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HOW MUCH TO STAY IN TOUCH? £39550 A modest £40 PER SEASON* (£70 for two years) • Fix the cost for the full season • No surprise charges No limit• on hours • All irriggyators under 3 years old That’s all it costs to meaning reliability is assured R• ental offset plan for receive twelve issues end of season purchase of T* erms and conditions apply. Rental price shown ex. VATAT Contact your local Grimme Irrigation Centre: www.grimme.co.uk The Swineshead 01205 821491 YoYork 01904 481648 Shrewsbury 01743 443665 Fife 01592 631291 Vegetable Farmer, Your Magazine.

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3 LION HOUSE, CHURCH STREET, MAIDSTONE, KENT ME14 1EN OPINION Whether or not you voted for it, Tel: 01622 695656 Fax: 01622 663733 Brexit is probably the most important e-mail: [email protected] political issue this country has faced since its decision to join Web address: www.hortnews.co.uk the Common Market in 1973. The European Union affects nearly every aspect of our lives, from the cars we drive to the food we eat and the hours we work. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Although every effort is made TWELVE ISSUES to ensure the accuracy and For farmers and growers, the impact of the EU is even Inland UK £40 readability of material greater. The most obvious incarnation comes in the form of Air Mail:Europe £50 published, the publishers and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its numerous Middle East their agents can accept no USA/Canada/Far East £60 responsibility for claims and associated regulations. However, there are many other areas Australia/New Zealand £70 opinions expressed by which affect our industry including the approval of crop contributors, manufacturers or Printed by Buxton Press Ltd protection products, support for Producer Organisations and ISSN 0960-863X advertisers. protection for certain food and drink under the PDO, PGI and The Vegetable Farmer is a member of the Independent Press Standards TSG schemes. Then there are rules about food processing, Organisation. We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed waste management, recycling, pollution prevention, the to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have Water Framework Directive, rules for organic production, not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please write to the editor at the address above. If you would like more information about promotional support, funding for research... The list goes on IPSO or the Editors’ Code, visit: www.ipso.co.uk It is therefore somewhat worrying to read recently in another farming magazine that the government has not yet commissioned any research into the potential effects of CONTENTS leaving the European Union on agricultural policy. The parliamentary question was asked by Green Party MP Vegetable shortage could continue...... 4 Caroline Lucas and highlights the tensions between farming bodies, such as the NFU and British Growers, and New Herbert distributor...... 6 environmental NGOs like the RSPB and Friends of the Earth New CIPC guide...... 8 about what form future rural policies should take. Speaking at the UK Brassica & Leafy Salads Conference in Potato margin potential...... 10 January, Defra minister George Eustice MP touched on many of these issues but was, perhaps understandably, vague on Diamondback Moth control...... 11 many of the details. The general consensus amongst Research Diary...... 15 delegates was that Mr Eustice spoke very well and that unlike some other politicians, his family background and farming Brassica Conference...... 16 experience should help inform policy developments.

Potato Science Live...... 19 However, one thing which caused concern was his apparent assertion that in the future Producer Organisations should Leafy Salads Conference...... 22 switch their activities from commercial support to research and breeding. There were not many in the audience who Bayer Vegetable Conference...... 25 agreed when he said, “Many large growers are perfectly able to deal with supermarkets in their own right.” Cover Crop workshop...... 28 With rumours of further supplier rationalisation circling the Potato nutrition...... 29 industry and supermarkets taking on more and more direct sourcing, many growers present told me that POs had never Transplanter update...... 31 been more important and were the only way of securing necessary investment. As we enter years of negotiations Classified...... 34 about Brexit, many farmers will hope that British Growers Buyers Guide...... 35 manage to get this important message across to politicians.

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•NEWS• 4 Spanish floods could push up UK and Irish veg prices Severe weather in parts of cold weather in Italy almost climate in Murcia is normally Looking to the future, continental Europe could be wiped out crops of lettuce and ideal for growing all crops in the assuming the weather does responsible for a hike in the broccoli. Due to the better winter months, but is especially improve as the spring arrives, the prices of fresh vegetable supplies growing conditions across the suited to lettuce production. Yet problems won’t go away. to the UK and Ireland. Floods Mediterranean from October for the past two months, the “A certain fact is that with across Spain’s Murcia region and onwards, salad leaves are widely region has had catastrophic three to four weeks of no sourced there for the UK and natural extremes of climate to planting at the end of December Irish markets. deal with, resulting in severe and January, there will be no One Northern Ireland salad shortages and farmers facing 80 crops maturing in March. This processor says he could lose up percent irreparable crop damage. will see a possible total stoppage. to a £1m in turnover due to the “I have witnessed first-hand the Maybe warm weather and low availability of supply. John devastation of these floods, growth can compensate a little, McCann, managing director of which have washed away planted but the growers and lettuce users Willowbrook Foods, spent a week crops and turned fields into are facing a period of no crops. in Murcia to inspect the damage lakes. Mud has washed over This has never happened before.” to his firm’s raw material fields with crop, and those fields McCann alluded to a ‘disaster’ supplies. due to be planted, have become situation brewing in the future Murcia in south east Spain rivers of mud. We have had up to due to growers being unable to produces around 80 percent of 70 percent shortages, a disaster plant for almost four weeks John McCann, Managing Director of the salad mixes eaten in northern for our customers who could not which would push supply back Willowbrook Foods. Europe. John said: “The soil and understand why,” he said. another two months. Precision farming project demonstrates savings AHDB Horticulture’s precision track changes over the next five In conventional vegetable whole workforce understands it, farming project CP107c is years.” farming, around 85% of the “Just one person driving a demonstrating savings for those James Rome, Barfoots farm field surface is going to be shortcut over a field ruins growers adopting and investing manager explained; “at driven over at least once. everything” added Tim. in new machinery for Controlled Chichester we’re already seeing Controlled traffic farming Traffic Farming (CTF) and is benefits, for example in the simply takes the tramline engaging with growers to deeper rooting of our phacelia principle a stage further. All the discuss best practice CTF and cover crops, which in turn traffic on a field is confined to other precision technologies. further aids water infiltration permanent lanes resulting in Barfoots, who moved over to into the soil. We’re now 85% reduction in area driven CTF more than five years ago, working to reduce cultivation over.” introduced their site in depths.” Potential benefits to growers Titchfield, Hampshire in 2016. Consultant agricultural from soil improvement include: ADAS soil scientist Paul engineer, Tim Chamen, who has A fourfold increase in water Newell Price commented, “It’s spent 25 years working on infiltration; 40% less erosion; particularly useful to have a trial tillage tools and effects of soil better aeration; higher at a site that is just at the point compaction at Silsoe Research earthworm counts; and of being converted to control Institute, told growers at the improved retention of organic traffic farming as we have been recent GREATsoils workshop in matter. able to analyse the soil Hampshire, “We do a lot of Successful implementation of conditions beforehand and will damage to soil by driving on it. CTF depends on ensuring the James Rome, Barfoots Farm Manager. Elsoms introduce first male hybrid purple asparagus

Elsoms has introduced has considerable consumer outperform all other purple Erasmus, a new asparagus appeal but has historically been varieties, it offers yields variety developed by Bejo Zaden, associated with low yields and that are similar to those of which they believe has the demanding fern management. leading green varieties. potential to transform the Well suited to the UK climate, Furthermore, it appears to economics of purple asparagus Erasmus offers enhanced have slightly improved growing within the UK. performance in both areas. standing ability, though According to Elsoms, as the “Erasmus was first planted in fern support is still world’s first 100% male hybrid the UK in 2012 at Hargreaves necessary. Erasmus, the world’s first 100% male hybrid purple asparagus, Erasmus, Plants Ltd, a globally renowned The spears produced are purple asparagus produces excellent quality delivers excellent quality spears asparagus testing facility,” says of excellent quality - dark spears at higher yields than alternative at yields two to three times Marie-Laure Bayard, Asparagus purple, straight, and with purple breeds, say Elsoms. those of alternative purple Specialist at Elsoms. “We now good tip closure. Its and rises in the living wage,” breeds, offering comparable have full maturity, statistically- introduction is therefore says Marie-Laure. performance to leading green relevant data (5 times replicate) extremely valuable to UK The new variety is now varieties. that confirms that its yield growers who have seen margins available in seed form and Rich in antioxidants and low in exceeds our expectations. squeezed over recent years by demand is expected to be in lignin, tender purple asparagus “Not only does Erasmus unseasonal cold spring weather high.

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•NEWS• 6 Fresh Growers install new waste water system

Waste water recycling and Nottinghamshire. Alan Hunt, stopping to clean out. We’re which takes samples from the management for root crop the Factory Manager at Fresh noticing that as the new system Lamella settler and separator. growers and packers is an Growers, said; “Our objectives settles, its effectiveness is A Filter Plate Press produces a important speciality at the Haith were, to save water, to put increasing, and our water ‘cake’ which is around 70% dry, Group, which designs and cleaner water into the system quality continues to improve.” at about 5.5 tonnes per drop. installs custom built systems to and eliminate soil damage to Waste water from the factory Equipped with a high-pressure ensure the maximum purity of bearings and machinery from is collected by a reception cloth wash facility, this is recycled water. soil recirculation. We are now sump, where constant mixing selected manually once or twice A new Haith Water Recycling removing 99% of soil and keeps the waste solids in a week. Clean water from System was recently installed at debris, and the complete suspension. The sump’s pressed cake is returned to the Fresh Growers Ltd near Newark, installation process took just contents are then transferred to clean water tank for reuse four weeks from a Rotary Brush Screen at around within the factory. start to finish.” 50 cubic metres an hour, for From the HMI screen on the “I am pleased fine screening. main panel, the system is to say we’ve Water then feeds from the constantly monitored with a greatly reduced screen, into a balance tank and high degree of automation and our downtime onto a Flocculator. Flow is security checks. Water returning hours, and regulated, and can be adjusted to the factory is dosed with production has on the Lamella HMI control chlorine dioxide, but only if the increased by 10- screen. Coagulant and CL02 meter sees a flow on the 15% as there’s flocculent are added and CL02 panel, and the Probe no longer any efficiently mixed; rates are readings are in the correct Fresh Growers’ new water recycling system. need to keep controlled by an Auto-Sampler range. Jon Birchall joins Levity CropScience team Levity CropScience, based at joining their rapidly expanding exciting products to launch in products coming through that Preston in Lancashire, have team, to assist with customer the UK over the next couple of can make a huge difference to announced that well known support and farm trials. years. Jon will help us organize UK agriculture and I am really agronomist, Jon Birchall, is Alongside his work at Levity famer trials and communicate looking forwards to working Jon will continue to service his to British farmers what Levity with them. With new products existing client base, managing can do for their crops”. launching on potato, and root some 3,000 acres of a broad Jon Birchall said; “What veg this year and an ambitious spectrum of arable crops on excites me most about working trial programme on potato, contract farming agreements. with Levity is the R&D that they brassica, OSR and field I am Levity Commercial Director have. There are so many going to be very busy!” Mike Peters MBE said; “We are delighted to welcome Jon to the Levity team. Jon knows farming inside out, and is a Biorationals deliver nematode control former BBC Farmer of the Year. As industry calls for more such as biologicals. Biorationals His 30 years of farming and alternative nematode control are becoming a key component of advising on arable crops will be options in carrot and parsnip any grower’s armoury.” a real asset to Levity and the crops, results of a recent grower Around 40% of carrot and farmers that use our products. survey suggest that good parsnip growers who took part in Jon Birchall. “Levity have some very nematode control can be achieved the survey stated that they would through the use of biorational recommend the product for products. nematode control, with 60% The survey conducted on behalf citing that best results were VPM announced as distributor for of Certis UK indicated that the achieved after applying at the lack of options available to recommended rate of 20 Herbert Engineering protect against nematodes is the kilograms per hectare followed by Herbert Engineering has management, biggest concern of UK growers for minimum of 20mm irrigation as announced that Peterborough A company spokesman said; the coming year. However, the soon as the crops are drilled. based company, VPM, part of “Herbert Engineering and VPM survey also revealed that good “Understanding how these the Vogal Group, will be have been working hard to results were achieved by many products can work together with responsible for sales & support improve the service to its clients growers last season who followed conventional chemistry in crop in the UK. and to revitalize its markets best practice guidance when production is important for the UK based Vogal Group have where possible. Satisfied using NEMguard DE on their fresh produce sector. In a lot of extensive knowledge of Herbert customers, new challenges and crops. instances growers just need to Equipment both from a technical innovations are the Selchuk Kurtev, IPM manager at build confidence with biorational manufacturing and operational most important drivers of the Certis, says; “With the recent products by trying them out in point of view. They are known company. Therefore we are AHDB Horticulture review stating their fields. With planting for their mechanical and proud to welcome VPM as our that more longer-term research is imminent, now is a good electrical installations which exclusive distributor in UK and required into alternate methods of opportunity to do this,” Mr Kurtev include turnkey project Ireland.” control of free living nematodes, concludes.

