Arable Farming articles from September 2002

Arable Farming archives from September 2002

Message on slug control not getting through.(arable farmers not implementing a preventative control strategy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Panel Discussion)
September 7, 2002... Fire-fighting techniques for slug control - applying pellets only after signs of slug activity - is still widely practised, even though this is widely accepted as being too late, according to a survey conducted this summer. The survey,...

Split decision from desiccation trial.(application of split-does Reglone to potato cro)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Split-dose Reglone applications achieve a faster and more complete desiccation of potato crop haulm and can produce a higher quality tuber, according to results from a Velcourt trial. The split-dose trial, on a vigorous crop of maincrop...

Study highlights pre-em trial inaccuracies.(Monsanto, field trials of Avadex)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Field trials across the country are seriously underestimating the efficacy of Avadex, claims Monsanto, following an application study conducted over the past year. The study, involving trials at four separate sites across the country,...

Talking trading.
September 7, 2002... Trading in an Open Market is the topic of the sixth annual HGCA Market Outlook conference to be held at the Mermaid Conference centre in London on 2 October 2002. The conference will give a general outlook for the cereals and oilseeds market by...

Spray event merger.
September 7, 2002... The Sprays and Sprayers event, is to be incorporated into the annual Cereals Event, creating a new all-encompassing arable industry event in 2003. Announcing the move, David Storrar of the RASE said: "This makes the Cereals Event the market...

Potato plantings.(British Potato Council revises total plantings estimate)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 7, 2002... The British Potato Council has revised its total plantings estimate from 140,475ha, up to 142,113ha, based on information available from DEFRA for England, and the final seed area in Scotland from the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency...

Scheme streamline.(Linking Environment and Food, Assured Produce Scheme join forces)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The LEAF Marque and the Assured Produce Scheme (APS) are working together to offer members joint inspection. "We are delighted to be collaborating with APS," said LEAF's commercial manager, Jeremy Boxall. "LEAF has been involved in the...

Disease alert.(untreated seed should be tested for seed-borne disease)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Farmers looking to cut production costs by using untreated seed must sample carefully and have it tested for seed-borne disease, warns NIAB. NIAB plant pathologist Dr David Kenyon says: "Levels of seed-borne diseases have been moderately...

Quality pointers.(seed sprouting due to wet weather)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... NIAB reports that many growers are concerned about sprouting in the ear after the recent prolonged wet weather, with central and eastern areas apparently the worst hit. "Growers worried about sowing sprouted home-saved seed can have the...

Fertiliser facts demanded.(increase in subscribers to the Fertiliser Information Service)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 7, 2002... Increasing pressure to make the most efficient use of all farm inputs means that enquiries to the Fertiliser Information Service (FIS) are at an all-time high. FIS is operated by FACTS - the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme...

Blight's not beaten yet.(growers advised to persist with programs, use robust product)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Blight's not beaten yet, warns Simon Townsend of BASF. "The pressure on blight programmes this season has been unrelenting," he says. "Normally the disease has its peaks and troughs, but this year there's been no let-up - and the evidence is...

Miscanthus opportunity.(Bical Industrial Crops Ltd. seeks growers)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Europe's largest supplier of perennial fibre and energy crop miscanthus, Bical Industrial Crops Ltd, is looking for new growers. The company says that, in trials, miscanthus has produced margins of over #700/ha, and that it is considered one of...

Second wheats need not be second best.(getting the best out of second wheat crops)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 7, 2002... An increase in the area of first wheat drilled last autumn is likely to mean more second wheat in the ground this season. Teresa Rush seeks out some advice on getting the best out of second wheat crops. Not everyone will follow first wheat...

Greener peas lead global sustainability project.(Statistical Data Included)
September 7, 2002... Alison Lea reports on a project that aims to keep land fit for pea growing for the future. Peas, palm oil and tea are as disparate as crops can be from one another, but they share the distinction of being part of a pioneering project that...

Fragmented we fall.(John Kerr; regulation of farming must have leadership)(Column)
September 7, 2002... Agriculture must find strong leadership to fight over regulation of farming, says John Kerr. You might like to consider the long-term effects of the plethora of environmental issues that are currently hitting the headlines in the wake of...

EU to review ware PCN management.(potato growers may be restricted by European Union)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Potato growers beware. Proposals to change EU controls on potato cyst nematode may result in tighter restriction of ware cropping and higher production costs, warns Dr Bill Parker of ADAS. EU control directive 69/455, now 30 years old, was...

