34 35 36 PFB Livestock AE KH.indd 2

When looking to create a more resilient arable system, livestock integration has become integral for 2023 ‘Arable Farmer of the Year’, Ed Horton. James Huyton reports.

Reducing risk to gain reward and newly elected ‘Arable Farmer of the Year’ at the 2023 British Farming Awards.

He has long been grappling with ideas to reduce production costs while gaining a premium price for value-added products.

Returning to the family farm, Ed was very conscious his return needed to add value to a very commercially-focused farming business.

At the time Brexit was looming with likely a change to farming policy and loss of direct payments.

Ed says: “Average wheat yields on the farm had plateaued

around 8.5 tonnes per hectare and no amount of increased inputs seemed to move this, instead it dented the margin.”

With this in mind, he designed a de-risked farming system set out around these factors while remaining commercially viable.

“Focusing on soil health, livestock integration and crop nutrition has enabled us to operate with virtually no fungicide applications,” he says.

“Return on investment is what matters to me and, although our average wheat yields have gone down a tonne

per hectare, profit margins have increased.

“Cultivation and establishment methods are assessed on field and crop need. Historically the farm has been on a min-till system with rotational ploughing. Recent years have seen the introduction of direct drilling and controlled traffic farming, but direct drilling has been a gradual introduction and, if needed, ploughing and subsoiling still have a home.”

He adds how important soil biology was to his system.

He says: “Diversity is key in the rotation, with 18 different

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:53

combinable crop types of which some of the more unusual consist of rye, spelt, phacelia, emmer, and einkorn, alongside six non-combinable and rotational livestock grazing.”

Using bought-in store lambs, he plans his winter cereal grazing plan with the internal livestock team.

After several seasons grazing cereals over winter, Ed has gained a good idea of what stocking rate works, depending on the cropped area.

Stocking numbers can fluctuate considerably on the season and how much crop cover there is, but flock numbers can go up to 2,500, he says.

“I have never killed off a cereal crop with grazing yet, but planning for every eventuality is important.

“Having fields fenced ahead of the grazing mob is important to counter any poaching issues, but fortunately, our field sizes are

consistent on the farm, averaging around 12ha, this makes managing the 600- to 700-head mob moving from field to field easier,” he adds.

On the farm, grazing cereals are kept to a seven- to 12-day window in an attempt to reduce poaching risks.

“We generally start grazing winter barley in late November, following onto wheat.

“Poor establishment and unseasonable weather led me to graze one crop of winter oats in April, with plans to wholecrop, but after grazing and seasonal progression plans changed, we ended up combining it as our best-performing crop of oats at 7.5t/ha,” says Ed. Although oats respond well to grazing, Ed says some of the other combinable crops are more difficult to manage, with OSR being a balancing act.

“Having somewhere new to move sheep quickly is vital and a

Cover crops of forage kale, fodder radish and stubble turnips are grazed by the business’ herd of pedigree beef shorthorns.

well-established crop of OSR to start is vital. Grazing too low could mean you end up with nothing. Ensuring the livestock take dead, dying, and diseased leaves from the plant is vital to reducing our fungicide programme.

“Sheep soon lose interest in what they are eating if something fresh and green comes

along. We want stock on and off fields as quickly as possible before fresh plant growth starts to emerge.

“Long-term, I hope to reach a point where every field on the farm will see livestock on it within one growing season,” Ed adds.

Continues over page.

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35 16/02/2024 13:53

PUSHING FIELD BOUNDARIES LIVESTOCK Gross margin costings

Key: Red text = current livestock system, black text = conventional system

Crop: Winter OSR Variety: Ambassador Area (hectares) Input variable Seed Fertiliser Herbicide Fungicide Trace elements Growth regulator Cost per ha Total cost Output 60.35 Sale price Total gross margin Per ha 60.35 Sale price Total gross margin Per ha Sheep margin 150 Total Per ha Total incl sheep per ha Difference £339.14/ha Total £20,467.09

Crop: Winter milling wheat Variety: KWS Palladium Area (hectares) 103.1 Input variable £/ha Seed 82.32 Fertiliser 131 Herbicide 15.23 Fungicide 14.32 Trace elements 8.68 Growth regulator 0 Cost per ha 251.55 Total cost 25,934.81 Output Yield 103.1 8.5 Sale price £225 Total gross margin Per ha 103.1 8.5 Sale price £225 Total gross margin Per ha Sheep margin GD/HA 103.1 Total 0.5p/ph/pw Per ha Total incl sheep per ha Difference £382.42/ha Total £39,425.44

60.35 £/ha 109.16 183 72.32 0 6.91 0 371.39 22,413.39 Yield 2.75 £550

2.75 £550

GD/HA 0.5p/ph/pw

60.35 £/ha 109.16 285 134.36 78.35 12.34 16.32 635.53 38,354.24 165.9625 £91,279.38 £68,865.99 £1,141.11 165.9625 £91,279.38 £52,925.14 £876.97

£4,526.25 75 £1,216.11

103.1 £/ha 82.32 201 163 87.32 10.68 29.65 573.97 59,176.31 876.35 £197,178.75 £171,243.95 £1,660.95 876.35 £197,178.75 £138,002.44 £1,338.53

£5,309.65 51 £1,711.95

Trace elements and data inform farm decisions JAlongside livestock integration into the arable rotation, Ed also opts for a mix of trace elements in his spraying, looking to optimise plant health as a preventative measure against disease.

Growing group three biscuit wheat for McVitie’s, he still follows fusarium mycotoxin risk level and guidance for his area, applying a T2 spray application where required.

Keen to understand more about the soil, he opted to use Hutchinsons Omnia system with TerraMap to gather data on soil management and offer planning tools to aid the next crop.

He says: “Often people assume too much with their soil, much like everyone presumes

36 AF Mar p34 35 36 PFB Livestock AE KH.indd 4

our limestone-rich Cotswold brash is an alkaline pH, but as it is locked up, much of our soil is acidic and we still require lime.”

Mapping data is then used on the farm, to set GPS-targeted applications. With the business making several subtle changes to its operating system, he uses Hutchinsons Omnia to production-map long-term gross margin trends, to make informed cost-based decisions.

Extending the dataset further, he has opted to use TerraMap Carbon, with studies showing strong correlations between soil health, soil microbial activity and active carbon within the soil.

He is keen to use the mapping tool to access data on both the active and organic carbon levels.

Mechanical weeding plays a part in the husbandry methods to control sterile brome.

“I would like to think our system has become tradition married with data. Sheep, the once so-called golden hoof of the Cotswolds, have become a major part of that,” he says.

Although livestock integration may not be viable in every

situation, it could add value and benefit to arable farms looking to cooperate with livestock enterprises. He says while they run their own flock, there is no reason why the system could not be achieved using planning and collaboration between farms.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:54

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CropTec Show 15/02/2024 15:45

ENERGY CROPS VARIETIES Attractive offers from the operators of nearby anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to produce or let land for feedstock crops can look appealing and help broaden rotations, but there are multiple factors to consider before committing. Martin Rickatson seeks some advice.

Considerations before committing to energy crops

G

rowing feedstock crops can offer rotational advantages and an attractive income for farms sited close to anaerobic

digestion facilities, whether farmers produce crops themselves or allow contract production.

There are some important issues to address before committing to any of the four key crop types,

according to Neil Groom, of Grainseed, a Suffolk-based seed merchants with a specialism in AD feedstock crops.

He says: “Maximising dry matter yield is key to maximising

the autumn harvest makes lighter ones more favourable, although chalky land can be challenging as it is typically shallower and slower to warm, and its higher pH can lock up nutrients, particularly phosphate in cold springs.

at 99,000-111,000 seeds/ hectare depending on seedbed conditions and drilling date – maize can be sown from April through to late June, depending on accumulated heat units.

Placement fertiliser, particularly protected phosphate, can boost emerging seedlings – as the most mobile nutrient it is important enough is available for fast establishment.

“Use pre-emergence herbicides if there is sufficient soil moisture to produce a good surface soil seal. If not, wait to assess later weed emergence and spray at the weed cotyledon or first true leaf stage. It is essential to not let weeds to get established, and many fields will require two herbicide applications.

“Keep on top of grass-weeds and, with an early harvest in good conditions, it can be possible to then quickly establish wheat, as the maize growth often helps keep the land dry.”

Energy maize JIf growing maize for AD, specialist varieties bred for biogas production are required, says Mr Groom, but multiple husbandry areas require focus to get the best from them.

He adds: “Maize can be successfully grown in most of England, and the Welsh borders and coastal areas, but in Scotland, northern England and northern Wales it is unlikely enough heat units can be accumulated to make the crop viable.

