In this issue... Fungal conundrum page 8 Taking cover page 38 Kill the disease, quell the resistance OSR crop architecture to build yield

Potato plight page 62 Tyre trials page 88

4 Talking Tilth A word from the editor. 6 Smith’s Soapbox Views and opinions from an Essex peasant….. 8 Volume 17 Number 2 Protection key to early DISEASE CONTROL disease control March 2015 Last season’s lessons have been assessed, fungicide dose-response curves analysed and strategies put in place.

16 Too keen to be clean? Grower practice will drive how fungicide resistance develops, suggests the latest research. Managing resistance pays dividends 22 A campaign is underway to deliver clear practical guidelines on using fungicides to achieve higher margins and reduced threat of resistance.

28 A wider spray window TECHTALK Fungicide efficacy comes under pressure when spray timings are stretched.

32 Go early for cereals WEED CONTROL spring clean Growers have a good opportunity to fight back against weeds, especially blackgrass this spring, say specialists.

Editor 38 Keep control of your canopy Tom Allen-Stevens Prompt early season management will be needed to coax maximum yields from generally forward oilseed rape crops this season. Sub editor Charlotte Lord 44 Canopy care drives oilseed decisions A group of progressive growers share their plans on feeding the crop and Writers manipulating the canopy to build an architecture that delivers Tom Allen-Stevens Lucy de la Pasture optimum yield. Andrew Blake Martin Rickatson 50 Clear benefit for OSR Robert Harris Mick Roberts As weeds begin to stir in oilseed rape crops, CPM gathers feedback on the Clearfield system. Rob Jones Paul Spackman 52 High yield mirrors INSIDERS VIEW robust agronomics Design and Production Reflection not only leads the HGCA Recommended List on yield, there are Brooks Design some attractive growth and grain-quality attributes, too. Advertisement co-ordinator 58 Beans a benefit on both silt and clay Peter Walker Farming two very different but productive soil types in the Humber Publisher estuary, the Hinchliffe family grow both spring and winter beans. Angus McKirdy 62 Cultural change for PCN and blight To claim two crop protection BASIS points, send an email to Chemical control integrated with a variety of cultural options is the future [email protected], quoting reference CP/37178/1415/g. for PCN and blight management.

*the claim ‘best read specialist arable journal’ is based 70 New ways to beet challenges on independent reader research, conducted by the At the recent BBRO winter conference, growers got an insight into crop National Farm Research Unit 2014 research that’s helping to address a shrinking chemical armoury. 76 Editorial & advertising sales Strip till suits ON FARM OPINION White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 8LP simple system Tel: (01743) 861122 E-mail: [email protected] A move to a strip-till drill allows one Shrops farmer to sow crops in Reader registration hotline 01728 622521 a wide range of seedbeds and place fertiliser at various depths. 82 Scots producer stays loyal to single tractor brand Advertising copy It takes a fleet of 20 tractors to carry out all the operations on a 1400ha Brooks Design, Perthshire potato, broccoli and cereal unit. 24 Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1RD Tel: (01743) 244403 E-mail: [email protected] 88 Taking the pressure off The science behind premium tyre brands and a round-up of CPM Volume 17 No 2. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at offerings from the major manufacturers. White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury SY5 8LP. Tel: (01743) 861122. CPM is published ten times a year by CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying farmers 94 Tough conditions drive harvester decision and farm managers in the United Kingdom. One Cambs contractor is about to swap out his Grimme Maxtron self-propelled machine for another of the same model. In no way does CPM Ltd endorse, notarise or concur with any of the advice, recommendations or prescriptions reported in the magazine. If you are unsure about which recommendations to follow, please consult 96 Arable kit remains Amazone’s focus a professional agronomist. Always read the label. Use pesticides safely. Plans from the German arable equipment specialist, and a catch-up CPM Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to any unsolicited material, on new product developments. including photographs. crop production magazine march 2015 3 its pro-allergenic dust filter. that could be exactly what’s in oilseed rape –– often what’s I’d like to think I sit somewhere happening (page 16). No one’s hard-wired in our minds as a in between these two extremes. suggesting we give septoria a magnificent canopy is anything Quite where I’m not sure –– I free rein to wreak merry havoc but that. We’ve gleaned the don’t think I’ve ever found it through the nation’s crops. But expert views and advice on p38. necessary to benchmark fungicide resistance is directly Then turn to p44 for views and my general approach to related to sprayer practice, and photos from growers who reckon cleanliness and sanitation. that’s prompted the industry they’ve got theirs about right But I’ve a feeling it’s about to take concerted action to –– you may be surprised by what time I did. preserve the chemistry we have you see. Before you baulk, (p22). We’re not just tackling the When it comes to machinery, concerned that I’m about to disease that’s here and now what constitutes a cost-effective start ranking my body odour, –– we’re collectively shaping piece of kit lies on a sliding How clean is and turn over the page to see the pathogen we’ll be fighting scale, and that really comes into what Mr Smith is getting up to, next year. focus when prices slump. We’ve clean? I’m actually talking about the This adds a new dimension to been to Scotland to find out how cleanliness of my crops. disease control, and you’ll find it a large cereal and field veg Potato growers have long features in our round-up of the grower replaces his fleet of 20 ‘A little bit of dirt never hurt been accustomed to good farm latest trials-based advice on tractors (p82) and gathered the anyone’ is one of those hygiene, controlling volunteers spray strategies (p8). It makes benefits of a strip-till system for expressions that’s dangerously and growth on potato dumps this month’s Tech Talk on a Shrops grower (p76). We’ve open to interpretation. One to avert the spread of blight. fungicide application all the also travelled to Italy to see person’s idea of an earthy Meanwhile it’s potato cyst more poignant (p28). And it what a relative newcomer to the lifestyle is another’s health nematode that’s the rising does make you wonder if you’re agricultural tyre market is doing hazard, while clean and tidy threat, and this calls for a parading good practice or part to test its new range (p88). to some might be obsessive, smarter approach to deal with of the problem. So on the cleanliness range, compulsive to others. it (see article on page 62). It’s a similar thing with weed where do Irank if I’m neither I remember it came into play Fungal hygiene isn’t resistance. I recently attended a spotless nor shameful? As with when we had small children. necessarily something that’s Blackgrass Resistance Initiative weeds, financial benchmarking When asked in the school top of mind for a cereal grower, (BGRI) workshop with a number and yield performance, it’s playground by some parents however –– it’s not as if you can of other farmers. To be honest, probably something I need to “would Ted like to come back for realistically do much to stop the it felt a bit like herbaholics get a better handle on. tea?” what I really wanted to say spread of septoria spores. anonymous as we told our sorry was “only if you de-flea your dog But here’s the thing –– what tales of grassweed gloom. But what was clear was that we all and introduce your kitchen floor if growers were actually doing Tom Allen-Stevens has a 170ha had very different ideas of to a mop.” too good a job? What if our arable farm in Oxon and wouldn’t what constitutes a blackgrass Then there were others who’d obsession to keep the leaves profess to be a particularly problem. So this month’s weed regale you with the news of the lesion-free was actually working accomplished operator of either control article on p32 discusses wonderful evening out they had, against us, hardening the a mop or a Dyson. going to John Lewis for the pathogen so that it’s more what that should actually look launch of the latest Dyson difficult to control? like, as well what to do about it. [email protected] bagless vacuum cleaner with Well recent research suggests Perception really plays its part

sort of pious gesture any difference. The point is we get out there and make reminiscent of placing that’s true of any profession, sure our future masters shrines to the Virgin Mary but it shouldn’t deter anyone take Britain’s greatest in times past. from taking the pre-election industry seriously and He even toyed with opportunity to get in front of intelligently. the idea of restricting MPs and prospective MPs spraying to night time while they are on the hunt only but then pulled for votes. back from consigning Farming remains the most French sprayer operators to important industry in rural a life of vampire hours and areas and so anyone looking Email your comments and ideas to [email protected] Le Foll and bright headlights. Having to stand as an MP in a rural said that, my disapproval of area should be expected Guy Smith grows 500ha of the polls Le Foll doesn’t seem to be to have an understanding combinable crops on the holding him back. of farming. Furthermore north east Essex coast, Le Foll has announced a farming underpins Britain’s namely St. Osyth Marsh –– plan to halve pesticide use main industry – food and officially the driest spot in I hate to name-drop but I in France in a decade. But it drink. It provides most of the the British Isles. Despite had dinner (along with fifty should be remembered it is raw materials so it’s key to spurious claims from others others) with that Stephane voluntary and it was jobs and economic activity. that their farms are actually drier, he points out that his Le Foll the other day. announced last month that So as an industry over the farm is in the Guinness Yes, I know. You’ve never pesticide use over the last next couple of months it’s Book of Records, whereas heard of him and so you five years has actually gone essential we don’t become others aren’t. End of. didn’t even catch the name up due to, what is described shrinking violets but rather I dropped. He’s the French by the French Ministry Minister of Agriculture. And as ‘adverse weather yes, do note it’s Stephane conditions’. You have to not Stephanie. You need to sympathise with the French be careful when it comes to here because I think we’d all gender and French politics, use a lot less pesticides if it or so I’m told. And in case wasn’t for the pesky weather. you are wondering, France But undeterred, Le is that country to the south Foll has reiterated his east of Britain that has a determination to halve different type of cheese for pesticide use over the next every day of the year and ten years. So let’s watch over twice the arable area that space. The chances of the UK. of Le Foll being in place in Anyway back to ten years’ time are remote, Stephane. I can’t say he’s so it’s a safe plan to launch. Parisian pride my favourite bloke in the Meanwhile back in the When in Paris, I had a quick visit to the SIA Agricultural agricultural world because UK, we’re in the run-in to Show. It’s a huge exhibition celebrating French agriculture of his fundamentalist attitude one of the closest fought held in the middle of the city. Strategically held during Feb to pesticides –– basically elections for many years half term week, it pulls in 750,000 punters as well as plenty he’d rather we didn’t use with more permutations on of politicians, media and celebs. Walking round the vast any them. He talks about the outcome than Mrs halls stuffed full of French livestock, crops and food, it ‘agro-ecology’ in mystic Smith’s extensive wardrobe. reminded me that now we’ve lost the Royal and Smithfield ways that I struggle to Possibly as farmers we often –– English farming really is a disgrace in that it makes no understand. He has put think we are an electoral attempt to put on any sort of national showcase. Are we the only agricultural nation that lacks this pride in showing off beehives on top of the insignificance without what we produce and grow? I suspect we are. Why is that? French ministry as some enough numbers to make

6 crop production magazine march 2015

Protection key to early disease control

DISEASE CONTROL

Over the winter period, Part of their reasoning is that over- Advising on crops from Norfolk to the last season’s lessons have wintered levels of yellow rust and septoria, East Midlands, he’s finding less yellow especially in susceptible wheat varieties, rust in winter wheat than last season. been assessed, fungicide are high enough to potentially wreak havoc “Last year growers sat up and took notice dose-response curves if left unchecked. because yellow rust was so rampant and this season greater attention has been paid analysed and strategies Target yellow rust put in place. CPM asks Snow and frost in Jan and Feb slowed down yellow rust development in Lincs, according Target yellow rust early, urges Christine Lilly. agronomists their tactics to Christine Lilly of Frontier. “Growers should for this season’s target yellow rust early in the programme and not let it build up,” she suggests. early disease control. Agrii’s Jim Carswell is seeing yellow rust north of the Humber. “It’s a changing By Lucy de la Pasture picture –– in late Nov, 80% of varieties in trials were showing yellow rust but by late Jan, this had dropped to just 23%. The cold March heralds the start of the fungicide weather from late Dec had been slowing the programme, and few would disagree it’s development of yellow rust but didn’t wipe one of the most significant input costs for it out,” he said. The varieties that aren’t growers. With grain prices looking far showing any sign of yellow rust infection from encouraging, there’s always the all have high varietal resistance, he adds. temptation to make savings. But there’s Bill Barr of Prime Agriculture agrees cold a strong consensus among agronomists weather had dampened yellow rust down from across the regions that growers can’t but the infection is still there and its progress actually afford to scrimp on fungicide will depend on the weather –– if it becomes application this season. mild it’ll quickly reappear, he warns.

8 crop production magazine march 2015 Antony Wade advises growers in the West to avoid growing varieties with a septoria resistance rating lower than 5.

476,000ha in the ground, alongside a small decline in the area of winter wheat planted Varieties to 1 million ha. with“ a yellow rust Rhynchosporium and mildew are the main diseases that resistance rating of survived the winter in barley 4 must be a first crops this spring. Richard Alderman of Crop Management priority. Partners is an independent ” agronomist advising clients in Hants, Berks and Wilts on a range of soil types overlying chalk. to variety profiling,” he says. (9) –– have more flexibility on the “Maris Otter is still grown in Traditionally Septoria tritici is timing,” she says. my area for malting and is very the main focus in the West, with Septoria levels are being susceptible to diseases but still yellow rust seldom being as reported as significant in fills a valuable niche in the much of an issue, says Antony susceptible varieties across the market,” he says. “Locally winter Wade of Hillhampton Technical board. In the West, winter wheat barley often follows spring barley Services, advising clients varieties are mostly group 4 for in the rotation as it gives an early throughout Hereford and Shrops. feed, largely because of the local entry for oilseed rape. As a “The prevalence of yellow rust demand from the broiler industry, second barley, the crop is under in 2014 was a real ‘wake up and explains Antony Wade. increased early disease pressure smell the coffee’ moment for “As a result we try to avoid so it needs close monitoring.” western growers and as a growing varieties with a septoria result the varieties with a high resistance rating lower than 5. T0 decisions susceptibility to yellow rust have 40-50% of my wheat area is A key element uniting largely been dropped out of the JB Diego (5), with the remainder agronomists in their fungicide rotation.” split mostly between Revelation decisions is an emphasis on Christine Lilly also highlights (6) and Grafton (5),” he says. protectant strategies, a the importance of knowing “Grafton appears to have consequence of the decline in varietal disease resistance higher levels of septoria at the eradicant activity of the once ratings to help prioritise moment but this may be stalwart azoles. This means early treatments. “Varieties such as because it’s earlier drilled.” disease cannot be allowed to KWS Kielder and Solstice, with In 2015, many growers establish, especially since the a resistance rating of 4, are have switched some of their more expensive SDHI particularly susceptible to yellow winter wheat for winter barley, chemistry needs to be kept in rust so must be a first priority. according to the HGCA planting reserve for the more critical T1 Varieties with higher levels of survey. The winter barley area and T2 spray timings. resistance –– Relay, Revelation has increased by 12% to “T0 treatments are basically L L op ed a very s e’ egion omise ee weeks indicates in the cr y onomists e ve otected. when ther essur ve switched some e than 2-3 weeks means rowers ha op is unpr which will compr e g . , y y “Typically the timing is towards “Typically In practice, all agr “Any application earlier than e-T0,” explains Jim Carswell. –– by “Don’t be driven date for The HGCA planting sur of their winter wheat into winter barle man the end of March. The most the end of March. accurate way to assess it is to get the knife out and count the rolled number of leaves that are up inside the stem,” he says. “If you apply the T0 too early then it may run out (mid March) you apply a T1 of steam before spray your whole fungicide control your whole fungicide control programme.” agreed that the most practical agreed way to work out the T0 timing is to work back two to thr is the date when the T1 from usually applied in your r 20 April). The (generally around important is thing to remember that an interval between sprays of mor actual T0 has to be consider pr might a pre-T0 “Situations where be justified ar your cr high disease pr . it e eat ficult owth don’t maul the crop in. its growth stages and the fungicide and PGR programme is concertinaed into a very tight interval, so don’t be caught out.” Antony Wade planting –– to get soil conditions need to be right crops off to a good start. Whatever you do, don’t maul them in.” dif Let soil conditions decide when you should drill Let soil conditions decide – a own in high- s ed by gr om leaf 4 . ade will likely drop y eating is always a r ged but it’ measur ubbing together can otection against the t In the West, Antony Wade In the West, “If the weather is dry in early slackens If disease pressure “Eyespot is another disease The T0 timing is the only one otect leaves fr plans to use a T0 predominantly fungicide based on the protectant (CTL) with the chlorothalonil addition of a quick-acting azole (tebuconazole or cyproconazole). spring then the septoria thr he advises. away,” may drop wet, emerging leaves “But if it’s need pr of septoria inoculum by spread rain splash. Later in the season, leaves r transfer infection from directly leaf to leaf.” then Antony W the azole from the mix at T0. He the azole from of considers mildew to be more an aesthetic disease than a yield but in some circumstances robber he’ll use a specific mildewicide at T0 if necessar that has to be dealt with befor difficult call for agronomists difficult because the severity of eyespot infection depends on rain in May So they should target the most susceptible varieties such as JB Diego and Relay gr risk situations.” that isn’ develops. T stage of the crop. The correct stage of the crop. timing is to apply when leaf 4 has emer timing to get right, explains Jim Carswell. “The aim is to pr upwards, reducing disease reducing upwards, in the canopy. pressure –– barley “Spring doesn’t –– “Spring barley races through ––‘hidden hunger’. “Beware the –– “On heavy land, where blackgrass

L is a problem, in prepare the seedbed autumn/winter and try the soil too not to disturb much in spring when planting.” Nutrition is very important as crop growth is fast. between soils and think of all interactions Test nutrients, pH and organic matter content of soils.” like a check in growthlike a check ––seedbed N can a bit of help get it away.” Bill Barr Jim Carswell Christine Lilly Top agronomy tips agronomy Top Richard Alderman rown as a second barley, a an insurance policy to keep

If g winter crop will be under increased early disease pressure, notes Richard Alderman. L disease inoculum down in the of and to build in a degree crop flexibility for the timing of T1 “ sprays,” says Antony Wade. T0 spray decisions will depend on how diseases go on to develop during March.” march 2015 march

The new CAP ‘greening’ coming measures The new CAP

crop production magazine Spring barley on the rise barley on Spring into force for harvest 2015 may be encouraging some growers,Alderman. believes Richard an upward trend in growing spring “There’s barley, partly in order to satisfy the three-crop pulses which can be rule and/or plant spring (EFA).” Areas included in Ecological Focus Early indications are that barley spring plantings may increase by 9% around –– that’ll the take area grown 713,000 ha. to around A number of reasons may be behind the increase, not least its gross margin, which provides a strong barleyincentive to plant spring this year over other spring crops. 10

multi-site in L s so a fungicide y ence –– it’ fer dependable and a cost-effective , othioconazole) plus CTL,” he explains. onomists. “My T1 programmes will likely be based will likely “My T1 programmes Christine Lilly agrees in principle. “If the in principle. Christine Lilly agrees than three weeks between sprays. We’re We’re weeks between sprays. than three losing the curative activity of the triazoles so important to allow disease to build not it’s up and then get into a curative situation,” he explains, echoing the views of the other agr on an SDHI with a triazole (epoxiconazole or pr the activity of need to help preserve “We the newer SDHI chemistr resistance strategy is important.resistance The worthwhileinclusion of CTL is really and makes a lot of dif activity addition to the tank-mix.” season continues with a high risk of Applying biostimulants at can the right time this time,” he adds. t ol enhance photosynthesis in crops,enhance photosynthesis Wilson suggests Boardman. get full advantage, “To this must be matched the plants growth with nutrition to support a The new search facility on the CPM website means you can probe back issues for specific articles that can be downloaded as pdf files. RB209 is far too simplistic to meet the complex RB209 is far too simplistic nutrition,needs of crop’s says Simon Fo e useful e believes Richard Alderman.believes Richard , Jim Carswell couldn’t agree more, “It’s more, agree Jim Carswell couldn’t oduced.” crop clean early in the season, reckons clean early in the season, crop important to keep tiller “It’s Antony Wade. with maximum yield numbers up in barley, achieved by maintaining a high number of ears. The T0 spray and PGRs ar L management tools to help achieve this are that adequate spikelets and ensure pr important winter barley establishes well and maintains tillers. Using a T0 to help contr foliar diseases helps keep tillers alive.” L It’s also worth finding out whether we’ve It’s entirely free to use,It’s and we’d also welcome While protecting the crop againstWhile protecting pests and “The quality of cultivations and seed sets the “Agricultural biostimulants are products that ight interval to T1 might quite surprise you. For instance, strip-till drilling is not as recent a phenomenon as you might have thought. And have ever wondered View on DSV’s where you first heard the Insiders leading variety Marathon? published an On Farm Opinion on that tractor or drill you’re thinking of buying. Meanwhile, perhaps you’d like the lowdown on cover crops, spreader brings you Talk Tech technology or rhizomania –– up to date. Or if you were ever curious how SDHIs or glyphosate were discovered, how JCB or just put suspension into a Fastrac, Innovation Insight has the full story. your feedback. So if you’ve any suggestions on how we can improve the facility, email [email protected] advice to applyadvice to crops only micronutrients when seen. of deficiency are first visual symptoms That’s too late stress plant is already under because the by then.” diseases averts stress, biotic less attention is paid to abiotic stress factors,temperature, such as waterand nutrient availability, he adds. of the crop,”maximum yield potential Wilson says Boardman, of Micromix. The firm has expertise in formulation technology to enhance translocation of free metallic cations in plants and the development of biostimulant products. can be applied to the plant or the soil and contain natural compounds, intermediate substances and micro-organisms which can improve crop vigour and tolerance to stress,” he explains. T so now The interval to T1 is vital, more than ever “Keeping intervals tight between fungicide applications is critical –– aim for no mor archive goes online rather articles , .cpm- CPM march 2015 march ps you’re looking to CPM www but can’t remember ou can then download , Y oconazole or often slow to get away late drilled because of CPM e e website cover it. and it’ll bring up a list of ol strategies. Where yellow ol strategies. Where with the help of our sponsors t back issues with a new ble on-line tool. CPM CPM

searcha ops that ar gue, friend or neighbouring farmer who , need enlightening. cover it. reckons late drilled and open crops reckons

tance to maximise grain fill and yield.” y gazine.co.uk t Put in a word, such as blackgrass or In fact, that there are be one or two articles Well now you can.Well built a brand-new We’ve Another bug-bear is that micronutrients aren’t “Part of the problem is that RB209 largely crop production magazine He past articles tha rhynchosporium, these as pdfs to read yourself, or send to a collea ma clever which issue it was? Or perha do some thorough research on an agronomic issue and would like to find past tha section of the ma Have you ever wanted to refer back to an article in a previous issue of considered at all. “Industry focuses on crop requirements for N, P, K and Mg but there are 14 nutrients required for plant growth. common It’s considers each nutrient in isolationconsiders each nutrient –– a reflection of the way field trials have traditionally been carried out,” he says. “In practice, the availability of soil nutrients is affected by like soil factors nutrient conflict, organic matter content, pH, texture, cation exchange capacity, oxidation state moisture. and RB209 is far too simplistic.” The Fertiliser Manual,The Fertiliser RB209, flaws, has major soil scientist Simon Fox.according to of A director Science, specialists Emerald Crop crop nutrition in the crop nutrition practiced he believes general use of speciality products,field and the containing or microbes,biostimulants is lagging behind advances in science. Adama and Artis.Adama and Into this, we’ve put an extensive chunk of and yellow rust in particular needs to be

Searchable Nutrition advice lags behind the science, the behind lags advice Nutrition experts say In the east of England, Bill Barr has In winter barley it pays to keep the straight triazole (cypr

L 12 suppressed.” T0 timing. “These ar are also top candidates for attention at the also top candidates for are many cr impor bottom leaves in these canopies is of added so maximising total green leaf area of the area leaf so maximising total green in the spring and have lower tiller numbers, a blackgrass contr he may go in with a problem, rust remains stop yellow rust getting a hold. seven days in advance of the T0 timing, to tebuconazole) as a pre-T0, approximately tebuconazole) as a pre-T0,

DISEASE CONTROL

and T2 timings, with one of the most Growers could also be caught out by effective triazoles –– prothioconazole or late maturing wheats, points out Bill Barr. epoxiconazole.” “Varieties like KWS Kielder have a slower In Frontier trials last season a yield development phase between T1 and T2. benefit of 1.64 t/ha was achieved through In this situation it may be necessary to top adding an SDHI to an azole plus CTL T1 the T1 up to keep enough protection on mix (see chart below). each leaf,” he advises. “Last year, even septoria-resistant For winter barley, the general consensus varieties showed a yield benefit from is that the T1 is the all-important timing treatment with SDHI chemistry at this timing, and most crops will warrant treatment with with a range of responses from 0.15-1.6t/ha an SDHI. in what was a very high pressure year for “Mildew is often associated with both yellow rust and septoria,” she says. manganese deficiencies and often tends Watch for a cool spell during April, warns to disappear at stem extension,” notes Jim Carswell. “This can delay the T1 timing, Christine Lilly. “Prothioconazole still has Late maturing wheats like KWS Kielder have a which corresponds with the emergence of useful activity on mildew and growers slower development phase between T1 and T2, leaf three. Generally this is between GS31 shouldn’t forget the strobilurins which still points out Bill Barr. and GS33, depending on variety and work well in barley and are an opportunity conditions. If this happens and the interval to mix up the chemistry.” I

L diseases then I would suggest growers is stretched, then a pre-T1 application may use a two-stage SDHI in their fungicide be worth considering so the crop isn’t left The T0 timing is a difficult one to get right, notes programme, targeted at the key T1 unprotected.” Jim Carswell. Response to T1 fungicides

Source: Frontier; early drilled Solstice at Haywold trial site, 2014

Bayer launches new improved weed and pest app

A new mobile app that combines weed and pest features,L while it’s now easier to use the The best elements from the identification with treatment information has been identification tools. WeedSpotter, PestSpotter launched by Bayer CropScience. “We’ve simplified the filter system for identifying and Bayer Product Manual The app replaces the three individual weeds, and added more close-up pictures to help apps have been combined WeedSpotter, PestSpotter and Bayer Product with identifying key characteristics.” into user-friendly version. Manual apps launched by the firm nearly three Another new feature is the ability to register years ago. These allowed users to identify nearly for automatic updates for any information 100 weeds and 70 pests of arable crops, or that’s changed on a Bayer product, says version is in development. check for the latest label information about any Rachael Roberts. The previous apps have Bayer product. “The app will always feature the latest label been withdrawn from the “We’ve taken the best elements from those information, but you can also sign up for automatic Apple store and should be three apps and combined them into a single app notifications for any changes to any or all products deleted, as they will no to make it easier to use,” explains Rachael of interest, either through a push notification from longer be kept up to date Roberts, Bayer’s digital coordinator. the app, or via email.” with the latest information, The new design features many new images As with the previous apps, the Bayer Agronomy adds Rachael Roberts. taken to aid identification of weeds and pests. Tool app is free, and can be downloaded from the For more information about the new app go to: These can now be enlarged to focus on key App Store for iOS devices now, while an Android www.bayercropscience.co.uk/app

14 crop production magazine march 2015

Too keen to be clean?

