CPM May 2023

£3.99

A novelty crop or full of golden potential?

page 56

In this issue...

Flag leaf favourites page 14

Fungicide considerations as T2 looms

Slug sleuths page 63

The Easy option page 93

Farmer’s opinion of the Sky EasyDrill

Cereal Event preview page 84

Volume 25 Number 4

May 2023

As this issue bounces through your letterbox,fungicide programmes will very much be at the forefront of minds as flag leaves will soon be making an appearance. At the time of writing,the dabbly weather throughout April sets the stage for a septoria season but Mother Nature,being fickle by nature,may well throw her spanner in the works.

and how traits can be of practical help in Inside Traits (page 52).

My favourite article of the month explores sunflowers (page 56) and asks whether it’s a novelty crop or is there untapped potential to provide home-grown sunflower oil as breeders introduce varieties more suited to the UK climate.

Editor

Lucy de la Pasture

Deputy Editor

Janine Adamson

Sub-editor

Rachael Harper

Mike Abram

Janine Adamson

Tom Allen-Stevens

Heather Briggs

Will Charlton

Adam Clarke

Writers

Charlotte Cunningham

Melanie Jenkins

Rob Jones

Martin Lines

Lucy de la Pasture

Martin Rickatson

Guy Smith

Andrew Wilson

Design and production

Brooks Design

Publisher

Steve Kendall

Commercial Director

Angus McKirdy

To claim two crop protection BASIS points, send an email to cpd@basis-reg.co.uk, quoting reference CP/120083/2223/g.

To claim two NRoSO CPD points, please send your name, NRoSO member number, date of birth and postcode to angus@cpm-magazine.co.uk

*the claim ‘best read specialist arable journal’ is based on independent reader research conducted by McCormack Media 2020

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CPM Volume 25 No 4. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at CPM Ltd, 1 Canonbur y, Shrewsbur y, SY3 7AG England. Tel: (01743) 369707. CPM is published eleven times a year by CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying far mers and far m managers in the United Kingdom.

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We joined the Bayer Crop Doctor team just before leaf three emerged last month, when T1 fungicide decisions were considered (page 8), setting the scene for a look at more current matters as agronomists across the country discuss their T2 plans (page 14).

Barley has a strong showing this month, with a look at growing for different markets (page 27), fungicide choices in Real Results Pioneers (p18), and the newly recommended, bar n busting two-row variety, LG Caravelle, in Insider’s View (page 22).

BYDV resistance is a variety trait that’s been evolving and Tech Talk on page 32 takes a look at the disease, and how breeding is progressing as new varieties come forward with better all-round robustness than the pioneer wheat variety, RGT Wolverine. We continue our foray into plant breeding with a look at how the first trials searching for slug resistant wheat have panned out (page 63) and what’s going to happen next in this BOFIN, farmer-led trials initiative.

With variety decisions just around the corner, we visit the breeding grounds of DSV and RAGT with an eye to the future, finding out what’s coming through in oilseed rape breeding pipelines (page 42). An LSPB/CPM survey digs into growers’ choices/perspectives when it comes to traits and agronomy for the crop (page 38). The theme continues in the second Insider’s View which considers newly recommended OSR hybrid Murray (page 49)

June is the month when crops look at their best and open days showcase them all over the country. We preview the on-farm research being showcased in the Hutchinsons’ Helix farm open days, which this year sets out with a focus on the soil and how to sift through the plethora of information to implement positive change (see page 72).

We also report from The Farm for The Future event at Harper Adams University, which took place last month (page 78), with a keen focus on net zero aims. Sustainability is fur ther explored in articles which look at it in the context of rotations and how digital tools can improve decision-making to achieve sustainability goals.

June is also the month of the big agricultural shows and we preview the Cereals Event, taking place this year at a new site in Nottinghamshire, on page 84. There’ll no doubt be plenty of new machinery to have a close look at but if it’s the Sky Easydrill you’re considering, then don’t miss our On Farm Opinion on page 93 to get some first-hand farmer feedback.

Our columnists are all typically outspoken this month, with some fairly strong views on topical issues so be sure to check what has got under their skin this month!

I hope you enjoy reading this May issue of CPM as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together

Smith’s Soapbox - Views and opinions from an Essex peasant…

Nature Natters - A nature-friendly perspective from a Cambridgeshire farmer.

Talking taties - Plain talking from a Yorkshire root grower.

Crop Doctor – Septoria remains an unwanted guest

The Crop Doctor team revisit sites around the UK to find septoria the target for T1s, with variety differences now showing up.

Cereal disease control – T2 decisions loom

From fungicide choices to rates, we look at how fungicide strategies are shaping up for the T2 timing.

Real Results Pioneers – Spring patience

Spring barley is a major part of David Fuller-Shapcott’s rotation. We find out how he has made it successful.

Insider’s View – Raising the mast

We take a look at LG Caravelle, a variety which has closed the yield gap between two-row and hybrid winter barleys.

Barley briefing – Taking away the stress

Barley is a crop where every tiller counts. Growers from UK and Ireland discuss how they nurture their crops.

Tech Talk – Protection from day one

We learn more about BYDV and how plant resistance can help reduce reliance on insecticides for its control.

Research Briefing – Formulation matters

A look at how formulation science is improving the performance of stalwart triazole, prothioconazole.

OSR stem health survey – At the stem of it

A look at perceptions about the importance of stem health and expert advice on to keep crops disease free.

OSR breeding – Pipeline prospects

New traits are on the way for hybrid OSR, with novel clubroot and TuYV resistances on the way from breeders.

Forward-thinking farmers – The ultimate backstage

pass

How on-farm trials are broadening the horizons of the host farmers and providing an insight to new technology.

Insider’s View – Regional headliner

A insider’s view on new hybrid OSR variety Murray highlights its strengths and weaknesses.

Inside Traits – Stack them high

With OSR hybrids now dominating, how does stacking traits translate into field performance?

Sunflowers – Blooming lovely

Are sunflowers simply a novelty crop or could there be a golden opportunity to tap its potential?

Plant breeding – Advances in understanding

Understanding the rhizophere and host-pathogen interactions is providing clues to future root traits.

Farmer-led research – The outer reaches of on-farm innovation

Could a landrace wheat provide the basis for slug-resistant wheat? We report first trials results.

Bioscience in practice – Outstanding oats

The science behind how a signalling compound can help produce fatter and better quality grain.

Research Briefing – The ‘so what’ of soil testing

The Helix farm network aims to cut to the chase so growers can make meaningful improvements to their soils.

Fit for the Future – Resilient rotations

Diversity of cropping, soil health and machinery costs are related. We find out how to build resilience through rotations.

Net Zero in Practice – Step-by-step to net zero

We report from the recent Net Zero in Practice event held at Harper Adams University.

Sustainability in Practice – Data supporting change

We further explore the concept of sustainability and how data can be used to support change.

Cereals Event preview – A new dawn for Cereals

As arable farming’s flagship Cereals Event takes to a new venue, there’s old favourites and new initiatives a plenty South West Agritech Showcase – Profitability, potential, productivity

As technology advances, this new event looks at how agriculture can benefit from agritech.

On Farm Opinion – Making easier work of establishment

An Oxfordshire farmer has adopted the Sky EasyDrill as he dips his toe into more regenerative practices.

On Farm Opinion – Data integration solutions

How two farmers are utilising FendtOne to streamline their businesses and reduce machinery running costs.

Sugar beet varieties – When less is more

With just two new sugar beet varieties added to the RL for 2024, we find out what they have to offer.

Potato agronomy – Playing catch up?

A late start to planting may mean some crops will be emerging to a barrage of pasts and diseases.

Wide-eyed at Wild Isles

Call me cynical,but the latest BBC natural history offering, ‘Wild Isles’,could be taken for a subliminal advert for the work of certain wildlife charities. The website that goes with the programmes even steers you into their direction.

As you might expect, such organisations are particularly vocal at the moment when it comes to

their well-worn narrative about the evils of agriculture when it comes to our wildlife. I suspect this is only to be expected while there is an general election on the horizon and there’s a sizeable chunk of Defra spend up for grabs.

When the Brexiteers promised the UK’s CAP budget of £3.5 billion would be maintained, many of us suspected there might be a catch. It turns out the catch is most of that spend is going to concentrate on the environment not agriculture. To ensure this happens, the wildlife lobby have turned up the volume of their campaigning narrative about the biodiversity devastation caused by agriculture and through the ‘Wild Isles’ series, they’ve got the BBC to act as a recruiting sergeant.

I say all this with mixed feelings.

Firstly because the camera work and the footage in the programmes is very entertaining. I always find the ‘how we made this film’ section at the end of each episode illuminating. Basically, it’s about how camera crews and production teams hang around for weeks, if not months, until the right shot comes along. It seems a lot of resource for a few seconds of footage. What all this costs I’m not sure but, none the less, the results are striking.

Also, I’m wary of criticising the series because of the heavy involvement of David Attenborough. Given his age and his reverence, criticising Sir David feels as foolish and uncomfortable as having a pop at the pope or saying something negative about the late Queen. While it feels legitimate to question the likes of Chris Packham, when it comes to Sir David, you feel you do so at your peril. However, it strikes me that he’s the sort of bloke who wouldn’t take personal offence if someone politely takes issue with him.

One curiosity about the series was that it seemed to be a story of conservation successes, intercut with apocalyptic warnings that British wildlife is in a terrible state, with many species facing extinction. As is often the case in wildlife programmes, agriculture is portrayed as the bad guy. Not for the first time there was little or no mention of household cats or increased traffic on rural roads or newly pouredacres of concrete on building projects. Again, the cynic in me senses an NGO agenda here where it’s better to attack farming rather than cat, car or house owners. When it comes to potential members for conservation NGOs, there’s a lot more car and cat owners than there are farmers.

What is depressing for my generation of farmers is the sense we are in the dock for something that happened before we took on the management of our farms. No one would deny the radical

Guy Smith grows 500ha of combinable crops on the north east Essex coast, namely St. Osyth Marsh –– officially the driest spot in the British Isles. Despite spurious claims from others that their farms are actually drier, he points out that his farm is in the Guinness Book of Records, whereas others aren’t. End of. @essexpeasant

changes that UK farming saw after the Second World War wasn’t good news for farm wildlife. But the point is, most of those negative changes have been reversed in the past 20 to 30 years. The environmentally damaging pesticides have been banned. The hedge grubbing has stopped, and a huge programme of hedge planting undertaken. The new drainage has stopped and thanks to dilapidation, re-wetting has begun.

Alongside this, we’ve had a series of agri-environmental schemes introduced over the past 30 years involving billions of pounds and millions of acres. Most important, there has been a fundamental change in mindset with most farmers when it comes to the impact of farming on wildlife. How we get this properly acknowledged is probably a challenge for the next generation.

Herewith,an unusual pair caught on camera on one of our conservation margins.Top marks if you can identify the species @essexpeasant.

Septoria remains an unwanted guest

Crop Doctor

With previous warnings of an impending ‘sea of septoria’, how are crops faring as the season continues? CPM joins the Bayer Crop Doctor team for an update on the sites and tips for next steps.

By Janine Adamson

For many,a lack of spray days has continued to disrupt timely crop management and for those able to travel,it’s been a matter of prioritisation. Admittedly,Brits are renowned for commenting about the weather,but in this case,it really has thrown a spanner in the works for growers no matter where they’re located in the country.

With reports of missing T0s, coupled with the risk of sporulation rising, devising a robust plan for T1s is on the minds of the Bayer Crop Doctor team as they revisit sites in mid-April.

Callow,Herefordshire

Round two starts with a visit to Callow on 17 April. Whereas there was little to note between varieties during the last visit on 22 March, the team agrees the scenario has changed considerably. “Although you can see septoria across all varieties at some

level, even Theodore and Champion, the level of infection varies depending on their ratings,” says ADAS’ Jonathan Blake.

“Crusoe looks especially dirty –– 50-60% infection on leaf five. KWS Extase in comparison is around 5-6% on leaf six; RGT Wolverine is another dirty variety.”

Herefordshire-based independent agronomist David Lines agrees with Jonathan’s sentiment that there’s been an ‘explosion of septoria’. “Temperatures have slowly started to increase and we’ve been experiencing milder daytimes, so it’s to be expected. Crops are waking up and growing away, that said, there’s been no opportunity to spray,” he says.

David explains that there’s been only one rain-free day in April so far, meaning many of his customers are still finishing T0s. Here at Callow, he confirms the plots are nowhere near ready for a T1 spray, with leaf three not yet emerged.

“For growers who’ve missed their T0s, they’ll want to consider increasing dose rates for T1 sprays. Multisite plus azole mixtures are a non-starter in the West, so it’ll have to be a dose of Ascra Xpro (bixafen+ fluopyram+ prothioconazole) at 1 l/ha,” says David.

He advises that cutting back isn’t an option. “I wouldn’t take the risk, you have to create a clean break from disease at T1 and then maybe make some cuts at T2, depending on the weather.”

Further inspection of the plots reveals a considerable amount of leaf yellowing, the

source of which Jonathan questions. “I’m unsure it’s just septoria causing this,” he says.

Another stand-out disease across the varieties is eyespot, which Bayer’s Gareth Bubb highlights is a concern. “You wouldn’t expect this much eyespot given the mid-October drilling date. It doesn’t bode well for early drilled crops and second wheats,” he says.

This is something Jonathan believes has been exacerbated by the wet weather. “You can see eyespot in KWS Extase (rated 4), KWS Palladium (rated 6) and Champion (rated 5), the latter doesn’t stand well either.” David concurs that eyespot is a problem he’s seeing across the board in commercial crops, even in first wheats.

He says this poses a considerable lodging risk and that, again, it’s not a time to scrimp. “Crops have been slow to take up nitrogen so there could be a sudden surge in growth, coupled with eyespot this potentially poses a risk. No one thanks you for a flat crop, it’s the first thing you spot,” he says.

Managing crop development is something David believes is improving among growers. “People learnt their lesson with Extase and now drill it later so it doesn’t romp as much. Another variety that’s cracking on this season is Palladium, especially the case for crops planted after potatoes,” he says.

Looking forward, Gareth raises the question of what might happen if eyespot continues to be a problem. “In past seasons

The real risk is being premature with application timings due to an awareness of high disease pressure. ”

“

there’s been evidence of eyespot as far along as T2, it all depends on how much rain we have in April and May. It’s just so unpredictable at the moment, although milder temperatures are forecast, which could mean rust.”

To cover late eyespot, the team agrees on Ascra at T1 followed by Univoq (fenpicoxamid+ prothioconazole) at T2, although they highlight associated sprayer performance issues means some growers may approach this strategy with caution.

As per the previous visit, there’s no sign of either yellow or brown rust, despite everyone inspecting the vareties closely. Jonathan believes this is due to colder nights and ground frosts keeping it at bay.

Great Tew,Cotswolds

At Great Tew Estate on 18 April, it’s LG Skyscraper that immediately kicks off the commentary. Having shown initial signs of disease during the last visit on 22 March, Jonathan identifies it as having the highest septoria pressure of all varieties at the site.

“Skyscraper is rather grubby,” says Jonathan. “You can see the lower leaves are dying due to septoria infection. This is in comparison to Champion, which I’d say is the cleanest variety and reasonably green,” he says.

Overall, the team agrees that septoria pressure is in-line with AHDB Recommended List ratings, although Jonathan does have concerns. “Even with Champion’s septoria rating of 8.1, I wouldn’t be complacent,” he says.

Moving through the crop, comments about a backward-looking KWS Dawsum are made, along with the lack of yellow rust. “Well, I’m glad we didn’t find it!”

exclaims farm manager and agronomist, Colin Woodward.

As with Callow, the plots are awash with stem-based browning, which Jonathan attributes to eyespot and suspected fusarium. “There’s not one variety without some form of stem-based disease. During the last visit we noted a brown lesion in Skyscraper, but that’s since blackened and likely to be fusarium.”

Bayer’s Ben Giles confirms this is indeed the case, having recently received qPCR leaf sampling results. He suggests this could come back to bite at T3, but using prothioconazole in tank mixes will help to prevent it moving further up the stem.

Discussions shift to why eyespot is proving so prevalent this season, which Jonathan believes is a weakness of most varieties being trialled at the site. He says that for some varieties, this season will prove their first ‘real test’ against the disease.

Again, the Crop Doctor team agrees that they’re seeing eyespot in crops they wouldn’t usually expect, including commercial mid-October drilled first wheats. One hypothesis suggested by Jonathan, is that it could be due to cultivation choice.

Colin jokes that he’d rather not discuss machinery. An unfortunate sprayer breakdown coupled with continued rainfall means he’s on the backfoot. Just three dry days since 6 March has resulted in prioritising oilseed rape disease control and barley T1s, leaving a third of his wheat crop without a T0. “If we can manage to get those remaining T0s on and reduce the tank mix at T1, it’ll be worth the effort,” he says.

Ben confirms this is a wise move, given there are only three varieties he’d chance missing a T0 – Palladium, Extase and Champion. He says for all other varieties, it’s not worth the risk given the season so far

Colin’s also worried that the rain has

washed away nutrition so crops may be lacking N. “Given Dawsum isn’t looking amazing, there’s a chance that’s the case,” he says.

Looking forward, Colin says he’s likely to increase applications of Ascra to 1.2 l/ha at T1 on septoria-susceptible varieties, opting for 1 l/ha Ascra plus 1 l/ha folpet on the rest. He may revert to Reyvstar XE (fluxapyroxad+ mefentrifluconazole) if application timings are late.

Ben warns that product cost is having an impact on grower choices this year “We’d usually recommend including a multisite in tank mixes to help with resistance management and prolong the longevity of products. It should be standard practice at T1 and T2, but it’s explaining that to growers who’re struggling with input costs,” he says.

A bonus, which all agree on, is the lack of yellow rust. Jonathan says that Colin shouldn’t worry for now unless there’s a prolonged gap between spray timings, and even then, these varieites aren’t highly susceptable to yellow rust.

Long Sutton, Lincolnshire

The following day (April 19) sees a windy trip to David Hoyles’ farm at Long Sutton. Surprisingingly, given past experience, yellow rust remains ellusive. “I thought Long Sutton was meant to be a hot-bed of yellow rust,” says Jonathan. “But it’s not. I’m rather surprised by that and we really have looked.”

Chatting among themselves, the team deduces that it’s an anomalie perhaps due to cold sea breezes drifting over the farm and knocking the disease back. “I’d usually expect pathogens to have bounced back after early frosts, it shouldn’t be a struggle for them to populate,” says Jonathan.

There’s been ‘an explosion of septoria’ across all varieties at all four sites,says the Crop Doctor team.

Wolverine is one of the varieties struggling with septoria pressure this season.

At Great Tew,Jonathan Blake says there’s not one variety without some form of stem-based disease.

Commentary evolves to the solitary incidence of brown rust found in Crusoe during previous inspections (March 21). “Again, we can see minor traces so it’s worth keeping an eye on, particularly after T2,” he says. “Mildew remains present with low levels in Skyfall and Crusoe, and like Great Tew, fusarium seems to be on the way (identified in Extase).”

Contrary to the other sites, eyespot isn’t so bad, instead, it’s septoria pressure that the team wants to focus on. “Generally speaking, we’re seeing septoria on leaf six across all varieties. Crops are behind compared with Great Tew and Callow so leaves four and five are clean for now,” says Jonathan.

“The amount of disease on leaf six varies depending on the variety, with Skyscraper and Dawsum being the worst, and Theodore one of the cleanest,” he adds.

According to Bayer’s Tom Astill, it’s the proximity of leaf six to four and five that’s of concern. “The leaves are touching which means it’s very easy for disease to spread, even if weather is dry and there’s no rainsplash.”

Jonathan agrees that the height of infection won’t be doing the crop any favours. “With no natural leaf separation at the moment, it’s high risk that developing leaves will become infected.”

Tom believes the crop is at least seven to 10 days off a T1 spray. “There’s some variance in growth stages between GS30-31, but a T1 application will be vital in protecting leaf three from disease.”

Although inspection day was rain-free, everyone agrees that they expected the site to have dried up by now. Farm manager Henry Richardson explains the farm has had 80mm of rain since the last visit and two days above 15°C. With this in mind, he’s wary of disease risk and will likely aim for

Ascra plus folpet for T1.

He says T2 decisions will again be based on risk. “Univoq is almost a given for Skyscraper and other less resistant varieties. This’ll free up an SDHI like Aviator (bixafen+ prothioconazole) for T3 if needed.”

Boghall Farm,Midlothian

A fresh but dry morning at SRUC’s Boghall Farm concludes this round of the Crop Doctor tour. “It’s a lovely, dewy morning and the crop has really jumped,” says plant pathologist, Professor Fiona Burnett.

“Compared with our visit in March, septoria is more visible, up to leaf four or five. Varietal differences are starting to show depending on crop growth and canopy development.”

Bayer’s Grant Reid concurs. “It’s rocketed –– on our last visit the crop was around GS30, if that. It’s now doubled or even trebled in height, with a particularly upright growth habit.”

As inspections continue, Fiona raises the overall appearance of the crop. “In some plots, the older leaves have shrivelled up and died due to septoria, it’s quite noticeable. Despite newly emerged leaves being clean, inoculum is rubbing against them so it won’t take much for new growth to become infected too.”

She explains that although septoria is successfully ticking over at the site, there’s no sign of other diseases such as yellow or brown rust, or eyespot. But both have seen or heard reports of yellow rust at some commercial farms.

Back to the weather –– with a dry week forecast, Grant says growers will be preparing to spray “It’s important to dissect the crop correctly and make assessments,” he says. “The real risk is being premature with application timings due to an awareness

Temptation to travel when you can,which could be early,means a risk of not hitting the exact application timing,says Fiona Burnett.

of high disease pressure. That said, field operations are behind –– there’s no where near enough spring barley planted at the moment, there are no potatoes in, so there’s an avalanche of work to get through.

“Yes it’s been dry, but the wind speed has meant we’ve had minimal spray days. Temptation to travel when you can, which could be early, means a risk of not hitting the exact application timing.”

Fiona agrees this approach is essentially a waste of money. “Crops are clearly leaping and spray timings may be gappy, but a premature application is wasteful and could be detrimental to yield. I understand it’s hard to wait if you’re presented with a dirty crop such as this year; you’ll be in the mindset of wanting to fix it.”

The team agrees it’ll be all hands to the pump, confirmed by the fact it’s proven tricky to coordinate diaries for the Crop Doctor inspections across all sites this week. According to Grant, it’s spring barley that Scottish growers will be wary of.

“The ground is still very cold, however, seedbeds are good and unlike last year there’s decent soil moisture. Some growers might up their seed rates, but it’s important to not cut back on inputs in this scenario,” he says.

“On the whole, crops are dirtier this year due to the mild autumn, including oilseed rape and winter barley. They’re charging on, so growers will need to keep their eye on the ball and manage their workloads carefully It’ll be about timely spray applications and an ability to travel,” concludes Grant. ■

Jonathan Blake says the wet weather has exacerbated eyespot in varieties such as Extase.

Henry Richardson is aiming for Ascra plus folpet at T1,in recognition of the high septoria risk.

Cereal disease control

A wet early spring has favoured septoria and thrown fungicide strategies in the air. CPM investigates how four decision-makers from across the country are planning to manage the threat at T2.

By Will Charlton

Choosing a fungicide for T2 is one of the great gambles in the farming year. A decline in the wheat price from the highs of 2022,combined with increasing input costs, including hefty increases to fungicides, means that protecting yield as economically as possible is more critical than ever.

Oxfordshire far mer Julian Gold says his approach is straightforward this season. It’s a fungicide’s performance against septoria that dictates his product choice, and he believes only a few options are up to the standard he expects.

Julian manages the 800ha Hendred Estate in South Oxfordshire, growing oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley and beans. His wheat area

T2 decisions loom

is split between four varieties: Gleam, Graham, KWS Extase and Champion. Coming out of winter, his crops look well. However, Julian is concerned that the wet March has done little to encourage rooting, leaving them more susceptible to summer drought.

Rate adjustments

“I don’t believe I have many choices in the products I will use,” says Julian. “Across all the varieties I grow, I will use Univoq (prothioconazole+ fenpicoxamid) at T2, following a T1 application of Revystar (mefentrifluconazole+ fluxapyroxad).

“Univoq seems to have gone up less in price than other fungicides, and it’s the best product against septoria. I will adjust the rate according to the variety and pressure at T2 and I should be able to use a lower rate for Champion and Extase.”

Julian says another option for these more resistant varieties could have been Ascra (prothioconazole+ fluopyram+ bixafen) at T1, followed by Revystar at T2. However, using the same products across his whole wheat area and adjusting the rates is easier

“I would like more of an IPM approach to disease control and use fewer fungicides, but the economic ar guments for using fungicides make eliminating their use difficult. Even on the most resistant

Julian Gold would like more of an IPM approach to disease control and use fewer fungicides,but the economic arguments for using fungicides make eliminating their use difficult.

The situation is set for septoria to jump up the canopy as leaves emerge.

Cereal disease control

KWS Barrell and Elicit,” says Craig. “They all have a four or five rating for septoria, with weaknesses to yellow and brown rust. Early drilling means that the septoria score can be deducted by at least one when we evaluate the risk when planning our fungicide programmes.

“So far this spring, I’ve seen lots of septoria in all varieties, and yellow rust is particularly apparent in Skyscraper. Some crops were drilled later in the autumn, after potatoes, and have significantly less disease; however, yellow rust and mildew are always a concern in this situation. Considering our varieties, drilling date and rainfall, the current foliar disease pressure is not unusual leading up to T2,” says Craig.

Stem-based disease

varieties, it always pays to use a fungicide at T2,” he says.

The much-publicised issues with Univoq last year were a consideration when he planned his fungicide programme. “Last year, some far mers locally had issues with spray equipment after applying Univoq. I’ve always used higher water volumes, so I had no problem using it at T2 with a water volume above 130 l/ha.

“One of the reasons I’ve used Revystar at T1 is the ability to tank mix PGRs and herbicides as the crop needs. This is less of an issue at T2, so I can apply Univoq alone with a high water volume and avoid potential sprayer complications,” explains Julian.

A high percentage of varieties susceptible to disease and a tendency for early drilling means that Agrii agronomist Craig Herkes expects a robust T2 in these situations.

Craig advises over 5000ha, covering The Borders, East Lothian and Fife. Most of his customers select their wheat varieties with the local distilling end market in mind. This enables them to capture a premium and, with most of the maltsters based in their locality, cut down on haulage costs.

However, the most popular biscuit and soft-feed wheat varieties are susceptible to disease. This is exacerbated by a tendency to drill in September and early October to ensure the crop is well-established before the winter begins.

“The most widely grown varieties in my area are LG Skyscraper, Elation,

“Cold waterlogged soils in early spring mean the area is a hotspot for stem-based disease. SRUC has always done its eyespot trials in East Lothian, which indicates how much of an issue it can be. Controlling fusarium, microdochium, and eyespot requires a programmed approach.

“Although the new chemistr y is excellent at controlling foliar disease, I worr y it does little to prevent these diseases. Because of this, I try to control them at T0 and T3 using tebuconazole and prothioconazole,” he says.

Looking ahead to T2 decisions, Craig believes it hinges on the variety choice

and drill dates, with crops receiving an appropriate fungicide. “We have to manage disease responsibly with the correct tools. Once a crop has been drilled on a specific date with a par ticular variety, the disease risk must be adequately addressed. Savings can be made in fungicide programmes, but only when the situation allows.

“Revystar and Univoq have to be considered at T2 in high-pressure situations. Both give good control of septoria. Univoq is interesting because it provides a different mode of action and where I’m planning to use Univoq, I’ve reserved it for T2. It may not suit every situation, like on varieties susceptible to brown rust or where a farmer has a sprayer equipped with pulse width modulation.

“Revystar is a great option to fit alongside Univoq,” believes Craig. “It controls a broader spectrum of diseases and has greater dose rate flexibility. I will recommend both fungicides, depending on the situation.”

“I have had to re-write the same recommendation four times,” says Hutchinsons agronomist James Whatty when summarising how the season has gone so far. “It has been several years since I have seen the septoria pressure I’m now seeing in crops.”

James advises on a wide range of crops in mid-Cor nwall, the most significant being wheat, barley and maize. The wet spring weather has led to ver y high septoria pressure, compounded by few farmers being able to apply a T0 fungicide. Despite the high disease pressure, he believes crops in his area

East,west,south or north – septoria is the disease of the moment,though resistant varieties are showing their value.

A combination of early drilling,poor varietal resistance and weather conditions mean eyespot is prevalent in some crops this spring.

It has been several years since James Whatty seen the septoria pressure he’s now seeing in crops.

have good yield potential. Dry weather in February allowed farmers to apply early nitrogen as planned, which has resulted in good nutrient uptake and crop biomass.

Hard wheat varieties, grown for animal feed, predominate in his area, the most popular being Graham, Extase, and more recently SY Insitor and Champion. “At the minute, Extase is suffering particularly badly from septoria. It’s early to develop in the spring, and leaves have emerged over poor weather windows. Champion is standing out as looking particularly promising. Those crops are uniform and the disease pressure is noticeably lower. This is encouraging because I urge my customers to grow newer varieties with better disease resistance.

“Fungicide timing has been particularly tricky this year. Many crops have one main bold tiller, with additional smaller tillers. This has led to variable leaf emergence, especially with leaf three. The levels of septoria lower in the canopy are huge with leaves 5 and 6 fully infected. I believe this has been exacerbated by salt bur n and tipping, allowing disease into the leaf,” says James.

T2 decisions will be a balancing act. Falling commodity prices mean that fungicide spend is understandably being challenged. However, failing to control disease when the pressure is high could result in yield losses. James’s T2 fungicide will be based on mefentrifluconazole, or mefentrifluconazole+ fluxapyroxad (Revystar). Although Univoq is a good fit for the southwest and the par ticularly high

septoria pressure this year, there are a lot of caveats which have put growers off using the fungicide, he says, particularly in a season with limited weather windows and multiple crops to cover.

He cautions against relying too much on one group of chemistry. “I may be forced to use two applications of a mefentrifluconazole-containing product if the pressure is bad, but it’s not ideal. Because of this, most of my T2 fungicides will follow a T1 application of prothioconazole plus tebuconazole tank mixed with a bixafen plus fluopyramcontaining product,” says James.

Norfolk-based independent agronomist Craig Green believes that the weather so far this spring has provided the perfect conditions for septoria to thrive in what is typically a lower-pressure part of the country.

Septoria development

“Septoria favours three climatic conditions,” explains Craig. “Temperatures ranging from 6-200C, which it has been for the second half of March and April. Next is rain splash and parts of my area had over 100mm of rain and only two dr y days in March. Finally, septoria development requires 16 hours of leaf wetness in a day We’ve had two such days just this week [early April], so the situation is set for septoria to jump up the canopy as leaves emerge.

“I advise on 1200ha of land managed using regenerative farming practices, where we have been able to get away with very little fungicide use in the past few years. This year’s septoria pressure means I will have to recommend more than I initially expected to maintain the green leaf area,” he says.

Like in the southwest, hard wheat varieties grown for feed are the most popular in Craig’s area. “My customers favour Extase, LG Typhoon, Champion, Dawsum, Graham and Gleam. Last year was a lousy year for yellow r ust, which heavily influenced far mers’ choices for sowing last autumn.

“There was a step change towards growing varieties more resistant to septoria the year after we lost chlorothalonil. Variety choice has helped to lower the pressure, although this year I can easily see septoria on varieties rated as a 7 for the disease.

Variety choice has helped to lower the pressure, says Crag Green.Although this year,he can easily see septoria on varieties rated as a seven for the disease.

the higher pressure, I have increased the dose rate by 25% from what I originally planned,” says Craig

For T2, the conversation has been dominated by the pros and cons of Revystar and Univoq. Craig believes that Univoq is the better fungicide of the two overall. Its activity is more protective, meaning the spray timing must be cor rect. In contrast, Revystar is more curative, which is advantageous for growers who struggle to spray their whole acreage on the appropriate day.

“I have been tr ying to steer my customers towards Univoq as I believe it’s the right product for the season. It should provide the best control and works out 35% cheaper than an equivalent dose of Revystar,” he says.

“However, Univoq seems to be a Marmite product on-farm. Farmers who got on well with it last year like it, especially when they see the saving they can make. Those who experienced problems with spray equipment, or heard accounts of them, will not take the risk. The farmers will decide, and I will recommend Univoq or Revystar accordingly,” he adds.

For many agronomists Univoq is the product of choice with septoria threatening,though some growers remain wary of the associated sprayer complications experienced last season.

“Most of my T2s will follow Ascra at T1. It may not be as strong as Revystar on septoria, but it’s effective against eyespot, which all of my most popular varieties have a weakness against. To account for

It’s unusual to find a similar level of disease pressure across the country halfway through the season. Many farmers and agronomists would have to think back to 2012 to remember a year when the whole country faced a septoria epidemic. Then the rain began in April and didn’t stop through the summer. However, the weather is increasingly fickle and early-season showers could quickly turn into a summer heatwave, halting septoria in its tracks… ■

Real Results Pioneers

Spring patience

without an issue –– I don’t believe that for one moment.

“But I do think we can direct drill our spring crops comfortably. It’s autumn crops, when it starts to get damp, that remain more of an issue.”

By Mike Abram

Conventional logic says direct drilling in Scotland is challenging. Doing it in high magnesium content clay soils is even more difficult. Adding in using low horsepower tractors on such soils some would say is absurd.

But David Fuller-Shapcott is on a mission to prove the naysayers wrong on his 369ha in the Scottish Borders, having last autumn bought a second-hand Horsch CO4 direct drill after a few seasons testing various drills.

His 25-40% heavy clay soils are what he describes as “sticky boot land”, although a combination of a drier February, albeit not as dry as in parts of England, and the improvements he has made in managing his soils, meant he was able to walk across his wettest fields without his boots becoming coated this February.

“We’re definitely winning the soil improvement battle,” he says. “We’re not yet in a position to say that our soils are really healthy and we can direct drill everything

Patience is the key for spring crops, which is why he’s not panicking as a result of a much wetter March that has prevented any nitrogen being applied to his winter wheat, let alone starting spring barley drilling.

Cool soils

“Soil temperatures are sitting at 4.50C, so I’ve not been in a desperate rush to do anything,” he says. “We have a saying up here that if soils are too cold to put your bare behind on, then it’s not time to drill yet.

“It’s all about soil temperature –– I want it to be rising above 60C and would prefer 8-90C. Much to the annoyance of my staff, I do have a lot of patience and it is important.”

The other key factor for spring barley establishment is making sure the soils have dried out enough so drilling causes neither smearing or consolidation. “That includes on the turning headlands,” he says. “They need to be dry enough to withstand the weight of the tractor and drill.”

Everything is done with dual wheels on low horsepower tractors to minimise the footprint. “Our biggest tractor is 150hp, the 28m trailed sprayer is pulled by 115hp which most people think is absurd, while we use a 27-year-old, 85hp tractor with the rolls.

