Oilseed Rape Winter Wheat Major Threat from Water Controlling Weeds with Framework Directive a Limited Spray Armoury Profitable Crops Through Better Management

Crop Production Magazine August 2009

Page 20 Page 6 Oilseed rape Winter wheat Major threat from Water Controlling weeds with Framework Directive a limited spray armoury Profitable crops through better management

Volume 11 Number 7 August 2009

30 Cover picture © Rory McKirdy Features Publishing Editor Angus McKirdy Features

Sub Editor Charlotte Lord Writers Charles Abel 4 Smith’s Soapbox 48 Cashing in on poultry Rob Jones Jo Palmer Views and opinions from an Essex manure Martin Rickatson peasant….. With base fertiliser prices still sky Mick Roberts high, one West Midlands egg producer Design and Production Brooks Design is capitalising by selling muck to 14 Giving OSR the neighbouring farms. Advertisement Sales Angus McKirdy upper-hand Advertisement Co-ordinator Peter Walker What lessons can OSR growers learn from last year’s disastrous autumn CPM Crop Production Magazine establishment programme? CPM Editorial & Advertising Sales provides some answers. 6 Fighting the age-old White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury, enemy Shropshire. SY5 8LP 30 Evolving markets to Winter wheat growers were fortunate Tel: (01743) 861122 shape variety choice? to achieve good levels of blackgrass E-mail: [email protected] Winter wheat growers need to be aware control last year, say the experts. Reader Registration Hotline of some new market opportunities –– So with a late wet harvest, what 01728 622521 notably in the bioethanol sector –– if can be done to limit the pressure on Atlantis. Advertising Copy they’re to maximise their returns from Brooks Design, the crop next season. Scotts Mansion, 24 Claremont Hill, 20 Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY1 1RD Severe threat to 36 Specialist grower OSR viability Tel: (01743) 244403 leaves nothing to Fax: (01743) 244365 Farmers are being encouraged to E-mail: [email protected] chance make an extra effort to safeguard the Spring barley may not be flavour of future of several key OSR pesticides the month on many farms at present this autumn –– without which the crop with malting barley prices on the floor. would be impossible to grow. But one light land farmer is still keen on growing the crop. 42 Barley’s popularity to wane? 24 Integrated control Which crop will find more favour next ‘a must’ season –– barley or second wheat? If metaldehyde’s future is to be secured, arable farmers need to carefully CPM Volume 11 No 7. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at re-assess their slug control tactics White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury SY5 8LP. Tel: (01743) 861122. CPM is published nine times a year by this autumn. CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying farmers and farm managers in the United Kingdom.

In no way does CPM Ltd endorse, notarise or concur with any of the advice, recommendations or prescriptions reported in the magazine. If you are unsure about which recommendations to follow, please consult a professional agronomist. Always read the 36 label. Use pesticides safely. CPM Ltd is not responsible for loss or 54 Yellow rust –– warning. damage to any unsolicited material, including photographs. Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 3 the RPA that I need to make them more ‘50s into 100ha fields has since been obvious on the ground by using 75cm repatriated to its hundreds of owners. diameter white-topped stakes, or large Here, as far as I could see, there were SMITH’S stones, as boundary markers. I did no visible markers –– and the farm wonder if the RPA realised what a large co-ops openly admit that they aren’t stone or stake could do to a combine quite sure where the actual boundaries concave but on contemplation, I thought lie. They just divvy things up as best they better of it and duly put them in. can where the historic claimant wants to Yet it strikes me that, if this is an issue re-occupy the land. in England, on the Continent things must One has to seriously wonder how the be a thousand times worse. Over vast English mapping system was found to be swathes of arable land in western unacceptable by the European court of Europe, it’s common to have featureless, auditors on the grounds that it could 10ha fields under multiple ownership potentially facilitate fraud. Answers on and farmed in 20m strips. The custom a postcard please. in places such as France and Germany SOAPBOX is to mark the boundaries with small stones at either side of the field. Quite how an inspector will sort that lot out is beyond me. The situation becomes even more challenging in Eastern Europe where Email your comments and ideas to Good fences make land that had been collectivised in the [email protected] good neighbours I gather that I’m not alone in having my market picks up to over £120/t, I can farm re-drawn by the Rural Payments Whither malting see very little point in growing malting Agency in their latest mapping exercise barley? barley. The trouble is, if I’m thinking but, nonetheless, I’ll happily bore you like that, then maybe everyone else is As autumn beckons, thoughts again with the details. as well? turn to next year’s cropping plans. But First, I was given my neighbour’s Are we all in a mood to over-react but with prices where they are right now, reservoir, which was a lovely gesture by in the opposite way to how we did last it’s a bit of a head-scratcher to decide the RPA because I’ve always coveted year to the point where so little will be which crops will generate the best that bit of water –– but I doubt my grown, it’ll be in short supply –– once gross margins –– and we seem to be neighbour and his solicitors will feel again causing a bull-run on the price? back to the old syndrome of wondering as free-and-easy with the property as So is the counter-intuitive decision whether we’d be much worse-off the RPA does. the one to take –– sticking with the growing nothing at all. Then having failed to pick up the crop in the hope that you’re not This assumes, of course, that we fenced road that delineated my field moving with the herd. But then again, could instantly rid ourselves of all our from the aforementioned neighbour’s maybe I’m not the only one thinking fixed costs as well as the variables, reservoir, the RPA then managed to like this..... and therein lies the rub. sub-divide a field by identifying an Having had a bit of a renaissance electric fence as a permanent boundary over the past five years, malting barley –– despite the fact that we’ve always looks like it could be heading back to submitted it as one single block. Cinderella status in gross margin terms. To cap it all, there was an old It certainly seems as if the wet back-end counter-wall drawn in out on the marsh last year, together with high fertiliser that hasn’t been there since the war. prices, pushed too many of us into So if, as they claim, the RPA have malting barley –– and consequently, used aerial photos to assemble these the job was over-cooked. new maps, one wonders if they were It hardly seems possible that the reconnaissance pictures taken by price has fallen from £170/t in June ‘08 the Luftwaffe? to £80/t in July ‘09. It’s anyone’s guess But despite all of my angst, I resisted where it might end up come next July. the Victor Meldrew tendencies within At the moment, there seem to be no me and duly corrected the mistakes and buyers out there for next year’s harvest sent them back –– but there remains and the best guess appears to be about some further work to do. It’s anyone’s guess where barley might the £100/t mark. For me, unless the A few of my field boundaries apparently end up come July 2010. aren’t substantial enough and I’m told by

4 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

WeedWeed controlcontrol

Fighting the age-old enemy

well controlled by the delayed With a depleted arsenal of herbicides and post-emergence sprays. ever-increasing resistance, growers must work A repeat of those circumstances is unlikely. “Conditions have been far harder to exploit cultural controls and optimise more favourable for weed seed ripening this summer,” says independent crop the use of existing chemistry. consultant, Peter Taylor of Essex-based Samco. “Weeds will be jumping out of By Charles Abel and Angus McKirdy the ground with the wheat, so growers really need to target bad blackgrass fields first and get in with their pre-em sprays as early as they can.” ifficult conditions for weed control ‘Atlantis is a very precious product last autumn may not have resulted High jump which needs to be protected.’ D in fields riddled with grassweeds But simply relying on herbicides is not this summer. But there are good reasons the whole picture, says James Clarke of why this has been the result, and with ADAS Boxworth. “Far from it. It’s a bit fewer herbicide options and resistance like a high jump competition with the levels rising, growers need to deploy bar rising each and every year, with every asset available to them as they resistance making it progressively wage war on weeds this autumn, harder to get high levels of control consultants advise. from herbicides alone.” What looked like a disaster for weed Cultural control needs exploiting to control last autumn –– with many pre-em ease the pressure on the remaining sprays being omitted and most post-ems herbicide options –– particularly those being applied in early spring –– has most vulnerable to herbicide resistance. proved to be anything but. “It requires a fundamental change of Farmer blushes were spared by a tactics. Instead of thinking ‘how little can combination of factors. Wet weather I get away with in addition to using forced later drilling, cutting the pressure Atlantis’, growers need to think more from weeds and the cool, wet summer about what they can do to avoid using caused very high dormancy in weed this valuable herbicide, and to protect seeds –– with weeds emerging later its value for future years. in the season and ending up being “That means doing the most they L

6 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

WeedWeed controlcontrol

L can culturally and making best use used now –– and many suspected cases of pre-ems.” are due to poor application.” Planning to skip using a powerful But with no new herbicides in the herbicide like Atlantis (mesosulfuron+ pipeline –– and with existing options iodosulfuron) is a pretty radical step, but significantly depleted now IPU and it still makes sense, insists James Clarke. trifluralin are gone, and pendimethalin “If you can give Atlantis a rest for one now under significant pressure from the year, it will do a lot to reduce the selection water companies –– growers need to do pressure and delay any build-up of all they can to protect this important resistance on-farm. herbicide, he believes. “If you get everything else right, there “Atlantis is a very precious product are circumstances where you could which needs to be protected. But it’s a easily do that.” fickle one too, so be sure to optimise Resistance to Atlantis has been its use.” confirmed in over 250 fields in England to date, comments research scientist, Too much reliance? “Resistant plants are a problem that Dr Stephen Moss of Rothamsted His concern is that growers place too are only ever going to get worse,” says Research. “But complete failures are much reliance on Atlantis, a product Stephen Moss. still rare considering how widely it’s which is vulnerable to both progressively worsening enhanced-metabolism resistance and ‘fall-off-a-cliff’ target-site resistance. Mark Hemmant of Agrovista concurs: “It’s a numbers game with Atlantis –– the less you expose it to weed pressure, the less the risk of resistance developing.” But Stephen Moss found small clumps of surviving blackgrass in several otherwise clean fields last summer. “Resistance was confirmed in most cases –– maybe reflecting the seed shed from a single resistant plant the year before.” Further tests are being conducted. L

Brome pressure building

Pressure from brome grass species is building –– mainly because of minimum tillage, early sowing, over-reliance on herbicides and bare patches on field margins and near hedges. Differentiating between species is important to optimise control. Anisantha (barren/sterile and great brome) and Bromus (meadow, soft and rye brome) species are all well controlled by ploughing down to 15cm, but seed from the latter is best left on the surface of a stale seedbed for as long as possible to maximise chitting. Conversely, Anisantha becomes more dormant if left in daylight –– so shallow cultivation should be carried out as soon as possible after harvest to stimulate chitting. In both cases, glyphosate should be applied shortly afterwards to eliminate the weed seedlings. Source: HGCA Information Sheet 7

8 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

WeedWeed controlcontrol

L “The worry is that these small groups “In a more normal season, it would of plants shed seed and become ever be unrealistic to expect a similar level bigger patches in succeeding years. of control of larger blackgrass plants.” That may not be hitting the yield quite Dormancy levels are worth noting too, yet but resistant plants are a problem comments James Clarke. “This year’s that are only ever going to get worse. warm, wet June and July are likely to “And with no alternative herbicides trigger a lower level of dormancy than in the pipeline, it really is imperative in the past two years. Last year’s cool, that farmers and advisors work hard to wet summer saw the highest dormancy preserve all the options they have in an ever recorded –– with just 16% of seeds increasingly limited spray armoury.” germinating rapidly. “By contrast the warm, damp summer Spring Atlantis of 2005 saw almost three times more Although spring Atlantis did a good job seeds germinating quickly.” this season, he urges growers not to Years of low dormancy improve the be complacent. “Much of it was down scope for pre-drilling controls, unlike to favourable spraying conditions and last year when high dormancy meant “Giving Atlantis a rest for a year will help smaller blackgrass plants in the spring blackgrass emerged later in lower delay the build-up of resistance on-farm,” as a consequence of the relatively cold numbers –– producing smaller plants says James Clarke. winter and later drilling. as well, he says. Yet Stephen Moss points out that dormancy is unlikely to make an appreciable difference to what emerges in the spring. “In my opinion, there’s much less spring-emergence of blackgrass than people think, and certainly not enough to warrant delaying the main blackgrass treatment. “The goal must be to hit small plants when it’s still warm enough for good control in the autumn.”

Latest advice Bayer’s latest advice for Atlantis is that the product can be used from the one true-leaf stage of the weed –– provided a robust pre-emergence herbicide has previously been applied. This certainly improves the scope for tackling blackgrass populations pre-winter. Spring germinators have a very limited impact on the yield and produce relatively few heads and seeds anyway, adds Stephen Moss. “I think a lot of the spring blackgrass people chase is actually autumn-germinated plants that have stayed small and undetected through the winter.” Regardless of the germination date, increased emphasis on non-chemical control is needed, urges Stephen Moss. “That should include everything feasible from the cultural control armoury. “With IPU and trifluralin now gone, and so much hinging on Atlantis, we must work hard to protect it –– making a real effort to use stale seedbeds, cultivations, crop competition and drilling date considerations to combat blackgrass and reduce the pressure on the remaining herbicides.” Delaying drilling remains unpopular

10 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 WeedWeed controlcontrol with growers, admits James Clarke. “But as absurd as once thought. Ideally, you With pre-em sprays, punctuality is a on every farm, one field has to be drilled want to have two years of preventing key priority, he continues: “If you need to last and with everything else being equal, blackgrass from seeding. In Essex, some switch a man from the drill to the sprayer it makes sense to plan for that to be the growers are using two successive crops to ensure the pre-em sprays are all on field with the worst blackgrass.” of oilseed rape after continuous wheat to within a week of drilling, then do it. Crop density can help too, adds achieve this. Properly timed applications make a huge Stephen Moss: “Keep the seed rate “A two-year break from blackgrass difference to blackgrass control, and the up and look to grow more competitive seed return can cut the weed seed bank spray timing is more important than varieties such as Robigus –– avoiding by more than 90%, whereas a single product choice.” very low seed rates where blackgrass is year will only achieve 70%.” Stephen Moss agrees: “Provided the expected to be bad.” seedbed has settled, the ideal time for a Pre-drilling weed kill has a valuable ‘Kerb key’ pre-em to go on is as soon after drilling role to play too, continues James Clarke: In oilseed rape, propyzamide (i.e. Kerb) as possible –– even if it’s dry –– rather “Think in terms of destroying weeds is the key –– particularly in non-inversion than waiting for the blackgrass to by burying the seed, with rotational tillage situations, he continues. “And emerge.” Failure to get a pre-em applied ploughing one-year-in-three slashing despite resistance issues, ‘fops’ and ‘dims’ puts “huge pressure” on the rest of the blackgrass numbers by up to 80%.” can help. Even where there’s full blown programme, he adds. The same approach applies to bromes, fop/dim resistance, adding them to a His preference is for an early application he adds (see panel on p8). Kerb-based weed control programme of a flufenacet-based product (i.e. Crystal Seedbed preparation needs to focus can boost control for reasons that are or Liberator) –– possibly together with on producing fine seedbeds, with as few hard to fully explain.” Defy (prosulfocarb) –– as part of the clods as possible, he stresses. “Clods Pursuing a more diverse rotation –– overall tank-mix. “Adding DFF to Defy impair the efficacy of pre-em herbicides including non-cereal and spring-sown certainly boosts the performance of and can help the weed seed over-winter crops –– reduces the dominance of the latter.” –– subsequently emerging as the clods blackgrass and other annual grass Mark Hemmant goes further still: break down in the spring.” weeds, and gives access to a wider “It’s very clear that you can’t beat Stephen Moss encourages growers to range of herbicide modes of action, flufenacet and I’d encourage growers make better use of break crops, or even lowering the selection pressure for not to mess about too much, and to a full fallow, where necessary. “It’s not herbicide resistance, says James Clarke. use it at full-rate.” Pendimethalin is L

