With good potential among winter crops, ProCam agronomists offer guidance for protecting against the prime yield threat – disease.
Most winter wheat crops have established well in his area, says Norfolk and Essex-based Charlie Berridge, but close monitoring for yellow and brown rust will be key.
“With milling wheat varieties like Crusoe and Skyfall on some of my farms, thorough field walking is important,” says Charlie. Close to the East Coast, SY Cheer has also showed signs of yellow rust infection, he notes.
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North
PROFITING FROM SPRING POTENTIAL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Accurate fungicide spray timings are vital for yield protection. Image courtesy of Kuhn Farm Machinery.
Charlie Berridge continues: “Accurate fungicide spray timings are vital for yield protection, and correct intervals between applications must be maintained.
“Crusoe suffered badly from brown rust last spring, so while I’m not finding brown rust to date, choosing a fungicide strategy with brown rust strength will be carefully considered to ensure the disease is kept out.”
In winter barley, Charlie says early nutrition and a low rate of trinexapac has already been applied to encourage root strength and boost tiller numbers. “Netblotch can be found, with low levels of rust in some forward crops. Resistance management will be a key consideration when targeting the net blotch, and strobilurins will be needed to complement prothioconazole,” he adds.
NORTH
Yorkshire agronomist Alex Green reports plenty of Septoria in crop bases after the kind winter.
“It’s been possible to find a fair bit of Septoria in early-drilled wheat,” says Alex. “So it’ll be important to keep sensible intervals between fungicides; we haven’t got the luxury of highly-curative fungicides.
“Including multi-site fungicides in programmes will also be important –for resistance management plus there’s good yield data on folpet and sulphur.
“We’ve seen some bits of yellow rust in winter wheats. So inspect varieties and build fungicide responses accordingly. If rust isn’t controlled early, it’s a struggle later. Several varieties also have fairly low brown rust resistance, such as Champion and Beowulf.”
Rusts are key considerations among milling wheats in his area, says East Anglia’s Charlie Berridge.
Wet weather diseases made an early appearance in early-drilled wheat and in winter barley, says Yorkshire-based Alex Green, so don’t let them get out of hand.
Alex says winter barley is looking particularly well, although the cool, wet winter has meant net blotch and Rhynchosporium have been easy to find. “There’s been less brown rust but check susceptible varieties, especially forward crops.
“Winter oilseed rape (WOSR) crops also look some of the best I’ve seen, with massive potential. Most crops had light leaf spot and phoma sprays in autumn. Next to decide will be whether they need one or two Sclerotinia sprays, depending on the length of flowering. WOSR still has the potential to yield over 5t/ha.”
With many farmers growing maize instead of WOSR in his area, Nick Duggan says he will also be trying the nitrogen-fixing bacterial treatment, Encera, to help maximise maize potential.
WEST
Nick Duggan, who operates in Herefordshire, South Shropshire, Powys and the Cotswolds, says most of his winter wheat also looks promising, although Septoria in crop bases will need halting before it reaches higher leaves.
“Quite rightly, a lot of attention is focused on the flag leaf,” says Nick, “but if you can stop disease climbing upwards by keeping leaf three clean at T1, you’re ahead of the curve. Plus, leaf three contributes to yield.
“Another lesson last season was how quickly yellow rust came in later, so don’t discount rust.
“Meanwhile, Ramularia was a problem last season in barley. T1 is the most important fungicide timing in winter barley, but don’t neglect T2, especially if Ramularia is a risk. I also prefer two sprays in spring barley, especially if there’s Ramularia. Also, good foliar nutrition to reduce crop stress against Ramularia. Because spring barley grows so quickly, T2 growth regulation is also important,” Nick adds.
SOUTH
Operating in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, James Lewis has also found forward wheat carrying plenty of Septoria, while later-drilled crops will be more susceptible to yellow rust and mildew, depending on variety, and brown rust cannot be ruled out.
“Where yellow rust is the predominant concern, consider a Solatenol-based T1 treatment,” says James. “Against brown rust, look to add pyraclostrobin or azoxystrobin to something like fenpicoxamid at T1. Save Adepidyn for T2 where crops are worth investing in.
“Fusarium foot rot, eyespot and take-all, are all part of the stem base disease complex, and all three caused problems last season, so are something I’m really aware of in second wheats. Take-all should be dealt with at T0. For eyespot, I’m looking at something prothioconazole-based.”
