Variety Day was the best yet

Over 200 farmers, a range of exhibitors and great weather ensured success at the Fram Farmers/ Apex Agronomy/ Prime Agriculture/ Walnes Seeds Variety Day on 27 June.

When it comes to assessing varieties there’s nothing quite like seeing them growing side by side, and where better on a beautiful summer’s day than BASF’s Real Results Farms site at R. H. Forrest’s Mowness Hall in Suffolk, which included 32 varieties on the AHDB Recommended List, as well as candidates.

The event featured exhibits by a range of suppliers, including crop mapping company Hummingbird Technologies which flew its drones over the site to record video and still images. The event’s success was due in no small part to Fram Farmers’ collaboration with Apex Agronomy and Prime Agriculture, two of East Anglia’s leading independent agronomy groups, together with BASF and Walnes Seeds. Thanks also to host James Forrest for providing the immaculate site and excellent facilities.

The site from a Hummingbird drone

Amanda Owen, who runs Fram Farmers’ Seed Desk and coordinated the event, stated: “This was an excellent opportunity for existing members and farmers who are thinking of joining to meet us in an informal setting. Many did not realise the full extent of what we can offer and were very impressed.”

IDEAL OPPORTUNITY

“We had over 100 clients here today,” said Robert Hurren of Apex Agronomy. “It was an ideal opportunity to view wheat varieties grown under local conditions, evaluate the latest fungicides, talk over issues and meet suppliers.

Robert Hurren, Apex Agronomy

“Despite the very wet winter and cold, wet spring, crops came through very well and everything looked set for a bumper harvest until early June, which marked the start of weeks of hot weather with no rain.

“The varieties I like the look of included Gleam, Elicit as a G3 option and Shabras. Orange Wheat Blossom Midge was a real issue in Suffolk, so growers should consider resistant varieties. Lemon Wheat Blossom Midge is an increasing issue but there are no resistant varieties. At a time when the industry is losing products, it is reassuring to see that BASF’s Revysol fungicide looks promising.”

CROP CONSIDERATIONS

Graham Brooks of Prime Agriculture, stated: “My clients in Essex are largely Group 1 milling and G3 or G4 soft wheat growers, with some producing Group 4 hard feed wheats. These are grown mostly on either chalky boulder clays or London clay.

Graham Brooks, Prime Agriculture

“With the loss of some triazole fungicides, and potentially chlorothalonil, I have recommended clients to choose varieties with good Septoria resistance for the coming year. Essex has had a high level of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge activity, but we have always chosen resistant varieties where possible and will continue to do so.

“Currently our biggest Group 1 varieties have been Skyfall and Crusoe. All current Group 1 varieties have good Septoria resistance which is helpful, but Crusoe’s weakness to brown rust has made us look at moving to KWS Zyatt. We will continue with the Skyfall which is a good second wheat and has the benefit of being the only midge-resistant milling wheat currently on the recommended list.

“Leeds has been a big variety in the soft wheat market and suited to our London clays, being vigorous and high-tillering. It does have weaknesses in mildew and Septoria, so we will look for a new G3 variety and Elicit looks to be the preferred choice.

“KWS Santiago has been our G4 hard feed wheat of choice and still performs well. We have always liked its consistency but will look for a replacement with better Septoria resistance. I think that will be Gleam.”

Gleam, a very high yielding, hard Group 4 feed winter wheat, performs well in all regions and on heavy land, so it looks like being a very good fit for many growers.

Elsoms’ Elicit, a Group 3 candidate with biscuit and export potential, is generating significant interest with those looking for premium potential.

SEPTORIA DISCUSSED

“It was a busy, buzzing event which worked out well and was exactly what we wanted,” stated Matthew Kean of BASF. “Fram Farmers did an excellent job of mobilising their members, while it was great to see so many clients from Apex Agronomy and Prime Agriculture, Walnes Seeds provided growers with an impartial view of each variety, which was very well received, and the level of exhibitor support was good to see.

Matthew Keane, BASF

“After the exceptionally wet spring Septoria was a big issue at T1 and T2. Growers were naturally very interested in talking about it and how to get the best out of fungicides, including the Cura Crop system which helps to detect unseen Septoria on upper leaves at T2 timing.

“BASF now have the strongest line-up of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides that

"I have known in my time with the company and an exciting pipeline of products for years ahead. One big ‘watch out’ is the potential loss of fungicide active ingredients which will be a real challenge, but there comes a point where you have to move on.”

BASF’s new cereal fungicide ‘Revysol’ attracted great interest from visitors, as did the company’s Blackgrass Battle Bus, with Campaign Manager Ruth Stanley reminding growers that blackgrass can cost up to £600/ha in lost yield, so it is important to think about how it negates the benefits of new varieties if not correctly controlled.

COLLECTIVE VIEWPOINT

“All of those involved in this event have a lot of shared clients, so it makes sense to talk to them from a collective viewpoint,” said Andrew Cooper, Managing Director of Walnes Seeds, an independent agricultural seed specialist and merchant which relocated to a brand-new production facility at Earl Soham, Suffolk in 2013. His message of the day was “Let’s grow more Group 1, Group 3 and midge-resistant varieties.”

Andrew Cooper, Walnes Seeds

Exhibitors

Gleadell Yara Ilex Envirosciences Premier Seeds Walnes Seeds Command Pest Control FlyiBot Hummingbird Case IH K & M Tyres Hawk Hire RTK JJT Comms Toyota Agrihire

Futher Details:

BASF Crop Protection UK: T: 0845 602 2553 E: technicalhotline@basf.com W:www.agricentre.basf.co.uk

Apex Agronomy: T:07766 104047 E: info@apexagronomy.co.uk W: www.apexagronomy.co.uk

Prime Agriculture: T: 01603 881852 E: enquiries@primeag.co.uk W: www.primeag.co.uk

Walnes Seeds: T: 01728 684180 E: andrew@walnesseeds.co.uk W: www.walnesseeds.com

Hundreds of bacon rolls, hamburgers and drinks were served throughout the day