Grower practice will drive how creating a pathogen that’s more difficult to Running alongside the project was a fungicide resistance develops, control, says Dr Paul Gosling of HGCA. major industry-funded study, focused on “What’s now becoming clear is that the establishing a framework for sustainable suggests the latest research. treatment decisions growers make in the use of SDHI fungicides. This project shaped CPM analyses the facts to field have a direct effect on how resistance guidelines issued by the Fungicide to fungicides evolves. If you manage a crop Resistance Action Group (FRAG), released gain a better understanding so that it’s clean to the ground, it doesn’t last spring: of how the situation may necessarily mean you’ve taken out the G Maximise the use of multi-site chemistry strains of septoria that are hardest to control. throughout the spray programme evolve and seeks clear You’ve more likely removed the easy ones, G Limit the number of azole treatments guidance on how to slow and the tough septoria will multiply and G Use robust azole doses at the T1 and T2 come back in subsequent years.” timings when mixing with SDHIs down its effect in the field. G Use the minimum number of SDHI By Tom Allen-Stevens Driving resistance treatments and dose required to achieve Indeed, growers using azoles right from effective disease control. the T0 spray timing through to T3 could be “Growers now have clear guidance, Take a look at the wheat in this picture –– driving resistance harder and harder, backed up with evidence from independent it’s perfect, you may say. And if you look according to preliminary results of one study, scientific trials, on how best to use SDHIs to closely, you’ll probably not find a speck of he points out (project 3800 –– see panel on preserve their value for the long term, as well L disease from its fulsome ear to the base p21). “Initial findings from that project are of its sturdy stem. This is just the sort of based on just one year’s results. But it’s polished crop you may be aiming to have confirming findings from previous studies in your fields in a few months’ time, and by Dr Frank van den Bosch at Rothamsted With the you may be planning to make successive Research. Where growers are going on with “combination of visits with the sprayer to achieve it. an azole-based T1.5 or T4, this is making Well if you are, you could be building up matters worse.” pesticide regulation a problem, not just for yourself, but for your The next step will be another year and fungicide resistance, neighbours, too. On-going research into of field trials to validate the findings so far, we could be heading fungicide application practice and its effect and to refine the model of how resistance on septoria populations is revealing some develops. There’ll also be a greater focus for a potential car startling new truths about how some aspects on the difference varietal susceptibility can crash. of the drive to keep the crop clean are make, he notes. ” 16 crop production magazine march 2015

L as how azoles should best be managed,” project studying intensive fungicide use. fungicides are as effective, if not better, points out Paul Gosling. “Since the early 1990s, the Defra cereal despite the drop-off in azole activity on Building into this research is the analysis disease survey shows that the average septoria, argues Neil Paveley. “As an example, of septoria isolates taken from the fungicide number of treatments has risen from fewer If you compare the performance today of efficacy trials, he continues (project 3713 than two to around 3.5 applications. Yet it’s a half dose of Seguris (epoxiconazole+ –– see panel on p21). “One worrying difficult to argue that we’re achieving isopyrazam) with that of Tilt (propiconazole) development is the emergence of an substantially better control of the disease,” 20 years ago, the spray window is at least as enhanced efflux mechanism in field he points out. wide, and you get better control at the peak.” populations, where septoria isolates have “So with the combination of pesticide Yellow rust has also changed –– the acquired the ability to pump a fungicide out regulation removing active substances from aggressiveness of the Warrior race has of their cells –– we need to know more about use and fungicide resistance affecting the shortened the period between infection how this plays out in the field, with regard efficacy of those that remain, we could be and sporulation by around two days, he to fitness.” heading for a potential car crash. We need to notes. Moreover, there’s now an increased take avoiding action, particularly because the focus on mycotoxin control. “So there are Intense fungicide use next new mode of action is several perfectly legitimate reasons why fungicide The number of fungicide applications made years away.” use has increased at either end to crops is another concern, notes Dr Neil So what’s driving the increase in the of the spraying season.” Paveley of ADAS, who leads the current number of applications? The leading Added to this, there’s the septoria )

EffectA of mixing fungicides 6 3

on1 sensitivity of septoria V

t

u 100 o

h 90 t i 80 w ( 70 e v

i 60 t i

s 50 n

e 40 s 30 n i 20 % 10 0 Untreated Azole full dose Azole full dose Azole full dose SDHI 1/4 dose SDHI full dose Adding an SDHI to tebuconazole resulted in fewer insensitive strains (those without CYP51 V136A),

but that) then exposes the SDHI. e n

Source:n Rothamsted Research o

Responset of variety to fungicide / 0

programmes5 1 £

t 1200 a

a 1000 h / £

( 800

n i

g 600 r a 400 m

s

s 200 o r

G 0 Untreated Low Moderate High Fungicide programme Crusoe Cubanita Conqueror 4 Trials ) A

6 Source: ADAS, 2014 3 1 V

Selection for azole-insensitive t

septoriau o h t i 100 w (

e 80 v i

t 60 i s

n 40 e

s 20 n i 0

Variety % Susc Res Res Res Res Int Susc Susc Susc No. applications 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 Total dose 0 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.0 1.5 (units of tebuconazole)

Source: ADAS Boxworth, 2014, sample taken at GS65

18 crop production magazine march 2015 Fungicide programmes under test

Spray timing T0 T1 T2 T3

e Nil Untreated Untreated Untreated Untreated m m

a Low - Azole+ strob+ Azole+ multi-site r

g multi-site o r p

f Moderate Mildewicide+ Azole+ strob+ SDHI+ azole+ Azole o

y multi-site multi-site multi-site t i s

n High Azole+ mildewicide+ SDHI+ azole+ SDHI+ azole+ Azole e t

n multi-site strob+ multi-site multi-site I population itself. Since 2010, samples drawn of its cells due to overexpression,” explains from fungicide efficacy trials have been Dr Bart Fraaije of the Fungicide Research tested for resistance at a molecular level Group at Rothamsted Research. and analysed for the impact they have on “We’ve been picking up isolates at low fungicide efficacy. There are now around frequencies (0-6%) in UK populations 70 different variants of the CYP51 protein showing reduced sensitivity to both azoles targeted by azoles, based on combinations and SDHIs since 2013 –– it’s another step in of mutations. Generally, where more the arms race.” Treatment decisions growers make in the field mutations have stacked in individual septoria Analysis has confirmed these isolates have a direct effect on how resistance to isolates, this has conferred the pathogen have the efflux mechanism and tests in a fungicides evolves, says Paul Gosling. with a greater level of resistance, and petri dish have shown they need around growers have responded by increasing 5-10 times as much fungicide –– including the dose and frequency of treatment to azoles and SDHIs but not multi-sites –– to frequency, these strains are also likely to maintain control. control them, compared with an isolate that be unfit. So in the immediate future, they’ll Two recent discoveries have been doesn’t have these mechanisms. make very little difference to practical control overexpressing strains, where isolates can “This all sounds worrying, but it needs to in the field. produce more of the CYP51 protein and be put into context,” continues Bart Fraaije. “But it’s a very strong warning shot across thereby reduce sensitivity to azoles, and a “That change in sensitivity is relatively low the bows that this pathogen is continuing to mechanism known as enhanced efflux. “This in comparison with most CYP51 mutations. evolve, and will overcome the SDHIs in due is where the fungus pumps more azole out Because they still occur at a very low course, most likely due to SDHI target-site L resistance has been tested in the field, using insensitivity against tebuconazole as an experimental system to understand how azole resistance evolves. The proportion of the population that was insensitive to tebuconazole was measured after application of either tebuconazole alone or in mixture with an SDHI (see chart on p18).

Selection for resistance “A full dose of tebuconazole essentially The average number of fungicide treatments removes nearly all the sensitive isolates and a cereal crop receives has risen from fewer replaces them with insensitive ones. If you than two to around 3.5 applications, notes add SDHI, selection for azole resistance is Neil Paveley. reduced, so you get a good mixture effect. We use tebuconazole as it is a simple system to monitor, although the same principle L changes,” he cautions. “The questions that applies to other azoles. But the problem Some septoria strains have evolved a remain are how quickly it will achieve these, is, that then exposes the SDHI,” notes mechanism known as enhanced efflux where and what can be done to slow up that Bart Fraaije. the fungus pumps more azole out of its cells process.” So how do you effectively balance a due to overexpression. One outcome of the work that’s helping programme so that it puts the minimum the research progress is the development amount of pressure on the chemistry, but still of an in-field diagnostic test for resistance. delivers adequate disease control? Two modes of action to determine the best way A septoria lesion can be analysed to essential tools in the armoury are multi-site to slow down resistance. Then we’re also determine whether there are CYP51 and/or fungicides and varietal resistance, notes using disease-resistant varieties and getting efflux pump overexpressing stains present. Neil Paveley. evidence of their benefit,” he explains. “This still needs further evaluation before it “You can think of variety disease There are four different treatment regimes works reliably, but should be ready by resistance as the equivalent of adding (see table on p19), ranging from nil to four Cereals this year. So we’ll be able to use it in another mode of action to a fungicide mix,” azole doses applied and from nil to two the field this autumn to find out more about he notes. “The difficulty is there tends to be SDHIs. These are tested on Crusoe, with the threats from septoria growers will be a yield penalty with disease-resistant an HGCA Recommended List rating of 6 facing in spring 2016. It’s more of a research varieties.” for Septoria tritici, Cubanita (5) and tool, enabling rapid monitoring, than of direct Both multi-site fungicides and varieties Conqueror (4). use to growers, though,” reports Bart Fraaije. are under investigation in the new study “As the intensity of the programme goes Meanwhile, the effect on the septoria (project 3800), that has now completed its up, so too does the yield, and in 2014 we population of varying SDHI and azole first year of field trials. “There are two strands had a 4.5t/ha yield response in Conqueror,” dose on selection of mutations conferring of work –– we’re looking at mixtures and reports Neil Paveley. “But if you then look at Knowledge on septoria informs trials programme

For Mike Thompson, coordinating the AICC trials, different azole to the one you’d use at T1 and T2.” the HGCA-funded fungicide research is opening a This year, he’ll use epoxiconazole or fascinating window on the key pathogen growers prothioconazole at the main T1 and T2 timings. have to tackle. “I think it’s amazing what we now “For early sown or high-yielding varieties, I’d know about the mechanism of resistance in certainly consider an SDHI at T1, as well as at the septoria –– it’s a definite step forward in informing T2 timing. But I’d make sure the rate of azole was us how to put together fungicide programmes.” at least a three-quarter dose, to give adequate It’s these programmes that are now coming protection to the SDHI.” under scrutiny. “What’s interesting is that the But the key to achieving both good disease response from growers to the high disease pressure control and preserving the chemistry is to get the they’ve faced has been to increase the azole timing right, reckons Mike Thompson. “We’re intensity. But that will just speed up the train crash. losing the kick-back activity of the azoles, so it’s “So we should be considering alternative becoming even more important to time them right approaches that maintain the level of control, but –– if we rely on SDHIs for this activity, we’ll be rely less on azole chemistry. It’s one area that exposing them dangerously to resistance issues. we’re looking at within the AICC trials programme.” “Getting the timing right will also help reduce Mike Thompson has been looking at alternative Where yellow rust, rather than septoria is the the number of azoles needed in the programme. approaches that maintain the level of control, but issue at T0, that’s an opportunity to switch to But there’s rarely a need to apply a pre-T0 azole, rely less on azole chemistry within the AICC trials alternative modes of action, for example. “If sticking and if a T1.5 is needed, perhaps that should just programme. with an azole at T0, one option I favour is to use a be a multi-site,” he suggests.

20 crop production magazine march 2015 Research round-up

HGCA project 3800, Consequences of intensive funded through the Defra-sponsored Arable LINK fungicide use or integrated disease management for programme with industry partners BASF, fungicide resistance and sustainable control, runs from BayerCropScience, Dupont and Syngenta. HGCA funding Jan 2013 to Sept 2016. Its aim is to quantify the effect amounts to £119,993, with the research carried out by of integrated disease management on selection of Rothamsted Research, ADAS, SRUC and Velcourt. fungicide-resistant pathogen strains, translate this HGCA project 3713, Identification and into implications for the effective life of fungicides, and characterisation of azole sensitivity shifts in Irish and UK interpret the implications. Its total cost is £691,546, and populations of Mycosphaerella graminicola sampled from the project has industry partners Adama, BASF, Bayer HGCA-Fungicide Performance winter wheat trials, ran CropScience, CRD, Defra, Dupont, Limagrain and from April 2011 to March 2014, and has now been Syngenta. HGCA funding amounts to £40,000, with extended to April 2019. Its aim was to identify changes the research carried out by ADAS and Rothamsted to the CYP51 gene targeted by azoles in field populations Research. of septoria leaf blotch, to link these to field applications HGCA project 3517, Improved tools to rationalise of fungicide treatments, and to establish if alternative Bart Fraaije has been picking up and support stewardship programmes for SDHI resistance mechanisms are evolving. Its initial cost was septoria isolates in UK populations fungicides to control cereal diseases in the UK, ran from £60,000 funded by HGCA. The research was led showing reduced sensitivity to both Jan 2010 to Jan 2014. Its aim is to provide a scientific by Rothamsted Research, with partners ADAS, NIAB TAG, azoles and SDHIs since 2013. framework for sustainable use of SDHI fungicides and SRUC and Teagasc. their mixing partners to maintain or enhance cereal G For more information, go to www.hgca.com the economics of it and consider production in the UK. Its total cost was £1,221,386, gross margin, the whole thing evens up.” (See chart on p18). insensitive strains, it will also be encouraging to see there’s really very accomplished at What the researchers found happening to the new, worrying already a shift towards growing overcoming fungicides. was that the resistant variety on a strains that are harder to control, more resistant types.” “If you put the pathogen under low intensity programme returned but currently only make up about But most of all, he advises intense fungicide pressure, it’ll almost as much as a susceptible 1% of the population,” he warns. against heading down the same just be the hard cases that variety under a high input So when building a spray route as potatoes and increasing survive and have sex with each regime. “This was only one year’s programme, multi-sites, which the number of fungicide other, and their offspring come results, but I was amazed the are at low risk of fungicide applications. “The potato blight back next year. So we need to low-intensity programme achieved resistance, should be used pathogen is mainly asexual and rethink what successful disease anything like the margins it did in throughout to reduce the risk unusually poor at developing control looks like in the field and a high-disease year like 2014,” of selection. resistance, whereas septoria how we achieve it.” I remarks Neil Paveley. “Limiting the number of azole reproduces sexually and is The effect on the septoria applications will be a challenge, population was clear, he but where they are used at T1 continues, albeit from just one and T2, the dose should be year’s results (see chart on p18). robust, either to protect the SDHI “As you build the number or, if used with an alternative of azole applications on a partner, to achieve good control. susceptible variety, you can With SDHIs, both dose and see just how quickly you drive frequency of application should resistance harder and harder. be the minimum needed to Whereas fewer treatments on a achieve good control.” more septoria-resistant variety While multi-sites should be slows up fungicide resistance.” used for septoria protection, The trials are the first to have strobilurins and morpholines provided such good evidence of should be considered where this effect, he notes, as well as rusts are the priority. “Growers figures to quantify it that can be should also consider that varietal built into modelling work. “If this resistance can offer an extra is happening to tebuconazole- mode of action, and it’s

The trials have shown how quickly you drive resistance harder and harder if you increase the number of azole applications on a susceptible variety.

crop production magazine march 2015 21 In association with

Managing resistance pays dividends

A major campaign is “It can be a struggle sometimes to such as energy production, cell division or underway to deliver clear convince growers that resistance growth, attacking multiple sites. practical guidelines on using management is something they should be “Resistance is more likely to develop to building into spray programmes. With single-site chemistry, since a single gene fungicides to achieve the weed resistance, you’ll end up having to mutation could be all that’s required to win-win of higher margins live with the results of on-farm practice render it ineffective. But while multi-site that encourages the problem. But chemistry is non-specific, that’s also its and a reduced threat of diseases blow in the wind. The more problem –– it’s more likely to interfere with resistance. CPM explores selection pressure the industry puts on the non-target organisms.” chemistry, the harder these diseases will The ultimate multi-site active was how resistance develops and be to control, and that’ll affect everyone,” mercury –– a total cell poison. These days, how to guard against it in she says. there are few multi-site actives that are Growers in the UK are at a relatively used in cereals, with chlorothalonil and wheat and barley. high risk of resistance developing, she folpet being the main two (see table on

continues. “It’s the combination we have p24). “Azoles, strobilurins and SDHIs are L By Tom Allen-Stevens of intensive cropping and a conducive climate for disease. Added to that, there’s Your fungicide strategy for the season only a limited palette of active ingredients may well now be decided, and there may to draw on, especially for some of the The more already be boxes of product in the spray pathogens cereal growers need to control.” selection“ pressure the shed. But have you built resistance It’s how these active ingredients act on industry puts on the management into your plans? the pathogens that determines how much If the answer’s “no” or even “not sure”, risk there is of resistance developing, chemistry, the harder you could be inadvertently exacerbating she explains. “Fungicides act either on these diseases will be the problem, suggests Dr Fiona Burnett, a single site within the pathogen –– a to control. who chairs the Fungicide Resistance specific pathway in control of very few Action Group (FRAG). genes –– or they interfere with a mechanism, ”

22 crop production magazine march 2015

a single mutation in the field, these are company representatives responsible for stacking in septoria, and around 100 have promoting practical guidelines on managing been identified in the population, which is fungicide resistance. “On some issues, what’s causing the gradual decline in it’s been an uphill struggle to come to a azole efficacy. consensus view, and the result has been some confused messages reaching Energy production growers,” notes Fiona Burnett. “SDHIs work on a protein responsible for This has been the main aim behind the energy production. In terms of resistance Take Ownership Now (TON) campaign, as risk, they come somewhere between the Jonathan Ball of BASF explains. “BASF strobs and the azoles. Resistance has and Syngenta have both recognised been found in a number of pathogens, there’s been quite a lot of piecemeal such as pistachio alternaria, and botrytis information about how resistance develops on soft fruit. and its management. We’ve come together “In septoria, resistance has been to address the issue as a whole and engineered through a mutation created in ensure there is clear practical guidance a laboratory, and there was one isolate for growers.” (see panel on p27). identified with resistance in a field in 2012, It’s a significant step for the two but this hasn’t been found since. So manufacturers, he says, but one that there’s a very real threat of resistance reflects a shift in emphasis within the –– it just hasn’t shown up as a problem industry. “As manufacturers, we’re Fiona Burnett reckons intensive cropping and a in the field yet.” devoting more resources to stewardship conducive climate for disease exposes the UK The somewhat complex science has activity. If a resistance issue arose 20 grower to resistance. been a challenge for FRAG, the UK body years ago, there’d be a new fungicide of independent experts and agrochemical product around the corner that would

L single-site actives. With the strobs, Yield performance of fungicide mixtures just a single gene mutation can alter the site within the pathogen at which the 11 fungicide works.” L a 10 T 10.2 This is what occurred in Septoria tritici, h C / ramularia and mildew –– a mutation at site t + 9 L 9.5 G143A has rendered strobs effectively d T l le C useless against the diseases. In net e 8 o i 8.2 + z le

blotch, it’s a different site –– F129L –– and Y 7 ia o le r a mutation here conveys partial resistance z t o / to the chemistry. 6 ia z I 6.1d r a H T i “With azoles, the target protein is large 5 e r D t T and complex. When a mutation occurs, a S e r there’s a subtle change in sensitivity. It’s a t bit like a lock and key where the lock is n slightly damaged. You can still make the U key work, it just doesn’t fit as well,” continues Fiona Burnett. While you’d hardly notice the effect of Source: Syngenta trials, Berwick, 2014; cv Viscount

Resistance timeline of main cereal fungicides

Type Group Examples Introduced Resistance Multi-site Phthalimides Folpet 1952 Not yet Dithiocarbamates Mancozeb 1961 Not yet Chloronitriles Chlorothalonil 1964 Not yet Single site MBCs (methyl- Carbendazim 1971-76 Mid 1980s benzimidazoles) DMI fungicides Flusilazole, propiconazole, cyproconazole, tebuconazole 1980-86 By 2005 Epoxiconazole, metconazole 1993-94 Gradual slide Prothioconazole 2004 to date Strobilurins Kresoxim-methyl, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin 1996-2001 2002 SDHIs Boscalid, isopyrazam, bixafen, penthiopyrad, fluxapyroxad 2005-13 None yet

24 crop production magazine march 2015 Performance of multiple applications against an SDHI approach

For manufacturers, there’s now a greater emphasis on ensuring the current portfolio of products continues to deliver results for growers in the long term.

Source: ADAS, NIAB TAG, SRUC chlorothalonil at the T1 and T2 timings supersede the old chemistry. actually using the fungicides day to day. delivers the best control of septoria and “Now, the regulatory environment is It’s the people on the ground using the the best yield,” he points out (see chart more challenging and the R&D pipeline is products who can make a material on p24). slowing down. What’s more, the nature of difference to how resistance develops Another key area is to use well timed, modern fungicide chemistry is that it’s more in the field.” effective doses of chemistry. Independent specific and targeted. There’s a better Fiona Burnett reckons there are clear trials have shown a three-spray environmental profile, but potentially it’s benefits for growers who adopt an programme, incorporating two SDHIs, more exposed to resistance. So there’s a effective anti-resistance strategy. “Growers yields better than a more frequent triazole greater emphasis on ensuring the current should go for the win-wins, where you programme and delivers a better financial portfolio of products continues to deliver don’t just reduce the threat of resistance. return, he points out (see chart on p25). results for growers in the long term.” You’ll also get good control of a broader “A two-SDHI spray programme should And it’s growers who are very much the spectrum of diseases and yield benefits.” be de rigueur. Using more frequent focus of the campaign, notes Mel Wardle One of the strongest of these win-wins triazole applications means more exposure of Syngenta. “The aim is to deliver clear, is to use mixtures at all timings, says Ben to resistance development and more practical guidance on fungicide use and Freer of BASF. “In trials, applying a expenditure.” L resistance management for those who are three-way mix of SDHI, triazole and An effective programme starts with the

Lessons learned from a high disease year

A haphazard approach to disease control is make a properly informed judgement about the what compromised crop performance for some T1, so that it goes on at the right timing. As far growers last year, and it puts current chemistry as that’s concerned, don’t be governed by at risk, maintains independent crop consultant calendar date –– get the scalpel out to Allen Scobie. determine growth stage.” With clients in Scotland as well as Eastern He advises using an SDHI at both the T1 and Europe, he remembers well the mistakes that T2 timings, mixing in Bravo. “Get the T1 timing were made with strobilurins. “People were using right and there should be no need for a T1.5. them on their own and it was no surprise that You want to apply at least 60% of a full of dose resistance built up very quickly. Here we are of triazole to protect the SDHI.” again with SDHIs, and they’re now available as Varietal disease resistance also helps straight products –– it’s so essential that preserve the chemistry, but this offers little they’re used responsibly.” protection with septoria, he maintains. “You Mistakes started last year where the T0 always want to grow the variety with the best timing was ignored. “There was a huge amount disease resistance, without compromising yield, of septoria overwintering in crops, and that but the septoria ratings of varieties on the HGCA The T0 spray allows you to make a properly should have been dealt with. But some Recommended List are relatively low. This informed judgement about the T1, so that it goes responded by going with an early T1 and then means you need the SDHI to protect the variety, on at the right timing, points out Allen Scobie. stretched their timings –– if you end up with a so you’ll need a robust dose of azole chemistry four-to-five week gap, it’s curtains for the crop.” and a multi-site partner to protect the SDHI.” He reckons it’s essential to start the With those foundations in place, and products potential, he says. “There shouldn’t then be any programme with an application at the T0 timing. applied at the key timings, there’s no reason why need for a T4, if the weather remains warm and “What that T0 spray does is allow you to growers shouldn’t have a crop that retains its full dry in the run-in to harvest.”

crop production magazine march 2015 25 Critical growth stages for fungicide application and recommendations for winter wheat

T0 T1 T2 T3 Before emergence Emergence Full flag leaf Post ear of final leaf three of final leaf three emergence emergence

GS30-31 GS32 GS39 GS59-65 There’s greater emphasis on the T1 timing for winter barley, notes Iain Hamilton. Foundation spray GS32 leaf three spray GS39 flag-leaf spray GS65 ear spray

Controlling yellow rust, Controlling septoria and Controlling septoria and Protecting against rust & suppressing septoria prorecting against rust prorecting against rust septoria and controlling fusarium

L Use chlorothalonil (CTL) plus Use SDHI plus triazole plus Use SDHI plus triazole plus Use fusarium-active triazole T0 spray, continues Ben Freer. “That’s triazole or strobilurin CTL at robust dose CTLat appropriate dose plus strob at appropriate dose now become a fundamental part of the programme. The aim here is to mop up any Source: BASF disease that may be lurking in the crop and timing. “You’re aiming for a firebreak, “It’s important that we do manage our protect new growth until the crucial leaf three where a substantial dose of mixed fungicides carefully in barley, even though emergence at around GS32.” chemistry has been applied before GS32. we don’t yet have the same resistance This year, crops are coming into the Before this stage, the crop is exposed to issues as we do in wheat, because the spring under as much disease pressure both wind-borne spores and those spread operative word here is ‘yet’. The indications as they faced last season, he notes, so up the plant by rain splash. As the season are that there are background problems that there’s no room for complacency. “The progresses, much more of the infection is could accelerate if fungicides aren’t properly early yellow rust may have appeared to driven by rain splash.” managed,” he points out. have died back in some crops, but it’ll still He advocates avoiding over-reliance on be there, skulking in the canopy. In other Fighting resistance any one or even two active ingredients crops it’s clearly visible The T1 timing takes on more importance within the programme. “That comes down “You’ll never hold back the tide of when fighting resistance, he adds, so to mixing and alternating the chemistry to septoria spores –– there’ll be plenty of front-loading the programme with mixed minimise the risk of resistance developing inoculum. Any favourable weather this chemistry is again a good anti-resistance over a period of time. SDHIs have been spring –– wet and warm conditions –– will tactic. “The T2 spray can then be adapted shown to be very valuable in barley in drive a potential epidemic. But you can according to situation and disease terms of both managing disease and protect the most important leaves if your pressure.” delivering good yield responses. This timing is right.” In barley, there are currently fewer group we know is site-specific in its Applying the T0 spray too early allows resistance issues –– good control of key activity and not immune to resistance disease back in before the T1 timing, diseases can be obtained with the developing, so we need to be very careful which forces you in to a curative situation chemistry available, reckons Iain Hamilton to protect the chemistry.” for the rest of the season, he warns. of Syngenta. The broader portfolio offers The priority at the T0 spray timing is to “Alternatively, you’re forced to apply an growers more choice and flexibility to reduce any over-wintered inoculum, he intermediate T1.5 spray to recover the design spray programmes around the continues. “If disease builds up to high situation from applying a premature prevalent threat. Nevertheless, resistance levels before the T1 timing, this puts a lot T1, and that’ll encourage selection management should be built in as a of pressure on the chemistry later in the for resistance.” matter of course, he says. programme. We found this was the case Timing the T1 correctly is crucial –– it must be applied when leaf three is fully emerged, but before disease can infect On-farm priorities to protect chemistry the leaf. “Timing is becoming more critical as resistance to triazoles increases. In in early spring years gone by, we could have relied on Mix the chemistry –– always use an SDHI in crop is not exposed to disease. Aim to apply kickback activity to clear up any latent a mixture with at least one fungicide with well timed sprays using robust doses to infection. Now we want to try and avoid an alternative mode of action and that has coincide with the key growth stages. the curative situation, as you only get efficacy against the target pathogen. Include Plan for protection –– Start early in the about half the kickback effect.” multi-site chemistry, especially at the start of season and front-load your programme to keep He encourages a front-loaded the season. disease inoculum to a minimum. This will take programme, where the combined Focus on key timings –– Try to limit the the pressure off the chemistry and reduce investment at T0 and T1 may be as number of applications, while ensuring the selection for resistance. much as you’d spend at the main T2 spray