“The weight of machinery is the problem. Rutted tramlines on this soil with high magnesium content can have water sitting in them through harvest, and that’s just creating a permanent mess. I’d rather not do an autumn herbicide on winter cereals than make a mess.”

Spring barley forms approximately one-sixth of the cropped area on the farm in a rotation that starts with oilseed rape, spring oats sandwiched between two winter wheats, before spring barley and then winter barley as the entry back into OSR.

The alternation between winter and spring crops provides opportunities for either stale seedbeds, which are difficult between winter

▲

Patience is the key to succeeding with both direct drilling and spring barley in Scotland, as CPM finds out when meeting David Fuller-Shapcott.

Spring barley forms approximately one-sixth of the cropped area at Sweethope Farm.

Keeping on top of disease will also help delay any onset of ramularia.

Real Results Pioneers

“Part of my switch to direct drilling is the aspiration that autumn herbicides will go on. It opens up the prospect of following the harvested winter wheat with a cover crop safely, or possibly flying a cover crop into the standing wheat crop.”

That would potentially extend the tight window for cover crops by around a month, he says.

Flying flock

Cover crops or overwintered stubbles ahead of spring barley are grazed by a flying flock, before any remaining weeds are sprayed off with glyphosate in early April. Base phosphorus and potassium fertiliser and around half of the crop’s nitrogen requirements are applied 7-10 days later.

Keeping nitrogen inputs as low as possible is good both for soil health as well as the bottom line, in a season when it has been bought at not quite the top of the market but a price that is “fairly painful to look at,” says David.

Some of the higher input price risk this season has been negated through selling forward on what look like good contracts currently. “All the spring and winter barley is on contract, as are the spring oats and some of the wheat, which is going for seed.

“An 8t/ha crop of Diablo is not going to give an unattractive end result given its reduced growing costs and the Golden Promise has a good premium attached to take into account reduced yield.”

crops in Scotland, or over-wintered cover crops if the wheat is cleared early enough.

“Realistically cover cropping is a long shot because it’s usually too late to do it. Even last autumn, after a particularly early wheat harvest, we only managed to get one field in.”

Cover cropping also requires the previous wheat crops to receive an autumn herbicide rather than a spring mesosulfuron-containing product, as the latter’s activity will impact on cover crop establishment success, he points out.

Net

zero

“We moved to liquid fertilisers three years ago,” explains David. “And with every pass we also apply a liquid carbon source to try and feed the soil biology, which is going to convert that nitrogen instead of burning organic carbon to do the same thing.”

Typically, he’s applying around 105-110kgN/ha to his higher yielding Diablo spring barley variety, and 90-95kgN/ha to the older, lower yielding Golden Promise. He expects Diablo to yield around 8t/ha compared with the 5-5.5t/ha for the Golden Promise.

targets driving premium wheat contract

Net zero targets for distillers are driving a closer working relationship through the supply chain, with significant premiums potentially available for certain practices, says David.

“Some of the distillers are trying to be net zero by as soon as four or five years,while others are pushing it out to 2040 and there’s everything in between.It’s driving the distillers to get closer to the farmer in connection with tr ying to get a system that is net zero,” he explains.

That’s led to some interesting premium contracts for soft wheats for distilling in Scotland through Simpsons Malt.

“I don’t want to call it a sustainability premium because that’s not what it is,but it is a premium for growing soft wheat for this market where the other things we are doing around the farm are being rewarded by the end user.

“So the improvement in soil health,the biodiversity on the farm,water quality protections are all giving us a premium.

“There’s a premium for committing to grow soft distilling wheat on the long-term agreement,plus an additional uplift on top for achieving sustainability objectives agreed at the

start of each growing season.This is starting with baselining greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production,then looking at things like direct drilling and cover crops as time progresses.”

As a LEAF-accredited farm,David was well placed to take advantage of such a contract,so there hasn’t been anything specific he needed to change to access the premium.

“The distillers are looking at what they can do for their own in-house emissions and changing their energy consumption.But the supply chain is still where there’s a problem and they are looking to effectively support farmers in making changes by means of these contracts.

“This particular one is with Chivas for soft wheat,but I’m expecting the malting barley trade to look at a contract with similar principles.It’s a carrot rather than a stick.”

He’s also signed up for a carbon trading scheme with Soil Capital in the past few months.“I’m a fan of the concept of being able to earn carbon credits for trading by changing practices.”

In the Soil Capital scheme,change of practice is either from the norm in the local area

The Diablo is grown for distilling usage for specific end users through Simpsons Malt’s grower group scheme, while the Golden Promise is grown primarily for specialist brewing. “It’s a traditional variety that has its attractions apart from the premium price. It’s pretty robust –– you will struggle to skin a Golden Promise crop with a combine, which in some years is an attractive feature.”

Having two different varieties can also help logistically, he says. “If there’s an intake for Diablo then they will take it off the floor, and likewise for Golden Promise. So I’ve got a bit of flexibility to try to keep grain moving

or from a benchmarked point in time. In David’s case,his method of farming is unusual in the local region, he says.

“I fit the bill quite easily because most folk in this part of the world plough,whereas we’re either minimum tillage or direct drilling, so you can earn credits that way and by planting cover crops.”

He stresses the scheme is inset trading ––within the agricultural supply chain –– rather than offsetting a third party’s emissions from outside of farming. “From a conscience point of view that’s important –– it’s not a greenwashing exercise.”

Net zero targets for distillers are driving a closer working relationship through the supply chain, with significant premiums potentially available for certain practices.

Cover crops or overwintered stubbles ahead of spring barley are grazed by a flying flock, before any remaining weeds are sprayed off with glyphosate in early April,explains David Fuller-Shapcott.

Real Results trial: Field 7,Sweethope Farm,Kelso,Roxburghshire

off the premises, which when you have a fair bit to do and not a lot of shed space makes a difference.”

With his relatively late drilling date, David uses a high seed rate of at least 400 seeds/m2 “Because the growing period is quite short, barley doesn’t have much time to tiller with us, so I keep the seed rates up in order to achieve somewhere near the right head count –– we’re aiming for around 900 heads/m2 at harvest.

“Roughly speaking, that’s a main stem and one additional tiller per plant, so tiller retention is important. If you check a barley crop it’s difficult to get it going again, and in the process, you lose tillers.”

That means disease control and nutrition are key parts of growing a successful crop. While mildew is a weakness for Golden Promise, rhynchosporium is usually the primary disease threat, with net blotch an occasional problem.

“Keeping on top of disease will also help delay any onset of ramularia,” says David. He also uses micronutrient applications to de-stress the plant and delay triggering ramularia, as well as maximising output and

The Real Results Circle

BASF’s Real Results Circle farmer-led trials are now in their sixth year.The initiative is focused on working with more than 50 farmers to conduct field-scale trials on their own farms using their own kit and management systems.The trials are all assessed using ADAS’ Agronomics tool which delivers statistical confidence to tramline,or field-wide treatment comparisons –– an important part of Real Results.

In a continuation of this series we follow the journey, thinking and results from farmers involved in the programme.The features also look at

improving nitrogen use efficiency. Historical data and, when needed, leaf issue tests are used to help guide decision making.

Trace elements

“We’re routinely short on manganese, copper and zinc, so we’re always looking at applying those, plus other nutrients that are slow to move around the plant, such as boron in particular.”

Boron is applied in little and often applications as it’s difficult to get from the soil, while molybdenum and sulphur are used to improve nitrogen use efficiency.

In total, the micronutrient package costs around £20-30/ha. “It’s a reasonable spend, but if you’re spending £200/ha on nitrogen, it’s important to make it as efficient as possible. Last year, we took off 130kgN/ha nitrogen in the crop, while only applying 105kgN/ha,” he says.

There could be a change in his standard two-spray fungicide programme this season after last year’s Real Results trial showed a yield improvement of 0.24t/ha +/- 0.15t/ha (90% confidence interval) from Tevos (fluxapyroxad+ pyraclostrobin) plus

some other related topics, such as environmental stewardship and return on investment.

We want farmers to share their knowledge and conduct on-farm trials. By coming together to face challenges as one,we can find out what really works and shape the future of UK agriculture.

To keep in touch with the progress of these growers and the trials,go to www.basfrealresults.co.uk or scan the QR code.

prothioconazole treatment at T1 compared with his farm standard of Inception Xpro (bixafen) plus Zephyr (prothioconazole+ trifloxystrobin).

ADAS Agronomics analysis of the yield map from the field, where three pairs of tramlines were each treated with the BASF treatment and the farm standard, suggested the estimated yield gain was unlikely to have been the result of unexplained variation across the field.

“There wasn’t much difference in disease between the two during the season,” notes David. “Although you could see the Tevos treatment was hanging on to its green leaf area for a little bit longer, perhaps, so I wasn’t really expecting much of a yield difference.”

While the 0.24t/ha difference wasn’t massive, it’s enough for David and his agronomist to consider trying a bit more Tevos plus Innox (prothioconazole) this season, although it will come down to the relative cost of the two programmes.

Conducting Real Results trials are hugely informative, he adds. “Trials results that are any further than about 10 miles from here don’t really mean much, so that’s the principal reason for wanting to do them here.

“I think there’s also the opportunity to effectively have a scientist in the field, albeit remotely, with these trials. You have a scientist who is looking at what you’re doing, taking soil samples and doing disease assessments, which is a particularly attractive element,” he says.

“We also had the chance to trial Revystar (mefentrifluconazole+ fluxapyroxad) pre-registration, and you don’t get those opportunities without being part of such groups,” he concludes. ■

Source:BASF,2022

Real Results Pioneers

Insider’s View

A new winter feed barley has sailed onto the scene, with a strong tail wind docking it securely at the top of the two-rows for yield and rounded performance. CPM explores what’s making Limagrain’s latest variety LG Caravelle turn heads.

By Melanie Jenkins

It might not be common knowledge ––the kind that could come in useful at a pub quiz –– but a caravelle (or caravel) is a small 15th centur y Portuguese sailing ship,and more recently a fairly pricey Volkswagen van. However,Limagrain has brought a new face to the name in the form of a winter barley that has the potential to,quite literally,rock the feed barley boat.

The company’s latest two-row winter feed barley LG Caravelle hails a big step in the breeding progress of these types, according to the firm’s Ron Granger. “If you look at what breeders have been doing with two-row feed varieties over the past 10 years, they’ve increased yield, improved disease resistance and

Raising the mast

produced varieties with good grain attributes. The bar has been raised so much in the past few years that they’ve basically caught up with hybrid varieties.”

And with a UK yield of 106% on the AHDB Recommended List, the figures speak for themselves. “It’s the highest yielding two-row feed and is equal to the highest yielding hybrids. But more importantly, Caravelle has shown consistency in its performance across different regions and seasons,” says Ron.

Ahead of hybrids

“The past few years have been difficult, with dr y springs pushing the season back, but Caravelle has demonstrated a yield of 109% in the East region, which is two and a half points ahead of the closest hybrid, making it an interesting option for growers in that area.”

Although John Miles of Agrii has only seen Caravelle in Agrii trials for the past year, the variety has already made an impression. “We put the variety into trial last year and generally it looks ver y good all round.”

Clive Tuffin of Pearce Seeds is based in the South West and has been looking at Caravelle in Limagrain’s trials over the past couple of years. “Everything I’ve seen of the variety has looked nice and clean, it’s had consistent yield figures and has performed well across all regions.

We’re seeing the next step in on-farm varietal security for farmers.

“ ”

LG Caravelle’s yield potential is being bolstered by its disease resistance profile, says Ron Granger

The next stage of Limagrain’s breeding programme is focused on creating varieties adapted to cope in different climates,says Sophie Buon.

All barley we produce in the South West is for feed and as Caravelle looks to be a good, high yielding feed type variety. It should be well suited to the area.”

The fact that the newcomer’s yield is competing with hybrids is of particular interest to John. “There’s been a jump in two-row yields, and perhaps some of the hybrids are getting a bit long in tooth in ter ms of per for mance or disease resistance potentially dropping away.”

Ron believes Caravelle’s yield potential is being backed up by its specific weight, where often the two characteristics have

Flying high

George Thompson is growing Caravelle for the second year in a row at Grasby House Farm in North Lincolnshire. Working on light but good sandy loam soils,he grows sugar beet,potatoes, oilseed rape,winter and spring barley,with all winter barley grown for seed.

He first grew Caravelle for Harvest 22 with the crop drilled on 24 October the previous year Spread across one field, the barley was established using two different methods; the first being with a Kuhn power harrow combination drill and the second was cultivated with a Kverneland DTX before drilling.“It went in a little later than usual because it was so dry,and we were looking for moisture.”

The crop has a pre-emergence spray of Quirinus (flufenacet+ picolinafen) and Bulldog (pendimethalin+ diflufenican) on 26 October, followed by an application of manganese, Sven (esfenvalerate) and a nutria-biostimulant on 20 November

an inverse relationship. “Specific weight is important no matter what, and Caravelle’s is very high at 71.8kg/hl. It’s one of the best available and is only surpassed by KWS Cassia.”

Tom Barker of Limagrain feels that specific weight has become a more important factor in recent years. “At the end of the day, the fact Caravelle’s got a strong specific weight means there’s likely to be more in the shed for farmers to sell.”

Disease resistance

Caravelle’s yield potential is also being bolstered by its disease resistance profile, says Ron. “The variety has a 7 for mildew, a 6 for rhynchosporium and a 5 for net blotch,” he explains. “Although there’s no rating on the RL yet, our data indicates the variety scores a 7 against brown rust, which is high against this disease.”

The newly recommended variety’s rhynchosporium resistance rating is especially appealing to Clive. “In the South West, we try to only have varieties with good resistance to the disease and its 6 rating is about where we want it to be.”

But John feels the past few seasons may not have challenged disease resistance characteristics in varieties that much. “In the past few years we haven’t really seen high pressure from rhynchosporium or net blotch, so it’s been quite challenging to get reliable ratings for those diseases. But despite this, we do feel that Caravelle is good enough.

Tom Barker feels that specific weight has become a more important factor in recent years.

“And we’re seeing that brown rust can be more problematic and is one of the biggest challenges further south and in the east, says John, confirming the Agrii data seems to back up Limagrain’s data on the disease.

The variety also has resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus, adds Limagrain’s Sophie Buon, giving it all round disease resistance. The culmination of this can be seen in its untreated yield, which at 89% gives growers security, she adds.

Agrii has run its own trials looking at this. “We’ve also put Caravelle into untreated trials, and it’s generally done well but so far that’s only based on one year of data,” says John.

▲

“The crop came through the winter well and in spring was sprayed firstly with Decoy (prothioconazole), Canopy (mepiquat chloride+ prohexadione-calcium) and a biostimulant on 15 April,”says George.This was followed with Myresa (mefentrifluconazole), Zephyr (prothioconazole+ trifloxystrobin),Mojave (folpet) and another biostimulant on 28 April before a final spray on 21 May,consisting of Serpent (fluxapyroxad+ pyraclostrobin),Decoy,Mojave and another biostimulant.

“It was an exceptionally dry year,and I thought the variety stood reasonably well and produced a nice grain sample which all went for seed,with the bulk of it coming in at 69.9kg/hl and yielding 8.5t/ha,”says George.

He decided to grow Caravelle again this season, drilling some early but another field went in very late at the end of November behind sugar beet.“The late field looks okay,and the rest looks reasonably well but I haven’t managed to apply a

Despite last season being exceptionally dr y, Caravelle stood reasonably well and produced a nice grain sample of 69.9kg/hl at Garsby House Farm, yielding 8.5t/ha.

T0 because of the weather.So I’ll be going in with a T1 in mid-April.

“It’ll be interesting to see how the later drilled field does,but it does seem thick enough so far,” he adds.

The variety exhibits short straw like LG mountain, has a good lodging and brackling capability, and comes in with an early maturity, says Ron.

Agrii trialled Caravelle at eight sites, situated the full length of the countr y, from Dundee in Scotland to Saltash in Cor nwall, adds John. “We’ve put the variety into dedicated lodging strips where it’s in high-pressure situations and it didn’t perform badly by any means. It’s certainly not weak strawed at all, but there are other varieties with stronger straw.”

For those growers utilising barley in the fight against blackgrass, Caravelle is competitive in these situations, says Ron. “The story has always been about hybrids being used competitively against blackgrass, but Caravelle has real potential here.”

Agrii has conducted its own blackgrass trials and generally finds six-row hybrids to be very competitive because they grow so aggressively in spring and, because they’re tall and competitive, blackgrass heads remain below the canopy. This causes blackgrass ears to be smaller than if they over topped the crop, according to John.

“Conventional barleys do help against blackgrass because of their fast growth habit, but their standard height means blackgrass ears come out of the top of the canopy, and generally two-rows aren’t as competitive against the grassweed,” he says.

“English barleys tend to be slower out of the block than French ones, with the exception being California, which, a few years ago ear ned a three-star rating on

Agrii’s scale for competitiveness against blackgrass, making it on par with a conventional six-row.

“But based on one year of data, Caravelle has a preliminary three-star rating, so it’s showing promise in terms of blackgrass competition,” he adds. “However, in high pressured situations we’d still advise growing a hybrid because of the extra competition it provides.”

But how did Limagrain produce a variety like Caravelle? “We focused on treated yield, specific weight and disease,” explains Sophie. “Using genomic selection we can predict the value of these elements at an early stage in the breeding process, helping us to focus on the best varieties to bring to market.

“Caravelle heralds the arrival of this new breeding in the market and there will be a lot of new varieties coming through behind it. Because of the technique, this will be happening much faster, instead of taking eight years to bring a variety to market, it’s now taking about six years.”

Around 30,000 potential varieties are pre-screened for their prospective traits before 200 to 300 crosses are produced. “It’s important we still take varieties to field because, as brilliant as the new technology is, there’s still a lot of value in combining this with human field experience,” says Sophie.

“To have produced a variety like Caravelle just shows the technology is working and that breeding is becoming more efficient and delivering better varieties for far mers.”

Future targets

The next stages of the breeding programme are focused on creating varieties that are adapted to cope in different climates, she says. “This will par ticularly help varieties cope with disease and insects, and I think this is going to become more important in the UK. We’re also aware that markers for current disease resistances could change, so we’re constantly looking at these.

“But one of the next targets is to produce a two-row winter barley that’s tolerant to barley yellow dwarf virus. This won’t be a cut and dried solution but would make management a lot easier for farmers.”

As this is Caravelle’s first year on the RL, it’s also the first year of commercial availability but there’s over 1000ha of C2 seed in the ground, says Tom. “It’s a

variety that a lot of growers may want to try as it’s got a headline yield and no disease weaknesses.”

Tom feels that growers who’ve been growing hybrids might also be interested in returning to two-rows because of Caravelle’s performance. “Hybrids account for about 20-25% of the winter barley market but this could change. Plus, we’re currently testing to see if Caravelle could be suitable for more than just the feed market.”

Ron feels that the portfolio of two-row winter barleys on offer is exciting. “We’re seeing the next step in on-farm varietal security for farmers and these types are proving to be an option on farm again.” ■

While conventional barley can help against blackgrass because of its fast growth habit, generally hybrids are better,especially in high pressured situations.

LG

at a glance

Clive Tuffin is based in the South West and has been looking at Caravelle in Limagrain’s trials over the past couple of years.

Taking away the stress

Stress is arguably the single biggest risk factor for any barley crop. CPM attended a BASF roundtable to discover why preventing stress in the crop is important and how this can be done while facing numerous challenges.

By Melanie Jenkins

One common denominator could be claimed to link growing a successful barley crop,be it winter or spring,for feed,malting or distilling,and that is removing stress. And reducing it from the outset is key,says Andrew Smooker of BASF.

And there’s not one single way of doing this. Instead, it requires a combined approach of selecting the right variety, optimising crop nutrition, using the correct crop protection and actives, as well as making sure PGR choice and the timings of all of the above are as precise as possible, adds BASF’s David Leahy, suggesting it’s best to “treat barley like it’s a piece of cotton wool”.

The majority of growers are aiming to maximise their yields, and variety choice is

really important for this, he says. “However, this is often dictated by the market. In some cases it’ll be the feed market, but in others it’ll be down to grassweed pressure. And barley programmes should also be tailored over the course of the season according to the variety you’re growing and whether it’s a hybrid or two-row conventional, as these require two very different approaches.”

Getting things right with barley star ts at the ver y beginning, says David. “It’ll be down to establishment technique and keeping seed rates high as barley responds well to this. You can’t put barley into poor conditions as it has to hit the ground running. Be it in autumn or spring –– the crop has to be able to build density and biomass.”

He suggests that aiming for 1000 shoots/m2 should be the bare minimum. “I think mistakes can often start on day one if not enough seed is put into the ground.”

Toby Hogsbjerg, farm manager at The Wicken Farms Co in Norfolk is growing both winter and spring barley. “We’re bringing more winter barley in to give us a double break between root crops. And although we used to grow a lot of hybrids, we’ve moved back to conventional varieties purely for establishment reasons.

The population density is a lot higher which helps us to combat other issues and is better for the soil.”

Three fifths of Peter Chapman’s rotation is down to barley on South Redbog Farm in Aberdeenshire. “We only grow hybrid winter barley, operating a high input, high output system and everything goes for feed. Winter barley is used as an early entry to oilseed rape, whereas spring barley is grown based on what suits agronomically.”

In Wales, Julian Radcliffe of Penmark Farm grows two-row winter barley to feed

Barley briefing

Barley programmes should be tailored over the course of the season according to the variety being grown and whether it’s a hybrid or two-row conventional, says David Leahy

“ ” ▲

his beef cattle, with surplus sent to a feed mill. “Barley fits into our system to spread the workload and acts as a buffer if we run short of forage, plus the straw is valuable in this area.”

According to independent agronomist, Joe Conroy, farmers in the north east of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) are still getting results from barleys that have been left behind in the UK. “Some are growing barley for feed and others for seed, with the most common six-row being Belfry, while KWS Tardis is the newest two-row we’re seeing.”

Nutrition is a very important aspect of a successful crop, says David. “Nitrogen, phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) ––especially K – are so important. And barley really is an N hungry crop, particularly when you consider the slots it’s grown in a rotation. Winter barley, and spring barley, are often grown as second and third cereals.”

Something else David has observed in his time as an agronomist is how well barley responds to potash. “There’s a strong correlation between good N uptake and the right level of potash, which can be seen as a yield response.”

One thing Toby finds difficult is getting N right on his light Norfolk soils. “I’m still learning my way with this. Cereal crops get an application of N, P and K but really the root crops on farm feed the cereals.”

Peter is unable to grow spring malting barley on his land, despite the area being dominated by it, because his soils are too fertile. “We can’t produce low N crops because our nutrition has been based

around organic manures for the past 40 years. Aberdeenshire soils are inherently infertile and acidic but ours have organic matter levels between 7% and 9%.

“We have 50 suckler cows which produce farmyard manure that has all the P and K we require, but we do usually apply a small amount of phosphate to our spring barley and use potash on winter crops,” he explains. “Putting fertiliser down the spout with the seed is vital to our spring barley establishment as it helps get it up and going. The crop requires momentum and this provides it.”

To get his crop away and aid root development, Julian puts 250kgN/ha on in the spring as soon as he can. “Potash and phosphates have been applied variable for the past 20 years, and we use muck from the cattle.”

Maintaining growth

Joe advises that those using inorganic manures should apply them early. “Barley is a crop that if it stops growing for one minute, it loses yield. It has to keep going from beginning to end, so plan your fertiliser programme in relation to this.”

Where there are trace element deficiencies, a crop is going to be stressed, flags David. “Don’t neglect sulphur and trace elements such as manganese, zinc and magnesium.”

Toby uses a lot of manganese, which is an issue in his soils. “We use a huge amount of it to keep our plants green and growing.”

Manganese was an issue for Peter for a while, so he applies a manganese

sulphate at the start of each season. “We also have an issue with copper, so we apply it in foliar form at the same time and then use magnesium to aid grain fill at the tail end of the season. We also use biostimulants on spring barley to try and prime it to fight ramularia,” he adds.

But equally, David highlights that pH and lime shouldn’t be forgotten. “These are both really important and barley responds well to good pH levels, requiring a minimum pH of 6.2.”

It’s also important to choose the correct PGR, he advises. “Select PGRs for their purpose, be it to suppress apical dominance to even crops out, or to manage root or stem lodging. However, be really conscious about the application of late PGRs as these can put crops under severe stress.”

Peter feels a lot of growers don’t appreciate the important role that PGRs play in agronomy. “We’re always getting drier summers, and crops have to be rooted well to cope. We use Modus (trinexapac-ethyl) and chlormequat if we feel the crop could fall over, plus brackling can be an issue with hybrids. Spring barley receives an application of Medax Max (prohexadione+ trinexapac-ethyl) at GS31/32 which we’ve found to be excellent.”

Taking a different approach, Julian applies chlormequat at GS30 and Canopy (mepiquat chloride+ prohexadione-calcium) at GS37. “I’m a big fan of Canopy from a stress perspective as I don’t think it’s too harsh on the crop.”

In ter ms of crop protection and its timing, early disease control at the T0/T1 timing is vitally important, says David. “These timings are so valuable, purely down to the fact we’re trying to retain tillers at this point. We want to maintain

Although ramularia may be the focus at T2, experts agree that taking a programme-wide approach is the best way to manage it.

Toby Hogsbjerg believes BYDV resistant varieties are the way forward in tackling the disease.

Prothioconazole remains the primary azole available for rhynchosporium control.

According to Joe Conroy,barley is a crop that has to keep going from beginning to end,so fertiliser programmes should be planned accordingly.

them throughout the season because yield correlates with the number of ears in barley.”

In the ROI, where some diseases can thrive under the damper conditions than in the UK, Joe believes in implementing a robust fungicide programme before disease can get a foothold. “We have a three-spray programme, and our last spray is later than many people recommend, waiting until the ear is almost fully emerged. You can’t substitute a three-spray programme in our climate. You have to prevent disease, or you’ll end up fighting rhynchosporium, net blotch and mildew until the end of the season.

“And planning is important because you only have a cer tain number of spray days and you have to use them as and when you can. If you miss out by three, four or five days, rhynchosporium can run rampant,” he says.

Peter also likes to take a three-spray approach to fungicides. “We always use them preventatively and, in my mind, aim to apply three sprays on winter barley, though the past two years have been so dry that we’ve only had to apply two.”

But managing stress in barley also means not overloading spray tanks as this can put too much pressure on a crop, highlights David.

Prothioconazole is still the primary azole available in ter ms of rhynchosporium control, he explains. “But it can’t and shouldn’t be used alone. We’re very for tunate to have it but it should be partnered with other actives to take the selection pressure off.”

David suggests it’s helpful to consider fungicides by the actives they contain rather than product names. “For example,

Revysol (mefentrifluconazole) is the most active azole solution for ramularia, but pyraclostrobin is a useful active to manage net blotch, especially the difficult strains we now have to deal with. It also has activity against brown rust.”

The UK is dealing with a specific mutation of net blotch at present, F129L, which is negatively affecting strobilurins, explains David, who reiterates the importance of using a mix of actives from different groups of chemistry. “We know there’s resistance to SHDIs and so now we’re using a combination of products in tank mixes, which should include the most robust strobilurins, like pyraclostrobin, which are less affected by F129L.”

Key active

But SDHIs, such as fluxapyroxad, still have a major role to play in barley disease programmes, adds David. “This is absolutely critical in terms of brackling and fluxaproxad is a key active to control rhynchosporium. So it’s just about making the best use of the actives at our disposal.

“In terms of T2, there’s a definitive link between green leaf area and yield, which comes out in trials ever y year. In barley, this timing is all about prolonging green leaf and managing ramularia,” he adds.

Andrews flags that keeping the crop greener for longer can have a big impact. “Those extra few days of greenness in a crop at the end will be reflected in yield. So it’s not just about disease control but also about healthy canopy duration alongside it.”

Although ramularia may be the focus at T2, taking a programme-wide approach is the best way to manage it, says David.

According to Scott Milne of BASF, while both net blotch and rhynchosporium can be well controlled with the actives available, with ramularia the approach is different as the disease is triggered by the crop coming under stress, often during anthesis. It’s now a case of delaying the onset of ramularia by preventing crop stress.”

David also warns growers to be conscious of barley yellow dwar f virus (BYDV) and take-all, par ticularly as they put the crop under stress. “Crops which had large infections of these diseases last year in the souther n par t of the ROI were decimated by ramularia, demonstrating the impact stress can have on a barley crop.”

BYDV is one of the issues Toby has been struggling with. “Sadly, we’ve a big problem with aphids in this area but

hopefully the issue of BYDV is starting to get more traction. We’ve been growing Sensation, which is BYDV resistant, but unfortunately its specific weight hasn’t been stacking up. But I do think using BYDV resistant varieties is the way forward.”

According to David, BYDV had a severe impact on a lot of winter barley crops in the ROI last year. “We had crops that barely made over 3.7t/ha because BYDV and take-all had decimated them.”

Julian sprays once for aphids in the autumn as routine. “We conducted trials which showed that BYDV could be devasting in the wrong year, but we’ve never had a total failure so we seem to be managing it.”

David sums up proceedings by reiterating the importance of taking a holistic approach to the barley crop, paying close attention to crop nutrition as well as disease control to help keep the crop under minimal stress.

“For early fungicide application, which is the most impor tant fungicide timing in barley, the combination of the three leading actives in Tevos (fluxapyroxad+ pyraclostrobin) plus Innox (prothioconazole), can cover bases without making prothioconazole carr y all the weight. Pyraclostrobin provides activity on net blotch, while fluxapyroxad covers rhynchosporium, with prothioconazole as the key early timing azole.”

And where there’s a risk of ramularia, growers can utilise Revystar XE (fluxapyroxad+ mefentrifluconazole) to cover all the bases, he concludes. ■

BYDV had a severe impact on a lot of winter barley crops in the Republic of Ireland last year.

Tackling BYDV

Here at RAGT,we’re rather proud of our new Genserus range of wheats.These ground-breaking varieties are resistant to BYDV,removing the reliance on autumn-applied aphicides to control this potentially devastating disease. In this Tech Talk,we delve into the disease in depth, and outline the key benefits thatvarietal resistance offers growers.

Protection from day one

What if growers never needed to worry about BYDV ever again? CPM explores whether that dream could soon become a reality.

By Janine Adamson

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) can cause yield losses of up to 60% in winter wheat and,in some cases,result in total crop failure. For many years, neonicotinoid seed treatments provided protection,but their withdrawal in 2019 left a lone chemical control option –– pyrethroids.

With milder autumns offering the perfect breeding ground for aphids, the BYDV carrier, what can growers do to ensure their crop’s protected without over-spraying the one remaining insecticide?

Seed trade expert, RAGT’s Lee Bennett discusses how the solution lies in genetics in what he

believes is a socially responsible way to protect crops from the disease.

What’s BYDV?

BYDV is a plant virus vectored by infected aphids, mainly the bird cherry-oat and grain aphid. It’s transmitted when the insect feeds on the phloem (sap) found in a plant’s foliage, stems and flowers.

The virus is introduced in two ways – indirect and direct transfer

The most common is indirect transfer from grass or cereal volunteers by winged aphids, whereas direct transfer is by wingless aphids that overwinter on the green bridge.

Symptoms-wise, the clue’s in the name –– dwarfing. Early signs include leaf discolouration, with stunted plant growth as the season progresses. Red tipping, or blushing, can also occur as a result of the stress the plant is enduring. Crucially, early season infection can result in severe crop losses.

As well as the obvious barley host, wheat and oats also succumb to the virus, making it a significant cereal crop disease. It has huge economic impact for UK growers, particularly those in the south where temperatures are warmer and aphid populations proliferate.

Worryingly, farming has perhaps become complacent because BYDV’s threat was removed by neonicotinoid seed treatments. But they aren’t available anymore and the virus is very much still out there.

How’s it controlled?

As with all good pest management, control begins with monitoring. In this case, that’s using sticky traps to observe site-specific aphid activity and infectivity There’s also online support from AHDB and Rothamsted Research on

BYDV is a plant virus vectored by infected aphids,mainly the bird cherry-oat (pictured) and grain aphid.

Farmers can drill a resistant variety and pretty much forget about BYDV,it’s doing all of the work for you.

forecasting to help ascertain risk levels.

For actual control, there are cultural methods that can be deployed. Delayed drilling makes the most of cooler temperatures

An aphid paradise

Sandy beaches,fossil cliffs and cream teas –– but it’s not just tourism that proliferates in Devon,it’s aphid numbers too.

Aphid flights begin in the spring when temperatures rise above 110C. With fewer frosts in coastal regions, the chance of the pest overwintering is much higher too, making mild Devon a high-risk area for BYDV.

This is something that Matford Arable Systems’ Neil Potts knows all too well.Working as an agronomist in the area since 1981, he’s experienced life before, during and after neonicotinoid seed treatments.

“Having been an agronomist since before the introduction of seed treatments like Redigo Deter (prothioconazole+ clothianidin), I know that beneficials couldn’t control aphids back then,when we had far more helpful insects in the fields,” he says. “We’ve now come full circle but with less beneficial insects,so

when aphid numbers are less likely to multiply, whereas destroying the green bridge removes a host. Beneficial insects, such as predatory beetles and spiders, help to reduce actual aphid numbers, although don’t eradicate the virus.

There’s also value in optimising rotations –– selecting lower risk fields, such as those with minimal grassland in the periphery.

Beyond this, a chemical control option does remain in the form of pyrethroid insecticides. Best practice is to use the chemistry alongside the T-sum calculation to optimise timings. This is calculated by subtracting 30C from the average temperature each day and adding the result to the running total. When T-sum hits 170, spawning occurs and the second generation of aphids emerge.

Every T170, and there could be multiple in a season, there’s a hatch. This is when the damage really occurs. Of course the earlier the crop is drilled, the quicker T170 is reached and with each individual aphid at a different point in its lifecycle, this is happening all of the time.

Why is insecticide use undesirable?

Historically, insecticides have been very indiscriminate and non-selective. Although pyrethroids are much improved compared with chemistry from the past, there’ll be a level of impact on beneficial insects. These don’t just play a role in BYDV control but control other insect pests within the crop.

Pyrethroids can also break down very quickly in sunlight, anywhere between 24hrs and seven days. This means protection is rather limited, the crop is soon exposed to infection again and the sprayer will have to return.

And of course, the higher the frequency of spraying, the greater chance of resistance. This is because when an active ingredient is overused, it initiates a natural selection process within the target pest where the tolerant insects mate, producing resistant offspring. Research has shown that the grain aphid first presented with pyrethroid resistance back in 2011 –– more than 10 years ago. This is why it’s so important to use the T-sum

Farmers care about the environment and how they’re perceived so resistant varieties are a way to overcome a problem without compromise,says Lee Bennett.

calculation to only use pyrethroids when really necessary

Finally, the government is incentivising farmers to not use insecticides, but going without poses a huge risk for the farmer. There has to be something to fill the gap and support growers.

growers have to have an alternative tool to combat the disease.”