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•NEWS• 8 Linuron fails to gain renewed approval Approval for the herbicide products to be June 2017 with soil types,” he says. some of the finer silt soils active linuron has not been end of use on-farm to follow 1 “If I’m starting with Praxim, I where I had previously renewed by the European year later. apply it at between 2.5 - 3 litres experienced problems with Commission Standing “Although any announcement per hectare with either control of small nettles, and Committee on Plants, Animals, of a product withdrawal can prosulfocarb or metribuzin just with Diquat potentially under Food and Feed (SCoPAFF). never be viewed positively, UK before the ridges crack. One of threat, I also aim to use Gozai The Health and Safety potato growers and their my early field notes from 2015 as my main desiccant later this Executive (HSE), which reports advisers have known about the confirms its dual ability to not year,” he says. on behalf of SCoPAFF said the question marks over linuron for only control most broad leaved herbicide’s approval had not almost a year now so we’ve had and grass weeds, but also been renewed due to available time to look objectively at new sensitise weeds enabling the evidence which showed linuron chemical options and trial emerging crop canopy to displayed endocrine disrupting them,” says Richard. smother them,” he continues. properties which may have “I now see Praxim Last year Mr Butler also adverse effects on endocrine (metobromuron) launched in successfully trialled Gozai organs in both humans and 2015 by Belchim Crop (pyraflufen-ethyl), a new non-target organisms. Protection as the natural contact herbicide launched by Richard Butler, a Lincolnshire successor to linuron in pre- Belchim in 2016 and was based agronomist with emergence strategies, but with impressed with its first season Agronomy group Agrii, said added benefits in that it offers results. that he expected the last date a higher level of crop safety “Gozai performed extremely for sales of linuron based across all varieties and on all well at pre-emergence on the Richard Butler of Agrii. Imports hitting Irish vegetable growers Growers of some vegetable happen to give up, their of broccoli purchased in Ireland started planting this year’s crop crops in Ireland - like Iceberg knowledge and skill base would between mid-June and mid- in heated poly tunnels around lettuce and Scallions - are be lost to the country.” November will be home grown. two weeks ago. It will take almost extinct; and discounted Mr Brophy said supermarkets “The principle of seasonality another five weeks before they imports of produce and that sold vegetables all year no longer holds within the fresh are ready for transplanting out supermarkets using vegetables round at cheaper prices were produce sector. The drive in the fields. as cheap attractions to entice having a devastating impact on towards customers into their stores are Irish producers. He said: “We cheap food is putting Irish growers out of used to have 600 produce having major business, says Irish Farmers growers in the country, and repercussions Association vegetable now we are down to 240. for the committee chairman, Paul “Until the recent spell of bad vegetable Brophy. weather in countries like Spain, sector. Mr Brophy, who is one of the supermarkets were able to Seasonality is Ireland’s largest broccoli bring vegetables like broccoli not a third growers, says cheap produce is into this country all year-round. world issue; it not always good. “Where is the Here in Ireland, broccoli is a is a first world choice for consumers in summer vegetable. Yet we now problem.” allowing this to happen? And, have a situation where there is On his own if these producers should only a 55% chance that a head farm, Brophy Paul Brophy. New ‘Store Owner’s Guide to CIPC Application’ booklet From July 2017, all potato Application’. store owners must comply with “CIPC is vital to the potato under the ‘Be CIPC Compliant’ reduce the risk of maximum new legislation stating that industry, as it’s used as a sprout campaign since 2012, from the residue exceedance,” adds Dr CIPC (chlorpropham) suppressant treatment. CIPC maximum level that was Storey. applications to stored potatoes applications must now be made originally 63.5g/tonne. This The new technical guide must not exceed the maximum using ‘active recirculation’ to summer the guidelines for the outlines compliance measures total dose rate of 36g/tonne for optimise the efficacy of the new new dose rates require that for effective application at the potatoes produced for European lower maximum dose ‘active recirculation’ is new dose rates being processing, and 24g/tonne for rate,” says Dr Mike Storey, chair implemented. implemented in July 2017, and those sent to the fresh market. of the Potato Industry CIPC “Research carried out by contains detailed guidelines for To help growers with the Stewardship Group. AHDB at Sutton Bridge Crop bulk and box potato storage. necessary steps to ensure “Active recirculation refers to Storage Research (SBCSR) in The new ‘Store Owner’s compliance with the new the new industry-agreed term collaboration with the industry Guide to CIPC Application’ was legislation, the Potato Industry to describe the re-circulation of has clearly demonstrated that sent to UK potato growers CIPC Stewardship Group is air containing CIPC fog, by the correct use of fans can during February 2017 and is launching a new technical fans,” he says. systematically improve the also available to download from guidance booklet: the ‘Store Maximum dose rates for CIPC uniformity of CIPC distribution – the Be CIPC Compliant website: Owner’s Guide to CIPC have been ‘stepping down’ at the lower dose rate, and www.cipccompliant.co.uk

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•NEWS• Potato and onion equipment sells well Cheffins’ on site auction for £17,000. Darby Methwold near Thetford As always, trailers and irrigation on 8th February, saw high prices equipment were in demand with paid for potato and onion the top price being £8200 for a equipment and a fleet of Fendt 2011 Marston FEN 10 tonne and tractors, with the final sale total £17,000 for a 2011 Perrot TR40 achieving over £350,000. reel. Four Fendt tractors were offered Bill King, Director, Cheffins said: in excellent condition and saw “The rise in potato prices being competitive bidding from both achieved was reflected in the farmers and dealers. A 2013 scores of farmers and dealers in Fendt 716 with 3,900 hours attendance. and in an increase in made £64,000; a 2006 Fendt 714 demand for the best second-hand with 11,000 hours made grading and harvesting £22,500; a 1993 Fendt 309 equipment. This sale saw mainly a Farmer with 17,500 hours made domestic trade of farmers and £12,200 whilst a 1997 Fendt growers for the potato F395 GT Carrier with 17,000 equipment, whilst dealers hours made £14,500. dominated the sales for tractors Similarly, the potato and onion and machinery. equipment saw significant “Higher prices for new demand with high prices paid machines has continued to have a across the board. The top price in knock-on effect on our sales and this section was for a 1998 we have seen second-hand prices Herbert potato grader which rising month on month as a lack achieved £25,000 whilst a of supply drives demand across all Swiftlift extending elevator made sectors of the farming industry.”

Standen open retail division in Scotland Standen Engineering Ltd have Wilson said: “we are committed announced the opening of their to providing the very best sales new Scottish retail division - to and parts support for our replace TRP (Scotland) Ltd - customers, and opening a which will cover all aspects of Scottish division was the obvious machinery sales, parts and way to ensure continuity after service for the Perthshire and Fife the closure of TRP (Scotland) at area, in addition to any areas the end of last year. where growers are not “We are very pleased to supported by current Standen welcome both Billy Beatson as dealers. The new site is based in Area Sales Manager and Billy Burrelton, near Perth and has Tosh as Parts Manager for undergone complete Scotland, who have a combined refurbishment ahead of the 60 years’ experience in the root opening in the first week of crop sector in Scotland. I would March. The new site will be also like to take the opportunity Standen’s first retail division to wish the TRP team the best of outside of their Ely headquarters. luck as they continue their focus Standen’s Sales Director David on their Lincolnshire operation”.

