Crops articles from June 2007

Crops archives from June 2007

Packed programme at Cereals 2007: the Cereals event is the working showcase for the UK arable sector. There are over 350 exhibitors and 21,000 visitors are expected to pass through the gates on 13-14 June at Vine Farm, Wendy, near Royston. Crops picks some highlights.(TECHNICAL)
June 2, 2007... THE CROP PLOTS The crop plots remain the technical heart of the event. Over 30 exhibitors with crop plots drilled with the spectra of combinable crops, game crops and field margins to show sector-leading R&D in action. Use them for a...

Climate change adds pressure to variety choice: agronomic innovation is as important as business management for Cereals 2007 host, Tim Whitehead. Charles Abel reports.(CEREALS 2007 PREVIEW)(Cover story)
June 2, 2007... A new crop, variety changes and judicious use of inputs are key parts of the survival strategy for Velcourt's Vine Farm at Wendy, near Royston, which hosts Cereals 2007, 13-14 June. Such agronomic issues can be as important as the...

Potash is essential for autumn-sown crops.
June 2, 2007... Winter cereals and rape will receive their nitrogen in the spring. However, the essential phosphate and potash timings are not so clearly defined. The phosphate can often be applied to advantage in the seedbed or soon after drilling, maybe...

Wheat needs more potash than nitrogen.
June 2, 2007... High yielding crops such as wheat have a greater requirement for potash than for nitrogen during growth. If the crop is not to be restrained it must be able to find enough potash in the soil. Good soil fertility, as measured by soil analysis,...

Soil solution exhausted every day.
June 2, 2007... Most productive crops in Britain will take up at least 300 kg of potash from the soil as they grow. During the most active phases of growth they may require up to 10 kg potash per hectare per day, and they can only get this from the soil. In...

Biofuels.
June 2, 2007... Biofuels appear to present a new crop opportunity, but in reality it is the end-use which is different, not at this stage the crop. So whether oilseed rape is grown for oil for human consumption or for fuel, or whether wheat is for feed or...

Potash deficient crops use nitrogen inefficiently.
June 2, 2007... We talk about optimum nitrogen rates for crops, but do not always mention that these optima depend on everything else being right. For example, if the crop is short of potash, the optimum nitrogen rate will be reduced--and therefore so of...

Precision farming.
June 2, 2007... Detailed knowledge of phosphate and potash reserves in soils, using analysis of soils from different places in fields, has shown that very often there are quite large areas within fields which are low in nutrients - often the high-yielding...

Technical content thrives at Cereals: crop plots are at the heart of the Cereals event, providing a live demonstration of all that's new in technical arable research. We preview what's on offer.(CEREALS 2007 PREVIEW)
June 2, 2007... Whether you're previewing the latest pesticides, selecting suitable varieties, choosing a new crop or examining environmental issues, there's a crop plot or two at Cereals 2007 that will be right up your street. In fact there are more than...

Pesticides and GM have a role to play in saving planet: will pesticides and GM save the world? Jim Orson, R&D Director of TAG and speaker at Cereals, believes they will play a part.(CEREALS 2007 PREVIEW)
June 2, 2007... Feeding the world while maintaining the environment poses a significant challenge for the future. But to argue we should not be using pesticides, nitrogen fertiliser and genetic modification to further crop production seems risible on...

Have your say on NRoSO's future.(CEREALS 2007 PREVIEW)
June 2, 2007... A consultation on the future of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) will be launched at this year's Cereals event and growers are being urged to take part. The scheme, originally set up in 2003 to allow the maximum number of...

Heat from wheat worth a look? if you are about to invest in a new domestic boiler, is it worth looking a type that can use biomass fuels including grain, asks Sarah Henly.(CEREALS 2007 PREVIEW)
June 2, 2007... Burning grain in domestic boilers to heat farm properties is practised in parts of northern Europe. Some Danish and Swedish growers burn oats along with woodchip in biomass boilers. But is it practical and cost-effective; and, if so, should...

Biodiesel for tractors top of the agenda: fuel economy and the ability to handle biodiesel will be as prominent as power, transmission and cabin comfort on tractor stands at Cereals 2007. Peter Hill provides a preview, followed on p26, 27 and 28 by a round-up of other machinery developments on show.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... With the new Puma, Case IH emphasises its new "independent brand" status that will see Case IH tractors for the UK built mainly at the former Steyr factory in Austria. The first four models, spanning 180-223hp outputs for draft work and...

Suspension for driver comfort.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... Landini's Powermax will slot into the Italian manufacturer's range beneath the higher-powered Power-master line-up once production gets under way this autumn. Two models will be available initially, complementing the Landpower tractors,...