This resulted in Neil exploring the impact of BYDV-resistant varieties such as Wolverine.He’s already introduced the variety across some of his farms,which he says has been invaluable during bad weather.

“Wolverine has been a godsend for those farmers growing wheat who couldn’t travel due to the rain. Of course, advice has to include that it isn’t suitable for those with a septoria problem,it really is for targeting BYDV.”

Last autumn was especially mild for Neil’s growers.This meant for those who planted wheat around 10 September, they hit the T-sum threshold four times on the bounce.

Neil believes this fully justifies the use of resistant varieties.

“In theory,those growers should’ve been out spraying four times or more for adequate protection. Of course

they couldn’t due to the wet weather, which left the crop exposed. Some could only manage one spray, with a few not getting out at all.

“Using a resistant variety to cover the crop from day one makes complete sense.It’s protected from the moment it’s planted.”

And according to Neil, for those without a blackgrass problem,this could mean no travel at all once the crop is up and going. “If you’re lucky to not be in a blackgrass area,other than spraying a pre-emergence herbicide, in theor y you wouldn’t need the sprayer out at all.Having the right genetics ticks a lot of boxes,as long as it includes the key agronomic traits too.”

The alternative is back-to-back pyrethroid sprays, which as well as being unachievable,isn’t the right thing to do,believes Neil.

“Blanket sprays are definitely a backwards step and we should be

thinking beyond this approach.Losing Deter meant life with BYDV became tricky again,but we have to avoid going for the obvious solution for a range of reasons,from sustainability through to improving efficiencies.”

Neil Potts has found BYDV-resistant varieties invaluable during bad weather, when customers were unable to spray.

Overcoming the virus: top tips

● Use genetic resistance –this protects wheat plants against BYDV from planting through to harvest

● Prepare to monitor aphid activity – when using conventional varieties,use cultural controls and stick to T-Sum calculations to optimise timings and avoid unnecessary sprays

● Beware of mild autumns –this is when pest management is essential,unless opting for a resistant variety

How can genetics help?

One cultural control method is genetic resistance. Whereas insecticides have to be sprayed regularly throughout the season, resistant varieties are protected from the moment they go into the ground.

How this works for BYDV is, rather than preventing aphid populations or the transmission of the virus, a gene prevents its replication within the plant. The virus itself cannot manifest, instead it’s constrained to the level at which the initial transmission took place. This is alternative control –– a true resistance mechanism with virus at a level where the plant can still perform.

This resistance gene Bdv2

has been in development by scientists for two decades. It originates from a distant relative of wheat, Thinopyrum intermedium. It’s taken time to create a variety suitable for the UK market, whereas it’s been commercialised in Australia for more than 20 years.

In 2013, RAGT produced the cross that became RGT Wolverine, Europe’s first BYDV-resistant wheat launched to the market in 2019. This became the first in the Genserus range of varieties.

How has this breeding evolved?

Although genetic resistance is highly sought after, it doesn’t offer a tremendous amount if the agronomic traits of a variety don’t match up. The Bdv2 gene has been harnessed, so it’s now about making constant improvements through new crosses to achieve the required ‘sweet spot’. It’s a continual journey, using learnings from the past 20 years or so, all the while retaining that crucial BYDV resistance.

Late last year, RGT Grouse was promoted to the AHDB Candidate list 2023 as a Group 4 hard variety with BYDV-resistance. What makes this variety special is that it not only fights back against BYDV but also has resistance to orange

wheat blossom midge (OWBM). RAGT is now looking to offer this double resistance package in a new bread quality variety. This would mean risk-free, insecticide-free wheat for human consumption. A game-changer.

In the past, breeders have been criticised for yield lag, in that there’s a yield trade off in having resistant genes. To investigate this, RAGT conducted trials comparing BYDV-resistant with non-resistant varieties. With no insecticidal intervention, the resistant varieties rose to the top in terms of yield. In some cases there’s a 1.7t/ha yield advantage, bringing into question whether a yield lag exists.

What are its advantages?

Compared with insecticides, using resistant varieties means there are no worries about spray conditions and timeliness. With wind and rain, there’s rarely a good opportunity for spraying these days. A knock-on benefit from that is improved time management.

Also, inputs are expensive. RAGT has calculated that having the Bdv2 resistant gene in a variety equates to just one spray of a pyrethroid, from a cost perspective. For those in the south, they might hit the T-sum

Sponsor message

RAGT’s breakthrough Genserus wheat varieties are the latest in a line of plant breeding innovations that have been the hallmark of the company since it was formed more than 100 years ago.

In that time, RAGT’s seeds business has become a major player in the European market and is now extending its already-impressive global reach, working on a range of cereals, oilseeds, forage,grass and soil health crops.

RAGT spends more than 18% of turnover on research, supporting 17 subsidiaries, 17 research stations,280,000 experimental plots and four multi-species

threshold four times or more, so that’s a considerable saving.

Importantly, as an industry, farming has to do the right thing. Repeated use of a sprayer doesn’t look amazing to the wider public, as they can associate it with ‘toxic’ pesticides. Farmers do care about the environment and how they’re perceived, resistant varieties are a proactive way to overcome a problem without compromise.

Ultimately, farmers can drill a resistant variety and pretty much forget about BYDV. It’s doing all of the work for you. ■

laboratories.Today,more than 775 people work for the RAGT Seeds group, of which 280 are dedicated to research.

RAGT’s new motto,‘Think Solutions, Think RAGT’, reflects its commitment to its farming customers.Whatever the size of your farm, soil type, farming system or the crops you produce,you can rely on RAGT to help you and your farming business move forward.

RGT Grouse was promoted to the AHDB Candidate list 2023 as a Group 4 hard variety with resistance to both BYDV and OWBM.

Compared with insecticides,using resistant varieties means there are no worries about spray conditions and timeliness (resistant vs susceptible lines).

Formulation matters

experiments, and then after three and seven days for the migration tests, the apical parts of 12 wheat leaves for each time period for each product were removed to stop the migration of the product from the treatment area into the untreated apical part of the leaf.

Research Briefing

of existing active ingredients,” explains Andy Bailey, Adama technical specialist for cereal fungicides in the UK.

“Our Asorbital technology is not the same as all the other prothioconazole formulations –it’s been developed by our formulation team in Israel and incorporates patented technology for enhanced performance.”

By Mike Abram

Innovation in crop protection isn’t solely about finding new active ingredients. How those active ingredients are formulated,in many ways,is the key to their efficacy and environmental footprint.

And while many of the agchem sector’s R&D companies have formulation departments that aim to create the best formulation for their new discoveries, that’s no guarantee it can’t be improved upon. It’s an area where generic manufacturer Adama is betting its multi-disciplinary R&D teams can improve on the original –– now off-patent –– products with its own unique patented formulation technology

A couple of the initial products created by Adama’s in-house R&D department are fungicides containing 250 g/l prothioconazole: Soratel and Magan. Both have been formulated using Asorbital technology to improve uptake and other properties of the active ingredient.

“Adama’s investment in formulation technology aims to optimise the performance

The unique formulation comprises a special solvent system and an in-built adjuvant, which improves uptake of the fungicide into the leaf and enables systemic movement of the active ingredient through the plant to the site of action. It also provides improved rainfastness.

Leaf uptake and migration

At least that’s the theory. But to prove whether this happens in practice, Adama commissioned an independent contract research organisation, Biotransfer, to test leaf uptake and migration against key wheat disease, septoria. The trials investigated the performance of Adama’s prothioconazole formulation compared with the market-leading standard product.

Based in Montreuil near Paris, the laboratory’s expertise embraces molecular biology and plant physiology, as well as plant pathology, and uses 350m2 of controlled condition growth chambers, complemented by 80m2 of high light intensity chambers to reflect a field situation as closely as possible.

The experiments were conducted as follows: a standardised amount of each of the prothioconazole formulations was applied to the basal parts of 60 wheat leaves, with the apical parts of the leaves left untreated.

At five time points following application –– 6, 12 and 24 hours –– for the leaf uptake

Basal leaf parts were then washed to remove any remaining active ingredient on the surface of the leaf, before both basal and apical segments were inoculated with septoria and incubated under saturated, humid conditions, perfect for disease development. Relative biological efficacy reflecting the quantity of active ingredient present in each part of the leaf was then used to measure effectiveness. Less disease in the basal part of the leaf indicated better penetration into the leaf, while lower disease levels in the apical part indicated more effective migration from the basal part into the apical part of the leaf.

Not surprisingly, the longer the chemical had to penetrate the leaf, the higher the efficacy against septoria 21 and 28 days after inoculation. This rose from around 25% control in leaves treated for six hours to 70% control after 24 hours.

There were also differences between the two formulations, especially when assessed 28 days after inoculation. At each of the three time points for this assessment –– 6, 12 and 24 hours after application –– there was a statistically significant difference in control of around 20% in favour of Adama’s Soratel formulation compared with the market leading standard.

“These trials show the uptake of this formulation is quicker and more effective

How to improve an already good product is no simple task,but it’s one Adama is seeking to do with prothioconazole by investing in unique formulation technology. CPM finds out more.

Adama’s investment in formulation technology aims to optimise the performance of existing active ingredients,explains Andy Bailey.

“

against septoria in comparison,” concludes Andy.

A similar pattern emerged with the assessments of the apical parts of the leaf, with Soratel showing increased control of septoria after three and seven days after application at both assessment timings.

For example, three days after application, Soratel was giving 73% control of septoria 21 days after inoculation, compared with just 50% control for the competitor product. The difference between

Leaf uptake study

the formulations had narrowed to 8% when there was a longer seven-day window for movement of the chemical into the apical part of the leaf and control was assessed after 28 days, but that was still a statistically significant difference, according to Adama.

Andy’s conclusion from this set of experiments is the novel formulation is offering better protection against septoria in non-treated leaf areas thanks to its superior movement within the leaf.

Results from both experiments

show how the formulation technology is helping to optimise the active’s performance, he adds. “Getting the product into the leaf quickly and then quicker migration through the leaf is helping to optimise control and get the active to where it’s needed to fight infections.”

A second set of trials with Biotransfer looked at both formulations’ rainfastness. In these trials 18 wheat plants were treated with each product at the two- to three- leaf stage, with 40mm rainfall simulated either one or three hours after treatment. The plants were inoculated with septoria 24 hours later, with disease levels assessed after a further 21 days.

After both one hour and three hours, there was an improvement in the level of septoria control seen with Soratel compared with the competitor product, says Andy.

“A lot of growers will say there’s a rain shower around the corner in the UK sometimes, so improved rainfastness, coupled with the quicker uptake, helps improve efficacy.”

Fungicide migration study

Trial in winter wheat comparing Soratel with the market leading prothioconazole formulation.

Source:Biotransfer,2022

Rainfastness study

Trial in winter wheat comparing Soratel with the market leading prothioconazole formulation.

Source:Biotransfer,2022

Taking those improvements out into the field, Adama also commissioned trials with various independent trials contractors across its European Maritime zone, which includes the UK, to compare Soratel with the market leading prothioconazole product against various diseases in wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

In the majority of these trials, there was a statistically significant difference in favour of Soratel, he says. For example, against septoria in wheat, across the zone

Research Briefing

To help growers get the best out of technology used in the field, manufacturers continue to invest in R&D at ever y level, from the lab to extensive field trials. CPM Research Briefings provide not only the findings of recent research,but also an insight into the technology, to ensure a full understanding of

there was a significant difference in 10 out of the 18 trials. Two of those trials were carried out in the UK, showing an average 3% difference in control between the two products.

The formulation performed even better against yellow rust, with 12 out of 14 trials showing significantly better control for the generic product. Of these, four were in the UK, two of which showed a statistical difference in favour of the generic product and an overall 5% improvement in control.

Perhaps the two diseases where there was the largest difference in performance were fusarium in wheat and sclerotinia in OSR, adds Andy. In the 12 trials against fusarium across the region, seven showed a significant difference in favour of Soratel. In the UK, it was three out of four, with an average improvement in control of 13%. For sclerotinia, there was an 18% improvement in control, with three out of the five trials showing a significant increase.

“Fusarium is challenging to control for a number of factors, including achieving sufficiently good coverage of the target area, but it’s one where we’ve shown a benefit from making an improvement to the formulation of an active ingredient,” suggests Andy.

To further understand the exact reasons behind that better control, Adama has commissioned further work with Biotransfer to explore how the benefits of Asorbital formulation technology can influence the control of fusarium, he adds. ■

how to optimise its use.

CPM would like to thank Adama for sponsoring this Research Briefing and for providing privileged access to staff and material used to help bring it together.

in winter wheat comparing Soratel with the market leading prothioconazole formulation.

Resistance stems disease

OSR stem health survey

biggest risk to their current OSR crops. Regionality comes into this, says Chris Piggott, with the majority of respondents to the survey residing in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the East of England. “We know the East of England and the South East is where we’ve had a lot of severe flea beetle issues and it has affected these areas a lot more than others.”

Oilseed rape has been plagued with challenges over recent years,but with many now feeling more confident to grow the crop once again,managing risk at all points of the growing season is key to getting the most from the break crop. Taking stock of crops currently in the ground, Frontier’s Chris Piggott says things are generally looking positive. “Where crops have established well and had enough rain, they’re looking really good. That said, we’ve had reports of failed crops in some of the drier regions, into East Anglia, and we’ve had a lot of extreme weather so far this season. But after a difficult few years, there are some really good-looking crops, which is great to see, and there is a lot more positivity around the crop generally.”

Though crops are largely looking well to date, in a recent survey carried out by CPM and LSPB, 61% of growers revealed that cabbage stem flea beetle remains the

The weather also poses a significant risk to growers, but despite some harsh temperatures over the recent months, the survey revealed that the majority of growers had lost 1-25% of cropping to date.

Stem-based diseases

Alongside the mouth of the mighty beetle and the effects of Mother Nature, compromised stem health is another risk to growers. Disease can hugely impact this, and according to 45% of respondents phoma (stem canker) is the most important disease on their farm, followed by light leaf spot (29%).

With regards to stem health and the severity phoma burdens have on this, it’s no surprise that it’s a key concern for many growers, says SRUC’s Prof Fiona Burnett. “Phoma can produce major cankers in the stem which can really hit yield. In worse case scenarios, you can easily lose 1t/ha in yield, and losses of 0.5t/ha are fairly typical in regions where it is an issue.”

As well as the cost of lost yield, severe

phoma can also drive crop protection spend, she adds. “At the top level, you might be looking at two or three sprays

The newer varieties coming through mean now growers don’t have to choose between yield and disease.

Keeping stems healthy is vital for a successful oilseed rape crop. CPM explores how growers can get the best from their crops this season and beyond.

By Charlotte Cunningham

Chris Guest says the launch of the new RlmS gene gives growers access to a new set of genetics to help manage phoma resistance.

Chris Piggott believes that the presence of disease could be limiting genetic yield potential in some of the high-yielding types,so it’s important to find balance between the two when selecting varieties.

PGR importance

As well as disease,lodging is another stem-related hazard when growing OSR.A timely application of a plant growth regulator (PGR) can help prevent this,with the survey highlighting that 41% of growers occasionally apply a standalone PGR to their OSR crops, 35% usually do and 14% always do.

So what’s the value of this?

“Some fungicides have a PGR effect,but a standalone PGR will probably be more relevant to certain types of varieties,” explains Chris Piggott.“Hybrid types tend to be larger and taller, with bigger biomass,so are more

for phoma. So that’s a pretty significant investment in a crop that can be marginal.”

As severe as the problem is, Chris Piggott says phoma presence and severity can vary by region. “Phoma has generally been the most visible disease on OSR crops, which is perhaps a reason why so many growers are looking at it so closely. However, it has largely been a southern problem, and light leaf spot more common in the north, so it’s quite a surprise to see phoma right at the top when many respondents were from those northern and eastern regions of England.”

For growers in high-risk light leaf spot areas, this is often an endemic challenge and requires multiple treatments a year, adds

Fiona. “While the products do something, it remains a problem within crops, meaning it’s important to look at other control strategies.”

Adopting a holistic approach to disease control has proven for many growers to be the most successful strategy, rather than relying purely on fungicides, and when it comes to phoma control, over half of growers (54%) said that variety selection is the most effective method.

“There is some really good inherent resistance against phoma within varieties,” says Chris Piggott. “So while it’s a very important disease, the ability to harness this resistance from the get-go makes the control strategy not particularly challenging.”

He adds that hybrid rape in particular offers some really high resistance scores. “We’ve had the Rlm7 gene for quite some time, but if we look at the capabilities of LSPB’s new RlmS

Which of the following diseases is most important to you?

likely to benefit.

“It’s a useful tool,but use will also be very seasonally dependent and vary based on how good establishment is and therefore how dense the plant population is.A denser plant population is going to produce thinnerstemmed plants,which are then more likely to require standalone PGR support.

“If you have poor establishment,and therefore more sparsely populated plants, then you tend to produce plants with thicker stems and might not need this.”

Do you apply a standalone PGR to your OSR crop?

Which is the most important characteristic when making variety selections of winter oilseed rape?

Which is the most effective control method against phoma as part of your IPM strategy?

Sclerotinia

Verticillium

Light leaf spot

Phoma (stem canker)

gene, this improves control even further.”

According to LSPB’s Chris Guest, the launch of the new RlmS gene gives growers access to a new set of genetics to help manage phoma resistance. “It’s important to stress that RlmS is an alternative –– not a direct replacement. For the longevity of traditional genes like Rlm7, it’s vital that we don’t just rely on single sets of genes and varieties.”

The gene currently features in four LSPB varieties –– Respect, Flemming, Murray, and Vegas –– which also boast high yields and good light leaf spot scores, he adds.

The unique phoma resistance is also associated with strong overall plant health, and the gene has especially good stem resistance that brings better protection against verticillium and sclerotinia pathogens, notes Chris Guest.

Variety selection was also pegged the most effective method for controlling light leaf spot, according to 45% of growers. “Scores for diseases like leaf spot, particularly within hybrid types, are just getting better so it’s vital to make the most of this acceleration in breeding as part of the control strategy,” says Chris Piggott.

Fiona adds: “We haven’t had any varieties with scores of 3 or 4 for light leaf spot for years now. Vir tually no one is growing OSR with a score of less than 5, which has probably helped with control, par ticularly as it’s a disease that moves around in the air at harvest time to reinfect new crops.”

Though variety selection is a vital first line of defence, fungicide control is also important –– particularly in a season like the current one where light leaf spot risk is high, warns Chris Guest. “Good genetics should be backed up with effective products and with these damp, mild conditions it’s an incubator for light leaf spot to spread rapidly through the

canopy. What we don’t want is to allow the pathogen to evolve against the inherent resistance brought in by genetics, so it’s important we monitor it throughout crop growth and control with good chemistry where necessary.”

Rotational frequency

When it comes to verticillium control, rotational frequency is the most effective control strategy according to 43% of growers, followed by variety selection (29%). “Variety selection is a difficult one with verticillium as there aren’t any official scores for it,” believes Fiona. “I know breeders are working on varieties that might have better resilience than others, but at the moment, there isn’t much officially to guide growers.”

That said, Chris Guest says that it’s important to select the right variety if verticillium is an issue on farm as there can be quite significant variations in the level of resistance. He adds that AHDB is looking to begin publishing ratings in next season’s RL which could help provide better guidance in the future.

Though verticillium wasn’t seen as a key priority for the growers surveyed, with just 7% saying it’s their most important disease, Chris Piggott warns that it could be something that far mers are not looking closely enough at and as such, keeping an eye on it –– even if it hasn’t traditionally been a major problem –– is important. “Verticillium is something that is probably having a bigger impact on OSR yield than we realise.”

Chris Guest concurs and adds: “Given that many respondents were from more eastern regions, it’s quite concer ning to see that verticillium was flagged as the least important disease. Par ticularly from a late season disease pressure perspective, we’re seeing that it’s actually having quite a big impact on yield. Ver ticillium ought to be higher up the priority list,

certainly in the eastern counties where a short rotation, direct drilled/min-til establishment system is in place.”

While variety selection is the “quickest and easiest” tool for growers to pick up when it comes to disease resistance across the board, Fiona warns that the importance of rotational frequency shouldn’t be overlooked. “All of these diseases are driven by tight rotations, so really, the presence of disease should be the barometer for how well your rotation is working –– or not. Looking at a disease like verticillium, its impact can last for 10 years so even nudging your rotation out by a year could make a big difference.”

Despite the importance of variety choice, when it comes down to selecting individual varieties yield is still king according to 53% of growers who said it’s their most impor tant characteristic, followed by disease resistance score (31%). So how can growers strike the right balance between maximising output and protecting crops from yield-robbing diseases?

“The newer varieties coming through now mean growers don’t have to choose between yield and disease anymore ––previously, high disease ratings often came at a penalty,” says Fiona. “Now, it’s more a case of just making slight compromises on a few percentage points of yield. There are now also many

Winner announcement

Congratulations to our winner Matthew Copley from Yorkshire who responded to the CPM/LSPB survey on OSR stem health and has won the fabulous prize of his choice, either a Schoffel Snipe II coat or a Schoffel Rockingham II coat, worth £379.

Matthew completed the tie-breaker question which asked respondents to detail why they do, or don’t, have winter OSR in their rotations.

more options on the AHDB Recommended List with regards to high resistance varieties, meaning growers have greater choice than ever before. We’re now almost at the point where we can have our cake and eat it.”

Chris Guest says that LSPB’s varieties Murray and Vegas are an example of this. “Their agronomic merit scores are very strong, as is their yield, so it helps give growers a little bit more security.”

Chris Piggott adds: “Yield has got to be up there in ter ms of the decision-maker –– that’s what pays at the end of the day. But from my perspective, I believe that disease could be limiting genetic yield potential, so it’s important to find balance between the two when selecting varieties. Variety choice is much more than just out-and-out yield.” ■

Matthew is a grower of winter OSR and said: “Choosing the right hybrid varieties makes sure that OSR is here to stay in the rotation. The crop delivers good margins,alternative grassweed control chemistry and provides the best entr y into following wheat.”

To take part in the next survey, make sure we have the correct details for you by emailing angus@cpm-magazine.co.uk

In worst case scenarios,phoma could see growers lose 1t/ha in yield,says Fiona Burnett.

Pipeline prospects

OSR breeding

important role in keeping the disease in check, while protecting yields for growers,” says DSV’s Dr Alex Doring. “These varieties currently include options such as DSV Crossfit CR and DSV Crocodile CR, however innovative new developments are on the horizon.”

Clubroot resistance

A plant breeder’s work is never done, particularly when it comes to finding solutions to new problems. With synthetic chemistry dwindling,and what remaining often being over-used,it’s hardly surprising that fungicide-resistant disease populations are on the rise.

Hopes are being pinned on plant breeding to deliver the goods from the seed up. And thankfully times are changing –– the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act was recently passed into law, allowing farmers to grow crops that utilise precision breeding techniques, including gene editing (GE).

Despite this positive step, breeding couldn’t stop and wait for this change to happen, instead, working to develop a steady flow of innovative new varieties, some of which are nearing launch.

For oilseed rape growers already pestered by cabbage stem flea beetle, diseases such as clubroot and turnip yellows virus (TuYV) could prove another reason to avoid the crop. However, new varieties based on alternative resistance sources are soon to land with the potential to offer much greater control.

“Hybrid OSR varieties with genetic clubroot protection have played an

Although cultivar resistance is present in most cruciferous crop species, the majority of resistance sources are race-specific. This is across relevant sources including Dutch/Flemish stubble turnips, swedes, fodder rape plus some cabbage and broccoli cultivars.

But for the commercial world, clubroot resistance in all OSR varieties has been developed from just one source –– the Mendel gene. According to Alex, this resistance vulnerability is of increasing concern.

“In the right conditions, highly virulent races of clubroot can go from being at a very low level, to being the main race within just a few cultivation years. Because breeding for clubroot resistance is complicated and time consuming, this poses a challenge for plant breeders.

“However, DSV’s been undertaking research to introduce a new clubroot resistance mechanism called CRE1 (Clubroot Resistance Enhanced 1), which will offer broader protection against a wider range of clubroot pathotypes,” says Alex.

CRE1 is a novel trait that’s been created by crossing from the Brassica rapa species –– a close relative of OSR. Laboratory infection studies using various clubroot isolates indicate CRE1 to be an enhanced resistance mechanism compared with the previous Mendel-derived resistance.

How this works is that CRE1 provides

race-specific resistance but with an ‘extension’ –– protection against substantially more races that are virulent on Mendel. This will potentially allow farmers to grow new CRE1 OSR varieties even at sites where clubroot pathotypes are able to infect the original Mendel-resistance.

DSV’s first CRE1 resistant variety is expected to obtain EU registration in winter 2023/24, with UK availability in two to three years. “This variety has the potential to achieve up to 90% control, but more importantly, we’re pre-empting by providing a solution before we have a huge problem,” says Alex.

He warns that although an exciting development, the importance of protecting such genetics can’t be ignored. For growers, this means following best practice such as optimising cropping rotations and ensuring adequate weed control.

The latter being important because clubroot has a range of common brassica hosts, such as shepherds purse and charlock, often cited as the reason why clubroot still occurs even after long breaks in the rotation.

The increase in use of cover crops also

Breeding for clubroot resistance is complicated and time consuming which poses a challenge for plant breeders,says Alex Doring.

Plant breeders are working behind the scenes to identify novel disease resistance mechanisms for future oilseed rape varieties.

CPM finds out why these developments are required.

By Janine Adamson

Breeders have to stack many essential traits and deliver innovation quickly to support growers with what remains a valuable crop. ”

“

poses a threat, he says.

“Brassicas such as radish, turnips and mustards have become popular cover crops because of their soil compaction-busting roots. They also grow very quickly and scavenge for nutrients,” says Alex.

“Even so, they shouldn’t be used in crop rotations with OSR as this can force clubroot strains to overcome resistance. Clubroot resistant oil radish cultivars also shouldn’t be used because they can promote the formation of novel strains, which could overcome resistant cultivars.”

Initial research has shown that some cover crops, such as peas, clovers and phacelia, could in fact help in the fight against

Scrutinising sclerotinia

Although a high risk disease, occurrence of sclerotinia in OSR can be sporadic due to dependence on a complex infection cycle.It all relies on three factors –– the presence of sclerotinia inoculum, warm and humid weather conditions,and a crop has to be in flower.

As a result,presence of the disease in-field is highly unpredictable,making sclerotinia-based field trials particularly challenging.

To ensure trial crops are exposed to adequate levels of inoculum, plant breeder RAGT has developed two new inoculation techniques to improve the screening process and verify that varieties have been robustly tested.

The protocols have been established at the company’s research station in Annoeullin in northern France, headed by breeder Damien Dugué.

“Inoculation is a vital part of the breeding process because we have to be sure that any resistance claims made are indeed correct. With sclerotinia being a somewhat evasive and unpredictable disease, we wanted to find reliable ways to infect trial crops,” he says.

Method one involves applying inoculum to the surface of

clubroot. Similar to trap crops, they incite resting clubroot spores to germinate without the ability to reproduce, potentially helping to decrease the clubroot potential in soils. This would provide a multi-faceted solution for growers while enhancing the existing cultural control toolbox.

In the more immediate eyeline, growers can expect a new DSV clubroot variety within the next year. Mendel gene-based RAP637 CR is a variety that offers medium maturity, resistance to clubroot, TuYV resistance and holds up well against lodging.

In terms of TuYV, RAGT hopes a novel stacked source of resistance will help to establish a new generation of OSR varieties.

unflower seed,which provides a protein-rich environment for the disease to thrive. The seed is then deposited among the field-based OSR,resting in the plant’s nodes.

The second method uses matchsticks to ‘soak up’ inoculum from a petri-dish,before inserting into the plant stems. Both methods are proving successful at infecting OSR with sclerotinia and have been used in the development of new parent stock for future varieties.

“Using these techniques is important because RAGT wants to be confident in its claim of offering truly sclerotinia-tolerant varieties. We have new options on the way that will offer an enhanced level of assurance for growers,” concludes Damien.

Damien Dugué uses two new inoculation techniques to improve the screening process for sclerotinia in OSR.

HRG231, provisionally named RGT Ceos, was originally primed for the Northern European market, but following its unexpected success is now pitching for UK launch. The NL1 listed variety is currently with selected distributors as a preview ahead of official listing.

“RAGT has identified new genetics for TuYV resistance that’ll result in a more robust generation of OSR,” says RAGT’s Lee Bennett. “We breed a wide range of varieties at our research station in France that aim to address objectives beyond just the UK market.

“Having this broad pool to choose from means sometimes we come across something unexpected, which is what happened with HRG231. It’s a strong all-rounder that yields impressively on the continent and, as a result, RAGT’s making that variety and its sister line our absolute focus for combatting TuYV.”

According to Lee, spring growth bounce-back and overall resilience are essential requirements of an OSR varietal package to help plants to recover from autumn pest and frost damage. He cites OSR as his specialist crop, perhaps one reason why RAGT is committed to safeguarding its future through GE.

“Breeders have to stack many essential traits and deliver innovation quickly to support growers with what remains a

valuable crop. Thankfully this is where science fills the gap. The move to enable plant breeders to use GE is far from insignificant and is something that RAGT will be exploring moving forward,” says Lee.

He explains that GE is essentially manipulation through precision to ensure that a product matches its aim. The company is now engaging with field trials of GE varieties, to explore its potential in OSR.

For the here and now, RGT Kanzzas is the latest winter OSR variety to emerge from RAGT’s pipeline. The variety’s a candidate for the East/West region, offering high biomass, early spring vigour and medium early maturity. It also features the best light leaf spot rating of all varieties in official National List trials, scoring an 8 for the disease and a 6 for stem canker.

Lee acknowledges a shift in approach for RAGT. “Growers need to assess their individual farm needs and select a variety based on that, rather than breeders attempting to force a variety to fit someone’s scenario. This means offering a diverse range of options that suit more specific situations, not a generic hit.

“RAGT can do this, because we have a broad array of material available to us. It’s early days of our new perspective, but we’re only a few years away from launching a suite of new varieties,” he says. ■

RAGT has identified new genetics for TuYV resistance that’ll result in a more robust generation of OSR, says Lee Bennett.

HRG231 was originally primed for the Northern European market, but following its unexpected success is now pitching for UK launch.

The ultimate backstage pass

Forward-thinking farmers

Engaging in oilseed rape trials is giving Shropshire farmer,Rob Morgan, risk-free insight into how upcoming varieties could work on his farm.

CPM finds out more.

By Janine Adamson

Taking a leap of faith away from a tried and tested variety takes guts,especially when faced with a challenge such as clubroot. But when it’s laid out in front of you to see with your own eyes,the evidence could prove hard to deny.

This is certainly the case for Rob Morgan, a staunch advocate of DSV’s Crocodile CR. With the 100ha farm having a significant clubroot problem, he admits it’ll take something special for him to change variety. However, taking part in Bayer’s Dekalb on-farm strip trials is giving bespoke, early doors insight into the options he has available in readiness for making a switch.

“Currently, we see no other break crop competing with oilseed rape in terms of margin. We tried lupins many years ago but it was a complete disaster. We also looked at grain maize but, again, it doesn’t seem viable in our scenario,” says Rob.

“Yes, we operate a classic rotation of first wheat, second wheat, OSR, which is quite tight. But we’ve kept it simple because OSR has always been good to us, providing we can see through the challenges.”

Broadening horizons

The main challenge being clubroot, which if left untreated can knock the Shropshire far m’s OSR yields in half. As a result, Rob’s restricted to clubroot-resistant varieties, with Crocodile being his go-to for achieving success. However, taking part in the Dekalb trials has broadened his horizons.

“It’s ver y useful being one of the first to try new varieties, even when we have to face such pressure from clubroot. What I’m interested in seeing is early vigour, and the crop’s ability to get up and away from potential pest damage. Then, how the crop kicks back into action in the spring.

“The benefit of taking part in trials is

Taking part in on-farm trials is giving Rob Morgan the chance to compare new varieties with his go-to, Crocodile CR.

We’ve kept it simple because OSR has always been good to us,providing we can see through the challenges. ”

“

I can see all of this on my own farm, plus give back to the wider industry. That’s really important to me, I want to contribute to the bigger picture,” says Rob.

He first became involved with Bayer around five years ago and is now a valued contributor to the company’s geographical data, as part of the firm’s group of forward-thinking farmers. It was his desire to ‘do things right’ that caught Richard Williams’ eye –– viewed as the main reason behind the strong partnership.

Richard, Bayer’s Dekalb technical specialist, believes Rob’s 4.5t/ha OSR yields speak

Hybrid newbie

Having previously stood by conventional varieties,hosting Bayer trials is allowing Winchester farmer Tom Monk to explore the world of hybrid OSR.He recently came on board for the Dekalb farm trials, with this season being his first.

He views the partnership as an opportunity to gain intelligence, which he says is especially valuable given current uncertainties.“Supporting trials on your own farm is a must, particularly with OSR and its ups and downs.

“I’ve struggled in the past with the validation of trials, whereas if I oversee all elements of a crop’s management from drilling to harvest, I feel it’s much more reliable. We’ve always grown conventional varieties,so I’m glad of the opportunity to see a range of hybrids grown on our farm first-hand,”says Tom.

“I’m waiting to see if the hybrid varieties can deliver, and of course,I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t waiting for the yield results,” he adds.

AF Monk (Rookley) is a 1300ha farm in Stockbridge which grows all combinable crops. One of Tom’s aims is to establish a robust cropping rotation, which means in some instances, such as last year,

for themselves. “Rob gets good results because he’s attentive and takes time to consider the detail. He thinks and acts like a professional triallist, which is precisely the type of grower we want for our on-farm strip trials.

“We recognise clubroot is a serious threat for the farm, so have included an up-and-coming clubroot-resistant variety in the trial to compare with Crocodile. This is valuable early doors access for Rob, and a low-risk chance for him to try it out,” says Richard.

“We don’t expect him to change overnight, but it might raise a few questions once the

Before being involved with Bayer trials, Tom Monk hadn’t grown a hybrid oilseed rape variety at AF Monk.

the farm grew no OSR at all. This year, they planted 120ha of OSR and,so far,things are looking good.“We’re quietly confident in the crop this year although I don’t want to jinx it. We’ve done all we can from a cultural perspective and pressure from CSFB seems lower than previous years,”says Tom.

“We avoid clubroot by using wide rotations of around eight years and can achieve this because we specialise in seed production, growing a variety of break crops including poppies, linseed,oats and peas.It’s not a fixed rotation either, we try to spread diversity as much as possible.”

variety comes to the market.”

The variety in question is DK Pledge CR, which is in its first year of testing. Although yield output and oil content are to be confirmed, Richard believes it could be a game-changer.