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•NEWS• 10 UK potato growers’ missing margins UK potato growers could be make a real difference to the that there is room to increase build relationships with those missing out on £700 per bottom line. We need to work those figures. growing global markets which hectare according to Rob on supporting producers to Rob also called on the are looking out for these Clayton, AHDB Potatoes change their practices to industry to embrace the premium goods.” Strategy Director. Speaking at improve productivity and changing tastes of consumers. the Farming Scotland increase their yields and He said: “Many consumers are Conference in Carnoustie, Rob margins. Our Strategic Potato looking for convenience, and detailed AHDB analysis which Farm Programme is a key part for meal time solutions rather looked at some of the top 25% of those efforts.” than ingredients. Because of of producers and found that When AHDB last analysed the this we see the chilled potato improvements in seed rates and figures in 2015, average UK sector is growing, chilled mash, energy efficiency could be potato yields were 48.8 tonnes or roast potatoes for example worth approximately £37,000 per hectare, while Germany, and we need to make sure we for the average grower. France and Belgium were are tapping into this. He said: “Farmers are not achieving yields of over 50 “Premium potato products are collecting this extra income for tonnes per hectare. While this is also important, especially as we a number of reasons. Changes partly down to environmental see a global surge in the middle to seed and nitrogen rates and factors such as soil quality and classes, and therefore not only making simple investments to weather as well as variety mix, do we need to produce more improve store performance, can the AHDB analysis demonstrates such products, but we need to Rob Clayton. Controlled release fertilizers boost Farming needs arrangement for Jersey Royal yields seasonal workers Using a controlled released support potato crops, according A reliable scheme to allow harvest time. fertilizer (CRF) in preference to a to Scott Garnett of ICL Specialty seasonal agricultural workers She said: “We have more standard nitrogen programme Fertilizers. “They limit the need to harvest British produce than 80,000 seasonal workers has been paying off in a trial run for top dressings and the fact must be a priority post-Brexit, in the UK which we need to by the Jersey Royal Company. The that the fertilizer remains an agricultural conference get our crops picked. We can’t trials were managed available to the plant over a heard. The warning came let ourselves be told that we independently by Ryan Stone, the longer period, offers vital from Anthea Mcintyre, can have British labour doing firm’s technical manager across a nutritional support to the crop Conservative MEP for the West the work. With record levels of six hectare area of Jersey Royal throughout the whole of the Midlands, who spoke at a employment, we don’t have early cropping potatoes. growing cycle.” he says. conference in Worcester the people. Our growers have “Last year we applied “The fertilizer granules have an organised by the National tried that and it won’t work. Agromaster CRF - manufactured E-max coating’ which is Farmers Union, on the future Calling for an updated by ICL Specialty Fertilizers - to essentially a semi-permeable layer of farming in post-Brexit version of the Seasonal half of the field trial area. The that controls the release of the Britain. Agricultural Workers Scheme, other half received a standard fertilizer to the growing plant. Miss McIntyre said she said: “We valued the fertilizer, with both being applied This works in conjunction with horticulture was a key scheme. People came here, did two days before planting,” says the soil temperature and contributor to the UK the work required and they Ryan. moisture content, with more economy, contributing 18% of went home again. They did The CRF was applied from mid- fertiliser being made available as the country’s agriculture not contribute to immigration March until the end of April the soils warm-up. If the income from 3% of the land. figures. It worked, and we 2016 at a rate of 180 kilograms temperature then drops, the But labour was a key should look to introduce of nitrogen per hectare. “When coating condenses and stops the challenge, she said, especially something similar after Brexit we monitored the crop, the flow of nutrients. When the the seasonal labour needed at as soon as possible.” earlier digs didn’t show much of nutrients are fully released, the E- a difference between the max coating disintegrates untreated control and the CRF harmlessly into the soil,” adds treated potatoes, but after 12 Scott. Potato merchant jailed weeks, the difference was clear A wholesale potato merchant, who falsely inflated his businesses and we saw up to 8% yield expenses by 2,000% to claim £160,000 he wasn’t entitled to, has increase in some fields,” he says. been jailed for two and a half years. The benefits of CRF are Scott Coupland, 48, from Leadenflower Road, Crieff, director of numerous according to Ryan, W D R Coupland (Produce) Limited, submitted a string of false VAT including tackling leaching. returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between March 2011 “From an environmental and November 2012. perspective, Agromaster helps to By claiming his overheads were more than 20 times higher than minimise leaching and this is they really were, Coupland received VAT repayments much greater extremely important for our than he was due. Investigators found Coupland was using the VAT farming practices. Reducing repayments not only to keep his ailing business afloat, but also to chemical residues is a very hot cover the costs of private school fees and his mortgage. topic on our Island,” he adds. Cheryl Burr, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, Controlled release fertilizers are said: “The VAT repayment system exists to support legitimate being increasingly employed to Ryan Stone. businesses, not a as bank to allow criminals access to ready cash.”

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•NEWS• •DIAMONDBACK MOTH• 11 Potato growers complain DIAMONDBACK MOTH about deductions LIKELY TO BECOME The NFU says it has written to this without reasonable processors and packers calling explanation. REGULAR UK PEST for clarity and transparency in “Farmers are telling us that by Richard Crowhurst the supply chain after potato this situation is getting worse, growers reported payment not better. They are becoming deductions of up to 30 per cent more and more frustrated at the Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) has traditionally with little or no explanation. scale of the problem, with some been considered as an occasional migrant pest of brassica The NFU is calling for full, processors and packers offering itemised breakdowns of little or no supporting data to crops in the UK. deductions to be made available explain the reduction in within 48 hours, warning that a payment.” owever, following huge lack of trust could cause long- He also said that while crop numbers which affected term harm to the sector. NFU which did not meet the primary HHcrops last summer across Potato Forum chairman Alex customer specification could be the country, and reports that they Godfrey said growers needed used for other things, such as may be overwintering in parts of more information to better value added processed products; south-west England, it may be understand the issues that were growers were not being set to become one of the most resulting in deductions, so reimbursed for this. important brassica pests in changes can be made. “It is “Packing businesses have Britain. absolutely critical that growers diversified to enable them to use A workshop organised by get full, clear, itemised more of the crop and produce AHDB Horticulture and the breakdowns of deductions so products such as chilled mash or Brassica Growers’ Association they can understand where wedges. There needs to be (BGA) near Peterborough in issues are occurring on farm,” recognition of the value of the January, gave growers, he said. “It is not good enough crop used for this purpose and a agronomists and others the to expect growers to simply reasonable reward for the chance to learn more about this accept levels of deductions like growers,” he added. increasingly important insect and to provide feedback on control and research priorities. Tong appoints new Commercial Manager Andrew Rutherford, Agronomy Tong Engineering has throughout his involvement in Manager for KS Coles Ltd and announced the appointment of the specification of equipment current BGA R&D Committee Brassica grower Andrew Rutherford Ian Hodgson to the newly within Tong’s turnkey vegetable Chairman presented an overview of KS Coles Ltd. created role of Commercial handling solutions in the UK and of the pest from the perspective Manager. The new role has been worldwide. of UK growers, having spoken to developed as part of the “Having started my career in producers across the UK. Brassica moths can lay their eggs directly company’s ongoing commitment the vegetable handling industry growers have reported through the mesh onto the crop. to maximising its capabilities with several roles at Peal diamondback moth (DBM) every Once DBM is under the mesh it is within the UK and Export Engineering, returning to Tong year for at least the last five then protected from beneficial markets. Engineering in 2011 seemed like years, with 2016 being the worst predators unable to access the “Ian joins the Tong sales a natural ‘next step’ for me,” said year to date. “One of the main crop due to the mesh. Overall, division internally from his Ian. “I’m looking forward to my points is that DBM is a regular control of DBM is more previous role within the company new role as Commercial pest now. We are expecting to challenging with crops grown as Senior Buyer,” explains Edward Manager, working alongside the see it, and like aphids, we know under covers, and losses can be Tong, Managing Director. “He sales team to achieve the we will get it; it is a case of what devastating. will be working closely with the company’s ongoing commercial the levels will be,” he said, In terms of crop susceptibility sales team to offer support, strategy, whilst meeting our adding that the period of activity and damage, the most obvious particularly on larger, turnkey customer’s requirements and is increasing into the end of losses are due to physical projects, ensuring commercial expectations on time and within September in the South West of damage to products such as structure throughout the sales budget.” England and there are even signs cabbage and Brussels sprouts process, whilst helping to that some populations may be leading to rejection, although the enhance customer relations overwintering where crops allow. reduction in size, for example of throughout.” Crop covers can be a mixed sprout buttons, due to leaf Since joining Tong Engineering blessing, particularly fleece on damage inhibiting in 2011, Ian has worked with early swede crops. If these fleece photosynthesis, can also have a some of the world’s leading covers remain intact, then they significant effect on yields. suppliers and manufacturers to are 100% effective in control, but The worst affected crops source high quality and if they become damaged for appear to be Brussels sprouts, innovative engineering whatever reason, and DBM gets swede and cabbage along with components, from SEW Eurodrive under the covers, control is all spring greens. Kale and broccoli motors, to NSK bearings and PPG but impossible leading to serious appear to have suffered less global paint. His experience in crop losses. damage but it is not clear why. this field will bring invaluable Crop mesh covers designed for “2016 was a challenge,” said expertise to his new role as cabbage root fly control offer no Andrew. “In 2017 we should be Commercial Manager, particularly Ian Hodgson. defence against DBM as the better prepared, especially after

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•DIAMONDBACK MOTH CONTROL• 12 rapid life cycle, where the caterpillar feeding stage can be completed in just 20 days under typical summer weather conditions, and the fact that the caterpillars are green, means that spotting the pest and controlling it in a timely manner is a challenge. “Last year vast numbers of moths arrived,” she pointed out. “They were also seen in Scandinavia. The moths came to the UK in several waves, but over a fairly short period.” Meteorologist Charlotte Wainwright, from Rothamsted Research described her work Diamondback moth larva and damage [pic courtesy Rosemary Collier]. using weather data and information on moth populations last year came from Norway. which may otherwise help to Dr Rosemary Collier of Warwick Crop Centre. across Europe to track migration “Although there were big control the population level. patterns. “The week of 24th May populations in Holland and Testing showed no resistance to saw the first population increases Belgium, the winds didn’t diamides or spinosad, but with today, but we need to get away in the UK, and the big push into support DBM movement to the restrictions on the total use of from the idea that DBM is a the UK came on 1st June 2016,” UK from here during the first big diamides, growers and sporadic pest in the UK.” she explained. arrival.” agronomists need to be careful in The importance of “By comparing the moths’ Charlotte explained that due to their choice of products. “We diamondback moth as a pest was movement with weather patterns their relatively small size, DBM know that resistance to diamides emphasised by Dr Rosemary we are able to trace them are more dependent on being does exist elsewhere (in Asia), so Collier of Warwick Crop Centre, backwards and see where they carried on the wind than other we would need to check that,” who gave an overview of the are migrating from.” By tracing species, such as Silver Y moth. “If said Dr Foster. “There is also pest’s biology and research to the first arrivals, which were weather patterns had been resistance to Bt and spinosad date. The fact that when eggs found in light traps up and down different, we could have had a (Tracer) in other parts of the first hatch, the very small larvae the east coast, Charlotte big influx from Benelux. Because world. We have relatively few burrow into the foliage, and the concluded that these first waves the moths are so small, they modes of action remaining and don’t have much speed and we need to be aware of the risk direction of their own,” she of creating and selecting for explained. With this modelling of home-grown resistance.” historic migrations, it should be The general feeling among possible to give some prediction attendees at the workshop was about future arrivals, even that without access to the new though this will depend on being chemistry of Cyazypyr® in able to identify moths on the Verimark, crop damage would continent. have been much worse, but Most delegates felt that even Andrew Rutherford and others 24 hours warning would be pointed out that becoming over- useful, giving them notice to reliant on a single product could watch out for the pest’s arrival. increase the likelihood of “We need more data to find the resistance to that particular active locations which provide the best or mode of action. During overwintering sites for populations,” she added. “Our model can only improve as we get data from other countries.” Being able to predict the arrival of diamondback moth more accurately would be a big step forward, but growers still need to be able to control pest infestations when they occur. Dr Steve Foster of Rothamsted explained the testing of DBM samples that took place in 2016, which showed strong resistance to pyrethroids in many populations. “The message is don’t use pyrethroids,” he stressed. Not only will they not control DBM due to resistance issues, but they will also reduce Dr Steve Foster of Rothamsted many potential beneficial insects Research.

THE VEGETABLE FARMER • MARCH 2017 www.hortnews.co.uk MARCH 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 24/02/2017 12:24 Page 13

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Syngenta UK Ltd CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE Tel:e 01223 8834000 Fax: 01223 882195 Teechnical Enquiries Tele : 0800 169 6058 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.syngenta.co.uk For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.syngenta.co.uk. Syngenta © February 2017. GQ 06999. MARCH 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 24/02/2017 12:24 Page 14

•DIAMONDBACK MOTH CONTROL• 14

Diamondback moth adult [pic courtesy Rosemary Collier] Cauliflower leaf damaged by DBM [pic courtesy Rosemary Collier]

discussions, it was generally felt be more difficult. present too much of a problem, traps. that the best results had been DBM is one of three as even where DBM is able to lay In summing up, Rosemary achieved where it had been used Lepidoptera species being studied eggs, the crops are generally Collier stressed that there is a as a module drench. as part of AHDB Horticulture harvested before much feeding need for better understanding of In terms of biological control project FV 440. Among the aims damage can occur. For other diamondback populations, as options, field samples collected of the project are evaluating brassicas however, nearly all well as building networks to at Warwick Crop Centre in 2016, different traps and the ability to crops were affected to some share data both in the UK and and at Kirton during the previous monitor traps remotely, trialling extent, with some reporting across Europe. “We also need large invasion in 1996 showed insecticides for efficacy and varietal differences, particularly in new ways to control DBM,” she high levels of parasitism by a developing a risk-based decision greenhouses. Pheromone traps said. “This includes reconsidering small wasp species, which has yet support system to improve were thought to be useful, but the biopesticide options and how to be identified. In addition, control. A discussion session captures are dependent on many to get the best out of them. We laboratory studies showed good during the workshop gave those factors and there is room for also need to look at other control levels of control using the fungal present the chance to feedback improvement. In greenhouse mechanisms, such as mating product Bacillus thuringiensis on the priorities for further work. crops, blue sticky traps had disruption and we need to talk to (Bt), although achieving similar It was felt that fast cropping proved more successful that CRD about the use of levels under field conditions can salad crops under covers did not other colours or pheromone pheromones to control DBM.”