JCB Increases speed with new transmission.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... The 2155 and 2170 newcomers to the Fastrac range replace the 2140 and 3170 models. A bigger volume 6.7-litre Cummins engine with electronic fuel injection delivers up to 165hp for the 2155 and up to l78hp for the 2170, while transmission...

More power for small tractors.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... A new range of sub-100hp tractors makes it debut in Deutz-Fahr, SAME and Lamborghini colours. The two-model Agrofarm line-up (pictured) slots in above the 60hp and 77hp lightweight Agroplus and K-series Agrotrons. Power outputs are 82hp and...

High spec additions.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... In the midst of transferring production of its UK-built range from Doncaster to the Italian factories of its Italian Argo Group parent, McCormick plans to give a taste of things to come with 145hp (up to 156hp for transport/pto work) and 167hp...

Valtra overhauls design.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... A new cab with longer-travel suspension, one-piece door glass and increased noise insulation features on the second-generation Valtra T Series tractors, along with new engines with the novelty of selectable power and economy characteristics....

American-built combine makes its debut.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... Agco will showcase its North American-built Massey Ferguson 9895 rotary combine, which it is evaluating this year ahead of work on a new cylinder threshing, rotary separation machine now being developed. The 9895 is said to have the largest...

Field equipment demonstrations; Cereals 2007 provides a great opportunity to see new kit in action. Peter Hill picks out the highlights.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 2, 2007... AGCO Latest-model Challenger, Fendt and Massey Ferguson tractors working with a range of implements. BOMFORD TURNER First Cereals Event showing for the Vogel & Noot range of ploughs, cultivators and seed drills under the Bomford...

Rapid advance means lots of choice: spoilt for choice or too much choice? Sugar beet varieties are improving at a rapid rate, as Louise Impey finds out.(SUGAR BEET FOCUS)
June 2, 2007... It's not a short list. But in some ways that's not a bad thing. Another six varieties have been added to NIAB's Recommended List for sugar beet varieties for 2008, making a total of 21 available to growers. It shows advances are being made...

Fungicides vital for maximum yield: sugar beet fungicides will be easily justified this season, especially on late-emerging crops on heavy land, Andrew Blake learns.(SUGAR BEET FOCUS)
June 2, 2007... Powdery mildew is second only to virus yellows as the most damaging sugar beet disease and one well worth taking steps to avoid, say Broom's Bam researchers. However, more warm, wet summers could see cercospora ousting it from that slot,...

Promise of good control from seed treatments: the arrival of Cruiser Force in quantity means growers have more seed treatment choice this season. Louise Impey reports.(SUGAR BEET FOCUS)
June 2, 2007... Twenty-one varieties to choose from, and now at least two insecticide seed treatments, plus priming--sugar beet seed decisions are not quite as straightforward as they were. Perhaps fortunately, seed treatment choices are restrained,...

Giving in to the charm of organics: organic cereal production suddenly has fresh appeal, discovers Stephen Carr.(CARR'S CORNER)
June 2, 2007... Never one to ignore the writing on the wall or, to be more accurate, the subsidy on the ground, I have started to take a keen interest in organic farming in recent years. But even with generous Organic Entry Level Stewardship incentives in...

Farming needs its scientists: skilled applied scientists play a vital role, says Bill Clark.(Podium)
June 2, 2007... Remember long, long ago when government financed research, agricultural scientists understood farming systems and fresh ideas were well explained to benefit all farmers? How distant that now seems. Researchers whose work directly benefits...

Points on offer.(BRIEFING)
June 2, 2007... Over 1000 people have visited the Farmers Weekly Academy, designed to self-test spraying and ear disease knowledge online. Have you? Successful completion can secure two NRoSO and two BASIS CPD points for each Academy test completed. The...

FWi hit parade.(BRIEFING)
June 2, 2007... FWi's most visited arable stories since we last published Crops were: 1. Polytunnel judicial review 2. CropWatch: T2 sprays 3. Irish invest in Teesside biofuel plant 4. TAG variety trial weekly diary 5. Hopes for rain to...

Climate change facts.(BRIEFING)
June 2, 2007... The hottest April on record, followed by a cool and wet May, is more evidence of climate change, now considered a fact by EU and UK policy makers. So two new government reports could be worth a look. Modelling Natural Resource Responses to...

Feelgood factor drives agenda.(VIEWPOINT)
June 2, 2007... At last, a Cereals event with a feelgood factor, as respectable grain prices underpin the relative certainty of an SPS system that should function more or less intact for the next six years at least. It's a welcome change from the doom,...

Columnist Carr is top of the Crops: top industry commentator Stephen Carr won the prestigious PPA columnist of the year award with his mix of sharp and witty insights into UK farming. Here are the Crops articles the judges loved.(COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR)
June 2, 2007... I've a horrible feeling of Zugzwang Chess master Stephen Carr discovers a grand strategy for the coming season (2 September, 2006) To anyone who has read this column before it will come as little surprise to learn that I am, besides...