“Pledge is a stiff stemmed variety with favourable traits such as resistance to lodging and pod shatter. It also has a solid disease resistance package including phoma stem canker and light leaf spot. Of all the varieties we’re trialling at Rob’s this year, this is the one for him to keep an eye on.”

Hybrid portfolio

Beyond Pledge, the majority of the varieties in the strip trial are from the existing Dekalb hybrid portfolio, including V367OL ––viewed as the ‘next step’ in HOLL OSR. The variety is marketed as offering higher yields than existing products, along with pod shatter resistance. Its medium autumn growth habit makes it suitable for early drilling as well as at the standard timing.

But for something different, new candidate variety DMH470 has also been included in the trial at Rob’s farm. This offers tur nip yellows virus (TuYV) resistance, pod shatter resistance and the Rlm7 gene for stem canker protection.

To help oversee management of the plots, Rob has support from his agronomist brother Dai, who encouraged him to be involved with Bayer in the first place. “I guess we both have enquiring minds and are open to sharing our knowledge with others. As well as the Dekalb trials, we’re involved with work for Frontier and Eurofins. We host farmer tours and do our best to stay up to date,” says Rob.

In 2014, Rob, who also has a contracting business, was given the opportunity to buy the far m following generations of tenancy. However, land suitable for environmental

Richard Williams says Rob Morgan gets good results because he’s attentive and takes time to consider the detail.

DK Pledge CR is a new stiff stemmed oilseed rape variety currently on trial at Rob Morgan’s farm in Shropshire.

Forward-thinking farmers

and weevil species, fly into the traps, lured by the yellow colour which resembles OSR flowers. The inside of the trap is then photographed at regular intervals, sending the high-resolution imagery via mobile radio. Images are then automatically evaluated, with results made available to farmers in the MagicScout smartphone app.

Although standard yellow water traps have been around for years, MagicTrap is a new self-sufficient solution that minimises time investment from the grower. The system has been available in Germany and Austria for two years, where it’s been swiftly adopted by growers. Having seen the results, Rob hopes to be one of the first to give it a try.

MagicTrap trials

he says. Max also notes that because farmers don’t have to regularly inspect the traps, as per standard yellow water traps, this saves time and is one less thing to think about.

With the Stody Estate understanding a sustainability-led system is the future, Mike and the team were the ideal candidates for the MagicTrap trial. Monitoring forms the basis of the farm’s all-round integrated approach to pest management, followed by optimised cultivation and ensuring crops ‘get going’ as fast as possible.

stewardship wasn’t included so he had to seek alternative ways to address the sustainability agenda.

So far, priorities have included installing solar panels on farm buildings and enabling rainwater harvesting. Given the far m’s location in Acton Burnell near Shrewsbury, where rain is plentiful, Rob viewed this as a quick win.

He’s also taking steps towards improving the farms’ soils, something that was neglected when the farm first switched from a mixed farm to pure arable in 2000. “We lacked the animal waste that we had back when we operated as a mixed system, so needed to find new ways to put back into the soil.

“To do so, we’re experimenting with cover crop varieties to break up compaction and encourage soil biology Nutrition is applied using variable rate maps to ensure we feed the soil whilst minimising wastage. Also, biostimulants are a part of our spray programme, including a trial of Vacciplant (laminarin) as a fungicide for septoria control in wheat,” says Rob.

Of course, no OSR commentary would be complete without reference to cabbage stem flea beetle. The farm indeed has a problem with the pest, with Rob choosing to spray at night when the beetle is most active. That said, he’s hoping to improve his understanding through monitoring in a bid to align with his sustainability goals.

An upcoming solution from Bayer which could be the answer is MagicTrap. This digital yellow trap enables farmers to detect and assess pest activity in OSR crops and is due for launch next year.

Insects, including CSFB, pollen beetle

To help him understand the benefits, he’ll be able to gain insight from Mike Wilton of the Stody Estate in Norfolk, who’s been trialling the system for Bayer UK. Mike has around 260ha of winter OSR and although CSFB pressure has been lower than previous years, he says he likes its potential.

He’ll see the trial through for the rest of the season but is keen to see where else MagicTrap could be potentially used, one of his suggestions being monitoring peach-potato aphid in sugar beet crops.

For now, CSFB appears to be an obvious gain for the UK market. According to Bayer’s Max Dafforn, providing near instantaneous updates on the pest helps growers to use pesticides more appropriately. “MagicTrap is the latest in digital decision support systems helping the grower to monitor pests as they near the threshold level for action.

“Having an evidence trail of this type ensures the use of plant protection products is timely and proportionate,”

Forward-thinking farmers

With robotics,gene mapping and molecular markers,digital technology and bio-chemistry, it is a dynamic time for anyone involved in agriculture.

Challenges lie ahead for UK agriculture,such as improving productivity while minimising its environmental footprint.But farmers have always had to deal with change and adopt new ideas and technology.

Bayer is at the core of these agricultural advances,working with farmers throughout the UK and further afield to trial and develop new diagnostic tools and evaluate different farming

For OSR management, Mike selects hybrid varieties and champions the importance of making sure there’s enough soil moisture. “We always look to get a good seedbed but wait until there’s sufficient moisture, which can take two or three rain events. If necessary, we’ll delay drilling because we believe moisture is more critical than drilling date,” he says.

“We also include some starter fertiliser and roll fields soon after drilling to encourage good seed-to-soil contact. If you have sufficient soil moisture, the crop can come up in four to five days and establish evenly. This results in the required low plant populations of around 25 plants/m2,” he concludes. ■

MagicTrap is a new pest monitoring solution that enables farmers to detect and assess cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape crops.

strategies,coupled with exciting plant breeding and product development programmes.It will help us develop innovative solutions and services to assist farmers achieve profitable and sustainable agronomic practices.

Despite the challenges facing UK agriculture there is much to look forward to. This series of articles focuses on how innovation and partnership between farmer and industry will help us face the future together.

Mike Wilton's been testing Bayer's MagicTrap and believes it has potential for use beyond oilseed rape.

Insider’s View

Murray,the latest oilseed rape variety from LSPB, has shown promise in the East and West and could potentially draw the eye of those beyond these regions.

CPM learns more about what this new variety has to offer.

By Melanie Jenkins

Growers in the East/West region of the UK may have noticed a new oilseed rape contender on the AHDB Recommended List. Murray is a high yielding variety in this region with notable disease resistance ratings.

Coming out of the European breeding programme of LSPB and its Germany shareholder NPZ, Murray is the result of the combined effort of the UK and German teams, says the fir m’s Chris Guest. “The variety’s doing well in Germany, Denmark and Sweden too, so it’s exciting to have something with such broad appeal.

“From an East/West perspective, Murray is very strong and so is its overall UK yield, but its northern performance is not

Regional headliner

where we’d like it to be. As a result, the variety didn’t get recommended for the Nor th.”

Chris Guest feels that Murray has proved it can perform consistently though, with only a 4% swing in gross output between 2020 and 2022. “Oil content is obviously an important part of this and admittedly it’s a little lower than we’d really like, but generally it’s pretty acceptable at 44.5%. However, oil contents across the RL looked to be lower in general last year.”

Stable performer

According to Craig Padley of LSPB, Murray’s per for mance has been stable across different trial sites throughout its trial period, and the variety has demonstrated similar characteristics to previous LSPB varieties, Avatar and Wembley

Chris Guest feels that light leaf spot is one area growers and breeders are paying ever closer attention to. “We’re seeing it become more and more prevalent across the UK and looking at the AHDB LLS forecast, the entire country is in red –– so at high risk. Going back a decade, we might have seen Scotland and northern England classified as high-risk zones, but now it’s so widespread that having robust LLS resistance in varieties is really impor tant across the whole country. ▲

Chris Guest and Craig Padley feel that Murray has performed well and been consistent and stable across different regions.

Murray offers growers an alternative source of phoma resistance so that they can spread their resources.

“

”

There’s a direct correlation between LLS resistance and yield,so the stronger the resistance the more yield security growers are likely to have, says Chris Piggott.

“There’s a direct correlation between LLS resistance and yield, so the stronger the resistance the more yield security growers are likely to have,” he adds. “This really shows up in Murray’s untreated yield and we also think that with its resistance, the variety can per for m in Scotland where the benefits will really show.”

Murray has a 7 for LLS on the RL, says Craig. “It’s quite difficult to score better

The hybrid way

For the past two years, Ben Cannon has been growing Murray in strip trials at Hyde Hall Farm in north Hertfordshire.The 250ha farm is primarily arable and Ben contract farms another 500ha locally.“We grow a mix of combinable crops,including soft winter wheats,OSR,spring beans and occasionally spring barley.”

Ben has stuck with OSR,even when a lot of other people in the area have moved away from it because of CSFB.“I’ve always found the crop to be a good early entry to harvest and it generally always yields 3-4t/ha,on average,” he says.

Standard establishment practice is to direct drill with a Horsch Avatar,with a base fertiliser going on at the same time.“As soon as the plants are through the ground,we follow up with an application of digestate.Although it’s only anecdotal,I feel this has massively helped us control CSFB and we don’t use any insecticides.”

Up until two years ago he was growing conventional varieties on a low-cost,low-risk basis.“My theory is,if it fails,I can make the

than this, though we did manage to with Vegas. However, we’d still encourage growers to apply fungicides when needed but the high resistance rating gives greater flexibility with timings and protects the genetic resistance.”

Further backing up Murray’s untreated yield is its phoma stem canker resistance, says Chris Guest. “We talked about phoma a lot a few years ago and since then we’ve been aiming to broaden the genetic resistance to the disease. We’ve now got four varieties with the RlmS resistance gene.”

Reliance on Rlm7

“The past couple of seasons have seen a slippage in the disease resistance of varieties with the Rlm7 gene and we’re seeing a much larger percentage of the population virulent to the Rlm7 resistance in the phoma pathogen in France, where the resistance is breaking down. So there’s definitely a requirement to broaden the source of resistance to maintain its effectiveness.

“However, I’m not discounting Rlm7 as a source of resistance and LSPB uses it in its own material and hopes to combine it with RlmS in future varieties. But as it stands, Murray offers growers an alternative source of phoma resistance so that they can spread their resources,”

says Chris Guest.

Chris Piggott of Frontier is very pleased to see the introduction of new phoma resistance in Murray. “ RlmS is of great benefit to the industry. And although this isn’t a huge gain on current genetics, in the long-term it could be important if the incumbent resistances start to struggle.

“But I’m a bit surprised that, with its combination of LLS and phoma resistance, Murray’s performance wasn’t enough for it to be recommended for the North. Despite this I think it might suit a wider range of geographies than just the East/West region,” he adds.

The third leg of Murray’s disease resistance arsenal is against verticillium stem stripe, says Chris Guest. “Resistance to verticillium is much stronger with some genetics than others, and both at our internal trial site and in other official trials, Murray has performed really well in the presence of this disease.

“We see this as particularly important in the eastern counties, where verticillium can really be a problem. The disease could be a challenge for those growers who’ve come away from OSR because of drought or cabbage stem flea beetle, but when they come back to the crop they’re disappointed at harvest when it doesn’t yield because of the silent killer that is verticillium,” he highlights.

decision early to get a spring break crop in.”

And although Ben continues to take a low-risk approach, he’s now growing some hybrid varieties, including Murray “The establishment does seem to be quicker,and they get away faster than the conventionals.

“But I was initially terrified by the low seed rate,”he admits.“Traditionally I’d go in at 5kg/ha but with the hybrids it’s only 2.5kg/ha, however this hasn’t appeared to make a difference as they compensate with their vigour.”

Last year he had four hybrids in strip trials and Murray was the standout.“We have yield monitoring on the combine and our average over 50ha was 3.5t/ha but Murray was around 3.75t/ha,touching on 4t/ha in one strip.”

This year Ben has 30ha of OSR split between five varieties –– including Murray –– in strip trials on the farm.“The OSR had an application of Centurion Max (clethodim) in the autumn and Astrokerb (propyzamide+ aminopyralid) at the start of February as the farm has some issues with blackgrass.It also received 250kg/ha of

ammonium nitrate in early February,with the balance applied mid to late April, takingit to 200kgN/ha, and we also applied micronutrients.”

Come the end of this season, Ben plans to stick with hybrids but will likely pick one or two of the best varieties in his trial to continue with. “I’m looking for good standing ability,ease of combining, minimal pod shattering and, fundamentally,yield and oil content.All of the varieties came out of winter looking well and Murray seems full of potential,” he says.

Murray was established on Hyde Hall Farm using a Horsch Avatar, with a base fertiliser going on at the same time.

But because verticillium resistance isn’t displayed on the RL, it’s hard to compare how varieties stand up to it, says Chris Piggott. “Sometimes we underestimate verticillium, but it can cause havoc, and Murray has a real strength and resistance to it. The combination of this, along with its LLS and phoma resistance means it has a very strong package against stem-based diseases.”

Partially because of this, Murray’s lodging resistance is at the top end, with its standing power also coming from its genetics. The variety sits in the normal flowering period with mid-early to medium maturity, says Chris Guest.

Not fully stacked

He points out that growers will notice that Murray doesn’t have turnip yellows virus (TuYV) resistance. “We’d love to have it, but despite the fact it’s not present, there’s obviously something underlying in the genetics that means the variety can perform without the TuYV resistance gene. However, the next generation of hybrids we’re breeding will have TuYV resistance.”

As far as Chris Piggott’s concerned, TuYV resistance, or rather its absence in Murray, is interesting. “Quite a lot of high yielding varieties have TuYV resistance and people feel that this does contribute to maintaining yield. But looking at Murray and Turing, neither has the resistance, and nor do most conventional varieties, so I think it’s down to the strength of each variety to be yielding as well as they are without it.”

Murray at a glance

Another feature the variety can’t claim to have is pod shatter resistance, adds Chris Guest. “However, Murray’s verticillium resistance means the variety doesn’t get premature shattering of the pods because of the disease.”

Murray was bred using the MSL hybridisation system, which doesn’t have pod shatter resistance yet, explains Craig. “The POSH gene is the basis of having pod shatter resistance on the RL and we’re working on bringing this to the MSL system, so it may be present in future varieties.”

The variety works well drilled in the normal sowing window, and in a later sown position as Murray has a very strong and vigorous growth habit, according to Chris Guest. “This allows growers to drill into the right conditions rather than ▲

Murray has the RlmS resistance gene to phoma stem canker,alongside a rating of 7 against LLS and good resistance to verticillium.

by calendar date.”

It was Murray’s vigorous growth that first brought the variety to the attention of Chris Piggott. “Its growth habit in early trial work was interesting to us because of how key autumn development is. With the challenge of CSFB we’re quite keen on speedy autumn growth.

“And, along with the trend for drilling earlier, growers have looked for varieties which develop rapidly to better cope

An order of yield

Working 1335ha of owned, rented and contract farmland in Shropshire,James Davies has some Murray in the ground for the first time this year.Based at Red House Farm, he grows wheat, OSR,barley and maize,alongside grassland,three poultry units and an anaerobic digester (AD).

James likes to keep OSR in the rotation as it’s a good break crop and because it normally produces a reasonable margin.“OSR is planted one in four years and I always follow it with winter wheat.Everything else fits in around OSR or maize because we require a certain amount for the AD plant.Usually OSR follows barley or wheat because these are taken off and the straw is cleared in good time to drill it.”

This year he has around 324ha of OSR and selected Murray based on recommendations from his agronomist and seed supplier “It’s the highest yielding on the RL in this area,looks a good stander

with adult CSFB feeding, that can then grow away quickly in the spring to combat larval challenges. So having early autumn development and quick growth in the spring was the primary thing that appealed about Murray.”

“This, along with its disease resistance package, makes Murray a pretty strong candidate for risk reduction rather than purely ticking the box for the highest yield,” adds Chris Piggott. ■

and to be strong against disease, so I thought I’d give it a try.I’ve got it in a few fields,some of which are split with other varieties.”

Before drilling in the autumn,he applied poultry litter or digestate and then used a Sumo cultivator before drilling with a Väderstad Rapid on 26 August.“I aim for 220kgN/ha applied variably using the N-sensor A total of 80kg sulphur via ammonium sulphate and the crop had a late autumn fungicide and herbicide, followed by a spring fungicide and PGR.It’ll then have two flowering sprays to finish.”

James tries to grow varieties suited to cope with the pressures he has on farm,such as pigeons and charlock, but he is trying Murray out for its yield.“I want all varieties to perform and I’m looking to achieve 5t/ha. As long as it’s up there on yield,I’ll probably give Murray another go and so far it’s looking pretty good having come out of winter well.”

▲

Murray is being grown on Red House Farm for its potential yield output.

Inside Traits

Oilseed rape breeding has become integral to managing the risks associated with growing the crop and is helping farmers deal with the challenges they face.

CPM explores how stacking multiple traits in single varieties has value on farm.

By Melanie Jenkins

The past decade has seen progressive advances in understanding how to effectively grow oilseed rape amid a raft of challenges,not least of which have included increasing pest and disease pressures, the loss of chemical controls and variable weather patterns.

But a better understanding of how to grow the crop isn’t enough by itself. Growers have put in all the leg work but are still being thwarted by elements beyond their control, which is where breeding can step in. “Our strategy at the moment is to protect yield by breeding multiple genetic traits into varieties,” says Limagrain’s Coretta Kloeppel.

But yield is obviously still the most impor tant aspect, says the firm’s Liam Wilkinson. “Yield is a vital element on both

Stack them high

the AHDB Recommended List and to far mers, as this is what they get paid for. But what we’re trying to do in our breeding programme is to add traits to help secure this output.”

Yield security

Duncan Durno of Openfield feels that variety choice for this coming season has to be around yield security. “We know there’s risk associated with establishing OSR because of cabbage stem flea beetle attacks, so we want to be able to remove as many other risks as possible through genetic traits. There’s little point in establishing the crop and then leaving it exposed to other risks when there’s the option to secure health and yield through traits.

“And the top yielding varieties are the most trait-stacked varieties, so there’s no compromising yield potential in exchange for loaded traits,” he adds.

Having varieties better able to cope with variability is all part of the trait-stacking strategy, explains Liam. “For example, N-Flex, which doesn’t necessarily allow for reduced nitrogen applications but enables plants to cope better if N uptake is delayed. So when growers can’t get to a crop in spring because of weather, ground conditions or other challenges, N-flex helps to flatten the N response curve of a crop. This means while the crop could still lose some yield, it’s not as much as it would have without this genetic lever.”

It’s catastrophic for a crop to fall at the last hurdle as you’re losing any return on investment.

“ ”

Yield is a vital element of oilseed rape production, but varietal traits can help secure this,according to Liam Wilkinson.

The 2021 and 2022 seasons were both years with very dr y springs, says Duncan. “Growers may have got N on but because

▲

One of the most significant stem diseases is phoma stem canker and resistance is well established in OSR varieties,says Coretta Kloeppel.

of the dry conditions, crops may not have been able to access it. OSR varieties that are more able to even out the peaks and troughs of N accessibility is part of a whole risk management package.”

Another situation where Liam believes genetic traits are advantageous is against turnip yellows virus (TuYV). “The only way to mitigate the spread of TuYV by aphids is

Thriving in Ireland

OSR hasn’t always been the break crop of choice in Ireland,but it’s gained popularity as a replacement for sugar beet since 2006,says John Dunne farmer and variety manager for seed-supplier,Goldcrop.

“Growers quickly realised how good a break crop it is and subsequently the OSR acreage has increased and is expected to be 19,000ha this year,” he explains.

One reason for the increasing area has been better yields, says John.“We’ve seen a 30% increase over the past six years. Whereas growers would previously have achieved 4-4.5t/ha, they’re now regularly getting 5-5.5t/ha –– so it’s a big increase.”

But getting the crop sown in time can be a challenge, he says.“Planting OSR behind winter barley is fine, but trying to get it in after winter wheat or spring barley can be tricky In 2006, growers started out with conventional varieties but they’ve moved towards hybrids over time. We have to be careful that varieties aren’t too vigorous,but we’d rather be looking at the crop than looking for it.”

Having traits such as TuYV resistance in varieties is really important to Irish farmers

through varietal resistance as pyrethroids aren’t effective due to resistance in the aphid population. The TuYV trait offers true resistance as it stops the virus in its tracks, meaning it can’t be transmitted further.”

Virus threat

Duncan agrees. “We’re seeing milder winters –– look at the triggering of the derogation for use of neonicotinoids on sugar beet seed due to high mean January and February temperatures, this predicts the likely spread of the virus based on levels and migration of peach-potato aphids, the aphid that also spreads TuYV in OSR.

“As a tool in integrated pest management, TuYV resistance enables growers to use less autumn applied insecticide allowing CSFB predators to build up, without risking TuYV infection into those crops,” says Duncan.

“TuYV resistance also gives greater flexibility in the establishment window, which is vital when trying to combat CSFB. Growers can drill early if that’s when conditions are optimal, despite higher aphid and virus pressures.”

And there’s no point in applying inputs if growers can’t secure yield with them, says Liam. “Disease resistance in varieties helps to optimise retur ns and reduce selection

pressure, protecting pesticides. Limagrain’s ‘Stem Health’ badge –– awarded for a combination of stem disease resistance in varieties –– is the culmination of this,” he believes.

“Having healthy stems later in the season means more oil content is secured because N can be remobilised from leaves into the pods. We really saw the benefits of this during last year’s drought, as it meant plants senesced with healthy stems and produced oil contents of 47% plus, giving growers a big bonus.”

One of the most significant stem diseases is phoma stem canker and resistance is well established in OSR varieties, according to Coretta. “But we’re always looking for new resistance genes, screening a wide range of materials. And we’re constantly screening heavily for light leaf spot (LLS) resistance in affected areas and in Scotland –– a variety will only get a pass if it proves to be good enough in the north, where pressure is high.”

And unlike other disease resistances which rely on a specific gene, resistance to verticillium is quantitative, explains Coretta. “The material being produced has improved massively over the years and is tested vigorously in high pressure situations.”

because the climate is quite mild and the disease can take up to a third of OSR yield,according to John.“When we get a frost,it’s a notable topic of conversation here.And because it’s so mild,we’ve had issues with barley yellow dwarf virus, and this made me wonder if TuYV was also nipping at OSR yields.”

Working with Limagrain,Goldcrop took samples of varieties without TuYV resistance and found the virus to be consistently showing up.“Once you get your eye in for identifying the virus symptoms, you’ll see a reddening of leaves at the edges of the field and along tramlines. Last year we saw headline varieties without resistance falter in our official trials, whereas resistant varieties took this risk out of the equation.”

According to John, Irish growers have also had more trouble with LLS than with phoma and so really value highly resistant varieties. “LLS has always been the tougher beast,to my mind,and in some years the circumstances play into it with higher pressures, especially when there are nearby OSR stubbles.As the disease cycles so frequently and repeatedly,it can be hard to control and is the most damaging disease we have, so having genetic resistance is a huge help.”

He also feels that pod shatter resistance has to be standard in all varieties. “Our climate is tricky,so to have something that won’t shed is a big safety net.I can’t really believe that varieties still come to market without it.”

Irish farmers have become very fond of growing OSR,adds John.“It’s an essential part of the rotation for many,so having stacked traits to secure its future place here is important.”

According to John Dunne, Irish growers have had more trouble with light leaf spot than with phoma and so really value highly resistant varieties.

Inside traits

Sustainable agriculture is moving to a new era in which plant genetics play a greater role in the integrated crop management toolbox growers utilise to get the best from their crops.In this series, CPM has teamed up with Limagrain to give growers insight into these new tools. Through privileged access to staff and related research these articles look inside the traits, explore the genetics and unlock the secrets of a successful crop.

Limagrain started 50 years ago as a farmer-owned co-operative in France,and is

But it’s not just diseases that threaten OSR crops, precious seed can also be lost prior to harvest if pods spring open prematurely, says Liam.

“I’ve spoken to farmers who’ve lost their OSR crop in minutes because of hailstorms and pod shatter resistance is really effective at preventing this. From Limagrain’s perspective we won’t

The field effects

Situated between 200ft (61m) and 750ft (229m) above sea level in the Scottish Borders,David Fuller-Shapcott’s farm is mostly south facing with silty clay loams.Soils at Sweethope Farm are high in magnesium,making them very sticky and water retentive,which creates a challenge as they’re quick to cool in autumn but slow to warm in spring.

In recent years, David has progressively moved the 325ha of arable from a plough-based system to min-till and is now starting to direct drill. He operates a six-year rotation of OSR, winter wheat, spring oats, winter wheat, spring barley,winter barley.“This gives us a winter-to-spring-type approach and allows for the option of stale seed beds,” he explains.

With only a small window of opportunity for activity on his land, David frequently doesn’t get a chance to apply an autumn herbicide on cereals, resulting in knock-on effects to his spring herbicides. “We’re hoping that direct drilling will allow us to travel and operate on the land later into the season,as currently our activity window shuts around 12-14 October.And with harvest not starting until well into August, we expect to be flat out.”

OSR’s place on the farm is crucial as David is limited by the breakcrops he can grow “It’s our most profitable breakcrop by some margin, making it seriously important.We used to grow OSR one in five, but second wheats were a

now the fourth largest seed company worldwide. With an annual turnover of nearly €1.9 billion, 16% of this isspent on R&D.By developing varieties with higher yields,improved resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact, Limagrain is a major contributor to meeting agriculture’s sustainability goals. And this guides the company’s raison d’être:to cooperate for the advancement of agriculture everywhere, for everyone.

commercialise a variety without it now.”

Beyond the ability to retain seeds, Duncan feels pod shatter resistance offers other benefits. “In the past, we’ve seen increased levels of slugs where there’s a higher level of OSR volunteers. These volunteers also create a green bridge for the spread of both airborne diseases and aphids, which spread TuYV into newly emerging OSR crops. So

Limagrain’s N-flex trait helps to flatten the nitrogen response curve of a crop,giving growers a wider window when they can’t get to a crop in spring because of weather.

having pod shatter resistance isn’t just about securing the yield and investment in that one crop, but about future crops as well.” ■

struggle so we dropped this for another breakcrop six years ago and changed OSR to one in six to improve the margin on it.

“The one thing we can influence is yield,” he says.“We can’t control oil content well,so selecting a variety with high oil,as well as a strong LLS rating and with the right maturity,is important.”David chooses to grow hybrid OSR varieties because he finds they have a better chance of surviving the winter where he’s based. “I tend to look for hybrids that are slower to get going in the spring as we often can’t travel on the ground because of the conditions, and this can become a problem.”

Inability to access land in the spring means David can struggle to apply nutrition at the optimal timing and therefore he likes later maturing varieties that can cope better in this situation. “This is where having the N-Flex trait is really interesting as it means the variety won’t suffer too much if it doesn’t get fed early.”

Lodging score is important for a similar reason.“I don’t often get the opportunity to put a PGR on in the spring as the crop isn’t far enough forward before it starts to flower.”

And although the risk of phoma is low in the area,he won’t grow a variety with a low phoma rating. “The risk isn’t particularly high here, but it’s about de-risking the crop.”

Because of the farm’s location,David is often harvesting his OSR at the end of August,meaning

Inability to access land in the

means it can be a struggle to apply nutrition at the optimal timing.

pod shatter resistance is essential in any varieties he grows. “Pod shatter can make or break a crop. It’s catastrophic for a crop to fall at the last hurdle as you’re losing any return on investment after you’ve put everything into growing it. I still put a pod sealant on, but with pod shatter resistance this makes for a pretty resilient canopy.”

David’s management combined with variety selection has proved successful on his farm, with his YEN crop last year achieving a gross output of 7.3t/ha, including 48.9% oil content from 22 plants/m2 “This was a crop of Ambassador which yielded 6t/ha on a 3.1ha field with five tramlines in it,”he explains.

“Achieving this oil content is partly down to not desiccating too early,waiting until there’s no red seeds,”he says.“This all ties back into having pod shatter resistance to de-risk waiting that bit longer.”

spring

Sunflowers

Blooming lovely

commercial crop of RGT Capitoll sunflowers this spring, an oleic variety with very early maturity. We’re also testing other lines to find varieties suitable for the variable conditions we have here in the UK.”

British grown oil

seed for attracting birds. That said, for years it hasn’t paid for farmers to grow and sell through distribution. We make it work because we grow, pack, and sell it ourselves, which adds value from a customer perspective,” says Nicholas.

By

Helianthus annuus –– the common sunflower. For many,the very embodiment of summer,bringing much joy to gardens,parks and wildflower meadows across the country.

And then there’s sunflowers for their rich golden oil where Russia and Ukraine are the primary producers, growing the crop on a considerable scale. However, a combination of recent political unrest and climate change means UK interest is ramping up in the commercial opportunities that sunflowers present.

“We experienced a surge in enquiries from UK farmers about sunflowers for oil last year, mainly off the back of the Ukraine invasion,” says RAGT’s David Ramdhian. “Early maturity is important for the UK and excitingly, we’re planting the first

Encouragingly, it seems initial steps are being made towards making British sunflower oil a reality, but that’s certainly not the end of the story. Whereas the black seed is traditionally processed for oil, non-oilseed sunflowers, such as those grown in home gardens, produce black and white striped seed. And although most far mers’ experience might extend to using such in game cover mixes and environmental stewardship, it needn’t stop there, says Vine House Farm’s Nicholas Watts.

“There’s so much potential in growing commercial sunflowers for retail bird seed. As the UK imports a lot of seed from France and Bulgaria, it seems a logical first target for upscaling home production.”

His comments aren’t without supporting evidence, given the farm grows more than 40ha of straight, black-seeded sunflowers each year to sell direct to ‘discerning customers’ through an e-commerce website. The business began around 25 years ago following an inspirational bird watching holiday to Argentina –– the world’s four th largest sunflower producer

“It’s a marvellous flower and worthwhile for us, you simply can’t beat sunflower

Located in Spalding in Lincolnshire, Vine House Farm is one of only a few UK sunflower growers and is currently the largest. They grow black-seeded varieties due to the bird-friendly benefits; as well as offering higher fat content than striped seed, they also have a thinner husk, which is easier for garden species, such as finches, to remove.

Sunflowers are jolly,bright and make people smile, they’re always the first thing that people notice.

“ ”

From an Instagrammers’ paradise to commercial bird seed production,sunflowers have the potential to offer something for all. CPM speaks to growers who are making it happen for very different purposes.

Janine Adamson

Nicholas Watts grows more than 40ha of straight, black-seeded sunflowers each year to sell through an e-commerce website.

Sunflowers

Geographically, Lincolnshire is viewed as the furthest north that sunflowers can be grown at a commercial scale. Nicholas admits this isn’t the only nuance of the crop. “We drill in April and May, and harvest in October. Sunflower harvest clashes with cereal planting in the autumn, which is no doubt off-putting for other farmers in terms of time management.

“It’s late because unlike the fresh flower market, we have to wait for the flower heads to die off and turn brown so the seed has low moisture content. We apply Roundup (glyphosate) at the end of September then bring the crop in using a combine harvester,” he says.

Despite many successful years, it hasn’t always been easy. In 2012, the crop failed entirely due to the wet summer and in 2021, there were only three days suitable for harvest due to high seed moisture levels. Other pressures include lack of varietal choice and registered plant protection products as well as the threat of pigeon damage.

“Pigeons make the crop rather involving. It’s imperative that you keep the birds off during establishment otherwise you don’t have a crop at all. Sunflowers can’t come back from that initial damage,” says Nicholas.

Although few varieties are available for commercial purposes, there are more than 80 sunflower species across five categories –– tall, dwarf, florist, branching and perennial. Colours range from pale yellow through to tawny red and the flower heads can span up to 30cm wide.

Due to the plant’s diverse uses, from bird seed to ornamental flowers, it makes for a keen challenge agronomically-speaking, says ProCam’s Ashley Cooley.

“Depending on what you want to do with them, you really have to treat sunflowers as individual crops,” he says. “Growing cut flowers versus growing for seed are very different disciplines.”

Sunflower agronomy

“Either way, soils should be light and free-draining to avoid root rot and although they’re a much-welcomed cereal break crop, rotations should be at least four years wide due to the risk of sclerotinia. Luckily, they’re competitive against weeds once successfully established, but you do have Stomp Aqua (pendimethalin) and Emerger (aclonifen) if required.”

Unlike cereal crops, high soil nitrogen reduces the yield of sunflowers as it encourages vegetative growth, making the crop attractive for low-N scenarios. Instead, ensuring adequate potassium helps to boost flowering and seed production.

When successful, seed yields range from 1-2.5t/ha, which Ashley believes is realistic as long as the basics have been well thought through. “As with any niche crop, the advice to growers is to consider

The characterful crop

Florist Anna Mead has been growing sunflowers for 30 years on her parent’s 300ha mixed farm in Worcestershire.What began as a childhood hobby quickly evolved into a thriving floristr y business and she now hosts regular workshops.

“It’s a bespoke market and niche, but what makes it special is the sunflowers I grow are wonky and full of character,miles away from what you’d find in a supermarket imported from the Netherlands,” she says.

Anna grows around 12 varieties of sunflowers to ensure she offers something unique to her customers. She believes the current rustic wedding trend is encouraging demand.“Brides don’t want perfectly constructed bouquets anymore, they want a natural look, which is quite forgiving of farm-grown flowers.Sunflowers are jolly,bright and make people smile,they’re always the first thing that people notice.”

Anna’s a member of Flowers from the Farm –– an association that champions British artisan growers. She credits the association in helping to broaden her reach.“Customers can search the site’s directory for local growers to make sure they’re shopping local. It’s a great way to support farm-scale growers,such as myself,while making a conscious shopping decision.”

Beyond the floristry business,Anna’s ‘day job’

the fundamentals first, such as soil type, geographical location and when can you feasibly plant.

“As agronomists, we’re building up our knowledge of sunflower management but still have much learning to do. This is

is heading up specialist seeds for grass seed supplier,DLF.Although there are some cross-overs, she treats the two as very different markets. “I do grow some of the varieties that feature in DLF game cover mixes,but you tend to want bigger headed sunflowers for game cover

“These would be too dominant in ornamental bouquets, so yes, you must always have the end market in mind when growing these beautiful flowers.”

Sunflower heads attract insects and pollinators while offering a structural perch for farmland birds.

Anna Mead believes the current rustic wedding trend is encouraging demand for farm-grown sunflowers.

Established practices such as growing sunflowers for game cover and winter bird food can pay well.

Depending on what you want to do with them,you have to treat sunflowers as individual crops, says Ashley Cooley.

mainly because there are no registered fungicides to keep disease under control. Deploying everything from the cultural control toolbox will be the only way to make the most of the opportunity ahead,” he says.

Every day’s a school day –– a phrase that pick-your-own specialist Jason Butler has also become accustomed to. Jason, who farms with his parents near Hornsea in Yorkshire, has spent 10 years building up his business, The Pumpkin Patch. In a bid to diversify and

extend the public-facing season, he planted sunflowers to try and capitalise on ‘the ‘gram’, aka, photo sharing smartphone application, Instagram. “We like to explore niche things on the farm to encourage public engagement and keep people coming back for more,” says Jason.