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 11 WeedWeed controlcontrol

L susceptible to enhanced-metabolism more acres sprayed –– improving control timing.” This is a rather controversial resistance, so it’s best to use it at the at the same time.” area, with many conflicting trial results, pre-em timing (as in Crystal/Trooper Where blackgrass pressure is most he concedes. i.e. flufenacet+ pendimethalin), he adds. severe, consider using a peri-emergence Stephen Moss is particularly keen that Similarly, in non-blackgrass situations treatment after the pre-em spray, he growers make the best use of Atlantis for where ryegrass and bromes are the continues. “Avadex (tri-allate) fits well in blackgrass control –– not compromising main targets, flufenacet remains the this situation –– especially where there’s its efficacy by chasing other weed targets best pre-em choice, he notes. brome to kill too –– with the new BASF as well, including wild oats and brome. product, Auxiliary (prosulfocarb+ “There are good herbicide options for ‘Stacked’ approach clodinafop), being a good alternative dealing with these species, so I’d rather His favoured approach is to ‘stack’ on farms lacking an Avadex applicator.” see growers keep Atlantis fully-focussed 2 l/ha Trooper with 0.3 l/ha Firebird to Blackgrass control will definitely benefit on blackgrass to make the most of its deliver full-rate flufenacet, plus 60g/ha where it’s used, he adds. activity on that weed, and to protect its diflufenican together with pendimethalin. Turning to Atlantis, Stephen Moss activity from resistance. “Weed control is better than with Trooper favours its early application. “Application “Don’t risk the blackgrass control to alone but the treatments all need to at the one-to-two leaf stage of the weed get some wild oats as well. However, go on in good time.” Drifting to the looks to give better results than waiting there do seem to be more of them peri-emergence timing will generally until it has two-to-three leaves –– around this year –– probably because of give inferior control, he adds. especially if it means spraying in the cold winter breaking their dormancy” Including an adjuvant can help boost cold winter conditions. the ground coverage, he continues. “But it rather depends on the ‘Reasonable job’ “Pre-ems obviously need good coverage effectiveness of the pre-em treatment Peter Taylor highlights some scope for of the soil, which air inclusion nozzles and the drilling date. Mid-September using Topik (clodinafop) as an alternative don’t necessarily give. But by adding drilling with good pre-em control favours to Atlantis where fop/dim resistance 0.2 l/ha of the adjuvant Grounded, an autumn post-em treatment but for permits. “Used at the one-true-leaf stage growers can get all the benefits of a later October drillings, the temperature after a pre-em treatment, it can do quite 100 litre Billericay Bubble jet, in terms of may already be too low to consider a reasonable job.” Atlantis can be reduced drift, lower water volumes and autumn Atlantis –– even at the one-leaf reserved for later in the autumn, or in

Saving pendimethalin for post-em slot

believes it will be “doubly so” this autumn. confident it will give effective results, “Reduced competition from this year’s tank-mixed with DFF. thinner-than-normal crops has led to a “We know first-hand how well it performs greater number of surviving blackgrass.” having seen it in various mixtures in Shed seed from these plants is about Syngenta trials on the farm.” An unsprayed to create a bigger-than-normal weed strip last season, where no pre-em treatment burden in crops this autumn, he believes. was used, underlines its effectiveness in With this in mind, he intends to use a boosting weed control overall, he says. high dose of pendimethalin together with “We grow barley as well as wheat and Atlantis at the post-em timing to boost his I’ve found Defy to be a great foundation for pre-em treatment. blackgrass control in this situation as well –– “Blackgrass is our number one target certainly as cost-effective as the competition. weed since it’s more or less all over the “It’s a marvellous product to have farm,” he explains. “This year, there have in-store at this time of year because been small blackgrass plants –– or you can use it in a variety or crops ‘bonsais’ as I call them –– growing in –– including beans with a SOLA.” the bottom of our crops. Normally, crop Consequently, Defy plus Liberator Rob Hadley reckons he’s going to have to competition will choke them out completely (flufenacet+ DFF) will be used in “pull out all the stops this year” to control but this year, they’ve gone on to produce winter wheat this autumn at the pre-em blackgrass. viable seeds.” timing, followed by Atlantis plus Stomp He intends to use pendimethalin just (pendimethalin) post-em. “That effectively once in the spray programme, so it’ll be hits the blackgrass with five different types Using a robust pre-em herbicide tank-mix, reserved for the post-em slot. of chemistry –– rather than using repeat then saving pendimethalin for the post-em By adopting this strategy, Rob Hadley applications with just one active ingredient. slot, mixed with Atlantis, is key to success recognises it limits his pre-emergence “This will be our Rolls Royce treatment. in controlling blackgrass, believes one options. “But having had a number of years You can’t afford to gamble and I reckon Midlands wheat grower. experience with Defy (prosulfocarb) in we’re going to have to pull out all the stops Rob Hadley, who farms at Chesterton pre-em tank-mixes –– and being satisfied this year.” Fields Farm near Leamington Spa, with its performance and cost –– I’m

12 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 WeedWeed controlcontrol the spring if needed –– or left out of the application onto a wet leaf is going to programme altogether.” give inferior control.” However, Agrovista Mark Hemmant also sees a clear trials show improved rainfastness where role for clodinafop –– alongside Atlantis Companion Gold is used in conjunction and a residual element –– to bolster with Horus. weed control efficacy when temperatures “And where blackgrass isn’t an issue, start to fall. “It certainly improves its Broadway Star (pyroxsulam+ florasulam) consistency.” will take care of brome, plus or minus ryegrasses and oats.” Latest trials In barley, creating a stale seedbed then Agrovista’s latest trials show a worthwhile using a strong pre-em combination of benefit from using the drift-reduction Crystal, Ice or Liberator –– sometimes product, Companion Gold together with combined with Stomp –– is important BioPower, when applying the new liquid because Atlantis/Pacifica can’t be used, formulation of Atlantis (marketed as says Peter Taylor. “I’m less convinced by Horus by Agrovista). Lexus (flupyrsulfuron), but DFF/Hurricane “It allows growers to use a blue flat with Crystal can work well. Fortunately, fan nozzle facing forwards at 30o to barley is a very competitive crop” improve the coverage of small weeds Growers and agronomists should keep “Drifting to the peri-emergence timing –– using just 100 l/ha water and up records of their blackgrass populations, will generally give inferior control of to 15kph forward speed –– which believes Stephen Moss. “You need to blackgrass,” says Mark Hemmant. will be very attractive for farms with know what’s happening in your fields so large areas to cover and only limited you can catch shifts in resistance early spraying days within the optimum on and respond fast by spraying these quality and nozzle choice, and avoiding autumn spray window.” patches out with glyphosate before the antagonistic tank-mix partners in the He also highlights the need to spray seed is shed.” spring, he concludes. “Attention to the treatment onto a dry leaf preferably, Using Atlantis to its full effect is detail will pay dividends and above or to ensure at least four hours drying key, targeting the right growth stage, all, don’t’ be complacent about the time. “In dewy conditions, an afternoon environmental conditions, spray risk of resistance.” I

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 13 Giving OSR the upper-hand

till-seeding can work particularly well What lessons should be learned from last year’s on lighter soils –– especially when it’s disastrous autumn for OSR establishment? relatively dry since moisture is conserved so effectively.” CPM finds out. But the technique must match the conditions on the day, he insists. “If you don’t do that and persist with a min-till By Charles Abel and Rob Jones or till-seeding technique in the wrong conditions, things can become very “Our 4cast crop recording survey, difficult –– with rape emerging from ‘You can almost guarantee that spanning 40,000ha of winter OSR, different depths over a prolonged period you’ll get phoma, which may need showed crops drilled into ploughed of time, severely restricting the pre-em spraying up to three times.’ seedbeds yielded 4t+/ha on average, herbicide options.” compared with around 3.3t/ha from till-seeding, 3.2t/ha from min-tilling and Shared views just 2.4t/ha from broadcasting –– and David Ellerton’s views are shared ough conditions tested rape that was from crops established in easier by Richard Overthrow of TAG: “There establishment systems to breaking conditions in autumn 2007” (see graph are big differences between different T point last autumn. So what lessons on p18). cultivation methods, so growers really can growers learn? “So it’ll be extremely interesting to mustn’t pursue a single, blanket approach. Tailoring the technique to the conditions, assess how crops mauled into awful If they don’t adapt to the conditions, they rather than staying wedded to one seedbeds last autumn performed may end up having to re-drill up to three approach, is probably key, believe this harvest.” times –– as some did last autumn.” agronomists. Moreover, giving herbicides Too many OSR growers focus on the David Ellerton believes not all min-till a fighting chance and making the best time and cost-savings resulting from systems are equal. “There are huge use of autumn nitrogen are hugely reduced or no-till establishment without differences, with some machines important too. realising how much yield can be lost when achieving quite an even depth of drilling “The value of good seedbeds was the soil conditions are poor, he believes. –– and others not –– with problems where amply demonstrated last autumn –– “We’ve seen all of the techniques crops were muddled into inadequate not only through the widespread working well, with some very good results seedbeds last autumn clearly highlighting establishment difficulties where seedbeds from both min-till and till-seeding –– and the risks. were inadequate, but by the results from even some disappointing results where “These crops never really recovered, last summer’s harvest too,” says ProCam ploughing has produced a poor seedbed,” and where a pre-emergence herbicide had technical director, Dr David Ellerton. continues David Ellerton. “Min-till and been applied, farmers found that they’d L

14 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 d early-sown crops requiring a maximum of and cobbles –– with any compaction just 50-60 seeds/m2 in good conditions, removed.” He believes this is where compared with 100+ seeds/m2 later on, sub-soiler and cultivator broadcasting he says. “There’s evidence that high seed systems can work well, ‘boiling up’ the soil rates cause antagonism between plants, up on light-to-medium soils, but struggling hence they don’t get away as well as to achieve the same effect on heavier land. thinner stands.” “Rape is a notoriously lazy rooter, so with Pressing and rolling close behind the poor soil conditions following last autumn seeder is also important to conserve –– evident in the way crops looked in moisture in dry weather, he adds. the run up to harvest –– it’s important However, a word of warning from to address this as soon as possible, Richard Overthrow on drilling too early: particularly where rape is following late “Growers tell me they’re planning to wheat. Rape needs a good soil structure sow from early August onwards this and root run.” year but that creates extra pressure Rooting can be boosted by using a “The establishment technique must from diseases, pests and over-lush PGR-type fungicide such as metconazole match the conditions on the day,” crops going into winter. (e.g. Caramba), flusilazole (e.g. Genie) says David Ellerton. “You can almost guarantee that you’ll or tebuconazole (e.g. Folicur) in the get phoma, which may need spraying autumn, notes David Ellerton. “It helps up to three times, and there’s a greater to push the roots down further, resulting L burned their bridges for alternative risk of downy mildew and cabbage root in stronger, thicker tap roots with better crop options –– and many were left with fly too. lateral rooting too.” appalling crops with very poor prospects.” However, growers also need to observe The learning point is clear, he believes: ‘All manageable’ label requirements for cultivations where “Don’t sow seed unless you know the “These are all fairly manageable –– sulfonylurea herbicides, such as Atlantis conditions are right.” His advice is particularly with the new seed treatments or Pacifica (both mesosulfuron+ therefore to prepare seedbeds early and Modesto (beta-cyfluthrin+ clothianidin) iodosulfuron), Monitor (sulfosulfuron) to delay sowing until the conditions are and Cruiser (thiamethoxam) helping to or Attribut (propoxycarbazone-sodium), optimal –– ideally in the mid-to-latter part protect against pest attack –– but growers were used in the preceding wheat crop, of August –– allowing time to burn-off stale need to realise that they’ll be dealing with he adds. seedbeds with glyphosate. a very different crop and, as a result, they “Indeed, herbicide issues should Essex-based AICC adviser, Peter Taylor, should certainly look at reducing seed be one of the main influences in OSR agrees it’s more important to get a crop rate by up to 25%, depending on the establishment decisions. As we gradually established when the soil conditions are soil conditions, to compensate for the lose our herbicide armoury across the right than to wait for the perfect sowing stronger autumn growth.” range of arable crops, it’s crucial that date. “We’ve seen a move away from the But whatever the sowing date, the key growers really take advantage of the ideal date of 20-25 August in recent years is to create as good a seedbed as possible, benefits of OSR as a cleaning crop for towards starting as soon as possible after with good seed-to-soil contact and an even weeds and use the different modes of 1 August, and I have to say that I support depth of drilling to promote consistent action of the various herbicides available that trend. emergence across the field to allow –– including pre-em as well as post-em “Don’t farm according to what happened herbicides to work to their optimum, options.” last year –– think of the issues on the day comments David Ellerton. Yet min-till and till-seeded crops can instead and get the crop sown when the Peter Taylor agrees: “The key is to get be particularly vulnerable to pre-em conditions are right.” good soil-to-seed contact which means herbicide damage resulting from seed Seed rates will need adjusting –– with achieving a reasonable tilth –– not lumps being left exposed on the soil surface,

16 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 or from uneven emergence in rough, cotyledon stage of the crop, which may Post-em follow-ups should be made cobbly seedbeds, continues David Ellerton. be delayed if the crop is emerging from with straight graminicides, such as “Less competitive crops also struggle different depths, he advises. “Kerb Fusilade (fluazifop-p-butyl) and Falcon to compete with weeds and are more (propyzamide) and Crawler (carbetamide) (propaquizafop), or Laser (cycloxydim) and vulnerable to pigeons. must wait until the 3-4 leaf stage –– and Aramo (tepraloxydim) where resistance is “There’s a real risk that weed control who knows what the weather might be an issue –– with Kerb or Crawler added-in becomes more dependent on post-ems, doing by then.” according to the level of weed pressure, which may not be as easy to apply late By contrast, a ploughed seedbed can be he notes. in the season. As a result, the time and sprayed with pre-em herbicides metazachlor, Richard Overthrow agrees with the cost-savings at establishment can be lost quinmerac and dimethenamid-p in a range overall strategy but points out that reduced as the weed problems build –– or worse of combinations –– including Shadow, cultivation systems based on direct drilling still, the yield may be compromised Springbok, Novall and Butisan to combat or broadcasting inherently require less through inadequate weed control.” most weed problems, says David Ellerton. herbicide. “Soil disturbance is much With metazachlor-based products, “Performance is optimised in well prepared lower, so there simply isn’t the early flush growers need to wait until the expanded seedbeds.” of weeds and volunteers to deal with L