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•RESEARCH DIARY• by Dr David Pennell 15 Micro-organisms’ activity against potato blight Considerably more Phytophthora infestans is a antagonists against P. infestans isolates showed antagonistic development work is needed but major disease of potato and among the isolates of endophyte properties against P. infestans. there is a real prospect of more tomato crops and and epiphyte bacteria (Hortorum The strongest activity was useful strains of bacteria environmentally safe biological Cultus). observed for a Bacillus subtilis becoming available to provide methods of control or 37 endophyte and 26 epiphyte strain. The antagonistic activity part of a disease control prevention are the subject of bacterial strains isolated from of bacterial strains varied programme. Growers will need numerous studies. Many Equisetum arvense, Elymus depending on the plant or plant to take care to use the best biocontrolling agents occur in repens and Chenopodium album part from which they were strain. Just specifying Bacillus plants or on their surfaces. A were screened for their isolated. The best strains subtilis is likely to result in an team of Polish scientists have antagonistic activity against inhibited disease growth by 40% inappropriate strain being used. been searching for effective blight. Interestingly all tested for most isolates. AquaCrop-OS water productivity model Crop simulation models are from University of Manchester, environmental and agronomic large geospatial frameworks, valuable tools for quantifying University of Nebraska, Imperial conditions (Agricultural Water for long-run policy analysis, or crop yield response to water, College, London, KU Leuven, Management). for uncertainty assessment. and for devising strategies to Belgium, University of Cordoba, The model, called AquaCrop- Furthermore, AquaCrop-OS is improve agricultural water Spain and University of OpenSource (AquaCrop-OS), compliant with the Open management. But the California, Davis, have can be run in multiple Modelling Interface standard usefulness of most crop models presented an open-source programming languages and facilitating linkage to other is limited greatly by a failure to version of the FAO AquaCrop operating systems. Support for disciplinary models, for provide open-access to model model, which simulates parallel execution reduces example to guide integrated source codes. Work by an efficiently water-limited crop significantly simulation times water resources planning. international group of scientists production across diverse when applying the model in (www.aquacropos.com). Faba bean intercropping under Latvian conditions Monoculture is used least 12-month. In organic bean (Vicia faba) full recommended for vegetable extensively in conventional and integrated growing, intercropping efficiency over growing since it induces a agriculture, where a single more attention is paid to two consecutive growing very low onion yield (0.66 to crop is cultivated on the plant-environment seasons, 2014 and 2015 1.09 kg m−2), although the same land for a period of at interactions with diverse (Journal of Science of Food highest immature faba bean growing and Agriculture). pod yield was found in the systems such Results showed that the onion/faba bean as most efficient intercropping intercropping scheme (up to intercropping, variants were cabbage/faba 0.56 kg m−2). catch crops, bean (cabbage yield 1.27- Vegetable/faba bean and green 2.91 kg m−2, immature faba intercropping can be used in manure being bean pods – 0.20-0.43 kg practical horticulture for used. In field m−2) and carrot/faba bean carrot and cabbage experiments, (carrot yield 1.67-2.28 kg growing, to provide a Latvian m−2, immature faba bean sustainable and researchers, pods – 0.10-0.52 kg m−2), environmentally friendly have evaluated whilst onion and faba bean horticultural production vegetable/faba intercrop is not system.

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•BRASSICA CONFERENCE• 16 EUSTICE POSITIVE ON BREXIT ISSUES BUT LACKING DETAIL by Richard Crowhurst

While the technical sessions during January’s UK Brassica availability of crop protection products. CPD has an approach & Leafy Salads Conference at Peterborough focused firmly based on the assessment of risk on each sector, the political and commercial presentations and there is a great opportunity which surrounded them were not only relevant to both, for a fresh approach to authorisation.” but to the wider produce industry. As conference He recognised that a solo chairman Jack Ward pointed out approach might raise potential issues in terms of access to the European Single Market, but here is no shortage rules you have, the more rules cited existing arrangements of issues facing the you need to make the rules with countries such as Australia, ““TTindustry,” and the make sense. We have a great Canada, the United States and range of topics discussed opportunity to go back to first New Zealand as being reflected this. principles and decide what we workable. “Each country Not surprisingly the keynote want from agricultural policy.” legislates in accordance with speech by George Eustice MP, Although unable to provide the same scientific reference Minister of State for Food, specifics, he cited areas such as point and then recognises Farming Minister, George Eustice MP. Farming & Marine Environment environmental policies which equivalence for the purposes of was dominated by Brexit. After better reflected local conditions trade,” he explained. but he seemed to suggest a emphasising his first-hand and the ability to fuse good One area of Mr Eustice’s lack of support for cooperative knowledge of fresh produce husbandry and environmental speech which received a mixed marketing. “Looking at the and farming from the family techniques. “There is a huge reaction was his comments on Producer Organisation model, business in Cornwall, he added, role for science and innovation, Producer Organisations. After could we enable them to “Veg and salads are two of the with the best modern genetic labour availability, the specialise in R&D and breeding most innovative sectors we have technology we have,” he continued support for POs has rather than marketing?” he in agriculture. The CAP has stressed. “I am conscious of been one of the biggest issues asked. “Many large growers are been simply stifling as the more concerns about the continued for the horticultural industry, perfectly able to deal with

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•BRASSICA CONFERENCE• 17 supermarkets in their own which is now ready for field biomass N sensors which right.” trials this year. Having been could have a role to play In terms of labour he said tested in controlled conditions in improving yields while that he was well aware of the both inside and outside, the also increasing the issues having previously been ability of the machine to efficiency of inputs. “We involved in a soft fruit identify individual heads of haven’t yet seen a yield enterprise. “Ending the broccoli has been proven. “We increase from varying the presumption of free movement envisage a three module rig nitrogen rate,” she does not mean we won’t have capable of cutting nine rows at warned. “If you identify any immigration,” he stressed. once,” Sarah explained. “Our variation in the soil or “We need to look at short term vision system can only see what the crop you should work permits, but we recognise you can see with the naked eye; identify what’s causing it that it is not just about highly therefore enough of the curd before you start trying to skilled labour.” must be visible in order to be manage it.” Increased automation is one measured.” Precision also plays a possible solution to potential Soil continues to be the most key role in crop labour issues. The automatic important resource that protection, with the use harvesting of broccoli is one growers have and Dr Lizzie of Phytodrip technology area which has been Sagoo of ADAS presented an Sarah McWilliams. being used to protect investigated by numerous overview of the key findings to plants through their early companies over the last 10-15 date from the AHDB covered a range of horticultural growth stages. Simon Jackson, years, with plant breeders and Horticulture soils and precision crops. “In over half the soils we Field Vegetable Technical machinery manufacturers all farming project CP107c. She looked at there is scope to Manager for Syngenta getting involved. Improvements explained that this has included improve soil condition,” she explained how Cruiser 70WS in automatic recognition working demonstrations at a explained. For example, can help reduce feeding software and camera number of vegetable growers reducing compaction could play damage and viruses. “Turnip technology have changed the including variable rate fertilisers a major role and Barfoots had Yellows Virus can lead to a 20 approach that developers of at Glassford Hammond managed to reduce the area of per cent reduction in yield such machinery are taking. Farming, Controlled Traffic the field trafficked over the year without any visible symptoms,” Sarah McWilliams of KMS Farming with Barfoots and soil from 100 per cent to just 40 he explained. “In trials, early Projects Ltd discussed her mapping with FB Parrish. per cent. infection led to the greatest team’s work over the last Dr Sagoo also presented the She also discussed different yield losses and seed treatment decade which has led to the results of a large scale soil types of soil sampling and for early control was absolutely creation of a prototype machine structure survey which had mapping, together with key to controlling defects and Anique

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•BRASSICA CONFERENCE• 18 added. labour, the regulatory “Phytodrip is very accurate framework and trade deals,” he with little variation in how explained. “The chances are much is delivered to each cell, that we won’t see any single even though less active is trade deal completed in the applied than with other next three years or so. We also application methods (such as employ 120,000 workers from the dummy pill previously Europe. 60 per cent of the used). While there is less hospitality workers in London product in the plant from using come from Europe, with a Phytodrip, there are still similar proportion working in sufficient levels and enough care homes. About a third of persistency to provide control,” lorry drivers are European. I he added. “As the plant grows think the Government has it has a similar level of product finally accepted that they can’t based on its size irrespective of stack the system.” the cycle time involved. When it comes to regulations, Prevention is always better than Mr Wright warned of the cure.” potential for NGOs and special Simon Jackson of Syngenta. In the afternoon Brexit was interest groups to undermine again the key topic, this time competitiveness. “We have Ian Wright of the Food & Drink yield loss in the plant.” discussed by Ian Wright of the three food standard agencies Federation. He compared aphid pest Food & Drink Federation. As a for the UK and there is going to pressure in both 2015 (severe) representative of the UK’s be a lot of work to maintain the industry. If we do not act and 2016 (when caterpillar largest manufacturing sector, best aspects of what we have together we will undoubtedly pests were more noticeable) but which, with a turnover of more and not add to the regulatory hang separately.” said that evidence showed there than £1 billion, is larger than burden,” he warned. “The One potential area to was a risk from virus infection the aerospace and automotive adoption of WTO tariffs would highlight the industry’s ethics is in both seasons. “Viruses are industries combined, he is used wipe out many sectors of in how it treats its staff, and also becoming an issue in to balancing the sometimes industry, and on a practical how it supports and improves lettuces, but they are mostly different agendas of numerous level, how do you get products their health in particular. Maria non-persistent so it’s really members and trade through customs without Burke of Let’s Get Healthy is about controlling the number associations. “The three main holding them up?” passionate about the benefits of aphids in the field,” he areas of concern for us are Looking ahead he believes that exercise can have on that the obesity strategy will workers and, in turn, on eventually encompass other company efficiency and issues such as fat and salt performance. She works with alongside sugar and that there around 100 companies in Europe, including G’s Fresh, DHL, Sky, and Virgin Media in the UK. With an aging workforce the need to improve output is greater than ever, but she warned, “You can’t go out and tell people what to do. Our challenge is to try to get in people’s heads.” For some, workplace- based health initiatives may seem unworkable or over the top, but Maria also pointed out they present a bigger opportunity to growers than just their immediate business performance. “We are total The morning session was chaired by Jack advocates of your Ward of British Growers. products,” she will be increased initiatives by exclaimed. “We eat lots of fruit the industry to promote ethical and veg. Your product helps to trading and healthy, quality reduce cholesterol and unlike products. “We need to be sugar your product doesn’t positioned as part of the depress dopamine. The solution rather than part of the Department of Health hasn’t problem,” he warned. “We been looking at your industry need a root and branch but we need to share best rehabilitation of the [food] practice.”