“Last year we planted just over a hectare of sunflowers, drilling direct into the field. I think it was more luck than management that we were successful because field conditions really lacked soil moisture. In a way, this, plus some variability on drilling depth, meant we had successional flowering through to autumn which worked well in the run up to Halloween.”

Although north of Lincolnshire, Jason’s proven it’s possible to grow sunflowers, albeit on a smaller scale and for a non-yield-driven purpose. He promotes the business through social media offering both free photo opportunities with props and the opportunity to pick your own stems for a set price, helping to attract the crowds.

“Just like the pumpkins, Instagrammers love having their photographs taken among the sea of yellow, so we’re going to give it another go this year. The main issue we’ve had is drilling

Climate change threat or opportunity?

UK farmers may wish to hone their sunflower growing skills more quickly than first anticipated. The impact of climate change in traditional sunflower production regions (Southern and Eastern Europe) means the crop could soon become unviable.

Although drought-tolerant, research has shown that temperatures above 31°C at flowering are detrimental for sunflower yield,affecting pollen production and floret fertility. This is because seed is only produced once the plant has been pollinated.

The work suggests this could provide a new cropping opportunity for areas where temperatures are lower,including the UK,presenting growers a chance to fill the market gap. For this to be a success, development work from plant breeders will play an important role, alongside improved crop management and agronomic knowledge.

When used as a break crop, sunflowers also present a mitigation solution as they emit lower greenhouse gas emissions,compared with cereals and oilseeds.

at the right time, you need enough soil moisture for germination. Then it’ll be fine-tuning our pre-emergence weed control.

“We struck lucky last year, in that the plants grew up and away really quickly, but I acknowledge we ought to have more involvement this time,” he says.

Jason also plans to include a small plot of pick-your-own peas to run alongside the farm’s table-top strawberries. He wants to offer hands-on activities for families that showcase how food is produced.

Whereas Jason is relatively new to growing sunflowers, there’s still value to be had in more conventional approaches, according to Richard Barnes of Kings Crops.

“It’s great to hear of new and creative ways to market sunflowers as they’re a valuable break crop. However, established practices such as growing for game cover and winter bird food can also pay well if approached correctly”.

Winter bird feed

“In terms of Mid-Tier Countr yside Stewardship, there’s been a recent uplift in payment, with growers receiving £732/ha for planting for winter bird food (AB9). This involves planting a six-species or more seed mix in the spring to provide food for farmland birds during the winter; sunflowers are on the approved seed list for this.”

Richard explains that this works hand-in-hand with supplementar y winter feeding for far mland birds (AB12), which pays £669 per tonne, for ever y 2ha of AB9. Seed should be spread in areas which are firm and free-draining and in close proximity to overwintered stubbles or wild bird seed mixtures.

He also says that sunflowers make effective game cover and are a useful companion for widely used crop, maize.

“Because sunflower and maize

Sunflowers have proven a hit for Jason Butler,who operates a pick-your-own business on his family farm.

seeds are similar in size they can be drilled together, offering good cover throughout game release periods. An added benefit is sunflowers help to make a maize crop more attractive to wild birds.”

Richard believes the basic environmental benefits of the plant shouldn’t be ignored either. “Not only do sunflower roots break up soil compaction, cycle nutrients and reduce soil erosion, but the flower heads attract insects and pollinators too,” he says. “From a physical perspective, their structure provides a solid perch for birds while they feed on other species in the mix.”

According to Richard, growing sunflowers for seed is also a way of Kings Crops supporting the local market, centred around their warehouse in Diss. This involves establishing contracts with professional growers to supply sunflower seed for supplementary feeding purposes.

“We’re passionate about this because it’s providing a market for local crops from local growers. The key here is ensuring quality because trash can bung up hoppers and feeders. But the numbers make sense, there’s huge potential,” he concludes. ■

Advances in understanding

Plant breeding

the release of root exudates to modulate soil microbiome functions,” explained María. “This can lead us to a better understanding of the impact of root traits on biotic and abiotic processes in soil.”

Her team are screening for morphological and architectural traits, including root diameter, length, depth, lateral roots, growth angle, and exploring how they can support physical markers of soil health such as aggregation, porosity and water retention capacity.

By Heather Briggs

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) helps support sustainable production and address current environmental and economic challenges, said Dr María Hernández-Soriano of the John Innes Centre.

Speaking at ‘The nature-based and engineered biology solutions to climate mitigation’ conference organised by the Association of Applied Biologists, she explained that root traits are important drivers of ecosystem processes.

Her work has been looking beyond the architectural traits of wheat to link them to their impact in soil, exploring their effects on crop NUE, soil aggregation, and also water retention capacity.

The WISH-ROOTS project (Wheat Improving Soil Health through Root Traits) started in 2022 with a pilot UK field trial exploring the impact of different wheat cultivars on soil health. The same field trial will be run simultaneously in six countries during 2023 and 2024.

“Physiological root traits can adjust the role of roots in nutrient uptake, soil respiration and

They’ve been conducting field trials comparing wheat cultivars from the Watkins core collection of bread wheat landraces and elite modern varieties, UK spring wheat Paragon and KWS Cochise, to identify the differences in the rhizosphere.

“We found several cultivars within the ancestral groups were more efficient at controlling nitrification (transformation of ammonia into nitrate by specialized microbial communities), while this capability was reduced or lost in modern wheat varieties.”

Biological nitrogen inhibiting (BNI) compounds target nitrifying communities in the soil, reducing their abundance when fertiliser is applied. This can decrease the transformation rate of ammonium applied as fertiliser by slowing down oxidation to nitrate and nitrous oxide, therefore providing the plant with more time to uptake both ammonium and nitrate. This directly results in a more efficient use of N while reducing environmental losses, she explained.

“This ability is important because it shows that biological nitrification inhibitors released through plant exudates can tune microbial nitrogen cycling to optimise plant uptake and use.”

Throughout María’s research with these cultivars, genetic loci in the wheat genome linked to BNI have been recently identified, which will provide the knowledge to introduce this trait in modern cultivars. In addition, her research has been assessing the ability of wheat roots to control N-cycling under different N-fertiliser regimes.

Physiological root traits can adjust the role of roots in nutrient uptake, soil respiration and the release of root exudates to modulate soil microbiome functions, explained María Hernández-Soriano.

Biological nitrification inhibitors released through plant exudates can tune microbial nitrogen cycling to optimize plant uptake and use.

The connection between plants and the rhizosphere is an area of huge interest to scientists. CPM learns how understanding these interactions may lead to the introduction of beneficial root traits on crop plants.

Plant breeding

Two wheats varieties, low BNI cultivar Paragon, and high BNI cultivar Persia were compared using different regimes of nitrogen fertiliser applications. These were: no applied fertiliser, one and two applications of 48kgN/ha. Samples were collected at tillering, at the emergence of the seed head (coinciding with the fertiliser application events), and after harvest they were examined for root architecture, screened for rhizosphere nitrifying communities and nitrogen transformation rate in soil.

Significant shifts in the most predominant bacterial communities took place at heading and after harvest, said María. “We observed a significant reduction in the abundance of relevant nitrifying communities in the rhizosphere of the high BNI cultivar when fertiliser was applied, particularly at heading.”

Nitrifying communities are predominant in the rhizosphere of modern cultivars at those times, which would result in higher losses of nitrogen to the environment, she added.

“Increasing nitrogen doses promoted greater abundance of Nitrospherales in the rhizosphere of the elite wheat cultivar Paragon, which were significantly lower in the Watkins landrace. It’s likely that as the plant is growing, it’s controlling the microbiome and associated functions through exudates, releasing BNI with the exudates when it has more need for N.”

María found no significant differences in root crowns but both cultivars showed significant changes in root length, depth and the number of root tips when nitrogen fertiliser dosage increased. “This shows that the fertiliser application conditions the root architecture and that has important implications for soil structure.

“These were consistent with the contrasting BNI capacity of the wheat cultivars and indicate that some historic wheat cultivars could contribute to a more sustainable strategy to optimise N-fertilisation in wheat crop systems.”

Pathogen-host interactions

Understanding pathogen-host interactions may help prepare for a world without nematicides. Recent research on potato cyst nematodes (PCN) undertaken by the James Hutton Institute has been both near market and more distant, but always with the aim of helping growers address the challenges posed by the pest, said molecular plant pathologist and nematologist Dr James Price.

More varieties with tolerance and resistance are now becoming available to growers, thanks in part to work by James and the team to help speed up the breeding process.

“One of the needs of the industry is the ability to develop varieties more quickly for the market, and while molecular markers are very helpful, they’re not always available,” he said.

As part of this work, he’s seeking to understand what makes a variety tolerant to PCN and they have been studying the root structure and growth habits of a range of commercial potato varieties.

“There is broad evidence that tolerance to PCN and determinacy of the foliage growth are correlated,” he said. “However, it’s certainly more complex than this and we’re trying to identify specific traits that can be utilised in new varieties to increase their tolerance.”

This work is also building better understanding of host-pathogen interactions and recent research has identified a surface

coat-associated protein which helps the pest bypass plant defences during infection, he revealed at the Advances in Nematology conference organised by the Association ▲

Dr James Price and his team are trying to identify specific traits that can be utilised in new varieties to increase their tolerance to PCN.

Plant breeding

The presence of the protein, a galectin, in this secretion is key because it allows the coating to soak up the carbohydrates produced by the damaged cell walls, so the plant’s defence response can be suppressed.

“This increases the chance of juvenile survival allowing the nematode to invade and thrive within the host.”

First eggshell protein

James and his team have also had a breakthrough in understanding how to stimulate or inhibit PCN hatching, thanks to the identification of a novel annexin-like protein that forms an integral part of the Globodera rostochiensis eggshell.

It’s likely that the eggshell annexin is located at the lipid membranes that form the eggshell permeability barrier.

of temperature.

“PCN hatching takes place in response to chemical cues from suitable host plants, and we now believe this is driven by the calcium-dependent annexin-like protein, specific to the PCN eggshell.

“Reducing the level of this protein reduces the ability of the nematode to control permeability of the eggshell because the lipid binding properties of the protein change specifically in the presence of chemical cues from the host, ultimately affecting hatching.”

“PCN secrete a diverse range of proteins through their hypodermis which effectively provide a coating that make it easier for them to adapt to their local environment and can make it more difficult for the host to defend itself.

“As the nematode passes through the roots, it causes the release of cell wall breakdown products that are detected by the plant, which then mounts a defence response,” he said.

He explained that an unhatched juvenile PCN is normally well adapted for long-term survival in adverse environments. The eggshell, which comprises numerous lipid layers as well as a thick chitinous layer, is selectively permeable and provides protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. While it’s in the eggshell, the unhatched juvenile is partially dehydrated and surrounded by a fluid that protects the dormant nematode from extremes

It follows, therefore, that if the plant is able to silence the annexin, it reduces the ability of the nematode to regulate and control permeability of the eggshell, he explained. “As this protein is unique to PCN and seemingly vital for hatching, it makes a prime target for next generation chemical controls specific to PCN. This would mean less potential damage to the wider environment or beneficial nematodes.

“We don’t know how long we will be able to use nematicides, and by investigating a variety of interactions between the host and PCN at different stages of the lifecycle, we hope to identify multiple targets for further research.”

BBSRC funding is set to continue investigation of this annexin. ■

Juvenile PCN inside a potato root stained with acid fuchsin.Photo:James Price

of Applied Biology.

The outer reaches of on-farm innovation

Farmer-led research

a third wheat, this one bred by independent UK plant breeder John Blackman –– a pre-commercial line of KWS Santiago x Graham. It looks to be a pace behind the Watkins, which similarly takes up two 36x36m plots within the field.

But it’s not their growth rate that’s of interest. Both these unusual wheats may be resistant to slugs. For the Watkins 788, this came about through a public-funded study of the landrace variety that came from central Asia almost 100 years ago (see panel on pxx).

By Tom Allen-Stevens

In the bright, early spring sunshine, the pale green of the Watkins 788 landrace wheat sits in striking contrast to the darker green of the Gleam winter wheat that surrounds it.

Jamie Melrose stoops to inspect a few plants. “Right from establishment it’s looked well, but the Watkins really is motoring on now. If it wasn’t for its bright green hue, you’d barely be able to distinguish it from the Gleam. That makes these two wheats quite different from the Blackman wheat, even though both the Blackman and the Watkins were drilled at the same seed rate –– 60% of what we used for the Gleam.”

He gestures to the next-door tramline. Occupying its width are two square plots of

Slug sleuths

It’s part of a farmer-led trial co-ordinated by BOFIN (British On-Farm Innovation Network). Ten “Slug Sleuths” –– farmer members of the network –– are growing plots of Watkins 788 and comparing it with their farm standard. All of the plots were carefully monitored for slug activity and grazing damage by the farmers during establishment last autumn.

The Blackman wheat has a very different story that’s brought it to this field near Hitchin in Hertfordshire, farmed by AT Bone & Sons. The line was one of 30 pre-NL1 multiplications established in autumn 2021 by John on alluvial, heavy boulder clay near Cambridge. Nearly all the lines were obliterated by slugs, with just this one appearing relatively unscathed. That left just enough seed for four of the Sleuths to put it to the test, alongside the Watkins.

Jamie wanders over to one of the 12 slug

A yearning to explore the outer reaches of research and innovation prompted

The trial has opened our eyes to a multitude of ways we can reduce the impact of slugs.

Andrew Francis to set up TEAM Ag.

A landrace wheat,never grown before in the UK, may provide the route to slug-resistant wheat.

CPM visits a specialist farming company taking part in the quest and reports first-year results of the farmer-led trials.

Farmer-led research

refuge traps he’s placed within the plots and inspects it for activity. “None here, and it’s been the same since we established this crop last autumn –– I’ve barely seen a single shredded leaf,” he reports. “That’s unusual, because we specifically chose this site, in a crop following oilseed rape, because it’s a haven for slugs. But I don’t think their absence is down to the wheat varieties we’ve established.”

Previously farm manager for AT Bone,

Jamie has now joined TEAM Ag (UK). The acronym stands for Transformational Estate and Agricultural Management and the company was set up by Andrew Francis late last year, with partners Kiryon Skippen and Jason Noy, to supply specialist services to UK estates and farms.

On-farm trials are one of those services, and Andrew brings into it 30 years’ experience from his previous role as farms director of the Elveden Estate, a 9500ha

Farmers prove the science of on-farm trials

The first year of the farmer-led trials have been hailed a success for science. But record low slug populations last autumn have meant results are inconclusive.

The trial is part of a study, co-ordinated by BOFIN,to help farmers move away from a reliance on chemical control measures and the potential environmental impact of those chemicals.

It’s the first time this type of study has been undertaken in the UK and the 10 farms involved are spread across England,from Cambridgeshire to Devon, Oxfordshire to North Yorkshire.The Slug Sleuths followed a protocol developed by BOFIN with Keith Walters,Professor of invertebrate and pest management at Harper Adams University, who also analysed the results.“The farmers did a first-rate job,”he comments.

Field trials are an essential element when testing new techniques and technologies,he points out,so the fact that farmers can set up

On each of the 10 farms,four plots were established,while the four with the Blackman wheat added two extra plots to the trial area. Two slug refuge traps were placed in each plot and monitored by the farmers twice a week.

and deliver results “to the standard of professional trials technicians”is significant.

“The implications are huge –– if we can get scientifically sound results from a range of sites without sending research assistants all over the UK, that offers significant savings for field research.”

However,the hot summer and dry autumn conditions confounded conclusions that could be drawn.Very few slugs appeared at establishment or soon after,when crops are at their most vulnerable to damage,and none of the wheat across the plots suffered significant damage.

“I’ve never known a year like it –– it was good news for farmers,but sadly we’re no closer to knowing whether this wheat does have a slug-resistant trait.”

Keith explains that the 10 sites were selected specifically because they were high-risk for slugs –– all first wheat after OSR in a field known to be problematic (see diagram on pxx).

“Previous research has shown this to be the right size of plot and distribution of traps to adequately monitor slug feeding behaviour.Ideally we would have liked more replication at each site, but the intention of the trial was as much about whether farmer-led trials would yield appropriate data,as the impact of the wheat lines on slug damage,”he notes.

“But there simply weren’t enough slugs at any of the sites. Years of studies with refuge traps have shown you need at least 1.2 slugs on average per trap to reach a valid conclusion about any difference between treatments.The most we had in this trial was 1.07/trap,the next highest

farming business based near Thetford in Norfolk.

“At Elveden, we constantly asked ourselves how we could do things differently. Typically we’d take standard farm practice, double it, halve it and explore the outer reaches,” says Andrew.

Increasingly Elveden built a reputation for cutting-edge field-based research, becoming a Strategic Potato (SPot) farm as part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence network, as

was 0.46/trap,and one of the Sleuths recorded no slugs at all in traps.”

Plenty of beetles were found in the plots, however,which has spurred the Sleuths on to find out more about their value as slug predators and how to encourage them in the field. Valuable lessons were also learned about monitoring methodology,such as use of photographs to eliminate errors between sites due to subjective scoring.

The monitoring also showed Watkins 788 generally emerged later and slower than the farm-standard variety.The very latest observations from the plots this spring show that the landrace variety has caught up with its modern counterpart, and on some farms sped through to stem extension earlier.

“The influence of early crop growth on its ability to withstand damage is something we should look at in year two,”notes Keith.“We’re also keen to scale up at each site with more replication, and will work with the Sleuths to ensure we keep the trial design easy enough to implement.”

The Gleam (left) looks on a par with the Watkins 788 (centre),despite being drilled at a lower seed rate,with the Blackman wheat (right) some way behind.

The 10 “Slug Sleuths”have been credited with delivering the trial to the standard expected from professional trials technicians.

well as a LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) Demonstration Farm.

“We were keen to work with research partners to develop novel technologies and techniques,” continues Andrew. “One example was utilising biofumigant crops for PCN. What were the possible unintended consequences of confining gas underground? We wanted to explore the limits to truly understand the effect on soil-borne mycorrhizal fungi

and other beneficial microbes.”

The public-funded project brought together PES Technologies, who have developed an in-field tool that measures microbial biomass, with academic partners, working with Elveden. It brought Andrew a yearning to explore further this approach to research and innovation, and TEAM Ag was set up.

“We want to combine academic with on-farm knowledge, improve networks

The genetic wonder of Watkins

It was how Watkins 788 behaved in lab-based feeding trials that initially sparked interest in the genetics,explains Dr Simon Griffiths at John Innes Centre, who leads the BBSRC-funded Developing Sustainable Wheats (DSW) programme.

“The Watkins Collection comprises 827 landrace varieties brought together in the 1920s and ‘30s before systematic plant breeding began.We’ve used genetic and genomic technologies to reduce these down to 120 representing the genotypic diversity of the original collection.

“This is a far greater pool of wheat genetics than is currently available in elite lines,offering breeders traits that simply don’t exist in modern wheats,”he notes.

These 120 wheats were screened through feeding trials at the JIC Insectary in 2015, as part of the Defra-funded Wheat Genetic Improvement Network (WGIN). Slugs were given a choice and

their behaviour studied.Watkins 788 was a line consistently spurned.

Tests are now underway at JIC to confirm this finding,as well as look at other aspects of feeding behaviour that have been requested by BOFIN members involved in the project. Scientists are also testing 77 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that have been crossed with Paragon, a relatively modern spring wheat used frequently in research.

“We need well over 1000 slugs to run these trials,so we’re appealing to farmers and others interested in getting involved to send in slugs,”says Simon.

The volunteer “Slug Scouts”are provided with a pack that includes containers and postage-paid envelopes,as well as instructions on how to set up an effective field trap to capture slugs.

For more about the project and to enrol as a Slug Scout, visit bofin.org.uk.

BOFIN is appealing for farmers to send in slugs to John Innes Centre for feeding trials,providing the volunteer slug scouts with resources and postage paid envelopes.

and apply these to novel technologies to catalyse that partnership. While there may be many farmers and farm managers who want to benefit from this, few can afford the headspace to make it happen, which is where TEAM Ag comes in. We want to be part of collaborations that remove the blockers to on-farm improvements in productivity,” he says.

Andrew cites as an example how the day-to-day running of an arable farm can get in the way of the pursuit of innovation. “Many of us have lived that enthusiasm at the start of an on-farm trial. Then it gets to the busy spring and summer periods and the monitoring or the focus lapses and the outcomes are compromised. That’s where TEAM Ag steps in to take responsibility of the trial and bring it to fruition.”

That can take any guise, from day-to-day trials logistics to strategic business support to bringing in specialist agricultural R&D concerns. “Farmers are fantastic innovators and flexible in their approach. What we aim to do is provide the support they require without being prescriptive, to retain that flexibility.”

A change in cultivation practice, for example, will be unique to any farming system, he points out. “Farmers rely on proxy measurements to gauge their progress. These don’t take account of managing dry periods on a light-land farm or the landlord/tenant relationship. So

let’s design the tools to measure soil structure and the effect of cover crops to ensure the path taken is the best informed.”

So why the interest in slugs?

“Throughout my farming career, I’ve worked on silt farms with OSR in the rotation. We’ve progressively reduced cultivations and as we have, the impact of slugs has proved a blocker to improvements in productivity. And yet all we have to manage this impact is one active ingredient, applied hit-and-miss through pellets,” notes Andrew.

“What drew us to this project is that it takes a totally different approach. It may take many years before we have a slug-resistant wheat, but if we don’t take a long-term view to managing slugs, we will never achieve the right outcome. And what we’re learning along the way is invaluable.”

Jamie has kept in touch with the other Slug Sleuths through WhatsApp, trading information on everything from prevalence of beetles and their role in slug control, to trial design and layout, to the growth habit of this unusual wheat.

“On the face of it, the absence of slugs means we’re no closer to finding the slug-resistant trait,” says Jamie. “But the trial has opened our eyes to a multitude of ways we can reduce the impact of slugs, and the tools we can rely on to validate our approach as we develop it. That’s progress, so I’m looking forward to what we learn infuture years.” ■

The value of collaboration to innovation

The first year of the Slug-Resistant Wheat project,which started in April 2022 and is led by BOFIN, is supported through a contribution by the Environment Agency as part of its Environment Programme. This supports partner-led projects in a Catchment Based Approach to improve the chemical and ecological quality of waterbodies.

The 10 farmers were paid around 80% of their direct costs, including time,of co-designing and carrying out the trials,for collaborating on progress and for communicating results and findings,which on average worked out at £2,867.53 each.80% of the group’s R&D,facilitation and project management costs were also funded.

Bioscience in practice

Could a signalling compound help milling oat growers to meet quality expectations and maximise the crop’s value? CPM takes a look at the science.

By Janine Adamson

In the words of English philosopher John Ruskin: “Quality is never an accident; it’s always the result of intelligent effort.”A phrase worthy of being applied to most areas of life, certainly when it comes to the art of growing great oats.

Their high nutritional value means UK consumer demand is increasing, posing an opportunity for growers. But at the same time, according to the AHDB, the UK oat area has reduced for 2023, with the estimated crop between 817Kt and 987Kt.

To maximise the value of what’s been planted, growers aiming for the consumer market will have to meet the stringent quality expectations of milling contracts ––a careful balance between grain protein percentage, size (thousand grain weight) and specific weight.

As with other cereal crops, many factors influence the quality of oats, including

Outstanding oats

variety, soil type, the use of crop protection products and weather conditions during the season. So despite being low cost in super markets, oats undoubtedly require a Ruskin type approach.

For Agrovista agronomist Phil Warham, this includes exploring the use of a foliar biostimulant treatment which he believes can support growers in achieving milling quality standards. “Millers expect a specific weight above 50kg/hl, which indicates the individual grain density. This is determined by both genetics and the grain filling period,” he says.

Carbohydrate redistribution

“Although genetics depend on the specific variety, growers can influence grain fill through ensuring good photosynthesis levels and the redistribution of carbohydrate reserves up the plant. What’s made a difference for my growers is using 3ALO T6P biostimulant at the panicle growth stage (GS59). It essentially pushes carbohydrates through the crop and gives improved suppor t during that all impor tant grain filling period,” says Phil.

He believes this is key because as well as specific weight, grain filling also impacts the final dr y grain weight and appearance. With most oat mill products being whole grain such as rolled oats, steel-cut groats and flakes, maximising these attributes is important.

According to Phil, with big yields hoped

oats.

It could easily be the difference between making milling quality standards or not.

Phil Warham advises growers to use 3ALO T6P biostimulant at the panicle growth stage in

for this season, it’ll pay for growers to invest in boosting quality. “Being realistic, as with all biostimulants, it won’t work in every scenario across every farm. But, for those who I’ve recommended it to, 3ALO T6P is having a very real impact on specific weights and the quality of oats. It could easily be the difference between making milling quality standards or not.

“Of course, it’s important to not neglect other areas of crop management, such as optimising nutrition and managing lodging through PGRs, which can be a particular issue for spring-sown crops. Oat screenings should also be avoided, which includes small and broken grains as well as crop debris.”

So what’s 3ALO T6P? As alluded to in April’s issue of CPM (page 41), it’s a signalling compound based on a

Wheat seed crop market

Based on evidence that 3ALO T6P is boosting specific weights and the quality of grain,could it be of benefit to seed crops,in particular? To investigate,Unium Bioscience sent grain samples for analysis,which confirmed the initial hunch.The results show an increase in wheat grain nutrient content across the full suite as a result of the product being applied at T3.

This makes for an intriguing hypothesis for seed priming –– treating a ‘mother’ seed crop with 3ALO T6P should result in a more nutrient-dense ‘daughter’,for planting the following autumn,according to the company.

A Unium Bioscience trial has since shown the resulting crop demonstrates greater vigour and improved establishment compared with seed from a non-treated mother crop.According to the company,this effect is inclusive of the yield increase the seed grower would expect from applying 3ALO T6P.

Agrovista’s seed specialist Stuart Cree

precursor of the sugar T6P –– trehalose6-phosphate. The molecule regulates metabolic and developmental processes within plants, including carbon fixation and balancing the concentration of carbohydrates, particularly sucrose.

As the main fuel generated by photosynthesis, sucrose is key to the development of cereal grain.

Research interest

Peer-reviewed academic research is what attracted Unium Bioscience’s Dr Nigel Grech to the compound and as a result, 3ALO T6P was born. “Maximising the relocation of carbon into yield as carbohydrates or oil, is an area of crop physiology that’s attracted a lot of interest in the last few years. In this instance, not only does T6P help grain development, but it also demonstrates overall improved crop performance under both ideal and stressed conditions.

“For oats, as soon as pollination occurs the embryo and endosperm begin to develop and the plant redirects photosynthates, along with stored starch and protein, into the developing grain. The longer the period of grain fill, the lar ger the oat grain size is likely to be, which is why T6P has such an impact,” says Nigel.

The recommendation is to apply 3ALO T6P in oats at GS51-59. This is because oat grains develop in a panicle, with each having a number of branches radiating in whorls from the central ranchis (the stem within the panicle that bears the rachillas

and spikelets). The spikelets contain two or three florets, which can each produce a grain.

The number of grains per panicle is mainly influenced by variety, however, as with specific weight, this can also be influenced by crop management.

For farmer Matt Fuller of Heathcote Farms, crop management is all about keeping plants healthy. Using 3ALO T6P helps to address not only quality specifications, but also fits with a wider commitment to sustainable crop production.

As well as spring oats, the 1000ha farm in Bedfordshire grows a range of combinable crops including milling wheat, winter feed barley, oilseed rape and winter beans. “We focus on nutrition as a basis for good crop management, including the use of biostimulants in pretty much every tank mix. For two to three years, 3ALO T6P has been our go-to biostimulant for later stage sprays.”

Matt was first introduced to the product through Crop Management Information (now Green Crop Information, a branch of Dyson Farming) and engaged with an on-far m trial around four years ago. Seeing the results first-hand gave him the confidence to take the plunge at a commercial level. “We engage with various on-farm trials because it’s important to see how products such as biostimulants perform within your own unique environment,” he says.

This is because he acknowledges the

acknowledges the logic behind the theory and hopes to investigate it further.“This is a concept I can appreciate but believe for the wheat market there needs to be some form of contractual agreement to reward growers for achieving these sorts of benefits.”

Nonetheless,he says he already has a grower who’s applying it to home-saved seed crops because of the grain quality benefits 3ALO T6P offers.“We’re all on board in believing this product works,it’s logical –– the seed should come out healthier at the end. But I think the tipping point in uptake would be incentivising farmers to use it.”

Stuart supports the product’s use in milling oats because the system is already in place to reward such uplifts.He also wants more trials. “To robustly support the claims for a seed crop, farmers would need to see further evidence. This would include observing how 3ALO T6P treated and non-treated grain behaves when

stored for periods of time.

“Viability can tail off when seed is stored long-term,such as with spring-drilling varieties which are held in store through to January onwards.If by being more nutrient-dense the seed remains viable for longer,then this could be a game-changer for seed merchants across species.”

Stuart Cree says the benefits associated with applying 3ALO T6P to seed crops need to be rewarded.

The longer the grain fill period,the larger the oat grain size is likely to be,says Nigel Grech.

influence of external variables on product performance. However, he believes the future lies in biologicals. “The farm has to make a living and each crop has to make a profit in isolation. But it’s also important to futureproof the business and reduce the reliance on synthetic chemistr y, while addressing the bigger picture through reducing soil disturbance. We’re committed to using 3ALO T6P now, it works for us as par t of a sustainable approach,” says Matt.

He’s also seen positive results from applying 3ALO T6P to peas during the flowering stage. This was with the aim of helping the crop to overcome a dry spring by reducing stress and keeping it greener for longer. Despite pressured conditions, the crop yielded 6t/ha which Matt says was pleasantly surprising.

Looking towards the future, Unium Bioscience continues to screen for novel biostimulant and biological technologies. A large-scale screening process

undertaken by Nottingham University last year highlighted new pathways which the company hopes to take forward to the next stage.

Commenting on this explorative work, Unium Bioscience’s Andrew Cromie says they’ve seen promising results in other carbohydrate management signalling compounds to extend the ‘trehalose pathway’ pipeline.

He explains the company’s also investigating formulation optimisation and alternative delivery mechanisms, including overcoming the challenges associated with seed treatment application. “A new graphite-based seed treatment has shown a lot of promise and has progressed into the final stages of development,” says Andrew.

Versatile formulation

“During discussions with breeders, it became apparent that traditional liquid biostimulant seed treatments aren’t always feasible. This can be due to the properties of the seed, different species in one bag causing difficulties, and processing machiner y not being equipped to apply a liquid seed treatment,” he adds.

According to Andrew, being a graphite-based formulation means the new pipeline product can be easily added to the mixing process for solutions such as cover crop mixtures, companion crops, grass seed blends and stewardship mixes. He also says that through experience on his own far m in Cambridgeshire, he understands the challenges that can be

Bioscience in practice

As the chemistry toolbox continues to shrink, an array of new bio-solutions are coming to market,offering a range of benefits and complementary additions.Evaluating just how effective they are,and where they’re best placed can be tricky,however.

involved when establishing a late cover crop or stewardship mix.

“For the farm’s latest Mid-Tier application, we worked closely with stewardship specialists Oakbank, to review yield maps and highlight underper for ming areas of the far m which could be taken out of production,” says Andrew.

“Of course, this presents the challenge of establishing what can often be quite small seeds, within difficult soil types. We hope this new graphite-for m biostimulant will improve the overall establishment of such environmental-focused seed mixes in an easy and cost-effective manner,” he concludes. ■

are increased yield of the sink component e.g.grain, or improved recover y from drought stress.

"....brought in by genetics, so it’s important we monitor it throughout crop growth and control with good chemistry where necessary.”

This series of articles opens a window on the science behind these innovations. CPM has teamed up with Unium BioScience to explore the background,unravel the physiological processes and provide analysis on the results of trials.Above all,these articles give the grower an inside view on some of the exciting opportunities biosolutions offer in the field.

T6P regulates seed filling through increasing cell differentiation and starch accumulation, maximising the efficient transfer of sucrose into storage starch and or oils.

3ALO T6P has also shown promise when applied to peas during the flowering stage to help overcome stress.

T6P (trehalose-6-phosphate) is a central signalling compound in plants responsible for regulating sucrose and the way it’s allocated to crop growth,development and to different locations in the plant.Two of the key benefits

The compound has been well recognised as a signalling molecule in the key trehalose metabolic pathway for many years,but it’s only recently that Unium Bioscience has been able to identify,develop and manufacture it to formulate the product ––3ALO T6P

Learn more by joining the Unium Bioscience technical group https://www.uniumbioscience. com/unium-technical-group

For Matt Fuller,crop management is all about keeping plants healthy,including the use of biostimulants.

According to Andrew Cromie,new carbohydrate management signalling compounds are in development.

At the end of March,the government’s Genetic Technology Bill gained Royal Ascent,allowing seed breeders to genetically engineer (GE) crops in England. Meanwhile,devolved governments across the UK haven’t yet accepted this technology,which may prove problematic if other UK countries don’t want GE seed transported from England. But I’m also concerned that our supply chains and the wider public aren’t entirely on board,either.

During the Bill’s process through Parliament, we heard many scientists and farmers championing that GE can provide all the solutions we need to the current challenges within food and farming. We’re now seeing large amounts of funding going into seed breeding to accelerate the use of this technology. The cynic in me believes most of the benefit will go to the seed breeders and companies making more profit from this than the farmers themselves.

Many people strongly believe we need science to solve the problems we face. There may be some benefits to this Bill, but without strong regulation and guidance in the research being done, we

could open an even bigger can of worms. For many years, the agriculture industry has relied on science and research to deliver the next tool or input we need to fix our problems. But this approach continues to focus on addressing our problems’ symptoms rather than their cause. I compare this to someone taking more painkillers for a headache but not stopping what’s causing the pain. We can use the tools available to tackle our problems, but we must also focus on addressing what is causing the problem in the first place.

Over the past few years, seed varieties have entered the market that you can’t home save, and now we’re seeing not only royalty charges on seed but license fees on top. Farming should pay royalties to fund the research and development to produce the variety grown, but I’m getting increasingly concerned this will be another escalating cost burden we will have to shoulder. If we end up with varieties we can’t home save, we won’t get the best out of the varieties that work in our soil. We may end up with a very limited pool of genetics if our only option is to buy in more seed.

We have to ask: who benefits from this seed legislation? Corporations or far mers? As I see it, corporate control of seed supply doesn’t favour the far mer producing the food. This control in our supply and demand of seed makes far mers more dependent on the companies producing them, with hefty price tags attached.

Many have learnt that the next chemical solution can’t

always fix our problems. For many years, blackgrass was becoming an increasing problem, and each year we needed to use higher levels of inputs or wait for the next available chemical to tackle the problem. This continued to raise our input costs, while the grain price and yield weren’t rising by the same amount. On our farm, we ended up with a field of winter wheat where we used every product available to control the blackgrass and still lost 80% of the yield.

