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In this issue... The webinar way page 34 Regenerative progression page 69 Highlights from Cereals Live The carbon credentials of per plant farming Genetics special page 58 Sprout suppression page 79
Opinion
Volume 22 Number 8 4 Talking Tilth - A word from the editor.
July 2020 6 Smith’s Soapbox - Views and opinions from an Essex peasant…..
36 Tech Respect - CPM ’s machinery editor surveys the search for UK Ag’s next step.
91 Last Word - A view from the field from CPM’s technical editor.
Technical
8 Harvest preparation - The seed says it all
Now’s the time to test for herbicide and nutrition efficacy.
10 Partners in performance - Control what lurks beneath
The burden in the seed-bank may pose the biggest threat from blackgrass.
14 Seed treatments - To treat, or not to treat?
Growers explore the potential of not treating farm-saved seed.
20 OSR - The big OSR question
Whether to drill is the question that many growers are considering.
Internet of things image from 26 Tech Talk - Rye not?
Shutterstock by Monopoly919 Interest in hybrid rye for grain is growing as it adds diversity to the rotation.
Editor 30 Pushing performance - Naturally primed for growth
Tom Allen-Stevens Natural simplicity may be holding true for a new seed treatment.
Technical editor
Lucy de la Pasture
Machinery editor
Special
Charlotte Cunningham 34 CPM special insight - Innovation showcase
Writers 13 pages of the latest thinking from Cereals Live.
Tom Allen-Stevens Rob Jones
Charlotte Cunninghan Lucy de la Pasture Machinery
Design and production
Brooks Design 47 Cultivators - Soil preservation dictates choice
The demand grows for a less invasive approach to groundwork.
Advertisement co-ordinator
Peter Walker 53 New balers roundup - The bigger, the baler
Publisher As harvest approaches, it’s perhaps time to look at something new.
Angus McKirdy
Business development manager Innovation
Charlotte Alexander
To claim two crop protection BASIS points, send an email to
58 Genetics special - The global reach of plant science
Is the UK’s plant-science sector limbering up for the genetics revolution?
linda@basis-reg.co.uk, quoting reference CP/84198/1920/g.
To claim two NRoSO CPD points, please send your name, 62 Theory to Field - The OREGIN of resilience?
NRoSO member number, date of birth and postcode to
Collaborative research has long been the backbone of Defra-funded activity.
angus@cpm-magazine.co.uk
66 Pulse genetics - Reach for the GIN
*the claim ‘best read specialist arable journal’ is based Massive demand for plant-based protein puts the spotlight on peas and beans.
on independent reader research conducted by
Research Engine (Mar 2018)
69 Climate Change Champions - Each plant is important
A move towards regenerative agriculture delivers carbon savings in Cambs.
Editorial & advertising sales
PO Box 4856, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 9NX 72 Technology on trial - Variability comes into focus
A change in arable machinery can often expose variable farm performance.
Tel: (01743) 861122 E-mail: angus@cpm-magazine.co.uk
Reader registration hotline 01743 861122 76 Innovation Insight - Endophytes – a new frontier?
A new seed treatment that enables crop plants to fix their own nitrogen.
Advertising copy
Brooks Design,
24 Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1RD Roots
Tel: (01743) 244403 E-mail: fred@brooksdesign.co.uk
79 Potato agronomy - Timing is everything
CPM Volume 22 No 8. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at Maleic hydrazide is set to become an important foundation in sprout control.
PO Box 4856, Shrewsbury, SY1 9NX England.
Tel: (01743) 861122. CPM is published eleven times a year by 84 Potato desiccation survey - Desiccation decisions
CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying farmers The approach to potato desiccation has changed since the loss of diquat.
and farm managers in the United Kingdom.
In no way does CPM Ltd endorse, notarise or concur with any of the 87 Sugar beet agronomy - Uneasy start for beet
advice, recommendations or prescriptions reported in the magazine. Challenging is the word that best describes the 2020 season to date.
If you are unsure about which recommendations to follow, please consult
a professional agronomist. Always read the label. Use pesticides safely.
CPM Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to any unsolicited
material, including photographs.
crop production magazine july 2020 3
grain shed, was better product to show that it’s safe. ourselves. Let’s take the example
record-keeping. Importantly that burden of of neonics, banned because
To this day, we curse the proof covers both domestic they’re believed to harm bees. If
amount of records we produce and imports. Farm that’s true, then all we’ve done is
have to keep for Red assurance schemes are how remove the threat to our own
Tractor and other retailers and the hospitality bees, but we’re perfectly happy
schemes –– the sector ensure they comply for bees in the Ukraine to perish,
constant inspections, and equivalent schemes now as long as we get our cheap oil.
the processes that add operate worldwide to cover The Commission must address
nothing to the bottom line imports. This is how Government these imbalances.