“If late drilling or requiring an early harvest, choose earliermaturing varieties producing good cob ripeness and a harvest dry matter of 28-32%. If growing on a large scale, a range of maturities is important to spread harvest. Seed treatments are available to enhance uptake of essential trace elements zinc and manganese.

“Selecting varieties bred for the British climate and proven in your location is essential.

Most soils are suitable, but

38 AF Mar p38 39 Energy Crops TW OM AE.indd 2

Heavier land “Those on heavier land able to winter plough will benefit from weathering ahead of seedbed creation, reducing the power required for a good finish.

Subsoiling is essential to aid rooting, with light soils tending to have more compaction problems than heavy. But maize can also lend itself to min-till in the right circumstances.

“Be realistic about nutrient provision from manure and digestate. Much will depend on when they are applied and how soon they are incorporated.”

Soil temperature rather than date must determine when the crop is sown, says Mr Groom.

“Crops should be drilled

Hybrid rye’s high dry matter yields make it a popular choice for growers, according to Neil Groom.

gas output from the plant operator’s point of view, and there will be an optimum feedstock dry matter target for the digester for which you are growing, but for the farm it is the crop production area and the rotation, as well as issues such as effects on soils at harvest, that will also dictate decisions on whether to grow a particular type of energy crop.”

Energy beet JVery high biogas outputs can be achieved with a mix of beet and maize, and many AD operators seek energy beet for this reason, according to Mr Groom. Those on suitable land and happy with autumn/ winter harvests may wish to consider the crop, he adds.

“Energy beet offers the highest energy yield/ha of any energy crop. Dry matter content and overall dry matter yield are again important, and they also help beet keep better in the field and clamp.

“Soil type is again a dominant factor, as contamination of the digester with soil from roots is a problem. Newer varieties lift more cleanly and so have better dirt tare scores.”

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 13:48

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Energy rye JHybrid rye has become increasingly popular with AD plants and with growers, says Mr Groom, thanks to high dry matter yields producing good gas volumes and with the convenience of a single cut in late June or early July offering the same grass-weed seed return control benefits as grass, while providing plenty of time for following crop establishment.

He says: “In sunny weather, plant dry matter can rise rapidly, though, so for many growers the harvest window is a relatively narrow 10 days.

“Hybrids have thicker stem walls and are sown at a lower seed rate, so stand better.

Rye also has a bulky and

aggressive growth habit, so can shade out black-grass.

Conventional “Drilling conventional varieties at 150-175kg/ha depending on seedbed conditions and drilling date produces the ideal crop density on most soils, and a few growers take the opportunity to lightly graze with sheep in early spring to encourage tillering, but this is less necessary with modern varieties that are cleaner.

“Hybrids can be sown from mid-September at rates of 200 seeds/sq.metre, rising to 220-250 seeds/sq.m if drilling mid-late October or 300 seeds/sq.m if later.”

Energy grass silage JGrass silage offers many farmers an alternative outlet for ungrazed surplus grass, and an opportunity for grass-weed seed return reduction where the crop is cut before maturity, adds Mr Groom, with grass and rye being key feedstock mixes in the northern regions of the UK. “Multi-date cutting means costs may be higher when compared to maize or rye, but a blend of different species can produce a mixture that fits the rotation and length of time the field is down to grass. For land

afflicted by black-grass, an AD grass crop can be an effective clean-up tool.

“Hybrid tetraploids tend to offer the best sugar levels and highest digestibility among ryegrasses, both key factors for AD plants. If seeking a long rotational gap offering the chance to control grass-weeds by cutting before they head, a three-year grass ley offers multiple benefits and local AD operators may be keen to take grass for silage as an AD feedstock,” he says.

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SPRING WEED CONTROL POST-EM HERBICIDES Wet weather may have complicated grass-weed controls, but we chat to two industry experts who give their top tips for effective herbicide applications. Arable Farming reports.

Pointers for effective herbicide applications Sunshine linked with increased control JControl with chemistry often depends on good coverage and high uptake by the plant to deliver an effective dose of the active ingredients. The uptake side of the equation comes from applying in suitable light and temperate conditions which stimulate growth and sufficient drying time of two to four hours.

Independent agronomist Tony Bayliss says: “The earlier you apply, the better.

“In 2023, we applied some as early as February 1 on a

clear, sunny day. I am a big believer in high UV levels when you apply, so the plant takes in a large dose rapidly.

If you have back-to-back bright days, then I think the efficacy goes up again.”

Compromises Applying early in the season can mean there are some potential compromises.

Mr Bayliss suggests being pragmatic and that the leaf need not be totally dry at the time of application, provided

it is sunny and drying. Clear skies can also mean low night-time temperatures which may deter farmers from applying. But for Mr Bayliss, unless there is a hard frost, he still recommends applying to take advantage of high UV. He adds: “There are often days [in winter] when it is sunny and reaches 8, 9 or 10degC, and they often come together. If the opportunity arises with this type of weather, and ground conditions allow, get on and do it.”

Target small grass-weeds JAim to apply mesosulfuronbased chemistry as soon as possible to target weeds when they are small. Applying early increases the AI loading relative to the mass of the plant, meaning you are

more likely to reach a lethal dose, even with a degree of metabolic resistance.

Two weeks can make a lot of difference to weed development, so aim to apply as soon as conditions allow.

40 AF Mar p40 Spring Weed Post-Em AE OM MB.indd 2

“There is a definite drop off in control when you go faster because of more turbulence and poorer deposition.

JSpray application specialist Tom Robinson says: “For the post-em application, I would always use an angled 3D nozzle because it puts appreciably more active on the leaf compared with others.

“I would apply at 2-bar pressure and angle the nozzles alternately forward and back. The 3D creates a coarser spray quality than a fanjet, but the droplet number is high enough and it is less drifty.

Just having a fine spray quality fan jet will not produce as good a result as the angled spray.

Drift reducing

Forward speed JMr Robinson says: “For herbicide applications, the general rule is a maximum speed of 12km/hour.

Nozzle choice

Interestingly, we do not see the same effect in fungicides for which 16km/hour is a safe application speed.”

“In more marginal conditions with higher windspeeds, a drift reducing nozzle such as the Hypro Guardian Air is an option, but I would expect the results to be compromised.

However, timing seems to win this decision, with farmers preferring to target smaller weeds rather than wait for ideal spraying conditions but potentially much bigger weeds.

“Be careful; different foliar herbicides need different conditions before an application to be effective, so pay close attention to the specific guidance for each product.”

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 10:37

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14/02/2024 04/01/2024 11:51 14:43

SPRING WEED CONTROL HERBICIDE AUTHORISATION

A

uthorised for use in field beans and combining peas, Bayer’s Emerger will likely be welcomed by growers given the low number of pre-emergence herbicides that are currently authorised for use in these crops, however it is not authorised in vining peas, says Richard Phillips, Bayer campaign manager for roots and horticulture crops.

Mr Phillips adds: “As the only aclonifen product on the market, the authorisation for Emerger in peas and beans means growers will have access to a herbicide with a broadThe authorisation for Emerger in peas and beans means growers will have access to a herbicide with a broadspectrum of activity.

Pre-emergence residual herbicide with activity against a range of common broadleaved weed species can now be applied in field beans and combining peas. Arable Farming reports.

Field beans and combining peas herbicide approved spectrum of activity. Its novel mode of action – HRAC group 32 – will also support efforts to promote resistance management.”

Good activity Among broad-leaved weeds, Emerger offers good activity against fat-hen, redshank, black bindweed, mayweeds, charlock, chickweed and poppy as well as moderate control of black-grass (from seed).

“Emerger is primarily absorbed by the shoot of germinating weeds, this is advantageous in dry weather conditions such as those that typically occur in the spring when seeking to establish spring crops,” he says.

To promote all-round weed control and protect efficacy, Bayer will support Emerger in mixes with one other herbicide so long as

Emerger tank-mix compatibility for peas and beans (spring 2024)* Product Nirvana Anthem Stomp Aqua Centium 300 CS Sirtaki CS Stallion Sync Tec Defy Dual Gold

Active substance Imazamox + pendimethalin Pendimethalin Pendimethalin Clomazone Clomazone Clomazone + pendimethalin Prosulfocarb S-metolachlor

*= Bayer supports the physical compatibility of Emerger tank mixes with one other herbicide subject to authorised use in relevant crop Source: Bayer

minimum application rates are observed (see table).

Mr Phillips adds: “It is prudent to ensure Emerger is partnered with a product belonging to another mode of action group to support effective control and protect

efficacy. Depending on the crop and the weed spectrum to be managed, we have identified those products and inclusion rates that give growers the greatest means possible of achieving the control they desire.”