Putting the 'pride' back into growing wheat.(JUSTIN MCDONALD'S DIARY)(Calendar)
June 2, 2007... MONDAY It's nice to see Heygates and Glencore Grain launch its "County Pride" grower-friendly milling wheat contract. At least they have recognised that if there is going to be such a thing as home-grown Hovis, then farmers must at...

Time to plug the organic feed gap: organic feed grains are commanding worthwhile premiums and the market looks stable, so why not make the switch? argues Martin Humphrey.(PERSPECTIVE)
June 2, 2007... I think I speak for every producer in this country when I say that I would rather source my raw materials from the UK. As a livestock farmer and manufacturer of organic poultry feeds, nothing would please me more than having a robust domestic...

Failing to plan puts farming businesses in the firing line.(YOUR BUSINESS)
June 2, 2007... The impact of the next round of CAP reform, or indeed the World Trade talks, both scheduled for 2012, don't seem to crop up much in my discussions with farmers. If pressed, most will say they do not expect to receive as much aid in the...

Trading can make sense if you're aware of the pitfalls: trading SFP entitlements can seem a bit of a minefield. But provided you avoid the pitfalls, there is no reason why things shouldn't go as planned. Suzie Horne reports.(SFP ENTITLEMENTS)
June 2, 2007... For some businesses it makes sense to trade SFP entitlements. It may be part of a restructuring plan; for example, when new land is taken on, or to exchange lower-value entitlements for those worth more. But buyers and sellers need to be aware...

What's the state of the market?(BUSINESS)
June 2, 2007... The market for entitlements in England is not as spectacular as that in Scotland, where values are higher because of their historic allocation system. The English market has plenty of entitlements available, and normal English lowland...

Real market forces underpin the Cereals feelgood factor: optimism was in the air at this year's record-breaking Cereals event--and a hint of caution, too. Robert Harris reports.(TECHNICAL)
June 23, 2007... Good weather, a break from the day job and a dose of corporate hospitality all help to the lift the spirits. But this year, there was another, more fundamental reason for the upbeat mood among the record-breaking 22,500 visitors at Cereals...

Dealing with the brown rust fallout: what this year's brown rust epidemic meant for varieties and control programmes next year was debated at Cereals 2007. Mike Abram reports.(AGRONOMY)
June 23, 2007... What can we learn from this year's "unprecedented" brown rust epidemic? Are strobilurins and seed treatments necessary for success on susceptible varieties? Or are rust-susceptible varieties simply too expensive to consider? Those...

More flexibility needed to RB209: controversy over fertiliser recommendations simmered at Cereals 2007. Andrew Blake reports.(CEREALS 2007: FERTILISER)
June 23, 2007... As work continued to revise DEFRA's RB209 fertiliser recommendations book, with a show questionnaire giving everyone a chance to have their say on the way forward, the use of nitrogen in particular came under the spotlight. Farmers,...

NRoSO--in the public eye: like it or hate it, the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) is here to stay. Paul Spackman discovers how the scheme could change following the current review.(CEREALS 2007)
June 23, 2007... There was a strong feeling among attendees at this year's Cereals event that NRoSO had to become more professional and respected if it was to attract new members and stand up to increasing public scrutiny. The scheme, originally set up in...

Biofuels will need to prove their carbon footprints: carbon accreditation will be a key requirement for biofuel producers in the future, as Paul Spackman discovered at this year's Cereals event.(CEREALS 2007)
June 23, 2007... Proposed changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) are likely to mean growers will have to cut the total energy used when producing biofuel crops if the UK is to be competitive on the world stage. The potential changes (see...

Plenty to see at cultivations demonstration: the latest cultivation and establishment techniques will be on show at this year's Go-Till Event in Warwickshire. Our five-page preview will help you get the most from the day.(GO-TILL PREVIEW)
June 23, 2007... There's a wide range of cultivation and drilling equipment on show at the Go-Till Event 2007 to help growers cut establishment costs and improve crop husbandry. It takes place on Friday 6 July at Co-operative Farms' Ashby St Ledgers...

Min-till receives max co-operation: go-till host farmer, Joe Scott, has honed his min-till system over the past 10 years, at the Co-operative Farms' Ashby St Ledgers estate.(GO-TILL PREVIEW)
June 23, 2007... Joe Scott believes his one-pass cultivation system, which creates a stale seed-bed ahead of a cultivator drill, is about as efficient an establishment method as he can use. But should he ever encounter any problems, he can always tap into an...