Can we export beyond giving us a licence to can be brazenly confident in its And it looks as if it may. The
trust? produce trusted food. But (touch assurances that FTAs won’t Commission not only sets out to
wood) cereals has never had its compromise food standards –– ensure UK farm standards are
As someone whose first job off BSE, and if Red Tractor didn’t it would contravene the UK Food not undermined, it aims to build
the farm was as a verifier for work, we’d probably have regular Safety Act if they did. a coalition through WTO to help
Assured Combinable Crops, I’ve seismic shock waves through our The grey area comes when advance this globally.
always wondered when the food industry, of the same scale Government starts talking about It is exactly the sort of
scheme would really come into as COVID-19. upholding our high environmental evidence-based systems we
its own. This silent unsung success, protection and animal welfare have built ourselves in the UK
Having studied farm this quiet revolution in societal standards. Over the years we’ve that others are struggling to
assurance for a post-grad thesis, standards, has been our gift to done a superb job at not only achieve as they aim to underpin
I was keen to put my new-found the world. Our standards of farm legislating to keep pace with aspirations of agricultural
knowledge into practice. This assurance are valued in export societal expectation on these systems with higher levels of
was over 20 years ago, and markets, and others strive to scores, but building the same sustainability and a lower carbon
the industry was still reeling from emulate them. Crucially they rock-solid proof of compliance footprint. Ironically, it could even
the BSE crisis which was not only provide a measure against which into our assurance and be the US that has the most to
responsible for an appalling and the integrity of food imports can environmental schemes through learn in this area, if you study
degenerative brain disease in be gauged. Exactly how much good record keeping. closely the aims of its Agriculture
cattle, it could also be transferred we do this lies at the very heart The Government can again Innovation Agenda (see article
to humans. ACCS came about of the current debate over food be brazenly confident that FTAs on p58).
to ensure the same thing never standards. won’t compromise those Our systems aren’t perfect,
happened in cereals. What the debate has standards. But that’s purely and it’s still unclear exactly how
It turned out the UK actually highlighted is that there’s a gap because they are domestic and they manifest themselves into
had remarkably good food safety between the WTO definition of have nothing whatsoever to do on-farm benefits. But they’re
standards in place and a very food that’s acceptable to trade with international trade. Our British, they have value
robust system to monitor critical and what our own standards environmental and animal internationally, they’re crafted
control points –– it was simply a say we can accept in the welfare standards don’t cover by farmers and they could be
case of extending this onto the supermarket trolley, pub or imports. We would actually be tradable.
farm. In my new role, I was restaurant (if you can recall what contravening current WTO terms
privileged to visit many farms they are). The only protection if we started to refuse imports
–– among the first to join the WTO affords is what can be that don’t meet them.
scheme –– and get an insight detected on the product. So This is why the agreement by Tom Allen-Stevens has a
into their business. there’s only good reason to kick it DIT secretary Liz Truss for a 170ha farm in Oxon, and
What struck me were the out if MRL testing of an imported Trade and Agriculture would like to thank the many
very high standards followed product flags up an exceedance Commission –– a move first other farmers who kindly
and natural high degree of of a pesticide we’ve banned on proposed by NFU 18 months agree to his visits.
professionalism. Nine times human safety grounds here. But ago –– is such an important step.
out of ten, the only change the UK Food Safety Act goes tom@cpm-magazine.co.uk
It cannot be right to off-shore the
needed, bar the odd covered further and says the burden of production of commodities that @tomallenstevens
light or bird-exclusion for the proof lies with the provider of that don’t meet the standards we set
fact is I’ve not any oilseed rape, my grandfather who lived
wheat or bean crops to crow Guy Smith grows 500ha of
through two world wars, the
combinable crops on the north
about. While copious amounts Great Depression, Spanish flu,
east Essex coast, namely
of precipitation circled round Krakatoa erupting, collapsed St. Osyth Marsh –– officially the
us, my patch of Essex markets, floods, droughts and driest spot in the British Isles.
was blessed with the blackest of winters but Despite spurious claims from
scarcely an inch of rain never felt it was just all too others that their farms are
in June. Seeing as that much so that it wasn’t worth actually drier, he points out
takes the total since early seeding the farm every autumn. that his farm is in the Guinness
March to a yield sapping two Even today the fate of humanity Book of Records, whereas
All at sixes inches (50mm), you could say turns on the decision of the others aren’t. End of.
and sevens it’s not been a kind year. farmer to take the risk of putting @essexpeasant
So thoughts go now to a seed in the ground.