CONTRACTOR: Changing role for telehandlers.(new machines may be substituted for tractors)
September 7, 2002... Telehandlers appear to be going through a bit of a metamorphosis with the launch of the Merlo Multifarmer 30.6, the New Holland LM 410 and Manitou's prototype. Whilst these machines might allow some small farms to get rid of a tractor, it...

CONTRACTOR: Four-row prototype.(Dewulf develops harvester for potatoes)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Belgian self-propelled potato harvester manufacturer Dewulf is developing a four-row self pro-pelled machine. However, all the company will disclose is that it concerns a prototype. Currently, the largest machine included in the...

CONTRACTOR: Zetor takes to the slopes.(releasing Zetor Forterra series)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Zetor is launching a brand new range of tractors. Called the Zetor Forterra series (above), the sloping bonnet design and positioning of the exhaust outlet by the cab post, provides a new look for company. Unveiled at Luxembourg's Libramont...

CONTRACTOR: Tracked prime mover.(Buhler develops tractor)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Canadian firm Buhler, which bought New Holland's Winnipeg factory following the CNH merger, is the latest company to develop a rubber- tracked tractor. Although the 500hp+ machine is unlikely to ever go on sale in the UK, I am sure you will...

CONTRACTOR: Feeling at home in new MXM Maxxum?(Case IH reveals new range)
September 7, 2002... CNH unveiled a whole range of new products at a meeting in Madrid, Spain, earlier this summer. Whilst a sneak preview of a New Holland TG tractor stole the show, Case IH's new MXM Maxxum range attracted a lot of interest. Replacing MX Maxxum...

CONTRACTOR: Your flexible friends.(tractor tires need flexibility)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The introduction of heavier more powerful tractors means that today's tyres need to be more flexible than ever. After all, they are not just required to carry heavier loads. Other criteria include the need to travel at faster road speeds,...

CONTRACTOR: User experience.(Vredestein tires prove well-made)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Faringdon-based contractor Michael Potter has used Vredestein tyres for the past 20 years, and was one of the first to try Traxion +. "I've had the original set on one of my John Deeres for two years now and, despite the fact they've done...

CONTRACTOR: 70 series popularity.(popularity of tires on the rise)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Recent figures highlighting the fact that 70 series tyres are fitted to 10% of all new tractors and account for 11% of the replacement market, seems to suggest that popularity with contractors is on the increase. Kleber is certainly of...

CONTRACTOR: New rowcrop tyres.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 7, 2002... Demand from self-propelled sprayer manufacturers and large contractors has forced Alliance to introduce a range of A-350 high-speed rowcrop tyres. Capable of carrying the same load as standard tyres but at the higher speed of 65 km/hr, the...

CONTRACTOR: In Brief.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Firestone extended its R 9000 65 radial series earlier this year with the launch of the R 9000 High Speed tractor tyre. Designed for speeds up to 65km/hr with 50 tonne trailer loads, it boasts stability, manoeuvrability at speed, low noise...

CONTRACTOR: Green revolution continues.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Having launched its first Biotred car tyre manufactured from a corn starch-based filler during 2001, Goodyear is pushing ahead with development of this environmentally-friendly technology in agriculture. The Goodyear Research and...

CONTRACTOR: Market share in-road.(Bridgestone Firestone UK)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Bridgestone Firestone UK has increased its share of the market in agricultural tyres in the first half of this year, says the company. Industry figures show that, in a stable market, Bridgestone Firestone sold 14,707 tyres - an increase of 4.9%...

CONTRACTOR: Longer lasting.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Staying with Firestone, a farmer in Cornwall has disclosed that a tractor on his farm has been operating with the same set of Firestone tyres for 45 years! The tractor, a Ferguson FE35 has been used regularly for all general farming...

Danes grow more spring barley.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Poor weather conditions during last autumn are thought to be one of the main reasons why Danish arable farms grew a lot more spring barley this season. The area was up by 124,000 ha, bringing the total to 715,000 ha. By comparison, the...

Increase in French potato area.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The French potato area might be up this year but not as much as the 7.2% - 100,000 ha - total claimed by the French ministry of agriculture earlier this season. Recent figures from the country's Potato Committee and Association of...

Higher beet yields in Holland.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Dutch sugar beet growers are likely to lift an extra 4t/ha (10%) when compared to the average of the past few years. According to work carried out at the Institute of Rational Sugar Production (IRS), yields are likely to top the 62t/ha,...