26 crop production magazine march 2015 Applying a three-way mix of SDHI, triazole and chlorothalonil at the T1 and T2 timings delivers the best control of septoria and the best yield, says Ben Freer. in untreated crops following the quality, as well as topping up 2013 autumn and winter, and protection, he advises. this season is shaping up to “At both timings, retention of very similar.” green leaf area should be the Barley builds yield differently aim, and using an SDHI with to wheat, he points out, with an appropriate partner has been successive emerging leaves shown to deliver a 0.5t/ha yield diminishing in leaf area, benefit over a strob/triazole- meaning the lower leaves play based programme.” a greater role in giving the crop What’s more, stacking its yield potential. “This puts a fungicides delivers yield benefits, greater emphasis on the T1 he says. Syngenta trials have timing for winter barley, with shown that adding a triazole to over 40% of the yield benefit an SDHI plus partner fungicide coming from a well timed with a different mode of action robust spray at GS32, (such as cyprodinil) increases compared with just less than green leaf area and adds 40% from a GS49 application.” another 0.26t/ha of yield. “So While the T1 fungicide is using multiple modes of action crucial to yield delivery, as in barley fungicide programmes well as protecting against delivers financial rewards as rhynchosporium, net blotch, well as helping to protect rusts and powdery mildew, the the chemistry,” concludes T2 spray is critical for grain Iain Hamilton. I

Take Ownership Now

Take Ownership Now (TON) is a or lose the ability to protect against BASF and Syngenta partnership disease and enhance yield. which aims to support growers This campaign seeks to in maintaining cereal fungicide encourage the industry to work performance and slowing the together to better understand and progression of fungicide collaborate to protect the chemistry resistance. that we have. With increasing concerns over pesticide resistance and sensitivity shifts in cereal diseases over recent years, the farming industry faces a crossroads –– to safe guard our fungicide toolbox

crop production magazine march 2015 27 It’s only so far you can rely on the company since 2006. A good fungicides to deliver the disease understanding of nozzle design control you need. Put them on and adjuvant use, and how they’re late or when conditions are best brought into play, can help compromised, and you’re protect the chemistry, as well as not only in danger of letting your crop. pathogens past your defences, you run the risk of encouraging How important is timing? them to become resistant to the All fungicides perform best when very chemistry you’re applying. used in a protectant situation. The trouble is, with the best will With septoria, there’s a long latent in the world, it’s very rare that a period –– usually 3-4 weeks –– Fungicide application product is applied to the crop at during which a plant is infected but exactly the right timing in ideal will not show symptoms. Rusts The last few years have seen new fungicides conditions, points out Agrovista cycle more frequently –– typically offering growers new standards in disease control, technical manager Mark every 7-10 days. Sprays timed at but the question remains – How do you maximise Hemmant. Growers, especially the start of these cycles have the fungicidal activity in the new chemistry and existing those with a large area to cover, greatest chance of maintaining products? This question has been evaluated in can rarely wait for the best control of disease. Agrovista’s trials, and in addition to product spray days because timing is so SDHIs currently offer the best comparison, application important, even with the latest level of curative activity against technology has been looked chemistry, he stresses. Equally, septoria but azoles are gradually at to increase disease control. disease programmes for septoria losing their kick-back activity as control are moving ever more the pathogen becomes more towards keeping crops protected, resistant. Relying more on the increasing the need to be SDHIs will increase the likelihood A wider spray more timely. of resistance to this important Finding practical approaches group of chemistry. So timing to maintain efficacy when spray window timing and conditions are compromised has been the aim Fungicide efficacy comes under pressure of a series of trials undertaken by when spray timings are stretched, and that Anything that“ helps achieve has implications for resistance. CPM finds good efficacy has out from Mark Hemmant of Agrovista what got to be can be done to improve application. worth it. By Tom Allen-Stevens ”

28 crop production magazine march 2015 ) a

the crop drops by almost h / t

0.5t/ha (see chart top right). (

With SDHIs, the effect is even d e

more pronounced, and up to t a

1t/ha can be lost. Impacte of T2 timing on yield r t n

u 6.0 How does nozzle choice r

influence efficacy? e 5.5 The standard nozzle is the 110° v o

5.0

flat-fan (FF) type, used at a water e

s 4.5 Librax 1.0 + Ennobe 0.5

volume of 100 l/ha or 200 l/ha. This a Adexar 1.0

e 4.0 produces a range of droplet size, r Aviator 1.0

c Seguris 1.0 and importantly, the fine spray 3.5 n

i Ennobe 1.5 + CTL 1.0 that’s most effective at coating

d 3.0 Even with the latest chemistry, timing l

the leaf and penetrating into e

i 2.5

is of paramount importance, stresses the canopy. Y 2.0 Mark Hemmant. The downside of the FF 16-May 23-May 30-May 12-June nozzle is that smaller droplets are more prone to drift. However, Source: Agrovista trials, Stoughton, 2012; variety: KWS Santiago sprays to remain in a protectant air-inclusion (AI) nozzles draw in Librax (fluxapyroxad+ metconazole); Ennobe (epoxiconazole+ prochloraz); Adexar (epoxiconazole+ situation is paramount. air and mix it with the spray. As a fluxapyroxad); Aviator (bixafen+ prothioconazole); Seguris (epoxiconazole+ isopyrazam); CTL (chlorothalonil) Key spray timings have been result, larger, air-filled droplets are identified, with the emergence of formed, which are less prone to leaf three (GS32) and flag leaf drift for the same water volume. Effect of different nozzle types and angle (GS39) being the most important. Over five years of testing ) 12.4 The flag leaf and leaf two are the SDHI/triazole fungicides using a biggest contributor to yield, and is different nozzle types, FF nozzles h / 12.2 t at its most vulnerable to infection were found to be consistently more ( as it emerges. Leaf three overlaps effective in standard situations, 12 d it at this stage, so if the plant is bringing an average yield l

e 11.8 infected at GS32, then the flag advantage over AI types of i Y 11.6 leaf could emerge through a 0.29t/ha. They out-performed disease-ridden canopy. Guardian Air nozzles by 0.45t/ha, 11.4 Agrovista trials have shown on average. 11.2 FF 110 04 red FF 110 03 blue AI 03 blue AI 03 blue 100 l/ha FF 110 03 blue 100 l/ha timing has a big impact on yield. Where AI nozzles come into 200 l/ha 100 l/ha 100 l/ha 110 backward angle alt forwards & down Where the optimum timing of a their own, however, is in more triazole-based T2 is allowed to slip marginal conditions where using a Source: Agrovista, mean of four replicated trials in winter wheat. just one week, the yield potential of standard FF nozzle would result in L Tooled up for border-line spraying in the Borders

Good spraying days come at a but I try to avoid rust-prone varieties. when I need a lo-drift nozzle or for premium for David Fuller-Shapcott, I also always use a good quality seed marginal conditions.” who farms at Sweethope Farm near dressing. That keeps on top of rust All fungicides are applied at 100 l/ha, Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Not and takes the pressure off having to unless the spray label specifies only does he have the weather to get into the crop before the ground’s otherwise. “I’ve just purchased a contend with, but he doesn’t expect ready to travel.” 600-litre front tank, which means I can to get on the land and start spraying When he does get the sprayer out, easily spray a full field on one trip, until mid-April. he “purrs along” at 11.5km/h keeping which has really boosted timeliness. “We farm predominately heavy clay the pressure at 1.9-2 bar. “That ensures Last year, there wasn’t more than a loam soils of the Whitsome association the spray’s not too fine. But the biggest three-and-a-half week gap between –– they’re described as having difference to drift has been alternating spray applications, and I got the best “impeded natural drainage”, or in the nozzles.” second wheat harvest I’ve ever had.” Alternating the nozzles forwards other words, they take forever to dry On the advice of Agrovista’s Chris He also reckons he has a bigger and straight down has made the out,” he says. Martin, the 110° flat-fan (FF) nozzles spray window. “I needed to spray biggest difference to drift, reckons With 355ha of arable crops on are alternated with 80° nozzles angled for sclerotinia in OSR last year. The David Fuller Shapcott. rented, owned and contract-farmed forward. “The angled ones have a conditions weren’t great and I had to land, he does all the spraying himself narrower fan so they hit the crop at raise the boom high, so wasn’t sure with a Bargam Gambetti 1200-litre the same width. It breaks up the what the result would be. But I otherwise, anything that helps achieve mounted sprayer on 20m tramlines. curtain and stops the pressure drop managed to apply the spray remarkably good efficacy has got to be worth it. Group 3 wheats are grown for nearby you get behind the boom,” says evenly with very little drift.” We’re putting fungicides under a fair bit Carr’s biscuit mill, while malting barleys David Fuller-Shapcott. He also uses adjuvants as another of pressure at the moment and we’ve and oilseed rape complete the rotation. “As well as the FF types, I have aid to widen the window. “In perfect got to reduce the risk of resistance “Septoria is the main disease threat, Billericay Bubblejet 03. These are for conditions, you don’t need them, but and protect these SDHIs.”

crop production magazine march 2015 29 means more of the cropped area Fungicide can be covered at the optimum application: top tips spray timing. You can typically expect the work rate to increase G Timing is key – use by 33% from halving the water fungicides as protectant volume. The only situations where Lifting the boom high is arguably the biggest application-related cause of poor products, and avoid relying on efficacy would be compromised performance of fungicides, aside from spray timing. SDHIs for curative activity. would be if there was really Lower water volumes bad septoria. What effect do adjuvants aside from spray timing. But with increase work rates. Other downsides of reducing have? larger boom widths, there’s a tendency for operators to spray G Choose the appropriate the water volume include When using FF nozzles at the at more than the optimum 0.5m nozzle – an FF type will work increased spray drift and a droplet correct boom height, adjuvants above the crop. best in good conditions, but that dries faster on the leaf, which often add to application efficacy, When sprayed at a 1m boom an AI nozzle may be better may reduce the degree of uptake. but add in any factor that would height, trials have shown that FF if work rates become There may also be compatibility increase drift, and they begin to nozzle performance drops off constrained. Best results issues with the increased spray show a bigger benefit. Similarly, significantly, and ongoing trials are come when they are angled concentration. while you get best results from evaluating various drift retardants forwards and down. FF nozzles, you can bring the performance of an AI nozzle up to for use with them. G Consider use of an What effect does angling the level of an FF nozzle by using AI nozzles come into their own adjuvant – these can help, the nozzle have? The spray curtain has the effect specialist adjuvants. when conditions might encourage particularly where efficacy is of moving through the crop as a Trials conducted by Agrovista drift. Their poorer performance affected by boom height or solid sheet. This creates its own across Europe in 2013 showed an compared with FF nozzles can use of an AI nozzle. air current, and the negative average yield advantage of around be more than compensated for pressure behind the spray curtain 0.3t/ha from adding Velocity to by adding Velocity (see chart

L too much drift. Any reduction in can create eddies that disperse fungicide treatments. Where a below). I application efficacy can be easily finer spray droplets. Guardian Air nozzle is used, outweighed by the increased In theory, angling the spray adding Velocity to an SDHI at the You can bring the performance of an efficacy from applying the backwards (as with the Amistar T1 timing brought almost 1.5t/ha air-inclusion nozzle up to the level of fungicide at the correct timing. nozzle) should reduce the effect, extra yield, according to UK trials a flat-fan nozzle by using specialist but in Agrovista trials using an AI in 2012. adjuvants. What influence does angled nozzle, this was actually water volume have? less effective than a nozzle What effect does boom Spraying at 100 l/ha has directed straight down as it height have? performed consistently better caused more drift (see chart If the boom height is doubled, all than 200 l/ha in the trials, bringing on p29). other things being equal, then drift up to 0.5t/ha yield advantage The best results were achieved increases by a factor of around 10 in a high-disease pressure by alternating the nozzles 30° with FF nozzles. It’s arguably the situation (see chart on p29). forward and straight down. This biggest application-related cause

The) finer spray helps, but more probably has the effect of breaking of poor performance of fungicides, a concentratedh droplets probably the spray curtain, allowing air / t contributes( a greater benefit. to pass through it without creating

d In the field, you’d also benefit the currents that disturb the

e Sponsors message fromt increased work rates, which finer droplets. a e

r The Growers Choice Insite trials major trials sites, managed to the t

Performancen at 100cm boom height programme, conducted by Agrovista highest standard, it constitutes one u UK, lies at the heart of their success of the largest independent trials r

e 5.5 5.5 in providing the most up-to-date programmes in the UK. These trials v

o and unbiased technical information 5 5 protocols not only study the crop e possible. protection inputs, but also the variety, s

a 4.5 4.5 This information is then utilised site class, nutritional regime and how e r on farm to maximise gross margins different cultivation techniques affect

c 4 4

n in a consistent, cost-effective and yield and quality. Furthermore, the trials i 3.5 3.5

d responsible manner. This in-depth sites are situated across the country to l

e programme is dedicated to i 3 3 ensure that local climatic conditions

Y finding practical solutions to crop –– as well as various soil types –– are 2.5 2.5 Air induction Air induction + Velocity Flat fan Flat fan + drift production problems, whether in taken into account. retardant the broad-acre arable crops or in Source: Agrovista, Stoughton, GS39 application of Variano Xpro the pursuit of high-value fruit and (prothioconazole+ bixafen+ fluoxastrobin); 100 l/ha 14.4km/h; variety: Oakley vegetable produce. With a series of fully replicated

30 crop production magazine march 2015

Go early for cereals spring clean

With weed control from autumn-applied good, with Liberator providing control at performance of the pre-em stacks, this cereal herbicides generally much better the higher end of its typical 60-80% isn’t a cause for concern; but it does make than in recent seasons, the scope for at control range, says Bayer CropSciences’ spring applications of contact graminicides least stemming the widespread increase Gordon Anderson-Taylor. important.” in blackgrass infestations appears better Tank-mix stacks again added 5-10% Pre-em stacks generally worked well on than usual. But well chosen herbicide control, and some growers reported the blackgrass, but control in some later drilled applications as soon as weed growth “kick-back” effect from pre-em Liberator was crops was less successful, notes DuPont’s restarts will be needed to make the such that any blackgrass which did emerge Alister McRobbie. most of it, commentators agree. died several weeks later, he notes. Despite the better than usual blackgrass “The warm open autumn of 2014 was “The effects of late autumn Atlantis control, growers with heavy infestations and more forgiving than in several previous applications on blackgrass are clearly a history of herbicide resistance may still be seasons,” says Hutchinsons’ Simon Trenary. visible, but the final level of control hasn’t yet faced with difficult decisions regarding future “Growers have had a much better run right been achieved in many situations due to its treatments. In the worst cases spraying from the off.” slow activity under cold conditions.” badly infested crops off with glyphosate Stale seedbeds, up to three on some Repeated use of stale seedbeds, delayed may be the best approach. farms, reduced the weed burden on pre drilling and increasing use of pre-em stacks, Walk your fields before deciding on any and post-emergence herbicides, he notes. especially flufenacet, pendimethalin and further treatment and expense, advises Rain in mid-Oct helped pre-ems achieve tri-allate, onto moist seedbeds have all Stuart Jackson. particularly good control. “And post-em helped ease the task of tidying up in “Assess the situation, based on the weed programmes were applied well to relatively the spring, says Dow AgroSciences’ population, and decide if you’re going to small grassweeds, giving some of the Stuart Jackson. keep the crop or re-drill. best overall levels of control we’ve seen “Very few post-em treatments were “If there are over 100 blackgrass in recent years.” applied simply because delayed drilling and plants/m2, you’ll suffer a marked yield loss Overall feedback is that blackgrass poor weather in late Nov/early Dec left and make matters worse for future years. control from pre-em applications is no window for them. Given the good

It’s not the plant“ number that’s critical but the weed’s ability to tiller and produce seed.”

32 crop production magazine march 2015 WEED CONTROL

After some particularly attention to what’s already been applied when choosing an alternative spring crop.” challenging seasons for Gordon Anderson-Taylor says the controlling winter cereal decision involves balancing the desire to obtain harvestable yield against any longer weeds, especially blackgrass, term need to reduce the blackgrass growers have a good population by lowering the seed burden. “While it would be ideal to decide early opportunity to fight back in the spring before making further this spring, say specialists. expenditure, the potential for the likely success of any post-em treatment can only CPM reports. be judged on previous experiences in that particular field. By Andrew Blake “As last season showed, it’s not the plant number that’s critical but the weed’s ability to tiller and produce seed. If you know you have resistant strains and “In open crops, blackgrass plants were there’s a high population it doesn’t make producing 20 and sometimes even 40 tillers, Growers achieved some of the best overall levels long-term sense to continue with the crop. which clearly returned large numbers of of control Simon Trenary’s seen in recent years. “A simple field test is to stand with your seeds despite the low weed populations. L heels together and your feet at right angles. If you can count 10 blackgrass plants within that square foot then you’ve 100 or more plants per square metre. Their size isn’t really the driver for the decision. “It’s a tough one and needs taking early, bearing in mind that if the crop’s kept, there could be tremendous seed return. “If you do decide to spray it off, pay

crop production magazine march 2015 33 WEED CONROL

effectively condemning affected parts of but not meadowgrass, Broadway Star would the crop.” be the preferred option, as it also controls a By June, uncontrolled plants may carry up host of broadleaf weeds, and for fields with to forty tillers, with each tiller supporting one populations of mixed weeds it can be very hundred seeds per head giving a potential cost-effective.” seed return of four thousand seeds from All three programmes rely on each uncontrolled plant, he explains. sulfonylureas and so the target weeds “In this situation even very low levels of need to be actively growing to achieve blackgrass plants can’t be tolerated, so good levels of control, he stresses. populations as low as single figures per m2 Annual meadowgrass can be a real may need to be sprayed off. Put simply, nuisance in the west, particularly if it missed ‘If you don’t drop the seed you won’t grow a pre-em spray after maize or root crops, the weed.’” says Bayer’s Gareth Bubb. Where herbicides are still providing good The plant tillers quickly, so being ready to levels of activity, spring programme choices tackle it early in the spring is essential, should be driven by the target weed he explains. “Many growers see Othello Blackgrass plants can produce 20 and spectrum which is likely to fall into one (diflufenican+ iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron) sometimes even 40 tillers, notes Gordon of three camps, he says. as the ‘go-to’ product for meadowgrass Anderson-Taylor. “Where blackgrass is the dominant weed –– it has efficacy and flexibility in timing.” and low levels of brome are also present Several factors should be taken into programmes are likely to be Pacifica-based account when planning spring treatments, L L “Essentially if growers are faced with (iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron). says Alister McRobbie. “They include the heavily tillered blackgrass by the time they’re “In situations where blackgrass is at considering spring post-em herbicides, and much lower levels, brome is an issue they’ve a history of poor control in that field, and meadowgrass isn’t a problem, Unite they should at least ask themselves whether (flupyrsulfuron+ pyroxsulam), with or without they should continue to invest in that crop or a residual partner depending on the weed parts of it.” spectrum, is likely to be the key product Simon Trenary echoes that view. The choice. resistance of any grassweed populations, “With part of Unite being pyroxsulam, as especially those with large well grown in Broadway Star, Unite can add some useful plants, must be understood, he warns. broadleaf weeds to the party, chief among “Increasingly, grassweeds are largely them being volunteer beans, cleavers, The final level of Atlantis control hasn’t yet been resistant to the commonly used sulfonylurea- mayweed and cranesbill. achieved in many situations due to its slow based herbicides, and where this is the case “For over-wintered populations of brome, activity under cold conditions control is likely to be unacceptably poor, in combination with wild oats and ryegrass, Spring spray still needed to help beat blackgrass

A multi-pronged approach is what Lincs farm ForL most of this season’s winter wheat, two manager Stephen Calder uses in the battle stale seedbeds, delaying drilling until Oct and against blackgrass. He manages the Pottergate a robust autumn herbicide programme have Farm family business at Wellingore, which also achieved about 90% control. host trials for Bayer, giving him something of an “But the worst affected fields will still need insight into the control options. Hatra (iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron) to contribute “We must be prepared to adjust our rotation further control before the final weed population to tackle severely infested fields and continue to can be assessed.” manage the blackgrass population throughout He believes the key lesson from the trials is the year,” he says. the importance of restricting blackgrass seed Cropping on the 390ha of sandy loam return. “We must manage the previous year’s Stephen Calder believes the key lesson from the and limestone heath soils is all arable, and return with stale seedbeds and rolling, applying trials is the importance of restricting blackgrass blackgrass is his main cereal weed. “It’s spread glyphosate after each germination at the seed return. to most fields, the population is increasing, and one-to-two leaf stage.” it’s becoming harder to control.” Tests have Shallow cultivations to keep seed near the residual herbicides, and treat post-em with confirmed high levels of herbicide resistance, surface is vital, he reckons, so for the first time Atlantis plus Liberator as soon as more he adds. he direct-drilled this season’s second wheat. blackgrass emerges. Indeed the blackgrass infestation on nearly “We delay drilling as late into Oct as “A few years of successful weed control can 20ha is so heavy this spring that he is possible, try to get perfect seedbeds and significantly reduce the blackgrass burden within considering spraying off and re-cropping correct drilling depth using a reasonably high an individual field, whereas one year of poor or even fallowing. seed rate. We roll after drilling, stack multiple control will result in serious seed return.”

34 crop production magazine march 2015

ol Remember to bear in mind sulfonylurea- sequence options when planning your weed control this spring,Alister McRobbie. notes mapped, and in 32% the density was found to be high or very high –– levels at which cultural control measures must be adopted to keep populations in check. An in-field resistance test may be available as early as this autumn, offering a considerable reduction on the several months you currently have to wait. ed to keep population under contr ” wn equir ol. y were dra t were assessed for black- 160-450 Consider using Cultural control methods should be used fields tha e (June) –– “DuPont SX herbicides have a broad “DuPont SX target grassweeds in the to Be sure must be bornetemperatures soil However, of milder days to warm need a spell “You of 8°C over a period “An air temperature ecoming more important of because ecoming more e claims. Details of these are available via are e claims. Details of these b rule. the three-crop and compatibilities range of tank-mix label sequence options, as well as approved options,” crop a wide range of following h app, he notes. downloadable the company’s small, Simon Trenary spring when they’re autumn, high levels urges. “Just as in the to applications made come from of control weeds.” young, actively growing spraying, he warns. in mind before the the soil and not just the air to ensure weeds have woken up. Spraying on an early spring day whilst the air is warm but the soil and early, cold is likely to be too remains likely to be disappointing. levels are control guideline to four days is a good of three for applications to begin, with water the volumes of 130-150 l/ha providing highest levels of contr ound in 88% of the 25,000 squares L “There was greater than good control (90% The plan is to overlay the results of the Blackgrass population categories squar Blackgrass plants per Action r LowMedium High 1-160 highVery 1450+ 450-1450Source: BGRI; * depends on level of herbicide resistance; NOTE: BGRI advises Chemical control should keep numbers in check* growers with even a low blackgrass population to proactively adopt cultural control Cultural control methods must be used methods. Consider taking land out of production grass density by the team at Sheffield University according to a 20x20m grid system. Blackgrass was f reports Dr Paul Neve of Rothamsted Research. mortality or more) in just 20 of the 132 populations we’ve tested.”, although samples were drawn from fields that had probably been treated with the herbicide, so shouldn’t be seen as a national picture of resistance.” resistance testing back to the source of the samples sent back to the 71 farms the from.Atlantis to “Initial results show resistance (iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron) is widespread, a it y you’d 2 y as this –– “Ideall march 2015 march t could tell you she points out. ble as earl tha ” ges of growth, when vaila y late April with results y late y sta y this autumn. ve to wait, gnostic test,

could be a y ha rass plant is just 2-3 weeks old. y in a resistance screen of blackgrass

ble to tr ble reduction on the several months according to Newcastle University

ysis of 190 samples taken last summer

vaila WEED CONROL WEED AmGSTF1 –– that we could use as candidate Testing will take place over the summer,Testing and Part of the project led by Rob Edwards Prof “This highlighted seven genes and one protein Anal

gnostic test.” en-minute test for in-field resistance en-minute test for in-field crop production magazine

“Following-crop options are also options are “Following-crop T want to test the earl it’s hoped there’ll be pre-commercial diagnostic it’s kits a populations collected across English counties. So it was relatively easy to turn it into an anti-body dia autumn, researchers involved in the BBSRC/HGCA-funded Blackgrass Resistance Initiative (BGRI). at Newcastle has been to identify genetic biomarkers that indicate whether a blackgrass plant has the ability to detoxify herbicides –– the mechanism associated with non target-site resistance (NTSR –– otherwise known as enhanced metabolism resistance). –– biomarkers,”Tétard-Jones of reports Dr Catherine Newcastle University. “This protein was detected consistentl whether you have resistant blackgrass in just 10 minutes, But it’ll deliver a result in 10 minutes you currentl should be completed b the blackg considera An in-field dia weed spectrum, the need for a tank-mix

L 36 If there are over 100 blackgrass plants/m the crop, says Stuart Jackson. doesn’t make long-term sense to continue with doesn’t make long-term in the autumn. (iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron), was applied mesosulfuron), (iodosulfuron+ as Lexus SX (flupyrsulfuron) or Atlantis or as Lexus SX (flupyrsulfuron) options, especially if an ALS material, such weeds, as well as sulfonylurea-sequence partner, and the resistance status of the and the resistance partner, You need a spell of milder days to warm the soil and not just the air to ensure the weeds have woken up before applying spring graminicides.

“As a rule of thumb, use Residuals should have been your lawn as an indicator. If it’s applied before the end of Feb, growing, the grassweeds are he adds. likely to be ready to spray too.” Gordon Anderson-Taylor For blackgrass it’s important to expects the spring broadleaf- maximise the impact of the “last weed burden may be lighter than shot” at selective control, says usual. “Nevertheless, we won’t Gordon Anderson-Taylor. escape the usual emergence of “Where a tank-mix with a cleavers or indeed the typical residual herbicide isn’t required spring germinating weeds.” to control plants emerging Simon Trenary anticipates after application, Atlantis plus two key challenges –– cranesbill biopower should ideally be and cleavers. “Where autumn applied alone because tank-mix programmes were delayed, partners can shave a few cranesbill has escaped control percent off the control level. and is likely to need a robust “Growers will be starting mecoprop-P plus a broadleaf to consider their fungicide weed-acting sulfonylurea programmes, so with this in mind –– for example Presite please remember that Bayer (thifensulfuron). doesn’t support tank-mixing “Cranesbill needs controlling Atlantis with the fungicide early because it’s tricky to chlorothalonil because the deal with once it becomes mix has the potential to reduce established. Cleavers, on the blackgrass control.” other hand, can wait for some To avoid this and other fluroxypyr in late April.” The potential antagonisms, the newly launched Starane Hi-Load, priority should be to complete a more concentrated version the grassweed programme first, of Starane, is his likely choice spraying as soon as conditions once the weather is warm allow, he advises. “This’ll also enough, he says. ensure that the target weed is Stuart Jackson agrees the relatively small and more focus should be on the most susceptible to the herbicide. competitive species mainly “As always, advisers and cleavers, but also poppies, growers need to pay particular mayweeds and brassicas. attention to sequences and “Although cleavers can be tank-mixes of ALS herbicides removed later, they should ideally to ensure that they’re approved be tackled earlier –– before by CRD.” GS32 of the crop –– to avoid Spring graminicides must be yield loss. If you’re using applied to as small a target as iodosulfuron plus mesosulfuron possible, he stresses. “Don’t then add Spitfire (fluroxypyr+ leave it too late –– ideally apply florasulam) at 0.5-0.6 l/hato by mid-tillering of the weed.” control them.” I Search the CPM Article Archive

Looking for more information on blackgrass? The new search facility on the CPM website allows you to find and download articles from previous issues using keywords, such as ‘blackgrass’ or ‘grassweed’. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk We need to pr“event these crops taking off like sky rockets.”