As I write, much of north planning for next year and This year the decision as to
east Essex is turning a harvest 2021 –– that’s assuming which varieties of wheat seeds changes in autumn 2020.The
harvest-ready gold and by the we are still here and 2020 to put in the ground hasn’t plan is to stick with the policy of
time you read this Harvest doesn’t get any worse with been made any easier by the growing Group 1s or 2s, so
2020 will be well underway. something like a significant cancellation of the plethora of KWS Zyatt and Extase may find
We’ve no barley on this farm volcano blowing or a major trials days and shows that a place on the farm next year.
this year and I’m feeling meteorite colliding with planet usually punctuate the June Whether these two will live up
horribly smug about this given Earth. calendar. Rather than see to their promise on paper
where barley prices are and But enough of the varieties in the flesh we are remains to be seen. Ever the
looking at some of the local catastrophising. It’s at times reliant on remote imagery optimist I’m dreaming of a
‘bonsai’ crops. But the harsh like these I take inspiration from and the virtual reality through golden harvest in 2021 that will
screens on our iPhones hopefully compensate for the
and laptops. misery that awaits the combine
I’m told the fashionable way yield meter this coming harvest.
to make the initial engagement I’ll be tempted to turn it off as
with members of the opposite I’m bracing myself for yields
sex has been through electronic beginning with sixes and
devices for some time now. No sevens rather than eights or
longer is the mating/dating nines. So here’s wishing you all
game initiated by encounters in a start to harvest that won’t
the flesh but rather it’s done by leave you at sixes and sevens,
trawling through images in the unless you’re in the OSR that is.
virtual world. I’m tempted to
speculate whether there is With some wheat crops not tall
anything to be learnt from the enough to hide a Jack Russell Guy
delicate task of finding a good Smith wonders if he’s the only
sort through Tinder when it farmer who thinks his hair has
comes to selectIng wheat grown more than some of his
varieties without the chance crops during lock-down.
to stroke the ears, grope the
flag leaves or open up the
canopy to check the stems for
disease. Maybe it’s a case of
remembering that looks alone
may not be enough especially
if you end up with something
that is high maintenance. On
reflection I’ve usually selected
varieties on their vital statistics
so not much has changed
there.
We’ve been growing Crusoe
and Skyfall for some years now
so I’m minded to ring the
6 crop production magazine july 2020
The seed says it all
“ The first
step in grassweed
control is to know
what you’re dealing
with.
”
Technical
Harvest preparation
Whether it’s to gauge for denial” over the grassweed, but to get crops sown last autumn but shedding will
seed tested for resistance. “The first step be later in spring-sown crops. Sarah notes
herbicide resistance or crop in grassweed control is to know what that samples should not be taken too early,
nutrition, now’s the time to you’re dealing with,” she says. should be dried and stored in a paper
ADAS has revamped its resistance envelope before posting. (further details
gather seeds for testing. testing this year –– as well as offering at www.adas.uk/herbicideresistance).
CPM reports. standard tests for blackgrass, Italian Research has shown that on-farm levels
ryegrass and wild oats, there’s a new of blackgrass resistance cannot be
By Tom Allen-Stevens standard test for brome, which is free in reversed but it can be slowed down,
2020 as part of an AHDB project. For all according to BASF’s Stuart Kevis. To
and Rob Jones species you can also select your own determine the shift in resistance, BASF
choice of herbicides for a bespoke test. tested blackgrass populations on 122
farms in 2013 and again in 2019 to
As harvest gets underway –– somewhat Clethodim resistance determine how they’ve changed.
earlier than usual for many –– growers Independent consultant Dr Stephen Moss “Over this relatively short timeframe total
have been encouraged to assess suggests OSR growers may wish to test resistance to the main three mechanisms
blackgrass for resistance and start blackgrass seed for clethodim resistance. has increased by 12%, from 46% to 58%.
autumn fieldwork, even before the Recent petri-dish trials he’s undertaken
combine header is lowered into the crop. have concluded it’s much less affected by
Herbicide resistance in blackgrass resistance than cycloxydim, the standard
continues its relentless rise, and according ‘dim’ herbicide used in tests.
to the Blackgrass Resistance Initiative “Clethodim is a relatively new herbicide
(BGRI) now costs UK growers £400M/yr in in the UK and offers opportunities for OSR
lost gross profit and 0.8M tonnes of lost growers with resistant blackgrass to
wheat yield. reduce reliance on propyzamide and
“Every time you use a herbicide carbetamide. This can be particularly
you select for resistance,” notes useful in water catchments where these
Dr Sarah Cook of ADAS. “Unless you residual herbicides are found in ground
have a zero-tolerance policy, you will be and surface water.” The full results of
driving up levels of resistance. Coupled Stephen’s trials, which include field
with the demise of oilseed rape, meaning studies, funded by Affinity Water, will be
a reduction in the break-crop area, this published in CPM later this year. There’s a new standard test for brome, which is
is not a good picture.” This year, early July is when blackgrass free in 2020, says Sarah Cook.