In winter barley, Rhynchosporium and net blotch followed by brown rust and mildew are James’ prime concerns, although most crops have been relatively clean. “Ramularia mainly appears in droughted or nutrient-stressed winter and spring barley. So if you get good nutrition into the crop, that can help.
“With spring barley, fungicide spend can be tailored. However, farm-saved seed without a seed treatment can be a source of net blotch, making it important to not cut foliar fungicide rates.
“Soil sampling suggests soil mineral N levels are low, so N rates might need raising, and consider Zodiac biostimulant to boost rooting to capture the soil N that is there.
“In dry seasons, spring barley planted after a cover crop destroyed too late can also produce terrible yields as soil microbes use the soil N to break down the organic matter. So a bit more N might be needed here as well.”
Farm-saved spring barley seed without a seed treatment can be a source of net blotch, says James Lewis, making it important to not cut foliar fungicide rates.
Avoid applying T1 fungicides too early, says Tom Mutter, as this lengthens the interval between T1 and T2, which risks Septoria taking hold.
SCOTLAND
The dry winter means wheat only has fairly low level Septoria, despite early drilling, says agronomist Tom Mutter, who works from Robertson Crop Services’ Cuminestown depot.
But with around half of winter wheat fields in Skyscraper in parts of the region, it is important not to be complacent with S. tritici fungicides or spray timings, he stresses.
“Because crops are forward, the temptation is to apply the T1 spray too early, but that only lengthens the interval to the flag leaf fungicide. This allows Septoria to take hold on leaf two, which itself contributes quite a lot to yield.
“Correct T3 timing is also critical because of the length of time between T3 and harvest. We’ve had experience of losing 2.5t/ha in yield if T3 was delayed. Aim for just as the anthers are showing, but before flowering is complete.”
In winter barley, Tom says although Rhynchosporium is the biggest yield robber, there are plenty of fungicide options against this and net blotch, whereas targeting Ramularia mainly comes down to a suitable multi-site plus either Revysol or Adepidyn. “The multi-site is for resistance management but also extra performance,” he explains.
“Ramularia appearance is triggered by stress, so steps to reduce this. In spring barley, consider Zodiac biostimulant to help optimise tiller numbers and de-stress the plant.
“With WOSR, it is important to consider the sclerotinia risk. Our protracted flowering period creates a long infection window and a requirement for two protectant fungicide applications in order to cover the whole flowering window. It is important to rotate modes of action however and avoid over-reliance on the same chemistry through the whole season. For example where prothioconazole has been used against light leaf spot, SDHI and strobilurin combinations can be very effective –and also provide physiological benefits including greening.”
Grow a companion crop with WOSR
WINTER OILSEED RAPE: WORTH ANOTHER LOOK?
With good prices, rotational benefits and fewer flea beetle problems, this season could see the winter oilseed rape area bounce back for 2026.
That is the message from ProCam seed manager, Lee Harker, who foresees up to a 20% climb in winter oilseed rape (WOSR) this autumn, after reduced plantings last season.
This comes on the back of WOSR prices reaching about double those of feed wheat this year, he says, plus WOSR crops generally looking good.
“If harvest goes well, farmers will wish they’d planted more of it,” Lee says. “It’s a great break crop, with the potential to boost first wheat yield, plus an opportunity to target grass weeds with different herbicides.
“Fewer cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) problems this year could also fuel increased interest in growing WOSR. Of course, there’s no guarantee we’ll have low pressure next season, but there are strategies to give crops a better chance against the pest.”
HYBRID VIGOUR
One historical option was to establish WOSR cheaply, then decide whether to keep it or write it off once known whether it had survived CSFB invasion. However, Lee says cheap WOSR seed is now scarce. So he favours a proactive approach of establishing a more resilient crop from the outset – typically a hybrid – planted either
early or late to avoid beetle migration, and sown with a suitable companion crop.
“Early hybrid vigour not only helps to get WOSR established against pigeons and slugs. By five leaves, healthy WOSR with a good root mass and thicker stems can also better tolerate CSFB.
“By drilling in early August or into July if conditions allow, the aim is to get the crop to a healthy five-leaf stage before peak adult CSFB migration, and then give it a better chance against resulting larvae. By planting later, for example well into September depending on location and conditions, you’re aiming to plant after adult migration has finished.
“Of course, whenever you drill, it’s crucial to have sufficient soil moisture and temperature for rapid establishment, and to choose variety characteristics that align with the drilling date.