Prompt early season management will be needed to coax maximum yields from Keep control of generally forward oilseed rape crops this season, while backward crops hit by flea your canopy beetle and pigeons need lodging, resulting in poorer seed fill.” few simple calculations (see panel on p40). special measures of their Yield is all about maximising seed set Forward crops should be starved of N, (see panel on p40 ), he explains. “High Pete Berry advises. ADAS work has shown own. CPM gets some advice. yielding crops may not always have heavy splitting a 240kgN/ha seasonal application seeds, but they have lots of them. between green bud (140kg) and yellow By Robert Harris “Seed number is determined by the two bud/early flowering (100kg) shortened the to three-week period after mid flowering. crop by about 30cm and increased yield Many oilseed rape growers may face a Having a more open canopy is much more by 0.3t/ha compared with equal splits at significant challenge this season. Proud helpful, to let sunlight penetrate down conventional timings (pre-stem extension crops are the norm in many areas that to the leaves, the biggest contributors and green bud). escaped the ravages of flea beetle last to yield. Canopy management should be autumn and the attention of pigeons over “Ideally we want thinner crops than we’re considered when GAI exceeds 0.8 at winter. Although the cold spell led to some used to, to produce the optimum number of stem extension, he adds. Trials sprayed with leaf loss, crops have the potential to shoot pods –– 7-8000/m2. It’s difficult to judge a metconazole (Sunorg Pro) at 0.8 l/ha at away as temperatures rise. correct canopy –– you should be able to see green bud showed crops with a GAI from Green area indices generally range from about 10% soil when looking down from 0.8-2 could gain almost 0.2t/ha, with 0.3t/ha 1-3 this season, says Dr Pete Berry above during flowering.” typical in bigger crops. of ADAS. “It’s another big canopy year. We That equates to a green area index (GAI) PGRs such as Sunorg Pro and Caryx need to avoid lodging and the production of of 3.5. To achieve this, GAI needs to be (mepiquat chloride+ metconazole) work an over-thick canopy with lots of flowers that estimated just before stem extension to by increasing secondary branch number, reflects a lot of light, reducing yield potential. determine nitrogen and PGR management. especially on crops grown at low “Dense canopies also produce leaves This can be done in several ways (see panel populations. This can contribute over that senesce earlier, and they suffer from on p40). 1t/ha to seed yield, he notes.

poor light penetration and increased Assessing nitrogen amounts requires a Metconazole also improves rooting. L

38 crop production magazine march 2015

Canopy care – how to measure the size of your crop

Estimating GAI OR Aim for GAI 3.5 at flowering – Measure crop N by assessing crop GAI just G Estimate GAI just before stem extension before stem extension and multiplying by – Visual estimate (fraction of soil covered 50kg. Assess using digital photographs by crop): one-third = GAI 0.5, half = GAI 1, uploaded onto www.totaloilseedcare.co.uk three-quarters = GAI 2 or using BASF’s Caryx app. – Upload photo onto www.totaloilseedcare.co.uk – Measure available soil N from deep core or use BASF’s Caryx app samples. If GAI >3 cut 1m2 of crop, weigh and multiply G Multiply resulting figure by 0.6 for amount of result by 0.8 applied N (fertiliser is 60% efficient). G Reduce and delay N for large canopy crops G Add 30kg/ha for each additional 0.5t/ha of The optimum PGR timing is late green bud to G Optimum PGR timing is late green bud to mid yield expected above 3.5t/ha to achieve final mid flowering. flowering target dose of N. Effects on yield Using GAI for N G Each unit of GAI requires 50kg/ha of N. Optimum canopy Large canopy G Optimum GAI at beginning of flowering Canopy size (GAI) 3 5 (3.5) needs 175kg/ha. Pods/m2 6800 8400 G Plants and soil contain available N – estimate Seeds/pod 14 10.8 how much and deduct from the 175kgN/ha Seeds/m2 95,200 90,720 target. Thousand seed weight (g) 4.8 4.8 – Estimate the total soil N supply (amount of Seed yield (t/ha) 4.8 4.4 available N in soil and already in crop Final crop weight (total biomass t/ha) 14.5 15.5 following winter) from the Fertiliser Manual Harvest index 30 26 (RB209), but this may vary by season Source: ADAS

Nurturing thin crops

Managing backward crops is more of a concern “SplitL plants down the middle –– if there are for independent agronomist Matthew Paterson. more than five larvae, the plant may not recover. About half the crops in his area on the If there are fewer or they remain in the leaf Essex/Herts/Cambs borders were hit by petioles, it’s worth persevering –– last year a combination of flea beetle and heavy one crop yielded 3t/ha on 3.5t land, despite its pigeon grazing. petioles being heavily infested, by producing Plant counts are down to 10-15/m2 and flea branches to compensate.” beetle larvae are rampant in some crops. “This If in doubt wait to see if the crop starts to area was a flea beetle hotspot last summer. grow, he advises. “You don’t want to risk wasting We’re now finding up to 10 larvae per plant 50-60kg/ha of nitrogen, plus sulphur, on a crop that might fail. Wait to see if new leaf starts to –– that’s a lot. And they’re heading for the main Once cabbage stem flea beetle larvae chew appear from the centre before going.” growing point –– some crops are like skeletons a gap under the growing point, the plant has That said, backward crops ideally want an and are small, so there’s nowhere else for no chance. larvae to go.” early feed. “Crops that were clearly going to Once larvae chew a gap under the growing make it will have had their first feed in the “We don’t want to use anything with a growth point the plant has no chance, says Matthew second half of Feb. Aim to follow up as normal regulatory effect. On small plants with very little Paterson. “There’s no cure –– nothing is with 120-140kgN/ha split in two by the end of leaf area, applications may be delayed until early available to control larvae within plants. March, or the last possible chance of running through the crop before it gets too high. green bud. Coating the leaves will help prevent “On very backward crops it’s hard to be early sclerotinia, although timings are very hard Aim to follow up an early N dressing with prescriptive. If there’s no leaf there won’t be much to judge in a backward crop because everything 120-140kgN/ha split in two by the end of March. nitrogen in the crop, and soil levels are average to moves so quickly.” slightly below. On the other hand, there’s no point Small plants are also at greater risk from trying to feed for a 4t/ha crop when much of that pollen beetle as they’re later to flower and have potential might have been lost.” fewer buds. “Follow the threshold advice but be Last year Matthew Paterson saw plenty of late prepared to spray,” he says. light leaf spot on upper leaves, which affected Later germinating but aggressive weeds, yields. Given the very high risk this season, notably cleavers and thistles, will need watching he’ll use Proline at the first sign, for light leaf in thin, shorter crops, he adds. “Be prepared to spot and Phoma control –– stems of very small use Galera (clopyralid+ picloram) where both plants can still be reached by foliar infection are present, or Dow Shield (clopyralid) for even in spring. thistles only.”

40 crop production magazine march 2015

damage and good growing conditions produce more seeds/m2.” through the autumn. Delaying applications to around yellow Growers stand to make significant bud will maximise that effect. “The earlier savings on nitrogen, which is welcome news you go, the more you affect height, but later for a crop that’s struggling to pay, applications are more effective in terms of he says. “Crops have big roots and will have manipulating canopy structure.” extracted most of the available soil nitrogen. With Crop Monitor’s preliminary light leaf They contain 100-120kgN/ha already and spot forecast indicating high risk across will only need a further 150kgN/ha at most, most of the UK, David Lines is monitoring probably split 50-60kg by mid March and crops closely for the disease. Leaf 60-90kg as late we can apply accurately samples incubated by ADAS in mid Feb around flowering. showed disease was present in some crops –– these were earmarked for Sky rockets treatment as soon as conditions allowed. “We need to prevent these crops taking Proline (prothioconazole) is favoured off like sky rockets producing far too much where pressure is high, though Prosaro canopy and not enough pods.” (prothioconazole+ tebuconazole) will An over-thick canopy with lots of flowers reflects Early sulphur might be required be used where he wants to reduce crop the light, reducing yield potential, says Pete Berry. separately, as straight ammonium height. “I’d usually go at stem extension, sulphate. “I wouldn’t use a foliar spray but the way things are shaping up I’ll look L “Treated plants can increase water uptake –– they’re very expensive for the amount by 9-10mm over the season, producing applied.” an extra 0.25-0.3t/ha of yield in a dry year.” Caramba (metconazole), Caryx or Toprex Work at ADAS Boxworth in 2014 produced (difenoconazole+ paclobutrazol) will be used an extra 0.3t/ha from a 1 l/ha application to manage crop growth. “Where there’s and a margin over input cost of £63/ha. much higher yield potential and where crops Most green area indices across are drilled in wide rows and are more open, independent agronomist David Lines’ I’ll use Caryx or Toprex to manipulate the Hereford area were high in mid Feb this canopy more. These crops won’t lodge, but year, ranging from 2 to 2.5. This reflected we want to stop the main stem taking off Forward crops should be starved of N. warm, moist soils at drilling, no flea beetle and encourage side branches to grow to

Lodging losses reassessed

A new study assessing the impact of lodging on Seed oil content fell 5-8%. OSR yields shows growers could be suffering Crops lodged to 45° suffered yield losses of much heavier penalties than previously thought. 0.75-1.5t/ha, the latter when lodging occurred at At typical lodging levels of 30%, growers could mid seed-fill. Oil contents dropped by up to 6%. lose up to £170/ha, according to ADAS research Interestingly, crops that were only leaning funded by BASF. (22.5°) were also hit hard, despite this Dr Sarah Kendall, who led the research, sometimes being considered beneficial as it helps At typical lodging levels of 30%, growers could says lodging is widespread, occurring in all avoid shattering and makes combining easier, says lose up to £170/ha. OSR fields assessed in a 2014 aerial survey in N Sarah Kendall. “However, our Yorks, Lincs and Cambs. findings show that yield can be cut by 25% when “On average 27% of the 1000ha assessed leaning occurs at seed fill.” can contribute over 1t/ha, and we know that Caryx was lodged,” she notes. “Often this occurred in Based on an OSR price of £250/t and 31% encourages their production.” the middle of fields, where it can go unnoticed lodging (the average of the two years), losses until harvest.” on a flat crop could reach £170/ha from lost yield What is Caryx? This followed similar work carried out in 2012, and oil content, regardless of additional combining G Specifically developed for use in OSR when 35% of 2000ha surveyed across East and drying costs, she says. That equates to about G Metconazole (30g/l) + mepiquat chloride Anglia was lodged, with 99% of fields affected to £110m nationally. (210g/l) some degree. “However, even late leaning can result in G Timing – from start of stem extension to Artificial lodging experiments carried out last a loss of £70/ha. The cost of lodging can be yellow bud season reveal the true cost of the problem. significant and shouldn’t be ignored.” G Rate – GAI >0.8 = 0.7-1 l/ha GAI >2 = Lodging was induced in the variety Kite at four Agrovista trials in 2013 at Stoughton showed 1-1.4 l/ha growth stages and three lodging angles, from Caryx at 1 l/ha produced an extra 0.3t/ha G Activity – reduces height, strengthens stem, leaning to flat. of yield even where leaning was only slight. lengthens lower branches, increases secondary Not surprisingly, flat crops suffered the most A slightly bigger return was obtained in the branching. Increases light to lower canopy, evens damage. Yields were slashed from 4.5t in the dry spring of 2014, again in a crop with flowering and ripening standing crop to under 2t/ha at the latest little leaning. G Average yield increase = 0.44t/ha over mid-seed fill timing, and by nearly as much Increased branching was a key driver, notes the untreated and MOIC of £98/ha (@£270/t inc at early or mid flowering and early seed fill. company’s Mark Hemmant. “Secondary branches premiums) in BASF development trials.

42 crop production magazine march 2015 due to Scotland’s tight rotations), variety, soil fertility and 30 years’ experience when assessing the need for specific growth regulation and canopy management. “Generally, crops look good –– they were mostly sown early and, despite fears following the suspension of neonicotinoid seed dressing, flea beetle was largely absent in the initial cool conditions at establishment.” Most growers apply two doses of N, about 40% at the end of Feb and 60% a month later. Although some trials data supports later applications, most growers in Scotland use solid forms of N so timing is limited by crop height. “This practical issue is often forgotten when discussing ‘optimum’ The key timing for light leaf spot control is Crops have big roots and will have extracted most timings,” he notes. approaching, says Andrew Gilchrist. of the available soil nitrogen. Some growers on liquid regimes are splitting three ways, saving 40kg for mid Feb as soon as NVZ regulations allowed to spray as soon as I find it.” mid-flower. Backward crops should also and the remaining two will be completed by The key timing for light leaf spot control receive three splits. The first went on around the end of March. I is approaching, says Andrew Gilchrist of Scottish Agronomy. “Crops haven’t responded to the traditional autumn spray timing in recent years. “Fungicides aren’t as effective as they used to be, and we’re trying to hit the peak of infection, which is more commonly occurring into the New Year. Some people will have sprayed already where symptoms are obvious, but stem extension will be the main timing for most crops this year. We’ll use prothioconazole-based chemistry at 80% dose or more, as we no longer grow highly resistant varieties.” Fungicide choice is limited –– metconazole is weak on the disease, and none of the newer introductions offer much improvement, Andrew Gilchrist maintains. “There’s a severe danger that prothioconazole will be broken in OSR, but what do you do if nothing else works?” Where specific growth regulation is required, he’ll consider the addition of metconazole or Caryx. As a halfway house he’ll use a prothioconazole/tebuconazole co-formulation. Rather than just using GAI, which he says is hard to reconcile with pigeon damage, Andrew Gilchrist uses plant density (often boosted by volunteer OSR

Crop Monitor’s preliminary light leaf spot forecast indicates a high risk across most of the UK.

crop production magazine march 2015 43 The crop’s looking“ superb, and Canopy care drives beautifully even – just where it wants oilseed decisions to be ”

As oilseed rape crops begin holding back on the more advanced ones With a GAI of 0.9 on Feb 20, this oilseed rape to stir, thoughts are focused so as not to end up with an over-exuberant crop was towards the top end of canopy cover on on feeding the crop and canopy.” Andrew Ward’s farm. manipulating the canopy to Raised seed rates come together at meetings over the build an architecture that Lincs-based Andrew Ward reports his crop’s coming out of the winter looking year to consider how new and different delivers optimum yield. CPM really good. “Many growers raised their agronomy techniques can enhance field performance, with a view to achieving an asks a group of progressive seed rates because of the neonics ban and have ended up with very forward growers for their plans. crops. But we held our nerve and kept James Chamberlain is holding back on N for the the seed rate low and it’s paid off. The more advanced crops so as not to end up with an By Tom Allen-Stevens crop’s looking superb, and beautifully over-exuberant canopy. even –– just where it wants to be.” It’s a similar picture in the Cotswolds, Spring is in the air and field applications where Martin Parkinson has been assessing have already started within oilseed rape the GAI of his crop. “By the third week of crops on the farms of the growers Feb, it was around 0.4, and we’ve a very who’ve been taking part in the Driving Up even crop. I’m pleased with that and it Oilseed Rape Yields initiative. There’s a gives the plants plenty of room to grow.” mixed range of crops, from struggling to John Haynes on the Essex/Herts border very forward, but for every field there’s suffered cabbage stem flea beetle the same goal –– the magical green area damage at establishment, and is still index (GAI) of 3.5 at flowering. paying the price. “Some of our OSR is “The skylarks are in full voice and soil pretty forward, some is exactly where it temperatures are rising,” notes Derby wants to be and some was fairly well grower James Chamberlain. “We’re putting butchered by pigeons,” he reports. a tickle of N on our less forward crops, but The growers are part of a group that’s

44 crop production magazine march 2015 Isaria senses best use of PGR in oilseed rape

The use of PGRs in oilseed rape is coming The Isaria measures the reflectance of four under scrutiny as part of a £1 million research wavelengths of light, claimed to give it more project, half-funded by Innovate UK (the new accuracy over other sensors that measure two. name for the Technology Strategy Board). Using sensor information it determines crop N A consortium of businesses, led by content and biomass to allow real-time variable GrowHow, has been awarded the funding applications of inputs tailored to crop growth. that will test the capabilities of the Isaria The Isaria also has the capability to integrate tractor-mounted crop sensor and calibrate it for potential yield maps with real-time data to UK crops and conditions. In OSR, ADAS and modify applications further. Syngenta are carrying out research to explore “We’re setting up large chessboard trials The Isaria, once calibrated, will allow growers to the use of the Isaria for variable applications to produce crops of different canopy sizes treat a crop with a varying canopy in the correct of Toprex (difenoconazole+ paclobutrazol). and taking destructive samples to accurately manner to optimise yield. “Work carried out within this project will measure GAI. We’ll then test that against define a GAI threshold for Toprex,” notes Dr sensor data from a hand-held Isaria and applied at a range of rates and timings and will Sarah Kendall of ADAS. “What’s more, GAI develop algorithms to predict GAI.” be assessing the effect of applying it at stem varies across a field, giving the grower the In years one and two of the three-year extension and green-bud stage for crops with dilemma of whether to treat or not –– you could project, trials at three ADAS sites and a varying canopy sizes,” says Sarah Kendall. get over-regulation in patches. This system, Syngenta regional technical centre will scrutinise The project started in Sept 14 and the other once calibrated, will allow growers to treat the yield response from different rates and partners are Precise Crop Nutrition, Patchwork a crop with a varying canopy in the correct application timings of Toprex. Technology, Chris Harry-Thomas Consultancy manner to optimise yield.” “We’ll be testing the yield response to Toprex and Hill Court Farm Research.

OSR crop that has the potential to yield from 3.5 to 4.5°C and mineralisation starts of March with another 70kgN/ha, but he’ll more, and yield more consistently. As at 5°C, he points out. delay this dressing on crops looking more crops begin to stir, nurturing them through “Tinges of green are coming into the forward so as to ensure they achieve the to the ideal canopy is now the aim. crop, so we’re going on with ammonium GAI of 3.5 at flowering and don’t build the James Chamberlain has 180ha of sulphate – the priority is to get that on canopy too soon. Harper and PT211 on Grade 3 mostly early doors, as soon as growth starts.” “We do have quite a bit of crop variance, sandy or gravel loams at Glebe Farm, The dressing gives the crop 80kg/ha and some areas suffered from pigeon

Derby. By the third week of Feb, early SO3 with 28kgN/ha. This’ll be followed on grazing. Those crops will need rebuilding, morning soil temperatures had moved the more backward OSR at the beginning but they haven’t lost their potential, and L Drilled in wide rows at a low seed rate, Andrew Ward aims to allow light right down to the bottom of the canopy.

L I’m confident we should bring varies. I reckon there’s a yield the lot up to the 5t/ha target potential of 6t/ha, so it’ll need yield.” 325kg/ha of total N to achieve The plan is to apply the final that, including soil mineral N dose of around 100kgN/ha and any N in the canopy. The at around stem extension, first dose we’ll apply as Double although this may go on slightly Top in the first week of March, later where the OSR is more and that’ll put on 75kg/ha of

forward, and the final rate SO3 and 68kgN/ha. But we will take GAI at the time of might split that, putting some application into account. on in mid-March. Then we’ll put The crop received the rest of the N on as late as prothioconazole plus we can spread it.” tebuconazole in Nov. “That cleared everything and has kept Late nitrogen it clean. We grow varieties with Applying N late won’t be a good phoma resistance, which problem for Martin Parkinson, means we can concentrate who’s just taken delivery of a on light leaf spot (LLS) and new Horsch Leeb PT270 that’s what I’ll be looking for with 8000-litre tank and 36m this spring.” boom. “We’ve always found Andrew Ward’s 230ha of crop clearance is a bit of a Vistive HOLL V316 OL and compromise with a tractor and V295 OL received metconazole spreader,” he says. So they’ll

before the winter closed in. apply a blend of 24N 7.5 SO3 “That was mainly for growth at every dressing across all regulation, though there was a crops, including his 400ha of bit of phoma and LLS, too. We Molten, DK Expower and now need to watch for LLS and Harper. spray accordingly. But with the “We’ve just applied price of rapeseed where it is, it’s 100-120kgN/ha and we’ll leave important we keep costs under the rest until the crop is 10% in control to remain profitable.” flower. If you go too early, it Drilled with a one-pass goes into plant growth rather machine, just 20-40 seeds/m2 than building the yield.” were placed at 46cm spacings His OSR was also into soils that range from light established with a one-pass heathland to heavier clays. machine with N and P 30-40 l/ha of 14:14:0 was band-applied at planting. band-applied at sowing, Metconazole was applied delivering an effective dose with Refinzar (penthiopyrad+ to the crop in the row of picoxystrobin). “The crop needed 55-73kgN/ha –– an essential some autumn growth regulation part of the good establishment and the metconazole did a achieved, he believes. fantastic job. There are no signs “The crop had a GAI of of LLS at the moment, and I around 0.7 by 20 Feb, but it don’t think we’ll need PGR across all crops.” from flea beetle larvae –– that Last year, John Haynes used puts us in unchartered waters Caryx (mepiquat-chloride+ and I’m apprehensive.” metconazole) to keep forward Variable-rate N applications growth under control. “It was will be used to take out in-field very effective –– like a great big crop variability, he says. hand coming down to stop the He uses Soyl’s service that canopy growing too big. I’ll be delivers application maps using it again this year, and generated through satellite want to try some Toprex (see remote-sensing. “I like that I panel on p49) alongside to get the maps and can tweak see how they compare.” them before using them for applications –– it gives you Range of crops more control.” He has three different plans He’s not sure it would work matched to the range of crops for growth regulation, but is he’s managing across his keen to see the results from the 280ha of Charger, Vision and Isaria project (see panel on DK Cabernet. “The forward p45). “In principle it’s a good crops will get a PGR, and idea to vary PGR inputs across they’re worth spending more an OSR crop, but in practice it on. The Charger will get the means there’ll be areas that standard approach with no don’t get the fungicide. In the PGR and the areas hit by end it’ll come down to whether pigeons will get a cheap and the benefits of the system cheerful programme –– I’m not warrant the cost, so it’s good sure that’ll yield.” to see the research is being A dressing of ammonium done.” sulphate has put down Martin Parkinson uses the

60-70kg/ha SO3 and around N-Sensor, and with a fairly even 28kgN/ha. Three dressings of OSR crop, doubts this’ll adjust urea will deliver around N applications by more than 60kgN/ha each, with the last 5% across any of his fields this applied as late as possible. year. “We’ve always had good “I’ll leave it until early yellow results with the N-Sensor, and bud –– that scraggy stage though I’d be interested to when the crop’s beginning to see how the Isaria does, I’m stand up. Some dressings not sure I’d like it sticking out may get trimmed back if crop the front of my tractor on the potential doesn’t warrant it.” narrow roads of the Cotswolds. And generally he’ll be “I can see the sense in looking to keep costs down. variably applying PGR –– this “At current rapeseed prices, is something we may well be you have to really think about trying on some wheats with every input this year. I’ve also fungicides and PGR through got large areas under attack the N-Sensor, though probably L

Applying N late won’t be a problem for Martin Parkinson, who’s applying a liquid N/S blend with a new Horsch Leeb PT270 sprayer. enthusiastic. “The HOLL varieties do tend to be taller and need a PGR. Caryx did reduce the canopy height last year, though I’m not sure it did enough and I’m keen to try Toprex alongside it. It’s also important to get good growth regulation to reduce the bulk that goes through the combine and keep a lid on harvesting costs. But again, that’s another input cost, and we need to keep a close eye on these. John Haynes is matching “I’d like to try the Isaria, and management to the range of variable-rate applications do canopies he has, with a PGR appeal to me. My one planned for forwards crops and reservation is that there’s still a input savings for the poorest. lot of uncertainty about how inputs should be varied, so

L not on the OSR for the it’s good to see there’s some moment.” science being applied to it.” Andrew Ward is more James Chamberlain agrees.

With a GAI on Feb 20 of 0.46, Martin Parkinson doubts his crop will need a PGR this spring.

Manage OSR crops to see the light

A better crop architecture is one of plant develop its lower branches the benefits growers can bring to and has some interesting effects on their crops through using Toprex, flowering. The flowers of the OSR claims Syngenta. The new PGR and crop are its own worst enemy fungicide combines difenoconazole, reflecting 80% of the light away that has activity on light leaf spot from the crop. Toprex helps and phoma, with the new active synchronise flowering which paclobutrazol. shortens the overall flowering period, It’ll come into its own this spring reducing the sclerotinia risk and in particular, reckons Gary Jobling of allowing more light to penetrate Syngenta. “A lot of growers raised the the canopy to help build yield. seed rate, wary of losing crop to flea Growers may also notice that the beetle damage. They’ll now have a flowers appear paler in colour and higher plant stand with spindly stems, are smaller than normal” so will want to strengthen these with If used at the main LLS timing, an application of Toprex at stem an extra fungicide with activity on extension. At this timing it reduces the disease should be added for overall plant height and thickens the effective control. “But if used at the stem, reducing lodging risk.” late timing, it offers a useful LLS But where Toprex comes into its top-up,” adds Gary Jobling. own, he says, is later on. “Applied Syngenta technical manager at the green-bud stage, it helps the James Evans points out that “We’re fortunate to have a very “This project will use science good sprayer operator who to decide where the product is currently shuts sprayer-boom used, and that’s a step forward sections on and off as he as it’ll take the muck and passes through variable mystery out. For me the real crops. It’s not a good idea to value, though, will be in varying apply growth regulation to a the rate at the later timing to backward patch in the crop, fine-tune the canopy, rather although equally the downside than simply defining areas is that by not applying PGR where PGR should or shouldn’t you’re also not applying the be applied.” I fungicide,” he points out.