She urges growers not to “go into is likely to be at peak shedding in cereal
8 crop production magazine july 2020
Harvest preparation
populations susceptible to these types of
Growers get ready for the contact herbicides, something that has
Luximo lure been noted in-field by farmers and
agronomists over the past few years,”
BASF has revealed more details about its notes Stuart.
new blackgrass herbicide, Luximo, due to BASF has been running a season of
launch in 2021, subject to regulatory Real Results Virtual Farm Tours this
approval. It’s based on cinmethylin, a summer, bringing together growers,
molecule discovered by Shell in the early advisors and researchers to talk about how
1980s, but “put to bed”, says Stuart Kevis. control mechanisms are changing and to
“Everyone was thinking that crops were get individual tips on how best to tackle
going GM herbicide-tolerant and a soil rising resistance.
residual active wouldn’t be needed The events also give farmers and Hold off on spraying until two thirds of seeds in
anymore,” he says. advisors the opportunity to apply for one the part of the canopy carrying the lion’s share of
Its mode of action is inhibition of the of 200 free blackgrass resistance tests in the yield change from green to brown.
fatty acid thioesterase, used by seedlings return for sharing their best practice tips
as they develop. The first new mode of for blackgrass control. CPD points are Late branching and an extended flowering
action for cereal herbicides in 20 years, it’s on offer at the events, along with the result in a wide spread of pod maturity
also in a brand new HRAC classification. opportunity to link live to blackgrass throughout the canopy.
Best used pre-emergence of blackgrass, experts (www.basfrealresultsfarm.com) But Thomas advises to hold off on
Luximo will be available with mix partners spraying until two thirds of seeds in the
and should be used as part of an integrated Autumn fieldwork part of the canopy carrying the lion’s share
weed management strategy, working Starting your autumn fieldwork well ahead of the yield change from green to brown.
alongside tried and tested cultural controls, of combining will avoid this season’s “There’s no advantage in spraying
says BASF’s Ali Richards. cropping challenges getting in the way glyphosate before rapeseed moisture
“As excited as we are about what this of the cleanest, best and most-timely levels drop below 30%. Rather than
new chemistry can achieve, Luximo should establishment of your next crop, advises bringing combining forward it just means
not be looked upon as a ‘silver bullet’. Its Bayer weed control specialist, Thomas crops take longer to dry down,” he adds.
role should be as a building block that we Scanlon. “The same 30% moisture level applies
protect for many future years,” she says. “Combining can be considered the first to pre-harvest spraying in cereals. This is
cultivation for the most effective straw and reached when all the grains from the
chaff incorporation ahead of seedbed centre of the ear hold an indentation from
But the largest single shift was to preparation,” he points out. a firm thumbnail press.”
ALS-inhibitor herbicides, such as Thomas sees the right pre-harvest spray Glyphosate formulation is also important,
mesosulfuron, where RRR resistance programme as the key essential element he stresses. “The biggest challenge with
grew from 35% to 78%. Overall, 89% of the here, and it starts up to three weeks before glyphosate is getting it into the plant.
total population tested showed resistance combining. Getting the glyphosate timing Modern Roundups, such as Powermax and
to ALS,” he reports. correct will be especially challenging in Flex, can deal with heavily waxed cuticles,
“This constitutes a huge loss in levels OSR crops that have compensated for are reliable under challenging conditions,
of control, leaving only around 10% of damage from flea beetle larvae, he warns. and have better rainfastness.” ■
‘Child of YEN’ goes with the grain of crop nutrition
ADAS has launched a new YEN initiative to farmers can now be much more confident in augments soil analysis that
support growers seeking to improve the achieving full crop nutrition by measuring all the can identify availabilities of
nutrition of arable crops. YEN Nutrition provides nutrients that they harvest, and then sharing P, K and Mg, and leaf
comprehensive grain analysis on all 12 essential their results.” analysis that can reveal
crop nutrients and allows participants to The service is a world first, says Roger, and immediate nutrient
benchmark their crops’ nutritional performance builds on ten years of research, initially on shortages.”
against other growers. phosphorus (P), and more recently on all 12 crop Members of YEN Nutrition
Used in conjunction with soil and leaf nutrients. Grain testing of over 900 samples will receive three reports, including
analysis, YEN Nutrition reveals the final status from YEN farmers through the last four years benchmarking performance results. This
of the crop, giving members oversight of their revealed that 74% of cereal crops were deficient will show how well their crops’ nutrition ranked
crop’s ultimate nutritional achievements, and of at least one nutrient. “This indicates that to help identify where attention to crop nutrition
empowering them to make the right choices to despite the best efforts of many growers, should best be focussed.
enhance their future crop yields, field by field, nutrition was commonly inhibiting the full The service costs £250 which provides
says Prof Roger Sylvester-Bradley of ADAS. potential of their crops.” six samples, and Roger advises taking a
“We recognise getting nutrition right is a Grain analysis tells whether a crop actually representative grain sample on intake of each
challenge, even for the best growers,” he says. captured enough of each essential nutrient field. Extra fields can be sampled for £40 each.