OSR yields fall by 20%.(German oilseed rape production)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... German oilseed rape production levels are reported to be around 20% lower than they were a year ago, and in some areas torrential rainfall resulted in many crops being lost completely. According to the ZMP marketing organisation, OSR...

Larger Belgian potato harvest.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The Belgian potato harvest is likely to be a lot higher than previously expected. That is the message to come out of early lifting results from the country's Experimental Centre for Potatoes. Carried out on July 23, exactly 100 days after...

OSR autumn disease threat.(oilseed rape crops)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Phoma is the number one disease threat to oilseed rape crops this autumn. ADAS oilseed rape specialist, Dr Peter Gladders, reports phoma epidemics in the east are taking off around 0.7t/ha in yield loss from untreated rape crops. He believes...

Spanish steps to improve yields.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... In the searing temperatures west of Granada Richard ponders Europe's largest reservoir project and risks posed by Spanish commitment to desalination. Harvesting in 42oC is quite a challenge, especially in a cab, without air conditioning....

Plan for integrated ryegrass control.
September 7, 2002... Herbicide-resistant ryegrass is a growing problem but it's a problem that can be tackled successfully with careful planning. Teresa Rush reports. There's no doubt that herbicide-resistant ryegrass is developing as a problem for growers and...

HGCA funding for ryegrass solutions.(United Kingdom Home-grown Cereals Authority)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... A new HGCA project aims to develop a strategy for the sustainable control of Italian ryegrass and help to avoid the development of resistance to forthcoming sulfonylurea herbicides. Morley Research Centre agronomist Libby Powell is leading...

Fewer acres demand better control.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Blackgrass cuts yield on any farm. However when there are fewer acres over which to spread its effect on farm income, control becomes even more critical. In the first of three columns, we catch up with one 200 ha farmer to hear how he copes....

Front presses for all occasions.(Farm Force's front presses)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Designed to save costs, Farm Force's range of front presses includes simple models which do not require a front linkage to operate, as well as linkage models to fit most makes/models of tractor, says the company. Models come with an...

Pottinger power harrow range update.(LandMec Pottinger)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 7, 2002... In our `Guide to power harrow' feature, which appeared in Arable Farming 20 July issue, we accidently omitted Landmec Pottinger's power harrow listings. To make amends, here is the list in full. Model w/width rigid/folding...

Grass margins and gross margins.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Good management of field boundaries is paying off at Loddington. Chris Stoate relates how it contributes to farm finances as well as benefiting game and other wildlife. Crop yields decline towards the edge of the field for a number of...

Dependent on farmland habitats.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The whitethroat is a migratory warbler, a little smaller than a sparrow, associated with farmland hedges throughout northern Europe during summer. It has a scratchy song which it often utters during a distinctive display flight. Nests are built...

Breaking new ground with beetles and lasers.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The humble ground beetle is set to take a huge step for wildlife conservation through an inspiring research project being undertaken by scientists from the Game Conservancy Trust and the University of Plymouth. The project uses harmless...

#1.9m focus on game research.(Game Conservancy Trust)(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The Game Conservancy Trust is an independent wildlife charity which carries out research into game and its associated species and habitats. It is supported by 25,000 members and spends over #1.9million annually on research which is carried out...

Changing fertiliser strategy boosts sugar beet yields.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... The decision to apply sugar beet fertiliser in the spring rather than the autumn and to switch from blends to an Omex suspension-based system has lifted yields on a Suffolk arable farming enterprise by at least 10 t/ha. Other factors such...

A pre-emptive strike against manganese deficiency.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... Applying a full cocktail of minerals and essential trace elements to sugar beet pre-drilling, rather than trying to anticipate a potential deficiency in the crop, is the key to a significant performance boost for one Lincolnshire arable farmer....

Drilling dates to beat blackgrass constraint.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... East Anglian-based Colin Myram is a consultant to the agricultural industry, including farmers and suppliers. This month he looks at the best time to tackle the ubiquitous problem of blackgrass 23 AUGUST 2002 The start/stop wet harvest...

Into-store grain sampling validation under way.(Brief Article)
September 7, 2002... HGCA's Grain Sampling and Analysis Project, launched in the spring, should help growers market grain to the end user more efficiently. A report on progress to date. Consultants commissioned to develop and validate sampling protocols, have...