Search the CPM Article Archive

Looking for more information on OSR management? The new search facility on the CPM website allows you to find and download articles from previous issues using keywords, such as ‘canopy’ or try ‘Driving Up Oilseed’ to find other articles in this series. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk

Driving up oilseed rape yields

the ‘Driving Up Yields’ initiative, with the aim of challenging current conventions, promoting Oilseed rape is one of the best practice and stimulating most profitable crops on farm uptake of innovations. Meeting and is no longer just a break throughout the season with crop. Striving for better yields, industry experts, the group is however incremental, can deliver voicing its concerns and sharing big returns. It’s for this reason its thoughts in an online forum that Syngenta has brought –– you can follow the discussion together eleven of the country’s and debate at leading OSR growers as part of www.syngenta.co.uk/drivingyields

paclobutrazol, like other triazoles, targets plant growth hormones prior to the beginning of the gibberellic acid pathway. “This has proven especially effective in restricting the overall height of the plant, as well as helping to alter the crop architecture to produce a more compact structure that enhances green leaf photosynthetic area,” he says. He advocates tailoring the Toprex Toprex restricts the overall height of the timing according to the OSR variety plant at the earlier timing, and can help and lodging risk. “Treatment at stem alter crop architecture later on, says extension will give maximum crop James Evans. shortening and standing power, typically best for hybrids or tall “The greatest returns for growers weak-stemmed varieties with a have consistently been achieved with higher risk of lodging.” Toprex applications to manage the Where the objective is to optimise crop architecture, followed by Amistar canopy architecture to enhance light (azoxystrobin) at first flowering to efficiency, applications can be made maximise green leaf retention,” through to the green-bud stage. he adds.

Clear benefit for OSR

The results “ have been stunning, with no weeds at all.”

As weeds begin to stir in lost approval, the battle against weeds has caused by seed-shedding up to and oilseed rape crops, CPM intensified, explains Nigel Scott. during harvest. Reduced pod shatter is gathers feedback on the “So we decided to try out the Clearfield a good selling point for this variety,” system on the most difficult 4ha of a 28ha he says. Clearfield system. field, growing the Dekalb variety DK Imiron To be on the safe side, they also use a CL and using the herbicide Cleranda pod sealant. “I’ve found that best results By Rob Jones (imazamoz+ metazachlor). The results come when you apply it ten days before have been stunning, with no weeds at all. “Remarkable” is the word ProCam It is a remarkable system and seems to be James Milbank was warned not to even think agronomist Nigel Scott uses to describe a very good solution for severe weed about growing oilseed rape in the field as the the results in the first year of using the problems such as charlock and runch.” weed problem was so severe. Clearfield system in a field farmed by But Clearfield hasn’t been without its James Milbank near Darlington, Co issues. “Initially we were nervous about Durham. “There’s not a weed in sight.” how to control Clearfield volunteers in The farm has isolated but severe following cereal crops. Pixie (diflufenican+ patches of charlock, which smothered out CMPP-P) was an option until a few years the oilseed rape, he explains. “Nothing ago when the use of CMPP-P was banned really seemed to control it well enough. in the autumn. But we now have a couple The weed pressure was so high that it of non ALS herbicides that’ll kill volunteer was a ‘no, no’ for OSR and we were trying OSR in cereals. to get back to a more simple rotation on “Also, by using Imiron, that has good this farm.” pod-shatter resistance, we should be In the past, Fortrol (cyanazine) getting less volunteers. DeKalb say that controlled charlock and other annual this variety has genetic resistance that weeds in OSR on the farm. But since it minimises yield loss and volunteer issues

50 crop production magazine march 2015 glyphosate for desiccation. By planting a Nigel Scott can see a good future for pod-shatter resistant variety plus applying the Clearfield system, particularly in a pod sealant at the right time, we’re doing difficult situations with high weed pressure everything to minimise OSR volunteers in and particular weeds such as charlock following crops. So that issue is, in effect, and runch. “We’re now confident about its resolved in the field.” ability to control weeds and we now know DK Imiron CL also has a phoma how to minimise volunteers, so those resistance rating of 9, he points out. “Phoma boxes are ticked. The last issue to stem canker is the most problematic disease address is yield –– the Clearfield varieties for us. It can usually be controlled by one need to prove themselves to be as good robust and well timed fungicide spray. But as other OSR varieties.” the high disease rating here will certainly help. Imiron also has a 6 for light leaf spot.” Sold on the system A missed strip between telegraph poles illustrates James Milbank agrees. “As long as the the effectiveness of the Clearfield system. Options to control charlock are now very Clearfield varieties yield OK, then I’m limited. sold on the system. I wouldn’t mind other farmers coming to see the results as it means that we can get back into a good does look impressive –– in fact it shows rotation of wheat, barley, OSR, wheat and up the rest of the field.” spring beans.” He took on another farm near Darlington James says that he has no qualms on a contract farming arrangement last about using Clearfield varieties together year, bringing up his total arable area to with the post-emergence Cleranda 600ha, plus 300ha grazed with sheep. herbicide on more of his farm. “The rest of “The outgoing agronomist said to us don’t the fields have had Butisan (metazachlor) even think about growing OSR in that field early and some will be getting AstroKerb as the weed problem was so severe. Nigel (aminopyralid+ propyzamide) later on to Scott suggested that we had a go with a tidy them up. But the way that Clearfield Clearfield variety in the worse parts of this has rid the crop of a heavy weed field and now I can’t really believe how infestation quite easily, we could good it is. Using this system strategically easily consider more in the future.” I Check label on spring-applied herbicides

Oilseed rape growers have been advised to can be used throughout 2015 up until 30 Sept. watch for sow thistles germinating in winter In effect it can be used any time now through to oilseed rape and cleavers that have escaped April when the crop stage cut-off will come into autumn treatment –– they may need a targeted play. But the re-registered herbicide, which will post-emergence herbicide to avoid problems at have a new MAPP number 16413, has no harvest. But Dow AgroSciences advises there autumn approval. In the future, Galera will are changes on the label for the re-registered become a spring-only product, which is when Galera (clopyralid+ picloram). the majority of applications are made anyway.” These problem weeds compete directly and Another label change is that wheat, barley, smother the crop, making harvesting physically oats, maize and OSR can follow an application more difficult, and increasing the risk of within four months (or 120 days). But growers The cut-off date for Galera is until flower buds weed-seed contamination leading to admix must leave a 36-month period before following are visible above the crop canopy. penalties, warns Dow’s David Roberts. an application with all other crops, such as “Galera has a high level of performance as beans. “This shouldn’t affect too many growers, those problem fields. It’s best to be ready and a spring-applied herbicide for winter OSR but they will need to keep strict farm records waiting for both weeds and crops to grow away, and its weed spectrum includes cleavers, and plan rotations carefully. We’re working with when the weather warms up and after nitrogen mayweeds, creeping thistles and sow thistle.” CRD in the hope of overcoming this 36-month is applied; this is usually from the end of Feb, The cold weather this year has held back following-crop restriction. As always, growers through March and into April,” he notes. crop development more recently, he notes. should check labels before use and keep Applied at 0.35 l/ha, Galera controls “This means Galera has a wider spray window pesticides well away from water courses,” mayweeds, creeping thistles and sow thistles, than normal. If you have these weeds showing, adds David Roberts. and also knocks back cleavers. “To get the best particularly cleavers, then you may need to act While existing stocks must be used up this results on cleavers, conditions need to be warm fast. The cut-off date for its application is until spring, it’s a good idea to have some Galera in before and after application and less than flower buds are visible above the crop canopy,” the spray store, he advises. “Every year in some 150mm of growth on the weed. Groundsel is advises David Roberts. fields there’ll be a spectrum of weeds that’ll also well controlled up to the six-leaf stage. If Galera has been re-registered recently, he need tackling in the spring. Most advisors know there are no cleavers, but there are sow thistles, points out. “For this year existing stocks of from experience and from farm history which thistles and mayweed, all of which cause problems Galera, with the MAPP number 11961 and fields these are likely to be. So make sure you at harvest, Dow Shield 400 (clopyralid) can be purchased from distributors before the 31 Jan, have sufficient product in the spray store to treat used and will do a great job,” he suggests.

crop production magazine march 2015 51 High yield INSIDERS VIEW Reflection not only leads the HGCA Recommended List on mirrors robust yield, there are some attractive growth and grain-quality agronomics attributes, while it’s early to mature, too. CPM explores its potential. By Tom Allen-Stevens

Not since 2011 has a winter wheat joined the HGCA Recommended List as the highest yielding variety. Back then it was KWS Santiago, which subsequently attracted a huge share of the core feed wheat market. For 2015, Reflection has swept in at that hallowed spot, and there’s little about its other attributes to suggest it won’t do the same. “I have to say this is a very good variety –– there’s no doubt,” says Barry Barker of Agrii. “Its yield is absolutely at the top with the benefit of early maturity, which gives you the optimum chance of getting that yield in the barn.”

Early maturity On paper, everything fits into place for Richard Torr of Wynnstay. “Reflection has yield, grain quality and early maturity. Why wouldn’t you want to grow it?” Independent variety consultant Richard Fenwick reckons it’ll draw feed wheat growers from every quarter. “It may even tempt JB Diego and Grafton growers –– Syngenta clearly has high hopes for it, judging by the amount of seed that’s in the ground.” Indeed, more C1 seed of Reflection was

Reflection is the product of Syngenta’s double- haploid wheat-breeding programme.

This is “a very good variety – there’s no doubt ”

52 crop production magazine march 2015 drilled for harvest 2015 than for any other These days, it’s not just a question of pure yield, winter wheat variety, apart from market notes Richard Fenwick – growers look for a leader JB Diego, which currently holds variety to have other qualities, too. around 17% of the certified seed market. It’s the product of Syngenta’s double- haploid (DH) wheat-breeding programme, disease resistance as well as the midge which received a £2.1 million investment resistance –– it wasn’t missing any of the two years ago, with a new facility at essential components.” Jealott’s Hill in Berks. “We’re focusing on Now Reflection has come to market, the high-yielding Group 4 wheats and these attributes haven’t gone unnoticed, quality Group 1s,” claims the company’s according to Richard Fenwick. “It’s a very Mel Wardle. useful addition to the RL,” he says. “The DH programme achieves in just “Firstly, it’s the highest yielding variety, one year what would take conventional and has been the top yielder in nearly breeding techniques six years, which every trial. But these days, it’s not just a significantly cuts down the time it takes question of pure yield –– growers look for us to bring a new line to market.” a variety to have other qualities, too. Back in 2008, Reflection joined this “Reflection is short and stiff, which will screening process, recalls junior wheat be attractive to Grafton growers, but breeder Duncan Warner. importantly it’s an early maturing variety. L

Targeting high yield “It’s from a cross between Denman and Oakley and we were targeting high yield combined with a strong agronomic and disease package. By crossing two high yielding varieties of different genetic backgrounds, we were able to select the best traits of the two varieties –– high tillering, high ear fertility and early maturity from Denman and good grain size and reliability from Oakley.” Orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) resistance was built into the new cross, but Oakley’s yellow rust weakness was selected out. “What came through was this high yield, delivered not only on the number of grain sites but also the size of the grain. What really excited us was this came in a package that included early maturity, short, stiff straw and good

By crossing two high yielding varieties of different genetic backgrounds, Duncan Warner’s aiming to stack the yield-building traits. INSIDERS VIEW

just don’t have that combination. a fluquinconazole dressing on it.” “You may have to watch for septoria, Reflection’s early maturity is a big plus and a slight chink is its yellow rust –– I’ve point, he reckons. “That’s what growers

noticed in our trials it does get the like about Diego. It’s seen as a bolt-hole L disease. But the untreated yields are good, and that 5 for septoria is only 0.1 away from a 6. Agrii trials suggest a higher score than a 5 for septoria, comments Barry Barker, but he’d advise Market share dressing the seed to protect against yellow rust. “So I can see a lot of growers wanting to give Reflection a look-see in its first year. It needs to do well in this year’s trials, and if it does, it’ll take market share from Kielder, Santiago, Leeds and JB Diego. But I don’t think growers will switch out of Evolution and Revelation.” Barry Barker sees it appealing to growers from the central across to eastern Reflection is the leading winter wheat on the counties. “In the West, I think that 5 for HGCA Recommended List, is early maturing septoria will hold it back, in spite of its with short, stiff straw. high yield score in the region, which at 109 is 4-5% higher than other hard feeds.” But he’s not sure Reflection’s septoria

L That’s very appealing and sets it aside score is a true picture of how it performs. from the likes of KWS Kielder, Evolution “Agrii trials suggest a higher score than a and Revelation.” 5, and I think once people realise it does What’s more, it’s got good grain quality, better than the RL suggests, more will he continues. “There’s a high specific come over to the variety. But it’s an weight, and that’ll tempt JB Diego growers Oakley cross and potentially vulnerable to have a look at it –– other high yielders to yellow rust, so I’d be tempted to put Yield appeal from early harvest on Suffolk farm

A barn-busting yield, stiff straw and one of the has been put into second wheat. Typically, the earliest wheat varieties to be harvested on the farm hopes to achieve at least 11.5t/ha from farm –– that’s how specialist seed grower Alys both first and second wheat on its chalky Thompson summarises her first-year experience boulder clay soils. of Reflection last season. “We have good wheat land that holds Farming 440ha at Crabbes Farm, Parham, moisture well in the spring. We put a lot of effort Suffolk, cropping comprises seed crops of into second wheat management, and apply winter wheat, barley, oilseed rape, herbage seed plenty of pig muck, Limex and compost. As a and sugar beet. In among the 200ha of winter result, we expect the same yield from first and wheat at harvest 2014 was 23ha of Reflection second wheats.” for seed. There’s also a 300-sow pig enterprise Although Reflection’s specific weight wasn’t on the farm, which finishes all progeny. measured, Alys Thompson says she was happy “We were very pleased with Reflection,” says with the visual quality of the grain sample. Alys Thompson. “It topped 13t/ha on average “It looked big and bold. Prior to harvest, the over the whole area. One field yielded 13.5t/ha variety looked good in the field, but we weren’t and the other 13.1t/ha. expecting it to produce our biggest yields. “Principally, we want to grow high-yielding “It was also one of the earliest varieties we varieties. We aim for high tonnage, so if the combined, which is always a bit of a plus so you seed company doesn’t want it all, we have can get on with land work. But last year it also Alys Thompson reckons her Reflection topped plenty left for the pigs. helped because we got it harvested and shifted 13t/ha last year. “The Reflection yield was even more before we finished combining the last of the impressive in that the two fields –– following wheat –– so we had barn space for the later sugar beet and grass seed –– were not in the maturing varieties.” fungicide programme. While with some prime position in the rotation,” she adds. She also noted that it stood well and stayed varieties you have to be proactive with After growing Reflection as first wheat last clean. “We definitely noticed the short, stiff disease, that’s not the case with season, this season the same area of the variety straw. All varieties had a very robust Reflection,” she adds. INSIDERS VIEW

80% of the seed Wynnstay sells is feed out of steam before the T2 timing.” wheat, and the vast majority of that is But it’s at harvest time that the early hard feed. “But all the RL action for us is maturity shows, she says. “That’s when it currently over the far right-hand side of the really comes into its own. Reflection list,” he says. matures 5-7 days earlier than Santiago in “Growers are happy with Diego, Relay a field situation, for example. We’ve seen and Grafton because they offer the spread a trend for high-yielding varieties to mature of attributes they’re after. Evolution sells later and later. Reflection bucks the well, but has a low specific weight. trend, and again that helps reduce risk Reflection, on the other hand, has yield, at harvest.” I grain quality and early maturity. On paper, everything fits into place.”

Consistency worry One worry for him is that Reflection hasn’t shown the consistency of the market-leading variety. “Diego will take some budging, and it’s reliable as a second wheat, too. But after 5-6 years with Diego, a lot of growers will be looking for a change, and if you wanted out-and- out yield, high specific weight with few JB Diego growers may be looking for a change, agronomic weaknesses, why wouldn’t says Richard Torr and Reflection offers out-and- you consider Reflection?” out yield with few agronomic weaknesses. While some growers will see the yield potential and may put a large share of

L variety –– nice, consistent and Mr their acreage down to Reflection, he Security. Diego was at around 13% market reckons others will introduce it into a field share in autumn 2012, and then yellow or two on the farm. “I don’t see many rust saw a lot of growers switch out of growers dropping varieties for it in the first Santiago, Conqueror and Relay, and the year, but either way it will develop into a Diego area swelled to 17%. mainstay and it will be popular –– “But there’ll be a lot of growers with the Evolution took 10% in its first year and I can see Reflection doing that and more.” variety who are looking for something new, Kathryn Hearn notes Reflection’s erect growth Kathryn Hearn of Syngenta reckons and Reflection matures much earlier than habit has the advantage of letting the light down Reflection’s “robust agronomics” will find some of the other attractive high yielders. into the crop canopy. So it’s not a game-changer, but it is a very favour as much as the high yield. “It’s useful addition and I expect it will take short, stiff and resistant to lodging with a 5-6% market share.” high specific weight. That means it’ll still Richard Torr believes there’s huge perform if there’s a prolonged harvest, and Reflection at a glance potential for the variety and is hopeful it’ll there’s a safety margin on the marketability Fungicide-treated grain yield 107.3 make a big impact on the market this of the grain. It also performs well on both autumn. Based in Shrewsbury, Shrops, light and heavy land,” she points out. Yield in the West region 109.3 The optimum drilling dates are 10 Sept Untreated yield 93.5 to mid Oct, while it’s safe to sow until Specific weight (kg/hl) 77.4 mid-Feb, she advises. “It has an erect A high specific weight gives growers a margin on Hagberg Falling Number 228 marketability. growth habit over the winter and into the spring. This is very pronounced and Resistance to lodging with PGR 8.2 you’ll still see the drill lines all the way Height without PGR (cm) 80.5 through the growing season. This has Ripening (days +/- Solstice) +0.3 the advantage of letting the light down into the crop canopy. Disease resistance “It tillers well, but there’s not an overly Mildew 6.6 lush growth –– it stays short and stiff. It’s Yellow rust 5.6 these qualities that probably account for Brown rust 8.7 its good performance in the West.” The variety gets away relatively early Septoria tritici 5.4 in the spring, but not as quickly as a Eyespot [6] variety like Duxford, she notes. “Reflection Fusarium ear blight 5.8 reaches GS39 and heading before the Orange wheat blossom midge R later maturing varieties which could Source: 2015/16 HGCA Recommended List; [ ] limited data. reduce the risk of the T1 fungicide running

56 crop production magazine march 2015

Beans a benefit on both silt and clay

Farming two very different but productive soil types in the Humber estuary, the Hinchliffe family have grown both spring and winter beans for around 15 years. CPM visits to pick up some tips. By Tom Allen-Stevens

Farming on the Humberhead Levels, 15 years ago. “It’s a high magnesium clay Winter beans are grown on the more “claggy” whether you sit on rich alluvial silts or and a bit of a challenge –– it doesn’t soils of Dikes Marsh farm. self-structure and it’s always tight,” he says. tough and difficult clay largely depends above sea level, it’s below high tide. After Contrast this with their land at Bank House on what happened to your farm 200-300 the land was drained over 300 years ago, Farm, Rawcliffe Bridge. Although about 2m years ago. The Hinchliffe family, based at a practice known as warping was used to Rawcliffe Bridge, west of Goole in E Yorks seasonally flood the heavy clays, depositing have some of each. a rich layer of alluvial silts that the family “Claggy” is how Richard Hinchliffe farms today. describes the land at Dikes Marsh Farm, “We have 26 miles of ditches to look after around five miles south of Rawcliffe Bridge. –– paying close attention to ensuring the He farms in partnership with father David drainage is right on these soils is the key and uncle James, with Dikes Marsh Farm to getting the best from them,” notes added to the family business around Richard Hinchliffe. Another aspect they pay close attention to is the rotation across the 560ha they farm in total. At Dikes Marsh, first wheats only alternate with oilseed rape and winter beans, while at Rawcliffe, a longer rotation sees two wheats followed by either OSR or spring beans.

It’s good to“ have a pulse in the rotation.”

58 crop production magazine march 2015 “We started growing beans in the early spring crops are discounted. 2000s, and changed from peas. It’s good to “Spring beans need to be in by mid have a pulse in the rotation, but we were March, and you can’t guarantee the clay starting to get foot rot problems in the peas. at Dikes Marsh will be warm enough by The other on-going challenge at Dikes then. Although you miss out on the extra Marsh is blackgrass, that we inherited glyphosate spray, winter beans are 15 years ago.” more competitive.” The aim has been to find non-chemical solutions to tackle this –– Atlantis Cultivation passes (mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron) is “on the Cultivations for the 35ha of winter beans start wane”, offering only 50-60% control these soon after harvest, with a pass of the farm’s days, he reckons. Although drilling has been 6m Horsch Terrano, pulled behind a pushed back from mid Sept to “as late as Challenger 765. This is followed by a we dare” towards the end of Oct, the Challenger Agri five-leg, trailed subsoiler, unforgiving nature of the soils limits how then the Terrano returns, depending on much these tactics will achieve, and conditions. “For winter beans, we may make three passes with the Terrano to make a seedbed With land about 2m above sea level, it’s below There are 26 miles of ditches to look after, and –– they need 4-5cm of tilth. We’ll then watch high tide, points out Richard Hinchliffe, and it’s important to pay close attention to ensuring for rain, but aim to follow soon after with historically land was seasonally flood, depositing the drainage is right. the drill.” alluvial silts. Drilling takes place in mid-to-late Oct, carried out with a 4m Horsch Sprinter. “We also have a 4m John Deere 750A direct drill. and Wizard still delivers.” The aim is to move towards direct drilling The seed is tested every year for and the 750A is excellent for that as it nematode and ascochyta, says Richard disturbs less soil. We have direct drilled Hinchliffe, and sown at around 23 seeds/m2. spring beans, straight into stubble, but “The crop needs to be planted to a good we’ve not tried it with the winter crop yet.” depth and wants to put down a good root as For the past ten years, the Hinchliffes it’s sensitive to compaction. But from then have grown Wizard winter beans, and use on, it really just looks after itself.” farm-saved seed. “It’s a very conservative The high pH soils at Dikes Marsh maintain market. We aim for human consumption good potash and phosphate indices of L helps with the blackgrass control, although the temperature has reached at least 20°C used pre-em, the control isn’t quite as good on two consecutive days. “I find BruchidCast as you get in OSR.” is a really handy management tool to help He carries out his own agronomy, and in determine whether we need to spray. It the spring, the main fungal threat he’s on the gives up to a five-day advance warning of look-out for is chocolate spot. “We’ll usually periods of peak pest activity by post code,” apply 2-3 fungicides over the season, and he notes. timing is key with this disease. You need to “If we do spray, we take care of bees as be in the crop, looking for the first signs, the crop is in flower, so prefer to use as once it gets established, nothing will Hallmark (lambda-cyhalothrin).” help you.” Harvest usually comes towards the end of the first week of Sept. “It tends to fit in Disease went rampant nicely with the end of wheat harvest. We He applies the first dressing of 0.7kg/ha don’t desiccate the crop, allowing it to The aim with the spring beans is to drill in mid of Signum (boscalid+ pyraclostrobin) in dry out naturally. Sometimes the pods Feb to early March, once conditions are dry and mid-April, ready to return in late May with a open early, but we’ve never had reason the land has warmed up. second dose of 1kg/ha. “Two years ago, that to use Pod-Stik. It’s a fairly easy crop to first Signum spray was delayed by two harvest, as long as it’s standing and the weeks and the disease went rampant –– we weather’s good.”

L 2+ to 3. “There’s an Mg Index of 6, had about 70% infection and the crop just which can lock up the K, but generally a looked horrendous.” maintenance dressing of 0-24-24 balances Otherwise, rust can be a worry if it comes A five-leg, trailed subsoiler, pulled behind the the off-take. We occasionally top up with in later. “Tebuconazole is a cheap insurance, Challenger 765, is used on the clays that don’t straights, and diammonium phosphate or you can go earlier with Alto Elite self-structure. (DAP) is used as the first dressing on (chlorothalonil+ cyproconazole).” the wheats.” Bruchid beetle is the main pest to look out Richard Hinchliffe aims for two blackgrass for in the crop, he says. Most beans sold for flushes before drilling, and then applies a human consumption are exported to Egypt, pre-emergence herbicide. “We’ll apply where they’re sold at street markets exactly Nirvana (imazamox+ pendimethalin) and as they are when they come off the combine. Kerb (propyzamide) soon after drilling and That means a shiny sample, free of bruchid may return with Crawler (carbetamide) damage, is essential. although that didn’t happen this year as The pest is weather dependent, and conditions weren’t right. Adding Kerb really the crop is at risk if pods are present and Get conditions right for best start with beans

Good soil conditions are an essential start notes Jim Scrimshaw. “Drilling into good for spring beans, notes Jim Scrimshaw of soil conditions in Feb or March tends to get PGRO. “Peas and beans don’t like wet feet better results than ploughing seed in, but take or consolidated conditions. Spring beans will account of seed loss, especially where you’re tolerate the more bodied land, but heavy soils drilling early.” that are slow to dry out and difficult to work in Pre-emergence herbicides offer the best the spring may not be the best option. In any defence against broadleaf weeds, with Nirvana event, it’s always best if the ground has been (pendimethalin+ imazamox) and Lingo prepared well in advance.” (clomazone+ linuron) popular choices. This often means autumn ploughing, “Clomazone is good for cleavers, and Stallion although beans have been established well is now an option for spring beans, combining using min-till techniques. “With the larger clomazone with pendimethalin (PDM).” equipment used these days, there’s potential Options for blackgrass control in spring beans Options for blackgrass control in the spring for more damage that beans won’t tolerate. are more limited than they are for the winter crop are more limited than they are for winter So if conditions are still wet, wait until it’s dry crop, notes Jim Scrimshaw, but pre-ems will beans. “You may get some activity from PDM –– don’t be driven by calendar date.” help sensitise the weed. and there are EAMUs for Defy (prosulfocarb) Pulses aren’t nutrient-hungry crops but and Dual Gold (S-metolachlor). Growers are benefit from adequate P and K. Seed will “The key to success is a rapid and even also getting good results from using Avadex most likely make up the largest cost –– if plant establishment. Beans prefer an earlier (tri-allate), and we’ve a project underway looking farm-saved, this should be tested for ascochyta planting date than peas. The roots need to get at a number of options. and stem nematode. Where downy mildew is established quickly and make maximum growth “Resistance is building to the post-emergence a perennial problem on the farm, there’s an before the risk of a dry June.” graminicides and none of the pre-em options will EAMU for Wakil XL (cymoxanil+ fludioxonil+ Results from the Optibean project suggest give you complete control. But they should help metalaxyl-M) seed treatment, which offers previous advice to aim to establish 40 plants/m2 to sensitise the blackgrass, especially if they’re good early season protection, he says. should be increased to 50-55 plants/m2, stacked,” concludes Jim Scrimshaw.