Tools to improve yields this season JPea and bean growers could improve yields by nearly a fifth through the application of a starter fertiliser with phosphate enhancement capability.

Trials spanning over three years at sites in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire averaged a yield increase of 17% over the standard farm practice.

The trials sought to build on the understanding of how phosphate supports establishment as typically just 5-15% of applied phosphate is

42 AF Mar p42 Spring Weed Control AE OM.indd 2

used by the crop. Much is rendered unavailable by polyvalent cations before it can be taken up by the crop.

Problem Phosphate lock-up is a widely recognised problem on both high and low pH soils. Using a form of phosphate treated with a protective coating, Agrii-Start Pulses (0N: 17P: 19K + 19 SO3 along with Ca and Mg) was applied at 210kg/hectare.

The greatly increased phosphate availability and the obtainability of

other important nutrients was reflected in the yields.

Of the 35 trials performed between 2020 and 2022, that received Agrii-Start Pulses, 29 – equivalent to 83% – delivered a positive yield increase and the visual benefits, especially in rooting and green area index, were also noticeable. Grain analysis at harvest confirmed higher nutrient contents.

Jim Carswell, R&D manager at Agrii, says: “The higher yields were the result of a bigger root mass in the

treated crops. This supported bigger canopies and higher chlorophyll levels in the plant.”

In 2022, trace element coatings were added to the fertiliser to support availability.

“The need for trace elements to improve root nodulation is well understood and there are five trace elements that have been identified as being fundamental to this area of crop growth. What is not understood, however, is the quantities required,” he adds.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 14:22

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43 16/02/2024 12:55

INPUT FOCUS REDUCING FUNGICIDES With economic, environmental and social pressures to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in crops, Edaphos agronomist Rob Beaumont explores a few ways how.

Navigating a move to reduce fungicide use

C

ontrolling foliar, stem and seedbased diseases in agricultural crops is one of the key challenges that farmers and agronomists face when trying to produce profitable yields.

Diseases such as septoria and light leaf spot can have significant effects on yield and profitability.

However, in ‘conventional agriculture’ in recent years there has been an increased interest in exploring alternative ways to

limit the impact of disease without reaching for a chemical can. This is being driven by a number of factors.

Cost The primary one is cost. For example, many winter wheat programmes are now consisting of four routine foliar applications of fungicides – seed dressings excluded – and can easily cost £150/hectare, with some comprehensive treatments up to £190/ha.

Another reason for reducing

fungicide applications is the impact on the environment. As knowledge of the soil ecosystem becomes more widely understood the importance of fungal life in a healthy functioning soil is being realised.

The regular application of fungicides could be argued to have a detrimental impact on some of the organisms we need to produce healthy crops.

In addition, as the number of active ingredients and modes of action available to growers X reduces, the chances of

Rob Beaumont

ADAS-run fungicide trials have shown that in a dry season, such as 2020, untreated crops can have the best margin.

44 AF Mar p44 46 47 Input Focus TW AE OM.indd 2

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:55

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We’ve had a really great show here at LAMMA – Full of quality conversations. Our stand is particularly interactive this year so it’s been really drawing people in. We’re looking forward to next year already!

-AGCOLAMMA is a great place to meet up with our existing clients and meet new, it’s what brings us back each year. The show has been very busy for us once again.

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14/02/2024 12:03

INPUT FOCUS

A closer look at a variety’s untreated yield could pay dividends.

pathogens developing resistance increases. There is also now evidence that exposing pathogens in the environment to regular doses of agricultural fungicides is resulting in human disease which is resistant to medical treatment.

A recent study published in Nature Microbiology found that aspergillus fumigatus, which causes lung disease in humans,

had acquired resistance to azole treatments, most likely due to environmental exposure to agricultural fungicides. If scenarios like this become an issue for public health then farmers could find even greater restrictions on products available.

There are a range of strategies that can be used as part of an integrated pest management plan to reduce the requirement for chemical fungicides. While none of these can be seen as a silver bullet, they can add up as part of an overall strategy that

46 AF Mar p44 46 47 Input Focus TW AE OM.indd 3

brings down cost and increases resistance to fungal attack.

Undressed seed: Most farms begin their fungicide programme with a seed treatment. This is particularly true when buying-in fresh seed, with most suppliers offering a single purpose dressing as standard. However, some seed merchants are offering clean only seed but at the grower’s own risk.

For farmers saving their own seed the recommendation would be to first have that seed tested. If testing shows disease limits for fusarium, etc., are below thresholds (these can be found on the AHDB website) then growers could consider dropping the fungicide treatment. If the disease levels are above thresholds, then it might be worth considering a fresh source of seed anyway.

Variety selection: Picking a variety with robust disease scores is an important consider-

1

2

ation if reducing fungicide inputs is to be implemented successfully. This can be challenging if the variety has been picked for an end market such as bread milling in winter wheat or malting in barley.

For example, winter wheat variety KWS Extase (Group 2) has an untreated yield of 97% of control compared to KWS Zyatt (Group 1) at 75%. Clearly, growing a variety like KWS Extase will require much less chemical control for disease than a variety like KWS Zyatt which has a particular weakness for yellow rust.

However, the potential for a bread milling premium is not as likely with a Group 2 variety as a Group 1, so this needs to be taken into account.

Variety blends: Nature does not do monocultures, so, if a single species must be grown, then divesifying the genetics within that monoculture will reduce the chance of disease spread.

3

There is peer-reviewed research that shows blending wheat cultivars can reduce the incidence of disease to a greater degree than if the individual varieties were grown on their own. One Danish study suggested that the incidence of septoria was reduced by 14% in a blend compared to the same varieties grown separately.

Online tool AHDB has now produced an online tool to help growers pick which varieties they should grow. It is usually recommended to grow at least four, preferably with different parentage to maximise diversity.

For example, a feed wheat grower might pick something like Dawsum, Extase, Theador and Graham to grow together.

This would give some excellent disease characteristics while maintaining a good yield potential. Although consideration needs to be taken regarding

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:55

REDUCING FUNGICIDES INPUT FOCUS drilling dates, experience has shown that varieties tend to mature at roughly the same time.

However, it is important to remember that correct royalties need to be paid to plant breeders, so quantities should be allocated accordingly.

Growers also need to be aware of the end user’s requirements as some will not take blends.

Read the weather: The weather is the single biggest factor on return on investment in fungicides. Put simply, if it is wet and mild during spring and summer, you will likely get a payback.

If it is bone dry, then it is much less likely a big spend will net you a return on investment.

Over several seasons, ADAS-run fungicide trials have shown that in a dry season such as 2020, untreated crops can have the best margin. However, in a wet year the reverse was true.

Fungicides are an insurance policy so you need to decide what the risks are and adjust your strategy as the season

4

progresses. There are also tools to help you with your decision-making in this regard.

For example, there are several online resources to help manage sclerotinia risk in oilseed rape. If the weather conditions are not conducive to fungal sporulation and subsequent infection during the flowering period, then dropping a fungicide for sclerotinia could be considered.

Take note of all the information available and understand the effects of weather on disease in your crop. If the risk is high treat it, if it is not, consider your options for treatment.

Biology and nutrition: Growing a crop which is well nourished and has the correct balance of nutrients will help reduce the incidence of fungal disease and even insect damage.

Excessive nitrogen in crops is a known contributor to disease.

Large amounts of nitrogen in the form of nitrate will cause the plant to draw in excess water and swell the cells.

5

This makes the plant lush and ‘growy’, but it also makes it easier for fungal hyphae to penetrate the cell walls. Without the correct balance of nutrients, plants are less able to create complete proteins and the natural compounds required to fight off infection.

Therefore, it can be beneficial to test your crop throughout the growing season to see which nutrients are showing deficiency/excess to ensure the plant it is growing optimally.

Plant immunity Trace elements such as zinc and copper are particularly important for plant immunity. There are also products on the market that will stimulate the plant to produce these immune compounds, such as salicylic acid, which help the plant fight off pathogens before they become established.

Products containing laminarin, an algal extract, have shown positive yield responses when

applied to wheat crops at early stem extension. Iodus is one such product which has been registered as a fungicide in wheat.

By no means does this represent an exhaustive list of ways to reduce fungicide applications.

Many growers have had on-farm success using products which contain silicon to increase cell strength or bacterial brews to enhance biological competition with fungi.

However, these require careful attention to detail at application and should be tested on a trial area first. The decision to reduce fungicides in any given crop needs to be considered carefully. You need to understand your attitude to risk as well as ensuring that other non-chemical measures have been implemented.