“But we believe that, with minimal extra effort, throughout its entire life, he explains. “It www.yen.adas.co.uk/projects/yen-nutrition
crop production magazine july 2020 9
“ Andrew’s
clearly managing the
Control what lurks population well, but
he’s on a knife
beneath
Technical Partners in
edge.
”
performance
For many growers, it’s the alongside winter wheat and oilseed rape. with NIAB’s John Cussans providing
Cover crops are used ahead of spring specialist grassweed advice and Philip Wright
burden in the seed-bank that crops to keep soils that are prone to of Wright Solutions giving insight on cultivations
poses the biggest threat from slumping in good shape and active, prevent and soil management.
erosion and present land that’s reasonably “Blackgrass is still top of the tree as the
blackgrass. CPM joins the dry and ready to drill in early spring. number one agronomic problem on many UK
Task Force engaged in farms,” Ben explains. “Most growers are
Direct drilling moving to integrated control programmes, but
helping one Shrops grower It was the drive to improve the soils that also there’s a lot of potential solutions, recipes and
put a plan in place for his led to the purchase of a Sky Easy Drill in methods coming through in small-plot and
August 2018 and an unsteady move towards field-scale trials. What we’re aiming to do is
spring barley. direct drilling. “We do as little implement recommendations, specific to typical
cultivation as we can and as much as we commercial field situations, and unearth the
By Tom Allen-Stevens need to,” he explains. “We can get a pan at story on successful blackgrass management.”
100mm depth and the top 50mm is prone to Ben stresses that these are recommendations,
slumping. So we still have the Väderstad with Andrew remaining the decision maker, and
Glance across one of Andrew Williamson’s Rapid with a toolbar for where it’s needed. the focus field is a commercial crop, not a trial
fields of wheat or spring barley and you’d “But where we can, we’ll drill direct –– site. “It’s a team effort –– the difference here
think he doesn’t have an issue at all with in autumn 2018 it worked brilliantly, but the is that Andrew has resource and knowledge
blackgrass. But that’s not how he sees it. Sky drill might just as well have stayed in the he can draw on to help him make the
“It’s managing what you can’t see that’s shed last autumn. I was always aware it best-informed choice.” As far as possible, this
critical for me –– the blackgrass that’s in the would be a learning curve, but didn’t expect is being framed around Stephen Moss’ 5for5
seedbank,” he says. “You walk a field and a cliff edge.” approach for managing blackgrass (see panel
on p12). This encourages growers to adopt
▲
you may come across only three or four For some time, Andrew’s blackgrass
plants, but that’s only because there’s a policy has been to implement a number of
population being actively managed.” cultural measures alongside herbicides to
His aim is a blackgrass policy that keep a firm lid on populations. But is this
keeps the arable cropping profitable and policy keeping pace with the gradual
sustainable. “We’ll never get to 100% change in system and soil-improvement
control, but I’m also aware that we’re never programme? That’s where Bayer’s
more than a season or two away from a Blackgrass Task Force is stepping in to
serious grassweed problem that’ll take over, help out.
so we can’t afford to let things slip.” Upper Overton Farm is one of two that
Andrew farms 320ha of silty clay loam have become the focus of field trials and
soils based at Upper Overton Farm near monitoring work undertaken to translate
Bridgnorth, Shrops. A “fairly standard” research and understanding of blackgrass
combinable crop rotation has seen spring into strategies that can be successfully
Managing the blackgrass in the seedbank is
crops –– mainly barley and beans –– take implemented on farm. The Task Force is led
critical for Andrew Williamson.
a greater share of the undulating land by Bayer herbicide manager Ben Coombs
10 crop production magazine july 2020Partners in performance
what germinates makes up
only 5-10% of the population,”
The 5for5 approach for beating blackgrass
he reports.
“This reinforces the point that
as you change the footprint of
the agronomy, you will alter the
dynamics of this population. So
the move to direct drilling will
mean less seeds are stimulated
to germinate at drilling, but that
won’t stop others coming through
in the crop.”