Wheat going west in ground-breaking deal.(United Kingdom sells wheat to the United States for the first time ever)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... UK wheat has been sold to the USA for what is believed to be the first time in history, reflecting the very strong domestic price now prevailing in the States, following the poor harvest. The cargoes of feed wheat are being shipped to the...

Beet on line.(British Sugar relaunches web site)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... British Sugar has re-launched its Internet service for sugar beet growers - British Sugar Online, www.bsonline.co.uk. The new site is designed to provide British Sugar's 7,200 sugar beet growers with improved services and information, including...

Sugar factories geared up for another season.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The six sugar beet factories around the UK have completed preparations for 2002/03 campaign. This preparation involved starting all of the machinery in the factory and running steam and water through the plant to ensure that the summer's...

Tartan `Nix'.(Farm Managemrnt Handbook published)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The latest edition of SAC's Farm Management Handbook has just been published. It provides a single reference source of technical and financial information to help farmers and rural businesses evaluate their current situation and develop...

Chafer acquisition.(Chafer Machinery Ltd. acquires Horstine Farmery agricultural machinery business)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Sprayer manufacturer Chafer Machinery Ltd has acquired Horstine Farmery's agricultural machinery business. Horstine's brand identity will remain, operated as a division of Chafer, run from its Gainsborough, Lincs factory. Horstine's York...

Beet yield rises.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The news that the German sugar beet area is up 2.9% to a total of 460,800 ha, suggests that a lot more sugar will be produced this season. Early indication from the German sugar beet producers' organisation is that yields will top the...

Hot potato spots.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Germany might still head the European potato league, but France is moving up the scale. French growers planted an extra 3.6% this season, a total of 169,300ha. Even though Dutch growers planted an extra 1% (165,573 ha), it still means that...

Linseed to burn.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Linseed makes an ideal biofuel as it has a high calorific value, which means that it gives off a relatively large amount of heat when it burns. It also produces low levels of ash. Until now growers have had to bear the cost of disposing of...

Wise up.(Game Conservancy Trust)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... A 2-day course entitled 'Wise Ways with Conservation' is being organised by the Game Conservancy Trust, on October 24-25. Details from Liz Scott. Tel: 01425 651013. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Seek tin alternatives.(growing potatoes)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... A poll of farmers on the potatocrop.com website has indicated that they consider tin to be the best fungicide for the prevention of tuber blight. Over 37% of respondents believed that tin was the best product. Fluazinam (Shirlan) was...

Barley: Is a fair price too much to ask?(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... As Arable Farming went to press, Norfolk farmer Teddy Maufe was meeting, facilitated by HGCA, with two major brewers, to discuss a more fair and consistent price for malting barley. Mr Maufe has the support of over 100 growers since he...

Set-aside: A time-releasing profitable option?(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... For some, the opportunity to increase set-aside is a real alternative. This may be particularly appealing to farmers with blocks of poor quality land struggling to achieve gross margins commensurate with their fixed cost structure. For...

LEAF performance.(farming conference)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
September 21, 2002... Farmers, consumers and environmentalists need to agree a way forward for farming. A conference in Perth organised by LEAF Scotland is bringing together different interests to dispel barriers and identify a way forward. Speakers include Arable...

The big E.(ergot control )
September 21, 2002... On this farm we flirt with ergot. Growing milling wheat on min-till regimes with poor grass weed control invites trouble. Consequently when spring weather conditions are to their liking, ergots can rear their ugly purple head. To counter the...

Malting militancy.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... It is good to see Teddy Maufe trying to galvanise Norfolk malting barley growers into some sort of collective action. It is simply unjust that malting barley growers should be expected to sell the crop at below the cost of production. Many of...

Cutting chlorophyll.
September 21, 2002... UK oilseed rape growers could be at a disadvantage to Continental counterparts. High chlorophyll concentrations in UK-produced rapeseed are causing concern. In recent years oilseed crushers and refiners have been experiencing higher residual...

New solutions for grain store challenges.
September 21, 2002... Stored crops must be managed as carefully as growing crops if returns are to be maximised. Teresa Rush paid a visit to the UK's remaining centre for applied grain storage research to catch up with the latest developments in storage technology....

Storage guidelines.(Soil Association technical guidelines )(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... New Soil Association technical guidelines on the storage of organic combinable crops, produced by CSL, aim to provide organic farmers with sound technical and practical information to enable safe, efficient and effective crop storage. The...