Keeping it clean

The spectre of last year’s wet harvest “That will lead to quicker emergence, killing the weed –– a welcome boost from and late OSR plantings as a result, plus more even establishment and a better plant an anti-resistance perspective.” the loss of trifluralin, means weed control stand overall –– all of which will give crops In fields with more difficult blackgrass, tactics need a rethink this year, believes more yield potential.” Aramo can be used at the 2-true-leaf stage Chris Bean, technical director for UAP. He believes the loss of trifluralin will leave to boost the level of control but even this “Some rape crops were planted very a significant gap, although the herbicide, isn’t working well enough in some situations, late and in less-than-ideal conditions. This Shadow (dimethenamid+ metazachlor+ he continues. “Mixing Kerb (propyzamide) resulted in some poor crops with thin plant quinmerac), could be a suitable alternative, and Crawler (carbetamide) as an alternative stands which were then targeted by pigeons he says. “Launched last year, Shadow has given surprisingly good results, from late winter until well into the spring. controls a wide range of weeds including introducing a number of different actives “These crops were unable to compete speedwell, chickweed, cleavers, cranesbill, with varying modes of action.” with emerging weeds once the pre-em shepherd’s purse, hedge mustard and Chris Bean warns that cutting herbicide herbicide had run out of steam, with the wet poppy. In particular, the dimethenamid dose rates isn’t an option nowadays. weather tending to reduce the persistence looks to be a useful new active.” “There’s always a temptation to trim the as well. You haven’t got to travel very far to Shadow has given excellent control of rates in oilseed rape because of the see the many weeds that escaped treatment cleavers and shepherd’s purse in UAP trials expense involved but doing so is a recipe this season –– not least hedge mustard, over the past few years, he continues. “It for disaster. cleavers and blackgrass, and poppy on also copes very well with poppies on lighter “For example, reducing the overall dose the lighter chalk soils. land where a split pre/post application has rate of Shadow from 2.5 l/ha will give “Growers therefore need to reassess their improved the level of persistence. disappointing control of key weeds such focus this summer and set-out to drill OSR a “The product also has very useful activity as cleavers, cranesbill and poppies –– and bit earlier –– from mid-August onwards –– on blackgrass –– around 60-70% control –– if you fail to control these early on, there into moist, well-consolidated and relatively meaning it provides a very good start to the aren’t many reliable options to tidy up with fine seedbeds to give both the crop and grassweed control programme. Significantly, later on.” the herbicide a head start. it incorporates different modes of action in

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 17 (clomazone), so including that for the “But trash alone is probably less of headland bout can be worthwhile.” a problem than ash and trash in the Growers also need to recognise days of stubble burning. possible product stewardship issues, “I think it was the chemical lock-up given concerns over propyzamide and with ash that was the problem back then. carbetamide residues in drinking water With trash, the herbicide will run-off supplies, says David Ellerton. onto the soil pretty quickly unless you’re “These actives may be running down dealing with a very dense blanket of the cracks into the water supply in straw. But even then, it finds its way till-seeded fields and that’s something through eventually.” that’s being looked into. The ideal time to use them is when it’s damp and cool Hybrid vigour enough for the weeds not to grow away The past two seasons have shown hybrid –– namely late October/early November –– vigour can help in the autumn –– with just when the drains are probably running. clearly-visible establishment advantages “Sowing early creates extra pressure from “But it’s a real ‘Catch 22’ situation –– do carrying through to extra yield in TAG diseases, pests and over-lush crops going I apply the product in the best conditions and official trials, says Richard Overthrow. into winter,” says Richard Overthrow. for it to work and risk pollution, or do I “If you’re anticipating problems, a hybrid compromise weed control by going when should cope better.” conditions are less ideal?” For later drillings –– in the second L –– which reduces the need for a pre-em The best bet is to minimise the need week of September, for example –– herbicide in the first place.” for late spraying and get weed control off hybrids can certainly make a difference, Yet Peter Taylor notes a growing to a proper start with a pre-em on a proper agrees Peter Taylor. “But in August, there’s problem in some fields with hedge seedbed, he maintains. less to choose between the varieties.” mustard creeping into headlands. “The Good soil incorporation is important Yet David Ellerton is less convinced only product offering any activity against to prevent trash hindering herbicide noting that, while sowing hybrid seed hedge mustard is pre-em Centium performance, notes David Ellerton. may provide some benefit in the autumn, it’s the size and vigour of the seed –– and Interaction between yield and establishment the traits of the specific variety –– which 4.5 are more important. Applying around 30kgN/ha to rape 4 before 30 September has been beneficial 3.5 in the past two years, notes Richard 3 Overthrow. “But be sure there’s a crop a

h 2.5 / t 2 Improving slug pellet use 1.5 1. 5m no-pellet buffer around all watercourses and ditches 1 2. Keep pellets out of field margins; 0.5 switch off when turning; treat 0 headlands last Autocast Direct Drill Min Till Plough Till Seeding Harvest year 3. Don’t pellet if heavy rain is forecast, or if leaching and/or run-off is likely 2000-2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 4. 700g/ha max per year; 250g/ha max Source: ProCam 4cast (2000-08) per application; adjust rate to pellet size Buffer strips to protect water quality 5. Treat only according to need 6. Fill pelleter in-field; clear up spills OSR growers should include grass the future use of these herbicides. immediately; never leave product buffer strips in their fields beside water For maximum effect, grass buffer strips unattended courses, according to the latest Voluntary should be established at least a year before 7. Clean applicator in-field and away Initiative advice. oilseed rape is sown. However, the VI from ditches and roads Latest evidence from the crop protection advises growers to aim to establish buffer 8. Store kit under cover; dispose of industry shows that 6m grass buffer strips strips for both 2009 and 2010 plantings of waste appropriately can reduce pesticide loss through surface OSR and winter beans. 9. Calibrate applicator for rate and run-off by over 50%. Financial support for buffer strips side/rear spreading With the water companies detecting is available through the various 10. Pellets are pesticides; users residues of the main OSR herbicides agri-environment schemes such must be trained; use protective in water, extra precautions are vital as Environmental Stewardship. clothing at all times to protect water quality and to secure Find out more at www.getpelletwise.co.uk

18 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 worth treating since there’s no point successful but there are plenty of things spending money if it isn’t going to survive.” growers can do to maximise their chances Making that assessment isn’t easy of achieving a good crop, and to create since late nitrogen is less beneficial, notes the best seedbed for effective weed control Peter Taylor. “You really have to make –– which not only benefits the current the decision at sowing-time, and in min-till crop, but the rest of the rotation too. I situations. But I’d say around 30kgN/ha is well worthwhile.” Nutrient supplements can also help, claims David Ellerton. “Umostart from OSR action plan Sipcam –– a zinc plus nitrogen granular G Match cultivations to conditions product, which is applied through a G Start seedbed preparation early combination drill –– has worked extremely well in trials evaluations with Techneat, G Sow into a good seedbed and the growth promoter, Quark, from G Exploit stale seedbed if possible De Sangosse has also boosted output.” G Aim for early weed control Phosphite also has merit, supplying soluble phosphate to seedlings, believes G Use OSR to clean land Peter Taylor. “On soils of Index 1 or lower, G Hybrids best at later sowing dates it can bring a real benefit, as well as on soils where the pH is high.” G Autumn N worthwhile Peter Taylor supports the trend towards To a large extent, it’s the weather which G Crop boosters beneficial sowing rape as soon as possible after dictates whether OSR establishment is 1 August.

Spring growth saves late-sown crop

he explains. So last autumn when the crop variety. But at 550ft altitude, we’re quite a drilled on 19 September failed to make any late farm anyway and our heavy clay-capped progress, it was feared the previous year’s land isn’t ideal for rape –– so we needed scenario would be repeated. something with plenty of vigour. “Because we sowed this season’s crop “Flash has given us that extra edge and a lot later than normal because of the late while it looked fairly gutless at first, it really wheat harvest in 2008, it simply didn’t have exploded into life in the spring –– to the a chance to get going. But we carried on amazement of the neighbours.” with it –– applying nitrogen in the autumn Although this season’s crop was as normal –– and stuck with our standard established using a min-till approach, “things herbicide regime in the hope it would will be different next season”, explains Henry eventually take-off.” Wilson. “We’re going to bring the plough “Flash bounced back in the spring Walking through the crop last winter was back into action and make sure we create so we decided to stick with it,” says a worrying experience, he admits. “Some much firmer, deeper seedbeds.” Henry Wilson (pictured above, right). plants had emerged but there were huge Moreover, the seedrate will be 60/m2 –– areas of bare ground. We had a feeling the highest recommended for the variety, that the plants were there but that they he says. “That will help compensate for the When Henry Wilson’s 42ha of OSR failed to just hadn’t managed to break through.” reduced germinations that our heavy soils emerge last autumn, there were concerns Eventually, the crop of Flash started are notorious for, and will allow for any slug that part of it would have to be ripped up for to grow in March and together with his and bird damage as well.” the second year running. agronomist, David Lines, he took the He’s also planning to apply 25-30kgN/ha However, an “explosion of growth” during decision to stick with it –– despite some to the seedbed in front of the drill to the spring put the crop well and truly back jibes from neighbouring farmers, he says. kick-start early growth. on-track. Re-sowing would’ve cost an additional Richard Elsdon, technical manager for Henry Wilson farms a total of 240ha at £50/ha and he’s now relieved the gamble United Oilseeds, believes Henry Wilson Fishers Farm near Hungerford, Berks –– paid-off. “Since March, plants have appeared –– and other farmers like him –– may mostly on a wheat/rape/wheat/oats rotation. in places where we thought all hope was need to consider applying a PGR to next Last season, he and farm contractors, lost. Although there are still some small season’s rape. “Following last year’s Donald and Philip Brown, chose to abandon patches of bare soil, on the whole, the crop dreadful harvest conditions, a lot of 8ha of rape which hadn’t established has filled out extremely well.” growers are determined to drill their properly –– re-sowing the land with a Flash has been grown at Fishers Farm for oilseed rape as early as possible. spring variety. the past couple of years and will be sown “This could therefore be the year that a “But those 8ha yielded less than 9t in total again next season. “We used to grow Expert PGR is needed to limit excessive top growth and it was hardly worth the time and effort,” but we decided to go for a higher yielding and encourage improved rooting.”

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 19 WeedWeed controlcontrol

the EU Water Framework Directive’s 0.1ppb drinking water standard. If banned, OSR would be uneconomic to grow on most farms –– particularly on heavier land where blackgrass is a problem, according to a report produced by ADAS, and funded by the AIC and CPA (the industry bodies serving the agricultural supply trade and agchem industries respectively).

Stark picture It paints a stark picture. “Farmers and agronomists must act now to ensure the crop remains viable, and that means adopting best practices and stewardship measures to protect water from herbicide and other pesticide residues,” explains the report co-author, James Clarke of ADAS Boxworth. Reduced blackgrass control alone could cut rape yields by one-third, slashing up to £390/ha from gross margins as more costly –– yet less effective –– weed control measures, combined with the yield shortfall, are factored in. Similarly, reduced ryegrass control Severe threat could cut 20% from margins, according to the report. Pressure on metaldehyde slug pellets further adds to the concern –– risking complete crop failure on to OSR viability individual farms. Taken together, the cost implications could push oilseed rape margins far below the typical £450/ha overhead cost of the Unless five key products are preserved, parts of crop –– rendering it a non-starter on most farms. Britain could return to the OSR-free rotations With few alternatives to OSR on heavy land, rotations would suffer hitting total seen before the nation’s favourite break crop farm income. “Winter beans are the most arrived in the ‘70s likely alternative but offer gross margins around £60-100/ha lower, and without any significant cost-savings,” says By Charles Abel James Clarke. Spring-drilled linseed or spring rowers and agronomists are barley also offer gross margins around ‘The implications if we get being urged to make an extra £80-110/ha less than OSR, he adds. this wrong really will be G effort to safeguard the future of “Knock-on grassweed pressures in quite profound.’ several key oilseed rape pesticides this wheat could add up to a further £300/ha autumn. Failure to do so could see the to the total losses if rotational ploughing, products banned and the crop rendered later drilling and more costly herbicide uneconomic on the majority of farms. programmes became necessary. Establishing buffer strips beside crops Moreover, the early entry slot for winter (see panel on p18) could be a crucial wheat would be lost, with workloads first step to preserving the key herbicides being further squeezed.” carbetamide (Crawler), clopyralid Losing the crop would also deal a body (DowShield), metazachlor (Butisan S) blow to biodiversity, with rape acting as a and propyzamide (Kerb), plus the slug good scavenger of autumn nitrogen and killer, metaldehyde. providing a welcome alternative habitat for All five are being targeted by water reed buntings, linnet and yellow hammers, companies facing hefty costs to remove for example, he continues. them from their supplies to comply with “Doing nothing is therefore not an L

20 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

WeedWeed controlcontrol

L option,” insists James Clarke. “These emphasises the big jump in the number herbicides are being found at levels in of water companies identifying pesticides water that are now causing questions. as a major issue. “If you look at their We need to get on the front foot to stop business plans for the next five years, awkward questions being asked –– the they have more than 100 catchment sort of questions that contributed to the management schemes to tackle these demise of IPU. issues, compared with just two during “We need to harness best practice the past five years.” and stewardship to ensure we don’t have Furthermore, unlike IPU, there are a repeat.” no significant alternative products, says Indeed, whereas the IPU situation James Clarke. “There are no other developed over 10 years –– with IPU grassweed herbicides –– the only residues being fairly easily removed from alternatives being the cultural controls water supplies –– the timeline is far shorter nobody wants to use. A handful of for the current products under scrutiny, products may be launched in the next “OSR margins could be pushed well below and their removal from water is proving few years –– probably with some fanfare the typical £450/ha overhead cost for the far more costly, stresses NFU plant health –– but none offer blackgrass control.” crop –– rendering it a non-starter on most adviser, Paul Chambers. AIC chief executive, David Cafall, farms,” says James Clarke. Indeed, Bruce Horton of Water UK reinforces the point: “The Fifth Cavalry is not going to come over the hill to save the situation –– there are no new products in the pipeline to save the day. I don’t think the farming community fully recognises that. “The implications if we get this wrong really will be quite profound.”