“For later drilling, early vigour in autumn is essential to get the crop established rapidly. In these situations we favour the vigorous hybrid RGT Blackmoon. For earlier drilling, look for a hybrid that establishes well without growing excessively tall over winter, to protect it from frosts, but then has good spring vigour to help it grow away from larval feeding. Here, we suggest LG Areti.”
COMPANION CROPPING
Additionally, Lee urges companion cropping - with the companion seed mix GreenPack Bronze containing fenugreek, which has a garlic-like odour to act as a CSFB deterrent, plus tartaric buckwheat, which grows quickly and shields young WOSR from beetles.
“Ideally, plant the companion crop beforehand so there’s already protection when the WOSR is drilled. However, WOSR and GreenPack Bronze can also be planted together.
“If concerned about erucic acid in WOSR being pushed above the 2% legal limit, due to brassica weeds, OSR volunteers, or volunteer brassicas from previous SFI mixes, consider a Clearfield variety so these weed problems can be targeted with herbicide.
“If worried about clubroot, look for a variety suitable for clubroot-infested land. Clubroot is increasing and variety choice is integral to its management.”
UREA FERTILISER REMINDER
A reminder that all fertilisers containing urea must have a urease inhibitor included when applied from 1 April.
While this currently only applies in England, it is still best agronomic practice. Therefore ProCam urges all urea-based fertiliser users to use an inhibitor after 1 April.
There are many options for solid fertiliser with inhibited urea products. For liquid fertiliser, our product of choice is NitroShield from Omex. This is added to liquid fertiliser at the point of use at a dose of 1.0 litres mixed with every 1m3 (1,000 litres) of Nitroflo fertiliser (rate can be reduced to 0.6 litres/per m3 for Nitroflo 15S).
Liquid fertilisers that are injected into the soil are exempt from requiring an inhibitor. As too are foliar urea products when used for protein enhancement or late flowering on oilseed rape, in accordance with the product recommendations and when using a conventional sprayer nozzle.
The winter oilseed rape area could climb by about 20% this autumn, Lee Harker.
partly as a cabbage stem flea beetle deterrent, says Lee Harker.
MAKING IT EASIER TO BE ‘MUCK’ COMPLIANT
Are you compliant with slurry and manure handling rules? Nutrient management expert, Phil Edwards, explains how ProCam can offer growers in England a helping hand.
The rules around application and storage of slurry and farmyard manure in England are complex.
But the Environment Agency has increased capability to identify non-compliance, using software called the Agricultural Compliance Tool (ACT), to potentially identify areas requiring enforcement.
Three areas where it’s easy to fail are: (1) not carrying out soil tests (2) not preparing a nutrient management plan; and (3) inadequate slurry storage.
Looking at the first two, if you’re applying slurry or manure (or fertiliser) you must carry out soil testing so that you know what the nutrient levels of that land are to begin with. This applies even if not in an NVZ. In addition, you must prepare a nutrient management plan so that applications of the slurry, manure and fertiliser can be tailored to those test results to not exceed the needs of the soil or the crop.
This is all for good reason; it’s aimed at reducing watercourse pollution. Slurry storage also forms part of the Red Tractor scheme.
The good news is there are several areas where ProCam can help (for those with an SFI agreement in place, extra resources are also available to assist).
TESTING AND PLANNING
For a start, ProCam’s soil testing service –SoilSense – provides not only a measure of the levels of key nutrients in the soil, but also a measure of the levels potentially available to the plant. It’s a great foundation from which to start.
Then, ProCam’s nutrient management planner provides guidance on how much of key nutrients to apply based on the soil test results. It uses a simple traffic light system to help identify the most positive approach to nutrient management. Things anticipated to work well are coloured green. Areas of concern are highlighted orange, with noncompliances identified in red. It’s designed to cover the whole farm, not just individual fields, and is able to include livestock at its core – for example calculating slurry storage using an algorithm to help optimise current capacity.
For even greater precision with granular fertiliser dosing, our FieldSense service uses satellite imaging of field and crop variability to drive tailored, variable rate fertiliser application – with the aim of achieving not only improved economic crop output but also environmental gains.
These various techniques can also be used to help demonstrate that best practice steps are in place, and can help meet various requirements for SFI compliance. FieldSense can also be used for variable rate lime application and variable seed rates.
ProCam’s services can help ease the complexity of compliance, without having to do everything yourself, says Phil Edwards.
PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
Our nutrient management planning service can also provide a more detailed soil management plan – for example providing information on soil organic matter content, earthworm populations and soil structure. As well as further demonstrating best practice, this information can help provide a route to improved sustainability and yields. What’s important to note is that our various services offer ways of easing the pressure and complexity of compliance, by working in partnership with your ProCam agronomist, rather than having to do everything yourself. Ultimately, they can also help to get your farm fitter for the future.
For more information, speak with your ProCam agronomist.
Phil Edwards is a ProCam agronomist and expert in nutrient management planning.
TESTING, TESTING… ONE,
TWO, THREE
Long-term forage mixture trial moves to demanding site in Devon.
With the introduction of DEFRA’s Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) scheme encouraging farmers to diversify their grass swards further, ProCam has extended its long-term programme of testing different forage mixtures by establishing a new trial in Devon.
The new trial, which is being hosted on a site chosen for its ability to test grassbased swards under difficult conditions, is the continuation of similar work previously carried out in Shropshire.
The move to the Devon site marks nearly 20 years of continuous replicated forage research, as ProCam originally began testing its Field Options range of grass mixtures back in 2006. The goal then was to assess and showcase how different grass, clover and herb mixtures perform over time, with individual trial plots being tested over periods ranging from three to seven years.
The aim of the Devon trial is the same as the original: to screen the performance and quality of different pasture mixtures when used in a multi-cut system.
The trials are being run under the same management protocols as the UK grassland Recommended List Trials but focus on testing multi-species mixtures rather than individual varieties. As well as testing different hybrid, perennial, and Italian ryegrass and clover mixtures, the trial will also resume testing of herbs such as plantain and chicory, the inclusion of which has previously been proven to increase the dry matter yields of the Field Options range of grass-based mixtures by more than 3.0t/ha.
This new phase of testing is being hosted near Dartington — the home of NIAB’s disease screening trials. Here, ProCam is able to screen not only the latest genetics, but crucially to test how they perform in mixtures, so that, where appropriate, improvements to seed mixture formulations can be made. This is even more important in an SFI scheme where there is a renewed focus on the value of diversifying swards and using herbal leys.
Locating this phase of the trial work in Devon also provides an opportunity to test the performance of the Field Options range under a more challenging set of conditions, particularly in terms of drought and disease pressure.
Each plot will be cut five times per year, at six-week intervals starting in April, and assessed not only for yield, but also their overall performance in terms of winter hardiness, ground cover and disease tolerance. There is also the opportunity to trial foliar inputs such as biofertilisers and biostimulants which in the past have proven to give further yield and quality improvements.
According to Simon Montgomery, the Dartington trial site will ensure seed mixtures get thoroughly tested.
Simon Montgomery, technical lead for the Field Options grass and forage portfolio, shared some thoughts on the new trial: “The site at Dartington is great because it’s on light, drought-prone land that tends to have a high disease burden. This creates tough conditions that really put the mixtures to the test. If a mixture performs well under these conditions, we can be confident it’s both strong and productive. On the other hand, if a mixture or variety doesn’t perform, we’ll know what its weaknesses are and can remove it from our offerings.
“We hope to learn a lot over the three years about how the Field Options range of grass mixtures perform. This will allow ProCam to fully assess the pros and cons of different mixtures that may, or may not, work well as part of the SAM3 SFI mixture.”
For more information about the Field Options seed range visit procam.co.uk/field-options
The NIAB plots are being used to test a selection of current and potential grass mixtures.
The aim of the trial is to screen the performance and quality of different grass mixtures
COMMUNICATION & ATTENTION
TO DETAIL
ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS
Kent farmer Graham Mackenzie believes that a strong, longterm relationship with a key advisor he can trust and rely on is a recipe for success.
Graham, and his son Alastair, run Elliotts Farm in Penshurst, Kent. The diverse business includes 200ha of arable cropping, with a further 100ha under contract farming agreements. They also supply contracting for local farmers and run a sheep enterprise selling direct to local butchers.
With a busy workload, building strong relationships with trusted advisors is essential for the business to run smoothly. This is one of the reasons Graham has been working with Justin Smith, regional technical manager at ProCam.
“The relationships we have with important people that support the farm are essential to us being progressive and evolving, and, becoming better at what we do,” explains Graham.
“I was taken by Justin’s enthusiasm and commitment. His attention to detail when crop walking and supplying
recommendations, along with his constant communication, have benefited the farm in many ways.