Multispecies lure.(PC Floor Trap from Igrox)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The recently-launched PC Floor Trap for empty bulk grain stores is now available from Igrox. Developed by CSL, the trap contains a multispecies lure. Pests attracted by the lure climb up the trap and fall through a perforated lid. Research has...

DEs for store structures.(diatomaceous earth dusts )(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Research projects undertaken at CSL, with funding from DEFRA and HGCA, have already established the potential of diatomaceous earth dusts (DEs) as replacements for OP-based insecticide dusts (see AF December 8th 2001). Now a new...

Oilseed storage questions.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Prospects for oilseed rape are probably better at the moment than those of any other combinable crop. But when it comes to storing rapeseed, there are currently more questions being asked than answers available, according to Mr Armitage. CSL...

Don't forget broad leaved weed control!
September 21, 2002... Black-grass may have hogged the headlines in recent years as the number one weed target, but what problems are occurring on the majority of farms that don't have to worry about it? Dominic Kilburn finds out. The 60 per cent of growers in...

Targeted phoma fungicides.
September 21, 2002... Latest advice on phoma control is to treat most vulnerable crops first. AF asked Jane Thomas of NIAB how this can be achieved in practice. Oilseed rape growers could get far more out of autumn phoma fungicides if they targeted application...

Drilling oilseed rape early exacerbates phoma risk.
September 21, 2002... Very early drilling and delayed fungicide applications exacerbate phoma risk and can seriously compromise profitability, according to Thames valley-based Hall Plank Robinson agronomist Pat Mulcahy. Mr Mulcahy believes that phoma incidence...

POTATO FOCUS: Seed management for storage quality?
September 21, 2002... One of BPC's key aims is to integrate storage R&D with research in other areas of potato production. Teresa Rush went to SBEU to find out more about the latest projects. Length of growing season is known to have an important bearing on how...

POTATO FOCUS: Keep on digging.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... All the pundits suggest you should do it, but what's the benefit? BPC agronomist Dr Rob Clayton says there are several good reasons why. "To justify the time input for accurate yield assessments there are many crop health related assessments...

POTATO FOCUS: Price potential of an early harvest.(using software to test crops)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... MAPP, the computer software programme being tested on the British Potato Council (BPC) funded reference crops at Harper Adams University College, is highlighting the point at which growers can make a profit. Based on test digging...

POTATO FOCUS: Seed conference.(British Potatao Council )(Calendar)
September 21, 2002... BPC's seed industry conference takes place in Perth on 14/15 November. Taking the theme 'Satisfying your end market', the conference features expert speakers from across the industry. For more details contact BPC events, tel 01743 282078 or...

POTATO FOCUS: Aphid info.(BPC Aphid Monitoring programme)(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The BPC Aphid Monitoring programme, run by CSL, is now available on the BPC website. The programme provides growers with information on aphid virus-vector pressure in three regions: eastern-central Scotland, north Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire....

POTATO FOCUS: Perfect secrets.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... The Food Standards Agency has awarded a team of scientists from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth #1.2 million to unlock the secrets of the perfect potato, reports the Times. The scientists aim to design a computer system able to...

POTATO FOCUS: Testing for potato progress.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Blackspot bruising is one of the major causes of crop rejection and downgrading of the UK potato crop. The BPC estimates that bruising costs the industry around #18 million/year in lost revenues. More information is needed about factors that...

POTATO FOCUS: Beating blackleg.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Soft rots cost the potato industry over #5 million each year and blackleg, caused by Erwinia caratovora subsp atroseptica (Eca), is a persistent problem in seed production. Research funded by BPC and SEERAD aims to improve understanding of...

POTATO FOCUS: Winning the wireworm war.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... Wireworm damage to ware potatoes may render crops unmarketable if attacks are severe. In the last five years there has been a considerable upsurge in the incidence of wireworm damage, partly as a result of the increasing use of disease- and...

POTATO FOCUS: Improving nematicide targeting.(Brief Article)
September 21, 2002... More precise targeting of agrochemical inputs is a consistent theme of BPC-funded research. A BPC-funded study under way at the Scottish Crop Research Institute aims to develop a routine, rapid and reliable method for detecting soil-inhabiting...

POTATO FOCUS: Crop damage limitation focus during harvest.
September 21, 2002... Potato growers who focus on reducing mechanical damage in the crop at harvest can significantly improve saleable yield and marketability of the crop. That's the message from Lincolnshire grower Andy Worth, who says he cannot afford to take...