WFD and its implications for OSR

G EC Water Framework Directive main threat to OSR G Key products breaching 0.1ppb residue limit in drinking water supplies at risk of being banned G OSR margins potentially unsustainable G Rotations threatened G Water Protection Advice Sheets launched

G “H2OK? Water Protection Advice” booklet sent to all farms

Autumn weed control advice

G Create 6m grass buffer strips beside all OSR crops G Don’t spray if drains are running or if heavy rain is expected within 48 hours G Carbetamide – only use full 2,100g ai/ha rate for blackgrass; 1,500g ai/ha is sufficient for annual meadowgrass G Propyzamide – only use full 840g ai/ha for severe blackgrass; 700g ai/ha is OK otherwise G Metazachlor – max 1000g ai/ha per crop Visit www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk for more information

22 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 WeedWeed controlcontrol

He admits that the issues are is so great. “These can make a real complicated. “There’s a real danger difference because surface run-off can that people will push it out of mind, which be such an issue.” is why new advice has been mailed to VI work in the Cherwell catchment every grower in the UK.” study showed 60% of the residues can stem from field losses, exceeding the Latest advice 40% coming from in-yard losses caused

The new “H2OK? Water Protection Advice” at filling and washdown in particular. document summarises the latest advice, “We know that heavy rainfall, leading to drawing on practices developed in surface run-off and losses through field Voluntary Initiative catchment areas over drains, is strongly linked to pesticide the past six years, explains VI manager, peaks in the watercourses.” Patrick Goldsworthy. “At its heart lies a Avoiding spray applications when series of Water Protection Advice Sheets field drains are running and when fields for the most vulnerable herbicides, plus are saturated, or when heavy rainfall is the slug killer metaldehyde. expected within 48 hours, is a key priority, “We learned from the VI catchment work “We’ve included a check list to highlight he adds. assessments that just one farmer can let the what needs addressing. If farmers can tick Acknowledging the practical issues whole side down and set the regulatory all the boxes that’s obviously ideal but if involved, independent agronomist process churning,” says Patrick Goldsworthy. they can tick two-thirds then at least Peter Taylor of Essex-based SAMCO they’re on the right track. It really is very stresses the importance of having the important for everybody to get involved. discussion on every farm. “Having a While some dose rate advice has been “We learned from the VI catchment 48-hour delay when spray days are limited updated, spray timing and buffer strips work assessments that just one farmer creates huge tensions but this is a really are more important, concludes Patrick can let the whole side down and set the serious issue. Goldsworthy. “At peak times, the 0.1ppb regulatory process churning.” “We need farmers to have discussions limit is going to be breached whether 1kg He urges growers to think about about the implications of what they’re of product is used or 0.5kg. introducing grass buffer strips around planning to do in advance. Implementing “What we really need to do is remove OSR fields as a priority this autumn grass buffer strips should be a key goal for the peaks –– and that means preventing because the threat to these products this season.” pesticides from getting into water supplies.”I PestPest controlcontrol

“I’d then consider using the seed treatment Deter (clothianidin) in cereals since slugs won’t go near treated seed –– and that in turn will help reduce grain hollowing prior to crop emergence.” He believes that, with the loss of IPU and trifluralin, the amount of post-emergence herbicide applied for annual meadowgrass and broadleaf weed control in October or November –– all of which were tank-mixed with an insecticide in the past –– will plummet. “Early-sown crops need protecting with an effective seed treatment and Deter will give around 6-8 weeks security against BYDV.”

‘Real bonus’ The product’s ability to reduce grain hollowing is a real bonus and its use will often mean growers won’t have to start pelleting at drilling-time –– waiting until crop emergence instead, he says. “Seed treatments in wheat will therefore have a key role to play in any integrated control strategy against slugs.” Integrated Craig Herkes believes each component in the prevention strategy plays an equally important part in reducing the slug population –– helping to ensure pellets control ‘a must’ are only used in high risk situations. “The idea of making prophylactic slug pellet applications is long gone.” He advises growers to use HGCA’s Growers need to review their slug control guidelines for trapping. “We need to get much smarter when it comes to slug tactics this autumn if metaldehyde’s pelleting, and monitoring populations is future is to be secured. part of the integrated process –– helping to ensure the risk of crop damage is actually high enough to justify treatment.” By Jo Palmer Moreover, there’s no point applying pellets when it is too dry, he adds. metaldehyde ai/ha and a Total Maximum “And it’s essential to continue ‘The timing of slug pellet Dose Rate of 700g ai/ha per calendar monitoring until crops are past the application is more important year –– the latter already being a label vulnerable stage.” than product choice.’ requirement in potatoes. In the past, there Craig Herkes prefers to use durum- was no limit on the total dose which could based, wet-extruded pellets, such as be applied. Wetex, because of the formulation rowers must be prepared to adopt East Lothian-based agronomist, advantage. “They show good integrity a fully integrated approach to slug Craig Herkes of CSC, believes growers but remain palatable to slugs. G control this autumn –– or run the must be prepared to adapt to this new “I’ve found that bran-based pellets tend risk of losing metaldehyde. situation to ensure they comply with the to lose their integrity more easily, and Metaldehyde-based pellets typically various labels, industry guidelines and some durum pellets are too hard for the have around an 80% share of the UK Stewardship requirements. “They need slugs to eat.” He believes the Wetex slug control market most seasons but with to think of alternative ways of reducing formulations strike the right balance. residues having been detected in drinking slug populations before they even think He also tends to use methiocarb-based water supplies –– especially during the of pelleting.” pellets in preference to metaldehyde. last two wet autumns –– action must be He reckons the first challenge “We grow a lot of potatoes up here and taken on-farm to maintain metaldehyde’s is achieving a good tilth. “A fine, some of the wheat is sown late in cold ongoing approval. consolidated seedbed with no clods conditions on less-than-ideal seedbeds. Good Agricultural Practice now dictates is what’s needed since cloddy seedbeds We’ve found methiocarb works best in a Maximum Individual Dose of 250g are an absolute slug’s paradise. this situation.

24 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 PestPest controlcontrol

“Integrating methiocarb into the the seed will germinate and get going as programme helps to take the pressure quickly as possible.” off metaldehyde –– and using less Bob Mills is another Deter enthusiast: metaldehyde should in turn reduce “It aids establishment by reducing slug the level of water contamination.” activity on the seed. And although it Craig Herkes believes that by using doesn’t actually control slugs –– hence a series of planned measures, growers you may still see grazing in emerged crops should be able to reduce the number of –– its use is very valuable.” pellet applications required. “In the past, However, he believes it may have more three applications were the norm but of an impact in some years than others. that could be reduced to 1-2 where an “It will certainly have less work to do in integrated control approach is used.” a clod-free, moist seedbed until the crop Bob Mills, technical manager for gets going properly. But when you buy the Frontier Agriculture, agrees growers seed, you don’t know what the season will need to consider cultural methods, as bring –– so it’s better to be safe than sorry well as pelleting, to control slugs. “Cultural and use it if you suspect there’s going to control is invaluable and will undoubtedly be a problem.” “The idea of making prophylactic slug become more important in future. Bob Mills emphasises the importance pellet applications is long gone,” believes “This should start as the previous crop of monitoring slug populations before Craig Herkes. is being harvested by minimising the applying pellets. “Every situation is amount of trash left behind –– especially obviously different but high risk factors if the following crop is to be a first wheat.” include wet weather, heavy soils, cloddy to be made which ought to be sufficient, Trash tends to harbour and encourage soils, minimal cultivation and having especially with two other options available slugs, and can make it more difficult to oilseed rape in the rotation.” –– ferric phosphate (i.e. Sluxx) and achieve a suitable seedbed, free from Growers must strive particularly methiocarb.” clods, he adds. hard to avoid water contamination from He also reckons wet extruded pellets “Ideally, the land should be ploughed, slug pellets this autumn, he stresses. are better than dry pellets as they take pressed and drilled –– without too much “In particular, growers should take note longer to breakdown and provide better or too little moisture –– so the crop can of the proposed Maximum Total Dose persistence. “That in turn leads to emerge rapidly and evenly. The goal for metaldehyde. fewer applications.” should be to create an environment where “This should still allow three applications Moreover, wet extruded pellets tend L

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 25 PestPest controlcontrol

L to have better integrity and are a lot less next to field margins, and metaldehyde “In trials, Sluxx looks to give more or dusty –– leading to less contamination of should no longer be used within 5m of less equivalent control to the other two the spreading equipment, says Bob Mills. a watercourse.” However, Sluxx and the actives, so if your farm is in a Water He believes ferric phosphate will be other ferric phosphate products can be Catchment area or if the fields to be a useful option near watercourses. applied with no buffer zone requirement, treated are close to a watercourse, “Methiocarb has a 6m no-spread zone he notes. consider using the product as an L Protecting cropped headlands

With around 100ha of potatoes on the After discussing his concerns with his the field received metaldehyde slug pellets Lincs marshlands, Jonathan Fowler of agronomist, Stuart Maltby of Frontier, the as normal. College Farm, Frampton has watercourses two concluded Sluxx (ferric phosphate) Whilst he’s reluctant to pass judgement or ditches bordering virtually every field. appeared to be a ‘no compromise’ solution. on the product prior to harvest, he’s It’s caused a rethink of his slug pelleting Its 3% formulation means it can be used confident it will deliver the required level of strategy for this autumn, he admits. cost-effectively in broad-acre crops such as control. “We’ve seen the trial results and “We’ve seen 60-80% slug damage in potatoes –– with the advantage of having no the efficacy of the material is there –– potato crops in the past, and even some statutory buffer zone requirement. The wet making it more or less comparable with written-off fields in worst case scenarios,” extruded ‘pasta’ formulation eventually the other leading slug pellets.” says Jonathan Fowler. “Slug-holed breaks-down naturally in the soil and is With the crop boundaries on College potatoes have no value so you have to virtually insoluble in water –– although its Farm taking priority for Sluxx treatments, treat the crop as soon as possible once label states pellets should not be allowed the headlands are viewed as being at a the assessments highlight a risk.” to enter watercourses. higher risk from slug damage due to the He describes the farm being as a Jonathan Fowler made his first application more cloddy, silty soil type compared with ‘moderate user’ of metaldehyde, with a of Sluxx to around 10ha of headlands on a the interior of the fields. strong emphasis on adopting cultural 120ha field of Maris Piper on 2 July this “Moreover, the showery and thundery measures, such as crop rotation and year. It was applied at the label rate of weather during July was ideal for slugs cultivations, to reduce the pressure from 7kg/ha –– equivalent to around 66 pellets/m2 migrating to the soil surface to feed on slugs. He also recognises the need to and enough to deliver a high level of control, pellets –– particularly during the night.” alleviate pressure on the active ingredient. according to manufacturer Certis. The rest of

26 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

PestPest controlcontrol

south of England and he also anticipates are moving up to the soil surface –– most significant changes in the ways slugs are pellets will work well.” controlled in future. He adds that, in his experience, the “Cultural control can often be the freshness of the pellet is highly significant. most effective way of preventing slugs, and TAG is fully supportive of the the most important decision might be to Stewardship campaign for slug pellets avoid growing rape in the rotation. Nothing (www.getpelletwise.co.uk). “It’s vital that, encourages slugs like rape –– but what do as advisors, we implement effective you grow instead?” cultural control methods wherever we can He believes creating an ideal seedbed and that slug pellets are used responsibly.” is the best defence against slugs at Malcolm Smith of Masstock believes drilling-time. “The more soil movement one of the most important tasks in an you can achieve the better, since the integrated slug control programme is to “Traps should be laid before any pellets are ultimate solution would be to completely first assess the degree of risk. “Risk applied,” stresses Bob Mills. invert the soil by ploughing. assessment and cultural control measures “Next, the goal should be to try to are closely interconnected, and the first impede their progress through the soil by thing growers should do before cultivating L alternative to metaldehyde or methiocarb. consolidation. So if seedbed preparation is to assess the level of slug activity via “But always take care when applying is performed by non-inversion tillage, trapping.” He agrees that pellets should these –– or any other pellets –– as it’s even more important to consolidate never be used prophylatically nowadays. molluscicides are pesticides too.” fluffy seedbeds.” Traps should be baited with chicken Bob Mills believes metaldehyde will The timing of a slug pellet application layer’s mash and placed evenly, with continue to be the mainstay product for is more important than product choice, around nine per field (or proportionately slug control –– assuming growers use continues Ben Freer. “In TAG trials, more if the field is larger than 20ha), he it responsibly. “But I’m considering applying slug pellets prior to forecast rain says. “On no account should slug pellets recommending more methiocarb this gave much better levels of control –– with be used in traps. autumn to try to take the pressure off the peak of the slug kill being within “Traps should then be checked early metaldehyde –– and ferric phosphate 48 hours of application. in the morning, with a catch of four or where there’s a risk to water.” “If you can predict when slug activity is more slugs per trap indicating a possible Ben Freer advises TAG members in the likely to be at its peak –– and when slugs risk to cereals –– assuming the soil and

Putting risk into perspective

Although slug pellets pose some risks to factors that were found to influence the the soil surface –– it’s estimated that less non-target organisms, these should be kept viability of carabids –– with cultivations being than 5% of the population would be affected, in perspective, believes Richard Meredith of very detrimental.” compared with around one-third killed by Bayer CropScience. Another example investigated was each cultivation pass. “We’re always looking at any possible methiocarb’s effects on earthworms, he Critics suggest other wildlife species are side-effects our products may have and continues. “It’s known that methiocarb slug at risk from direct or indirect consumption of we’ve invested significantly in this area. baits can affect them if they travel on the soil slug pellets but, in virtually every case, this “For example, methiocarb is a very surface during very wet conditions, but dead is caused by un-recommended use, bad effective molluscicide but it also has some worms make up such a small proportion storage, spillage or abuse, says Richard insecticidal activity, so non-target soil of the overall population that there’s no Meredith. “According to Defra’s Wildlife inhabiting arthropods can be affected significant impact in the short or long-term. Incident Investigation Scheme, approved –– but the reality is that any effect is quite “This is reflected by the lack of any use incidents were between zero and two limited and transient.” reference to worms on the approved labels per year.” His claim is supported by extensive of methiocarb baits and the EIS sheets on Moreover, methiocarb isn’t implicated in studies carried out by ADAS in the the CPA website.” any of the current issues regarding water TALISMAN project (i.e. Towards A Lower He explains that in lab tests where contamination –– partly because it has a Input System Minimising Agrochemicals earthworms were exposed under extreme much lower solubility than metaldehyde and Nitrogen) which included carabid conditions to higher-than-field-rates of and is more readily bound onto soil particles, beetles amongst the insects studied. methiocarb, over 75% of worms were not he says. “It hasn’t been found in any of The project found no adverse effects killed by the chemical. “Where this study the monitoring tests carried out by the from methiocarb on any arthropod species was repeated using recommended dose water authorities.” following 23 out of 26 uses over a six-year rates, there was no statistical difference Richard Meredith concludes that slug period. “On the three occasions when between the methiocarb-treated and pellets are essential in the battle against its effects were deleterious, the carabid untreated samples. slugs. “With judicious and responsible use, beetle population recovered within just “Even in circumstances when methiocarb all products currently available can be three months. has been applied and then heavy rainfall used safely with minimal side effects on “Putting this into context, there were many occurs –– encouraging worms to come to non-target organisms.”

28 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 PestPest controlcontrol weather conditions favour slug activity.” last autumn being so wet, it was one of the For oilseed rape, the threshold is lower highest years for slug pellet usage –– and –– with treatment warranted where four metaldehyde was unfortunately found in or more slugs per trap are found in the water. Some of it was obviously misapplied preceding cereal crop, or one slug per too close to watercourses, and some of trap in the preceding stubble, he says. it would’ve been spilt accidentally –– Malcolm Smith suggests trap catches with the rest perhaps the result of should be used together with other washing down application equipment agronomic information to accurately in the farmyard. assess the degree of risk. “High risk “But because it’s got into water, every rotations are those including oilseed rape, grower must realise the risk of losing the and crops after set-aside because slug active if the situation continues.” populations are allowed to build-up.” Malcolm Smith also points out the importance of handling pellets properly “The greater the level of soil disturbance, More impact during transportation and in-store. the more impact it has on the number of Cultivations are also important and, “The current packaging of many pellets slugs surviving,” says Malcolm Smith. in general, the greater the level of soil can easily be damaged, although the disturbance, the more impact it has on manufacturers are making improvements the number of slugs surviving, he says. in this area.” wouldn’t be long before it too was found “Ploughing will therefore have the most He sees the main slot for methiocarb- in water. impact on slug numbers, and direct based pellets as being later in the season. The sooner growers come to realise drilling the least. “If we lost metaldehyde, methiocarb use that slug pellets need to be treated as “But whatever tillage method is in use, would inevitably increase and it probably pesticides, the better.” I it’s important to get a well consolidated seedbed. Moreover, the drilling depth should be adjusted to ensure an even germination and emergence, and lastly, Deter should be used in cereals to prevent slugs feeding on the grain after drilling.” Malcolm Smith agrees that the weather conditions also need to be taken into consideration. “Cool, damp conditions increase slug populations by affecting their activity, survival and reproduction. And having assessed the risk initially, it’s important to continue monitoring crops throughout their susceptible stage.” He acknowledges that wheat can receive 4-5 pellet applications in a wet autumn, with up to three applications on winter rape. “By assessing the risk and monitoring the changing situation –– and reacting only when the threshold is breached –– pellet use can be minimised, and slug control maximised.” The risk of water pollution can also be reduced in this way, he continues. “With

“If you can predict when slug activity is likely to be at its peak, most pellets will work well,” says Ben Freer. EvolvingEvolving marketsmarkets toto shapeshape varietyvariety choice?choice?