Start slowly and keep notes on what has and has not worked.

Fungicides are still a useful tool but ultimately over reliance on them is not sustainable.

Testing for seedborne diseases can allow dressings to be dropped.

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p44 46 47 Input Focus TW AE OM.indd 4

47 16/02/2024 13:55

INPUT FOCUS INCREASED YIELDS Integrating results from the latest crop analysis can cut nitrogen use and maximise the benefits of leguminous cover crops and cost-effective organic sources of crop nutrition. Arable Farming reports.

Boosting yields from reduced inputs

R

elying more on accurate soil, crop and grain analysis is helping Cheshire arable producer Rob Briscoe achieve his target of 10 tonnes per hectare of wheat from less than half the nitrogen previously applied while building vital soil carbon content.

Strategic use of cover crops, bio-solids and reduced soil disturbance supported by a series of integrated tests through the growing season is reducing fertiliser use to as low as 80kg N/ha with significant productivity and environmental benefits resulting.

Mr Briscoe says: “We have been trying to optimise our nitrogen use for some years now, but it was the high fertiliser prices a couple of years ago that really made us rethink how we could do things differently.

“We have grown cover crops for 10 years and have tested soil to fine-tune fertiliser applications, but an increasing focus on the Sustainable Farming Incentive [SFI] and more sustainable production means we really want to get all elements of our approach working together as best as

48 AF Mar p48 50 Input Focus AE OM.indd 2

possible now.

“Being in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone means we must focus all our efforts on prioritising nutrient use as effectively as possible, and therefore the environmental implications of our decisions are always at the forefront of our minds.

“Fundamentally, we are trying to utilise as much as possible from the resources available on the farm, use brought-in inputs as efficiently as we can and ensure we maintain resources within the system to minimise potential environmental issues.

“All at the same time as trying to make a profit and focusing on long-term sustainability so each

Ultimately, you must have total confidence in the data to make difficult decisions ROB BRISCOE

Agronomist Allison Arden (left) with arable producer Rob Briscoe (right).

year we are, hopefully, leaving the business and the land in a better condition than it was previously.”

Environmental Current rotation on the 148ha Lower Home Farm, Tarporley, is based on 52ha of winter wheat, mainly KWS Extase and DSV Champion, 36ha of feed barley, including six-row hybrids and the two-row KWS Tardis, and 34ha of oilseed rape.

Target yield for wheat is 10t/ha, barley 9t/ha and OSR 4.5t/ha.

Mr Briscoe says: “I think we pretty much know what the land is capable of yield-wise and realise there is a limit to this regardless of how much fertiliser we put on.

There are obvious environmental implications associated with this too.

“From a crop nutrition perspective, what matters increasingly to us is being able to understand what the different links in the chain are, what the various inputs contribute to the overall picture and how we can make them work together to the best effect.

“We are already growing cover crops, but we are also using bio-solids on the land for oilseed rape now, so we need to know

what these will contribute not just in the year they are applied, but also in the years ahead,” he adds.

Allison Arden, agronomist with independent agricultural and environmental analysis specialists NRM, says conventional ‘snapshots’ of any individual soil or crop indicator are unlikely to yield the detail required for more sustainable production long-term.

She says: “It is a much more complicated situation now and one where integration of key results from a number of key analyses carried out through the year are needed to deliver the best outcomes from both environmental and production viewpoints.

“A few years ago, for example, many thought it enough to simply know the soil mineral nitrogen level in the spring before making a decision on the optimum nitrogen application rate.

“But now it is recognised that is just part of the picture, particularly with incentives from SFI at stake, increasing demands from buyers for information regarding carbon footprints of production and the general rise in input costs of recent years.

“Single tests also do not take account of the impacts of the X

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:56

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INPUT FOCUS INCREASED YIELDS more variable growing conditions we now face over the year as a result of the changing climate.

“There is certainly a case for more comprehensive soil testing in the spring, but one of the most important analyses you can do in terms of accurately assessing fertiliser need is to look at the grain harvested the previous year.”

Essential checks Results from an NRM grain check test carried out on the harvested grain illustrate the point.

Ms Arden says: “Grain testing is a good indicator of how well the crop utilised nutrients captured from the soil and if levels are not as expected, it can point toward seasonal effects, problems with nutrient supply or less than ideal field conditions, such as soil structure and soil functionality.

“If grain N content is higher than anticipated compared to national benchmarks, it is likely the crop has been over supplied from the soil and inputs or the yield could have been lower than expected, concentrating nitrogen in the grain.

“Alternatively, this could suggest that more nitrogen has been removed from the system than supplied, so the requirement by the following crop could be higher.”

The analyses on grain samples

Rob Briscoe has managed to achieve a 10t/ha wheat crop from 80kg N/ha applied.

taken from three fields at Lower House Farm revealed an average nitrogen content of 1.94% – a little above the target of 1.9%. This resulted in 201kg N/ha being removed by the crop at harvest, she says.

“Also the grain removed 73kg P/ha and 93.5kg K/ha which needs to be balanced against inputs to ensure that the soil indices are maintained at indices 2 for P and 2- for K. “Previous biomass nutrient analysis of cover crops, before being

Soil organic matters of 3.6, 3.8 and 3.5% have been seen on light soil fields which have not have any farmyard manure applied for 30 years or more.

50 AF Mar p48 50 Input Focus AE OM.indd 3

sprayed off late winter and incorporated ahead of spring drilling, shows a supply of 80kg N/ ha in the first year on average and the application of bio-solids is likely to provide a further 50kg N/ha.

“So straight away, the following crop will benefit from around 130kg N/ha being supplied from these sources. The nitrogen from the over winter cover crop and bio-solids applications contributes to the nitrogen requirement of the following crop and needs to be accounted for.”

Safety net A further safety net, this time carried out at either GS30-32 or GS37, is a crop tissue analysis to give you an insight into what is happening in the growing crop, Ms Arden adds.

“So, for example, if a crop check analysis picks up that the nutrient status in the tissue does not meet the critical value for the growth stage then you have time to do something about it before it is too late and crop growth starts to be affected.”

An additional benefit of the cover crops, bio-solids and minimal tillage techniques used on the farm is proving to be a steady improvement in soil organic content, Mr Briscoe says.

“We are basically maintaining a good soil organic matter level for a farm that does not apply any muck. On the three fields NRM tested, we have seen soil organic matters of 3.6, 3.8 and 3.5%.

“For the lightish ground these fields are on this is pretty impressive, particularly so on a farm that is not applied any farmyard manure for a long time – probably 30 years or more.

“I think the fact that we do not plough is another important factor. We do not move a lot of earth unless it is completely necessary, so that combined with making sure there is no bare ground over autumn is important and earthworm casts have definitely increased, suggesting improving populations.”

“But the point is you have got to understand how all these different practices work together and this is where we see analyses and data really playing a growing role.

“Ultimately, you must have total confidence in the data to make difficult decisions. If you are talking about cutting N applications from 220kg N/ha to 80kg N/ha, you have really got to be sure of your facts. It is too late to change things once a crop stops growing,” says Mr Briscoe.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:56

PODCAST

Roundtable with three Nuffield Farming Scholars

J

oin us in this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot, as Ash Ellwood hosts a roundtable discussion with three newly-elected, arable-focused Nuffield Farming Scholars before they embark on global travels to see what agricultural knowledge they can gain from other countries.

Application process Hear about the scholarship application process, individual projects and travel plans as we delve into the inner workings of their report themes and

Get CPD points JMembers of the BASIS register can receive one CPD point for tuning into the podcast.

Listen in to the podcast to find out how.

Nuffield Farming Scholar project reports rTom Scrope: Growing together: exploring new ways of farmer knowledge exchange to secure stronger soils rJamie Stokes: Doing more with less - learning from the small to teach the big rSam Watson-Jones: Per plant farming, artificial intelligence and the future of arable farming

highlight each of their hopes for the next 18 months.

Speakers: rTom Scrope – Co-founder of Soil Benchmark rJamie Stokes – Cambridgeshire arable farmer rSam Watson-Jones – agricultural autonomy and data technologist

More information JThe Crop it Like it’s Hot podcast is produced

by Arable Farming and The CropTec Show. Released monthly, the show sees the

Tom Scrope

Arable Farming team talk to a range of arable experts to provide an alternative way of keeping up with agronomy and the latest arable developments.