Ben Coombs is aiming to unearth
Blackgrass seed left buried
the story on successful blackgrass
dies in just a few years, and
management from the many
research has shown the
potential solutions, recipes and
population can be reduced by
methods on offer.
99.9% over five years if seed
return can be prevented. So
five different control strategies, Andrew’s ability to keep the plant Source: Stephen Moss Consulting and Tom Allen-Stevens, 2017.
▲
only one of which is based on population low will result in a
herbicides. lower seedbank, John confirms. much as he can to keep seed wherever he can.”
The field in question is currently “This is a well managed field with return to a minimum. He’s also The flexible rotation is a key
in spring barley, following winter a good rotation and it’s typical of planning to take the uncropped aspect for Andrew. “We used to
wheat last year and an overwinter what we find as you move away corner out of production and into have a set rotation, but it’s far
cover crop of spring beans, from the heart of darkness of stewardship. more flexible now, with the worst
phacelia, buckwheat and vetch. blackgrass. Most farmers sit fields for blackgrass put into a
It was then sprayed off with with Andrew on the edge of Sowing date spring crop. It means you may
glyphosate on 23 March and this spectrum.” This is where Andrew draws a have to move the combine an
drilled six days later. Blackgrass Ben agrees. “What’s on the red line. “Trying to delay drilling extra time, but it’s worth it for the
plant counts were taken in early surface looks manageable, but combinable crops until the back weed-control benefits.”
May, with head counts assessed the real problem lurks beneath. end of Oct is too risky for us. I’d
in mid June. In addition, a So Andrew’s clearly managing rather drill what I can in Sept and Competition
representative soil sample of the population well, but he’s on put the worst fields into a spring The late-drilled cover crop didn’t
the top 25cm was taken in 5cm a knife edge,” he says. crop,” he says. provide much competition for the
layers and weed seeds counted Blackgrass wasn’t the only With around 80% of blackgrass, notes Andrew. “But
to assess the background grassweed found, with brome blackgrass germinating in for me, it’s what the roots are
seed-bank population. and rat’s-tail fescue also evident, early autumn, delaying drilling doing that’s more important than
One small triangle of the field, notes John. “Weed management can help reduce the burden building what I’d call a ‘Twitter’
known to be a bad blackgrass isn’t one-dimensional. The move significantly, notes John. “But canopy. The main aim with the
patch, was left uncropped, and to no-till may be encouraging all farms have their practical cover crop is to improve the soil
sure enough, that’s where most other species.” constraints, and you shouldn’t and ensure it’s dry enough for
of the plants were found. A 3ha For Andrew it’s a vindication of implement something you know spring planting.”
area of crop around this was the policies he’s put in place, but won’t work. It’s important to Philip agrees. “The main
sprayed with a pre-emergence also a sign he can’t let up the work the strategy around it to benefit from cover crops comes
herbicide of flufenacet, pressure. The previous wheat compensate, though. In Andrew’s from what they’re doing below
pendimethalin and diflufenican crop was hand-rogued of the last case, he keeps his rotation ground. The roots hold the soil
on 8 April, while the rest of remaining blackgrass plants and flexible and puts an emphasis profile together and pump water
the spring barley remained it’s a control option he uses as on trying to prevent seed return out, and a crop that looks thick
untreated.
So what are the Overton Farm blackgrass plant and head counts
recommendations from
Bayer’s Blackgrass Task Force?
Stop seeding
John was almost “disappointed”
by how few blackgrass plants he
found in the field. But it was the
seed-bank assessment that
revealed the true picture. “Even
where there were low levels of
Source: Bayer, 2020. Each bar in the chart corresponds to an assessment point in the field. The darker the colour, the higher the number. Low levels of
seedlings there were hundreds blackgrass were found in one area of the field, with very few plants elsewhere.
of seeds in the seed-bank ––
12 crop production magazine july 2020Partners in performance
the field reveals a platy structure and more
compaction than in the centre. Philip
recommends some targeted lifting ––
a grassland sward lifter creates less
disturbance than a flat-lift tool. His tip here is
to use the cover crop as a litmus test for
where to apply it.
“As the cover establishes, this will reveal The late-drilled cover crop hadn’t put on a
areas that may be compacted, and it can ‘Twitter’ canopy by the end of Nov, but it’s what
be an idea to do the lifting in the crop itself the roots are doing that’s more important.