The new Ensus bioethanol plant at Wilton on How should wheat growers be adapting their Teesside –– due to open this summer. variety choices for next season? By Martin Rickatson and Jo Palmer

hether to focus on premium- ‘There’s now a wide range of earning milling varieties, To help arable farmers improve their markets for wheats from Group 3 W barn-fillers or ‘yield with a margins through better crop marketing, –– including export, distilling quality bonus’ types has always been Bayer CropScience is sponsoring a series of three features – the last and bioethanol.’ the wheat grower’s traditional dilemma when selecting seed. of which puts the spotlight on wheat However, the development of new variety selection. uses for wheat –– in particular, the domestic industrial grain market which has stemmed from the creation of two new bioethanol plants –– is one of the biggest factors reversing the traditional 2009 world harvest will be the second geographical flow of wheat within biggest ever is very optimistic. the UK. “We started with a smaller crop in the With a more ‘open’ market, the trade first place, with plantings lower and later is now suggesting that growers seeking pretty much everywhere in the world. the maximum returns from their crops The UK crop area alone is down 10% need to be more precise about the and there have been big problems in markets they’re targeting –– and the other countries as well. NABIM wheat groups they’re selecting “A lack of credit for inputs –– especially from –– when choosing varieties for for fertiliser –– plus a late winter kill will this autumn. affect yields in central and eastern “This is reflected in the fact that Europe, and the dry spring has caused there’s still grain from harvest 2008 problems in other parts of the world. looking for a home,” says Elved Phillips, For example, the El Nino weather pattern grain groups director for Openfield. has led to drought conditions in many He believes the prediction that the Australian wheat crops.

30 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 Several months ago, a weakening northern wheat is attracting a premium.” dollar and a strengthening oil price He believes there’s “genuine domestic resulted in investment fund money demand” for feed/industrial grains which flowing back into commodities –– with is presenting a viable alternative to the biofuel demand an additional positive traditional practice of ‘dumping’ on the market factor, he continues. “But the export market –– with the premium and bulls have retreated for now. human consumption markets having to compete to attract growers. Under pressure But while the buyers need to ensure “Bizarrely, world wheat prices are now continuity in their lines of supply, growers under pressure again –– not through need to re-evaluate where the most any improvement in the growing crop, lucrative markets lie, suggests Paul Taylor. but because the USDA suddenly ‘found’ “The alternative is losing established an extra 400,000ha of wheat and markets to other supplying countries.” 800,000ha of maize in July. As a He predicts next season could be result, hedge funds quickly liquidated a “big wheat planting year.” “Last “The USDA suddenly ‘found’ an extra their positions. autumn’s poor drilling conditions meant 400,000ha of wheat and 800,000ha of “That means UK wheat futures are a lot of land was either fallowed or maize in July –– undermining global now £25/t down from the market high spring-cropped with rape or pulses, L prices,” says Elved Phillips. reached in early June. “A greater predicted carry-over of wheat from the 2008 harvest is also depressing the market –– negating to some degree the fact that the UK will be around 2.5Mt down on last year’s wheat crop this harvest. “The wheat market is currently over-supplied between harvest and December but the situation may improve from January-to-June as variations in world weather patterns have an impact around the globe.” UK growers are likely to find the wheat market is going to be “more about volume than quality” in the coming years, predicts Elved Phillips. “In the southern parts of England, mycotoxin issues are putting some farmers off growing milling wheat and in the north, the two new bioethanol plants coming on-stream in the next couple of years will lead to a total of 2Mt of extra demand for feed wheat.” So moving forward to this autumn’s planting –– and next season’s marketing plans –– what can growers do to select the varieties that will give them an edge?

A variety selection Openfield seeds manager, Paul Taylor, continues: “Variety selection is obviously the first step in the process and farmers need to identify whether they’re growing for the right markets because, if we don’t realign our lines of supply, the processors may go elsewhere.” Industrial consumption will change the direction of the flow of grain in the UK, he predicts. “In the past, it used to move from the north to the south –– with the north often trading at a discount –– but now it’s reversing, and

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 31 L for example –– creating many ideal the human consumption varieties –– first wheat situations.” He notes that bread, biscuit and cake flour types from the malting barley market is currently NABIM Groups 1 to 3 –– there’s plenty over-supplied. of choice,” believes Paul Taylor. “An examination of the characteristics Manage risk demanded by particular markets, “But given the potential size of next alongside the agronomic advice for each season’s crop, it will pay to manage the individual variety, should help growers level of risk by spreading the marketing select the types that suit the buyers options fairly wide,” he advises. they’re targeting. “Rather than going all-out for yield, “Of the NABIM Group 1 types, Solstice it’s worth growing something with a continues to take the largest market bit of quality –– Cordiale, Einstein or share within its class. The millers like Grafton, for example. it because its quality is well-proven, “Alternatively, there are varieties such and lucrative buy-back contracts are as Alchemy and Viscount with a diverse readily available. “Industrial consumption will change the range of end-uses –– including distilling, direction of the flow of grain in the UK, feed, industrial or export.” Renewed interest and wheat growers need to select their But aside from the general advice, Moreover, there’s renewed long-term varieties accordingly,” advises Paul Taylor. what about niche markets? “Among interest in Hereward –– particularly from Warburtons –– leading to the re-commercialisation of the variety, he continues. “After 18 years on the Recommended List, it holds no agronomic secrets but seed supplies are relatively limited at present.” But with Openfield recently obtaining C1 and C2 rights to the variety, the aim is to improve the supply situation, he adds. “Gallant also looks like an attractive option –– potentially rivalling Solstice as an immediate entrant to Group One, but growers should be a little cautious. It perhaps isn’t as pretty as it looks on

Second wheat –– or barley?

Should farmers on marginal land be growing winter barley as a more profitable alternative to second wheat? “On light land and in areas where take-all can reduce second wheat yields to 8t/ha or below, it’s an alternative that should definitely be considered –– bearing in mind the potential premium that can be earned, compared with second wheat,” says Jonathan Hoyland of Frontier. “The barley market bottomed out in 2007 resulting in the lowest area grown that year since 1962,” he says. “This time last season, spring barley was trading at a £55/t premium over feed wheat, with winter barley fetching a £45/t premium.” HGCA estimates a total winter barley crop of around 417,000ha this harvest (also see feature on p42). “That figure will probably drop by around 5-7% this autumn as many of those who got in did so because they weren’t sure what else to grow last year –– often drilling without a

32 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 paper and its susceptibility to rusts market outlet to overseas growers.” Wheat variety recommendations could be a flaw.” Of the Group Three soft wheats, For growers seeking a Group One for Claire remains the dominant variety, G Early drilling the late drilling slot, Xi19 fits the bill well continues Paul Taylor. “But there’s now Solstice (Group 1) –– although it does need high nitrogen a wide range of markets for wheats from Battalion (Group 2) levels for good yields and proteins, this group, including export, distilling and Claire, Scout (Group 3) says Paul Taylor. bioethanol, and there are some other Grafton, Humber, Alchemy (Group 4) varieties in the group worth considering G Late drilling Group Twos –– notably Scout if you can get any.” Xi19 (Group 1) Of the Group Twos, Cordiale remains Being the first general-purpose Group Einstein, Cordiale, Battalion (Group 2) well-liked by the millers, offering flexible Three variety to be introduced for several Robigus, Claire, Wizard (Group 3) gristing options, type diversity and years, Scout has good grain characteristics Oakley, Duxford, Viscount (Group 4) dependable quality, he continues. –– akin to Claire –– and relatively few G Second wheat “Cordiale also has good export potential weaknesses, he says. Xi19, Solstice (Group 1) –– we’ve been doing cargoes to Ireland However, he acknowledges that a Einstein, Cordiale, Battalion (Group 2) for a couple of years now –– but it large proportion of the UK wheat area Scout, Wizard (Group 3) does need a robust disease control will be put down to Group Four types Grafton, Humber, Duxford, Alchemy programme. again next season. “Markets for these (Group 4) “Alternatively, Battalion suits the wheats have developed in recent

L Source: Openfield second wheat slot nicely and performs seasons beyond animal feed to include well under a low input regime –– being second to none for disease resistance –– while Einstein is a well established favourite that’s widely accepted by the millers.” For those in central and southern England, Group Two varieties may also be worthy of consideration, suggests Paul Taylor. “For example, Zircon, is a white wheat for breakfast cereal production –– notably Weetabix –– with the alternative being wheat sourced from France. “So the UK grower either needs to target this niche or surrender the

contract.” Beer and whisky offtake from the 2009 crop will be 8-10% down due to the recession, which will put some farmers off growing barley again this season, he predicts. “However, it does leave the market open for others to exploit. The key question is whether to aim for a 6.5t/ha malting crop or 9.5t/ha feed crop. “On light land, malting varieties tend to make sense while on heavier land, six-row feed varieties tend to have the greatest potential.” Geography also plays a part –– particularly when factoring in the additional benefit of straw sales, he adds. While spring types fulfil some export demand, winter malting barleys generally only find domestic homes –– a fact worth bearing in mind when targeting buyers, warns Jonathan Hoyland. “Think about selling forward and remember that the maltsters don’t dictate the prices. This is very much determined by the end users –– the brewers.”

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 33 L some biscuit demand –– and distilling ideal for wheat/wheat/rape rotations. and flexible variety choice as well.” and bioethanol too –– so it pays to bear “But with Grafton seed in short supply, Moreover, Paul Taylor is convinced of this in mind, rather than aiming simply Humber may be a good alternative the advantages seed dressings now bring for the feed market. with its short stiff straw, good drought –– with the end-buyers now starting to resistance and impressive second take more of an interest. Highest yielder wheat performance.” “From the farmer’s point of view, “And as the highest yielder on the RL, Whatever the group or variety, it pays it’s a highly-targeted way of applying Oakley remains the market leader, to be cautious about the seed source, a pesticide since you’re not having to performing well on light soils and in the he stresses. ‘heal’ damaged plants. But from the late-sowing slot, but principally as a first “The big disadvantage with farm-saved buyers’ perspective, it isn’t just farmers wheat,” he says. “Viscount and Alchemy seed is that you’re locking yourself into who benefit from having to make fewer are also worthy of consideration as they last year’s market. It makes sense to passes through a crop. have that full spread of market potential, use certified seed aligned with the “It makes for lower carbon footprint and Grafton is particularly agronomically buyers’ needs. Not only does it offer crops, and less environmental impact adept –– with stiff straw and good the ultimate audit trail through the from more precise use of chemicals.” early-sowing suitability –– making it certification process, it provides wide He adds that Deter and Galmano are

‘Weed control key to crop quality’

Competitive grassweeds are well-known for significant. Blackgrass populations as low consequence of weed competition –– compromising cereal yields but that’s not the as 8-12 plants/m2 have been shown to quality and ease of harvest can also be only threat they pose to crop margins. reduce winter wheat yields by 2-5%, which affected, asserts Simon Gage. “Where Higher incidences of disease, more is worth about £30/ha at current prices. grassweeds are present in cereals, they pests, reduced grain quality and protracted “Preparing a fine seedbed ensures can play host to a number of yield-robbing harvests can all result in weedy crops, growers get the best from Liberator pests and diseases. And fungal pathogens, says Simon Gage of Bayer CropScience. (flufenacet+ DFF) pre-emergence –– taking such as ergot, will compromise the grain’s “And while the withdrawal of some out blackgrass competition at the first value and see it rejected from the most herbicide active ingredients is forcing opportunity and reducing the pressure on lucrative markets. growers to reconsider their weed control Atlantis (mesosulfuron+ iodosulfuron). “In dense infestations, weeds can also strategies anyway, the key is to get crops “Sooner rather than later is best practice cause lodging and make harvesting more off to the right start. for Atlantis too,” he advises. “Field trials difficult. Broadleaf weeds, such as “Weed control must commence even conducted over several years point to cleavers, can be particularly problematic before the crop is drilled and preparing the the value of autumn rather than spring at this stage –– significantly reducing the best possible seedbed is the first and most application of the product for optimising combine work-rate. important step.” For growers with difficult yields. Even if blackgrass plants are difficult “Weed seeds in a grain sample will grassweeds to tackle, this will ensure their to spot in the field, trials have shown time also raise the moisture levels and increase pre-em treatment will work best, he says. and again that autumn treatment is best for drying costs overall. Moreover, some Yield penalties from weed competition maintaining the maximum yields. buyers will impose a penalty when they –– especially blackgrass and ryegrass –– “Waiting until spring might achieve a find weed seed in the sample. can be huge, continues Simon Gage. clean-looking crop but the overwinter “So time, effort and money invested “Populations of 100 blackgrass heads/m2 competition will have knocked the yields wisely at the start of the season will pay can reduce winter wheat yields by 1t/ha –– back –– and therefore the grower’s margin.” dividends at harvest.” and even at lower densities, the effect is But yield penalties aren’t the only

34 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 now the preferred seed treatments on “The winter wheat seed area for “As a result, seed areas of some key some higher-value contracts. this harvest was the second lowest on varieties are down this year –– Claire by Above all, Paul Taylor urges growers record at 34,541ha. That compares with 3.5%, Cordiale 5.6%, Hereward 1% and to be sure of the availability of seed for 56,852ha in 1999, when there was 10% Robigus 1.4%.” I their chosen varieties. of land out of production as set-aside.