Jamie Stokes

Sam Watson-Jones

Listen in JThe show can be downloaded via farmersguardian.com/ podcasts, or you can listen through Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. For more about our podcasts, email podcasts@agriconnect.com

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p51 Podcast OM AE.indd 2

BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

51 15/02/2024 13:42

FODDER CROPS UNDER-SOWING MAIZE Lessons from a maize undersowing trial were shared with farmers at Severn Trent’s 2,000-hectare maize production and anaerobic digestion site, Stoke Bardolph, in Nottinghamshire. Arable Farming reports.

Under-sowing maize offers soil health benefits

P

rior to harvest 2023, a network of maize growers supplying Severn Trent Green Power’s biogas production were invited to view the trial plots at Stoke Bardolph, one of the biggest anaerobic digestion sites in the country.

Stoke Bardolph farm manager, John Jackson, who has worked at the site for 35 years, has under-sown maize with a Westerwold ryegrass mix for the first time this year.

Guided by experts at the Maize Growers Association, Mr Jackson shared his learnings from the under-sowing trial, which has since yielded 50 tonnes/hectare.

Mr Jackson has had great success with maximising maize yields since he first started growing the crop at Stoke Bardolph in the 1980s for the former dairy unit, and more recently for the anaerobic digester.

Mr Jackson, and his team have proved how the crop can be efficiently grown for biogas, forage or grain, while also protecting soil health.

Trials The under-sowing trials have played a role in improving soil health and structure for the benefit of the environment and water quality, he told the farmer network.

“Although maize growth generates vast green cover, expanding on a daily basis, the soil beneath is actually left fairly exposed due to the width of the rows,” said Mr Jackson.

“Under-sowing the maize with the Westerwold mix has helped increase root mass, preventing soil

52 AF Mar p52 Fodder Crops TW AE OM.indd 2

Guided by experts at the Maize Growers Association, John Jackson (inset) shared his learnings from the under-sowing trial at Severn Trent’s Stoke Bardolph site.

damage at harvest and improving nutrient management for the next crop – especially in lighter soils.

“By reducing soil erosion, we can also help minimise run-off and nitrate leaching to protect local watercourses – all while maintaining strong maize yields.”

To get the most out of maize yields and safeguard soil health, Mr Jackson shared how drilling timing is critical.

“By getting maize in the ground early on, growers stand a better chance of harvesting it in September, which is much better for the soil,” he said.

“Soil strength quickly disintegrates during a wet autumn, so ideally you want to harvest maize when soils are drier and silaging machinery causes less damage.

“We drilled the maize in mid-April – assessing conditions to ensure the soil temperature was reaching 8-10degC for five consecutive days and seedbed conditions were good,” Mr Jackson added.

“The ryegrass was under-sown

seven weeks later, in mid-July, when maize was at the 4 to 5 leaf stage.

“We were advised to drill the grass seed rather than broadcasting it to help minimise competition with the maize.

Contact “Ground contact is key – so the under-sowing was done at the same drilling width as the maize. If you go any wider, it results in drift.”

Growers should ensure the maize remains the main crop, Mr Jackson said.

“If you under-sow too early, the grass will compete with the maize and impact the yields of your main

crop – so allowing enough establishment time for your maize is crucial,” he added.

Following maize harvest, Mr Jackson explained how the undersown grass would be ideal for grazing cattle through winter and into spring.

“As soon as the maize is cut, the sunlight will help the grass grow, even in cooler temperatures, and some livestock producers have been able to take a cut of silage from the grass,” he said.

“As long as you are keeping green cover over the winter, there are opportunities to claim different funding options for an overwintered cover crop.”

Under-sown maize with ryegrass.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 15:41

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14/02/2024 11:54 11/01/2024 13/02/2024 17:15

FODDER CROPS GRAIN MAIZE Anyone tempted to plant maize this spring after a difficult autumn drilling programme may look to team up with dairy producers seeking to reduce feed costs and boost milk output. Arable Farming reports.

Maize offers opportunity to work with dairy farms

C

hallenging winter drilling conditions, the failure of many oilseed rape crops and a shortage of spring cereal seed could lead to many arable producers turning to maize in 2024, resulting in significant opportunities for milk producers, says Angus Fox of Grainseed.

He says: “We are seeing a considerable uplift in requests for information on maize seed availability from arable producers, many of whom are considering growing the crop for the first time in 2024.

“One of the most frequently asked questions is about markets available for the crop, and we are quick to point out one of the best options is to work with local dairy producers and see if they are interested in taking it.

“Dairy farms are often limited in the acreage of maize which can be grown, especially if they are grazing grass too, and a partnership where maize silage is grown and muck or slurry is swapped for nutrient supply can work well for both parties.”

Mr Fox says silage ideally needs to be grown within 10 miles of the clamp to reduce road travel at harvest, but for larger volumes and longer distances, lorries can be used.

In addition to forage, grain maize is a great source of energy for dairy

Angus Fox

cows and an ideal component of total mixed rations, he says.

“Grain maize is usually the alternative most suited to arable producers’ mindset and it is also a highly attractive option for milk producers looking to replace bought-in concentrate with homegrown feed sources.”

When growing maize for grain, Mr Fox says the variety profile is important because crops need to keep standing completely upright until the crop is combined.

He says: “We advise growers to consider the variety Crosbey on lighter soils or where droughts may occur. It is a strong plant featuring well-filled cobs, and its early starch laydown enables crops to be harvested in relatively good conditions.

“Crosbey has a high grain yield with good drought tolerance, and when grown at the lower

plant population of 90,000 per hectare – the recommended seed rate for grain crops.

“The group eight variety Constance is another strong grain contender. It is a week earlier to harvest than Crosbey and suits soils which are more bodied in structure.

“Constance is a mid-season variety offering lots of mature grain, which translates into high levels of metabolisable energy and starch to produce excellent grain crops, particularly when crimped.”

Crimping Crimped maize is usually a better option than dried, whether you are producing it yourself or buying it in, says Mr Fox. “With crimping, freshly harvested grain is processed through a crimping machine to crush the kernels, and an additive is applied to preserve the grain,” he says.

“The process reduces the cost and environmental impact of livestock feed production by eliminating the need for grain drying and minimising feed transport distances. Moisture content aside, the nutritional analysis of crimped maize does not differ significantly from the dried product.”

Harvesting of grain maize generally requires a specific header to reduce the volume of material entering the threshing system, so that the machine can be set up specifically for grain removal from the cobs.

However, for smaller areas or growers at the early stages of producing the crop, a conventional header with reel and cutter bar can be used – although much higher risks of losses can be generated. For some growers, a contractor may be able to offer harvesting services.

Growers looking to produce the crop on a much larger area or as a permanent part of their rotation should look at investing in a dedicated maize header, with versions being offered from combine manufacturers alongside header suppliers.

The later harvesting period of grain maize means the harvest window can be extended and time pressure reduced for cereal crops during the August and September period. Historic challenges with a combine’s ability to travel in wetter autumn conditions has also changed, with a large proportion of combines now operating with track drives and driven rear axles.

Grain maize could be an alternate spring crop. However, dedicated harvesting headers are typically required.

54 AF Mar p54 Grain Maize TW AE OM.indd 2

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 13:59

EQUIPMENT TAX BUSINESS Tax, VAT and its relationship with machinery investments are often discussed in close proximity. Arable Farming takes some advice on how to manage and understand some key points when buying, selling or using vehicles and machinery.

Tax efficiency

I

nvesting in new equipment can be a significant financial decision for any farming business. Often the decision can be influenced by tax reasons rather than simply a commercial need. However, some more subtle or less

common tax rules can catch business owners out.

It is always worth the conversation with a tax expert when it comes to buying or selling plant and vehicles. What can seem a simple decision one day can quickly unravel and

create more tax than was originally expected.

Head of agribusiness at Worcestershire-based accountants Ballards, Ben Allman clarifies some points to be aware of when making large equipment investments.

Ben Allman

Watch the delivery date JCommonly, businesses tend to wait until just before the year-end before spending on new machinery. Typically, this is because the results of the harvest are known and if a decent profit is forecast, thoughts turn to reducing the inevitable tax bill.

Plant and machinery purchases currently attract

very favourable tax reliefs. The annual investment allowance gives the first £1 million spent on qualifying plant and machinery as a full write-off against taxable profits.

There can be a rush to invest in new kit towards the end of the financial year and occasionally a dealer may provide an invoice on the last

day of the customer’s financial year.

Tax relief However, the tax relief only becomes available on the date that the contract to purchase the equipment becomes unconditional, which is typically on the delivery of goods. Having an invoice for a tractor which has

not been delivered by the yearend is not enough to ensure the tax relief falls within that year.

If equipment is bought on hire purchase, you can receive tax relief on the deposit and payments within four months of the contract in the accounting period in which these are paid, even if the machine is not X brought into use.

