R.S.A.B.I

Flexible contact herbicide provides a clean start in potato crops

Potato growers can create a clean start to crops by switching the foundation of their broadleaved weed control plans to Shark (carfentrazone-ethyl). But, as with diquat, timing is key to success.

Capable of controlling weeds typical of a broad range of potatogrowing soils and regions, Shark is highly effective when used either alone or in in a mix with other residual herbicides when applied just prior to crop emergence, says Jeff Fieldsend, Commercial Technical Manager at FMC.

It is recommended that Shark is applied at 5-10% emergence (5% emergence on early varieties and 10% emergence on maincrop varieties) but operators should be cautious when it comes to timings, warns Jeff.

“While application at 5-10% emergence is attractive in terms of timing flexibility, it is best to use the product as soon as the weed flush has developed and not risk applying too late, crops are moving very quickly around this time and late applications can knock them.”

Agronomist Rob Ramsey reports; “Shark has been a reliable diquat replacement for my customers, and we’ve seen good results from well-timed applications, with the crop coming back strongly even when 5-10% has emerged, so there is a fair window of application, much like there was with diquat.”

Trials conducted by FMC and AHDB have proved that Shark is extremely crop safe when applied at the correct timing. However, if application is delayed onto emerged potato plants greater than 5-10%, necrotic spotting will occur, which will be quickly outgrown leading to no long-term effects on vigour or yield.

New RSABI Chief Executive reflects on first weeks in post

By Carol McLaren

The new Chief Executive of RSABI is Carol McLaren, who last month took up the position with the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture.

Carol grew up on a family farm in Perthshire and is well-known in the farming community, having previously worked as an agri-journalist, for whisky companies Edrington and Diageo, and for Quality Meat Scotland.

“After just a short time in my new role, I am already incredibly proud of the excellent work being delivered for the industry by our dedicated team of staff, trustees and volunteers,” said Carol.

“When you contact RSABI you will find the response is always compassionate, and understanding, and for those in need of help, our team of case officers will find

Carol McLaren

a way to make life feel less overwhelming.”

Carol added that what is also evident, and hugely valued, is the extent of the support from the Scottish agricultural community.

“Whether it is taking part in a fundraising challenge, becoming a member of RSABI’s supporters’ schemes or a trustee on the board, the goodwill from those in the industry is greatly appreciated”, she said.

“We’re preparing to enter a milestone year for RSABI – our 125th anniversary – and we will be asking for the agricultural community’s continued support to raise awareness of the work we do and to encourage people who need support to get in touch with us.

“There will be times of change in the years ahead and it is vital that people know, whatever is around the corner, RSABI is here for them, as we have been for 125 years.

“Our service is always confidential, always friendly, and always understanding so if you are in difficulty, or worried about a friend, family member of neighbour, please share our number or contact

us on 0300 111 4166. Don’t hesitate.”

RSABI’s helpline is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm on 0300 111 4166. Visit www.rsabi.org.uk for more information on support provided.

“Shark is particularly effective on a wide range of broadleaved weeds, notably polygonum species, cleavers, annual nettle and speedwells up to the young plant stage when applied at 0.33L/ha rate, with excellent activity being observed within 2-3 days following application.” Jeff adds.

Tong raises the bar for big bag filling with the new JetFill for 2022

Tong is pleased to announce its first new product development for 2022 with the launch of the new edition JetFill big bag filler. “The JetFill has always been a popular machine in our home and export markets,” says Charlie Rich, Sales Director at Tong Engineering. “With this in mind, the new JetFill has been carefully fine-tuned to incorporate enhancements to the machine’s proven design, as well as the introduction of the most advanced controls. These developments combined have allowed us to really streamline the performance of the JetFill, making it even easier to use and more efficient than before.”

The JetFill is Tong’s highest capacity big bag filler which offers automated and gentle big bag filling. Capable of filling up to 40 big bags per hour, the new model for 2022 is designed to handle a wider range of bag sizes up to 2700mm high.

Designed with throughput and careful handling at the fore, the JetFill features two bag-lifting platforms to which empty bags are

presented on a pallet. The uniquely designed bag frame allows the machine’s bag-holding arms to be lowered for easy attachment and the bag platform automatically raises the empty bag to the reversible feed conveyor. The new model features an enhanced bag frame design which ensures the raised position of the bag platform is even closer to the feed conveyor to guarantee the gentlest transfer of crop.

“The new JetFill has already received lots of interest from customers that we’d been working with towards the end of last year and were able to give them a preview the new advancements,” explains Charlie. “We’ve subsequently specified the machine within their turnkey projects, and are delighted that as a result we have already have received multiple orders for the new model worldwide, including in the USA, Canada and Turkey. The new model is designed in a way that makes it very easy to be disassembled for transport, and re-assembled and commissioned very simply too, making it the ideal bag filling solution for vegetable producers of all sizes worldwide.”

arable & root crops Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) is becoming a big problem in Scotland, and big problems need bold solutions

writes NFU Scotland Vice President Andrew Connon in his latest blog

In it, he outlines calls from NFU Scotland’s potato working group for legislative change to prohibit potatoes from being grown more than one year in six in any piece of land.

Andrew recognises that this is a big ask but, with PCN already infesting 13 percent of land used for growing potatoes and bulbs (and doubling every seven to eight years) then stronger measures must be considered.

Andrew writes: “If PCN spread is allowed to continue, losses of £125 million are predicted by 2040, and this figure excludes job losses and impacts on exports and the wider GB food industry. If trends continue it could mean the end of seed potato and bulb production across the whole of Scotland by 2050.”

Plant health has been identified as the potato working group’s biggest priority, and the working group are lobbying for changes to cement Scotland’s reputation as a high-quality potato producing nation. The working group have agreed the best way to tackle the PCN problem quickly is through legislation.

NFU Scotland is engaging with the wider potato growing membership to understand the impact of this change, explore how legislation could change, and identify exactly what sort of change is needed, recognising the impact that legislation could have on land availability.

He writes: “As PCN populations increase, the supply of suitable land is reduced, increasing its rental value. In turn, high rental values incentivise shorter crop rotations, increasing PCN populations. This vicious circle makes the PCN problem worse. Short-term high rental income outweighs the longerterm benefits of reducing PCN populations, particularly when those renting the land out do not have potato enterprises themselves. A big problem like this needs a big solution – legislation change.

“In the longer term a legislation change will result in a growing, rather than shrinking, area of PCN-free land to grow potatoes. As the market for PCNresistant varieties grows and other actions are put in place, PCN levels will fall more quickly. In the longrun potato growers throughout Scotland will all benefit from this change, and Scotland will maintain its reputation for high quality food and farming.”

Read the full blog at: https:// www.nfus.org.uk/policy/crops. aspx