Co-op continues to expand

Camgrain has two facilities now –– one John Jefferies concurs: “It makes at Linton with a capacity of 150,000t, and me feel proud to be a food producer. the other, newly-opened store near In the past, I grew nothing but feed wheat Wilbraham which can handle 90,000t of but with the support of Camgrain, I felt cereals, rape or pulses. The latter facility confident in my ability to be able to change was partly grant-funded by a £16M my whole approach to farming and to focus investment from the East of England on producing a high quality commodity Development Agency, and Camgrain is destined for the food sector instead, planning to expand the site to 210,000t which is very satisfying.” over the next couple of years. Fellow Camgrain member, Hugh Moreover, permission has recently been Wiseman –– one of the cooperative’s granted for a third site –– in Northants –– original farmer directors –– believes many Camgrain’s new storage facility at which will bring Camgrain’s total storage growers underestimate the true cost of Wilbraham has a 90,000t capacity. capacity to 500,000t. on-farm storage. “I’ve been a member for John Jefferies is 100% confident the over 27 years and joined because our own Deciding to join a farmer co-operative and cooperative approach will bring him the grain stores were old and becoming unfit committing to storage off-farm –– together best returns. “We benefit from having for the purpose. with pool marketing –– was the best excellent relationships with the end-users. “In 1982, Camgrain had a central decision one Cambs farmer has made in For example, Sainsburys buys all of the storage capacity of 11,500t and we over two decades of farming, he believes. milling flour for its 360 in-store bakeries struggled to fill it. But now, we have the Growing 480ha of wheat and oilseed from Camgrain –– partly because of a best quality drying and storage facilities rape at Little Gransden near Cambridge, desire to use flour which is traceable from for around 300,000t of crops, with plans John Jefferies reckons that being able to UK farms.” approved for a further 200,000t.” produce milling wheat and then be assured Sainsburys chief executive, Justin King, With 2,000ha of land in one unit, Hugh of its quality in-store has made a significant claims all parties involved in the initiative Wiseman reckons having access to such difference to the way he farms. are equally customer-focused. “We buy a sophisticated facility allows him to “Last year, we were harvesting the grain 65,000t of grain in total from Camgrain achieve the best returns from his grain. at over 22% moisture, which the farm for flour, a relationship which started “Logistically, Camgrain can offer me a rapid would never have been able to handle 18 months ago and has recently trailer turn-around of around 30-40mins –– but moving it into Camgrain with its been renewed. –– allowing the corn carters to keep pace up-to-date drying, cleaning and storage “We want to show our consumers the with the combine. facilities meant the quality was assured. provenance of our products and –– despite “I’m also fully confident that my grain will “I’m confident I can now consistently tough economic conditions –– our customers be kept in exactly the right conditions that supply the high quality grain the market appear to be ever more interested in where the end users want –– meaning higher demands.” their food comes from.” prices and better premiums.”

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 35 Specialist grower leaves nothing to chance

by the spring barley variety Tipple Focusing on growing a large area of spring barley –– accounting for 260ha this season. means the machinery policy at one Hants farm is The brothers also farm some lighter land 27 miles away at Larkhill on the geared up for an ‘all or nothing’ work schedule. Salisbury Plain but this tends to dry out early in the spring –– making it But it’s a routine that leaves little room for error. less suitable for spring barley. This area usually alternates between winter wheat By Mick Roberts and oilseed rape instead. Outlying land ith more than half of Clanville ‘With just one variety for each This year, the outlying land is down Farm, near Andover down to to a higher-than-normal proportion of crop, it makes it a lot easier W spring barley, Nigel North and Solstice winter wheat –– with 120ha from a storage and handling his brother, Graham, are able to avoid targeted for milling –– and with the perspective.’ the conventional autumn arable crop remainder sown with Castille oilseed establishment bottleneck. rape, which is grown in alternate years. But specialising on earning premiums The only other crop on the farm is from milling wheat in addition to malting a small area of Flagon winter barley barley, it means they can leave nothing (60ha this year) –– but Nigel North to chance. reckons the winter crop isn’t as “We’ve concentrated on growing malting lucrative as its spring cousin. barley for many years now –– my father In the past, the majority of the malting started this approach more than 30 years barley grown on the farm was sold to ago and loved it, so we’ve stuck with it local maltsters but this outlet has since ever since. The soil is perfectly suited to closed. Nowadays, it concentrates the crop and he eventually progressed to on growing the varieties which the growing it continuously until smaller areas merchants favour and –– although the of winter wheat and oilseed rape were crop is sold on the open market, with introduced about six years ago.” the majority going either for export The 480ha chalk land farm has through Southampton docks, or up some clay cap soils in the fields close to to the brewers in Burton-upon-Trent. Clanville. The cropping plan is dominated But with such a high proportion of a L

36 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

“Our cropping plan is dominated by the spring barley variety Tipple,” says Nigel North.

L single variety for malting –– merchants to ensure he’s and just three other crops on growing precisely what the the farm –– isn’t this a fairly customer requires –– the high risk strategy? “Not really right varieties at the correct because we’re a quality-led specifications. business, rather than being “But on the other hand, quantity-dependent,” says concentrating on the malting Nigel North. and milling markets, and having just four crops means Calculated risk? we’ve got a relatively straight- “There is, of course, a risk forward farming system. it won’t make the quality “And with just one variety premium –– which is a for each crop, it makes it a problem because we don’t get lot easier from a storage and the yields –– but we do have handling perspective. But the quite a bit of experience going downside is we end up flipping back nearly 40 years. No two between some extremely busy seasons are the same and periods into slack times.” while I admit that it’s a bit of To cope with this ‘all or a risk, it’s a calculated one nothing’ workload, the farm nonetheless.” is well-equipped with high- The target yields are relatively capacity equipment –– all of modest at around 7.5t/ha for it being fairly new and well- the spring barley –– with maintained. “The investment nitrogen being the main limiting is there mainly to protect our factor, he continues. “Not only premiums which could fall are we farming in a Nitrate foul of any unexpected Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), but breakdowns.” we have to restrict our N Harvest is a prime example application rates as well so –– starting with the winter we don’t jeopardise the barley and followed quickly by malting premium. the oilseed rape. Nigel North “It’s been a bit of a roller- drives the combine himself coaster ride in recent years but admits the relatively small with the maltsters determining area of these crops don’t put the prices but we’re still him or the machine under growing the crop, so it can’t too much pressure. be that bad.” “We’re currently using He consults closely with the a John Deere 9780i CTS

38 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 Hillmaster, which is two years to a special wheeled ‘trolley’. old and is the second one “I’d only ever seen a picture we’ve owned.” The first CTS of it and I was a bit worried replaced two previous John that it didn’t look quite right. Deere machines –– a 2264 But when it arrived, it was and a 2056. absolutely fine.” “Our dealer, R Hunt of Returning to using a Chilbolton, advised us that mounted spreader was out the CTS could easily cope with of the question since the farm the area we’re farming and it needs the capacity to get over coincided with a time when a large cropped area in a my father was looking to take a limited spring working-window. back seat. We’ve subsequently He was also reluctant to move found we can cut more fields up to a tractor bigger than his in a day with this one machine John Deere 6930S –– but than we managed before equally, he didn’t want to have with two.” 3.3t on the rear linkage and at least a ton of ballast on AutoTrac steering the front. Although the combine is “Even if I did this, the entire set-up to take the firm’s weight would only transfer on AutoTrac steering system, to the rear wheels as soon as he didn’t feel he could justify I was going uphill –– I much the extra cost at the time –– prefer to have the weight even though he was impressed distributed evenly over three by the system. “But we’ll end axles. And while this means up using it this harvest having I have to make a sacrifice on got hold of a new John Deere the turning –– with extra wheel GreenStar 2600 screen and marks in the crop –– I’ve controller via a different route. found the Exacta TL is quite “Basically, we needed to close-coupled and doesn’t change the fertiliser spreader flatten the crop too much. and although the previous “And although it holds trailed Bredal had served us slightly less than the previous well –– proving very accurate, machine, I’ve actually easy-to-use and reliable –– increased my output from I wanted to shift up to a about 120ha/day to machine with weigh cells to 200ha/day.” further fine-tune our fertiliser applications. Key to success “I was all set to go for another Timely and accurate fertiliser Bredal when I discovered the applications are the key to Kverneland Exacta TL spreader success with malting barley came with a ‘plug and play’ –– particularly with 260ha of ISObus-compatible controller the crop to cover, believes that was actually cheaper to Nigel North. “Accurate buy. The dealer explained applications are always that if I chose a John Deere important to protect both GreenStar monitor to control it, the yield and the malting instead of the Kverneland unit, premium –– particularly I could also use the same considering last year’s terminal on the combine tremendous fertiliser and tractors as well.” price increase.” His only concerns about Sulphur is also considered buying the Kverneland Exacta to be a vital element for spring TL were that it meant reducing malting barley, with the farm his spreading capacity from applying an average of 124kg/ha 4t on the previous machine Sulphur Gold (30%N/19%S). to 3.3t –– plus the Exacta “This is complemented by TL isn’t a model designed 248kg/ha of Nitram and specifically for trailed 270kg/ha of a specialist operations, being fitted 0:20:20 compound fertiliser L on the output and weighs the hopper with brackets mounted to the column to content as the machine is working –– so keep it steady. it’s as accurate as it can be. While it has “The one screen can be used on all the capability to also carry out variable three tractors and the combine –– I rate applications, I haven’t gone down hardly do any fieldwork without it now that route as yet –– but I’m now applying and find the system is simply brilliant.” different rates to individual fields. The combine came with the ‘plumbing’ “I once put a single 600kg bag onto already installed for fully-automatic one field and it was all used to the very steering. This allows him to simply remove last fraction –– it was absolutely spot on.” the StarFire receiver from the tractor and transfer it, along with the terminal, straight Completely compatible He finds the John Deere terminal is completely compatible with the Farm Facts Kverneland spreader –– proving the North & Sons value of the ISObus technology. “All the Clanville Farm operating pages and adjustments appear Nr Andover just as they would if it was designed for Hants the actual machine.” The one screen can be used on all three 480ha total – mostly tenanted, as well And while he doesn’t use automatic tractors as well as the combine,” says some owned and rented land Nigel North. “I hardly do any fieldwork shut-off on the headlands, he does G without it now.” program in a 24m ‘virtual headland’ Soil type: Predominantly underlying which provides an audible alarm at the chalk with clay caps. Also lighter loam correct distance. on Salisbury Plain His only gripe is the terminal can’t G

L Staff: Nigel and Graham North, plus that includes magnesium and sulphur display the page for the JD AutoTrac one full-timer as well. guidance screen at the same time as the “Application rates are determined with spreader’s pages. He feels a split screen G Cropping: the help of our agronomist, with soil tests showing both displays at the same time Spring barley (malting); winter barley; being carried out on a regular basis.” would be helpful but admits, by that winter oilseed rape and winter wheat He believes all the fertiliser has to be time, he’s working in tramlines anyway G Varieties: applied in early April to prevent it from so it’s not a big problem. 260ha spring barley – Tipple going into the ear. Along with the GreenStar terminal, 120ha winter wheat – Solstice the farm also bought a John Deere Top dressing AutoTrac Universal assisted-steering 60ha winter barley – Flagon This spring top dressing regime is one system. While he doesn’t use this in 40ha oilseed rape – Castille example of the farm’s ‘all or nothing’ conjunction with the spreader tractor, it’s G Mainline machinery: fieldwork programme. “We work on the employed on a range of other fieldwork Combine: principle that, if the conditions are right –– particularly cultivations. John Deere 9780i CTS Hillmaster to do a job, we go out and do it as quickly As the name suggests, the system Tractors: as possible –– ensuring the optimum can be used on any tractor –– two of John Deere 8220 timing of the application.” which are John Deeres anyway –– as John Deere 6920S All of the fertiliser is brought to the well as the JCB Fastrac that usually pulls JCB Fastrac 3155 field and is loaded quickly into the the 8m John Deere 740A drill. “It simply spreader to improve work-rates. “I can’t fits around the tractor’s steering wheel, Fertiliser spreader: afford to waste even 10-15mins driving Kverneland Exacta TL (trailed) back to the yard.” Sprayer: Yet one of the reasons Nigel North Bateman RB15 with 24m boom and has been able to increase his output so 2,500-litre tank dramatically is because of the simplicity Cultivations: of controlling the spreading operation 5m Kverneland CTC using the GreenStar terminal. “It really is 5.5m Cousins, mounted cultivator ‘plug and play’ –– I connect the spreader (folding) via the ISO socket and the operating 7f Kverneland semi-mounted plough page appears immediately on the screen. (RC 100) “I then set the application rate for 5f Kverneland mounted plough 124kg/ha, for example, simply by pressing (RB85) 1, 2 and 4 on the screen, then ‘enter’ –– and that’s it. It already knows our 24m 12m folding harrows working width, so it calculates the area Drill: required from the distance travelled. The Exacta TL is fitted with a specially- 8m John Deere 740A “The system keeps a constant check designed wheeled ‘trolley’.

40 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 onto the harvester –– then simply plugging been cleared. “Next might be a pass with them in. the Cousins cultivator, followed by the Harvest starts with the 60ha of winter plough, and another pass with the CTC to barley and is followed by the oilseed work down the furrows –– all depending rape, which is desiccated and cut on the conditions.” about 10 days later. The spring barley The crop is then drilled with the JD is subsequently harvested at an average 740A, with the headlands often harrowed rate of about 36ha/day. afterwards to incorporate any seed spilt during turning, and to eradicate the High-value crop wheel marks. “It’s a high-value crop so I try to harvest The ‘slack’ periods that follow the it with minimum losses –– we’ve got the intensive fieldwork aren’t wasted, stresses capacity in the combine to cope with the Nigel North. “We’re building a new farm Yields are limited by the farm being in area, so it’s as well to use it.” shop to rent out near Andover, having an NVZ. All the barley and wheat straw is sold also refurbished some other buildings to a local merchant who bales and carts –– plus we’ve built a house elsewhere it. Whilst Nigel North is conscious he will for a stable yard. 16,000 bird day-old-to-point-of-lay have to compensate for the lost P&K “In addition, we fabricate buildings chicken rearing business. It’s enough value, he feels the straw is a valuable in the farm workshop and we’ve got a to keep us busy all year round.” I commodity for which the farm usually receives a good return –– despite common price fluctuations. The autumn establishment programme kicks-off with oilseed rape. “For this, we still follow the ‘old school’ method of making a seedbed –– albeit by min-tilling –– using a couple of passes with our Kverneland CTC cultivator. The crop is then sown with the Deere drill. “The rest of the fields tend to get a pass with the CTC to encourage the weeds and volunteers to chit, then a pass is made with the Cousins heavy-duty cultivator, which we had specially-built. It’s a bit like an old chisel plough –– fully-mounted with three rows of deep loosening tines.”

‘No reservations’ Remarkably, the North brothers also have no reservations about going back in with the plough –– despite the fact many min-tillers would consider the land already fit to drill. “We obviously look at each field and the conditions on an individual basis, working on the principle that if the roots can’t go down, the crop can’t grow up –– it’s that simple.” However, the plough is used first in the stubble at Larkhill because it “simply isn’t possible” to plough after any other cultivations there since the land goes fluffy and the plough just “pushes it over”, he says. “We sometime establish wheat and rape after a couple of passes with the CTC –– depending on the season and conditions.” On the land following barley –– some of which has grown the crop continuously for 40 years –– the cultivations begin using a pass with the CTC cultivator to establish a quick chit after the straw has

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 41 Barley’sBarley’s popularitypopularity toto wane?wane?