Drill fillers ... what will be in your seed hopper? What will you grow next season? Over the next eight pages Louise Impey profiles recommended list varieties, candidates and selected others.(VARIETY CHOICE)
June 23, 2007... Top 10 seed areas 2007--winter wheat VARIETIES Alchemy 14.9% Claire 4.3% Cordiale 3.6% Einstein 10.6% Gladiator 6.5% Humber 4.9% Oakley 5.4% Robigus 11.3% Solstice 10.0% Zebedee 2.9%...

Beans benefit health.(AGRONOMY UPDATE)
June 23, 2007... Two new types of beans are being trialled at PGRO in HDC-funded projects for their suitability to be grown in the UK. Edamame beans--an edible soya bean--currently being sold by Birds Eye--are a Japanese delicacy, PGRO's Barrie Smith says....

Nitrogen management could raise OSR yield.(AGRONOMY UPDATE)
June 23, 2007... Delaying the first nitrogen application on oilseed rape crops this season again appears to have paid dividends by making crop structure much more manageable, according to Kemira GrowHow trials at ADAS Boxworth. The trials, in their second...

If it's new gadgets you're after ...: new variations on established spray tip designs with the potential for improving pesticide deposition, giving added application volume versatility or a longer service life were among the highlights of the Sprays & Sprayers section of the Cereals 2007 event. Peter Hill reports.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 23, 2007... Flat fan sprays angled forwards and/or rearwards have been proven to help get spray on to difficult targets such as the underside of dense canopies and erect wheat ears. So what could the multi-angled jet of a cone nozzle achieve? ...

Latest cultivators up for inspection: there were plenty of new and improved cultivators to inspect at Cereals 2007. Peter Hill selected these highlights.(MACHINERY: CEREALS 2007)
June 23, 2007... KONGSKILDE Kongskilde sold thousands of Vibro Flex cultivators when stubble cultivation using just tines was the rage--and now there is a new one that fits the trend towards disc-and-tine combinations. The 7400 series is of heavier-duty...

Leading the field from the front: to win, we must remain focused on the task ahead, discovers Stephen Carr.(CARR'S CORNER)
June 23, 2007... "One would need to have been cast in stone not to have been moved by the sight of "rookie" Grand Prix racing driver Lewis Hamilton winning his first Grand Prix race in Canada recently. Like millions of Britons I mopped a tear as the jubilant...

Why does UK ignore bioenergy? German farmer Christian Meyer reviews Cereals 2007.(Podium)
June 23, 2007... "This was my first visit to the Cereals event and I was impressed with the show. But I was struck by the lack of progress on bioenergy. I manage 1600ha of arable land in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, growing wheat, barley, sugar beet, rape,...

CabCards cut costs.(BRIEFING)
June 23, 2007... The Game Conservancy Trust has launched CabCards, a web-based system for producing and storing field summary cards. The aim is to cut costs for farmers by reducing fieldwork mistakes, the trust says. By keeping up-to-date individual field...

Farmers Weekly Academy.(BRIEFING)
June 23, 2007... Don't forget the Farmers Weekly Academy for self-testing your knowledge of spraying and ear-diseases online. Successful completion of the six questions is worth two NRoSO and two BASIS points. See www.fwi.co.uk/academy FARMERS...

FWi hit parade.(BRIEFING)
June 23, 2007... No surprises this week as Cereals 2007 tops the hit parade of most popular arable stories on www.fwi.co.uk. Every month the site, which carries the latest news, views, advice and market prices, attracts over 200,000 unique visits. Since our...

Real cause to be optimistic.(VIEWPOINT)
June 23, 2007... If Cereals 2007 was anything to go by, the feelgood factor is definitely returning to the arable sector. It has taken its time; last year, perhaps, was the first Cereals event since the mid-1990s where a sense of optimism was tangible....

Upward movement in grain price creates a 'buzz' at Cereals.(DIARY)(Calendar)
June 23, 2007... MONDAY * A week has not started like this for years. I rang Will, my grain merchant, for a price on new crop malting barley. Before I had a chance to ponder his offer over a cup of coffee, he rang me back to bid [pounds sterling]6/t...

OSR beware! Clubroot cometh: as clubroot emerges as a serious disease for oilseed rape growers, Geoff Dixon asks what lessons can be learned from vegetable crops, where an epidemic rages already.(PERSPECTIVE)
June 23, 2007... Oilseed rape is a brassica crop, so all the pests and pathogens found on cabbages, cauliflowers and the like also attack oilseed rape. The big difference is the vast area of rape grown, which is why the latest clubroot developments are such a...

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: management buyouts are not restricted to the corporate world. Rachael Bonfield follows one with a very agricultural flavour.(YOUR BUSINESS)
June 23, 2007... When Bob Thomas decided to retire from running his successful fresh produce business he had some clear ideas about how he wanted to do it. Only when the process was completed did the need for expert advice become apparent. Intercrop...