–– roots with iron do a better job than iron
by itself.” have come through in the treated area, but
A flexible rotation compensates for Andrew’s Around 175-200mm depth is where this is the crop was noticeably thinner. I wonder
reluctance to drill late, says John Cussans (left), needed, and the rule of thumb is to keep the whether a pre-em does more harm than
while Philip Wright notes the soil has a porous low-disturbance legs twice as wide as the good,” he suggests.
structure with unrestricted roots. depth. “But if you have roots as well you can Ben notes that Liberator (flufenacet+ DFF)
stretch that significantly –– a real benefit of has label approval for meadowgrass and
roots and metal acting together,” adds Philip. broad-leaved weeds in spring barley.
on the surface may not be delivering these
“Cultural controls are the main tools for
benefits. The roots also help to build
structure as the soil shrinks and swells.”
Herbicides blackgrass and there is a risk of knocking
With just 3ha of the field treated with a the crop. But there’s a sweet spot of how
A good structure and dry soil in early
pre-em, this gives Andrew a good best to judge the use of a pre-em and this
spring ensure the cash crop itself establishes
comparison of how it performed compared will depend on overall weed spectrum and
well, and it’s the competition this provides
with untreated (see picture bottom left). “It’s burden, the situation and any contact
that’s more important for blackgrass
hard to tell how much blackgrass would chemistry planned.” ■
suppression than the cover crop, notes the
Task Force team. Philip’s inspection of the
barley with a spade notes a porous structure
with unrestricted roots, and he concludes
the cover crop’s doing its job.
Another practice suggested by the Task
Force is to raise seed rates. Andrew varied
the rate, with an average across the field of
440 seeds/m2. The recommendation going
forward is to explore this more to increase
plant competition.
Cultivations
Direct drilled at the end of March, the benefit
for blackgrass control here is minimum soil
disturbance, notes Philip. But there are other
aspects he’s keen to highlight.
The headland of the field has some compaction and Philip’s tip is to apply targeted lifting to the cover
“It’s important to focus on tyre pressures
crop which is used as a litmus test for areas to treat.
and the spec of the tractor –– if you put a lot
of pressure or wheel slip on the soil at
drilling, you’ll actually encourage blackgrass, Partners in performance
while surface compaction will prevent
water getting to the roots, reducing crop Partners in Performance is the result of a Farming has always been a challenging
competition.” long-standing collaboration between Bayer business, and with Brexit those challenges have
A spade inspection of the headland of and a group of progressive growers. intensified. The margin between profit and
It started in 2011 with the launch of Aviator breaking even is likely to become even tighter
Xpro when growers were invited to trial Aviator and any incremental gain will be needed for
on their farm. In these split-field trials Bayer took sustainable combinable crop production.
a back seat with the only demands being the To achieve that the industry needs to work
field area for fungicide comparison and crop yield together to share the latest research and thinking,
verified over a weighbridge or via combine yield exchange ideas and experiences.
monitor –– everything else was down to the Partners in Performance
farmer. aims to bring farmers
Over time this has developed into a club. Each and specialists together
The crop on the right looked visibly thinner where year the farmers meet to discuss results, listen to develop solutions to
it had been knocked by the pre-em herbicide to guest speakers and debate winter wheat improve crop performance
compared with the untreated crop on the left. management issues. and investment return.
crop production magazine july 2020 13“ Seed is
the building block for
everything else in the
season.
”
To treat, or not
to treat?
Technical
Seed treatments
As growers explore the can make all the difference in growing a Independent mobile seed cleaner
successful crop –– or not.” Jenny Eaves, of Premier Seed Services,
potential of not treating While cost-saving measures could be a says she’s seen a small increase in reclean
farm-saved seed, CPM reason that some growers choose to skip only, but believes the decision should
the treatment stage, Tim says that single come down to grower preference and each
weighs up the pros and purpose seed dressings are actually a individual situation. “As a business we’ve
cons for those sat on the very cost-effective option. “Single purpose always been about giving farmers control
dressings have been standard practice for and choice, enabling them to produce high
fence over whether to a while now and they’re very good at what quality farm-saved seed.”
treat, or not to treat. they do. Diseases like bunt are very rarely “On the one hand, if the application of a
seen as this type of treatment is used 99% seed treatment doesn’t also save a spray
By Charlotte Cunningham of the time. the way Redigo Deter (prothioconazole+
“On top of this, they’re very cheap as clothianidin) did, you can’t always
▲
and Lucy De La Pasture well, compared with a lot of other seed
costs –– with a spend of roughly £40-£50
per tonne of seed.
Getting the best from farm-saved seed is Small investment
as much about cleaning and preparing it “In the grand scheme of things, this is a
effectively, as it is about growing the small investment to make on such a critical
right stuff in the first place. part of the crop production process.”