“It would be pure folly to drill a winter After returning to favour on many farms –– albeit malting variety this autumn,” believes partly because of last autumn’s atrocious drilling Elved Phillips. conditions –– will barley continue to challenge second wheat for a place in the rotation next season? By Martin Rickatson

his season’s barley crop is “With that in mind –– and with an ‘Seed sales are certainly lower, estimated to be the largest since over-supplied malting barley market at which isn’t surprising with barley T 2001 at just over 1.1Mha of spring present –– it would be pure folly to drill prices where they are.’ and winter types, according to the latest a winter malting variety this autumn.” HGCA data. But there’s no doubt that having Although that hasn’t done much for barley in the rotation brings a number current prices, is there any reason why of strong pluses –– making a good entry farmers shouldn’t consider sowing barley for oilseed rape, providing more saleable again this autumn? straw, and spreading the drilling and “If it’s to be a malting variety, they harvest workloads, he says. “For those probably shouldn’t bother but if it’s a who can grow good yields of a winter feed type, there’s every possibility of feed variety, or a spring variety, the crop them making a reasonable profit,” may be worth considering given the reckons Elved Phillips of Openfield. lower N prices. Agronomists, grain traders and seed “With malting barley prices currently breeders all agree there are significant around £105/t for September 2010, management benefits to be gained from rising to just £110/t for January 2011, including barley in the rotation. there’s almost no premium to be had,” “Yet recent falls in fertiliser prices concedes Elved Phillips. “There’s so should make it possible for growers to much malt around at present that there’s produce winter wheat for around £100/t enough of last year’s crop to see the next season,” estimates Elved Phillips. industry through until November.” L

42 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

“If you really must grow a winter They could easily bounce back to more malting type, Cassata may provide some profitable levels by next harvest. export interest –– but the spring varieties “Comparing national average feed are probably a better bet. At £120/t, the barley yields against second wheat feed likes of Tipple and Quench should be yields, the latter currently looks to be fairly profitable.” more profitable. However, it should be But with nitrogen prices having fallen noted that six-row feed barley varieties back a bit recently, it may be better to can produce very high yields if they’re grow a feed type and go all out for yield grown well. in order to benefit from winter barley’s “Good quality winter malting barley husbandry advantages, and to earn samples should also provide a gross a better margin at the same time, margin higher than an average-yielding he urges. feed sample if they’re well-marketed.” This highlights how farmers specialising Variety choice in doing specific jobs well can outperform “There are some impressive feed types their peers through acute attention to available just now, such as the two-rows, detail, he believes. Suzuka and KWS Cassia, and the hybrid Graham Redman also notes the fact “Farmers need to be wary of cutting barley six-rows, Boost and Volume –– some of that winter barley husbandry timings out of the rotation altogether simply which have given specific weights as –– drilling, spraying and top dressing, because prices aren’t competitive now,” high as 68kg/hl.” for example –– are slightly different to says Graham Redman. Andersons economist, Graham second wheat. “That therefore enables Redman, predicts the total UK barley a combine and machinery set (i.e. a area will probably fall back to below tractor and associated implements) to 1Mha for next harvest. “However, cover more hectares per season –– L Planting malting types now will only farmers need to be wary of cutting barley increasing the efficiency of the farm.” tend to depress the market even further, out of the rotation altogether simply He points out that other resources, he adds. because prices aren’t competitive now. such as labour and management time,

Barley gets thumbs up over second wheat

“We’ve been on and off six-row barley with a lower grain price –– it’s the ‘hidden’ generally for the past 16 years,” admits benefits which having an early harvest Neil Armstrong, who farms 860ha in total bring that really count. “Those includes with his father and brother, trading as less drying and spreading our machinery JE Armstrong and Sons, based near costs –– plus having a timely entry for Berwick-upon-Tweed. “But we went back OSR –– which tip the balance in its favour, to it in autumn 2007 by growing Boost.” together with the income from the straw. Having had good success with the “There’s admittedly no farm-saving the variety, he decided to try the newcomer, seed with hybrid barley and it needs about Volume, this season. “We’ve found hybrids the same amount of nitrogen to grow it, but typically yield around 11t/ha, compared with wheat is later to harvest and you’ve then 9.6-9.7t/ha for our Group 2 and 3 winter got to dry it.” wheats, which are grown for distilling. He normally aims to start combining in “Moreover, they’re better than second the last week of July. “You can usually cut wheat gross margin-wise by the time a lot of barley in a day at that time of the you’ve added in the take-all seed treatment year, compared with wheat in September for the latter.” when the nights are closing in –– so it “In our experience, hybrid barley typically As a result, he increased his hybrid helps spread our machinery costs. yields 1t/ha+ more than second wheat,” barley plantings to 30ha last autumn. Moreover, the straw is worth £40-45/t, says Neil Armstrong. However, with a large maltings nearby, the with hybrids producing an output of around remainder of the 160ha of winter barley 4-5t/ha. That’s a lot on the bottom-line.” he grows was down to the two-row malting In addition to the financial benefits, variety, Pearl. Neil Armstrong notes that Volume was For one Northumbrian farmer, growing Hybrids have also answered his more able to shrug-off the adverse weather hybrid winter barley wins hands down previous misgivings about six-rows having last winter. “While all of our other crops over second wheat. a low specific weight. “You walk into Boost remained dormant, it definitely woke up The combination of a much higher and think it looks good, but you walk into earlier in the spring.” yield and a better margin, together with the Volume and it looks even better.” G This year’s crop of Volume was harvested multiple benefits from earlier harvesting, all Yet while Neil Armstrong confirms in the last week of July, yielding 11t/ha mean he now favours the crop strongly on hybrid barley may have similar in-season at 18.7%, and with a specific weight of his sandy clay loam farm. growing costs to winter wheat –– albeit 63.6kg/hl.

44 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 are stretched at key points in the arable yield. A well-grown spring malting barley calendar when rotations are condensed crop can provide the highest gross into just two or three crops. “So by margin of all on some farms. extending and diluting that busy period, “That’s not to say it will be the case you can achieve more productivity from this coming year. But on favourable soil those resources as well.” types which can produce a good malting sample, it’s possible.” Additional cost Will Gemmill of Strutt and Parker Whether a hybrid variety is worth the notes that, across the heavier land his additional seed cost is a matter chiefly for company farms and advises on, feed an agronomist to advise on, rather than wheat followed by milling wheat then a business consultant, acknowledges OSR “undoubtedly works best in the Graham Redman. “But as a basic rule majority of situations”, hence there’s of thumb, if the additional expenditure is still no place for barley on these soils. likely to return at least the same amount “But it’s a different story on the light –– or preferably more –– in total returns, land where second wheat may struggle or produce cost-savings elsewhere, then to hit its yield target. Barley does have a it can be justified. place in the second spot in the rotation “But remember to account for any here –– either where malting quality other costs incurred –– particularly not is achievable, or where the combine “There’s still no place for barley on heavy being able to farm-save seed for the capacity is pushed and there’s a need land,” believes Will Gemmill. following crop.” to bring forward and spread the harvest. For growers on the right soils, “However, if a grower is aiming for spring-sown malting crops may be a the former, a malting contract with a financially-better option than a winter reasonable premium is a prerequisite, As a company, Strutt and Parker has variety, he concurs. and the feed barley market is, of course, made a definite move away from barley “Growing for malting is what spring on the floor at the moment. But that in recent years, admits Will Gemmill. barley is all about –– achieving a higher could all change over the course of “On medium-to-heavy land, Latitude premium to compensate for the lower a year.” (silthiofam) has given second wheat L in the south who’re able to produce good and reduced risk management across malting samples and who can secure a the whole farm rotation –– which is well-priced malting contract, spring types admittedly difficult to quantify –– plus may be well worth considering over the value of any baled straw. winter varieties, he suggests. “Combined with the cost-savings on offer, it often swings the decision in favour ‘Best for malting’ of growing barley –– despite the current “Spring barleys tend to provide the best price differential of £10-20/t between malting options and may suit farms with feed wheat and barley, depending on land in over-wintered stubbles under the location and selling date.” ELS or HLS particularly well. The key In contrast though, he’s quick to to making a successful start with the stress that the argument may not hold crop is getting it drilled in the right for malting barleys, and that variety conditions –– as early as possible for selection is critical for the best margins. the best yields. “New high-yielding feed varieties like “In a good season with a well-managed KWS Cassia –– now on the National List crop, the gross margins on spring “The two-row Retriever yields on a par and available for this autumn –– are way malting barley can be as good as that with some six-rows,” notes Lee Robinson. ahead of the malting types, such as of a winter type.” Pearl, on yield with current NL data Although he has had little first-hand showing a 10% yield advantage over the experience of the current batch of hybrid latter, which is equivalent to 0.87t/ha. barleys, they look good at first glance, “When you add in the additional yield says Will Gemmill. “But they aren’t penalty associated with reduced N use stunning enough to make winter barley on Pearl, the premium required to match L production a new lease of life, and a ‘must grow’ crop. the margin from a two-row feed barley we use it on the vast majority of our “And, of course, they tend to be may need to be £20/t or higher. second wheat. out-and-out feed types which aren’t the “There are now also some good most profitable at the moment. But we’ll Long gone? milling varieties on the Recommended be watching them carefully to see how “But you need to be sure you can get List which are well-suited to the second they develop.” this if you’re growing for malting –– the wheat slot –– including Solstice, Cordiale He acknowledges the benefits of days of dual-purpose winter barleys are and Einstein.” But in a light land hybrid vigour have been proven in long gone. Just 20-25% of the winter situation, the argument swings back oilseed rapes in terms of quicker and barley area is now reserved for malting in barley’s favour, he suggests. more reliable establishment –– helping types and growers have to be 100% to reduce the effects of pigeon damage. sure they’ll get the premium.” Less scope “Hybrid barleys may yet prove Mike Jeffes also acknowledges “There’s a bit less scope on grassweed themselves in the same manner.” the workload advantages resulting control since Atlantis (mesosulfuron+ Variety consultant, Mike Jeffes, from growing a winter barley. “You can iodosulfuron) can’t be used on barley, stresses the point that growers should drill in good conditions towards the but then blackgrass isn’t such a problem compare winter barley figures directly end of September –– and this is clearly on the lighter land anyway. And including with the performance of second wheat earlier than you’d want to be drilling a barley in the rotation helps spread the to see whether the former has a valid second wheat. drilling workload since it can be sown place in the rotation. “Moreover, the timing of the spring in between first and second wheat if “The performance of the new, fungicide applications often fit well in everything goes according to plan. high yielding two-rows can stack-up between those for wheat –– enabling “And probably more importantly, it favourably, helping to break the take-all better planning and use of the available provides an ideal early-entry for oilseed cycle and easing on-farm management spray days. And the PGR timings don’t rape –– particularly valuable now pressures at the same time. clash, plus you’d normally top-dress compulsory set-aside has gone.” “As a rule of thumb, if you can get barley after rape and before wheat. The past couple of years have proved winter barley to yield on a par with “Perhaps most importantly though, how much of a difference it makes to second wheat then winter feed barley with winter barley ready for harvest three get rape into the ground early in a wet trading at a £10/t discount to feed wheat weeks-to-a month earlier than wheat, it season, he says. “Earlier-sown crops will produce a similar gross margin.” gives plenty of time to prepare the land have tended to be better established, He bases this on the fact that winter for OSR. There’s less need to force a with stronger plants and less susceptibility barley production costs are often seedbed –– you can wait until the soil to pigeons when they move in. £80-90/t less than for a second wheat moisture levels are ideal, and hence get “With winter barley off the field much –– the savings being achieved through the crop into growing conditions that earlier than a second wheat, growers lower N use, one or two fewer fungicides encourage faster, stronger emergence. can then move on with their rape and the fact that there’s no need for a “In some seasons, the earlier harvest establishment as soon as they’re able.” wheat blossom midge spray. also allows discing or shallow-cultivation While spring barley tends to be more “But you also have to factor in the first to encourage an early flush of of a northern speciality, for those growers monetary value and benefits of timeliness blackgrass –– but don’t forget the

46 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 limitations on herbicide choice later “However, yields are still around 20% for example, produces yields comparable in the crop.” below winter feed barley, and on heavy with some six-rows.” CEL data is the best guide as to whether land, or on farms a long way from a While some growers may be concerned hybrids are worth the investment, reckons malting outlet, spring types simply at the cost of hybrid seed –– and the Mike Jeffes. He notes that Volume is the don’t pay.” fact that it makes farm-saving seed only variety from the current batch of impossible –– hybrid development has hybrids which outyields KWS Cassia. ‘Area to fall’ now evolved to the point where the seed “And it’s pretty clear both Bronx and Lee Robinson of Nickerson, breeder cost isn’t significantly greater than for Volume are inherently weaker-strawed of malting mainstay variety Pearl and conventional varieties, claims Rob Hiles than both Saffron and Cassia. The latter the newcomer, Cassata, acknowledges of Syngenta Seeds, breeder of the hybrid is likely to have a 7-8 rating for straw this autumn’s barley area will drop back six-row, Volume. strength, and is the highest yielding from its current eight-year high. “The seed cost for Volume is £30/ha two-row in NL trials.” “But it’s hard to say precisely by how higher than a conventional variety but With good market outlets in the east much. Seed sales are certainly lower, with the highest yields on the current of the country, spring malting barley may which isn’t surprising with barley prices Recommended List –– translating into represent a viable alternative for some where they are. 0.75-1t/ha over conventional types growers –– and on the right soils, it can “However, the advantages of the crop –– good returns are achievable even be highly profitable, believes Mike Jeffes. don’t change –– things like spreading at current grain prices. “But while it performs well on chalk and the harvest workload and having grain “Growers tell us how it’s important light land, it can be risky on heavy soils. available early for movement from the for them to spread their marketing and “On chalk and light land, you can farm to make way for wheat are a big harvesting risks with different crop types. almost drill all-year-round but the key is advantage. But if a farm can grow good While growing something like Duxford to get the crop away as early as possible second wheat, then that’s what it’ll as a second wheat suits some, others –– ideally before the end of January. stick with.” want to get on with their combining The plant breeders have made huge He points out that there are now in July to get things moving –– both progress in terms of yield, and the spring some very high-yielding feed barleys harvesting and the following cultivations types provide a real chance to get on for those looking to move away from and rape establishment. That’s where top of blackgrass. second wheat. “The two-row Retriever, barley fits best.” I CashingCashing inin onon poultrypoultry manuremanure

producers and this is our core business.” One Shropshire egg producer’s hens produce far The arable operation exists mainly to more muck than it can use on its own farm. But help consume the vast amounts of chicken muck produced, he says. with rocketing nutrient prices, the by-product is Vast production now a valuable resource –– much in demand However, with such a vast annual production of manure, the business from neighbouring farms. needs considerably more land than it has available. “Prior to the introduction of the NVZ regulations, we used to grow By Mick Roberts a large area of potatoes –– partly because the crop is such a good muck consumer –– but they didn’t even come aklands Farm Eggs’ 1.5M laying close to matching the area we needed, ‘We’re saving a fortune in tyres hens produce about 50,000t of so we had to find an alternative means alone –– and I’m now able to O manure per year and while the of disposal. operate with reliable new tractors.’ family-owned business has a 1,300ha “As a result, we decided to scale-up arable farming operation in addition to our sales and distribution of manure the poultry unit, it’s nowhere near –– with the option of spreading it as well enough land to cope with the legal and –– to make sure we were able to dispose safe disposal of this surfeit of nutrients. of it all in a responsible manner. With the farm located in a Nitrate “We actually use very little ourselves Vulnerable Zone, it means manure now, with the vast majority being sold to management is becoming an increasing neighbouring farms. Demand is strong important part of running the business but the environmental regulations make as a whole. it increasingly difficult to apply as much “We’re a very unconventional arable as we’d like to at a sensible time within farm,” explains Ashley Joule, who looks the rotation. after the technical aspects of managing “Although we can spread the manure the business, while his colleague, Alex on the lighter land for a short time during Pyke, runs the practical, day-to-day the closed season from 1 August to operations. 15 September (provided the crop is “We’re owned by JA& O Griffiths& Sons sown before or on 15 September), we’re who are now one of Europe’s largest egg restricted from using the amount we’d L