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p55 56 57 Biz Resilience TW AE OM.indd 2

55 16/02/2024 15:49

BUSINESS EQUIPMENT TAX Replacement timing JA detail to remember is that when any machinery is sold, the proceeds are often fully taxable. This is because most farming businesses have claimed full allowances on their plant and machinery, so when some of that kit is sold there is effectively a taxable profit – known as a balancing charge.

This gets added to the trading profits for the year and can catch some businesses out by pushing them into higher rates of tax.

For the same reason, it is always advisable to check

the timings of any part exchange deal or sale of the old equipment to a third party.

New kit If a piece of kit is being replaced, a business needs to make sure that any delay in getting the new kit does not mean that the old kit is sold in one year and the new kit is purchased in another.

This would mean an unexpected tax hit due to the balancing charge and a wait for another year to get the relief for the purchase.

Cessation woes JAs a result of full tax relief being available, most farming businesses have effectively a value of nil for tax on all of their plant and machinery. As above, if the business owner were to sell all this kit, a balancing charge to tax would arise.

This can be most significantly felt when a business ceases to trade. For example, if a farmer decides to retire without having anyone to succeed in the business, their self-employment comes to an end.

If a farm sale then takes place, most – if not all – the plant and machinery is sold in one hit. This can create a very

large balancing charge which can result in a significant tax bill on cessation of the business, especially if the charge pushes profits into higher tax rates.

Balancing charge Similarly, if some kit is retained by the farmer and the trade ceases, there are rules to bring in a balancing charge equal to the market value of the equipment retained.

From a tax point of view, it is essentially the same as selling it to a third party for market value, except no money changes hands.

Many farmers have found out the hard way that selling

everything in one go at the end of the business has resulted in a large tax bill. If retirement without succession is likely then this needs to be planned for, so that sales of surplus machinery can be staggered in the years leading up to retirement and higher rates of tax avoided.

Similarly, the business may have to pay over the VAT on the market value of the retained equipment on cessation. The VAT rules require any business that is de-registering to value the stock and equipment retained on which VAT was originally reclaimed and pay over VAT on this value if £1,000 or more.

Is it a commercial vehicle?

JOne thing often asked is whether a particular vehicle is a commercial vehicle or a car.

It is important to get this right as there is a big difference tax-wise between cars and commercial vehicles, including: rCommercial vehicles can attract full tax relief against trading profits in the year of acquisition, whereas most (non-electric) cars only get a writing down allowance of 6% or 18% on a reducing balance basis. rVAT registered businesses can reclaim the input VAT on commercial vehicles. However, they cannot do so with cars except on very rare occasions.

Grey area The grey area often comes with vans and pickup trucks which have more than one row of seats. Are they primarily suited to convey goods or people?

HMRC states that a double cab pickup which has a

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MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 15:49

EQUIPMENT TAX BUSINESS VAT and private use JOn commercial vehicles purchased for the farm business, it is important to determine whether there will be any significant private use, with the general presumption that there is very little private use.

However, HMRC will expect this to be considered and reflected in any VAT claim, with agents looking at purchases of commercial vehicles during any inspection. This applies for unincorporated businesses (sole traders and partnerships) as companies do not need to make such a restriction.

The risk is generally with dual

payload of 1,000kg or more is accepted as a van for benefits purposes.

However, if a commercial

vehicle does not have such a payload, it would be down to HMRC’s interpretation of whether

the vehicle is designed for conveying goods or not.

HMRC has announced a rule

purpose vehicles, such as vans or pickups. For example, if a van is purchased and there is clear significant private use, it is good practice to restrict the full claim to a reasonable estimate of business vs private use.

Rules The rules are very simple with cars. If a car is available for private use then no input VAT can be claimed whatsoever.

The availability for private use is key. Even if a car has not been used privately, the fact that it could be is enough to block the VAT reclaim.

change which has a significant effect on the VAT and use of these vehicles.

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p55 56 57 Biz Resilience TW AE OM.indd 4

57 16/02/2024 15:45

REGIONAL AGRONOMY SPRING FORECAST After a challenging autumn and start to the winter, we catch up with six agronomists from different UK regions to discuss how crops are looking and what the next steps might be for growers.

Varying crop progress across the regions Phil Warham Agronomist for Agrovista in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire JDeciding which autumnsown crops to keep, which to scrap and how to manage the consequences will be at the top of many growers’ minds.

We’re making a call on probably 30% of winter wheat and winter barley areas and there’s also flooding damage in oilseed rape.

Decisions will come down to individual circumstances, but even a potential 30-40% reduction in wheat yield might be worth bearing this season.

It is worth remembering that the crop can compensate well in good spring weather with the right management.

The grass-weed burden in a winter crop will help concentrate minds – if there’s a lot in there then it makes the decision to spray off the crop much easier.

It might be possible to patch drill wheat with wheat, but take note of the variety’s latest safe sowing date.

Harry Gibson Agronomist for Spunhill in Cheshire and Staffordshire JLocally, about 75% of planned wheat area has been drilled and 85% of winter barley and OSR areas.

Generally, anything drilled immediately prior to or after Storm Babet is struggling.

As a result of conditions, pre-emergence and early postemergence applications of residual herbicides have been missed in many situations and, with minimum opportunities to spray since mid-October,

there are lots of crops requiring a herbicide as soon as conditions allow.

Wet, cold soils will also have resulted in lazy rooting of cereal crops as they have not had to explore to find moisture; an application of foliar phosphate and other trace elements can help to mitigate this and encourage rooting.

This could be pivotal if we follow the trend of the last few years in spring, as a poorly rooted over-

wintered crop and a dry spring will be the ‘perfect storm’ for poor crops and yields.

Similarly, winter OSR is varied. Where it escaped the cabbage stem flea beetle pressure and grew away well in early autumn, crops are looking well. Growers have made applications of herbicides, such as propyzamide during the limited cold, dry periods when sprayers have been able to travel.

Kevin Knight Agronomist for Procam in Devon and Cornwall JEarlier drilled winter wheats, and those following beans or clover-rich leys, are looking well tillered; although some areas are purpling due to phosphate hunger and wetter areas are yellowing as manganese reserves run low.

Recent cold spells have done a fair job of inhibiting rust sporulation in wheat, but

58 AF Mar p58 59 Regional Agronomy AE KH OM.indd 2

there is certainly a lot more septoria than I’d like to see.

The last drilled wheats are just emerging, having gone in on the recent frosts, and have a lot of catching up to do.

OSR is looking good and even a little too forward in places. Where weather compromised autumn fungicide timings, phoma is obvious in

susceptible varieties and will need addressing.

The OSR will jump away once soil temperatures hold above 6degC, and it will be important to ensure sufficient nutrition to maximise yields – a second dose of boron will be applied with the first spring fungicide.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 10:37

SPRING FORECAST REGIONAL AGRONOMY Stevie Gray Agronomist for Scottish Agronomy, Angus to the Scottish borders JCrops which were established into good conditions before the rain started in October are generally looking well, but the same cannot be said for some of the crops established from mid-October onwards.

With poorly rooted winter crops, it is no surprise many

are looking as if they would benefit from some nitrogen.

Ground conditions may delay things, as most fields are still very wet and won’t travel until we have had significant periods of dry weather.

Further concern to many growers will be that ground and

weather conditions haven’t allowed for the applications of residual herbicides to take place.

There will, for many wheat growers, be a requirement to apply a specific post-emergence herbicide in 2024 targeting grass-weeds.

George Swann Independent agronomist in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire JSome growers managed to escape the worst of the autumn wet weather, but in my part of the country we seem to have had the full brunt of rainfall, most of which came at the worst time for the autumn drilling campaign.

Thin, poorly rooted cereals,

which have been sat in waterlogged anaerobic soils for the last four months, have poor root systems.

Unfortunately, I worry that if and when it does stop raining during May and June, these will not stand long periods of dry weather very well, which

will affect grain fill. Some of these winter cereals will need to be managed in a way which has one eye on its realistic final yield expectations as to not overspend and allow our net margins to take too much of a hit.

Simon Roberts Managing director of independent agronomy firm CCC Agronomy in the South East JWinter wheat drilling has largely been positive, with most of the planned crop going in the ground. Roughly 95% of what we have seen are workable crops, with only a small percentage needing redrilling in spring.

Most crops which were drilled before the heavy rainfall have established well, particularly after break crops, but we have seen a few issues with slugs where seedbeds and trash management have not been perfect. With the mild winter, I have seen the odd bit of brown rust in Crusoe and Extase varieties, but we are not seeing anything too concerning at this point.