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•POTATO SCIENCE LIVE• 19 WHAT’S NEW IN POTATOES? New thinking regarding the role of LimeX in reducing common scab, the control of late blight strains, and new CIPC regulations for potato stores were among the topics highlighted at the Syngenta Potato Science Live 2017 event, held at Grimme’s impressive new training facilities at Swineshead, Lincolnshire, writes Sue Jupe.

presentation by Philip processing, LimeX is derived Ecclestone – area from Derbyshire limestone. With AAmanager for British its fine composition, this easily Sugar – advocating applying spreadable, high-quality liming LimeX pre-planting to reduce material is ideal for the scab, may herald a sea change correction of soil acidity and in attitudes to crop nutrition. general conditioning. As well as He explained that the calcium, it contains high levels commonly held view among of other useful plant nutrients Philip Ecclestone of British Sugar advocates applying LimeX before planting agronomists and growers is that including phosphate, potato crops in certain situations, to reduce scab. lime should not be applied magnesium and sulphur. before a potato crop, as it Highly economical, LimeX is research conducted between Piper on a range of soil types promotes common scab – an already widely used crops 2012 -15 in conjunction with showed the most consistent unsightly skin blemish disease. sensitive to low pH, such as Crop Intellect, operating from results were achieved by However, his presentation – sugar beet, and can offer the University of Lincoln, Mr applying LimeX pre-planting at investigating the efficiency of benefits to the whole rotation in Ecclestone made a case for 7.5t/ha. While yield did not LimeX in reducing common scab the suppression of diseases such applying lime before a potato significantly increase, - featured research dispelling as club root in brassicas, take-all crop to help minimise common marketable yield improved by what Mr Ecclestone referred to in second wheat, and cavity scab in certain situations. over 6t/ha ie over 10% - as “this commonly held myth.” spot in carrots. A summary of the data from representing a significant A by-product of sugar beet With data gathered from field 12 replicated trials with Maris increase in net margin. Having

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•POTATO SCIENCE LIVE• 20 presented this research work to Wisbech series silts to sand land products − technical CUF, AHDB and ADAS, in 2016 soils. manager Douglas Dyas British Sugar progressed to the “Before we started conducting chose to focus on the commercial strip trials stage. trials, anecdotally several larger late blight fungicide According to Richard Cogman, growers using Limex for club Revus (and other national LimeX manager, LimeX root suppression commented on mandipropamid co- can offer real benefits in certain a reduction in scab in formulations). situations depending on factors subsequent potato crops,” he Phytophthora including available Ca levels, said. “The Ca is very quickly infestans, the cause of field history, varietal risk and available and doesn’t run out of late blight, remains a irrigation programme; for steam - LimeX offers exceptional serious threat to potato example, in a field known to value for money.” crops. Its evolving have scab and with a Trials applying LimeX pre- pathogen population susceptible premium variety potato crop have also shown continues to challenge such as Maris Piper. increases in dry matter. A trial at management practices. Douglas Dyas of Syngenta updated growers on He stressed the importance of Frampton saw dry matter up by Changes in P. infestans late blight fungicide Revus. knowing the soil Ca level and 20-23%. In conclusion Mr populations are causing urged growers to measure it Ecclestone said there was a late blight to affect along with NPK and pH. “With a growing focus on Ca in a range crops before weather conditions was also seen again, is reputedly Ca level below 2,000ppm we of crops while post storage would historically have insensitive to fluazinam. would expect to see a response benefits were yet to be suggested they should, and However, he said without sexual from applying LimeX at the pre- evaluated. He urged potato reduced fungicide sensitivity to recombination these strains will planting stage,” he says. “Above growers to test Ca levels in the some actives has been observed hopefully not become a 3000ppm and there is likely to soil and to carry out strip trials over a number of years. problem in commercial be no effect.” to see the effect on common “By implementing a full scenarios where full fungicide He warned that pH is no scab for themselves. fungicide programme growers programs are used. measure of available Ca. “While don’t tend to see problems,” “According to data from the applying LimeX before a potato Controlling changing says Douglas Dyas, “but Euroblight ‘league’ table of late crop goes against the grain for late blight strains applying in a preventative blight products, Revus is the top many farmers, we are starting While Syngenta’s manner is fundamental.” While performing product containing to get some traction to the agrochemical range covers every not wanting to put fear out a single active ingredient. It idea. We are getting positive step of the potato crop − from there, he said strain 37_A2 had scores 4 out of 5 for leaf blight feedback from potato growers nematicides at planting to been observed in the UK in control and 3 (top score) for its with a range of soil types from herbicides and desiccation 2016 and, like 33_A2 which protectant properties and

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•POTATO SCIENCE LIVE• 21 rainfastness. It’s rainfast within energy requirements to meet 15 minutes,” he added. tougher and tougher “Revus provides excellent standards,” he said. “For the protection against blight,” says processing sector a new potato Mr Dyas. “In our demonstration store built today will be very trial, conducted and assessed by different to even ten years ago.” Eurofins in Derbyshire in 2016, To comply with the latest CIPC it was the top performing (chlorpropham) regulations for product compared to the likes box stores, the way CIPC is of Valbon, Invader, Infinito and applied depends on whether the Ranman Top.” store has positive ventilation, In regard to predicting blight i.e. whether the ventilating air outbreaks in the UK, he (and fog) can be forced through explained that the traditional the potatoes, rather than simply Smith Period model dated back passed around them. The some 60 years, but has recently temperature in the store must been fine-tuned by the James be as uniform as possible prior Hutton Institute. As a result, to treatment, requiring the air The latest addition to the Grimme Platinum range – the extremely powerful potato growers and to be re-circulated around the Varitron 220 Platinum. agronomists are now better store (without cooling) ideally prepared to cope with more overnight but for a minimum conditions. “It can optimise use to benchmark, to monitor their ‘aggressive’ blight strains with of 6 hours before the of cheaper rate tariffs,” he energy use compared with the new Syngenta website application. explained; “instead of switching others, and check their BlightCast warnings – tailored Mike Sharp said modern on and off every two hours or insulation using thermal on infections now typically existing box stores suit new CIPC so.” imaging to identify any air occurring earlier in the season regulations. In regard to active With regard to carbon leakage. at cooler temperatures. recirculation, a plenum with a dioxide, he said most growers plate fan and inverter drive can were blissfully unaware. In new Grimme - new facilities Refrigeration stores – produce satisfactory results. potato stores increased levels and machines what you need to know However, he warned than a are more likely to become a With manufacturing According to Mike Sharp, of plenum would not suit every problem leading to sweetening concentrated at the company’s agricultural crop storage store and there were Health and and black heart. “If the levels Damme HQ in Germany, specialists Welvent, there are Safety issues to consider, while are too high you need to fit a Grimme UK works with 27 approximately 2,000 potato Strawson Walls (Sunction wall) small fan and have a constant dealerships and has now stores in the UK storing 3- offered an alternative. bleed out of the store,” he evolved its own UK retail 3.5million tonnes of crop “It makes no sense to fit a fan advised. business with branches in York, averaging about 1,500t per without an inverter,” says Mr As to refrigerants, Mr Sharp Fife, Shrewsbury and store. Sharp. “The Inverter slows the reminded growers that a 1500t Swineshead. He said this was an aging fleet fan during CIPC application and store with typically 90kilo of During a tour of Grimme UK’s – particularly box stores improves overall energy refrigerant (equivalent to 6,000 extensive modern facilities at containing long term processing efficiency.” He explained that domestic refrigerators) should Swineshead, Aftersales Manager and packing varieties that variable speed control can be leak checked every six Russell Button said, “Since tended to be fitted with old match performance to the job months; and stores with more 2000, our customer base has refrigeration if at all. “New and a control system can than 90kilo every three months. shrunk from 12,000 to plateau varieties have more expensive selectively use suitable ambient He ended by advising growers around 2,000 – although the

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•POTATO SCIENCE LIVE• •LEAFY SALADS CONFERENCE• 22 TACKLING PESTS AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY With no shortage of issues facing the industry, this year’s UK Brassica & Leafy Salads Conference in Peterborough attracted around 300 delegates. With a packed agenda featuring political, technical and commercial Grimme aftersales manager Russell Button (left) and Adam Johnson at the presentations, there was something for everyone, writes company’s impressive new training facilities. Richard Crowhurst. actual production area remains 250 HP rated end gearboxes. the same. Demand is mainly for Growers have the choice r Tina Barsby, CEO of bespoke machines; fortunately, between BF BedForma or NIAB EMR gave an we have the flexibility to tailor Shapeforma ridging bodies. DDoverview of the production to the specific needs 2017 also sees the launch of organisations history and of UK growers.” the latest addition to the stressed that it was well “The level of technology and Grimme Platinum range of self- placed to increase its work in expectation is increasing - we propelled Potato Harvesters – the field vegetable sector. “We are not simply selling machinery the powerful new Varitron 220 run technical events, but we but a complete package – Platinum. The new high torque, don’t have the close working including training and aftersales 7.7litre, 6-cylinder Mercedes relationship that we have in services,” explained Russell. Benz engine now produces 354 other sectors,” she said. “Training is key - we have about HP. The engine runs at 1,300 However, NIAB EMR is 300 customer technicians rpm during road travel and working hard to address this. through the door each year 1,500 rpm during digging. It is involved in the new AHDB taking part in courses. There is The comfortable cab offers a Horticulture project FV454 no point spending £300,000 panoramic view and up to 77 looking at lettuce irrigation plus on new machinery if different functions can be and has recently opened its operators and support staff are programmed into the ErgoDrive new Innovation Hub in the Tim Lacey of Bayer. not properly trained.” armrest via the joystick and heart of the Fens, featuring New for 2017 is an addition rotary or touch keys. laboratories and collaborative cent of our turnover.” to the company’s proven range With Clean Control, settings space to focus on fresh An increasing focus of of high quality GF Tillers. The and adjustments made by the produce research. vegetable research is the use GF600 hydraulic folding Tiller driver can be saved and recalled “We are a very technical of biologicals. Dr Tim Lacey of features a heavy duty CAT 3 easily when in similar digging organisation, but we need to Bayer CropScience explained linkage, spring loaded hoods conditions. Visual Protect better understand the that there are currently and a working width of 5.4 automatically calls up images economics of production,” around 250 biologically active metres (three beds). It comes from on board cameras where she added. “Membership is substances registered for crop equipped as standard with a potential critical situations are very important to NIAB and protection use around the drive designed for tractors of up identified, such as the risk of a about a third of membership world, with 79 biological to 325 HP, or with an optional separator blockage. This enables subscriptions go into research actives registered in the EU. heavy duty drive for tractors up operators to react faster. Further chosen by the members. Defra “Nearly half the registrations to 500 HP. The two ‘speed details can be found on and AHDB income now only currently pending in Europe blade’ rotors are driven through Grimme’s website. accounts for around 10 per are for biologicals,” he added.