At this point, we started to look at nature-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM). We went back to the beginning and focused on changing our approach and system, starting with drilling dates, a more diverse rotation and spring cropping to reduce the blackgrass burden and our costs. Our previous approach of tackling the symptom of high blackgrass seed numbers with more and more chemical inputs –– while not addressing the real cause of the grassweed –– wasn’t achieving what we’ve been able to by working with nature through IPM.

I’m encouraged to see more farmers blending seed varieties and crops and seeing positive benefits and reduced inputs. Farmers should have more oppor tunities to share this knowledge and have the ability to share some of the seed stocks working on their farms. Farmer-led trialling, learning and sharing are crucial. So is understanding the importance of nature in everything we do. But more critical is acknowledging that understanding there’s a limit to how much we can intervene in nature isn’t the same as

Martin Lines is an arable farmer and contractor in South Cambridgeshire with more than 500ha of arable land in his care. His special interest is in farm conservation management and demonstrating that farmers can profitably produce food in harmony with nature and the environment. He’s also chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network UK. @LinesMartin martin.lines@nffn.org.uk

being ‘anti-technology’. Quick fixes may come and go, but our priority should be to hone how we work with nature, not against it.

The gene editing genie is out of the bottle

So the gene editing genie is out of the bottle, but is that good news for farmers or is it just going to drive up costs?

Research Briefing

The ‘so what’ of soil testing

Hutchinson’s Helix is a growing network of farms that exemplify research in its truest meaning – to investigate exhaustively.And it’s an ongoing process, whereby technology and data are evaluated in real life situations to support on-farm decision-making. CPM finds out why its open days offer something a little different.

By Lucy de la Pasture

Think of a helix and it’s probably DNA that first comes to mind. It’s fairly fitting then that the Helix network of farms is featuring the soil in a series of open days this summer since the information the soil carries dictates the way it functions and hence the development of the crop, much as DNA carries information in all organisms.

But with so much information about soils now available, it’s become a subject that can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to looking at how to improve it. One of the primary aims of the open days is to help growers cut through this ‘noise’, says Hutchinson’s development manager, Jennie Watson.

“The fact that there’s so much talk about soils isn’t a negative, it’s brilliant that soil is being addressed. But there’s information

coming from very different areas –– be it academia, industry, or boots on the ground –– and that can make it difficult to know how to use all this information in decision-making to make positive changes on the farm.

“The big question is how to interpret all of this info and work out which are the crucial bits of data, the key things to focus on to help make decisions that will create change. And that’s where Helix comes in,” she says.

Farm-scale research

The Helix network now extends to eight farms situated in different geographic locations and with different management aims. The farms provide a hotbed for farm-scale research which is underpinned by the Omnia digital platform, which helps process data overlayed with tacit knowledge to aid management decisions and business planning.

One of the first farms to benefit from Omnia’s soil mapping system, TerraMap, five years ago was Thomas Todd’s Northumberland farm. In spite of its situation in the Borders, the land at Barelees sits in a rain shadow. That, combined with soils that are mainly gravelly-based, sandy clay loams –formed from glacial deposits –– which run to some lighter blowing sands means the farm is prone to drought.

Having trials on the farm is something Thomas has always been keen on. “I love experimenting and there’s always something to learn, even when things go wrong.”

And that’s the whole concept of Helix, adds his Hutchinson’s agronomist George Robson. “Some practices and technologies seem good in theory but turn out to be impractical on farm. We’re looking to see where, how and if new technologies fit in. It’s

the classic ‘so what’.”

As water is often the yield limiting factor on the farm, it was to manage his light soils better that led Thomas down, first, the TerraMap path and more recently to become a Helix farm in 2022.

“Historically, we had a plough-based

It can be difficult to know how to use all the information available about soils to make positive changes on the farm,says Jennie Watson.

You have to work with the soil, not against it.

Thomas Todd says he aims to reduce use of nitrogen from the bag,both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower input costs,so there’s a focus on nitrogen use efficiency trials on the farm.

system with a power harrow combination, but it was making the ground too fine so the sand was blowing away even quicker. Now, we’ve moved to min-till and are very careful not to overwork the soil. We cover crop everything, so the soil is never bare in our oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter wheat, spring barley or vining peas

rotation,” he says.

Thomas works closely with George when it comes to decision making. They have a real appetite to reduce use of nitrogen from the bag, both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower input costs, so there’s a focus on nitrogen use efficiency trials on the farm.

Alternative approaches

“We’re looking at alternatives to synthetic nitrogen,” says Thomas. “Those include Utrisha , which contains a nitrogen-fixing bacteria and methylated urea to replace some of our N and help reduce the farm’s carbon footprint.

“We have to decrease our reliance on bagged N and find other sources. There isn’t any straw for muck deals to be made locally and it’s probably too risky anyway, so all of our straw is chopped and incorporated.”

Companion cropping is another avenue Thomas would like to explore to help reduce his

Helix research in practice

So what’s happening at Helix open days? As well an opportunity to see what the Helix farmers are up to,soil will very much be the focal point in 2023.The hybrid-type events will feature seminar areas where the following topics

will be addressed:

1.Cutting through the noise

The journey to a healthier soil will be a different one for every farm so silver bullets or templates won’t be presented at the Helix farms. Instead, there will be advice on targeted measurements and how to understand what they mean in practical terms.

“We’ll highlight the difference between soil pH and its buffer pH. A soil will always revert to a certain pH and that’s just a characteristic of the soil.But being aware of the fact means you can manage the soil to work with it rather than against it,” explains Jennie.

“For example, you may have an alkaline soil that sits around pH8, functionally you won’t change that.

But what you can do is look at fertiliser placement, you may be able to acidify the rooting zone to maximise nutrient availability.”

That leads Jennie on to the TerraMap Gold test which looks at cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil nutrient content in detail, splitting out plant available nutrients from those that aren’t readily available.

“Accepting how much nutrition a soil will actually hold on to has an impact on fertiliser applications.So if your CEC is low, you may be better off switching some soil applications to foliars.”

Another parameter to focus on is the clay to silt fraction,she adds.

“This acknowledges that there can be a huge amount of variation cross fields in the clay content and this provides far more granular detail than using the classic soil texture triangle.”

2.Interpretation of soil

Whatever level of detail you drill down into for your own soils,tests

N use. “There’s an interesting balancing act –– when does a companion crop become a weed?” he says.

George highlights that Omnia has given them the ability to drill with variable seed rates using seedbed condition maps and to apply variable rate fertiliser across fields. “Some of the fields are coming round in the rotation again and what we’re seeing is better resilience. We’re not improving the good areas within fields, but we have brought up the performance of the more challenging areas –– increasing the potential across the field.”

Thomas agrees that fine-tuning inputs is translating into an increase in yield but that’s not all he’s noticed since his focus has moved to the soil. Even though last season was challenging for a light soil, with drought conditions and intense summer heatwaves, crops didn’t appear to suffer. “We’re not as drought prone as we were 10-15 years ago and in a wet month, we don’t have

The whole concept of Helix is to try out practices and technologies to find out what’s practical and what’s not on the farm,with some of the biggest learnings when things don’t work as expected, says George Robson.

problems with water lying anymore and the soil doesn’t cap so easily.”

Understanding the soil better has enabled them to manage it better and raise soil organic matter levels from around 2% to just over 4%, adds George. “We’ve developed a sponge in the soil, so it supplies and absorbs moisture. It’s become much more self-regulating.”

can help explain field issues and provide eureka moments, shedding light on the why.

“Sometimes it’s a historically wet corner of a field and TerraMap reveals it’s high in magnesium, so inherently tacky.

“Whether it’s the volatiles produced by the PES technology, microbiology detailed in PLFA test,or layers of detail from the TerraMap, interpreting the data is crucial to supporting farm decisions on establishment,cultivation,drilling, incorporating cover crops and nutrition choices.”

3.So what?

Perhaps the most important stop of the day looks at the ‘so what’ question.How to harness the data for positive change.

This is where the data is fed into making decisions on the farm that can make a difference,says Jennie. “It may be variable nutrition,variable seed rates,nutrient timings,inclusion of cover cropping or break crops to

allow for N utilisation –– bicropping or solo pulses, for instance.

“Management of crop available water will become key moving forward,”she suggests.

And then there are the more strategic decisions where a grower and agronomists sit down and really think about ‘improve or remove’ in terms of certain fields and what they’re learning from the soils.

“Can certain areas be improved, or do they just fundamentally need to acknowledge that they take them, or parts of them, out of production and put them into something under SFI? And that doesn’t necessarily need to be permanently, that could just be as part of the rotation.”

With some sage advice from Hutchinsons,half the Helix farm has switched into CS,employing a rotation of winter cover crop, low input cereal (spring oats), followed by winter wheat, explains George Stephenson.

The experience backs up Jennie’s assertion that interpretation of soil analyses is of paramount importance.

“Interpreting what data means and the impact it has for the farm is something Hutchinsons’ agronomists are trained to do and is rooted in practicality. While the aim may be to make the soil more resilient, there are some aspects that can be changed and others that can’t. You have to work with the soil, not against it.”

Recognising this, interpretation of soil will be the second of the

Helix open days

key themes running across the Helix open days this summer.

George Stephenson’s farm near Aynho, between Bicester and Banbury, became part of the Helix network three years ago and the interpretation of both standard TerraMapping and the Gold test has resulted in a change of practices and cultivation equipment.

When Hutchinsons’ agronomist Toby Page started working with George, it really was a blank sheet of paper as far as soil testing was concerned, so baselining the soil was something he was keen to address.

George was already planning a move away from the heavy cultivations the farm had been employing towards a minimal cultivation/direct drilling tillage system, but the baselining gave him the confidence that it was the right thing to do for his soils.

Typical of the very light brashy soils in the area, the soil pH is high at around 8 and the Gold test revealed that most of the phosphate in the soil was locked up as a result.

“Soil pH is a driver of many things and we’ve looked at how we’re supplying nutrients,” says

Toby. “The farm has been taking a phosphate holiday but when we do start to apply P again then it won’t be as TSP, which was farm practice, but will be either be as DAP or preferably as an organic form, such as sewage sludge or chicken manure.”

It’s something the farm will be looking at more closely in Helix trials, with P in various forms applied to put some science behind finding the best option. Toby says they’ve also switched to PotashPluS, as it provides not just K but also Mg and S.

Countering slumping

Although the farm has reduced tillage, the Gold test indicated that slumping was likely to be an issue. “We now use a low disturbance subsoiler so that we can rotationally lift soils but without mixing it,” explains George.

Before cutting back on P, variable rate applications were made for P and K, but the TerraMap data showed an unusual evenness in soil structure across the fields which meant variable rate seeding wasn’t really needed. That meant George didn’t have to make unnecessary changes to his drill.

All in all, the change in tillage and introduction of cover crops has resulted in a massive decrease in blackgrass, with no requirement for spring sulfonylureas anymore, adds Toby, as well as a reduction in the amount of pre-emergence herbicides applied in autumn.

Research Briefing

To help growers get the best out of technology used in the field there’s investment in R&D at every level, from the lab to extensive field trials. CPM Research Briefings provide not only the findings of recent research,but also an insight into the technology,to ensure a full understanding of how to optimise use in the field.

The light soils are drought prone and often nitrogen uptake is limited as the ground dries out in June and July. Another area of interest for George and Toby is switching a proportion of nitrogen into late foliar feeds and a number of new technologies are being investigated on the farm.

But it’s not just the TerraMapping capabilities with Omnia that George has found valuable, using that data for business planning has enabled him to identify areas to put into Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes. With some sage advice from Hutchinsons, half the Helix farm has switched into CS, employing a rotation of winter cover crop, low input cereal (spring oats), followed by winter wheat.

“It means we receive two quite decent CS payments which will go a long way towards replacing the Basic Farm Payment. Although I knew where the worst areas are on the farm, Omnia has provided reassurance and helped find the right balance to get CS working alongside the arable.”

Jennie believes there will be something for everyone who comes to learn what’s going on within the Helix network this summer. “By seeing how these farms are linking together measurements and decision-making, farmers will be able to relate these concepts and understanding to their own farms –– none of which will be the same, so it’s not a blueprint, but is a valuable process to identify the decisions that will make a difference.” ■

CPM would like to thank Hutchinsons for sponsoring this Research Briefing and for providing privileged access to staff and material used to help bring it together.

Fit for the Future

Resilient rotations

choosing crops that will thrive in a variety of growing conditions and also make as much use of a farm’s individual resources as possible without negatively impacting them for subsequent years, she says.

“It also involves choosing management approaches that integrate across the years to complement each other, whether through creating better soil structure, reducing nutrient use or minimising energy-intensive cultivations.”

Diversified cropping

Delivering longer terms sustainability objectives demands more forward planning than ever before and greater focus on how the years interlink to make as best use of on-farm resources as possible.

Building resilience is often the term used to describe this approach, however, resilience means different things to different people, believes KWS’ Dr Kirsty Richards. “Nothing is a certainty anymore. We’re getting used to summer droughts in many parts of the country, and this last February was the UK’s driest for 30 years which was followed by a rainy March that was one of the wettest experienced in recent times.

“It’s impossible to plan for every eventuality in a business’ long-term planning, but building as much resilience as possible into production and finances is a good starting point.”

In production terms, this means

In financial terms, the focus should be on ensuring that yields and mar gins can be maximised and maintained so that the highest value markets can be targeted, while reducing reliance on a single market sector, through more diversified cropping, reckons Kirsty.

“Maize, sugar beet and leguminous crops such as peas and beans, for example, are all crops that can be built into most arable rotations and can make a valuable contribution in terms of management benefits and the bottom line. Financial resilience also links into effective use of individual resources, so growers are not totally reliant on costly inputs.”

But before looking at any of this, beginning to build resilience within rotations often requires a mindset shift for many, believes Allison Grundy, agronomy manager at NRM. “Resilience isn’t about doing one thing, or even a few things. It’s a whole mindset change and requires looking at a number of aspects and

management decisions across the business to improve the longer-term outlook.”

Allison says, that as a baseline, it’s

About 80% of the results seen at harvest are locked into the seed that is sown,believes Kirsty Richards.

Achieving sustainability requires a multi-faceted approach from farm businesses. CPM explores how growers can build resilience into their rotations over the coming years.

By Charlotte Cunningham

Adopting the ‘marginal gains’ philosophy will be key in helping farm businesses become more resilient.

“ ”

Fit for the Future

farmers who have the highest, she notes. “High carbon soils with low bulk density should be the goal and the reduction of bulk density can be achieved by implementing measures like straw retention, the use of organic materials and manures and reducing tillage. If you’ve got more carbon in the soil, the workability, structure and biology is better, and there is lots of data out there to back that up.”

Having a better understanding of the farm business and introducing measures to improve the baselines also offers financial rewards, explains James Webster, senior agribusiness analyst at The Andersons Centre.

Machinery costs

important to understand the limitation of the individual farming system. “These limitations might be things you can improve over time, but as a starting point it’s worthwhile allowing nature the luxury to self-organise and tap into those better functioning services without exploiting them –– which ultimately is what has led to pressure on systems over the years.

“If these limitations aren’t changeable, then knowing this will help growers make better, realistic decisions –– like not growing certain crops. This in turn will improve the overall sustainability and resilience of the rotation.”

From here, she advises measuring ‘the basics’, including soil organic matter and soil carbon levels. “You’ve got to get out with a spade and get all your key soil indicators analysed, like pH and soil composition. It’s boring, but true –– this has got to be the starting point. Knowing your basics will help you keep an eye on how any system changes are impacting the overall farm.

“Benchmarking soil organic matter and carbon will also help identify a rotational and farm baseline to better understand and plan where actions ought to be concentrated.”

In terms of practical measures, introducing more diversity across farmland and within rotations is a key way to improve resilience, adds Allison. “More above ground diversity leads to more below ground diversity and, in tur n, this leads to better soil and crop functionality.”

Improving soil carbon stocks should be a par ticular priority for arable far mers as NRM’s ‘CarbonCheck’ results show that these types of farms have the lowest carbon stocks –– compared with livestock

A previous collaboration between Andersons and AHDB defined eight key factors that differentiate top and bottom performing farms and at the top of these was overheads. “Specifically, machinery cost is a big one where we see a lot of difference,” explains James.

Looking at data from the Farm Business Survey, the bottom 25% of farmers compared with the middle 50% had 27% higher machiner y costs on average between 2017/18 and 2021/22, accounting for 31% of their revenue, he adds.

Relating this to practices in the field, bringing down machinery costs often derives around getting soils working better, says James. “If we think about better soil structure or efficient rotation planning, for example, they are both things that can be used to cut fuel costs, tyre-wear and metal wear.”

While these are arguably some of the bigger target areas, it’s also impor tant not to overlook some of the more marginal changes, says James. “This could be the marginal cost of an extra trip with the sprayer, or fertiliser applications. An integrated pest management approach can be key here, looking at how genetics of varieties can help to reduce the need for spraying. These are relatively small changes that all add up when looking at overall costings.”

Crop-specific costs is another point of difference, with the top 25% of far mers often having lower fertiliser and pesticide usage, he adds. “Our work with AHDB also showed that the top 25% of far mers had a better understanding of the market, and from a rotation perspective this could mean that they better select crops and varieties with that end market in mind.”

So where exactly does variety choice fit into the picture and how can growers

harness the power of genetics to improve and build rotational resilience?

“For us as a breeder, resilience means striving to ensure our genetics provide our customers with the best commercial oppor tunities possible, despite a changing future,” says Kirsty. “About 80% of the results you will see at harvest are locked into the seed that you sow. You can fine-tune this with good management, but by and large genetics dictate the overall potential of the crop.

“The characteristics of the crops you grow and the varieties you choose can also affect your carbon footprint in a way we are only just starting to understand.”

KWS’ Sowing for Peak Performance (SPP) initiative was launched in 2020 to develop varieties that can help growers cope with a diversity of growing conditions as effectively as possible. “This can be in the shape of delivering consistent yields and quality across a range of challenging growing conditions, strong physical performance in the field or robust and reliable disease resistance,” explains Kirsty.

But it’s also about encouraging growers to understand more about their individual resources and choose the right varieties to make the most of these, she adds. “High yielding feed wheats like KWS Dawsum, for example, can help spread risk and reduce growers’ carbon footprint for every tonne of wheat produced because of their exceptional output.

“A Group 2 variety like KWS Extase, with its exceptional disease resistance, can not only help growers manage their crops more effectively and widen spray windows where appropriate, it also opens

Lower machinery costs is one of the key financial parameters that separates the top and bottom performing farmers,says James Webster.

Building resilience requires a holistic approach, rather than focusing on individual measures, says Allison Grundy.

Fit for the Future

up high value milling opportunities as well as bankable gains simply from its reliably high yields.

“Then there are varieties like our new spring barley KWS Curtis that, through its high alcohol extraction rates, results in 120kg less CO2 being produced for every 1000 litres of alcohol distilled compared with the variety Laureate.”

In brewing terms, KWS Curtis has a CO2 output 10% less than RGT Planet for the same hot water extract, she adds. “That’s great news for growers, alcohol producers and consumers, with the potential to produce carbon neutral beverages that everybody can enjoy with a clean conscience.

“Then there is KWS Feeris, with its BYDV resistance, that can help growers on their journey towards being insecticide free and taking advantage of current incentive schemes for this.”

High yielding hybrid ryes, like KWS Tayo, that require less water than wheat, and much less nitrogen too, and have a range of exciting new marketing opportunities opening up for them, she adds.

Kirsty believes that systems of production that are kinder to soils than current ones must be a priority in delivering greater resilience across the rotation. “Reducing compaction through excessive machinery travel is key but we will also have to focus on nutrition practices that build organic content.”

Kate Cobbold, KWS’ oilseed and special crops manager, picks up the conversation and says that cover crops also have a vital role to play in protecting far ming’s greatest asset –– the soil. “Cover crops enable this by covering the soil over winter to prevent run-off and leaching and by helping to build soil structure and nutritional content within soils. Not only does this benefit the soil itself, but also the subsequent ‘cash crop’ that follows ––boosting that overall rotational resilience.”

When it comes to selecting the ‘right’ cover crops, there is no one size fits all, says Kate. “What the individual far m wants to achieve from cover crops should be the key driver behind deciding what goes into the mix. It’s always wor th consulting with an agronomist or even the seed supplier to better understand what the key components should be.”

Turning to weed control, more vigorous varieties that exer t greater competition against weeds can reduce the requirement for heavy duty cultivations, and later drilled types can help by giving enough time to deal with blackgrass and other

weed problems before they must be sown, says Kirsty. “KWS Dawsum is a good example of a variety that can be drilled in some regions from mid-September right the way through to the end of January with little yield loss, giving plenty of opportunity to drill only when the soils are in good enough condition to support it.”

Spring cropping

“Spring wheat and barley varieties have come a long way in recent years and add further options, many can be drilled in the autumn or in poor weather conditions, you can move a significant part of your drilling to the new year with the yield losses previously experienced.

“Early maturing varieties like KWS Extase can also extend the cultivation and drilling window to help you avoid having to work on land when soils are not in their best load-bearing condition.

“Soils are also critical stores of carbon and a vital component of carbon sequestration for the future. The better health they are in, the more resilient your production system will be and the varieties you choose and how you manage them can have a profound effect on this.”

Looking to the future, adopting the marginal gains philosophy will be key in helping farm businesses become more resilient, believes James. “If you make a 1% improvement to 100 different things doesn’t lead to a 100% benefit –– it leads to a 168% improvement. Being resilient isn’t about making large changes in many cases, it’s the accumulation of those relatively tiny changes that are going to make the difference –– and that’s what we’re seeing in some of our top performing businesses.”

Alison says that it’s impor tant to keep the faith that although some systems changes are difficult to financially quantify, the benefits often materialise from the

Fit for the Future

In this series of articles, CPM has teamed up for the sixth year with KWS to explore how the wheat market may evolve, and profile growers set to deliver ongoing profitability.

The aim is to focus on the unique factors affecting variety performance, to optimise this and maximise return on investment.It highlights the value plant genetics can now play in variety selection as many factors are heavily influenced and even fixed by variety choice.KWS is a leading breeder of cereals,

accumulation of margin gains. “The financial benefits grow over time –– though are sometimes not recognised –– through the reduction in cost of production, such as reduced inputs for example, better functioning soils and therefore workability.”

James adds that being financially better off and improving the soil and wider environment aren’t mutually exclusive –– in fact, they go hand in hand. “If we look at the two biggest areas of on farm arable emissions –– nitrogen and liquid fuel ––they’re also two of the biggest cost centres for many businesses. So, if you can reduce emissions, there’s a good chance you can reduce costs too.”

Allison concludes: “These benefits can be for all, not just for the lar ge estates who have the means or the pioneers, but for ‘traditional’ businesses too. In fact, it’s these businesses who have the most to gain from making, in most cases, small changes –– they just have to come to the par ty and get involved.” ■

oilseeds, sugar beet and maize.

As a family-owned business,it is truly independent and entirely focussed on promoting success through the continual improvement of varieties with higher yields, strong disease and pest resistance,and excellent grain quality.We’re committed to your future just as much as you are.

Kate Cobbold says that cover crops have a vital role to play in protecting farming’s great asset – soil.

Step-by-step to net zero

Net Zero in Practice

In a bid to reach net zero, what practical solutions are available to help growers decarbonise farming? CPM joined conference delegates at Harper Adams University to find out.

By Janine Adamson

The race is on –– according to the NFU target,the UK must achieve net zero by 2040. Although verging on being a broken record,it’s a feat that can’t be ignored. The gravity of which was made clear at RASE’s Net Zero in Practice event held at Harper Adams University.

Given the event was oversubscribed, it clearly indicates that farmers and the wider industry are invested in finding out what they can do at an individual level to contribute to the cause.

To provide wider context, in a rousing and somewhat politically-themed keynote address, Lord Deben explained that

far ming requires more confidence. “There are far too many unconfident farmers because we’re asking too much of them, asking them to make extraordinar y, unachievable change,” he said.

“Far mers are crucial to our future and their central role is to produce food, but we then introduce the possibility of them mitigating climate change. There has to be a balance between the two.”

Real policy development

He shared concerns that, politically, the government can’t deliver on promises, whereas delivery is something that farmers excel at. He believes work should be done to communicate this oppor tunity to politicians and incite ‘real policy’ development.

“Climate change is dangerous, it can’t be put off because it’s putting the world in danger. We have to address it and be confident, backed by a political system that champions the food production required by the entire nation.”

The event, coined as a first-of-its-kind for farmers, focused on three key areas ––valorisation of waste, energy and fuel, autonomous vehicles and robotics, and decarbonising livestock production. In the first of two panel sessions for all delegates, experts from across these areas presented their thoughts on the solutions and oppor tunities to help tackle net zero.

NFU Cymru’s deputy president, Abi

There are far too many unconfident farmers because we’re asking them to make extraordinary,unachievable change, said Lord Deben.

Government needs to recognise that farmers are trying to reduce their environmental impact and therefore shouldn’t be penalised for making mistakes.

Reader, is a third generation mixed farmer and formed part of the panel. As well as home to 200 dairy cows, 150 sheep and 90 beef cattle, her farm in Wenvoe in Wales grows around 50ha of arable crops.

During Abi’s presentation she explained that meeting a forestry expert on the social media platform Twitter helped to realign her views on carbon sequestration. Before this, she was unable to identify all of the required land for agroforestry and carbon targets without compromising farm productivity.

“He (the forester) explained that trees should provide a farm income within two to five years of being planted, and that we could achieve this through two means,” said Abi.

“This involved planting a short rotation coppice grown in strips to harvest for purposes such as low-carbon concrete. This would then be interspersed with Sida –– a perennial biomass crop from Poland that’s harvested twice a year.”

Abi explained that Sida is an evergreen high protein shrub that’s mainly used as a bioenergy crop, but also has the potential to replace soya in animal feed. She believes it’s an exciting profit-making solution and, as a result, is now putting

the plan into action through a trial with Sida Agroforestry CIC.

“This all demonstratesthe opportunity of farmers working alongside foresters. Trees are a complex area sowe haveto develop our knowledge. Agroforestry offers potential for a different stream of income, I chose to explore this rather than let my own preconceptions stand in the way. If it works, hopefully others can also benefit,” she said.

Free resource

Also presenting was Stephen Briggs of Bluebell Farms –– a 110ha organic operation in Peterborough. The farm made the shift to grow 52ha of agroforestry in a bid to improve soil health and improve multifunctionality.

According to Stephen, the biggest input available to farmers is the sun. “I realised that the farm was missing capturing this free resource, and that nature had figured it out a long time ago,” he said.

Tenant farmer Stephen’s solution was to operate a ‘stacked system’ –– the integration of arable crops with fruit trees, grown on the same land at the same time. He believes this equates to a 20% productivity increase compared with

monoculture cropping, while sequestering around 4.5t/ha of carbon.

He admitted that although complicated to manage, this stacking is a ‘climate smart’ breakthrough for agriculture. To conclude, he offered sage advice, reminding the audience that life’s shor t

Stephen Briggs operates a ‘stacked system’ – the integration of arable crops with fruit trees,grown on the same land at the same time.

and should be enjoyed, and that innovation is key

Having signed up to specific technical sessions, delegates then dispersed to different areas of the university campus to hear sector-specific perspectives. CPM first headed to the autonomous vehicles and robotics session, led by the team behind Hands Free Hectare.

Part of this was an introduction to Far mdroid FD20 –– imported by Agri-Droid and marketed as ‘the world’s first seeding and weeding robot’. The robot is solar panel-driven and CO2 neutral, developed with the initial aim of reducing the cost of growing organic sugar beet.

It operates by using GPS to mark the placement of the crop at sowing, then mechanically weeds both between and within the rows. It works with a range of seeds up to 8mm including beet, onion and spinach. According to Agri-Droid’s Chris Brettell, the robot is a ‘game-changer’ for productivity and yield uplift while playing a role in achieving net zero.

“Weeds not only suck up nutrients from the ground but also shade a crop during establishment. Using Farmdroid FD20 can mean considerable yield uplifts for high value crops,” he said. “The yield gains mean there’s the potential to recoup the cost of the robot within one to two years.”

Chris explained that this is just the first iteration of the machine, with further developments including spot spraying on the way next year.

According to Kit Franklin from Harper Adams, the robot is an effective way to unlock greater diversity in cropping. “Farmdroid FD20 is a facilitator –– it opens up the prospect of growing high value crops such as vegetables, which might

have previously been unthinkable due to the weed control burden.”

This flexibility has already been demonstrated by confetti business Shropshire Petals, which purchased three of the robots to assist with delphinium planting.

The second technical session CPM attended was on the topic of valorisation of waste, energy and fuel, including future fuels, green energy and circular systems on farm. The overall message was that great opportunity lies in anaerobic digestion (AD), especially for farming systems with livestock waste, but it should be scale-appropriate for the size of the farm. Anna Becvar of Earthcare Technical was one of the presenters.

Practical considerations

She explained that no two AD plants are the same and that there are many practical elements to consider across production, product and distribution. She acknowledged current pressures within the system require innovation. “It’s key to store digestate where it’s going to be used, not where it’s generated. That’s because there’s huge pressure on logistics to get these products on at the right time,” said Anna.

“As a result we really should try to move away from liquid digestate due to the associated storage and transpor t requirements. Innovation is taking place to find alter natives such as pelletisation and prills, however it’s vital that those processes don’t use lots of energy.”

Anna explained that different formats of digestate behave in different ways once applied. “Fibre digestate is the best for building soils, whereas liquid digestate is essentially a liquid fer tiliser,” she said.

“Compositional analysis of digestate is key to see what’s crop-available and therefore relevant. This helps to align long-ter m AD objectives with cropping rotations.”

Red Kite Management’s Will Llewellyn also spoke, providing a perspective on alternative fuels. He shared the sentiment that scale appropriateness is an integral factor in making gas fuels a success due to storage and infrastructural challenges. However, he believes the potential of gas fuels stretches beyond direct agricultural purposes and can, in fact, service the whole food supply chain including haulage lorries and waste removal vehicles.

Following networking with supporting companies, such as JCB, New Holland and Bennamann, delegates were then

ushered back to the main lecture theatre for a second expert panel session. Here the audience was invited to pose questions on the topic of next steps towards a farm of the future.

Nuffield scholar Chris Taylor wanted to know how the industry could incentivise improved knowledge transfer between farmers and beyond. The panel agreed that the role of monitor/focus farms is vital and poses an open, non-threatening environment for farmers to learn. Panellist Flavian Obiero said that as a new entrant to agriculture, conferences can actually be daunting.

“Farm walks are much more comfortable than sitting in a conference environment such as today,” he said. “It’s important to understand the different ways in which people lear n and adjust your approach.”

Stephen, who was par t of the earlier expert panel, believes that funding should be available to enable such approaches. “Farmers learn best from each other but are far too busy to organise an event themselves. Providing funded facilitation will make it happen,” said Stephen.

Conversations later shifted to the role of government and Defra’s priorities. For Stephen, this lies in creating an environment for positive change. “Government needs to recognise that farmers are trying to reduce their environmental impact and therefore shouldn’t be penalised for making mistakes. Penalisation is putting farmers off.”

He also championed the act of inviting ministers to visit farms. “Getting MPs to visit your farm is a gateway to change. Make the opportunity relevant to them, get them interested and they’ll be the ones who influence government.”

The Net Zero in Practice event was delivered by Innovation for Agriculture (IFA) on behalf of RASE as a follow up to the 2022 Farm of the Future report. ■

According to Chris Brettell,Farmdroid FD20 can help growers achieve considerable yield uplifts for high value crops.

Expert panel sessions debated topics such as solutions and opportunities to help farmers tackle net zero.

Sustainable Farming

Data supporting change

concept from the angle of the practices being used on farm, and their long-term effectiveness. For example, lack of a considered pesticide strategy may shorten the period when it can be used effectively against its target because it could drive resistance development.

The good news is that many growers are implementing sustainable practices every day on farm, even if they don’t perceive them as such, says Rob Nightingale, national technical sustainability specialist for Frontier Agriculture.

Small changes

applying slurry or anaerobic digestate to a maize field with a slope down to a river and potential pollution risk, says Rob. “Once the risk has been identified, an obvious choice is switching the whole field to grass or another lower risk whole crop option.”

But what if mapping data analysis shows only 30% of the field is at high risk because of the slope? “That potentially opens up a conversation about managing that part of the field in a different way,” he says.

Sustainability is such a nebulous concept,it’s no surprise that some farmers may be unsure how best to implement it in practical terms on farm.

Part of the confusion perhaps lies in sustainability coming in many different forms. There are the big picture concepts, such as improving air and water quality and increasing biodiversity –– the types of things government policy is targeting to encourage farmers to think and do more about to protect. But then there’s also financial sustainability.

The need to be profitable to remain in business often drives efficiency improvements on farm, which can have a positive effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment.

But there are other ways of looking at sustainability. You can consider the

Most efficiency gains –– often implemented primarily for financial reasons –– will have a positive impact on sustainable crop production, for example, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he says. For most farmers, improving the sustainability of their crop production will be based on implementing small changes rather than radically changing the farm business, stresses Tom Parker, Frontier’s head of customer digital solutions. “But there are big improvements growers can make and one key tool that could help is digital technology.”

He highlights four stages where a digital steer can prove to be really helpful. “The first is during planning, where there’s the opportunity to challenge what can be done differently and better as opposed to following the same cycle season after season.”

A theoretical example could be continually

Digital technology can also help during the day-to-day implementation of plans, continues Tom. He gives the example of creating application maps to make sure any operational mistakes are minimised, making sure buffer zones are observed when

Many growers are implementing sustainable practices ever y day on farm,even if they don’t perceive them as such, says Rob Nightingale.

Digital technology can play a crucial role in helping farmers become more sustainable. CPM looks at where data can give a valuable steer and chats to a grower who is using technology to navigate his path to a sustainable future.

By Mike Abram

It’s about the best of people and the best of technology in combination.

“ ”

Sustainable farming

insecticides each autumn might be an easy and, currently, a reasonably successful strategy for dealing with the issue, it’s not the most environmentally friendly solution and risks resistance development with a limited choice of modes of action available.”

There are other options. Delaying drilling usually reduces infection risk but comes with the potential consequence of a reduction in yield and not being able to get the crop drilled if weather deteriorates.

but once performance is considered in financial terms, it’s easier to decide which areas are not contributing at the appropriate level and whether there are different approaches to improve them,” he concludes.

On the road to sustainability

For most farmers,improving the sustainability of their crop production will be based on implementing small changes rather than radically changing the farm business,says Tom Parker.

applying fertiliser or pesticides.

It’s also a great aid when field-walking, adds Rob. “I’ve used live biomass imaging in our MySoyl app to help pinpoint where the high and low biomass areas are in the field.”