Autumn residual herbicides seem to have worked well on grass-weeds, particularly

MARCH 2024 AF Mar p58 59 Regional Agronomy AE KH OM.indd 3

black-grass, but we are seeing some evidence of subsequent germination of ryegrass and evidence of brome in the fields.

OSR has mostly established well, with varying levels of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae damage.

We have not seen the number of aphids present in crops over winter compared to last year, but we will continue to monitor crops for any population increase until the risk is over at the start of stem extension.

With the wet autumn, it is essential to assess what residual nitrogen is present.

Deep N testing is underway and nitrogen plans will be based on the results to ensure supply matches what the crop requires.

59 16/02/2024 10:38

MACHINERY AMAZONE PRIMERA Demand from growers and Government policy has created an explosion in new direct drills reaching the market, but can they cope with changing weather patterns? James Huyton and Toby Whatley took one long-standing mixed format drill on-test to find out how it performed.

A

direct drill might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking at the name Amazone Primera DMC, and at first glance you would be forgiven for thinking it was a popular media streaming service.

But standing beside the machine, there is no doubt it is a drill of scale and stature, with the three-metre derivative tested holding a presence in both the yard and field.

Difficult seasons and changeable weather conditions often leave the question: can a direct drill be more than a one-trick pony?

The ‘DMC’ initials in the drill’s name indicate its ability to direct drill, mulch drill (min-till) and conventionally sow. With that in mind, we placed one on-test to see how it performed in a very wet and challenging drilling campaign.

The Primera is certainly not a

On-test: Amazone Primera DMC new design to the German manufacturer’s portfolio, yet it has made little impression on the UK market.

Design Its modular design, with working widths up to 12m and options for multiple hoppers, has made the Primera

a go-to choice for Eastern European cereal producers.

Units over 6m wide have been historically manufactured at the firm’s production plant in south-western Russia, but the more modest-sized machines are assembled in Bramsche, Germany.

Functionally and visually, the

Specification rWorking width: 3 metres rTransport width: 3.25m rTransport height: 3.7m rTransport length: 9.88m rWeight as tested: 5,600kg rTank capacity: 4,200 litres, 75/25 split rCoulter spacing: 16 at 187mm rMaximum coulter pressure: 52kg rWheels: 700/45-22.5 rOil flow requirement: 80 litres/minute rPower requirement: 80hp rPrice (as tested): £73,500

Primera is not a complex assembly of sensors, hydraulic compensation systems or auto-lubricated bearings – instead, the design focuses on a durable and resilient mechanical system, which can tolerate significant hectares with basic maintenance and a modest range of wearing parts.

Amazone Primera DMC direct drilling winter wheat, fitted with chisel openers.

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MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 14:01

AMAZONE PRIMERA MACHINERY Calibration and controls JThe drill is equipped with a 4,200-litre hopper with a 75/25 split tank, meaning grain and fertiliser can be applied through two distribution heads. The single shoot system, combined with the tank’s twin metering systems, allows sowing two crops simultaneously or grain and fertiliser in a single pass.

This is particularly useful in the light of Sustainable Farming Incentive standards, with prospective buyers also being able to add Amazone’s green drill at the rear of the unit to establish cover or companion cropping.

The test machine was supplied as fully IsoBus compatible, making it a simple plug-and-play option once the drill information was downloaded onto the tractor’s operation system.

When calibrating, the operator navigated to the relevant screen section, inputted the required seed

rates and selected the option to transfer control to the rear screen module mounted at the back of the drill.

The drill tank incorporated several clever storage solutions, which were easily accessible for calibration accessories. A range of metering rolls was provided to suit the calibration of various seeds and fertiliser, with a spring-loaded release system within the metering unit making the removal and installation of different rolls much easier.

Slide plates Slide plates at the base of the hopper were useful for isolating the two metering units, allowing the ability to shut the tank off from the unit while full. This would be particularly useful if metering rolls were required to be changed during calibration once the tank had been filled.

The drill’s length and layout provided plenty of access to each unit and weigh samples

The Primera has a 4,200 litre hopper with a 75/25 split for grain or fertiliser.

A movable, magnetically mounted digital calibration screen offered a simple calibration solution in a spacious work environment.

dispensing seed from the same point without restarting the process.

when calibrating. Mounting slides on the drill axle gave a functional and secure point for calibration trays to sit during filling.

The input of calibration values was carried out using the drillmounted digital screen, which transferred relevant information, including seed rate and calibration factor, to the main drill controller.

The start-stop feature on the metering unit and calibration control permitted the operator to step away from the machine at any point mid-way through dispensing seed. Holding its position, until the operator could return and recommence

Accuracy During the test, two varieties of wheat were calibrated in opposing hoppers, and the system offered a 0.3% error in accuracy after two passes, with automatic adjustment through the metering unit.

The calibration screen was magnetically secured to the tank, allowing easy movement to each metering system, and a significant steel cover folded over the screen when not in use.

Continues over the page.

Calibration tools and screens were neatly placed in hoppermounted storage compartments.

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61 16/02/2024 14:01

MACHINERY AMAZONE PRIMERA Cultivation and levelling JSpecified with the chisel opener, the Primera leg gave a cutting width of 15mm.

Arranged in the four-row configuration, this created an established row spacing of 187mm. Buyers looking for wider row widths could opt for a three-row configuration with 250mm row spacing.

Assemblies of four legs were mounted front to back on a horizontal mounting beam, with a parallelogram system offering simultaneous depth adjustment via a manual screw positioned at the back of each group of coulter legs.

This system was very simple to use, but both access and visibility of the depth control guide were compromised as the two central adjustment points could only be accessed by crawling under the frame.

The coulter frame and ground engagement design configuration had plenty of free movement and play, creating a certain amount of deflection around soil-borne obstacles. The deliberate loose

fitment of some of the moving parts has allowed Amazone to keep greasing points to a minimum; potentially reducing daily maintenance time and operational costs.

Irregular pattern Engagement of the coulters into the work position followed a somewhat irregular pattern.

Typically, leading coulters would be considered the first point to enter the ground – particularly when users require even entry and removal on headlands.

But the Primera tended to follow no particular pattern, which could cause leading tines to be the last engaged into the soil. This created the requirement for both large headlands and good overlap coverage on the final pass to ensure no areas were left unseeded.

Even with the narrow tine chisel opener, the Primera certainly offered far greater soil movement than its direct disc drill counterparts. Undoubtedly, this could be enhanced further

D-loop rollers offered depth control and slot closure following the leading coulter.

with the fitment of the wider duck-foot coulter.

With the low disturbance option offering ample soil movement and levelling capabilities, the main concern did not lie in the drill’s ability to produce a level seedbed, but more in its capacity to retain its uniform formation once the 700/40-22.5 flotation tyres had

passed over the seedbed.

This concern would be significantly reduced in firmer ground conditions, but when operating in poor or marginal conditions, the impact of the large tyres was significantly noticeable and would influence the establishment uniformity.

Consolidation and seed coulters

Four rows of offset coulters allowed clear paths for trash flow.

Inset: Depth adjustment was manually operated via four turn handles.

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JDuring the test, the machine worked through a patchy autumn-established cover crop of phacelia, vetch and berseem clover, which generated a quantity of wet surface material in places.

Nevertheless, the Primera had good trash flow through the coulters, and the chisel openers still offered a reasonable amount of tilth alongside a clear slot for seed placement. Working to give depth control and slot closure, the hoop ring rollers provided both a simple and effective solution. Running on a maintenance-free bearing system, the rollers were fixed

on a slight angle, deflecting soil back into the coulter furrow.

Mounted behind the hopper, a hydraulic three-point linkage system allowed the fitment of a single harrow system or – in the case of the test machine – the harrow and roll combination.

This height and pressure adjustable system gave the drill its final form of slot closure.

Seed-to-soil Although the system did add length to an already substantially long machine, it also provided consistent levelling, further slot closure and consolidation along the row to improve seed-to-soil contact.

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 14:03

Tank and Controller JAmazone’s design of the Primera created a long format drill, and this brought with it several benefits to the overall accessibility of the machine.

Placing the tank across the width of the machine at the rear, rather than the length of the machine in the centre, gave unrivalled hopper accessibility compared to both combination air drills and rival trailed formats.

This layout allowed the test team to easily load the drill hopper with a yard forklift.

Equally, although maybe not a favoured choice for some, loading with a loader tractor would be an option.

This could potentially leave the farm telehandler free for other applications, or make the machine more flexible for contractors when working

at different yards with varied machinery. The 4,200-litre hopper mounted on a threemetre drill also provides plenty of working capacity without regular seed top-ups.

