Stop chickweed smothering new sown leys this autumn
Chickweed can quickly smother young seedling grass in autumn sown leys and should be sprayed to maximise the returns from investing in a new re-seed. It is almost inevitable that common chickweed will germinate alongside grass as both establish easily in the warm, moist soils at this time of year, explains David Roberts, grassland technical […]
Null-Lox malting barley shines out in tour for leading brewers, maltsters and distillers
A group of thirty-five of the biggest brewers in the world, along with major EU and UK maltsters and distillers, have joined in the annual Gleadell malting barley tour through Wiltshire and Hampshire. “This was a very important tour for our customers, as France and Germany have very poor crops due to the extensive drought, […]
Field trials with GM potatoes and wheat destroyed
On the nights of 9 and 11 July 2011, two field trials funded by the German Ministry of Research involving genetically modified plants were destroyed by unknown attackers, who used brutal violence against the guards. The trials in Gross Lsewitz near Rostock and in plingen (Saxony-Anhalt) were being used to develop new risk […]
Time to start Sclerotinia prevention programme in carrots
The BASF and ADAS sponsored Sclerotinia monitoring system for carrot growers has recorded sclerotial germination and indicates that the first fungicide treatments will be required soon as main crops approach full ground cover. Dr. Peter Gladders from ADAS Boxworth explains that sclerotia are now germinating in carrots and barley in Norfolk and in some […]
Sesame set for second year of success for growers
Seed grower Nick Wilson, who farms near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, achieved an overall yield seed of 4.6t/ha (1.9t/acre) from his Sesame oilseed rape last season, with yields touching the golden number of 5t/ha on the main parts of his field. This season, Nick’s crop looks set fair to equal or exceed that yield and he […]
BEPA Pulse Market Update
Peter Smith, President of BEPA, comments: Summary There is little to report for market activity this month, apart from the bearish effects after very high USA corn planting/stock estimates sent commodities down across the board, as funds responded by baling out of the sector. June figures from France suggest that the recent rainfall was […]
PGRO Pulse Crop Bulletin
Becky Ward, PGRO senior technical officer, advises: Aphids Numbers of aphids are continuing to increase in both peas and beans as the weather remains warm. Pea aphids in combining peas should be treated with an aphicide when 20% of plants are affected and vining peas when 15% of plants are affected. Combining peas are susceptible […]
Pre-harvest desiccation will drive glysophate demand
Dry weather and predictions of lower yields have not eliminated the need for pre?harvest desiccation, according to agronomist David Barker of DKB Crop Protection Ltd. This year could see a huge demand for glyphosate, Mr Barker warns, as growers attempt to correct uneven ripening within fields and to ease potential harvesting problems in open crops. […]
Midge warning for pea crops
Pea growers are being warned to look out for Pea Midge attack, with reports of infestations being picked up in crops in the north east. Becky Ward of PGRO advocates control as soon as possible if any Midge are present – since yield loss can be up to 50% where infestations are high, she warns. […]