Finding the good and poorer performing areas isn’t typically that difficult, but the imagery can help assess and give a view of the field. “An example is when deciding on growth regulator use in oilseed rape,” says Rob.

“Human nature means you take in the first 100 metres and then it all blends a bit, and you come out of the field remembering the last 100 metres better. But if you have a biomass map, you have data to compare with your visual assessment.”

Recording what’s actually happened in the field is the third area where technology makes life easier, says Tom. “From an accountability and traceability point of view, this is important –– it could either be on plan or not –– while creating a feedback loop to help improve planning.”

“Finally, data analysis will provide objective evidence at the end of the season when reviewing performance –– potentially helping take out any emotion or erroneous perceptions from decision making.”

Frontier’s MyFarm platform helps its users in this way, explains Tom. For example, it can help identify areas of the farm that are continually underperforming to aid decisions about land use change, or areas that outperform the farm average which could potentially be pushed harder for output.

Digital tools won’t replace the expertise of the farmer or adviser though, he stresses. “It’s an addition rather than a replacement ––it’s about the best of people and the best of technology in combination.”

An example where that is beneficial is barley yellow dwarf virus control in cereals, says Rob. “While using one or two

“Farmers can weigh up those conflicting variables and make an educated guess about the latest they can risk delaying drilling, but incorporating data into that decision can make it more informed.

“For example, analysing historical yield data from different drilling dates could help identify what the potential yield drop off might be, while using Rothamsted’s Insect Survey and weather station data can ascertain in-season likely risk.”

Similar use of data could also help with decision-making for disease control. Frontier is using weather data to model for disease risk, biomass mapping to understand crop growth rates, and leaf analysis to assess latent disease infections of septoria and yellow rust to help inform decisions around disease control.

Supply chain data and benchmarking is another area that can help drive sustainability on farm, says Tom. “Supply chain data requirements can be seen as onerous and a requirement on the farmer, but it should be viewed as a win-win with value being delivered back onto the farm.”

While some might still be sceptical, Tom says analysis provides valuable insights for growers. “Within a closed group, you can explore and answer why some growers find it more difficult to reach targets or specifications. Those insights into differences help companies like Frontier support and improve farm businesses, individually and as a cohort.”

A lot of crop production insights are delivered to Frontier customers through MyFarm analytics, he adds, alongside the platform’s other functionality, including information about grain sales and pricing, crop recording, precision farming and account management.

An advantage of Frontier’s national breadth is being able to put those insights into both a farm specific and national context, he adds.

“For example, we can use gross margin mapping to assess the absolute performance of the farm as opposed to it being relative. It can be easy to talk about the good areas or the bad, which is relative,

Sustainability for Robert Scott’s farming business is a mix between lowering financial risk and transitioning away from intensive arable contracting to a more climate-friendly, extensive mixed-farming operation.

“I’m trying to improve my asset for the next generation while keeping the current one profitable,” he says.

A wet 2019, together with a visit to the Groundswell Event, were the catalysts for driving a change to what he believes will be a more sustainable approach. Both organic and a regenerative no-till system were considered by the 1600ha family business, which grows a range of combinable crops and sugar beet for seven landowners in mid-Norfolk, and contract fattens 1500 lambs and 10,000 free-range turkeys over winter.

While mixed no-till organic farming remains the end goal, family discussions pinpointed a reduction in carbon emissions to help mitigate climate change as the more pressing issue, compared with a complete removal of all pesticide use immediately. The regenerative route also better fitted their customer profile, he explains.

Around 60% of the farm’s crops are now established using no-tillage, with virtually all the rest following some form of non-inversion tillage. The plough is still used if it’s considered the best option, he says. “I’m not evangelical, but we’ve made huge strides in what we’re trying to achieve.”

Data is proving useful in understanding the impact of changes being made on farm.

With Frontier’s help,Robert Scott has established a living mulch of a white clover blend and bird’s foot trefoil under his oilseed rape crop.

Sustainable farming

Telematics tracked by the MyJohnDeere app supply data on fuel use, as well as providing extremely valuable logistical information during the season.

“I use the app probably every couple of hours to know how the team is getting on, and to review fuel use throughout the cultivation/drilling season, which plays back to contract charges. I’m able to show my farming customers the fuel use for cultivation passes on their farm and soils compared with others.”

Switching to predominately no-till establishment saved around £70,000 in diesel last year, he says. “Add that to labour, fertiliser and spray savings and it adds up. It’s become more apparent since the war in Ukraine that cash flow is king and taking out risk is important. Regenerative farming has allowed us to do that.

‘I’m conscious that I’m farming for the current generation of the family and need to provide an income for my parents and grandparents, looking out for my customers’ income, and provide assets, both financially and environmentally, for the next generation.”

That means environmental improvement has to go hand-in-hand with profitability, he says. No insecticides have been used on the farm for the past 18 months, with other inputs also reducing, including nitrogen fertiliser, which last season was reduced to 180kgN/ha, from the usual standard of 220kgN/ha.

“A lot of the reduction was based on price, but I did question myself when the wheat market picked back up and whether we should actually be feeding crops. But having done protein analysis with Frontier, I think we got it right.”

Robert is using tissue and sap analysis to help fine-tune nutrient programmes this season. “Generally the plan is to apply around 180kgN/ha to wheat again this year, unless the sap tests suggest anything different. On some stronger land, where we can drive margin a little more, we might feed the crop a little bit up to 200kgN/ha.”

Longer-term, the aim is to optimise nitrogen inputs even further. “In an ideal world we’ll end up with perhaps 100kgN/ha of UAN, plus two or three foliar applications to reach 135-140kgN/ha in total on wheat.”

In preparation for implementing that plan, more legume nitrogen-fixing crops are being grown in front of wheat, while he thinks growing deeper rooting herbal leys (GS4), containing lots of legumes, will be a useful tool in the future.

“Currently GS4s have been on poorer land, small or odd-shaped fields but as I become more invested in livestock farming

and understand the pinch points on time and labour, I think we could start to roll them out into the main arable rotation as two year-leys. Stacking that with livestock income would give real scope to make them work.”

Robert’s also using and experimenting with other techniques to reduce inputs. With Frontier’s help, he’s established a living mulch of a white clover blend and bird’s foot trefoil under his oilseed rape crop, with the intention of following with a direct drilled wheat crop, which will be grazed with his sheep at an appropriate point.

Last season, he split a forward, direct drilled winter wheat field in thirds to mob-graze 500 store lambs for four to five days as a potential pre-cursor to reducing inputs. “We shepherd the sheep, so we have control of moving them on and off fields quickly.”

Monitoring progress

NDVI imagery was used to help monitor progress and subsequent recovery and was then tied in with yield mapping. “We had a yield knock on one section we went slightly harder at, while on the other, we got it right compared with the control. It was a good lesson, and while we didn’t reduce inputs on the trial as it would have been too many variables for our experiment, from the results I would be happy to drop a growth regulator and T1 (if grazing), depending on the season.”

Grain analysis suggested the sheep took some nitrogen away from the crop, he adds. “I think you might need to be careful with sheep, especially if you’re producing milling wheat.”

This season, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) has been used to purchase a weather station, which includes

Sustainability in Practice

Farming has entered a new era and change is never comfortable. CPM has partnered with Frontier Agriculture,which is uniquely placed to provide insight and work to add value across the whole supply chain.

In the second of three articles,we find out how digital technology can support decision making on the farm and practical changes for a more sustainable future.

Through its close customer relationships with farmers and grain consumers, Frontier is able to provide expert advice,services and solutions across all aspects of sustainable crop production, from seed in the ground to grain in the store.

Instead of weighing up the variables and making an educated guess,incorporating data into the decision can make it more informed.

a programme to model disease risk. In combination with Frontier, the farm is going to trial this to help target fungicide use effectively.

A four-way wheat blend of KWS Extase, Champion, KWS Dawsum and Gleam is also being grown for the first time this season and he’s interested to see if it has any impact on disease incidence.

Another, perhaps forgotten, sustainability pillar Robert is keen to improve is his social engagement in the local community.

“I live in a village that 50 years ago, 50% of households would have had some connection with agriculture. Now there’s little understanding of where our food comes from.

“I joined my local parish council two years ago and hadn’t realised there was such a disconnect about farming. So one of my next steps is to do a farm walk with people from the local area to explain what we’re doing and why, and then share some produce with them.” ■

Its specialist advisors support UK farmers across seven key areas essential to productivity and longevity,offering flexible, tailored and practical approaches that suit the needs of individual farm businesses.

Learn more at www.frontierag.co.uk/ sustainable-crop-production

A new dawn for Cereals

Cereals Event preview

A new site in Nottinghamshire heralds some changes for this year’s Cereals Event,which is promising to be jam-packed with innovations and information. CPM breaks down what growers can expect to see and hear at the two-day show.

By Melanie Jenkins

Blink and the Cereals Event will have arrived, but this year it’s at an all-new location on the Thoresby Estate in Nottinghamshire on 13-14 June.

Will Baker, farm manager at the new site is excited to host the event. “The Cereals Event team approached us about bringing the event here and we felt that the Thoresby Estate could offer a fresh location. When they visited, they asked where our 80ha flat field was for the event, but we don’t have fields like that here.”

So instead of what visitors are used to with the Cereals Event, this year’s show might be quite different. “It’s spread across four different fields and on the original parkland of the estate, so expect something new.”

The team at the estate are fairly

accustomed to holding events, often hosting horse trials, music festivals and food and drink shows on an annual basis, so the infrastructure for the event is already in place. But these are usually run by a dedicated events team and have very little to do with the farm operations, so hosting the Cereals Event is going to be quite a change, says Will.

“The fields we’re using are in the parkland but are our arable fields, so we’ve had to tailor our cropping to accommodate. But as we’re on really sandy soils this means we love to irrigate everything –– cereals, sugar beet, maize and vegetable crops –– so if it rains during the show, the ground should still be accessible.”

Managing light soils, Will’s especially interested to see any drought stress tolerant crop varieties being showcased during the event.

As ever, Cereals will be a platform for the latest developments in arable agronomy, machinery, technology and business advice. According to event manager, Alli McEntyre, exhibitor numbers are already 30% up year-on-year, and the show will include four new features.

These include an Energy and Biomass Hub which will be hosting seminars on how to navigate rising energy costs. The AgAnalyst Academy will explore how to get the most from precision agriculture and the Cereals Stories Stage will be featuring guest farmers talking about how social media has changed their business. The Bednar Arrive and Ride experience will give visitors the chance to ride alongside a selection of

Bednar’s towed implements to see them up close and in action. And if that isn’t the preferred horsepower, back by popular demand is the Isuzu Offroad Driving Experience.

Machinery

The wide range of exhibitors at this year’s event means that, whether visitors are looking for the latest min-till drills, sprayers, harvesting or baling kit, the stands and demos will have plenty of high-tech machinery to choose from.

Centre stage at the John Deere stand will be its HarvestLab 3000, now available on S-Series and T-Series combines. It has expanded the use of near-infrared sensors to allow farmers to measure important quality parameters in wheat, barley and oilseed rape continuously, and in real time. The technology also gives farmers a granular view of field performance, laying the foundations for decisions on inputs for the following season.

“This up-to-the-second analysis delivers

It’s spread across four different fields and on the original parkland of the estate, so expect something new.

“ ”

Cereals Event preview

numerous benefits,” says the firm’s Chris Wiltshire. “These include being able to know for certain whether wheat has met milling quality specifications, the grain quality at an individual point in a field, and gaining an overall picture of which soils have converted nutrients into yield and protein.

“This greater level of detail and analysis is all part of the progression to site-specific

Seminars at Cereals

farming; targeting inputs where they are needed, reducing unnecessary expenditure, and paving the way for a more productive and profitable future.”

Cereals’ core focus on combinable crops is what attracted Warren Rivers-Scott of Bednar, to the event for the first time. “Along with our UK marketing partner –– Case IH ––we’ll have a selection of high horsepower

machines on display, including the Efecta CE12000, a SwifterDisc XE12400 Profi and a Swifter SE12000. For root and vegetable growers, there will also be the Terraland TN Profi.

“During the event, we’ll also host an exciting ‘arrive and ride’ demonstration, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with 550hp+ tractors and 12m cultivators,

Below, CPM has picked out some of the most thought-provoking seminars from across the two days.The full seminar programme can be found online. When?Where?What?Speakers?

13

Quiz the political leaders 13 June 11:30-12:30

AgAnalyst Academy This session will explore must-see machines to help farmers operate more precisely including,but not limited to

● N-Sensors

● Spray nozzles

● Protein monitor

● Variable rate seed drills

Cereals Mainstage This session is an opportunity to quiz political and industry leaders on their thinking – from food security to trade deals, grant schemes to new technologies and everything in between

● Clive Blacker,AgAnalyst

● Peter Millenaar,BBLeap

● Mark Tucker,Yara

● Mark Herriman,Sencrop

Great soils,great crop

13 June 14:30-15:30

My Story: James Bannister 14 June 9:30-10.00

Cereals Mainstage Healthy soils are the lifeblood of farming. Three soil scientists discuss their research after our keynote farmer speaker explains how he has improved his lowgrade land to such an extent that is now part of a high-yielding arable rotation

Cereals Stories Stage James Bannister,NAAC Chairman,will talk with Jill Hewitt about his career,the impact of his life-changing farm accident and the importance of farm safety

● Minette Batters,NFU

● Mark Spencer,Defra

● Nichola Bell, Farmdeals

● Angus Gowthorpe, Farmer

● John Renner,Farmer,LEAF

● David Powlson, Lawes Trust Senior Fellow, Rothamsted Research

Publicly-funded environmental incentives

14 June 11:30-12:30

Cereals Mainstage This session will shed new light on the Sustainable Farming Incentives,Countryside Stewardship Plus, and a host of other government-funded grant schemes to encourage biodiversity,protect and enhance precious habitats,and prevent pollution

● James Bannister,NAAC

● Jill Hewitt,NAAC

Net Zero and climate change

14 June 13:00-14:00

Cereals Mainstage Hear from expert speakers from both home and abroad exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change and the drive to net zero

● Janet Hughes,Defra

● Steph Sloan,KS Agri,New Zealand

● Simon Thelwell, Harper Adams University

● Sophie Cath,Eurofins Agro

● Matthew Paul, Rothamsted Research

● Jonathan Storkey,Rothamsted Research

Cereals Event preview

sprayer, which will be demonstrated in the Sprays and Sprayers Arena, the Optimer L12000 high-capacity stubble cultivator and the Multi-Leader Xt semi-mounted reversible plough.

ensure end users are operating with a high-performance pick-up that’s designed to suit various working conditions. We’ve also focused on operator comfort.”

reaching speeds of over 20kph.”

Chafer will be attending the show and plans to take part in the Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers demonstrations. “The Arena offers farmers who are thinking of changing machines the first opportunity to see them in action,” says the company’s Joe Allen. “We expect to be showing the Interceptor self-propelled model, and the trailed Guardian and Sentry models.

“We’re also involved in a three-year Innovate UK project with BASF, Rothamsted Research and Bosch Rexroth, looking at targeted application of chemicals to blackgrass. Bosch Rexroth has a camera system that could be used to identify weeds in the growing crop, allowing herbicides to be targeted specifically at them. We’ll have a machine with cameras mounted on it at Cereals and will be talking about the project with visitors.”

On the Fendt stand, visitors will be able to see the Rogator 600 self-propelled sprayers. Consisting of three models –– 645, 655, 665 –– this range has had numerous updates for 2023, including refined boom height control, new electro-pneumatically controlled nozzle bodies and an improved ContriRinse system for fast cleaning. Fendt’s stand will also feature a range of Fendt Vario tractors along with the Fendt Ideal combine.

Kuhn plans to bring a number of its wide range of machines to this year’s event, including the Aero 32.1 and Aero GT 60.1 fertiliser spreaders, the Lexis 3000 trailed

On the New Holland stand, connectivity and sustainability will be the key themes. The firm will showcase its new T7.300 long wheelbase tractor with PLM Intelligence which has an 18% increase in fuel capacity than previous iterations. Visitors will also be able to see the T6.180 methane tractor which is powered by compressed natural gas.

New Holland’s strategic partner, Bennamann will also be joining the firm at Cereals. Bennamann is a UK-based specialist in solutions to capture, repurpose and store fugitive methane emissions from manure slurry lagoons for energy use.

This year’s event will see Amazone demonstrating its tine seeder range, suited to no-till situations. The Condor 12001-C and Primera 3000 direct drill and the Cayena tine drill will feature, as well as the low disturbance Cirrus 6003-2C and Cirrus MinimumTill Disc, which is ideal for establishing a cash crop after a cover crop.

This year sees the introduction of the Schmotzer hoe range at Cereals, which Amazone acquired in 2019. The stand will also feature the new high-clearance, ISOBUS and GPS-controlled Venterra 12 row hoe with the Horus Pro camera guidance system, along with a range of other machines.

The new long bodied, UX 7601 Super and 36m AmaSelect larger capacity trailed sprayers, along with the Pantera 4504 self-propelled and UF 02 series mounted ranges will also be on show. All three of these will be demonstrated in the Sprays and Sprayers Arena on both days.

Weaving is returning to Cereals after a four-year break, and director Simon Weaving is hopeful that the new location of the event will be a boon for visitors. A highlight at Weaving’s stand will be a new mounted GD 4m drill. “We’ve put on a plastic hopper which will make it easier to use,” he explains.

Ireland-based McHale is exhibiting its new Fusion 4 range of integrated baler wrappers, comprising the McHale Fusion 4, McHale Fusion 4 Pro and McHale Fusion 4 Plus with film binding technology

The company has created its highest output pick-up for the Fusion 4 range, explains Kieran Hughes of McHale. “The new Profi-Flo pick-up has been designed to increase crop intake through more efficient crop flow, and has been engineered to

Industry newcomer, Electric Wheels will be demonstrating its range of electric utility vehicles at Cereals this year. On the stand, visitors can view their full range of all-terrain vehicles available, including the Nipper, which has an electric rear tipper and boasts a range of up to 75 miles on one charge.

Also heading to the show is Grange Machinery which will be bringing along its new strip-till Preparator for the first time. Developed over several seasons with the input of farmers, this tool is designed to help establish brassicas, maize and sugar beet crops.

Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena

The Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers Arena will be dominated by one fundamental change this year, it won’t be on a flat field. “This feature is going to be quite interesting this year,” says Will. “Originally the organisers wanted to locate the arena on a flat field but we suggested putting it in a dip. It’s situated in a bit of a bowl which will act like an amphitheatre. Hopefully visitors will get a really good view.”

A highlight of the show, the Arena showcases the most accurate and efficient spraying technology available. The latest sprayers will be put through their paces including air-assisted, skid unit, self-propelled, trailed and mounted sprayers. The market-leading demonstrating companies will present the latest innovation and application technology on offer to improve farm businesses.

As well as watching the latest technology in action, visitors will also have the opportunity to meet service and product suppliers in the surrounding exhibition area.

Visitors who stop by the Arena at midday can watch drone demos, learn about Syngenta 3D Ninety, Easyconnect and celebrate with the FSOOTY Award nominees and winners.

In addition, the Drill Arena has been expanded and will feature live demonstrations throughout both days. This Arena will bring together demonstrating companies to showcase and discuss the benefits of their technologies, providing sustainable solutions for arable farmers. Visitors will be able to get up close to see the kit in action and to have their questions answered.

But that’s not all that’s on offer; visitors will also be able to check out Garford’s

Electric Wheels will be demonstrating its range of electric utility vehicles at Cereals this year, including the Nipper.

The wide range of exhibitors at this year’s event means the stands and demos will have plenty of high-tech machinery to choose from.

Cereals Event preview

mechanical weeding demonstrations, as well as working demos by Bednar, Case IH, Hardi, and New Holland. There will also be expanded robotics and automation demos, including the autonomous field robot Agbot by AgXeed.

Seminars

The popular seminar programme will take place at the Cereals Mainstage, covering key topics including agricultural policy, net zero, regenerative agriculture and the latest technology and innovation. Visitors can hear lively discussions from Minette Batters of the NFU, Mark Spencer, the Defra farm minister, and Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme director, Janet Hughes.

Crop plots and NIAB Soil Hole

At the heart of the event is the extensive range of exhibitor crop plots which promise to showcase a wide range of varieties, crop protection products and nutritional options. Visitors are encouraged to visit both returning and new plots, including RAGT’s Genserus demonstration which will compare commercial wheats with RAGT barley yellow dwarf virus resistant varieties.

Visitors can take a look at diverse range of the UK’s underutilised and novel crops, that may become more popular over the next few years on farm, and discuss crop management options with NIAB specialists and advisors, explains the organisation’s Stuart Knight.

This year NIAB has 32 established or candidate AHDB Recommended List winter wheat varieties on its stand. “With new fungicides on the horizon for winter wheat and winter barley, the NIAB plots will compare new cereal fungicides and showcase fungicide inputs for a range of varieties. The stand will also shine a light on integrated crop management strategies designed to maximise production while minimising climate induced and biotic stresses, with crop plots showcasing winter

and spring bi-cropping and variety blends,’’ says Stuart.

The agronomy plots also take a look at different nitrogen strategies in cereal crops. Several alternative fertilisers, biostimulants and biological products that can help reduce the need for soil applied nitrogen fertilisers will be demonstrated.

“NIAB is currently trialling some of the innovative products to help understand how best they can be used in a nutrition programme without compromising yield. Reducing reliance on nitrogen fertiliser can help to reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions,” he adds.

Visitors can also uncover the benefits of protein crops, including peas and beans, lentils, lupins, chickpeas and soya, says Stuart. “NIAB’s research work on legume crop improvement will be central to the feature as growers can explore the opportunities for crop diversification and lowering inputs on farm and new market prospects as a plant-derived protein source in food and animal feed.”

Plus the NIAB Soil Hole offers visitors a chance to step down and discover a unique, worm’s eye perspective of soil structure, cultivation effects and cover crop mixes. “With five herbal grazing ley mixtures alongside buckwheat, quinoa, grain maize, durum wheat, hybrid rye and triticale, growers have the option to view the crops above and below ground in the 20m long Soil Hole,” says Stuart.

Winter Wheat and Barley Feature

New for 2023 is the Winter Wheat and Barley Feature which has been curated by Ceres Rural. The feature will allow farmers to see a selection of leading RL varieties side-by-side. A broad spectrum of winter wheats, in all groups, as well as winter barleys, including malting, two-row feed and six-row hybrid varieties, will be on display to allow for comparison. Demonstrations will be presented twice daily by a Ceres Rural agronomist.

NAAC Land Drainage Hub and Isuzu Offroading

As well as the Soil Hole, the NAAC Drainage Hub will also be taking things underground. The hub will include lively, informative seminars and will be offering an opportunity to meet exhibitors. It’ll bring together leading agricultural contractors, drainage equipment manufactures and arable farmers who want to get the most from the land. On show will be a variety of presentations, video demos and equipment throughout both days of Cereals.

At

And for those after little bit of ‘joy riding’, the Isuzu Offroad Driving Experience is set to return but on a whole new course. Visitors can get behind the wheel of an Isuzu truck alongside a qualified instructor to navigate the offroad course. This provides a change for them to drive the vehicle at different speeds and in a variety of conditions, as well as testing various features including the hill descent controls. In addition, a designated towing area will provide a chance to test out the capabilities of the Isuzu D-Max. Those wishing to take part just need to ensure they have a valid driving licence to hand on the day. ■

Event information

The Cereals Event will be held in Nottinghamshire on 13-14 June 2023. Car parks open at 6.00am. Gates open at 7.30am when caterers open for breakfast.Stands and features open at 8.00am. Caravan parking is available but is limited, please contact

gareth.evans@thoresby.com.Location: Thoresby Estate,Perlethorpe,Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9EQ. Tickets are still available online at www.cerealsevent.co.uk.

Kuhn’s Lexis 3000 trailed sprayer will be demonstrated in the Sprays and Sprayers Arena.

the heart of the event is the extensive range of exhibitor crop plots which promise to showcase a wide range of varieties,crop protection products and nutritional options.

New Holland will showcase its new T7.300 long wheelbase tractor with PLM Intelligence, which has an 18% increase in fuel capacity than previous iterations.

Possibility, potential, productivity

South West Agritech Showcase

Data could provide a gateway to endless advances in agriculture, however there’s increasing pressure to govern its use to make it safe for everyone. CPM attended the inaugural South West Agritech Showcase in Devon to learn more.

By Melanie Jenkins

Agri-tech as an industry is growing at a rate of knots,promising to bring a raft of innovations that will improve efficiencies in farming,such as increased yields, optimised nutrient use,and aid cost of production.

But up until now a number of factors have held it back, including governance. Some might argue this is a double-edged sword, but Julian Gairdner of Communagator Consultancy believes it’ll help the industry develop.

“The UK agricultural sector has a productivity challenge to overcome,” he says. “We’re languishing behind a lot of our

major competitors and, in some cases, our growth rate is less than half in comparison. There’s something systemic going on in terms of why the industry isn’t making the productivity gains that we’d like it to.”

But even globally to feed the growing population, there’s a big gap between the current direction of agriculture and where it will have to be, he adds.

“And then there’s the environmental challenge which is inextricably linked with productivity. As an industry, we should already be starting to work towards net zero targets either individually on the farm or collectively,” highlights Julian.

He also has concerns around carbon trading and natural capital due to the inadequacy of much of the verification and recording. “Farmers also have to be able to justify receiving subsidies and support from the government. And all of the above require good data.

“We have to be able to evidence and prove the actions being taken both have benefits and improve the way we do things.”

Julian points out that there’s masses of data in agriculture which offers opportunities but, at the moment, the industry is just ‘scratching the surface’. “The things we’re going to be able to achieve with data are going to be massive.

“But one of the challenges we’ve got as an industry is to be able to take the information and data we already have and actually be able to convert it into something useful at farm level –– to make it an actionable insight.”

Julian feels that progress with productivity is in some part being hampered by the technology, its interoperability, or lack of, and data standards. “But the other big piece is around governance because we don’t really have any.”

However, this is on the cusp of changing.

The world is changing,and space is changing.

Julian Gairdner feels the lack of governance around data is hampering its usefulness to the agricultural sector.

“The British Farm Data Council was soft launched last summer with the aim of accelerating the digitalisation of the agricultural industry and to recognise organisations that are working responsibly, behaving well, looking after farmers’ data and being transparent in how they use it,” he explains.

“At present, the council consists of a number of volunteers who’ve come together to make something happen and there’s agreement that governance has to be taken more seriously. We haven’t got many safeguards in place and what does exist is fragmented. There’re lots of issues around trust and transparency.”

Currently, the council is focused on four key principles, he explains. “These are that the farmer’s data is the farmer’s data, that organisations will be clear on the value of any data collected, that they will keep data safe and strive to make the process easy.

“A lot of farmers are concerned that their data will either be used against them, or that it’ll be monetised and they won’t get any value back from that. However, I think this is currently more perception than reality.”

But Julian admits that a lot of farms still aren’t collecting data. “There’s an opportunity as an industry and from a policy

South West Agritech Showcase

level to incentivise farmers to do this. If we aren’t collecting data in the first place, then we can’t meet the challenges of the industry.”

The target for the council is to implement a code of practice to support industry that won’t be too burdensome, he adds. “The council is also looking at the experience of existing codes of practice in other countries, so there will be an opportunity to create some alignment to make future international cooperation easier.”

Eye in the sky

One area that is rarely observed physically but that has, for a long time, had a huge impact on day-to-day life is satellites. With circa 5500 active satellites already orbiting above the earth, and plans for tens of thousands more, their capabilities are only set to increase.

Sonia Pietosi of The Satellite Applications Catapult is helping to accelerate the use of satellite technology into UK agriculture. This is just one of nine government-backed Catapult Networks, each of which is directed at developing technology in a specific sector.

“Our remit is the space sector and satellite application,” says Sonia. “This

includes providing independent advice for people who want to know how they can use satellite technology for their business and to overcome current challenges.”

The Catapult’s technology focus spans from strengthening the capacity to build and launch satellites in the UK, to increase the use of remote sensing data and communication capabilities in agriculture and for the environment, she explains. “We’re going to have many more satellites launches, resulting in more frequent and varied data, plus the cost is

▲

Geospatial intelligence involves satellites obtaining information on the Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems.

South West Agritech Showcase

massively reducing.

“Satellite technology can support agriculture and environmental sustainability, through positioning information, and the widescale use of observation data that satellites can provide on a regular basis. And of course, communication. This is crucial in agriculture, especially in remote areas which terrestrial networks don’t cover.”

According to Sonia, ubiquitous connectivity is particularly important in agriculture. “This means combining satellite and terrestrial services to ensure there aren’t black spots around the country. Having this kind of connectivity is particularly important to progress the use of robotics and drones, as well as for autonomous vehicles.”

Geospatial intelligence (also known as earth observation or remote sensing) is about obtaining information on Earth’s

physical, chemical and biological systems from space, says Sonia. “We’ve seen a growing availability of information that is accurate, localised and personalised which is available globally in almost real-time.”

Remote sensing from satellites is already providing weather forecasting, variability mapping, irrigation management, soil mapping, crop growth monitoring, fertiliser application and is able to record instances of pests and disease, she explains.

Sonia often gets asked how satellites are able to collect this data. “It lies in the electromagnetic radiation spectrum whereby light is reflected in a unique way. From space we can read this and detect different elements.”

One exciting area of development in this field is in the detection of carbon, methane or phosphates, for example, she says.

“We’re now looking specifically at how to detect these and, in the future, there’ll be satellites launched specifically to detect these in the electromagnetic spectrum.” Satellites are already being used to track and trace produce to link up the food chain. “We’ve already implemented a project called Trusted Bytes in collaboration with University of Lincoln to this effect.”

Satellite technology

“The world is changing, and space is changing. The combination of these capabilities really helps us with future use cases such as nutrient pollution in water, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, rewilding, carbon sequestration, autonomy and interoperability,” she says.

This is where the Environmental Living Lab comes in. This will be launched at the end of the summer and aims to help push the boundaries of research in the South West, but it’ll have country-wide impacts. “These are innovation services which co-create transformative solutions to real-world agricultural and environmental challenges using satellite technology.

“Our vision of transforming agriculture and the environment won’t be achieved if we don’t help businesses commercialise and scale and at the same time, increasing the adoption of these solutions by farmers and land managers,” says Sonia.

The Soil Association is already working on a project using satellite information to create a digital copy of soils, says the organisation’s Katy Jo Stanton. “The project, AI4SoilHealth, links biodiversity to ecosystem services and then harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate the design, collection and interpretation of that information,” she says.

Currently the project is operating on 14 sites across Europe and is taking data from as many sources as possible, explains Katy. “Working with Planet, a new satellite is being launched to feed high resolution data into the project. Mapping and data from research institutions will be combined in a data cube to make a digital soil twin.”

Over a four-year period, data will be fed into the digital twin that can then be used to make things like mobile phone apps, data layers, soil health toolboxes and more, she says. “What’s exciting is the application programming interface in the middle of this, can be publicly available in the future.

“Understanding what’s happening on the ground against past data sets is going to enable us to build more robust predictive analytics and that’ll aid decision making in the future,” she adds. ■

Making easier work of establishment

On Farm Opinion

north Oxfordshire, Peter’s Sky EasyDrill sits ready to tackle its fourth spring. While the business may have been direct drilling for four seasons, this is already its second Sky machine, having been sufficiently impressed to upgrade to a new improved –– and wider –– model.

Tillage reassessed

A mixed enterprise spread across three farm sites, Peter’s farm business today covers 520ha (1300ac). With beef and sheep as well as the arable, he’s assisted by a team of two, including main tractor operator Wayne Varney.

By Martin Rickatson

“I don’t think we could have picked a worse year to begin,” says Peter Deeley, able to smile now after the passage of time as he recalls his earliest experiences moving to direct drilling in the wet autumn of 2019.

“And the following year wasn’t much better. It’s easy to forget given how dry things were when starting the most recent autumn drilling.”

In his yard at Launton, near Bicester in

“We reassessed our crop establishment when Wayne joined a few years ago. We were either ploughing where necessary ––usually only when establishing beans ––or using a He-Va Combi-Lift loosener for primary cultivations, following with a Kuhn combination drill. It was a non-inversion system, but not cheap.

“So the potential savings in time, diesel and wearing metal were all attractive aspects of moving less soil, and I also wanted to and dip a toe into regenerative principles, making more use of cover and companion crops to protect soils and inhibit weed growth.

“We looked at multiple drills at

Groundswell, but I felt many –– especially the tine models –– moved too much ground. The disc-coultered Sky EasyDrill appealed because it produced minimal surface disturbance and closed the slot better than others, while the dual distribution system meant we could plant a companion crop at a different depth.

“It’s also pretty versatile –– if it’s necessary to cultivate/plough it will work on consolidated tilth. Subsequently, we arranged a demo through Turney Agriforce, our local dealer, drilling wheat after failed oilseed rape.

“The drill’s performance and that of the subsequent crop, plus the reduction in fuel

One of the key lessons we’ve learned is that you can’t go half-heartedly down this road, and there’s no doubt we’re still learning.

At Agritechnica 2019,Sky revealed multiple revisions to its EasyDrill direct disc drills. CPM visits an Oxfordshire farm with experience of both pre- and post-upgrade models,to discover what influenced the decision to stay with the maker when upgrading and how the changes have improved the machines.

On Farm Opinion

The new controller allows control of more than one metering unit, making possible installation of an optional further hopper, allowing simultaneous application of up to four different seed types or nutrient products. In addition, a new coulter design offers improve trash flow and seeding accuracy, with a two-piece coulter tube and tungsten shoe, plus maintenance-free disc bearings.

“One of the biggest pluses we quickly found with our new system was a big reduction, not only in crop establishment time, but also in overall horsepower and fuel requirements,” says Peter.

Spare capacity

used, made up my mind, and we bought a 4m EasyDrill 4010 for autumn 2019.”

Designed to work in consolidated ploughed land, cultivated ground, into cover crops or direct onto stubble, the EasyDrill features 435mm notched disc coulters inclined at 1.5° and angled at 3.5°. Up to 250kg of downforce is shifted progressively between the front depth/press wheels in damper conditions and the disc coulters and rear closing wheels in dry, hard soils.

With much of his land having not seen the plough for a number of years, an assessment of the soil structure across the farm’s acreage suggested it was in sufficiently good condition for a rapid move to direct drilling. The weather, though, had other ideas.

“I was expecting to endure some pain while we learned the best ways to manage a new system, but the wet autumn of 2019, and again in 2020, didn’t help the soil surface soil structure. And 2021 wasn’t much better. Of course, summer 2022 left a different scenario. I’d like to think we’re now coming out the other end, but it’s been a learning curve,” says Peter

“After the first two years we found the ground was pretty tight because of the wet autumns, and we needed to alleviate surface compaction, working shallowly rather than fully subsoiling.”