60 crop production magazine march 2015 grow for –– you have to be careful to segregate the crop and clean out the combine between winter and spring crops, but management in the field is no more onerous than you’d apply to a human consumption crop,” he remarks. The crop receives a pre-em Nirvana herbicide treatment, and mildew is an extra threat to look out for over the spring. “Chocolate spot is still the main priority and comes in from around the beginning of June. Mildew is dependent on variety and can Sown at around 23 seeds/m2, the winter crop The aim is to move to direct drilling, that has affect the crop at any time once there’s a full needs to be planted to a good depth and wants been tried on the spring beans, but the winter canopy and conditions are humid and hot. It to put down a good root as it’s sensitive to crop is all established with a Horsch Sprinter. can be quite rampant, and there’s only one product that has an EAMU for it –– SL 567A compaction. Once harvested, the crop is dried on the (metalaxyl-M), which should always be floor. “Beans are too big to dry through a tank-mixed with another fungicide.” In the context of the wider regulatory batch dryer. They need to be stored away environment, beans look to be a favoured from direct light as they can discolour to a Extra pest threat crop, he notes, although trials run by dark brown.” An extra pest threat at establishment is pea BASF at Rawcliffe Bridge have found OSR The 65ha of land at Rawcliffe destined and bean weevil. “You need to look out for is the mainstream crop that’s actually best for spring beans gets the same autumn notching on the leaves, especially if it’s a fine for wildlife. treatment of two passes with the Terrano spring. But it’s not so much the damage “This round of CAP reform has been good either side of the subsoiler. “It’s left during done by adults that’s a worry –– the juveniles for beans and kind to us, and I can’t see that winter to green over, then in the spring we affect the root nodules. We’ll apply Fury changing beyond 2019, so I reckon there’s a go straight in with the Sprinter, after spraying (zeta-cypermethrin) if we need to, saving secure future for the crop. But you always off with glyphosate.” the Hallmark application for bruchid beetle find yourself farming around the rules and The aim is to drill in mid Feb to early later on.” don’t know what hoops you’ll have to jump March, once conditions are dry and the land Mixed into the tank for most inputs through next, so it’s always good to keep has warmed up, he says. “Last year we applied to both spring and winter crops is a an open mind.” I drilled at 30 seeds/m2 but carried out an trace-element top-up of manganese, and on-farm trial at 40 seeds/m2. This proved boron may also be added. “A bean crop will to be a positive step –– you could really tell take all the manganese you can give it, the difference –– so we’ll be drilling the crop especially on our high pH soils.” Farm facts this year at the higher rate. If I was going Spring bean harvest for Rawcliffe Bridge into poorer land, however, I’d up the seed follows shortly after winter beans have been Hinchliffe Farms, Rawcliffe Bridge, S Yorks rate to nearer 60 seeds/m2.” cleared from Dikes Marsh, and again no G Area farmed: 560ha Variety of choice is Fuego, grown for desiccant is used. “The spring crop is more G seed. “It’s still the one that’s much in open, so if it’s a catchy harvest, you may Staff: partners David, James and Richard demand, although Vertigo is the variety to have more of a problem with weeds Hinchliffe do all operations watch. The seed market is a good one to appearing –– black bindweed is the worst.” G Soil type: Alluvial silt at Rawcliffe Bridge; Achieving a rolling average of 6t/ha, in High magnesium clay at Dikes Marsh Winter and spring beans: 2014 the crop over both farms averaged G Cropping: 350ha Winter wheat (Evolution, 6.52t/ha, reports Richard Hinchliffe. He finds Relay, Grafton) avg. yield 10.25t/ha; 110ha how the finances stack up beans sit well in the rotations at both farms, winter oilseed rape (PT211, Harper, and sees little reason to make too many Charger) avg. yield 4.6t/ha; 65ha spring Winter Spring beans beans changes going forward. “But we are looking beans (Fuego) avg yield 6t/ha; 35ha winter (/ha) (/ha) to get more precise and are planning to map beans (Wizard) avg yield 6t/ha Seed £90 £90 for P and K, for example. We’d also like to G Mainline Tractors: Challenger 765, move more towards controlling the traffic Fertiliser £40 £40 John Deere 7820, 6830 on the land, or at least managing it better.” G Combine harvester: New Holland Fungicides £30 £20 Hand in hand with this is a desire to move CR9080 with 9m header Herbicides £75 £50 more towards direct drilling. “Soil wasn’t G Insecticides £15 £15 meant to be moved, but it’s difficult for us on Sprayer: Sands Vision self-propelled with 28m boom and 4000-litre tank Trace Elements £8 £8 land that doesn’t self-structure. We have the G Drill: 4m Horsch Sprinter; 4m JD 750A Variable costs £258 £223 right drill and it’s something I’d like to explore more, perhaps using cover crops. If we find direct drill Yield (t/ha) 66 the right crop, this may also help against the G Cultivation: 6m Horsch Terrano FM, 6.5m Price (/t) £220 £250 blackgrass. Väderstad Rexius Twin, 3.4m five-leg Output £1320 £1500 “But the farming challenges are easy Challenger Agri trailed subsoiler Gross Margin £1062 £1277 –– the ones you can’t manage are the ones G Spreader: KRM M2W with 2500-litre that come at you from left of field. This hopper Note: typical figures, based on yields endocrine issue may skew things, for G and conditions at Hinchliffe Farms Materials handler: Caterpillar 330B instance.”

crop production magazine march 2015 61 Cultural change for PCN and blight the dominant species. A new project to Chemical control integrated with a variety of cultural map PCN incidence is underway and £400,000 has been invested into options is the future for PCN and blight management. researching the problem. CPM reports PCN control has traditionally relied on granular nematicide applications By Paul Spackman pre-planting, but current scrutiny of their use by EU legislators and end users is changing the way growers must use these products Potato crops are coming under increasing “PCN is a real challenge for the industry (see panel on p64). With key blight pressure from evolving blight and potato because it’s such a persistent soil pest fungicides also under threat from tighter cyst nematode (PCN) populations. But with and has the greatest potential to impact legislation, there’s concern for reduction tighter controls on agrochemicals, the on long-term sustainability of potato choice potentially facing growers and for solution won’t be coming solely from production,” says Potato Council head of the pressure on remaining actives. a can. research and development Dr Mike Storey. The nature of the PCN threat is changing, That’s the key message from a series of Two thirds of potato land in England and continues Mike Storey. Lab-based tests have winter forums held by the Potato Council, Wales is affected by PCN, while in Scotland already found that it’s possible for a second which estimates late blight costs the industry the pest has been found on 33% of ware generation of PCN to develop on the roots of £55m a year in lost yield and quality, while land tested, with Globodera pallida being plants, which could dramatically change L PCN losses are nearly £26m.

PCN is a “real challenge for the industry because it’s such a persistent soil pest ”

62 crop production magazine march 2015

(see chart on p65). This means that all crops are at risk much earlier in the season, he adds. Blight strains have potential to change further and there are already signs the pathogen is able to reform and produce new types within the season.

Primary inoculum “In most cases there’s normally so much primary inoculum from clones from previous seasons that any new variants find it hard to compete. But it shows there’s diversity out Two thirds of potato land in England and Wales is there and is something we’re watching affected by PCN. closely.” The changing nature of PCN and blight, combined with the shrinking armoury of products shows chemical control alone isn’t PCN control has relied on granular nematicide PCN is a challenge because it’s such a persistent a long-term solution to effective control. applications pre-planting, but these are under soil pest and has the greatest potential long-term Experts are clear that any strategy must scrutiny by EU legislators and end users. impact on potato production, says Mike Storey. integrate “effective use” of chemicals with as many cultural control measures as possible. Many principles of cultural control are similar

L future PCN control strategies and place for blight and PCN: more emphasis on cultural options. G Test soils regularly for PCN “At the moment it’s only been confirmed in loading and species the lab, but if it were to be substantiated in G Use resistant varieties the field it could mean a second PCN G Extend rotations or take land generation emerging outside the window of out of production to break disease/pest control provided by granular nematicides cycles applied pre-planting,” he points out. G Use chemicals preventatively and follow Blight populations are also evolving and best practice (see panel below) the more aggressive clonal strains known as G Consider biological control, 13_A2 and 6_A1 now dominate, reports biofumigants or cover crops David Cooke of the James Hutton Institute G Follow good hygiene measures

Industry moves to safeguard nematicides

A key change for chemical PCN control this won’t receive a planned nematicide to prevent G When applying nematicides, records must be season is the launch of the Nematicide PCN cyst multiplication or minimise necrotic arcs kept to show that: Stewardship Programme (NSP) by a group of from Tobacco Rattle Virus at ins and outs of G The applicator is checked prior to work agrochemical companies in response to the beds.” (pipework fitted correctly, hopper bungs in tightening regulatory pressure on nematicides. Other NSP requirements include: place and lids secure) Growers are urged to follow the NSP best G Growers to demonstrate advice has been G The applicator is calibrated weekly practice protocol to minimise environmental sought from a BASIS-qualified agronomist G Area treated and product volume used risks from nematicides and to ensure maximum prior to purchasing and using a nematicide match for each field. efficacy is achieved from the products. G Operators to be qualified to apply granular “We need to ensure nematicides continue The NSP sets out a number of requirements nematicides (NPTC PA4 or PA4G certification) to be available to British farmers, and by that’ll be included in the new Red Tractor potato G By March 2017, staff applying nematicides encouraging stewardship and implementation of protocol issued this spring. must have completed the Industry best practice, we’re confident we’re taking ste These include a need for all applicators to be Stewardship Training module ps in the right direction,” says NSP spokesman fitted with a device that allows the operator to G Growers to demonstrate the granule applicator Neil Beadle. shut off nematicide granule flow at least 3m has been calibrated and checked by a A further issue to be aware of is the new from the end of each row to ensure no granules qualified engineer within the last two years formulation of Mocap (ethoprophos) that has are left on the surface as the machine is lifted. G Cassettes and cartridges to be appropriate been introduced, featuring a longer harvest “This will require planter operators to stop for the accurate application of nematicides interval (80 days) and lower maximum potatoes and placed fertiliser from going into application rate of 40kg/ha, says Hutchinsons’ the ground at least 3m from the end each row, Darryl Shailes. to allow controlled placement of any remaining Mocap 15g replaces Mocap 10g, which is granules in the system before the end of the currently in the grower use-up period that lasts ridge,” says Eric Anderson. until 10 June 2015, and isn’t available to buy. “Growers need to avoid planting tubers that

64 crop production magazine march 2015 G. pallida resistance into commercially-acceptable varieties. But that’s changing and a number are now widely available, especially in the processing sector, Mike Storey says. “There’s still a need for a wider range of resistant varieties across all markets. Resistant varieties, such as Arsenal, Eurostar, Innovator and Performer, can play a real role in reducing pallida populations if used as Eric Anderson reckons longer part of an integrated PCN control rotations and resting land from the strategy.” host crop of any pest or disease is a Indeed, three years of key part of any integrated strategy. independent UK trials across 40 plots found that Eurostar, (e.g. control volunteers and which has dual resistance and dumps) tolerance to both pallida and G Review measures employed. rostochiensis, reduced PCN egg Regular soil sampling for PCN counts by 50-60% in plots not is key to understanding the treated with a nematicide, says pressure crops are under and Peter Hewett from KWS. what species are present, says “Varietal resistance is part of L Mike Storey. “Whether growing ware potatoes or seed, PCN is a national problem. We need to manage populations more effectively and protect land that’s PCN free.” Two PCN species are found in the UK, Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida, the latter being most dominant because many varieties have been bred with resistance to rostochiensis, he notes. Understanding the type of species present will help when making variety decisions. While many varieties have There’s a prevalence of more resistance to rostochiensis, aggressive blight strains that can historically potato breeders develop at lower temperatures, says have struggled to incorporate David Cooke.

Changes in the GB blight population

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% 2011 2012 2013 2014 13_A2 blue 33_A2 green 6_A1 pink 8_A1 red Misc

Source: The James Hutton Institute

crop production magazine march 2015 65 slow process though –– even with the latest Where blight risk is high, products with different marker-assisted selection technology, it modes of action should be used, advises typically takes 10-15 years, he notes. Darryl Shailes. “Pallida resistance is a major priority for breeders, as well as trying to get end users

L the integrated control program for PCN. to take on these varieties.” Nematicides are a key part of overall control, Longer rotations and resting land from so while we still have the chemistry available, the host crop of any pest or disease is a growers need to hit PCN as hard as possible key part of any integrated strategy, says with every option available.” Eric Anderson of Scottish Agronomy. He acknowledges breeding varieties While it can be a difficult business with pallida resistance has often meant decision to make, breaks of at least a trade-off with taste and cooking 8-10 years are necessary where PCN characteristics, but insists that’s being is prevalent, he says. overcome. He also believes cover crops, such as

Getting new varieties to market remains a mustard, and biological control agents L

Treat soils with care

Potato growers are urged to consider shallower “Beds might look fluffy and porous at first, but cultivations and take their time when preparing they will consolidate (and slump with wetting) seedbeds this spring to avoid unnecessary soil and become denser and less porous as the damage and knock-on yield penalties. season progresses, which inhibits drainage, Recent years have highlighted an urgent root growth, water and nutrient uptake. need to manage soils better to help cope with “Cultivations are also done with increasingly more extreme weather through the season, heavier machinery which, under wet conditions, Land is often overworked in less than ideal says Dr Blair McKenzie from the James Hutton is compacting soil well below the depth cultivated, conditions in an attempt to create perfect Institute, which is working with the Potato typically down to 70-80cm. This is damaging soils, fine, loose, clod and stone-free beds, notes Council and NIAB CUF to improve soil restricting root growth and may be contributing to Mark Stalham. management advice. the yield plateau we’ve seen in potatoes.” “As good agricultural land is a finite A survey of 602 fields between 1992 and commodity there is reluctance from some 2004 found two thirds had compaction in the Cultivating at 28cm instead of 35cm, for people to lease out land for potatoes because top 70cm that would inhibit root growth, and example, increases work rate by an average of the perceived issues with soil damage over recent surveys indicate the situation is getting of 24%, while modelling work has found that recent years, such as 2012. worse, he says. reducing depth from 30cm to 23cm can increase “We’re trying to get a better understanding Better management of the planting window the available planting window by up to three of what’s going on with soil physics and (i.e. the days where soil conditions allow planting weeks in some seasons. processes through the season and how this without causing soil structure damage) is the key “There will inevitably be some soils where you translates into practical advice for farmers and to soil management, he says. That may mean will struggle to only work the top 25cm and agronomists.” delaying cultivations or planting until soil achieve adequate depth of soil to plant and ridge Land is often overworked in less than ideal conditions are right. up, but equally there is scope on many soils to conditions in an attempt to create perfect fine, “There is more scope than you think to delay go shallower and maintain marketable yields. loose, clod and stone-free beds. But this is planting by two or even three weeks without “Managing the planting window better allows not necessarily best for crop growth, says making much difference to yield,” notes Blair more time to wait for the optimum soil conditions Dr Mark Stalham from NIAB CUF. McKenzie. “There will undoubtedly be constraints rather risking compaction by travelling and to this, such as contractual requirements or the cultivating on land when it is too wet.” Blair McKenzie is aiming to get a better hire period for machinery, but growers should understanding of what’s going on with soil be at least considering whether there are things The ideal potato bed physics and processes through the season. that could be done differently.” Blair McKenzie says the characteristics of the Reducing cultivation depth can also extend perfect potato bed can be broken down into the available planting window significantly three key areas. without compromising yield or quality as it Surface (0-5cm): Must be open enough to increases work rates and helps prevent let water and air infiltrate, remain stable through structural degradation, Mark Stalham continues. the season and shouldn’t crack to let light in. Between 1 March and the end of May there Mid-ridge (15-20cm): Needs to be porous are potentially 92 days for planting potatoes, but enough to allow tuber expansion and store water analysis of past seasons shows that in the for the crop, tuber and root development. wettest years (e.g. 1994) there may be only Base and sub-soil (20cm+): Requires 20 days available to cultivate without causing larger macropores to store water and natural soil damage, while in the driest (2011) there fissures to allow good drainage and root growth. are nearer 80 days when planting could occur Findings from the study on soil properties without damage. will be released as the project progresses.

66 crop production magazine march 2015

be worthwhile if you’re getting better “Be aware of local disease hotspots and control and have to take 5% of land out remember that new blight strains can of production anyway.” develop below the Smith Period threshold Mustard as a catch crop after winter of 10°C. barley is another with big potential, says “The primary source of blight Eric Anderson. The isothiocyanates inoculum is from volunteers and potato released when the crop is macerated and dumps, so make sure you’re controlling incorporated into soil have a biofumigation these from the outset.” effect on PCN, free-living nematodes, Where blight risk is high, products with blackdot, rhizoctonia and silver scurf. different modes of action should be used in What’s more, it also provides a source of order to maximise efficacy, advises Darryl organic matter and protects soil from water Shailes of Hutchinsons. erosion. “Early disease combined with rapid Oil radish is more frost tolerant and has canopy expansion warrants products Look to start blight programmes from 50-60% been shown to release isothiocyanates from with strong protectant activity, curative emergence onwards, rather than waiting until the roots. This gives it some biofumigation kick-back plus translaminar systemic crops are closing across the rows. effect while growing, and not just when it’s activity. You can’t rely on one mode of chopped and incorporated, he adds. action. Also be prepared to reduce spray

L will play a big part of integrated control intervals where required, although this’ll strategies for PCN. Early start for blight depend on the weather and disease risk “Sticky nightshade, for example, is The prevalence of more aggressive blight at the time.” I fully resistant to PCN and blight and strains that are able to develop at lower encourages PCN to hatch. It has been temperatures means growers must be shown to reduce PCN populations by 75%. prepared to start blight programmes early “With the introduction of Ecological in the season, says David Cooke. Search the CPM Article Focus Areas requiring land to be taken out “If blight risk is high, look to start Archive of production, cover crops such as this programmes from 50-60% emergence could well have a place,” he continues. onwards, rather than waiting until crops Looking for more information on potatoes? “But the main issue is the cost –– are closing across the rows only to find The new search facility on the CPM website growing sticky nightshade costs around the disease has already established and is allows you to find and download articles £550/ha. That compares with nematicides harder to control.” from previous issues using keywords, such as at £450/ha –– typically delivering anywhere Smith Periods and Blight Watch updates ‘PCN’ or ‘blight’. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk from 30-70% control. So a cover crop may are useful tools in gauging risk, he notes.

New pre-em herbicide option approved

Praxim, a new herbicide for use in to be safe for all varieties of early and potatoes, has now gained approval main crop potatoes. from the Chemicals Regulations “The crop safety of Praxim has allowed Directorate (CRD). for it to be approved on all soil types, The new product contains the residual including sands, and a wide range of active ingredient metobromuron, following crop options are available on which although previously registered the label.” in Europe, wasn’t supported through It can be tank-mixed to achieve control the re-registration process and was of some more difficult weeds, such as subsequently revoked. The molecule was cleavers with Gamit (clomazone) or taken on by Belchim who developed it prosulfocarb, the latter being a useful and brought the data package up to the partner on very light soils, adds current regulatory standards in both Simon Leak. Europe and the UK, says the company’s “For improved control of high Simon Leak. polygonum populations we’d suggest a tank-mix with a metribuzin-based product “It can be used pre-emergence right Praxim can be used pre-emergence right up to or pendimethalin, if metribuzin sensitivity up to cracking of the ridges. But post- cracking of the ridges. emergence use is not approved.” is an issue.” Applied at a maximum dose of 4 l/ha A mainly residual herbicide, acting ideally to moist soils, Praxim controls a via root uptake, there is also a degree of is recommended.” wide spectrum of broadleaf weeds and a contact activity on susceptible emerged With plenty of product available for number of grassweeds including annual weeds, he adds. “Where significant weed the 2015 season, Belchim hopes to meadow grass, he says. UK trials, emergence is present at application, extend the number of crops for which including variety screens, have shown it adding a specific contact herbicide metobromuron has approval.

68 crop production magazine march 2015 Flufenacet best option for AMG control in potatoes

A reduction in the maximum dose of linuron because the rate available to you is fairly low and label restrictions on the use of Harvest and therefore control is also short-lived,” (glufosinate) present a challenge to potato he notes. growers on how to achieve control of annual “Another option is Defy (prosulfocarb), but meadowgrass (AMG), according to a leading its control doesn’t last long, either, which leaves agronomist. flufenacet in a very strong position for its use John Keer, of Richard Austin Agriculture, in potatoes.” reckons there’s a need to investigate methods This is available to potato growers as Artist of residual control that continue well into (flufenacet + metribuzin), he continues. “It could the season. be the solution we’ve been searching for, but a “There’s a long period when the crop series of trials are required first to evaluate rates isn’t providing any ground cover when weeds of Artist with various partner herbicides.” are able to flourish. In the past we didn’t It’s not just problems controlling AMG that tend to worry too much about this as we have led to his support for flufenacet, but the could rely on Harvest to clear things up before increasing difficulties in treating blackgrass on lifting. But since it became ‘flail and spray’ heavier soils in the spring. “Flufenacet has an only, we no longer have that option. We need obvious position in this situation,” he says. to investigate how we make best use of There’s a concern among some growers over flufenacet,” he says. the use of metribuzin as a number of varieties According to John Keer, the problem has are known to be susceptible, particularly on been compounded by the reduced maximum lighter soils, but John Keer says concerns need John Keer is keen to investigate how to make dose of linuron following its re-registration. to be put into context. best use of flufenacet in potatoes. “Low rates of linuron have left us wanting for “The rate of metribuzin in Artist at lower rates better AMG control. At the maximum total dose isn’t an issue, but where growers bolster this of 600g of active ingredient per ha per year, with Sencorex for extended protection, both with light soils in that we struggle to apply control is short-lived. On light land it’s difficult to variety susceptibility and soil texture should be sufficient herbicide to provide lasting control bolster this control with Sencorex (metribuzin) considered. The issue is particularly important without damaging the crop,” he says.

crop production magazine march 2015 69

New ways to beet challenges

We need to be “smarter and wiser at using the tools we have to deliver the crop yield gain. ”

At the recent BBRO winter “Since the early 2000s, the crop protection disruptors and drinking water standards conference in Peterborough, toolbox has shrunk by almost three quarters,” than had originally been proposed. “This is noted NFU’s Don Pendegast. Just 250 active certainly progress, but it’s by no means the growers got an insight into ingredients are now available to UK growers, end of the campaign.” crop research that’s helping compared with a suite of almost 950 at the EU regulation and a lack of development start of the millennium, he said. of PPP were among a number of challenges to address a shrinking “The share of global crop protection R&D facing growers, said Dr Mark Stevens of chemical armoury. CPM invested in Europe has fallen from 33% in BBRO. Pathogen resistance, new disease the 1980s to just 7.7% now. A lot is down threats and climate change were also shaping delivers the highlights and to biotech – Europe is being left behind. research undertaken by the organisation. finds out how one Lincs It means not only less products being “That said, breeders are doing a fantastic available, but a declining pipeline –– the job on sugar beet. There’s been great grower plans to adapt to a number of new products in crop protection progress, with not just increased yield, but lower crop price. has fallen by 70%.” varieties with beet cyst nematode (BCN) and rhizomania resistance.” Endocrine disrupters Stemphylium, highlighted at the

By Tom Allen-Stevens L In addition, there’s the prospect of further conference last year, has now been found and Rob Jones losses from the proposed ban on endocrine disrupters and the Water Framework The recent finding of stemphylium in Norfolk Directive, he said. The NFU, AIC, CPA concerns Mark Stevens because the standard Sugar beet growers may be facing a Healthy Harvest report, prepared by fungicides currently used in sugar beet are not significant price drop, but there appeared Andersons, had identified a further 40-87 effective at controlling it. to be a grim acceptance of the market products that would be withdrawn. “A forces at work, at the BBRO winter realistic cost to the industry is £905 million, conference in Peterborough last month. but it could be as much as £3.3 billion,” Instead, the potential for strip-till drilling he warned. and cover crops was where many “The good news is that the European enquiring minds were reaching. Commission is hearing these concerns, so But every now and then, the threat of this work is yielding benefits.” On the cards pesticide revocation and its potential impact is a review of 1107/2009 –– the regulation on the industry caught you like the chilling that deals with plant protection products Feb wind that blew around the Peterborough (PPP), he said, and a more risk-based Arena. approach to the definition of endocrine

70 crop production magazine march 2015

investigate possible control strategies, insecticides for virus yellows control. he said. “We need to be smarter and wiser at Among other new projects is work with using the tools we have to deliver the crop genome experts TGAC to look into the yield gain,” concluded Mark Stevens. genetic code of rusts and mildew. “We don’t GPS guidance is a tool under-used by know enough about the genetic diversity of sugar beet growers, suggested David White these diseases –– if we lose more PPPs, we of RTK Farming. The whole of East Anglia need to know how to use the ones we have is now covered by the correction signal to best effect,” pointed out Mark Stevens. provided by RTK Farming that allows up to Since the early 2000s, the crop protection There’s a PhD studentship looking at the sub-centimetre accuracy for field operations. toolbox has shrunk by almost three quarters. relationship between BCN and cover crops. Strip-till drilling was among the Carried out at Nottingham University, it opportunities he identified. “It allows you

L in a crop in Norfolk, he said. The disease uses CT scanners to investigate how BCN to grow on land you perhaps wouldn’t starts as necrotic spots on leaves and leads develops on roots. “This is really exciting consider for sugar beet.” to progressive leaf loss and a subsequent work, and means you don’t have to dig up A sugar beet grower in Cambs, David drop in yield. It’s believed spores blew a crop to find out.” White has tried the establishment method across the North Sea from the Netherlands, Two major new industry-funded projects himself. He lists the main benefits as where it was first identified in 2007. are underway, with a share of the £2.5 million reduced energy used, improved weed “The concern I have is that the standard total provided by Innovate UK. Spore ID control, especially blackgrass, moisture fungicides currently used in sugar beet are monitors disease using an in-field lab, conservation, a better structure to support not effective at controlling stemphylium, sending results in real time back to a smart machines in the wet, and less wind erosion. although epoxiconazole appears to have phone. There’s also a novel pre-breeding “You have to get used to seeing stubble in some activity.” Trials are underway to strategy to reduce dependence on the emerging beet crop, but you get a good L

The application of research drives beet yields

A price cut of 24% might have persuaded some average. “Once deliveries are complete, we expect growers to review their interests in sugar beet, but to finish the season with a yield of 80-85t/ha for a growing band of producers it’s served to (adjusted). Had sugar levels come in closer to the underline the need to push the crop ever harder. five-year average, we could have expected an One such committed grower is Adrian Howell, average yield in excess of 90t/ha (adjusted).” farm manager for Proctor Bros (Long Sutton) near Despite this disappointment, he plans to Spalding, Lincs, who’s intent on pursuing his approach next season in much the same way as policy of aggregating marginal gains in a bid to this year’s crop. “Sugar beet is a successful crop improve yields. because as growers we’ve put science into “We’re still keen on the crop, but it has to pay practice. My management decisions will continue Adrian Howell’s management decisions are its way. The low price offered for surplus beet to be guided by the published research.” guided by published research and his yields are next season means we’ve decided it’s better to In this respect, he’s moving steadily closer moving steadily closer towards his target of under-deliver against contract than over-deliver. towards his target of 100t/ha. “We’re closing in 100t/ha. We’re aiming to fulfil our 15,500t of contract on it, but we have to be realistic about what is from less than 200ha,” he says. manageable. Our lifting dates and soil types, The latter is there to boost blackgrass control and As significant as the price drop is to enterprise which span silty clays through to Wisbech series tackle volunteer oilseed rape while the former profitability, he isn’t overly concerned. “It’s the silty loam, mean we’re not well suited to having takes care of everything else. nature of markets to go up and down,” he says. beet in the ground through the winter, so we aim “On the lighter land, volunteer potatoes are an Of greater concern is this season’s below average to finish lifting before Christmas.” issue so we save on a pre-em and instead follow sugar concentrations. Weed and disease control are two other an adapted FAR-based approach comprising “It’s something we can’t explain and nor are aspects where he’s studied the research. Goltix Flowable (metamitron) plus oil at the first we alone; crops locally are suffering from it,” “All crops receive an application of Escolta application before moving onto Betanal maxxPro he says. (cyproconazole+ trifloxystrobin) towards the end plus Dow Shield (clopyralid). “We’d typically expect sugar levels during of July while those due to be lifted after 1 Oct “One of the benefits of Betanal maxxPro in an Feb to be in the region of 17%, but this year receive a second application in mid-Aug,” he says. adapted FAR system is that the application rate we’re recording concentrations closer to 15%. The farm’s fine soils can be prone to capping is quite flexible –– we often apply 0.5 l/ha, There’s no reasonable explanation other than and this is one reason why he’s avoided drilling in but there’s the option of going higher without that the worse fields also had a higher than the first week of March, waiting instead until compromising crop safety.” normal incidence of beet leaf miner (Pegomya around 10 March. He’s also keen to focus on What then does he think of stemphylium –– the hyoscyami). It may be that there’s a relationship, weed control. disease causing great interest among scientists? but it’s not wholly explainable.” “On the heavy land, herbicide policy is driven “We haven’t seen it yet, but it’s there as a Nor is it explained by clamp losses, he by the need to control blackgrass. Here we favour threat. If we were to find it then we might consider believes. “We’d expect to lose a bit, but not 2%. a single application of ethofumesate at the pre-em an application of epoxiconazole, but we need to This is significant and its impact is being felt.” stage, followed by a post-em mix of Betanal be mindful of its poor activity against rust and The most obvious impact of this is a drop in maxxPro (desmedipham+ ethofumesate+ lenacil+ powdery mildew, and the impact such a decision enterprise output compared with the five-year phenmedipham) and Debut (triflusulfuron-methyl). may have on yields.”