•Rubber grading screens •Rubber web covers •Sample riddles •Perforated washer belts Tel: +44 (0)28 91 275913 Fax: +44 (0)28 91 275563 Web: www.agri-web.co.uk

E-mail: [email protected] As well as the conference session, there was plenty of time for networking.

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A fresh look at lettuce

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Bejo Zaden B.V. P.O. Box 50 | 1749 ZH Warmenhuizen | The Netherlands T + 31 (0) 2 26 - 39 61 62 E [email protected] Elsoms Seeds Ltd T 01775 715000 E [email protected] | Europrise Co. Ltd. T (01) 843 8711 E [email protected] MARCH 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 24/02/2017 12:25 Page 24

•LEAFY SALADS CONFERENCE• 24 presentation, with moths and explained. time sprout grower from the Silver Y moth, being a Another key issue was East Riding of Yorkshire.” He particular focus. The large placement of transplants, with oversaw the most entertaining number of Silver Y moths seen modules planted on their side, session, including a whirlwind at the Euro 2016 football below or above the soil tour of the current world finals in Paris in 2016 failed to surface all showing significant economic and political appear across the channel, numbers of misshapen heads situation by Justin Urquhart but in other years they have and reduced head weights Stewart. Well known for his been a significant issue. The once trimmed. appearances on television, Mr other main caterpillar pests of Downy mildew is one of the Urquhart Stewart is co- leafy salad crops are key diseases of spinach and founder and Head of Diamond-back moth (which while recent developments in Corporate Development at affects brassicas) and turnip breeding have made Seven Investment moth (cutworm). resistance genes available to Management. Stressing that She provided an overview of everyone needed to AHDB project FV 440, which spend more time is focusing on pest looking at their Yara BouBou from Harper Adams. Lepidoptera and their own business and monitoring and control. personal finances, “The UK is behind the curve in “Silver Y is a sporadic pest he told his this area.” which behaves like migrant audience: “Your Tim explained that one of birds,” Rosemary explained. industry is vital to the greatest potential benefits “They fly in throughout the all of us. People are of biologicals is their role in summer and there is no eating better, resistance management, evidence that they arrive fresher stuff and something which is not earlier in one part of the you are in exactly always highlighted in country than another.” the right place. You discussions. “They lead us In answer to a question are also important towards a process where we from the floor, Rosemary also employers with think less about products and said that there had not yet employees paying more about broader solutions. been any evidence of tax.” Something we call Integrated pyrethroid resistance in Silver Justin Urquhart Stewart. Mr Urquhart Crop Solutions at Bayer.” Y moth. “We’ve been testing Stewart covered a The successful use of the same insecticides and range of topics, biologicals can require a biopesticides and there are growers, the many different including Trump, Brexit and change in attitude from differences in susceptibility combinations add complexity. Russia, often turning growers. For example, they between Silver Y and Sierra Hartney is a Plant perceived wisdom on its head. generally provide less control Diamond-back moths.” Pathologist with Sakata Seed “The reality is that the global in terms of numbers than Variation is a key issue for America. She provided an economy is doing quite well,” conventional chemistry, but if salad growers and Yara overview of the genetic basis he stressed. “The UK is the used carefully, levels can be Boubou of Harper Adams of downy mildew resistance fifth largest economy in the sufficient for economic University College described and explained how it can be world, the eighth largest production. “Remember that her work investigating the managed to best effect. manufacturer and the tenth it’s about population origins of infield variation The joint brassica and salad largest exporter. The value of management: keeping pest between lettuce plants. session in the afternoon our economy per head of populations down below the “Lettuce is produced from focused on commercial factors population is bigger than threshold where they might transplants grown from and was chaired by Brassica Germany’s and as a nation we cause damage,” he continued. genetically identical seed,” she Growers Association chairman are setting up more new Pest damage was also the pointed out. “The target is to Matthew Rawson, who businesses than Germany, subject of Rosemary Collier’s harvest it in a single pass with described himself as “a part France or the United States.” at least 80 per cent harvested. However, he Heads which are over or warned that access under sized result in to finance was vital wastage.” to continue this One finding has been that growth: “If people there are clear differences lose confidence we between the size of will have to spend transplants on the outside more financing our and inside of the tray. debt.” He concluded Although this has not been an with another area she has pursued, she said positive message for that some growers are already farmers and using this information to see growers: “People’s how they can improve attitudes are planting consistency. “A two changing and they gram difference in size at this will buy quality, but early stage became a ten you have to tell gram difference after 14 days, them that BGA Chairman Matthew Rawson at which point you can see It was left to BLSA Vice Chairman Charlie Kisby to something is chaired the afternoon session. differences in the field,” Yara close the conference. quality.”

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•BAYER VEGETABLE CONFERENCE• 25 NAVIGATING CHANGES TO AVAILABLE CHEMISTRY by Richard Crowhurst

“I think the [lower rate] The last year has seen restructuring within the Bayer will reduce the horticulture team, but as its annual Vegetable Conference persistence of Cruiser on the carrot crop so we will in Peterborough at the end of January showed, the have to come in with company is still working hard on a pipeline of new sprays earlier,” he said. approvals and new products to UK growers. One hope is that Benevia will gain approval for use on carrots but even with 2016 carrot season EAMU for the use of Cruiser last increasing use of Howard Hinds of Root Crop year, it will be available for integrated control Consultancy Ltd provided an treating seed in 2017, but programmes there is not overview of the 2016 carrot Howard is wary of the product’s a lot of protection season, together with some persistence given the fact that available from mid-June thoughts on how the sector will the rate is around 60% of that to mid-July. cope without pirimicarb going previously used on imported forwards. One of the main crop seed. As only two neonicotinoid Other vegetable protection challenges for carrot products can be used per crop crops growers last year was the lack from seed treated under the When it comes to other of Vydate following a fire at EAMU for Cruiser, it restricts vegetable crops, there Tim Lacey from Bayer. DuPont’s production facility. users to a single application of have also been changes While some growers have had Biscaya during the season and to the approvals and good results using NEMguard, leaves just three specific EAMUs for Bayer products as activity. You are really limiting others will be happy that so far aphicides available for the Tim Lacey, Campaign Manager the population spread of any there looks to be reasonable entire season, including for Horticulture explained. A pests that have already come in availability of oxamyl for the Movento. new EAMU for the use of Decis to the crop.” To achieve the coming season, he said. Pyrethroids may provide some on outdoor collard, kale and best results, it should be used After the delay in receiving an control, but their effects on spring greens increases the when plants are actively beneficial insects may make harvest interval from 14 to 21 growing and pests are feeding their use detrimental to overall days, while Decis Forte is a new at the first signs of infestation. control. With recent work higher concentration of In trials, Movento has also showing that peach potato deltamethrin which some shown useful control of aphids can transmit carrot growers may encounter. diamond-back moth on viruses alongside willow carrot The EAMU for Movento on brassicas, and the addition of aphid and parsnip aphid, carrot, parsnip, swede and rapeseed oil appeared to somehow main crop carrot turnip has been welcomed, but increase efficacy in glasshouse growers will be looking to Tim points out that it needs to trials. It also controls mealy control aphid numbers from be used correctly. cabbage aphid, a pest which is May through to August. Given “Spirotetramat, the active also controlled by a new coded the small quantity of ‘old label’ substance, is very systemic in insecticide, which should be pirimicarb available, Howard the plant and moves into fresh submitted for approval in pointed out that growers are developing parts. It is an Europe later this year. “Initially already beginning to adapt. excellent product for breaking we will apply for approval on Howard Hinds of Root Crop There were also some questions the aphid life cycle, but it will brassicas, potatoes and beans, Consultancy Ltd. over the efficacy of pirimicarb. not provide knock-down with carrots coming later,”

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•BAYER VEGETABLE CONFERENCE• 26 PCN, free-living and root knot nematodes while having a good toxicology profile. In trials it reduced damage in the presence of free-living nematodes when incorporated into the soil immediately after spraying where the crop was drilled within two days. “More work is needed to determine the optimum incorporation depth, etc,” says Tim. “However it gives control almost as good as Vydate. There is a Dr Rachel Wells of the John Innes Centre. lot going on and we’ve got some fantastic added Tim. The company is also products coming forward in Jonathan Gill of Harper Adams demonstrating a drone. still working to extend approval due course.” for Movento for thrips control behind particular crop traits and controlled drone helicopter to on onions and aphid control on BRAVO project aspect s of plant phenology and apply crop protection sprays. potatoes, but an outcome is With different funding see how these can be However, the company has no not expected in time for this sources, it is not always easy to manipulated to improve plans to bring the service to the season. keep abreast of all the latest establishment and vigour, crop UK and current UK legislation agricultural research which timing, forecasting and yield. would prohibit the use of New products could have an impact on Additional projects at John agrochemical application by When it comes to fungicides, vegetable production, so it was Innes focus on the key traits drone. Another issue is that Folicur will not be supported useful to hear Dr Rachel Wells behind pest and disease current rules on drone use going forward because of of the John Innes Centre management, as well as issues mean that it is almost insufficient market support and provide an overview of the such as pod development and impossible to create one with generic tebuconazole BRAVO project. BRAVO, or resistance to pod shatter in sufficient payload within the alternatives. A new product Brassica & Rapeseed Vegetable oilseed rape. weight limits set by the Civil containing the second Optimisation, is a five-year Aviation Authority. “There is generation SDHI compound project which was officially Drone technology currently no evidence to prove fluopyram + trifloxystrobin will launched by BBSRC in January. As well as having improved that using a drone system to have a wide crop spectrum but Although she pointed out that crops in the future, the way in apply agrochemicals is as is not expected to gain full label there can be quite a gap which growers and agronomists efficient as tried and tested approval for vegetable crops between genetic research and monitor and manage is also hand or boom sprayers,” until 2019. It has performed its practical application by starting to change. Jonathan Jonathan added. “There is well against sclerotinia on producers, typically around 15 Gill of Harper Adams University currently no evidence as no one lettuce when used in a years depending on the crop, gave an overview of drone use has done the work, but Harper programme with Contans WG, she feels the scope of the new and technology. “There are Adams is working so that we and showed a strong project could provide numerous many different drones for are in a position to be able to performance against brassica benefits to growers. different uses, but generally so- carry out trials.” diseases including light leaf “It’s a long way from us to called first generation drones One possible stepping stone spot where it performed as well getting to the fields, but the have cameras on them,” he in that journey towards drone as the market standard Rudis. research we do today is going explained. application may be the ‘Hands On carrots, trials show that to improve our world for the This, together with UK licence Free Hectare’ project which foliar applications of Serenade future,” she stressed. “Brassica requirements, has so far limited aims to grow a hectare of ASO six weeks after drilling is an economically important their use to data collection and barley this year without anyone could provide similar levels of crop and for us the time is ripe mapping activities, such as the setting foot directly in the field. cavity spot control to both for brassica biology.” However, creation of soil maps and “All the agronomy information metalxyl-M and soil she added: “It’s really important checking crops for will be gathered from drone incorporation of Serenade, yet to see where research fits into establishment or issues during systems and passed to could be up to 60 per cent the industry. It’s only you who growth. However, as drones agronomists,” he explained. cheaper than metalxyl-M. “If can tell us what your strategic could provide a significant way Cultivations and other you’ve not tried Serenade for needs are.” to avoid soil damage and operations, including spraying, that purpose, you probably Working with breeders, other compaction, Jonathan is will be carried out by a should do,” stressed Tim. researchers and the Oilseed adamant that the technology modified remote control Iseki Bayer is also working on a Rape Improvement Network will develop. tractor, and a small remote new nematicide, a liquid and the Vegetable Brassica In the United States, one combine has just been obtained formulation of the SDHI Improvement Network, both of manufacturer is already offering for harvesting the finished crop. fluopyram currently known as which have received a service for hard to reach Full details and updates on the AR83685, which has been considerable Defra funding, the areas, such as vineyards, where project can be found at shown to be effective against project will study the genetics its staff will operate a remote www.handsfreehectare.com

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Sclerotinia. Now there’s a way to break the cycle. Control +

Treat Sclerotinia exclusively in-season even with the best foliar sprays and it could come back year after year. But treat the soil pre-planting with Contans WG biological fungicide and you tackle the underlying problem. Every application reduces the source of the disease, limiting its potential for infection. In an integrated programme with robust Sclerotinia fungicides like Rudis® and Nativo® 75WG this means better soil health and improved performance of all crops. See www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk/contans-wg, talk to your advisor or call us on 0808 1969522.