After talking again with Turneys, in September 2020 the dealer delivered a 4m/8-leg Stealth low disturbance subsoiler from He-Va, imported by Sky agent Opico. Meanwhile, Sky had upgraded the EasyDrill, with the new 20-series featuring an in-house ISOBUS controller capable of variable rate application, plus blockage sensors, individual coulter shut-off and automatic tramline shut-off.

“That meant when Turneys showed us the upgraded EasyDrill drill, we weren’t only interested in the new features, but also considered moving up a size, as our 270hp New Holland T7.270 had easily handled the 4m machine. It would leave us with plenty of spare capacity for our 280ha (700 acres) of drilling, and because some neighbours had expressed an interest, I was also considering taking on some contract drilling.”

A new 6m EasyDrill Pro 6020 I E-Drive Premium duly arrived on farm in March 2021, in time for spring drilling. With a shift to more spring cropping along with the refocus on reduced tillage, its arrival was timely

“We’re now growing spring oats, beans and linseed in addition to winter mainstays wheat, barley and OSR,” explains Peter

“We’d dropped OSR because of flea beetle, but it’s made a comeback as a low-input crop, using farm-saved conventional seed and a buckwheat-based companion crop mix.

“The extended rotation from a broader range of crops also helps minimise volunteer development, especially important as we grow a lot of seed crops. We’ve struggled occasionally with wheat volunteers in seed barley in certain fields, though, and where we think it’s necessary, we encourage a chit with a shallow pass of our Kuhn Optimer compact disc ahead of drilling.”

Diesel use for crop establishment as a whole has dropped by more than half compared to when the farm was ploughing and combination drilling, says Wayne.

“When drilling OSR, the T7.270 uses 19 l/hr, and for wheat it’s around 38 l/hr. Where compaction needs addressing beforehand, working with the Stealth uses 54 l/hr at maximum depth, although where compaction is shallow, we work at perhaps 12.5cm deep and cut that to 20 l/hr. It’s only

used in areas where we’ve identified compaction and confirmed it by digging,” says Peter.

“Pulling the drill is more about traction than horsepower and strangely, the 6m seems to pull better than the 4m, perhaps because of the chassis changes. We’ve a few banks but are mostly on flat land, although it’s largely heavy. On easier soils I reckon you could pull a 6m machine with 150hp in good conditions. You don’t want to go too fast as you’ll move too much soil and may as well have a cultivator drill.”

With all straw contractor-baled, later returning to the land through muck from the farm’s cattle enterprise, slugs are not a significant issue. Land for spring cropping is generally put under a cover crop over winter. “That’s probably our bigger residue challenge,” says Peter.

“Where we’ve used a mix with tall species, we’ve found it relatively easy to drill into after spraying off. Slugs haven’t tended to be an issue in this situation, but the land can stay wet beneath the residue.

“But the worms pull it in and gradually it disappears. Added to the cattle muck, and some poultry litter and Fibrophos we also apply and disc in, our organic matter levels have risen considerably in recent years and our soil structure and composition have improved noticeably.”

As planned, moving from the original 4m drill to the revised 6m has brought the ability to get the farm’s own ground covered more quickly and take on some contract work in the time freed up.

“We’re over-capacity for our acreage, but that means not only can we afford to wait for ideal soil conditions, but we can also make the drill pay for itself by contract drilling once

Peter Deeley selected the Sky EasyDrill primarily for the minimal soil movement it produced on demos at Groundswell and on his own farm.

Diesel use for crop establishment as a whole has dropped by more than half compared to when the farm was ploughing and combination drilling, says Wayne Varney.

ours is done. We covered our own acreage in good time last year and covered nearly 250ha on top. With a 6m drill, if someone wants 20ha drilling, we can start mid-afternoon and knock it off that day,” says Peter.

While the farm didn’t previously put down fertiliser at drilling, the shift to more spring cropping has seen full use made of the EasyDrill’s split hopper to give spring oats and spring linseed an early boost.

“I can get three tonnes of seed up front and a tonne of fertiliser in the back, so capacity is good,” says Wayne.

“Depending on how close I’m working to one of our farm bases, I’ll often run back to refill, as it’s a pretty quick process to fold up and go, and the drill runs well on the road.

“We also specified the additional 120-litre ‘Pro Hopper’ up front for companion crop or slug pellet application. With the combination of all three compartments we can, for example, put down OSR, a buckwheat companion crop and Kickstart fertiliser in the same pass, with the coulters configured to plant two buckwheat rows between each OSR row.

“The beauty of the drill configuration and the control terminal is that you can go to one farm for a particular job and 10 minutes later be doing something

totally different on another farm, whereas on the old drill you had to manually shift everything over.

“The tramlining system is also easy to work with, especially for different tramlines on different farms. It’s a simple matter of entering the wheel width and the tramline width, and the drill does the rest.”

At the heart of the design changes for the latest EasyDrill range was a remodelled chassis, and Wayne rates this as a significant improvement.

“The old machines used a broad, square frame which impeded the view to the middle section. With the new tapered design, it’s easier to see if a blockage occurs. That’s rare, though, as with the redesigned coulters trash flow is excellent, and even bean stubble is a doddle to work into.

“The redesigned coulters have improved soil flow and penetration, and there’s no issue getting down to depth –– getting beans to 12.5cm isn’t a problem. The coulter pressure is plenty high enough –– it will split some biggish stones at maximum. And it copes well with the soil type range across our area, with good ground penetration, slot closing and consolidation on our clays as well as brashier, stonier contract land.

“There are multiple adjustments to suit the circumstances, but key among

The farm’s 270hp New Holland T7.270 easily handled the 4m EasyDrill 4010,so a 6m model was chosen from the new 20-series to boost capacity and allow contract drilling to be undertaken.

On Farm Opinion

of the 6m, we can afford to wait. You have to drill by the conditions and not the calendar. And when it’s drier, rolling is important ––initially we didn’t bother, but we soon realised its value, and now roll everything after drilling unless it comes wet. With 8.2m rolls we can cover ground fairly quickly.”

In terms of grassweed control, the farm has an issue with sterile brome creeping in from the hedgerows in some fields, so care is needed working around the headlands, says Peter.

“We do some border spraying where necessary. Our two worst fields have been ploughed and put into AB15 stewardship, which has helped.

“I think our blackgrass is as under control as possible, although it’s more evident this year where the dry summer meant long dormancy that was broken in some areas when we finally got some autumn rain. There’s a bit in the barley but we’ve been quite lucky,” he says.

went in as well as it ever has done, and it’s clean. Yields are averaging as well as under our old system, with feed wheats at 7.5t/ha. But our fuel, labour and machinery costs have been cut significantly, which is especially pleasing given how much they have risen generally.” ■

Farm facts

MR Deeley and Sons,Launton,Bicester, Oxfordshire

● Cropped area: 280ha plus 400ha contract drilling

● Crops: Winter wheat,winter barley, winter OSR,spring oats,spring beans, spring linseed, permanent grass

● Livestock: 150 suckler cows,300 ewes

● Staff: Two

● Tractors: New Holland T7.270,Case IH

Puma 160 CVX

● Combine: New Holland CR 7.90

● Drill: 6m Sky EasyDrill Pro 6020 I

them is the five-minute task of altering the weight pitch onto the front tyres or the rear press wheels, depending on the soil type and moisture level I’m working on,” comments Wayne.

“The drill will go when perhaps the ground isn’t quite ready, but with the extra capacity

“One of the key lessons we’ve learned is that you can’t go half-heartedly down this road, and there’s no doubt we’re still learning. Things like pre-drilling compaction loosening and post-drilling consolidation are essential.

“But I think last autumn our winter wheat

E-Drive Premium

● Cultivation equipment: 4m/8-leg

He-Va Stealth subsoiler,5m Kuhn

Optimer.8.2m He-Va rolls

● Sprayer: 24m Kellands Agribuggy A280

● Spreader: Kuhn Axis 40.1

Specifying the additional 120-litre Pro Hopper allows companion crops or slug pellets to be applied in the same pass as the primary crop.

Data integration solutions

On Farm Opinion

Spending valuable hours toiling away to complete administrative paperwork is the ultimate thief of time for many farmers but adopting communicative technology has reduced the in-tray for one Oxfordshire grower and machinery running costs for another in Lincolnshire.

CPM learns more.

By Rob Jones

Ditching his paper-based job system has allowed James Price to considerably increase his work efficiencies by wirelessly transferring work data to and from his machines when working across his 800ha of combinable crops.

Farming at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, James adopted Fendt’s offboard system after looking at new ways to maximise the technology in his modern machinery fleet and minimise the time he spends entering data into a computer.

“Before FendtOne, we were a paper-based system, which meant inputting the specific job and details onto the coomputer and then printing it off for the operator to manually fill out in the field. Once the job had been completed by the operator,

I’d then manually put the data back onto the computer so we kept an up-to-date record of works,” he says.

Historically, James’ paper-based system worked sufficiently, but with a small workforce of two full time employees and additional students at harvest time, keeping track and then processing exact job records was reducing efficiencies. Streamlining the recording process within his Fendt fleet was starting to become essential.

Streamling business

“We adopted the offboard technology in 2020 to streamline this process and keep paper records to a minimum. Since then, I’ve become much more in control of my business, it has allowed me the flexibility to keep track of jobs from wherever I am and doesn’t require me to be sat down at a desk to do so,” he explains.

“My role in the business has changed a lot over the years. I used to drive the tractors and the combine but I’m now more focussed on the management side of things and only really get to operate the forklift and the sprayer.

“It’s now easier for the guys on the machines as there’s no necessity to meet up in the morning to exchange pieces of paper and then keep hold of these once the jobs have been completed.”

Fendt’s offboard technology is the remote part of the FendtOne operating system and offers farmers and operators a new way of job management though the Task Doc interface. Job-specific information is added

to a task which is then sent wirelessly to the machine. The operator completes this in the field before sending it seamlessly back to the office.

Jobs can be created from multiple devices and then sent to a machine.

I don’t want to be hassling my guys just to find out when they will be finished,or if they’ll require diesel before the end of the day.

Ditching a paper-based job system has allowed James Price to considerably increase his work efficiencies.

During busy spring and summer periods,sending jobs directly to machines can save downtime.

Information such as field location, machinery, and products required can all be added to the task. James says the detail which he can put onto a job sheet really helps with keeping accurate records.

“We can add in addresses for farms and fields, specific product requirements and quantities for jobs –– such as spraying or drilling –– along with operators and machines. The tractor then automatically records when the job was carried out, so we have an exact start and finish time, measurements of the product quantities applied –– even down to details on the weather.

No grey areas

“For any contracting jobs we carry out, this makes invoicing simple as we have an exact job record, including the fuel use of the tractor or machine, so there are no grey areas regarding how long a job has taken,” comments James.

Fendt’s Task Doc uses machine parameters and position data. This location-specific information is recorded every five metres and is the basis for allowing variable rate application to increase accuracy, which should save on seed, plant protection products and fertilisers.

As well as ISO-XML files, Task Doc can also process Shape files that are transferred onto the system via a USB. Another useful feature is that field waylines are stored in the field files. So when an operator clicks on a field, the previous waylines are visible, along with date and machine details.

Changing to a completely paperless system not only requires the correct technology but also the application to make it work. The way the data is now handled is the biggest advantage over the old system, says James.

“Before offboard, we’d lose job sheets or find paper that had been drawn on or incomplete records. Now, the data for each job is always on the screen which helps when operators are asked to do a job for the first time. The machine seamlessly recognises the field it’s in and brings up the task, so application is always correct, and it’s wirelessly transferred back to the office once complete.”

Further integration with different machines means additional data can be recorded, such as variable seed and fertiliser rates and maps showing the differing areas. Data on fuel and AdBlue used, along with start and finish times, are shown on the records, while working time is broken down into effective and ineffective hours, which could help users cut idling tractor times, according to Fendt.

Another big benefit for James has been the ability to monitor machines and employees when they are lone working for long periods, which from a management perspective has been a great asset and helps when providing support to the field.

“I don’t want to be hassling my guys just to find out when they will be finished or if they’ll require diesel before the end of the day. I can now see all this information on my screen which details exact

fluid levels and how much of the field or job is left. This then allows me to gauge when they might require assistance and where the best place to meet them is.”

The system has improved the data handling, he says. “With the ability to send jobs remotely to my operators means the farm is becoming more streamlined and every tractor hour is accounted for.

“At busy periods in the spring and summer, it’s much easier to check on a screen where a machine is without being a distraction for the operator. The offboard technology has allowed me to control my

Farm facts

Woodstock,Oxfordshire

● Farm area: 800ha

● Cropping: Wheat,barley, beans,oilseed rape and oats

● Soil type: Cotswold brash

● Tractors: Fendt 936,Fendt 828

business easier from a task and location point of view. I also don’t have to be in my office to do it as it can be accessed from my phone at home, so having the flexibility to operate like that has made my life 100 times easier,” concludes James. ■

Waylines are saved to FendtONE and then shared between different machines and operators.

Creating a new job in the Fendt desktop system requires no printed paperwork.

Accurate field recording data of works can be shared with customers when invoicing.

Managing machinery costs with data

Working closely with local dealer Peacock and Binnington,farmer and contractor Ben Jackson is making full use of tractor data to monitor and manage cultivation costs in Lincolnshire.The company has a fleet which includes two Fendt tracked machines and two 415hp Fendt 942 Profi Plus tractors.

Ben suggests data provided by the tractors is helping to calculate the cost per hectare of cultivation work and this is helping him decide which machines and methods will be more efficient and effective across the 3440ha farm.

“Choosing the right kit based on data has helped us to make significant savings.Tractor data showing how much time,fuel and cost has been invested in a field enables us to better understand which machinery and methods are the most efficient.

“For example,it may be more cost-effective to run a tracked tractor with a larger plough because fewer turns are required.Alternatively, a lower horsepower tractor with tyres,using less fuel and a smaller plough may be the better option,”says Ben.

Data driven farming often relates to soil or agronomics.However,machinery choice can also be important to profit margin and Ben is keen to better understand his costs.

“FendtOne tells us how long the machine has been working,how many times it has stopped, the fuel consumption in different fields and soil types,and the hours taken to complete a task.We can cross reference this data with the overheads of the machiner y and calculate our cost per hectare to cultivate a field.”

Data collected year-on-year is also being analysed in relation to combine yield mapping data. The idea is to establish which methods of cultivation are providing the best results.Fendt’s onboard/offboard system is being utilised to capture tractor data which feeds into other farm software,including Gatekeeper,which hold yield data to help Ben manage his costs.

“Our historical Gatekeeper records are somewhat primitive and only hold data about which machine we used to cultivate a field and what that field yielded.Now we’re able to capture,save and compare data year-on-year, we’ll be able to establish which system is best for the different soil types we manage.”

Soil types on the Lincolnshire farm range from light sand to heavy clay.The system starts when fields destined for oilseed rape are cultivated with one of the tracked machines and a Vaderstad 925 XL,which chits and mixes.At this point the combines are pulling off wheat and these fields are drilled with OSR using one of the 942s and a specially devised five-leg subsoiler with integral seeding unit.

“We have a Sumo LDS5 low disturbance subsoiler to relieve compaction and improve crop establishment.In recent years,we’ve relied too heavily on power harrows because the weather windows have narrowed and we have to work in almost half the time we used to.”

The ever shortening and unpredictable weather windows have led to some machinery being kept on farm to offer more options. However,investment in tractors is still the largest overhead to manage and Ben is keen to reduce costs without jeopardising operator comfort,productivity and yield.

“We have chosen tractors that operators can do long shifts in so that we can make the most of the windows we get.It’s also important to have a choice of machinery for when the ground becomes hard to work.

“By analysing the data from the tractors, we’ve established the new Fendt 942 is over 20% more fuel efficient than our previous 939, despite being more powerful. Having two 942s in the fleet has also enabled us to shed the cost of a third tracked machine, so now we run two –– a 943MT and a 1162.”

Ben is also using data to compare the cost of direct drilling with more traditional cultivation

Ben Jackson believes that data provided by his tractors is helping to calculate the cost per hectare of cultivation work.

methods.Fields have been selected to establish the cultivation cost per hectare of an OSR crop, which has provided the farm with a cost of cultivation net margin figure.

“We’ve been careful to select fields that have similar soil types and using the data from FendtOne,we’ve recorded the contract hire, hours and fuel cost to establish the most cost-effective method.This has then been cross referenced with yield data to give us an accurate net margin.”

In addition to understanding the cost of cultivation,he’s also able to make decisions about which crops to grow and whether any fields would be more suitable to put into stewardship. This has also led to some fields and parcels of land being split where varying soils enable a crop to grow well on part of the land, whereas in other areas it’s better suited to stewardship.

“There’s so much data to consider and we’re helped significantly by Peacock and Binnington, which has employed a full time data manager to help customers examine the figures and decide on the best machiner y,” says Ben.“I see data being the key to most farm management decisions and having a dealer that shares that vision has been important.”

Farm facts

Low Farm,Somerby,Barnetby,Lincolnshire

● Farm area: 3440ha (728ha contracted)

● Cropping: Winter wheat, OSR, winter barley, spring barley, hemp and corn gromwell

● Tractors: Contract hired on three-year cycle – three Fendt 724 Profi Plus, two Fendt 942 Profi Plus,a Fendt 943 MT and a Fendt 1162

FendtOne provides data on how long machines have been working, their fuel consumption in different fields and soil types,and the hours taken to complete a task.

Sugar beet varieties

Even with just two new sugar beet varieties added to the Recommended List for 2024 and five withdrawals,there’s still plenty to choose from.

CPM takes a glance at what the two new arrivals have to offer.

By Lucy de la Pasture

Of all the decisions facing sugar beet growers,variety choice may not be one of the most challenging,particularly as there’s no guarantee grower selection will match what’s allocated. All the same,breeders continue to bring forward improvements,with two new additions added to the BBRO/BSPB Recommended List for 2024.

Weather conditions last spring and summer provided a challenge for sugar beet trials, says Mike May, chairman of the RL board. “The 2022 trials were subjected to a very dry summer and this was one of the major factors that affected establishment of two of the eight RL trials, which weren’t taken to harvest.

“One of the harvested trials was rejected by the statisticians owing to variability in growth across the site. There were six breeder-funded National List trials sown with four suitable for harvest,” he adds.

When less is more

All of the RL trials were sown at 9cm spacing and then gapped, while all the National List trials harvested had been sown to a stand following commercial practice. Harvest of the NL trials was completed by mid-October and the RL by mid-November

Special traits

Both new additions to the RL bring special traits with them. Osprey from SESVanderHave UK is AYPR tolerant, so has the ability to withstand this more aggressive form of rhizomania. But its advantages don’t stop there, according to its breeder’s UK manager, Ian Munnery.

“To grow sugar beet successfully it’s all about establishment, establishment, establishment,” he emphasises. “Commercially you don’t want patchy crops.

“In the RL trials pre-gapping, Osprey has a 102.8% (of control) establishment which is up with the best of them. However, the RL protocol in 2022 was for the plots to then be thinned out, a practice which can mask the robust establishment our varieties and seed pellets deliver.

“More plants are obviously advantageous to growers in a field situation, something we continue to deliver upon with our genetics and seed

processing. It’s why the National List only drills to a final stand to mirror commercial practice.”

Ian also highlights that while Osprey confers a yield advantage over Philina KWS, which is the only other AYPR tolerant variety on the RL, the trait also brings advantages in a non-rhizomania situation. “The genetics provides root benefits even in a non-rhizomania situation, helping both rooting and establishment, which enables nutrient uptake and resilience to drought. It’s a variety with built-in rooting robustness,” he says.

“Digging into our regional trials data, Osprey, Wren, Tawncy and Adder also give a good account of themselves. These figures show up the true variation in regional performance and soil type, which with more extreme climate forecast will become more critical that simply looking at the average across the UK.”

Osprey had a respectable 16.9% sugar content in the trials and a robust cercospora resistance rating of 7.6, only exceeded by Maruscha KWS, though all the foliar disease ratings are based on limited data. “The over-riding foot note is that the least significant difference shown on the RL is 3.8%, meaning there is very little significant difference between the top

The least significant difference shown on the RL is 3.8%, meaning there is ver y little significant difference between the top 10 varieties.

”

Ian Munnery says Osprey offers growers more than rhizomania resistance as the trait brings increased rooting resilience,even in the absence of the disease.

10 varieties,” adds Ian.

Also new to the RL for next spring is another Conviso Smart variety from KWS –– Smart Vesnica KWS. This further evolution in ALS tolerant varieties achieved 94.0% adjusted yield in the trials with a high sugar content of 17.4%.

“Smart Vesnica KWS is a great addition to the RL for 2024 and provides sugar beet farmers improved yield and bolting characteristics compared to Smart Rixta KWS,” says the sugar beet breeder’s country manager, Ben Bishop.

“It’s best suited to drilling Status

Recommended List of Sugar Beet varieties 2024

Rz1 rhizomania varieties

UK agent

Mean of controls includes Kortessa KWS and Evalotta KWS which are no longer listed

1 Newly listed varieties (Y1/SY1) have results from three years using approximately 2 kgs breeders’ seed. Thereaft

2 Yields based on an average plant population of 99,000 plants/ha in these trials. Differences in adjusted tonnes of

3 The ratings from normal sowings are applicable for sowing after mid-March in most seasons.

4 Differences in establishment of less than 4.2% should be treated with reserve

5 Cercospora ratings should be treated with caution as infections were low and are based on 2020 and 2021 data

6 Breeders claims are for tolerance to some of the yellowing viruses

7 BTS = Betaseed, KWS = KWS UK Ltd, LG = Limagrain UK Ltd, STR = Strube Sugar Beet UK Ltd, SV = SESVanderHa

limited data

Source: BBRO/BSPB, 2023

from mid-March onwards to reduce vernalisation and shows good tolerance to both rust (rating of 7.2) and cercospora (rating of 7).”

The RL protocol doesn’t differentiate between ALS-tolerant and susceptible so in the trials they’re treated with conventional herbicides. This means the RL yield data isn’t representative of farming practice, where a dedicated Conviso One (foramsulfuron+ thiencarbazone-methyl) herbicide is used.

“Smart Vesnica KWS offers farmers an alternative approach

to controlling weeds in their sugar beet crops and will support the increasing demand for this technology,” says Ben.

“In 2023, we’ll continue our extensive UK trials network, to include replicated plot trials which demonstrate the yield benefit from using Conviso One herbicide (which is not used in RL trials) with these varieties, as well as field scale demonstration sites to showcase potential new varieties.”

Five varieties were withdrawn which means the 2024 list comprises 19 varieties. ■

(Based on trials from 2020-2022)

er commercial seed should be used in RL trials. less than 3.8% should be treated with reserve. only.

Potato agronomy

Playing catch up?

“Despite a cold start to winter, it’s the average temperature in January and February that has the greatest influence on when aphids are likely to be found in crops. Average air temperatures during this period were roughly 10C warmer in Scotland and northern England, and 0.50C warmer across southern England,” says Eric.

Application restrictions

By Lucy de la Pasture

The wettest March for 40-years and regular showers through April means unfavourable ground conditions have stifled hopes of a timely start to the 2023 potato season. The consequence is crops are likely to face an early barrage of pests and disease,warns Eric Anderson,senior agronomist with Scottish Agronomy.

“The 2023 season has all the hallmarks of a challenging year. Later planting and rapid haulm growth means crops will likely be under pressure from the outset. But unlike in 2007 or 2018, the range of crop protection products available is considerably smaller, so growers will have to plan ahead if crops are to be protected through to the end of the season,” he says.

Although much discussed, the threat posed by potato viruses remains a real one. The Rothamsted Insect Survey aphid forecast for 2023 suggests aphids will be flying around two weeks earlier in Scotland and northern England and up to a week earlier over much of southern England compared with the historical average ––with suction traps picking up the first flights in late April.

Challenges include application restrictions to the two remaining systemic insecticides to offer any meaningful control of colonising aphids –– InSyst (acetamiprid) and Teppeki (flonicamid) –– and growers will have to include mineral oils with fungicides to improve potyvirus control (PVY and PVA) from non-colonising aphids.

Growers still have Movento (spirotetramat) as an effective means of controlling PLRV, but restrictions on its use –– it cannot be applied to flowering varieties before the end of flowering (BBCH 69) –– limit its usefulness, he explains.

“The 2023 label for InSyst states that it can no longer be applied before tuber initiation (BBCH 40). It also states, ‘to protect non-target insects/arthropods do not apply after 31 July’, which precludes any late-season use. Those with old stock with MAPP No 13414 have until 30 June to use it up but this can be applied before tuber initiation, if needed.

“Seed growers can still make two applications of InSyst, while ware growers or those marketing ‘seed tops’ have only one,” he cautions.

“For Teppeki, the practical problem being that ISK –– the owner of flonicamid, which Belchim Crop Protection markets as Teppeki and Syngenta markets as Afinto in the UK ––

advise not to use the products on potatoes until further notice.

“This is a voluntary withdrawal and if

Eric Anderson talks through the challenges posed by application restrictions to the two remaining systemic insecticides for control of control colonising aphids.

A late season and favourable pest and disease conditions may make 2023 a challenging potato season.

CPM gathers some sage advice on blight and virus control.

The 2023 season has all the hallmarks of a challenging year.

“ ”

The late start to planting means potato crops are likely to emerge into conditions which are conducive for the development of late blight and aphid migration.

growers choose to apply Tepekki to potato crops, they do so at their own risk as ISK has said it will reject all liability for any MRL exceedances. It can still legally be applied to potatoes twice per season, with the manufacturer warning: ‘DO NOT use oil-based adjuvants in a tank mix when applied to ware potatoes’,” he adds.

These specific limitations in potato seed crops means mineral oil (such as Crop Spray 11E) will frequently need to be added to the tank with fungicides. Although both Zorvec Endavia (oxathiapiprolin+ benthiavalicarb) and Crop Spray 11E are physically compatible, Scottish Agronomy advises against mixing the two products.

“It’s our experience that the OD formulation of Zorvec Endavia can, on occasion, react adversely with Crop Spray 11E, increasing the risk of phytotoxic symptoms on crop leaves which may affect the ability for the certifying body to inspect growing crops,” warns Eric.

The loss of effective insecticides in recent years means there’s been a slow, but gradual increase in the area of seed potatoes infected with PLRV virus. The area recorded with PLRV in Scotland nearly doubled between 2021 and 2022, from 5.1% to 9.4%. For PVY, the area recorded fell from 12% to 10% over the same period (as reported in CPM April 2022, page 92).

“The depth of the virus pool that’s present in seed crops as well as in the surrounding area, for example, in volunteers, shouldn’t be underestimated,” continues Eric. “In these conditions, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach is needed. Mineral oils applied at the start of the season will help, while cultural methods –– such as surrounding seed crops with cereals, wild-flower mixes or any other green crop

–– could provide a cleansing barrier to incoming non-colonising aphids, as they effectively remove the potyvirus virus from the aphid’s stylet as it probes.

When using this technique, Eric advises ensuring the area planted is surrounded by green when the potato crop emerges. “Wildflower mixes are most likely to provide a source of aphid predators later in the season, which is more useful for PLRV suppression. Application of straw to ridges after planting in early field generation (FG 1-3) seed material will also help to reduce the risk to potato seed crops,” he says.

Blight protection

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and to a lesser extent early blight (Alternaria species), will also pose a threat to crops, but for different reasons, says Eric. The cost of fungicide programmes is also set to increase as manufacturers seek to pass on higher manufacturing costs.

“Some manufacturers are still finalising 2023 prices, but we’ve been warned that the cost of some well-known products will increase significantly, in some cases by as much as 40%. Even off-patent actives, such as mancozeb, are up by about 20% on last year,” he says.

Product cost and availability issues aside, the main development to affect late blight programmes for 2023 is the rapid spread of CAA-resistant genotype 43_A1 in Europe. While it’s yet to be confirmed in Great Britain, it would be prudent to consider when setting out a programme, believes Eric.

“Carboxylic Acid Amides (CAA) group fungicides, such as Revus (mandipropamid), Carial Flex (mandipropamid+ cymoxanil) or Carial Star (mandipropamid+ difenoconazole), still have a place in an early and mid-season programme.”

However, Eric’s mindful of heeding the lessons of 2018, when fluazinam-resistant 37_A2 caught many off-guard. “As such, CAA group fungicides should no longer be applied alone. Instead, they should be mixed with either mancozeb, of which there is a plentiful supply, or if it’s available to you, ametoctradin, plus oil for potyvirus control.”

Alternatively, growers can use Bayer’s Infinito (fluopicolide+ propamocarb) plus mineral oil for potyvirus control prior to tuber initiation.

“Infinito has the advantage of not needing to be mixed with a partner as fluopicolide and propamocarb belong to different mode of action groups with no known sensitivity concerns. Ranman Top (cyazofamid) should be mixed with either mancozeb or

Alternaria is another disease to be on the lookout for and could add to the cost burden growers are facing as fungicides rocket in price.

ametoctradin to protect its efficacy, which increases the relative cost,” he says.

EU36_A2 was the single most prevalent genotype sampled across GB (53% of samples) and Europe (36% of the samples) in 2022. This spread, plus evidence from laboratory studies, and anecdotal evidence of it being challenging to manage, suggest it has an increased fitness over other genotypes. There’s no evidence of any shifts in its sensitivity but the genotype is known to produce more spores with a shorter latent period, higher leaf lesion growth rate and it has a much higher sporulation capacity.

“In this context, the risk of tuber blight is a perennial threat, especially in ware crops as these have a longer growing season. So in the presence of active late blight, there needs to be greater emphasis on products with an anti-sporulant and zoospore component, such as Infinito, or a zoospore component such as Ranman Top tank mixed with anti-sporulant Axidor or Proxanil (both propamocarb+ cymoxanil),” he says.

The wider issue is how the spread of the aggressive 43_A1 genotype across Europe from Scandinavia, through the low countries to Portugal is placing pressure on the programme and specifically, the use of CAA chemistry, such as dimethomorph, benthiavalicarb and mandipropamid. In an attempt to preserve their efficacy for future seasons, the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) places strict limitations on the amount and times these products can be used in a season.

“Without good planning, it’s possible to use up the allocated applications before the end of the season. To ensure the flexibility needed, it makes sense to utilise the permitted four applications of Infinito otherwise it can get difficult very quickly,” concludes Eric. ■

Back in February,when it was dry,we were about a fortnight ahead of ‘normal’ with our workload. Now,it’s fair to say we’re a fortnight behind,like most of the country. It’s wetter now than at the turn of the year.

Having sown our spring beans back in February (thankfully), as I write this on 23 April, we’ve just this week strip tilled our spring barley (after wheat) and direct drilled spring oats on heavy land where oilseed rape has failed. A combination of a dry start, slugs, pigeons and flea beetle have taken their toll, so having not applied any restricting herbicides, and barely 10% of the crop being worth keeping, the OSR had its final input –– glyphosate. I now remember why I stopped growing the stuff back in 2010!

The oats are mostly farm-saved Canyon for milling, with a trial of Isabel. The spring barley sees us return to malting after a few years of lacklustre premiums, with Laureate the variety of choice taking over from long-serving Propino.

Winter barley looks superb currently, having had nearly all of its inputs now. Wheats are a bit more variable in disease

susceptibility and growth stage but have had 75% of their nitrogen, potash, sulphur and their first fungicide, with T1 looking like being a week away. Winter beans look as good as I’ve seen them for many years. Cereals ‘23 look promising, we could just do with prices to recover a bit over the next few months.

Sugar beet drilling has started, with about a quarter of the crop currently sown. The beet is nearly all Conviso variety, Smart Rixta KWS, and I’ve drilled the Cruiser-treated seed first, thinking it will be slower growing and more vulnerable to aphid damage than the last sown crops. Those crops without Cruiser will see a few experiments this time –– garlic extract in furrow on some, and a couple of (unsprayed) strategically placed flower strips to encourage beneficial insects. We also plant a nurse crop of spring barley while we’re fettling the beet seedbed, which gets growing quick enough to protect the beet from wind and hopefully discourages aphids from landing and infecting the beet with virus yellows.

Time will tell whether or not we’re wasting our time, but we must keep trying new things to retain our crop’s sustainability. Most of the beet will have Consortium Plus and a little nutrition placed just under the seed to get it growing out of the blocks quickly.

We’re yet to start potato planting here, but I envisage (hope) the wheels will be turning by the time you read this. We have nearly 40% less acres to plant this season, which has eased the urgency a little. Royal seed is chitting nicely in

Blackburn crates and has currently amassed 174 day-degrees since it arrived in the second week of March. Innovator and some trial varieties are boxed up, waiting for action in a store with a fridge managing to hold it at 60C, at a not inconsiderable expense.

Soil temperatures are stubbornly refusing to hit double figures here at the moment, mostly I think due to incessant rainfall. It remains to be seen whether 2023 will be another drought season, or a repeat of the monsoon that was 2012. If I was a gambler, I’d be erring towards the wet side of average here, given that a wet season usually follows a dry one in these parts historically –– but that maybe me just trying to avoid the headaches of irrigation!

Last year’s potato crops are now all delivered, with results about what we expected at 78% of contract as an average across all varieties. Irrigation was worthwhile, but our analysis and observations show that it was the very high temperatures, rather than necessarily a lack of water, that held yields back. It was noticeable that heavier land, and particularly limestone, kept cooler and performed better than those on sandier soil types that naturally get much hotter. Organic matter also had an influence on crop resilience (be it naturally, or from additions like FYM or big cover crops) and bigger canopies generally fared better in the challenge that was 2022.

One surprise was that sprouting in store was much less than anticipated. In a hot season, where the physiological age of the daughter crop is higher, we generally see dormancy break early, with more vigour than in a

Andrew Wilson is a fourthgeneration tenant of the Castle Howard Estate in North Yorkshire. He has a strategic approach to direct drilling on his varied soil types and grows a wide variety of crops.He’s passionate about the potato industry and having been utilising cover crops to reduce cultivation and chemical use

@SpudSlingsby

cold season. We did manage to find a window to apply maleic hydrazide onto most of our crops. It’s my view that the lower yielding crops absorbed more active ingredient per tuber than was the case in higher yielding fields and this translated into less sprout and weight loss in store. The two untreated fields certainly showed how vital this product is to the processing industry.

It’s fair to say that I’m a bit of a tech cynic –– at 46, I’m one of the last to school using paper rather than a screen –– but that doesn’t mean my curiosity isn’t activated occasionally. We’ve had RTK steering for 14 years now, and auto-section on the sprayer for 10, but have thus far not been convinced by irrigation probes or that variable rate anything is worthwhile on our ground. That all said, 2023 will see me dip my toe in the waters of yield modelling. Interesting it may be, but it will need to deliver a value greater than its cost to stay around, much like the other myriad of inputs for our crops. Watch this space…

since 2011,dipped his toe in the water of regenerative potatoes in 2021.

Finally,a bit of field work