72 crop production magazine march 2015

Go early for good blackgrass control

Good control of blackgrass can be achieved with a useful tank-mix partner and forms part of a a pre-emergence application of ethofumesate, resistance management strategy.” according to UPL trials. But care should be taken with graminicides, Results from container trials carried out in she stresses. “Mixing tepraloxydim with 2013 and 2014 on blackgrass with a range of ethofumesate and metamitron resulted in poorer Pre-em ethofumesate can be useful in helping herbicide resistance showed a 250g/ha dose of control than when the graminicide was used on to control blackgrass, while metamitron is a active ingredient provided 62.4-97.4% control. its own. In 2014 trials using clethodim, early useful tank-mix partner, according to the trials. However, efficacy was considerably reduced if applications, pre-tillering of the blackgrass, gave applied after the sugar beet crop has emerged, much better control than later ones,” she adds. with none of the containers showing as much as The active ingredient in Centurion Max, had the mutation which confers some resistance 50% control from the same dose on plants with clethodim controls blackgrass, annual to clethodim. 2-3 leaves. meadowgrass, wheat and barley volunteers in “As in cereals, stacking pre-emergence “The results in field trials were nowhere near sugar beet, says Simon Bishop of Interfarm UK. herbicides should be used followed by post- as conclusive, as they were dependent on soil “Although it’s an ACCase inhibitor product, it’s emergence herbicides which should include a mositure and seedbed conditions, “says Pam active on most strains of blackgrass that are graminicide,” advises Simon Bishop. It should be Chambers of UPL. “In the field I would be applying resistant to other ACCase products.” applied at a dose rate of 1 l/ha from when the at least 0.8 l/ha of a 500g/l formulation. This has been confirmed in recent screening sugar beet has fully expanded cotyledons or first “But the container trials clearly show that work carried out by ADAS. 2013 results showed leaves visible up until before row closure. “In ethofumesate can be useful in helping to control that 84% of the 122 samples tested had a practical terms it’s the blackgrass stage which blackgrass and pre-em is the best option. specific gene mutation which conferred resistance governs the application timing, with three leaves Metamitron doesn’t show as much activity, but it’s to cycloxydim, whereas just 4% of the samples being the optimum.”

L establishment and it yields well,” “It involves cultivating the strips, either in growers considering the technique (see he reported. autumn or early spring, depending on soil panel on p75). “Yield-wise, you actually A review of strip tillage for sugar beet type. You then return in a second operation suffer a 1-2% drop, but the financial loss production has been carried out by to the strips to sow the seed. There could be is offset by a reduction in the cost of Dr Nathan Morris of NIAB TAG, with a third operation, but you wouldn’t want to establishment. What’s more, the technology funding support from BBRO. The desk establish a sugar beet crop in a single has moved on in recent years, and probably study included research work undertaken pass,” he said. delivers better establishment now. You can across Europe. He’s developed a decision tree to help also strip till into land on which you’ve

74 crop production magazine march 2015 characterised by fragile chalk 5-13kgN/ha, but the other fields needed 4 l/ha of glyphosate. streams. Nitrate and phosphate lost 7-40kgN/ha –– the fields The cover came up in the direct levels have been monitored with no cover crops lost drilled crop and had to be at various points within the significantly more nutrients.” sprayed off with diquat. catchment. But there were some practical “There was also more pea and “We studied nine fields,” said considerations for the spring bean weevil following the cover Andrew Lovett. “Working within bean crop that followed, noted crop, and where the cover had the rotation on the estate, we James Beamish, manager of been, the soil didn’t dry out as varied the amount of soil inver- Salle Estate. “We did struggle to quickly when spring sion that took place –– standard destroy the oil radish cover –– it cultivations started.” I farm practice (mainly ploughing or using a Discordon), direct drilling or minimal cultivations Is strip-till a good idea in sugar beet? Despite the benefits, it was a –– a ‘no-frills’ approach. We also struggle to destroy the oil radish tried a cover crop last year.” STRIP TILLAGE DECISION SUPPORT TOOL Has the field become extensively Yes Unlikey to be cover crop and where the cover Oil radish was established in wheeled from harvesting or straw suited to Strip collected operations? Tillage Yes had been, the soil didn’t dry out the autumn, and in some fields a No Is there soil compaction below the starter fertiliser of 30kgN/ha was depth of cultivation as quickly. for example 25cm? applied. “There wasn’t much No Consider the use of straw difference in nutrients lost from Yes overwintered a cover crop.” rake or light If you do establish a cover the fields where starter N had cultivation crop, you could be doing the been used, despite the crop Yes Do you suffer water quality in your area a huge establishing faster, so there’s from a high pressure of favour, according to Andrew no strong case for it on grass weeds that are environmental grounds,” difficult to Lovett of the University of East control in pointed out Andrew Lovett. sugarbeet? Anglia. A study set up ten years Are you on very No Are you on medium of heavy Yes heavy soil; for ago on the Salle Estate in Norfolk “But there were some very soil with a clay content greater example >45% No than 18%? Do you want to clay content? has been monitoring the effect of striking results otherwise. establish a cover crop to No No different cultivation regimes Between Oct and March, aid soil structure or the cover-crop fields lost retain soil On medium or on the Wensum catchment –– nitrogen? heavy soils Use Autumn Strip Tillage cultivation Establish a Yes cover crop in - Use GPS (RTK) guidance late summer - Cultivate to 15-25mm depth Strip-till drilling sugar beet allows you to grow on land you perhaps wouldn’t Use Spring Strip Tillage - Culltivate directly into Oh light soils cultivation stubble or into emerging cover crop consider for the crop. - Consider non selective herbicide application 6-8 weeks prior to cultivation

- Use GPS (RTK) guidance Use Spring Strip Tillage cultivation - Cultivate to 7-11cm depth, 2-4 weeks prior to drilling - Consider non selective herbicide application 6-8 weeks prior to cultivation (if required) - Use GPS (RTK) guidance - Use GPS (RTK) guidance - Drill sugarbeet usng a precision drill - Culltivate to 5-7cm depth, with disc openers to manage with 1-2 weeks prior to drilling remaining surface residue

Source: NIAB TAG with funding support from BBRO Strip till suits simple system simple too, comprising winter wheat, winter oilseed rape and winter or spring beans. “It’s ON FARM OPINION a system that allows me to do most of the work on my own. That’s why I run a narrow rotation and don’t have a lot of machinery. A move to a strip-till drill not only allows one Shrops “I do have help from a self-employed farmer to sow crops in a wide range of seedbeds, he can operator for three days a week in the harvest and a day a week in the winter. But keeping also place fertiliser at various depths as he drills his equipment to the minimum and the system oilseed rape and cereals. CPM reports. simple helps me to be self-contained. “For example, the sprayer stays on the By Mick Roberts same tyres all the time, which is safe and simple. I calculated that with 32m wide booms, I lose about £1000 from crop damage by the wider tyres, but there aren’t Nick Tilt keeps to a simple system at Lexion 570 combine, a John Deere 6210R, a High Meadow Farm, near Ludlow in Shrops, JCB 535-60 telescopic and a hired Tecnoma where he grows 292ha of arable crops 32m trailed sprayer. For establishment he and contract rears heifers. That’s not uses a 4m Horsch Tiger cultivator and a 4m remarkable in itself, but it is when you Väderstad Spirit StripDrill. consider he does it all on his own bar the Perhaps unsurprisingly, the crop rotation’s help of just one self-employed operator. This straightforward approach extends to his machinery fleet, which comprises a hired

Strip tilling for“ OSR and beans, along with the fertiliser, makes a world of difference and really increases yields.”

76 crop production magazine march 2015 L 77 march 2015 march “I was previously sowing the OSR and sowing “I was previously beans, along “Strip tilling for OSR and “The drill is very flexible and it takes just tripDrill version specifically for its ability specifically for its tripDrill version hese more precisely, with a proper coulter, with a proper precisely, hese more S to deep loosen. subsoiler-mounted with a beans in rows well as placing fertiliserseeder as at the I can now sow same time. With this drill t at well as drill cereals into loosened soil as The machine is equipped spacings. narrow allow for combi-drilling. with a split hopper to and can be split either The hopper holds 3t and fertiliser,” 60/40 or 40/60 for seed he explains. world of difference makes a with the fertiliser, yields. Loosening increases and really to slot that allows the roots a creates into the fertiliser. penetrate and grow by five minutes to change to drilling cereals crop production magazine “If I had 800ha of large fields of similar “If I had 800ha of large continues, was the The Spirit StripDrill, he äderstad Seedhawk, which he felt which he felt äderstad Seedhawk, oil types it would be fine, but I don’t. I think but I don’t. oil types it would be fine, V drilling and suited to direct was more cope with the the flexibility to offer didn’t encounters on range of soils he different contract work. s drill and does the SeedHawk is a great quite it wasn’t a good job. But I found all the soils and adaptable enough for particularly as I also seedbeds I encounter, do drilling for other farmers. time for It takes for and become suitable soils to restructure and in some situations the land drilling direct right,” he explains. just wasn’t logical alternativeability to because of its work in ploughed land, min-till seedbeds Although appropriate. drill where and direct Spirit, he chose the a standard there’s His decision to change to a Väderstad simplicity. Previously he was using a Previously simplicity. mainly by its versatility, rather than cost or mainly by its versatility, more stable,” he explains. stable,” more was motivated Spirit StripDrill, however, travelling on row crops on the road, so it’s on the road, crops travelling on row struggle and dangerous, and I’m not struggle and dangerous, change wheels on my own, which is a change wheels on my so many tramlines. Also I don’t need to I don’t so many tramlines. Also OSR or in the middle of two rows in cereals. OSR or in the middle of work directly in front of the coulters for sowing The deep loosening legs can be positioned to The deep loosening legs Drill Facts

Väderstad 4m Spirit C StripDrill suggests it cultivates strips in row widths of 334mm for crops such as oilseed rape and G Hopper capacity: 3900 litre, split 60:40 or beans or at 167mm for cereals. 40:60 for seed or fertiliser The front loosening tines are equipped with G Seed row spacing: 167mm/334mm fertiliser coulters, which can place nutrients at G Fertiliser row spacing: 334mm various depths. Also, by changing the position G Loosening tines: 25mm wide leg, of the tines, the fertiliser can be placed either adjustable to 30cm deep below the seed in the strip-tilled row, or to either G Fertiliser depth: Adjustable coulters side for cereal crops. G Weight: 4.98t After loosening, a set of limiter discs The Väderstad Spirit C StripDrill works in constrain the lateral flow of the soil to clear three specific zones and can work in ploughed, the seedbed of straw and trash ahead of the min-till or direct drilling situations. As its name drill coulters. While all coulters remain in the same position, it’s possible to blank off the seed Fertiliser is placed at two depths – at 5-10cm, The Spirit C StripDrill works in three specific tubes in the distribution head, so effectively it stimulates early establishment, while at zones. blanking off every other coulter to create wider 15-30cm it helps root development. row spacings. Seeds are sown with the Spirit coulter units adjustable collars and clips. that are fitted with 380mm diameter, offset V Soil is firmed around the seed by discs that move the soil to the side and create a 380x65mm press wheels, which also control furrow into which the seed is placed. The seeds the seeding depth. These are fitted with soft are covered by the soil that flows back behind tyres and scrapers. A following harrow is the discs. Up to 80kg of pressure can be applied positioned to run between the seed rows, to the seed coulters and depth is set by to avoid disturbing shallow-sown seed.

L simply shifting the loosening legs across beans, Nick Tilt also drills a wide range of OSR and about 5.2t/ha for beans. All crops to work between the rows, instead of directly other crops for his customers. are sown with ‘starter’ fertiliser. behind them, and then blanking off every The medium clay-loam soils on the farm For sowing the hybrid OSR the drill sows other coulter. are typical for the area, producing five-year in 33cm wide rows, which is achieved simply As well as his own OSR, wheat and average yields of 9.5t/ha of wheat, 4.8t/ha of by inserting a blanking plate in one of the about 30 plants/m2 going into the winter.I know others advocate lower plant populations, but I prefer to have strong crops because thicker crops help deter pigeons and reduce damage.” For cereals, the blanking plate inside the seed head is removed, so seed passes down all tubes to all coulters. The drill’s loosening legs are set to work between the 16.5cm coulter rows and are used to also place base phosphate, either side of each row. The depth of fertiliser placement is adjusted by moving the position of Variable rate the coulter outlet behind the tine. “In cereals this can go on at rates between 30kg/ha to seeding heads, which blocks off 100kg/ha of DAP, depending of feed to every other coulter. At the the results from the soil map. front, the loosening legs are set I then follow this with a variable to work directly in front of the rate application, according to coulters, creating the slot for the SoilQuest treatment plan, the seed and placing fertiliser using an Amazone ZAM at depth. spreader. Wheat seed rates vary Soil maps of the fields have between 280-300 seeds/m2, been created by SoilQuest. depending on the season, soil These are made by first and seedbed condition. scanning the field using an “Although the drill has the electrical-conductivity scanner. facility to vary the application Management zone maps are fertiliser and seed rates created and each zone is soil according to the maps, I’m sampled. The results are then not currently doing this yet,” used to create soil analysis he adds. maps, which are used for the Nick Tilt feels he made the fertiliser recommendations. right decision investing in the “When drilling OSR I usually Spirit C StripDrill: “It provides place DAP (diammonium the flexibility to work in a range phosphate) at a rate of of seedbeds and soils and 15-20kgN/ha, depending on the flexibility to sow all of my the agronomist’s recommendation. own and customers’ crops. The seed rate is about 1.5kg/ha, Essentially it provides two with the target of achieving about drills in one machine,

40-45 seeds/m2 to ensure we’ve because I no longer need L

Seed is sown by the Väderstad double coulter arrangement, proven on the Rapid range. ON FARM OPINION

“I drill at about 15km/h and can usually Farm facts cover around 40ha/day –– and that includes loading all the seed and some fairly high fertiliser rates. For drilling, the average fuel R.P.Tilt and Son, High Meadow Farm, consumption is about 40-50 l/hr, and at my Ludlow, Shrops G work rate of 3ha/hr that works out about Cropped area: 292ha arable, plus 50ha 15 l/ha across all the different types of soil grassland G and crops. Combinable crops: Winter wheat (Leeds, The tractor is probably a little underpowered Skyfall); winter oilseed rape (hybrids); The Spirit StripDrill is designed to work in a range for the drill and can struggle when it’s direct winter or spring beans G of different seedbed conditions, providing Nick Tilt drilling with the legs down, he concedes. Staff: Nick Tilt, with part time help G with the flexibility he needs. “But I’ve only one tractor. While it may be a Soil type: medium clay loam G bit small for the drill at times, it’s too big for Tractor: John Deere 6210R G Drill: 4m Väderstad Spirit StripDrill L the sub-soiler/seeder for the OSR and other jobs. There’s always going to be a G Cultivator: 4m Horsch Tiger beans. Also by drilling the OSR and beans compromise, but 0.7hp/ha is about the right G Combine: Claas Lexion 570 I get better placement and more accurate ratio for the farm,” he adds. I G Sprayer: Tecnoma 32m trailed planting, with better establishment from G Fertiliser spreader: Amazone ZAM ‘proper’ planting. It also accurately places G Handler: JCB 535-60 telescopic fertiliser when and where it’s needed.” Nick Tilt places starter DAP fertiliser when drilling G Rolls: Cambridge rolls In operation he says the drill is easy to oilseed rape and also phosphates with the use. It takes a few minutes to connect up to cereals. the 210hp John Deere 6210R but it’s not too Search the CPM Article onerous a task. “The John Deere has a great Archive headland management system, which makes it easy to operate –– just press one Looking for more information on drills? The button to lift the coulters out and start the new search facility on the CPM website allows you to find and download articles from previous headland procedure and then another to go issues using keywords, such as ‘strip till’ or back to work. I don’t use markers because try ‘On Farm Opinion’ to find other articles in the tractor is steered automatically with an this series. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk RTK signal.

Scots producer stays loyal to single tractor brand

operations we’re still a family farm. We make stores, which double up as potato stores ON FARM OPINION all the management decisions and are out of season. In 2012 the family invested involved in every aspect of the day-to-day in a 6000t grain store. And in 2013 a running. We also have 14 full-time staff who 176kW array of solar panels was installed It takes a fleet of 20 tractors are the main machinery operators and I’m at the farm along with computer store to carry out all the operations proud that many of them have been with us management. This has since been for more than 20 years. We also employ expanded to 250kW. on a 1400ha Perthshire about 35 seasonal workers, mainly for “These investments allow us to be more potato, broccoli and cereal harvesting broccoli,” says Michael McLaren, self-sufficient and help keep all aspects of who manages the family’s potato and our operations under our own control. They unit. CPM finds out why these broccoli production. also enable us to take advantage of selling are Massey Fergusons. The family now owns 26% of the 1400ha when the market is right. of total farmed area. “It’s important to have “We can hold all our produce on the farm By Mick Roberts a base of owned land of which we’re in until we make the decision to sell, so we complete control,” he says. “But it’s also don’t have to accept the prevailing market essential the business has a good portfolio price. Our potato storage allows us to

Growing a quality product at a competitive of land options.” That now includes 22% market the produce over a ten-month period, L price, is the simple but effective contract farming, 22% rented and 30% on management aim for Michael McLaren, annual rents. who farms in partnership with his father Land prices in the area also prohibit any Ian, mother Heather and two brothers, expansion based solely on acquisitions. John and Peter. “Instead expansion has come through I can’t The family business was formed in capital investment in facilities that help 1928 by his great grandmother who ran a to improve quality and service to our remember“ not having 113ha tenanted dairy farm. Today MJ and customers,” he explains. Massey Fergusons on J McLaren Farmers and Growers has grown These investments began in 1994 with the to encompass 1400ha of vegetable, potato first 3000t potato cold store. In 2002 they the farm. and grain production. added a grading shed and line at Cronan ” “Despite the size and complexity of the farm and in 2009 they built new broccoli

82 crop production magazine march 2015

ON FARM OPINION

barn-filling varieties, such as Osprey, not under contract. All the potatoes are graded and kept in cold storage to be marketed over a ten-month period. The other main crop is broccoli and the McLaren’s 1650t of annual production includes fresh and frozen produce currently grown on 148ha as well as 24ha grown The business runs a fleet of 20 Massey Ferguson organically. All of this is marketed by East The main workhorse MF 6480 models first tractors on the vegetable, potato and cereals Of Scotland Growers (ESG), carried out the primary work, clocking up about operation, running them for up to 12,000hr. The farm’s Scottish location provides a big 1200-2000hr/year before moving to secondary benefit when it comes to cereals production, tasks. L for example. Similarly we can hold all our with 580ha of spring barley grown to supply grain in store. While the broccoli is more the local malting and distilling markets. the recently installed 6000t facility at perishable, we can still store that for a few There’s also 96ha winter wheat for feed as Fullarton Farm, Meigle, which is equipped days. It all helps to insulate us from market well as 20ha of oilseed rape. with a drier and fully controlled ventilation. volatility,” he explains. All the cereals are stored on the farm in Out in the fields the farm relies on a fleet Similarly, the cropping is based on a of more than 20 Massey Ferguson tractors, planned programme with customers, rather Four new MF 7618 models are the latest Massey which range from a one-month old MF 7618 than relying on market speculation. They’ve Fergusons to join the McLaren fleet. to an MF 550, which dates back to the agreements and contracts to supply specific 1970s but is still in use. produce for set periods and aim to deliver “I’m 37 and I can’t remember not having the highest quality at the right time. Massey Fergusons on the farm,” says The family business grows 14,000t of Michael McLaren. “I expect we’ve used potatoes for Albert Bartlett, including the them for 40-50 years. We get good, Rooster variety, for supply to all major cost-effective service from the tractors and supermarkets. They also produce Vivaldi dealers and we stick with them –– basically salad potatoes exclusively for Sainsbury’s if it isn’t broke why fix it? We stay with one supermarket. Maris Piper and King Edwards manufacturer because it makes everything are grown as premium varieties as well as easier and our full-time farm mechanic has a lot of experience and knows how to look keep them for at least 12,000hr. They start after them.” as main tractors, operated by the full-time The farm is spread across such a wide drivers clocking up about 1000-2000hr/year, geographic region, so they’re supplied by and when an older one is traded in, the two dealers –– the Reekie Group in Perth newer tractors move down into the ‘pile’ and Alan Mackay Machinery (Forfar). and take on the secondary work. About ten years ago, the MF 6290 was This rolling, regular replacement policy the farm’s bread-and-butter tractor and the controls annual capital investment on last of these recently left the farm, with about tractors, while still maintaining a modern, 12,000-14,000hr on the clock. They were less than five-year-old, fleet for the primary replaced by the latest MF 7618 models that fieldwork. It also fits well with the farm’s operate alongside MF 7480s and the main cropping, which calls for a lot of tractors, but workhorse MF 6480s, which carry out most they don’t all need the latest technology. Everything Michael McLaren does is aimed at of the farm duties. “I feel tractors are now so expensive producing the best quality unit at the cheapest “Our policy is to buy new tractors and you have to keep them longer and be price, but he’ll never compromise on quality. prepared to invest in regular maintenance and repairs to make them last ten years. The the smaller services –– such as oil changes,” The family farm has invested in fixed equipment depreciation in the first three years is so high he adds. and storage that allows them to improve the it just can’t be justified –– and actually the The farm also employs a full-time quality of their produce and market it when the value of the tractor doesn’t fall too sharply in mechanic. David Stewart has been in the job price is right. the following seven years. We’re still getting for more than two decades and in that time £12,000-14,000 for our MF 6480s that are has gained a huge amount of experience of being traded in,” he comments. working with Massey Ferguson tractors. For this long-life/low-depreciation policy to work, however, it requires fastidious Technical repairs attention to servicing as well as regular and “Although we’ve good relationships with preventative maintenance. “Each driver is the dealers, which is important, David does assigned their own tractor, and I’m keen they most of the work on the tractors apart from look after it themselves. For example, they any really technical repairs, such as electrics do all the regular maintenance as well as and electronics that now need special L ON FARM OPINION

we routinely change them at 5000hr. It takes Now we wouldn’t consider using anything less than a day to do and the parts aren’t other than a CVT on the harvesters,” expensive. It’s peanuts compared with he adds. the cost of not doing the job in time,” says The new MF 7618, like previous tractors, Mike McLaren. uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce the exhaust emissions, using CVT gearbox AdBlue. This is bought in 1000-litre IBC The latest tractor to join the McLaren fleet containers that are placed near the diesel is a 175hp MF 7618, which is the fourth one tanks. While it’s another job for the operators to arrive in a year. This particular tractor is to do when filling, Mike Mclaren hasn’t really equipped with the Dyna-VT continuously noticed any good or bad points from using variable transmission, while others have the fluid. the Dyna-6 semi-powershift gearbox. “Depending on how hard the tractor is The MF 7480 tractors were the first on the farm “We had our first experiences with the working, a tankful of AdBlue usually lasts to be equipped with the Dyna-VT continuously Dyna-VT on our MF 7480 tractors, which for two diesel fill-ups,” he adds. variable transmission. were bought specifically for powering the All the new tractors are ordered with potato harvesters. The ability to set the exact

L engine RPM for the PTO to drive the diagnostic tools. It would be impossible The full-time operators are all assigned their own harvester and then vary the forward speed to run this amount of equipment without a tractor from new and are responsible for daily is a huge benefit. full-time mechanic –– and sticking with one maintenance and servicing, including oil changes. brand means he’s built up a huge amount of “Everything I do is aimed at producing experience of Massey Fergusons,” explains the best quality unit at the cheapest price, Michael McLaren. whether that’s a potato, grain of wheat or As well as using a single brand, the farm head of broccoli. But I’ll never compromise also runs a number of the same models, on quality and will invest in equipment that’ll which means that if they spot a problem on increase efficiency and/or protect quality. one, they’re able check the others and carry “We use the transmission to set the speed out any preventative maintenance. “We to optimise the amount of soil on the web. found the brake discs would need changing This helps cushion the potatoes, reduces at about 6000-7000hrs, for example. So now damage and ultimately improves quality. front-axle suspension and it’s now fitted to The most recent MF 7618 tractors are also about three quarters of the entire fleet. equipped with cab suspension, as well as “Operators spend long hours in the tractors deluxe seat options. “While it costs an extra and I think this is the biggest single advance £500 for the seat, over 10,000hrs I think it’s in tractor comfort. I’m very proud that we’ve worth it.” a very low turnover of staff and some have While the MF 7618s are the newest been with us for more than 20 years,” tractors on the farm, the oldest –– an MF 550 he adds. from the 1970s –– still earns its keep. In the winter it feeds cattle every day, while in the summer it’s used to remove netting from the The oldest Massey on the farm, this MF 550, dates broccoli, every week. When the mainline tractors are replaced by new back to the 1970s but is still used every day. “A local fireman approached me about models, they’re moved down the pile and used selling it to him because it was exactly the for secondary operations, such as powering the same model as used by his father, a local broccoli harvesting rigs. farmer. Although I felt bad, I couldn’t sell it because although it also has some going over a weigh grader before packing sentimental value for us, I really didn’t know and into the cold store. what I could buy to replace it!” For spraying, the farm uses a Bateman The farm also uses a lot of specialist RB35, with 28m wide booms, which is the machinery for cultivation, planting and dimension that best suits the various crops harvesting the crops. It mainly uses grown in rows and beds as well as cereal ScanStone potato land preparation tramlines. machines, built locally in Forfar, while for Cereal crops are established using a harvesting they turn to Grimme trailed conventional plough-based system followed machines. by sowing with a 4m-wide power harrow Specialist harvesting rigs are built to their and drill combination. This, he explains, is requirements by VegCraft, another Scottish because the vegetables in the rotation manufacturer. The broccoli is cut by hand require ploughing one in three years, so this and loaded into boxes with the produce negates many of the benefits of min-till. I

crop production magazine march 2015 87 There’s a great“ deal of research that’s gone into areas such as the best rubber compounds and There’s more to lug designs Bridgestone’s new premium ” tyres than a new brand Taking the name. CPM travels to Italy to find out about the science behind them, and rounds up pressure off premium offerings from the behind it, there’s a big difference between what road-based products. major manufacturers. Firestone has offered to date, and what’s The two companies came together behind these new tyres. in 1988 when Bridgestone purchased By Martin Rickatson Firstly, though, a quick trot through the Firestone, and since then Bridgestone history of the two tyre brands. Firestone has has remained focused on its core car, truck US roots, having been founded as a tyre and motorbike tyre businesses, while It seems perhaps a little odd that the firm company in 1900 by Harvey Firestone to supply Firestone has continued to offer a range of that has a good claim to being the world’s the burgeoning market for wheeled vehicles mid-market agricultural products alongside largest tyre and rubber manufacturer running on tarmac roads. From this, his firm its other tyre interests. entered the European agricultural tyre developed close links with that of Henry Ford. Last year though, Bridgestone Europe market for the first time only last year. But Bridgestone (the -stone suffix is entirely announced it would be introducing a new Bridgestone is no new upstart in the sector, coincidental) was founded by Shojiro Ishibashi, range of products under the Bridgestone having served it under its Firestone brand who produced his first tyres in 1930, and a brand to the top end of the agricultural tyre for many years. year later founded the company. Bridgestone market in Europe. At Cereals 2014, farmers This change of name is no superficial was a literal English inverted translation of were able to see the first fruits of that, with marketing exercise, claims the company. his surname and the company traditionally the unveiling of the Bridgestone VT-Tractor It’s entered the very top end of the tractor focused primarily on on-road vehicle tyres. tyre range. tyre market with a new range of Bridgestone- Firestone meanwhile also carved out a path According to Bridgestone’s Steve Hewitt, branded tyres. According to the design team in the agricultural market alongside its among the key reasons the new branding