Contans WG contains Coniothyrium minitans&%$#"! %% $% #! $%"#  !  %!# %% #! $%#" %$#"
%! %#
 !  % #! $&% $%! %!# % are registered Trade Marks of Bayer. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, please visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call Bayer Assist on 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2017. MARCH 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 24/02/2017 12:25 Page 28

•COVER CROPS• 28 BENEFITS OF COVER CROPS HIGHLIGHTED AT WORKSHOP

Cover crops can have a number of benefits, from in an Olympic size swimming Daniel Dabbelt of German improving soil structure and health through to helping to pool. The costs of contamination breeder P. H. Petersen explained can be considerable. A miniscule that it depends on what you are reduce pollution from nitrates and pesticides. Elsoms amount of the £40 oilseed rape trying to achieve and when in Seeds recently held a seminar at their Spalding offices herbicide, quinmerac, shut down the rotation the crop is grown. a water treatment plant in Although a lot of current which explored how cover crops can be used by Warwickshire for 14 days and interest is focused on vegetable growers and showcased some of the options cost £150,000, and certain biofumigation for different available from their partners Saaten-Union and P. H. actives, such as chlopyralid and nematode species, he pointed metaldehyde can be particularly out: “Cover crops are a good Petersen. Richard Crowhurst reports. hard to remove. way to protect soils. Even dead “Increasing organic matter is a organic material, such as Oil esearch and his company’s interest in catch good way to hold on to radish which has been killed by development is at and cover crops. “To drive nutrients and pesticides,” Adam frosts, can still provide benefits. ““RRthe core of our benefits in water quality we added. “Some of our farmers The amount of organic matter business,” stressed Heather need to work with partners who have experimented with provided by the crop depends Oldfield, Elsoms’ Crop Manager manage the land,” he explained. different [cover crop] mixes to on the species used in the mix for cover crops. “Although catch “We advocate maintaining good see what works best.” Severn and the sowing date.” crops and cover crops sit within soil health and improving the Trent provides farmers in eligible He also warned that growers our agricultural crop portfolio, accuracy of application.” catchments grant funding of up should compare different cover we are working with partners in UK drinking water standards to £5,000 a year for certain crop mixes carefully for quality. the vegetable sector, including a are 50 parts per billion (ppb) for schemes, and while different For example, those produced by Lincolnshire salad producer and nitrates, and just 0.1 ppb for a water companies will each have Petersen and sold by Elsoms only a long-term trial with Severn single pesticide, or 0.5 ppb for a different approach, he stressed use certified seed. “If we can’t Trent Water.” all pesticides in total. To put it that all will be actively engaging test something in a laboratory Adam Freer is a Catchment into perspective, Adam with farmers to reduce pollution situation then we won’t make a Advisor for Severn Trent based in explained that this is less than a from agricultural sources. claim for it on the product,” Nottinghamshire. He explained single slug pellet of metaldehyde In terms of which mix is best, agreed Heather Oldfield.

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•POTATO NUTRITION• GETTING TO THE NUB OF POTATO “ With

NUTRITION #
%" # #! ## In January Sue Jupe joined agronomists and growers at an Agri-tech Register and Training for Innovation and ##*% $%&  Ryan Stone#'$%*$! ##!%!'& Skills (ARTIS) course entitled ‘Understanding and !##' '& ' #! # !% optimizing potato nutrition’. Held at the ARTIS Hub − at Hasse Fen near Soham in Cambridgeshire − the intensive course covered a lot of theoretical and practical ground in just three hours.

eginning with an bruising, fry colour and overview of the storability. BBlegislative and Outlining the key priorities commercial framework to for potato production and potato crop nutrition, the nutrient management, Dr session quickly progressed on Allison said it had to be to sources of information, achieved with minimum cost nutrient supply from the soil and environmental damage and maximizing the benefits while being legal and of organic amendments before compliant with end user moving on to the practicalities requirements. of making fertilizer “While there are plenty of     recommendations. sources of data, it is important Course trainer, Dr Marc to be critical and skeptical  
 Allison – senior NIAB CUF before basing decisions on it,” researcher – said; “you can’t warned Dr Allison. He went on Jersey Royals’ Technical Manager Ryan Stone chooses think of nutrition in isolation to explain that issues can arise controlled release fertilizer. With Agromaster he onlyy needs one application, as the gradual release of nutrients from other crop management through flawed experimental exactly follows the growth pattern of his crop. decisions. We sell marketable design, concluding that data yield, not total yield, so we from some poorly designed “After 12 weeks, the need to look at crop nutrition experiments has, and ##!"'$%'&')*+ ##%!&!' $ + Controlled release we saw up to 8% yield fertilizer matching in the context of other continues to, shape nutrient plant demand# decisions.” recommendations. !'&$%* ##%*' # + ''  He went on to explains that Even though there is a ## %'%&*%'%!& ! # to produce the largest downward overall trend in &' '*$' #Agromaster Proven yield financial return per hectare it phosphate applied to UK  ' ##**%* ' # Increase* # #*+%!%*$!' ##* is important to focus on maincrop potatoes, growers #%!&* ''&' ##& quality, encompassing areas still apply twice as much as is & ##!! '$*$!&%*&  # such as grading, dry matter removed by the crop - Save time and labour with (DM) content, pathology, therefore, phosphate levels in only one application for %'*& # + '&$ the growing season

%*! Reduce environmenttal impact due to minimmized # # #&!' &'* ## leaching &'' * '$%' ##*% * !%% **** *' # %! & %*  %*  ##%! & # ##' !%' %**&% #  &'"&+%! &'&! # #&'"&+%! ##  ##&'&%*!

To order your ICL products or get the latest information and advice Call 01473 237 111 Email prof. [email protected] Web www.icl-sf.co.uk

All information is correct at time of going to print. ®Register trademarks of ICL and affiliates.*Increase in yield is based on actual figures provided by trials works conducted at Jersey Royal company and ICL.+Application over one season is based on normal in season growing conditions and recommendations by ICL technical expert. #Agromaster is not a fully coated product. E&OE Dr Marc Allison - senior NIAB CUF researcher.

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•POTATO NUTRITION• 30 the soil are on an upward trend. “While one third of seed and maincrop receive organic manure, the nutrient value is often not fully accounted for by reductions in fertiliser application rates,” said Dr Allison. “This is a missed opportunity in regard to cost savings and impacts on yield and quality.” According to the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice, compared to the 80’s, N efficiency is improving. Encouragingly, Dr Allison assured us there is still plenty to go for in regard to driving down the amount used and improving yield. Moving on to precision Indeterminate varieties - such as Cara and Markies (pictured) - have the potential to grow on and on and need relatively little nitrogen, said Dr Allison. farming he said mapping soils properly, in regard to pH etc, should be skeptical of such quality and yield. For each Moving on to making actual could be used to target data/information.” nutrient we were told it is a N fertiliser recommendation in applications. While applying case of looking first at the practice, course delegates varying rates can lead to N management crop requirement and were given two exercises to improvements in accuracy and Moving on to the principles subtracting what is supplied complete using the RB 209 cost effectiveness, he again of N management, we learnt from the soils and any Fertilizer Manual. * urged caution; “Growers often that apply too little and there application of organic The first step was to take minimum soil samples to is a risk of yield loss. However, manures, to arrive at the crop calculate soil nitrogen supply keep the cost down and as a apply too much and there is requirement. (SNS) looking at factors result maps are not often that certainty of increased costs N has the largest impact on including the previous crop in reliable – in which case you and possible implications to yield and quality. Research the rotation, soil type and work exploring the effect of rainfall. The second step different application rates on involved identifying the canopy persistence shows little determinancy group of the impact early in the season. It variety before calculating the Super-soluble potassium is only towards the later end season length in days. Step sulphate for foliar application that effects are seen with four required calculating the greater canopy persistence. total N uptake requirement of However, by September / the crop, while step five October day length is looked at calculating the decreasing and the benefit of supply from organic manures a large canopy is less which finally led to step six – important raising the question the fertiliser requirement. – do we get value from However, Dr Allison persistent canopy? explained even then it is not £12/ha Dr Allison explained the simple as other factors need answer lies in the to be taken in to account such ‘determinacy’ of the potato as irrigation (irrigated crops TODAY’Y S WAY TO SPRAY K variety. Indeterminate varieties use N more efficiently), - such as Cara and Markies - changes in the cost of N
BOOSTS YIELD AND QUALITY. have the potential to grow on fertilizers, the value of the and on. “Determinate and potatoes, the level of soil
EASY TO USE. indeterminate varieties have compaction and planting date. very different N requirements,” An estimated 50% of the UK
PROVEN AGRONOMIC RRESULTS. he said. “Indeterminate potato crop is grown on varieties need relatively little N compacted soil restricting root
FULL TECHNICAL AND CCOMMERCIAL SUPPORT. – they move resources in to growth and N and water the canopy rather than the uptake. “Under applying N on
VERSATILET . tubers.” compacted soil gives the Season length also plays a biggest yield hit,” he warned. For the full story and more, go to: part – as data from CUF solufeed.com/potatoes showed. Short season, 60-90 Split N applications? Barnham, Weste Sussex PO22 0BT day crops, do not need much According to Dr Allison the N – in fact it can decrease benefits of splitting N Topo quality speciality fertilizerrs 01243 554090 yield if too much is applied – applications is quite weak – an this is particularly true with opinion shared by Cooke et al indeterminate varieties. following research in 1957.

