Nitrate warning as new NVZ map looms
The map, which shows the 59% of the country where strict rules on the use of nitrates apply, was re-drawn in the summer. It comes into force from 1 January 2013 and will affect the majority of English farms – some for the first time. Farms within an NVZ must observe restrictions on the quantity […]
BCPC Weed Review highlights technology solutions to compensate for product losses
“Despite the various regulatory challenges, loss of herbicides and ongoing build-up of resistance to current products the presentations made at this meeting demonstrated a range of innovative approaches being taken to address all of these critical issues,” said Gordon. “Weed control remains one of the most important factors to maintain sustainable food supplies and our […]
Diseased seed crisis presents pitfalls for organic farmers
Bad weather in recent months has left much of the available seed for autumn drilling with high levels of disease in nearly all cereals, but this has created a catch-22 problem unforeseen in the organic rules. The Europe-wide regulation governing organic food and farming states that producers must use organic seed where it is shown […]
Phoma control information now available
The latest HGCA fungicide performance trials show that a range of fungicide products can provide good control of phoma leaf spot and stem canker. Phoma can be a problem for rape crops throughout autumn and winter. Early epidemics in the first half of October or earlier are most damaging and typically put 0.5 t/ha yield […]
A new future for an old crop: barley enters the genomics age
Higher yields, improved pest and disease resistance and enhanced nutritional value are among potential benefits of an international scientific research effort that has resulted in an integrated physical, genetical and functional sequence assembly of the barley genome, as described in a paper published in the prestigious journal Nature. The new resource, produced by the International […]
The Co-Operative helps British farmers weather the storm
The dreadful summer weather has devastated harvests of British crops, so The Co-operative is working with British growers to make the most of this year’s crops, to help control costs and to reduce the need for imports. Size reductions have been introduced on standard fruit and veg. lines, including apples and potatoes, while smaller sized […]
A bumper year for light leaf spot on Oilseed Rape in 2012
Levels of light leaf spot have been increasing steadily year-on-year since the very low levels recorded in 2004, and levels of disease on the stems in 2012 were the highest recorded since the survey began in 1987. In recent years, phoma canker has been the most prevalent disease, but levels have started to decline and […]
Changes to NVZ Action programme are disappointing
Despite Defra leaving many parts of the NVZ Action Programme unchanged, a two week extension of the closed period for spreading slurry and poultry manure will increase the severity and costliness of the programme. This comes despite the Government’s own evidence showing a widespread and continuing decline in nitrate levels. In its consultation response in […]
Recent water-logged conditions need addressing
What a difference a couple of months make! Many areas have had two of the wettest months on record. I was told the other day that 1″ of rain equals 100 tonnes per acre. Now it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that the intensity and volume of rainfall that fell in April […]
