Biog: Independent agronomist,
photographer and software developer. Rural Cambs-based vegan chap who doesn't
hassle others. Martyn’s photography, which can be purchased online, can be
found here: www.blackthornarable.co.uk
Herbicide Resistance
Harvest
2016 was a mixed bag. By far the worst for us was winter barley; after a good
couple of years, yields were well down, but people are more or less sticking
with the crop, but I do feel that another bad year could kill it though.
It
performs very well for us in the second straw slot on the edge of the Brecks,
these light sandy soils, with high organic matter are terrible for take all and
winter barley fits well in these situations. I find the hybrids are more robust
when we get a dry season and input costs are lower than wheat so it’s a lower
risk option.
Potatoes
have been variable in yield, black dot is a challenge for the packing sector,
but for most it will be a decent year financially, so growers can replace kit
where needed, but I raise a word of caution – just watch the rise in crop area,
chaps.
Sugar
beet is doing well in many fields and we have some excellent yields, a good
harvest and fields already drilled with wheat.
Oilseed
rape remains a challenge, the area well down on just three years ago and cabbage
stem flea beetle (CSFB) is the deal breaker. Right now the crops sown on our
light soils by the third week in August look great; frankly, though, it is not
hard to keep crops like these intact.
I’m
sensing with farmers a marked change in attitude, with a much more pragmatic approach
and good adoption of ICM, although I suspect not many would say that is the
reason.
As
far as crop decisions are concerned, there is a noticeably greater uptake of
varieties with better disease profiles. No longer are crop genetics chosen
purely on yield.
Early
harvest is now a key criterion for wheat growers and varieties like Graham,
with a high score for tritici and early ripening should find favour. Another
variety that is very popular this season is KWS Siskin.
The
advice to growers to choose improved disease resistance seems to be working. No
fields have been sprayed for phoma and DK Exalte in particular is looking
stunning.
For
those with blackgrass the switch to spring cropping has been marked, but we’ve
found that spring beans do not have sufficient good chemistry to mop up
surviving blackgrass plants, neither do they compete well allowing blackgrass to
romp. Spring bean growers will be switched for winter beans for this reason.
Delaying
drilling is also a common feature and where we have now had a long run of using
soil amendments such as compost on our heavier soils, they generally allow us a
few extra drilling days.
CropTec 2016
Herbicide resistance will be a big topic at this year's CropTec event, come and talk to our technical experts and listen to our seminars discussing how we can become more efficient.
We also have over 140 exhibitors at the event displaying the latest science and technology across the trade stands, while CropTec’s well established seminars and hubs will feature the latest thinking on a range of key arable topics delivered by leading specialists.
The event is free to attend for those visitors that pre-book their tickets. ALL visitors will be charged £15 on the day.