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•POTATO NUTRITION• •TRANSPLANTERS• 31 TRANSPLANTERS OFFERING INCREASED LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGY There has been a flurry of new transplanter developments during past 12 months, many of which provide increased levels of automation, writes Steven Vale.

talian firm Ferrari for function of the transplanter instance, has made a number carousel guarantees a constant IIof major updates to its Futura drop of plants to the shoe. module auto-planter recently. The According to the company, this older PLCs of the 15-year-old results in increased performance, Agronomists and growers getting to grips with potato nutrition on the machine have been replaced by a improved planting depth and ARTIS training course. mother board with a spacing precision. Ferrari reckons microcontroller which is much the transplanter can work 24/7 They observed that splitting can be found in RB209. faster to react, and there is also a without any reduction in output, the dressing was inferior to The course then covered new touch screen. and as well as level land is also applying it all in the seedbed other nutrients, including The pneumatic and hydraulic suitable for use on raised beds. A in practically all experiments potassium, phosphate and circuits were changed to increase self-cleaning function on the on medium and heavy soil. sulphur, before moving on to the reliability of the machine plough share prevents soil Meanwhile, there were very sustainability and production when working in dry dusty soils, accumulation in the shoe. small advantages from analysis using the ‘Cool Farm or during times of high humidity With the capacity to handle up splitting the dressing on half Tool’. This spreadsheet and temperatures. to 8,000 plants/hr/row, the of the experiments on light programme estimates the Another interesting feature minimum row distance of the soils. amount of carbon dioxide includes the availability of an twin version is 30cm. Available in “It has been shown crops equivalent needed to produce automatic timing adjustment, a both trailed and self-propelled take up a large amount of N 1t potatoes (Haverkort & device that guarantees a perfect versions, the company says the over a short time and build Hillier). The smaller the carbon plant drop at any speed without latter, which are powered by yield in the early part of the footprint, the more intervention by the operator. The Kubota engines and provide 4wd season,” explained Dr Allison. sustainable the crop. Futura needs just one operator to hydrostatic transmissions, are “High yielding crops emerge, This neat tool looks at four feed the planting robots with increasing in popularity. take up N quickly and key areas: fertiliser usage and trays. Every robot extracts the In 2016 the Italian maintain potential by soil emissions; diesel and seedlings automatically by means manufacturer developed the Fast maintaining canopy. A later electricity; fertiliser production; of a system based on cylindrical Block, an automatic transplanting application of N, 6-7 weeks and agchemical production. plungers combined with moving system for 3.2cm to 5cm square after emergence, had no real Dr Allison said depending on fingers to pick plants out of the blocks. Suitable for planting a impact on yield.” how you wanted to ‘spin it’ it trays. range of different crops, He went on to explain the could be expressed as per unit The Futura can be used with including lettuce, blocks are effect of crop N uptake on the yield, per unit area or per the majority of trays on the grabbed and placed on the onset of tuber bulking, and contracted tonnage. The final market, and the Stop&Go ground by two fingers instead of then moving on to improving part of the training covered efficiency, Dr Allison stressed NVQ requirements. that top dressing that ended Summing up Dr Allison up the furrow bottom, or the reiterated; “Crop nutrition wheelings, is of little benefit cannot be considered in to the crop. isolation from other Looking at the impact of agronomic decisions. Given different application rates at good soil conditions and several farms he concluded adequate moisture the potato that N application rates are crop can produce a lager root assumed to hit an optimum system efficient at taking up and plateau. Although over nutrients. Fertiliser application, ‘insurance requirements may be relatively applications’, can actually be modest but yield potential is detrimental to yield - they are created early in the season a poor decision as they cost and factors that impede early money and can decrease nutrient uptake (particularly marketable yield. N), such as compaction, Opportunities for fine-tuning inadequate water and PCN, N fertiliser recommendations will reduce yield. “ The 2017 version of Ferrari’s Futura is fitted with a new touch screen.

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•TRANSPLANTERS• 32 the rotors on the current Rotostrapp system. Unlike the old system that works with a 14cm-wide digging share, Fast Block works with a 7cm share mounted on a floating element, which Offered in the UK and Ireland through Standen Reflex, not only moves high capacity pneumatic machines are currently the most less soil, but has popular from French firm Regero. A couple of five-row Checchi & Magli Trium planters, sold in the UK by also allowed the distributor Edwards Farm Machinery. minimum row distance to be display also enables users to see reduced from 29cm to 23cm. the number of hours worked and been the UK distributor for the while the Dual 12 Gold allows Working speeds are around the number of transplanted Italian-made Checcli & Magli one operator to feed two rows 2.5km/hr (depending on the plants per hour. Available with vegetable transplanters for the by releasing alternate plants from plant spacing), and hourly rates any number of planting modules past 34 years. Able to supply each unit. The company says this per planting unit vary up to a from 1 to 12, distance in the row machines for planting modules, also means that the plants can maximum of 7,500 plants/hour. starts from a minimum of 5cm. bare rooted plants and planting be staggered much easier – Triple bed units will be delivered Spacing between the rows is a through plastic film, while there therefore allowing the maximum to some UK growers during the minimum of 25cm. are no new models for this light for plant growth. The next few months. A self- Equipped with parallelograms, season, the British company is technique also enables closer propelled version of the Fast rotating plant-holders and rubber always manufacturing frames and row-to-row spacings. Block is also available. flex wheels, options include altering specifications to suit Customer requests were behind Standen Reflex is the UK and pesticide and fertiliser hoppers, customer requirements. the development of the 4SP four- Ireland importer for the semi- electronic control and The current range of row transplanter from well- automatic block transplanters management, row-marker (also transplanters includes the semi- known Belgian firm Agriplant. made by French firm Regero, the hydraulic), front furrower, folding automatic Wolf and Fox, and the Designed and developed in- current most popular model frame or hydraulic sliding. Trium (Total Control) module house, the result is not only being the high capacity Edwards Farm Machinery has planter, which is fitted with a suitable for brassicas, such as pneumatic machines, which have ten-cup rotating white and red cabbage, brussels the capacity to plant 7,000+ distributor and sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli, blocks per row per hour. The is suitable for but also able to plant sweet company also imports the Italian- plants with very potatoes and celery. made Fedele machines, a range developed Company engineers returned to recently bolstered by the new leaves, such as the drawing board to re-design Fast transplanters, featuring the cabbage. the robot to make it suitable for Fast Basic, Fast Basic M (two The Top 24 planting four rows at a time and simple to use transplanters), and allows one ensure the machine’s overall the more sophisticated Fast operator to width remained within 3m. Their Electronic. plant two rows efforts have resulted in four The latter uses an electronic to 60-120cm lighter, more compact and system to change the plant row widths patented high-tech robots (two spacing in the row, which is Made by Italian firm Fedele, the Fast Electronic – brought (capacity up to side by side and two above). claimed to significantly speed up into the UK by Standen Reflex – uses an electronic 65,000 Once the robots have selected and simplify the operation. The system to change the plant spacing. plants/hour), plants from the tray, the selector

01R66B Clee Hill Road, Tenbury Wells, Bed Formers, Seed Drills, Transplanters, Worcs WR15 8HL SEE US AT LAMMA HALL 9 STAND 910 Tel: 01584 810713 • Fax: 01584 811124 Inter Row Cultivators, Plastic Layers. Mob: 07836 363416 Contact us for all your vegetable machinery needs.

Email:Email: [email protected] [email protected] • • Website: Website: www.edwardsfarmmachinery.com www.edwardsfarmmachinery.com

THE VEGETABLE FARMER • MARCH 2017 www.hortnews.co.uk MARCH 2017.qxp_VEG FARMER TEMPLATE 24/02/2017 12:25 Page 33

•TRANSPLANTERS• 33 Described at the launch in operations into North America, 2014 as a revolution in and last year used the system on transplanting, the Plant Tape 2,000 of its 15,000ha. transplanter plants crops in long Plant Tape has been trialled lengths of tape. This tape is successfully in the UK for the made by sandwiching seed and past two years in lettuces, small volumes of peat moss and brassicas and leeks. This year the vermiculite between thin layers of work continues, from a tissue. dedicated seeding line in Boston; The 2m-wide planter’s main previously tape was pre-seeded frame can be fitted with 4, 6 or in Spain and brought to the UK. 8 planting elements. Each tray This season, all sowings will be holds 45m of tape and done at the new facility in Plant Tape has established a dedicated seeding line in Boston to produce depending on crop type, up to Boston. tape for British growers. 900 plants. Tape is automatically pulled out of each tray, cut, and removes the empty plugs and Belgian company says the planted at the desired spacing. recovers the following plants. machine can easily transplant The job of the operator(s) on the Afterwards the plants are planted pressed and traditional plugs. transplanter is to join the tape by the automatic depth controller The 4SP is equipped with a between trays using small plastic and pressure regulator. stand-alone hydraulic system, clips. Depending on how many Like the company’s existing 1SP, which is independent from the lines are being planted, the 2SP and 3SP-row transplanters, tractor. The electronics are company reckons that one to the robots can handle small, provided with CANbus and an two people can add the clips, large and even twisted plants, easy-to-use touchscreen. The stack full trays and remove and plant spacing on the SP4 can large rear platform ensures fast empty ones while operating at be varied between the rows and plant loading and unloading. The speeds of up to 15km/hr. in the row. Depending on the transplanter is available in both Depending on the crop type, the crop, the 4SP can transplant from trailed and tractor-linkage machine can cover 3-7ha in an 50-75cm between the rows, and mounted versions. Capable of 8-hour day. Capable of transplanting up to the spacing distance within the transplanting up to 44,000 Much has happened since the 44,000 plants/hour, Belgian firm row is from 10-60cm. It is also plants/hour, Agriplant hopes to launch of the system, and US Agriplant hopes to have the first 4SP possible to work with different have the first machine in the field grower Tanimura & Antle in the field soon after this issue tray sizes and materials, and the soon after this issue appears. acquired Plant Tape to expand its appears.

REGERO BLOCK PLANTER

Sales:Mark Mark Winters: Winters: 07796 07796 444096 444096 [email protected]@standen.co.uk Parts/Services: 01353 666200 STANDEN.CO.UK Hereward Works, Station Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4BP

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CLASSIFIED...CLASSIFIED...CLASSIFIED...CLASSIFIED...CLASSIFIED... APPOINTMENT ... APPOINTMENT ... APPOINTMENT ...APPOINTMENT ...APPOINTMENT ...APPOINTMENT ...APPOINTMENT ...

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Hazera is one of the leading vegetable Because of an upcoming retirement within the If you have experience in vegetable trials work seed breeding and distribution companies Hazera UK team, we are seeking to recruit a dedicated or in the wider vegetable industry, we are in Europe. Brassica Product Development Specialist interested in talking to you.y As part of the Limagrain Group, we develop to work across our full range of brassica crops, For an application form please contact and market varieties from the Limagrain including cauliflowers, cabbages and broccoli. Leanne Hunt at our Rotthwell office. Vegetable Seed Division.

Hazera in the UK: Hazera Seeds UK Ltd, J.N.R.C, Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, UK. LN7 6DT www.hazera.uk.com +44 (0) 1472 371531 +44 (0) 1472 371547 [email protected]

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Terrington BRIAND Leek peeler/washer, with waste disposal Machinery Ltd unit, driven by 2 single phase motors. are suppliers of Bedformers and Bed Lifters for horticulture and vegetables. Inter-row Hoes, Rotovators and Brush Hoes. Planters GREGOIRE BESSON 2 row linear leek planter. for nursery stock and vegetables. All sizes of Rotovators and Power SIMONE Leek harvester. Harrows. Tined Weeders and Cultivation equipment. Vegetable Seeders. Strip Tillers, Vegetable Washers and Conveyors. Quantity of polystyrene leek boxes 18"x12"x6" Please call for any type of machinery not listed. Leek pallet cages. Tel: 01553-828083 Mobiles: 07889-112163 (Brian) or 07966-417720 (David) Tel: Haxey 01427 752514

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