88 crop production magazine march 2015 has been chosen for the extension upwards damage from wheelslip and tractor weight.” in the maker’s product line is that VT-Tractor Bridgestone’s answer to those farmer tyres contain new technology likely to only wants –– a flexible high-hp tractor tyre which ever be seen on top-end tyres. keeps fuel use down and provides good “Bridgestone agricultural products will traction without minimal soil damage –– is focus on the largest tractors on the market, the VT-Tractor. The model, in its various and there won’t be any overlapping sizes sizes, comes out of the same Bridgestone and standards between the two brands,” factory in Spain that produces Firestone ag he says. tyres for Europe. But the research that’s “Recent Firestone range upgrades and gone into it –– carried out primarily at expansion mean that the brand now covers Bridgestone’s R&D facility in Aprilia, Italy –– about 95% of the current market demand for plus the design it features and the materials tractor tyres. We’re therefore expecting the used, are said to be very different. new Bridgestone VT-Tractor to account for The imprint tyres leave in sand may not represent only about 5% of our tractor tyre business, at Lug designs many real-world field conditions, but it gives true the very top end of the premium, high-hp “There’s a great deal of research at our repeatability of conditions. sector. But it’s a vitally important one for Aprilia development centre that’s gone into arable farmers seeking to make the most of areas such as the best rubber compounds the impact of the sidewall rubber make-up their tractors and the diesel they use, while and lug designs for high-hp tyres,” says itself, which is designed to flex just enough at the same time wanting to prevent soil Steve Hewitt. to spread the load without affecting ride. “Compared to standard or IF (increased “Then there are the lugs, which again flexion) tyres, the VT-Tractor VF (very high are specific to the Bridgestone VT-Tractor Pressure pad analysis is used to display the flexion) tyre has a lug contact area that’s range. They’re as long as possible, while spread of weight across the tyre treads. up to 26% larger, and that’s at a pressure still retaining good self-cleaning properties, of 0.8 bar, compared with the respective and use what’s termed an involute design, 1.2 and 1.0 bar pressures required by those where the face of the lug curves gently other tyres.” inwards towards its outer edge. This helps There’s a number of features that have progressively but gently firm the soil, to made this possible, he explains. minimise slip and soil disturbance with no “Our engineers have developed a detriment to traction. specially shaped bead profile, which is the “In trials comparing three identical first stage in allowing the sidewalls to flex tractors, the one equipped with VT-Tractor more freely. That’s before even considering tyres operating at 0.8 bar was shown L Wider footprint tyre from Trelleborg

Trelleborg chose February’s SIMA show in Paris Trelleborg’s new TM700 ProgressiveTraction has to launch the first size in its new TM700 an enlarged tread for a footprint that’s up to 18% ProgressiveTraction range –– a 520/70R38 wider than standard. offering. example 300ha of arable land translates to a Tread is said to be significantly enlarged £300 fuel saving, reckons Trelleborg, on the new tyre, creating a footprint that’s It also lays down claims for the tyre’s lug up to 18% wider than standard. It’s being design, suggesting that the wider base of the recommended for tractors of up to 240hp. TM700 ProgressiveTraction offers greater The tyre features dual edges on the lugs, resistance to lug vibrations, reducing wasted which act as two anchor points for additional energy and so lowering fuel consumption by as traction, says Trelleborg. The new design is said much as 10% while increasing tyre life by up to to significantly reduce tyre slippage, increasing 500 hours longer than the market average. Over traction capability by up to 17% higher than the the course of 1000 hours of use on the road, market average. Extrapolating that over an this is worth £1500, it calculates.

Compared with standard or IF tyres, the movement and, of course, don’t have the VT-Tractor VF tyre has a lug contact area same tread pattern.” that’s up to 26% larger. Greater load-bearing capabilities are another advantage of the flexible yet

L capable of cultivating approximately tough design of very high flexion sidewall 0.9ha/day more than its nearest competitor, technology, says Steve Hewitt. which like the other competing machine had to have its tyres operating up at 1.0 bar. Very high flexion “Greater traction means not only reduced “Our tyre design engineers have put a lot soil damage and better work rates, but also of research into calculating the correct improvements in fuel savings in the field. compound and structure for the rubber, Compared with alternatives operating at 1.0 other components and overall design to give bar, trials we’ve done with the 710/70 R42 the combination of flexibility, load-carrying and 600/70 R30 IF VT-Tractor tyres indicate ability and road handling needed to create that over 50ha of ploughing it’s possible to a very high flexion tyre design. save 36 litres of diesel over an identical “The result is that, at identical speeds machine set on competitor IF tyres. The IF on the road, VT-Tractor tyres can also carry tyres don’t offer the same sort of sidewall loads up to 40% heavier than standard L Michelin puts figures on its flex technology

It’s more than a decade since Michelin brought and 0.9 bar on the rears, which Michelin say the its first Ultraflex flexing sidewall tyres to the Ultraflex Technology tyres are able to handle. market, making it the first manufacturer to Fuel use when the same area of work was produce a tyre which allowed machines shod carried out with the power harrow/drill combi with it to travel at speeds of up to 65km/h at was £578.70, resulting in a total saving of low pressures. Now the French tyre firm says £400, or 40%. it has proof of the financial value its Ultraflex Rut depth was also lower, with an average of sidewall technology can bring to an arable just 88mm recorded, and subsoil compaction enterprise, in terms of fuel savings during was significantly reduced, says Michelin. Ultraflex technology can bring about fuel field work. “There are acknowledged benefits to be savings of as much as 40%, according to The firm’s conducted trials with XeoBib had from the ability to run at incredibly low Michelin trials. tyres fitted to a Massey Ferguson 6616 tractor pressures,” says Gordon Brooke of Michelin’s operating with a 3m Kuhn power-harrow drill agriculture division. Ultraflex tyres with the launch of the CargoXBib combination across a 100ha field. With “Some of those are reasonably easy to High Flotation tyre for trailers. The new product pressures set at ‘conventional’ ratings of see without too much analysis, with reduced marks the first trailer tyre to benefit from 1.4 bar on the front and 2.0 bar at the rear, the compaction often showing in better crop Michelin’s patented Ultraflex technology, and cost of the fuel used totalled £978.70 at current establishment, field drainage and yields. What’s joins the firm’s line up of Ultraflex tyres, which prices at the time of the trial. Average rut depth been measured here is fuel savings from includes the AxioBib, XeoBib and YieldBib tyres left behind, meanwhile, was 133mm. reduced wheelslip –– more of each wheel for tractors, CereXBibs for combines and forage The second part of the trial saw the tyre revolution is doing its job. harvesters, plus SprayBibs for high-clearance pressures dropped to 0.5 bar for the fronts Michelin has recently expanded its range of sprayers.

90 crop production magazine march 2015

New sizes in Mitas’ premium tyre range

Mitas has introduced new sizes of its Very High introduced in Nov 2014, for powerful tractors. Flexion (VF) tyres range at the SIMA show in The VF 600/70R30 HC 2000 and VF Paris. The VF 600/70R30 HC 2000 and VF 710/70R42 HC 2000 are designed for high- 710/70R42 HC 2000 were released in Feb, horsepower tractors. The VF 710/70R42 has a while the VF 380/105R54 HC 2000 is due to be ‘B’ speed category allowing speeds of up to launched this month. This’ll mean there are now 50km/h and boasts a maximum load of 7750 kg five sizes of Mitas’ HC 2000 Premium tyres, under 1.6 bar. When compared with a standard tyre, the VF tyre enables 40% more load, The PneuTrac concept has been developed for says Mitas. Mitas’ VF 380/95 R38 mounted on a Case IH both front and back axles of mid-range tractors. The VF-rated tyres have a highly flexible 340 CVT. sidewall claimed to give it an extended footprint that rivals rubber tracks. This means it maintains constant tyre pressure at any speed while and 600/65 R38 currently under test. there’s less soil compaction and increased Mitas says the new concept tyre is an mobility under difficult and wet soil conditions. important step as it is now possible to fit front Mitas also unveiled its new 28” PneuTrac tyre and rear axles of a tractor solely with PneuTrac at the SIMA show. The concept that morphs a –– the airless tyres have a footprint that’s tyre with a rubber track is currently undergoing claimed to be 53% larger than that of a testing by the manufacturer. The 480/65 R28 standard tyre, with improved lateral stability. version has been designed for the front wheel But the manufacturer is unable to say when of mid-range tractors and joins the 280/70 R18 the concept will be available commercially.

L tyres. So in practice, fuel, time and tyre wear, and implications that entails, comes pressure they normally would, but depending on the task in hand, leading to further reductions in from the Bridgestone VT-Tractor with the ability to carry 40% more it’s possible to make fewer operating costs.” tyres’ ability to travel on the road load. Lastly, for mixed work where transport cycles on the road for But one of the biggest as well as the field at 0.8 bar field tasks are interspersed with the same amount of work, saving savings in time, with the financial pressure. There’s no need to runs on the road –– haulage reinflate the tyres for road travel at or tanker or sprayer work, for standard tractor speeds, offering example –– then users can a big boost to daily output, says carry similar loads at the same Steve Hewitt, especially where pressures, but at higher speeds work is made up of smaller than might otherwise be possible. fields and frequent road trips With load capacity independent between each. of speed, there’s no need to “Not only that, but the road change pressures.” manner of the tyres isn’t Bridgestone says VT-Tractor compromised by the low tyres are now fully available pressures,” he claims. through UK dealers for the “The flexible sidewall actually replacement market. It’s currently helps to absorb road surface in talks with a number of tractor imperfections, while the long lug manufacturers about offering design also gives a smoother ride, them as standard/optionalfactory as there’s good contact with the fitment. Sizes available range from road at all times. We’ve had very 480/65 R28 to 710/75 R42. I good feedback from early users of VT-Tractor tyres saying how good Greater traction means not only the ride comfort is.” reduced soil damage and better So they offer users three work rates, but also improvements options, continues Steve Hewitt. in fuel savings, says Bridgestone’s “In the field, at low working Steve Hewitt. speeds they can work at lower pressures than would normally be possible, without compromising load or speed. That means reduced soil compaction, which should lead to reduced root damage and thus higher yields. “On the road, at high speed, they offer users the ability to work at the same speed and the same

92 crop production magazine march 2015

Tough conditions drive harvester decision sugar beet harvesting to be my core ability of the machine to lift beet in really As the 2015 sugar beet business.” testing conditions.” A man who has, over the years, The front-end, six-row lifting unit has a campaign draws to a close, used numerous makes and designs of topper which incorporates the tops into the one Cambs contractor self-propelled harvesters, the past seven soil rather than depositing them to one side years have seen him operating a Grimme of the machine. “That’s an important feature is about to swap out his Maxtron 620 which he purchased in 2007 when harvesting up and down a field rather Grimme Maxtron as a replacement for a self-propelled than in time-wasting lands,” he points out. Agrifac harvester. Beet is lifted by hydraulically driven self-propelled machine “If I’ve learned anything from operating Oppel wheels with depth control via seven for another of the same sugar beet harvesters it’s that the vast feeler wheels and an electronic contact majority of them will work reasonably well in pressure control. “I know there are those model. CPM finds out what good dry conditions, when the beet is well growers who don’t like Oppel wheels but the appeal is. grown and the crop is free from excessive I’ve always found them to do a good job weed,” he says. “The test for harvesters –– they’re reliable and virtually trouble-free By Rob Jones comes when conditions are wet, the beet in terms of bearings and wear,” he says. is small and there’s a tangle of weeds to But it’s the full width main web and axial cope with.” rollers which draws the most favourable James Allen runs his 445ha farm and This is where the Maxtron 620 appears to comments. “There’s no grouping together of contracting business at Throckenholt in have the upper hand, he reckons. Having the beet –– they enter the machine and have S Lincs on the Cambs border. An area used one to lift over 2000ha during the past the full width available for cleaning without which is dominated by heavy soils, he seven seasons, he’s decided this year to any bottlenecks to contend with –– it’s a focuses on growing winter wheat, replace it with a new machine. good, efficient design.” beans, oilseed rape and over 120ha “It’s not brand new in that it’s worked for The first cleaning unit comprises a plain of sugar beet. one season but Grimme has refurbished it to roller and then the main web which is 2.8m And it’s sugar beet harvesting which the extent that, for all intent and purpose, it’s wide. This is followed by a finger web and forms the mainstay of his contracting a new harvester,” he explains. “I’m quite business –– each year he reckons to looking forward to its arrival on the farm.” harvest 320ha for customers within a So what’s the appeal? “There are a 25-mile radius of home. number of features which, to my mind, make “I also offer services which include crop the Maxtron stand out from the rest,” says spraying, road haulage and, to a lesser James Allen. “One of the main ones is the extent, drilling,” he says. “But I consider

The test for harvesters“ comes when conditions are wet, the beet is small and there’s a tangle of weeds to cope with.”

94 crop production magazine march 2015 13 powered cleaning rollers which again, are to the 20t trailers we use.” 2.8m wide. There are also top and bottom The hydrostatic transmission manages bunker-filling webs and the total cleaning a top speed on the road of about 17mph surface amounts to 13.2m2. –– not fast by modern standards but “If I was to change anything it would be to acceptable, he says. In the field, harvesting have up to four rollers running in reverse output depends on ground conditions, field which I think would take the cleaning size, state of the crop and other factors, process to even higher levels,” says but James Allen reports that given good James Allen. “It would probably need conditions the Maxtron can harvest about stronger fingers on the web but I feel sure 20ha in a 13-hour day. it could be achieved. Overall though, “Our best day has been to harvest I think Grimme has it about right in that 21.8ha,” he says. “But the average is the cleaning system is thorough yet it’s probably nearer 16ha and the operating gentle on the beet –– bruised beet won’t speed is normally about 6km/h.” keep for long.” With long days which start and end in the The harvested beet is held in a 22t dark, a good comfortable cab is a key James Allen finds the Oppel wheels reliable and (33m3) capacity bunker having a filling requirement and on this score, he says that virtually trouble-free. height display to allow the operator to the Maxtron cab is both pleasant to be in monitor its loading. When the time comes to and the controls are logical and well placed. unload, the beet is conveyed out using a “Climate control, air suspended seat, “And that’s not to forget the two colour high capacity 1.8m wide web to a delivery folding mirrors, audio system, touch screen monitors which display pictures from the six height of 4.3m. operation control and Bluetooth telephone cameras placed at key areas around and in system –– the cab has it all,” he enthuses. the harvester.” I Unloading on the move “We usually unload on the move and only on the headlands when conditions are really difficult for the trailers to travel without becoming stuck or making deep ruts,” explains James Allen. “Unloading on the move means the machine isn’t lifting beet –– and if it’s not doing that, it’s not earning.” Like most self-propelled sugar beet harvesters the Maxtron isn’t a light machine. Its empty weight is 29.5t and, with a full load of beet on board, it can weigh well in excess of 50t. With such weight, running gear takes on a new importance and uniquely for a sugar beet harvester, the Maxtron has two rubber tracks at the front and two wheels at the rear: the tracks are each 80cm wide and 2m long, and the rear wheels, which run on virgin ground within the width of the tracks, are 900/60 R32. “It’s a clever arrangement,” says James Allen. “The tracks provide good traction along with low ground pressure and also allow space for the full width cleaning webs to operate The large, powered rear wheels have a steering angle of +/- 70°, which means you can make really tight headland turns –– the inner turning radius is just 1m.” Power is also an important element, not only to drive the harvesting components but also the machine itself. Grimme has fitted a 490hp Mercedes Benz engine on board which, to comply with emission regulations, uses SCR exhaust technology with AdBlue. “In terms of fuel consumption I reckon we use a maximum of 700 litres/day,” says James Allen. “The fuel tank holds 1400 litres and, at a push, we can do a couple of days between fills. More normally though, our daily routine is to fill up the harvester and the haulage tractors that are hooked up

crop production magazine march 2015 95 Arable kit remains Amazone’s focus

The X-Blade is“ claimed to create a rear furrow bottom that’s 30% wider. Ahead of Feb’s SIMA show crop production”, according to Amazone ” in Paris, CPM was given director, Christian Dreyer.

the chance to hear about Spreader solutions the lowest circumferential speed. Amazone plans from German arable More than 750,000 fertiliser spreaders have says it’s then accelerated gently by the borne the Amazone name since its first comparatively long spreading vanes. equipment specialist 330-litre/10m ZA machine was built in 1958. For those who don’t require all the bells Amazone, and catch up on The model code comes from the initials and whistles with their spreader, also new for the German term for a centrifugal for 2015 is a mechanical delivery system new product developments. mounted spreader, or Zentrifugalstreuer adjustment for ZA-TS spreaders, as a lower Anbaumaschine. The latest addition to the cost alternative to the electrical adjustment By Martin Rickatson range is the ZA-V, which feature a new system. The ability to mechanically adjust spreading system developed entirely with the delivery system for the ZA-TS means the aid of three-dimensional spread patterns. the system adjustments are only necessary

There have been a number of changes The company says this brings up to 20% when the working width or fertiliser type is L at Amazone. The company reckons to more throwing width, compared with other reinvest 5% of its annual turnover in twin-disc spreaders in the ZA-V’s class, ZA-V fertiliser spreaders feature a new spreading research and development, and a producing more consistent and more system developed entirely with the aid of three- wander around its new technology precise spread patterns, even at wide dimensional spread patterns. centre in Hasbergen-Gaste, or the working widths. Leipzig factory shows where that Features include a new star agitator investment is being spent. positioned directly above the aperture which Amazone recently entered the plough turns at 45rpm. When the shutter slides are market, for example, and for season 2015 closed, the agitator speed is automatically there’s further evidence of that investment reduced down to a complete standstill to in the form of a new cultivator line, more avoid unnecessary fertiliser damage. The sprayer boom options and developments lateral agitator drive has made it possible to for its strong-selling twin-disc fertiliser position the aperture above the spreading spreaders. This is all part of positioning the disc and very close to it, so the fertiliser is company as a “global full-liner for intelligent taken up gently by the spreading discs at

96 crop production magazine march 2015

fertiliser, maintaining it regardless of application rate,” explains Simon Brown. “On ZA-TS Hydro machines the eight-fold part-width section control system is still carried out by both spread-rate and individual adjustment of the spreading disc speed. Part-width section control for the ZA-TS Tronic and the ZA-TS Hydro can also be accessed via GPS-Switch.” The Certos TX has two gangs of serrated 660mm Also new for the ZA-TS is a system for discs and can work from 7cm down to 20cm. monitoring levels on both sides of the The new version of the AD-P piggyback drill hopper, particularly to help in situations incorporates electrically driven metering. L changed –– varying application rates and where one-side spreading or spreading with forward speeds requires no adjustments, one side at a reduced spread rate are taking necessary. During application, the weighing says Amazone. place, and uneven emptying may occur. For system instantly and continuously records Other developments include those for monitoring of both apertures, there’s now a and displays the application rate. The Argus border spreading. In addition to the in-cab low-level sensor option for the ZA-TS which radar sensor system monitors the lateral controlled AutoTS system for control of both can be positioned above the apertures at distribution and, if necessary, intervenes sides of the spread, there’s now the option any of three different heights. via the job computer to always maintain a of a one-side AutoTS system, and a new The final piece of news on the spreader perfect spread pattern even if the physical manual-adjust ClickTS system. front is that Amazone is still working on the properties of the fertiliser should change. “Farmers who prefer to always travel Argus ‘spreading eye’ technology that it first around the headland in the same direction showed at Agritechnica 2007. A monitoring Plough progress can now order the AutoTS remote-controlled system to assess spread patterns in real To overcome the compatibility problem of border-spreading system for one side only,” time, Argus was originally based on optical standard plough bodies and wide-tyred explains Amazone UK’s Simon Brown. sensing technology. The detection method tractors, and the furrow wall damage and “On these machines, the other side will is now based on radar, making it less prone soil compaction which can occur as a result, be fitted with the new manually-actuated to interference from dust and dirt, and Amazone is now offering a new X-Blade ClickTS system. This means border this significantly improves accuracy, widening share for the rear furrow of its spreading is still possible to either side if claims Amazone. Cayron ploughs. required, but only the most commonly At the last Agritechnica in 2013, Amazone Designed to work in conjunction with the used one is controlled from the cab, so revealed some of the development progress C-Blade U40 universal body, the X-Blade minimising cost but not, for the most part, behind its project, and it says that Argus is is a specially engineered mouldboard the specification. But if the buyer prefers, now available, promoting its inclusion on extension mounted on the last plough body. manual ClickTS adjustment can be ordered a top-spec machine as the route to fully It’s claimed to create, on average, a rear for both sides.” automatic fertiliser spreading. furrow bottom that’s 30% wider, and is said For optimised fertiliser distribution on Fertiliser type, application rate and to produce a clean next furrow without headlands, the mechanically-driven ZA-TS working width are entered into an ISOBUS leaving a depression or groove in the Tronic spreader now comes as standard with terminal through which the machine is being soil profile. an eight-fold part-width section control via operated, and the machine’s electronics then At the same time, the rolling resistance of spread-rate adaptation. This combines alter working width (via the delivery system) the tractor tyre in the furrow is reduced, and the new spreading unit with the quantity and flow rate (via the metering shutter) as so the tractive forces are transferred at a effect-free aperture and provides consistent triangular-shaped spread patterns in angular fields, claims Amazone. Can you beat this for a spraying day? “While it allows individual part-width sections to be shut off, this also aids the evenness of lateral distribution of the Amazone now lays claim to the world record for the greatest area sprayed in a single day, following a planned attempt made last autumn Ground clearance of up to 1.7m is offered by the at Golzow, near Brandenburg. Working behind new 4502-H version of the Pantera SP sprayer. a 330hp Fendt 933, one of its 12,000-litre UX 11200 trailed sprayers fitted with a 40m boom covered 1,032ha with glyphosate in 24 hours, an average of 43ha/h. The application rate was 100 l/ha and the land area spanned 15 fields, ranging in size from 40-124ha, so some time was lost moving from field to field, says Amazone. The UX 11200 covered over 1000ha in just The daytime speeds averaged 13-15km/h, 24 hours. increasing to 17km/h as the night brought with it less wind. The sprayer was backed by a glyphosate container on its back. The outfit 21,000-litre Annaburger bowser pulled by made ten refills, with a total of 103,000 litres a Mercedes-Benz Unimog, with a 1000-litre of liquid applied.

98 crop production magazine march 2015 reduced slip. Amazone says that, compared with alternative systems which equip the whole plough with wider-clearing plough bodies, the X-Blade is a more efficient design, with the functionality of the other bodies unaffected by the mouldboard extension on the last body.

Larger cultivator On the non-inversion side, for 2015 Amazone is introducing a Pairing AutoTS and ClickTS border larger disc cultivator for those spreading on one machine could who are dealing with high trash make sense if you always spread levels or wish to move more soil. headlands the same way, suggests This sits alongside its Catros, now Simon Brown. well established in the ‘compact disc’ market. option. As standard, the Certos The Catros, with its 460mm is equipped with a drawbar diameter discs, suits shallow shock-absorbing system and 3-12cm work, and is available available towing options include with 510mm serrated discs for a two-point headstock for more aggressive operation and lower-link hitching or a K80 5-15cm working. Meanwhile, the ball coupling. A GreenDrill 500 new trailed Certos TX has two seeder is available to enable gangs of serrated 660mm discs, oilseed rape or cover/catch claimed to make it capable of crop establishment. intensive incorporation of organic There are also drill matter at working depths which, developments for this season, until now, have been the preserve with a new version of the of tined implements. The Certos piggyback-type AD-P TX is linked to the tractor from incorporating the electric choice via the lower links or a metering drive from Amazone’s K80 ball coupling. The 130mm larger drills, allowing for diameter disc bearings –– twice push-button calibration. as big as those on the Catros Access to both the metering unit –– are maintenance-free. cassettes and the hopper have Available in working widths of been improved, and the former 4, 5, 6 and 7m, the Certos can can be removed or changed work from 7cm down to 20cm. even when the latter is full. The individually suspended discs Meanwhile, two extra seed are set at angles of 22° in the rows can now be switched leading gang and 17° in the off when tramlining, meaning second, and are spaced at feed can be cancelled to up 350mm. Amazone says the to five rows per side to distance between the rear discs accommodate wider and following press gives plenty sprayer/spreader tractor tyres. of time for the soil to settle. On the sprayer front, those Amazone’s Crushboard can be looking to treat tall crops late specified in front of the press for in the season are the target soils and situations requiring for a new hydraulically additional levelling and crumbling height-adjustable version of the effect. Press options include two Pantera self-propelled sprayer. recently introduced by Amazone: Clearance height of the 4502-H a larger wedge-ring roller with can be altered by pressing a matrix profile and a double-U button on the in-cab terminal, profile roller. Depth control is via with a maximum ground the rear roller plus front-support clearance of 1.7m. In normal wheel pairs. operation where only 1.25m Working depth can be altered ground clearance is required, hydraulically on the move, while track width can be adjusted from adjustment of the optional 1.8-2.4m, while at full height the Crushboard is via a central width can be extended as far spindle, with a hydraulic control as 2.6m. I

crop production magazine march 2015 99