As a fully IsoBus-compatible system, control of the machine was operated directly through the tractor’s in-cab touchscreen terminal. Selection between the first and second hopper for the seed rate could be performed both in the cab and on the rear-mounted terminal, saving a lot of time going to and from the cabin.

The system’s display and operation through the tractor’s touchscreen was functional and intuitive, with a clear indication of forward speed, seed rate, and tramline control. Another helpful feature was the hopper load countdown function; if the

Clear accessibility around both sides of the drill allowed for yard truck loading.

coulters were out of work. This is certainly not the preferred method of operation, but if the operator found themselves tackling an unexpected wet spot in the field, they could lift out and overseed before recommencing normal routine.

operator specified the quantity of seed in the hopper before commencing work, a continual indication of supply would remain on-screen.

Another function selectable through the monitor was to continue seeding while the

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63 16/02/2024 14:03

MACHINERY AMAZONE PRIMERA AF verdict JAlthough the Primera has been in production for several years, it has never seen favour in the UK market. As well as assessing overall usability and price, the test was undertaken to ascertain if the drill could perform in what has been a very challenging winter cereal establishment campaign for many areas.

The establishment of 10 hectares of winter wheat was performed in a frosty period during January, so both the season’s heavy rainfall and challenging ground conditions played a significant part.

Many would view a plough and combination drill as the best performer in such conditions, but with incentives both in fuel and time savings – alongside grant funding options and Sustainable Farming Incentive payments – perhaps direct drilling in challenging conditions could still be an option.

In addition, the total movement and removal of any soil structure from a power harrow-based establishment could have created a seedbed with limited weather resilience during a difficult season.

Fundamentally, the size and weight raised questions about

the drill’s ability to perform from the outset. Undoubtedly, without a keen ground frost, the conditions would have been mostly unsuitable to drill, although some users would have found the resulting field finish quite acceptable considering the conditions and time of year. Despite picking up soil on the tyres in certain wet spots, the unit performed consistently in delivering tilth, seed placement at set depth, slot closure and consolidation.

Challenges One of the main challenges faced while working in frosty conditions was the limitation of forward speed. In ideal conditions, the Primera would comfortably work at speeds up to 18kph, but the hard ground kept speeds capped at 10kph.

The main reason for this was the break-back coulter legs kicking out when hitting hard spots, leaving coulter legs jockeying along the soil surface if not reset. Overall, this was due to field conditions and was managed if the operator adjusted the working speed to suit the situation.

The break-back protected the coulter leg with a simple design

The trailed drill design took the weight off the tractor, with a pivoting drawbar aiding turning.

64 AF Mar p60 61 62 63 64 TW JH AE MB OM.indd 6

and auto-resetting capability.

Generally, it worked well, but it did raise questions over the drill’s ability to consistently perform on very stony, brash land.

Functionality Functionally, the drill was very simple to set up and calibrate accurately; access to most areas of the drill was very user-friendly, and tank positioning for loading was unrivalled for the drill size.

Although spanning 9.88 metres in length, the Primera’s drawbar design and linkage-mounted pivot point offered good manoeuvrability.

However, the drill did tend to cut corners, which could limit its access to tight field gateways when turning off smaller lanes.

Overall, the drill achieved a good uniform seedbed on-test in some challenging conditions.

But a fully laden machine on a 3m working width did raise questions over the areas of

seedbed consolidated by the drill’s wheels; a problem which would be significantly reduced if operating a wider design.

Simplicity and functionality sat side by side with robustness and refinement on this drill, with the IsoBus plug-and-play and accurate calibration system being stand out plus points. The design and dimensions of the Primera might not be the most refined, but its ability to produce an acceptable seedbed in conditions where other machines could not operate might find it strong favour.

With significant increases in machinery costs, combined with increasingly extreme weather events, farming businesses might need to look for machines which offer flexibility to work in different conditions, rather than perfection in a limited weather window.

Likes and gripes

rSimple calibration rAccessibility to metering systems rIsoBus plug-and-play rEasy loading rSimple depth control rHarrowing and consolidation rHopper capacity

rWeight rLength rManoeuvrability rSpring-loaded breakaway rTine raise and lowering arrangement rLack of lubrication of some parts

MARCH 2024 16/02/2024 14:04

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY MACHINERY

Launched at Agritechnica, Karl is Kuhn’s autonomous tractor project.

Shown for the first time to visitors at Agritechnica in November 2023, Kuhn’s Karl autonomous tractor project offers an insight into the manufacturer’s vision of how machinery – and implements – will be operated and powered. Toby Whatley reports.

Kuhn previews its future technology with Karl

F

ollowing several teaser images in early 2023, Kuhn finally revealed its autonomous tractor project at the German event. The twin-track autonomous tractor uses a 175hp Volvo diesel engine working through a hybrid electric drive. This is combined with a high-voltage take-off to power implements, alongside a twin conventional linkage front and rear.

Senior project manager David Hild said the use of the engine supplier and drive system was due to the manufacturer’s experience and technical flexibility.

“We already work with Volvo to supply the engines for our

self-propelled sprayers, so for us, it was a simple choice to install one in Karl. The choice of the hybrid drive is more focused on the simplicity of an electrical drive. It allows immediate start-up torque, infinite speed control and much simpler sensing technology to easily monitor the functions of the product – something which is key with an autonomous machine.”

Karl is not the brand’s first presentation of autonomous machinery, with the Aura total mixed ration feeding robot launched in 2020 and shown to the press in early 2022. Although operating in separate parts of the business, the two engineering teams have worked closely on the

two projects, with some components shared between them.

Mr Hild said: “The Aura and Karl are developed for very different applications and environments, so mechanically there is very little shared between them. Where we see a crossover is the control software, some of the environmental sensing equipment and the ECU’s.”

Diesel-powered Currently, the drive for the unit will remain diesel-powered, but Mr Hild added that the electrical functions of Karl would lend it to a complete electrical drive if battery technology progresses and becomes available as an alternative.

The development of Karl began

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in 2018 with the Kuhn-supported Centeol challenge which took place in Bourgogne, France. The project was operated with partners including start-up AgreenCulture, Dupont and telecoms provider Orange and worked to cultivate, establish, fertilise and mechanically weed a 50-hectare crop of maize.

The outcomes of this project were the background to the development of Karl as a more commercial offering.

Operating with the unit, a modified HR2520 2.5-metre wide power harrow uses an electric drive as a pto replacement, and several additional sensors to monitor the working characteristics of the cultivator, which can be fed back X

65 15/02/2024 13:41

MACHINERY FUTURE TECHNOLOGY Drive for the machine is a diesel-electric hybrid from a 175hp Volvo engine.

Implements are electricallydriven. Currently the unit is operated with a power harrow, but more equipment will be offered.

the ability of the machine to solve its own problems and continue working.”

Despite offering implements for arable and grassland customers, Karl will remain a machine for arable cropping with no current plans to offer the unit for grassland tasks with an alternative non-track drive.

“Karl has been created specifically for arable cropping and will be developed to work within the full crop production process including cultivation, planting, weed control and fertiliser applications.

“Kuhn is an implement manufacturer so the machinery that will be developed for Karl could also function with another electric

tractor as machines like this are released to the market.

“We currently have seen the machine working with a 2.5m wide power harrow, but a wider range of electrically-compatible machinery will be seen as the project progresses.”

The development of the machine has been driven by the reduction of available labour across multiple markets, with the challenges seen in greatest focus in Europe.

“Karl can work as a single unit or as a fleet of machines working together to cover a wider area. The flexibility of its operation is an important part of its design and can accommodate additional

Flexibility of operation allows the unit to work as a fleet to cover wider areas.

A 2.5m working width permits easier transport between sites.

to Karl or the operator to make adjustments.

Mr Hild said the use of an electric drive to the power harrow offers some additional advantages.

“Using an electric drive allows the same type of sensing technology to monitor the machine as it is working, but also allows the drive to be easily reversed.

Remotely “With the machine working remotely, any blockages – such as stones – can be removed by lifting the implement and running the drive backwards. This helps reduce the need for the machine to stop and alert an operator and improves

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machines as a task is completed,” Mr Hild added.

“This variation in work practices should allow a fleet of machines to begin individual tasks and join together as they complete their respective roles to maximise the productivity of each unit.

Currently, the 2.5m working width has been created to allow easier road transport on trailers between sites without any width-restriction challenges,” he said.

Commercial availability of Karl is still unconfirmed, however Kuhn is hopeful that a five-year time-frame should be realistic as more field tests in real-world conditions take place over the next few years.

MARCH 2024 15/02/2024 13:41

Summer Edition

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