Stewardship welcomes recognition of low drift nozzles
The announcement by the UK Chemicals Regulatory Department (CRD) to recognise low drift nozzles as risk mitigation measures for applications of plant protection products on broad acre arable and grassland crop is warmly welcomed by the consortium of the Say NO to DRIFT stewardship campaign. Since early 2012, the initiative has proved that growers are […]
Climate change puts wheat crops at risk of disease
There is a risk that severity of epidemics of some wheat diseases may increase within the next ten to twenty years due to the impacts of climate change according to a study by international researchers led by the University of Hertfordshire. The researchers carried out a survey in China to establish a link between weather […]
Certis extends arable portfolio
Certis has signed an agreement with Chemtura AgroSolutions, appointing Certis UK to exclusively handle the marketing and distribution of their full seed treatment range. The agreement has been concluded in advance of the spring seed treatment timing, with the products covered under the agreement comprising of Anchor®, Rancona® 15ME, Rancona® I-Mix, Signal® 300ES and Thiraflo®. […]
Researchers identify new way to control stone fruit disease
Researchers at the University of Kent and East Malling Research have identified a new way of controlling a fungal disease that can have a devastating impact on the UK’s valuable cherry and plum crops. Brown rot disease – caused by the agent Monilinia laxa – attacks stone fruit as well as causing blossom wilt and […]
New HGCA-sponsored Nuffield Scholar to research direct drilling in extreme weather conditions
Russ, 39, farms 750ha on predominantly heavy clay on the border between Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, usually growing a rotation of wheat, OSR and spring beans. He grows seed on contract as well as soft and feed wheat, with varieties for harvest 2014 including Skyfall, Evolution, Santiago, Kielder, Cougar, Diego and Revelation. For the […]
Survey highlights importance of SDHIs
A recent UK-wide survey of 40 independent advisors conducted by leading market research organisation GfK, aimed to gauge how advisors are using SDHI fungicides and what are the main differences between the products three years after the first new generation SDHI was launched. “It is clear that there is a strong awareness of the leading […]
Secrets of potato blight evolution could help farmers fight back
Researchers at Oxford University and The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, looked in unprecedented detail at how Phytophthora infestans, a pathogen that continues to blight potatoes and tomatoes today, evolved to target other plants. The study, published today in the journal Science, is the first to show how pathogens switch from targeting one species to another through […]
Openfield exports oilseed rape to Turkey
A shortage of GM-free oilseed rape amongst the exporters surrounding the Baltic Sea has forced Turkey to come to the United Kingdom in search of supplies. Loading of the MV Palmali Confidence with 6,000 tonnes of oilseed rape from farms across the south west of England began on 24th January at the Portbury Grain Terminal, […]
New research to shed light on Light Leaf Spot
Light leaf spot is the number one disease threat to oilseed rape crops and can cut yields by up to a tonne per hectare. SRUC researchers will also look to pin down the best timings and treatments to manage this perennially tricky problem. The £114,000 project is funded by industry body HGCA. It will be […]