48 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009

for top-dressing in the spring instead of While Ashley Joule is FACTS and pre-drilling. And while it’s still a good BASIS qualified, he encourages his source of nutrients at that time, it would customers to use their own agronomist to be far better to incorporate it into the advise on the application rates required soil in the autumn or spring ahead to suit individual soils, NVZ requirements of sowing.” and yield expectations. That would also help reduce the level “We’re very much ruled by the of ammonia volatilisation and control the NVZ restrictions on the farm and use odours better, he notes. surprisingly little muck ourselves. For example, a typical nitrogen application Stockpiled on-farm on rape or wheat is about 180kgN/ha “Poultry manure has unjustifiably been The company now encourages its and I reduce this by about 40kgN/ha to categorised with slurries in the NVZ customers to stockpile the muck on-farm account for the muck.” The remaining N regulations,” believes Ashley Joule. ready for spreading as soon as the first is applied as a liquid fertiliser top-dressing, crops are harvested. “It’s then ready to he adds. spread from the beginning of August on “No other base fertiliser is used and L like to use at the time when the crops the lighter soils in our area –– mainly the fields receive manure every 3-4 years would benefit most. land going into oilseed rape, or winter on a rotational basis.” “So on the one hand, we’re being cereals sown up to 15 September, or All loads of muck go over a weigh- encouraged to use renewable sources 1 October on heavier land.” bridge before leaving the farm, so Ashley of nutrition –– but on the other, we’re The muck is analysed on a regular Joule has a record of the exact quantities being constrained. basis and in mid-July this year, it’s delivered to each customer. “Poultry manure has unjustifiably nutrient content gave it a true value “For every job, we log the application been categorised with slurries in the of £15/t ex-farm, claims Ashley Joule rate requested and the fields to which it’s NVZ regulations, with its application and (see muck analysis box below). “That’s due to be applied. We then print out a incorporation immediately before sowing based on prevailing prices of £170/t for map from a satellite image, highlighting a winter or spring crop undoubtedly the ammonium nitrate, phosphate at £205/t the fields to be treated, identify the rates best time to apply it from a plant growth and potash at £540/t.” to be applied then hand it over to the and environmental standpoint. But with an annual production of operator.” “As a result, we and our customers, around 50,000t, it means he has to find The actual spreading operation is now have to store the material for longer a home for almost 1,000t of manure a Alex Pyke’s responsibility, who runs periods of time –– even though the muck week –– every week of the year. “That’s all the field operations. For the muck is dry enough and has the consistency why we sell the product at just £10/t delivery set up, he has a team of three to allow it to be stacked to comply with delivered on-farm, plus an optional £2/t men –– each working for five days on the regulations. for spreading. At that price, it’s a very a rota system –– to keep the material “Now, much of the material is used cheap source of crop nutrition.” moving off the farm every day (except for Christmas Day). Closed spreading periods for manure Trailer fleet Grassland Tilled land The manure is loaded from the poultry Sandy and All other soils Sandy and All other soils sheds’ belt systems straight into a fleet of shallow soils shallow soils ten, 15t trailers. Hook lift trailers are now 1 Sept – 31 Dec 15 Oct – 15 Jan 1 Aug – 31 Dec* 1 Oct – 15 Jan employed, creating an opportunity to use * On tilled land with sandy or shallow soils, manure application is permitted between a number of different trailer bodies on 1 August and 15 September inclusive – provided a crop is sown on or before 15 September. the same running gear. “These have significantly reduced our operating and Source: Defra NVZ compliance leaflet No.8 maintenance costs, whilst improving safety on the road at the same time.” Muck is usually tipped into each Muck analysis per tonne (applied at 30% dry matter) customer’s manure storage area and Nutrient Kg/t because it’s dry enough to be ‘stacked’, it can be kept on an ex-sugar beet clamp, Nitrogen 16kg 20% readily available for example, says Alex Pyke. “But it’s the Phosphate 9kg All readily available buyer’s responsibility to ensure that it’s Potash 9kg All readily available stored within the NVZ rules.” Magnesium 3kg All readily available Applications are carried out using an 18t K-Two rear-discharge spinning disc Sulphur 2kg All readily available spreader which is loaded using a Hyundai Copper/Sodium/Zinc Traces All readily available wheeled-loader at each farm store. This Calcium 77,886mg/kg is pulled by either a Challenger 765B, Source: GJ& E Griffiths or a large wheeled-tractor on wide tyres, which allow them to work in most

50 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 conditions without the risk of causing ruts or compaction. The Challenger is fitted with AutoGuide automatic steering to help to accurately match up the bout widths. “This is a particularly useful and easy-to-use system.”

Haulage operation The haulage operation runs for 10hrs/day and because the muck is often stored in fields, it has to be carried out using agricultural tractors rather than trucks. For this, Alex Pyke has set-up a hire agreement with his local John Deere dealer, Rea Valley Tractors, paying a set hourly rate. “These tractors clock up 600hrs in ten weeks after which they’re changed new tractor back again that’s never had With an annual production of around for new replacements,” says Alex Pyke. a machine on its linkage, or turned its 50,000t, Ashley Joule and Alex Pyke have “It’s an arrangement that suits both the PTO. We always keep the tractors clean to find a home for almost 1,000t of manure dealer and ourselves very well. and tidy and, apart from the tyre wear a week. “We’re saving a fortune in tyres alone (about 20%), they look brand new.” –– I’m now able to operate with reliable The Challenger 765B which hauls the new tractors without any other fixed spreader is one of a pair the company “While Ashley has a tremendous costs. The tractors are serviced once bought new, along with a range of other amount of experience with the potato during their time with us, and that’s done equipment, last February following a crop, we both realised that –– even by the dealer –– again without any cost massive machinery clear-out. This came though we were growing as much as to us. after the decision was made to get out 280ha –– we really needed to expand “In return, the dealer gets a nearly- of potatoes. that area to be fully profitable.” L spreading –– it’s capable of providing immense savings from eliminating overlaps when we’re working, and also when we’re cultivating. “I calculated that removing a 5% overlap on all of our work adds up to an overall saving of about £16,000/year,” he explains. “That includes time, fuel, seed, labour and wearing parts.”

Cropping plans The cropping plans set by the two managers is also designed with the goal of keeping things simple. Feed wheat is the main crop, with the farm producing No other base fertiliser is used by the farm, systems –– with a John Deere StarFire about 11.5% of the laying hens’ feed with the fields receiving manure every system fitted on one JD tractor and requirement. 3-4 years on a rotational basis. AutoGuide fitted on one Challenger.” Einstein, Humber and Oakley are The AutoGuide terminal can also be grown purely for yield –– averaging about transferred to the Claas Lexion 600 8.5t/ha across both first and second L The philosophy was previously to grow combine at harvest, he adds. wheats. “This is sold to a local mill from processing potatoes with low input “Auto-steering is an important way where we purchase our feed.” costs, he adds. of maintaining accuracy on the muck Barley is grown on a smaller area “A significant proportion of the cost-saving resulted from using nothing but poultry muck as a fertiliser, but Farm Facts: the NVZ regulations made it impossible for us to do so in economical quantities. JA& O Griffiths& Sons G Mainline machinery: Moreover, capital tied up in the potato Oaklands Farm Eggs Ltd Combine: equipment could be used more Ellerdine Grange Claas Lexion 600 on TerraTracs, with effectively to redevelop the poultry Ellerdine a 10.5m Vario header systems to comply with new regulations Telford Chaser wagon: being introduced in this sector. TF6 6QR 16t, Richard Weston 1,300ha – owned, share-farmed and Tractors: Core business tenanted 2x Challenger 765B “You’ve got to remember that our core The farm is a division of the family-owned 4x John Deere 7530 business is egg production and that egg and poultry business – which Loaders: currently requires a huge amount of includes Oaklands Farm Eggs Ltd 4x JCB Loadalls investment in new colony systems to meet and GJ& E Griffiths Sprayer: the new regulations being introduced in G Soil types: A wide range which Chafer Mirage, 24m with a 3500-litre 2012. We had little choice but to stop includes heavy black peat, very light tank growing spuds and to concentrate on sand and heavy clay combinable cropping instead –– Cultivations: G Staff: streamlining the machinery fleet at the 4.5m Simba Solo 4.5R same time” (see Farm Facts opposite). Managers: Ashley Joule (technical) 6m Lemken Terradisc This also enabled him to simplify the and Alex Pyke (operations) 6m Lemken Rubin discs whole machinery operation, with two 3x full-timers on muck haulage and 8f Gregoire Besson, Semi-mounted high power tractors and two drivers spreading plough (recently sold) now being capable of carrying out all the 3x arable full-timers 7-leg TWB Flatlift subsoiler field work. “I see our role as basically an Self-employed sprayer operator Drill: internal contractor for all the family- G Cropping: 6m Horsch Pronto DC owned businesses of which the arable No fixed rotation Muck spreading: farm is just one. First and second wheat; barley; K-Two, 16t capacity rear discharge “The muck spreading is one of the oilseed rape spreader services we provide, just as the arable Grain maize (for crimping) 6x Stewart 15t trailers field work is another. With everything, G I work on a philosophy of keeping things Varieties: 4x Marston (MF) 15t, trailers as simple as possible.” Wheat: Claire, Einstein, Humber, 2x Hook-lift trailers Yet that doesn’t mean not employing Oakley Hyundai, wheeled loading shovel the most sophisticated technology, Barley: Saffron Plus John Deere tractors for muck stresses Alex Pyke. “With the machinery Oilseed rape: Castille, Excalibur hauling on short-term hire reinvestment came two auto-steer

52 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 –– once again for feed –– with Saffron we’re not keen on the idea of opening yielding 7.5t/ha on average. Oilseed rape up the gates and becoming a waste is grown purely as a break –– with its handler.” Another option is to feed the high average output of 4.2t/ha mainly digester with home-grown maize but that due to the muck applications, believes defeats the object because it takes land Alex Pyke. out that could otherwise be growing “There’s no set rotation, but our main wheat, he adds. crop is always wheat. It depends on the “The best answer is to find a way to season and the market conditions at the drive off the ammonia and nitrogen, and time. The farm is owned by businessmen convert it into a product we can apply as and is run as a business –– pure and a liquid. The beauty of the anaerobic simple.” Other break crops include grain digester is that the process can harvest maize and land let for potatoes. the methane to generate power without Ashley Joule continues: “The land in losing the nutrient value of the muck. Shropshire is very variable, with the soil “This is subsequently converted into type often varying from black peat to liquid nitrogen and a dry ‘digestate’ –– light land, then to heavy clay in just a both of which are easier to handle and Ashley Joule reckons the farm could supply short distance –– so it’s difficult to adopt more environmentally acceptable than enough power and heat for 5,000 a ‘bespoke’ establishment system for any the raw manure.” I homes through anaerobic digestion. one crop.” However, the plough isn’t used much any more, he adds.

Primary cultivator The Simba Solo is the primary cultivator on the heavier land, with a Lemken Terradisc being preferred on the lighter soils. The farm currently drills its rape but is considering switching to using an applicator mounted on the Solo for the coming season. “We’ll probably move to more second and continuous wheat production next season since the economics of feed wheat is still more attractive than for other combinable crops”. Ashley Joule and Alex Pyke are constantly investigating new ways of disposing of muck –– partly to meet anticipated future changes to the NVZ rules. “Anaerobic digestion is one area of particular interest,” says Ashley Joule. “We’ve calculated we could supply enough power and heat for 5000 households, and produce stable liquid and solid fertiliser products at the same time. “But the capital investment required for this scale of operation is colossal –– at least £12M –– so we’re in discussion with potential partners at present.” Methane is one of the worst greenhouse gases and anaerobic digestion not only reduces possible pollution, but it would also provide the farm with a substantial additional source of income, he believes. “But one problem with poultry manure is that it’s high in nitrogen and ammonia, which kills the anaerobic bacteria used in the process. This needs to be treated by mixing the muck with other organic compounds before it enters the digester. “One answer is to use food waste but

Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009 53 AgronomyAgronomy NotebookNotebook

play if yellow rust is to reach new heights next season. Despite it being a relatively cold winter this year –– with relatively low levels of yellow rust inoculum about –– we’ve seen its resurgence anyway. The most important part of the yellow rust jigsaw is variety choice so there should now be a renewed focus on those varieties with high levels of resistance to the disease. At Nickerson, our breeding programme has diversified more than most other plant breeders to avoid the risk of catastrophic crop failure to a particular disease through the development of robust new varieties with adult plant resistance. As part of a broad-based breeding programme, whereby a range of resistant types are included, our varieties are showing their long-term durability in the field and we’re confident they will continue to maintain a high level of resistance to any potential disease epidemic in future. Tried-and-tested varieties, such as the third –– next season –– it could Claire, have resistance to yellow rust that Yellow rust resurgence? become a widespread problem. has held firm for a number of years and But for it to have a serious impact, as more recent varieties, such as Panorama well as needing to have the right weather and Cassius, also feature adult resistance f a significant proportion of the winter conditions, there has to be a source of profiles –– helping to limit crop exposure wheat seed going into the ground this yellow rust inoculum in the autumn, with to risk. Iautumn is susceptible either to the volunteers to act as a ‘green bridge’ If growers are to maximise the new strain of yellow rust or an older one, across to the new crop. efficacy and timing of their fungicide more than enough inoculum could be That’s highly likely this autumn programmes, they must also be aware produced next season to threaten all following the levels of disease occurring of the difference between early and late regions of the UK. this season. rusting varieties –– something we’ve kept When evaluating the varietal breakdown One major concern is that many of a close eye on this season. of seed being produced for drilling next the crops to be drilled this autumn will We’ve seen some varieties in trials season, it’s fair to say many are susceptible be ‘seedling susceptible’ to yellow rust become severely infected by yellow rust to the disease. –– with the disease appearing prior to in May and June before a period of Without wishing to overplay the adult plant resistance cutting in. drought halted any further infection. situation, this season has seen a very Using a seed treatment, such as But later in the season while the crop big change in both the amount of yellow Epona (fluquinconazole+ prochloraz) was still green, yellow rust got going rust inoculum, and the virulence of the on seedling susceptible varieties will again with fresh eruptions. disease in wheat. certainly help reduce the green bridge Growers must therefore watch out We’ve had the ‘Solstice race’ appear –– affect and prevent early yellow rust and be prepared for late attacks. showing new virulence for a combination –– but they can still pick it up later We’ve seen the effect yellow rust can of genes, including Yr6 resistance –– but in the season. have on several mainstream varieties we’ve also had other varieties showing Growers should be aware that the this year and, with everything pointing high levels of susceptibility to yellow rust. disease can exist as a sub-clinical to a resurgence of the disease next Yet it’s not always clear whether it’s the infection, whereby it infects the seedling season, growers should think long and new strain of the disease or an older one leaves in the autumn, remaining inside hard about their variety selection for the returning. The ‘Robigus race’ has certainly the apparently healthy green leaf coming autumn. been the predominant type in recent years over-winter where frost is unlikely but that didn’t have the ability to attack to kill it off. Yr6. The strain we’ve witnessed this Then as the weather warms up in the Paul Fenwick is a cereal pathologist for season is particularly virulent. early spring, pustules start to appear and Nickerson. At the moment, we’re right in the it begins to re-generate itself and spread middle of a typical three-year cycle for from plant-to-plant –– and then from yellow rust whereby the first year we see field-to-field. new races appearing in patches, then Like the brown rust epidemic of 2007, the second year it begins to build, and the weather will have a significant part to

54 Crop Production Magazine –– August 2009