“I believe that an agronomist that gets application timings right far outweighs the cost of what he’s recommending me to apply. If the timing is wrong, the application isn’t going to perform as well as intended.”
COMMUNICATION
Justin started by looking after a small area of the farm but has progressively taken the whole acreage, including the contract farmed land.
Graham continues: “Justin is a great communicator, and I can discuss everything with him, which helps to build trust.
“He’s set up a WhatsApp group between the three of us who handle the crop
nutrition and crop protection on the farm. This allows us to quickly take pictures or highlight areas of concern when we’re in the field to help Justin focus his time when he’s on the farm.”
Although Graham likes to walk some crops, he cannot be everywhere, so trusting Justin to communicate what is happening and advise on the appropriate action is invaluable.
REACTIVE
The commitment from Justin to ensuring Graham’s crops get to harvest in the best position was highlighted in a 2024 wheat crop.
“We planted Crusoe, which we knew was susceptible to brown rust, but it took hold earlier than we expected. Justin spotted this and advised me to apply a T1.5 fungicide.”
The treatment of tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin was targeted to three fields and prevented the active brown rust infecting a greater area of the crop.
Graham continues: “If we’d waited until T2, the yield and quality of the crop would’ve struggled to recover. The T1.5 spray took care of the rust and allowed us to move forward with a healthy crop. This is where attention to detail, finding a solution quickly and being communicative has been a real benefit.”
Graham Mackenzie (right) says the attention to detail and communication from ProCam’s Justin Smith (left) has helped the farm progress.
A WhatsApp group has improved communication between Justin and the farm operators who can quickly highlight areas of concern spotted during applications.
READY FOR A CAREER IN AGRONOMY?
PROGRESSIVE
Justin sends pictures with every recommendation to justify his suggested investment on a crop. Graham says this shows every decision is well thought out and helps to illustrate what is happening across the farm and how previous applications have performed.
Graham will also discuss new chemistry and varieties with Justin to ensure the farm is moving forward. The mutual goal is to keep the farm progressing.
“I walk the farm every 10 days to ensure we aren’t missing anything,” Justin explains.
Calling enthusiastic individuals to join our Trainee Agronomist Programme
At ProCam, we strongly believe it is our people who are the company’s most important asset: our team of agronomists, who are the best in the business, is supported by an exceptional team of technical specialists and logistics experts who go the extra mile to ensure our customers are always treated as a person — not an account.
We are searching for the next generation of talented individuals to join our two-year Trainee Agronomist Programme and to join the ProCam family of experienced and industry-leading experts.
With 16 depots nationwide, we operate throughout the UK and are always happy to hear from anyone with a qualification in agronomy or crop science, or relevant work experience.
So, if you, a member of your family, or someone you know is passionate about the agricultural sector and providing agronomist services, advice and support, why not encourage them to get in touch.
We’ll equip successful applicants with the knowledge to succeed in this ever-changing industry: the programme includes the BASIS qualification in Year 1 and the FACTS qualification in Year 2, plus a variety of internal courses to ensure you have all the knowledge to start advising. You will also be mentored and supported by experienced agronomists and your Regional Sales Manager, both in the field and individually.
FIND OUT MORE
For more information, or to make a formal application go to procam.co.uk/vacancies/
“I know when I send a recommendation to Graham that the application is done on time and in the right conditions. This means we’re maximising the investment in the agronomy and achieving the right results at harvest.
“Graham’s willingness and ability to adapt to the seasons is a large reason why he’s growing excellent crops. Last autumn his Horsch Avatar drill was struggling in the wet conditions, so he turned to the trusted power harrow combination drill to carry on drilling. The crops now look excellent, and we’re in a great place,” Justin concludes.
WE OFFER:
• A full induction programme to ensure you feel at home
• Bespoke agronomy tuition and personal skills training
• Mentorship and support from dedicated training leads
• Time spent field-walking with established agronomists
• Company benefits such as company car, private medical insurance, pension, death-in-service insurance, wellbeing and mental health support.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS:
• A positive ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to contribute within your team
• An awareness and understanding of the agronomy industry’s challenges
• An excellent communicator who can build relationships easily, and confidently discuss topics with other agronomists and growers
• Self-motivated individuals with a strong desire to succeed and build their own business
• Passionate people with a genuine interest in agronomy and the wider agricultural industry.