But with more growers testing the water Despite their proven success, seed
when it comes to not treating their seed, it treatments aren’t for everyone, but there
poses the question –– do we really need to? are some pitfalls to be aware of if growers
According to Tim Eaton, seed treatment do choose to go down the untreated route,
account manager at Certis, treating seed adds Tim. “Obviously, the biggest issue
can help to give growers an advantage in when growers don’t treat is seed and
terms of performance, before it’s even in soil-borne disease burdens. My advice for
Cleaning and treating seed effectively and
the ground. “Seed is the building block for best practice is to accurately sample the
thoroughly can make all the difference in growing
everything else in the season. Cleaning seed and send it off for analysis to find out
a successful crop –– or not, says Tim Eaton.
and treating it effectively and thoroughly exactly what is or isn’t present.”
14 crop production magazine july 2020Seed treatments
Advice on dealing with left over treated seed
Though the thought of having left over dressed “I would also say it’s important
seed is a reason some growers choose not to to get a germination test on the seed before
treat, storing it safely and efficiently is quite it’s drilled. It may or may not have dropped,
straight forward, according to Tim. “Hopefully, but either way, it’s important to know so seed
any growers with autumn 2019 seed will have rate can be adapted accordingly.
already stored it carefully, but the main things “If everything is done correctly, there’s no
to ensure is that any remaining seed is dry, out reason treated seed won’t last all year.”
of direct sunlight and free from vermin.
Jenny Eaves says she’s seen a small increase in like getting a vaccine –– they protect the new seed treatment development resulting
reclean only, but believes the decision should quality of your seed and reduce the risk of in missed opportunities for UK growers.
come down to grower preference and each the return of forgotten seed diseases, such “It’s a shame there’s not the wider
individual situation. as bunt, in future harvests.” choice of new conventional seed
Though the level of control offered treatments available for growers in the
immediately see the direct cost benefit. by single purpose seed treatments is
▲
UK, as there are for growers in other
But in the same breath, the comparatively satisfactory, Jenny believes there has countries across the world.
low-cost investment in a seed treatment is been a lack of manufacturing investment in “The possibilities for the future use of
seed treatment as a delivery method for
innovative plant protection products ––
including nutrition at the point of drilling or
bio-pesticides –– could be really exciting.”
While it’s important that growers
consider carefully whether or not they treat
their farm-saved seed, one area Jenny
strongly advises not scrimping on is proper
cleaning. “Growers get good value for
money using farm-saved seed. Proper
cleaning, including gravity separation,
is an investment into the quality of your
next harvest.
Last resort
“Taking seed ‘off the heap’ should be a
last resort, it risks drilling a multitude of
problems which will cost more to address
further down the line. It also does
nothing to protect the quality reputation
and right to farm save in the UK which
provides growers an equally high quality, ▲
Following the loss of Deter, Jamie Melrose says
he could see a bigger shift towards using
untreated seed going forward.Seed treatments
Vibrance Duo approved for barley
SDHI seed treatment, Vibrance Duo (sedaxane+ It also boosted early ground cover from 8.5% stripe (moderate control), seedling blights (such
fludioxonil) is approved for use on barley seed for to 11%.” as Microdochium nivale) and covered smut.
this autumn, says Syngenta seedcare marketing Glasshouse tests have shown better barley To improve loose smut control, Syngenta
manager, Gillian Colman. It will provide control establishment with Vibrance Duo in normal recommend co-application with Rancona
of seed-borne diseases and a boost to and drought conditions, says Jonathan. 15ME (ipconazole).
establishment, root growth and yield in “We’ve also seen clear improvements in spring “Many of our trials have focused on this
barley crops. barley establishment and yield across 24 sites, Vibrance Duo plus ipconazole combination.
“Better root structures provide a key over three seasons. Yield was boosted by an It’s highly cost-effective and has given close to
foundation for yield and are associated with average of 0.11t/ha compared with a standard 100% control of loose smut and still maintains
improved access to water and nutrients and seed treatment.” the other benefits of Vibrance Duo, including
improved crop resilience. As well as seeing Vibrance Duo has label approval against leaf rooting and yield,” he explains.
benefits in trials from Vibrance Duo in
conventional barley, we’ve also seen benefits Improved root growth from Vibrance Duo plus ipconazole (right) versus standard seed treatment
in hybrid barley, which is already known to be (left) in spring barley.
a vigorous crop.”
Syngenta field technical manager
Dr Jonathan Ronksley, has been evaluating
Vibrance Duo in barley. He says independent
results have shown a 32% improvement in the
growth of primary roots in treated winter barley
seed compared with untreated seed, as well as
clear improvements in the number and length of
lateral roots.
“Improved rooting becomes all the more
important in difficult growing conditions, including
wet soils because roots become lazy as they
don’t have to grow far to reach moisture. In plot
trials looking at establishment of hybrid barley
in last year’s wet autumn, Vibrance Duo boosted
plant stand to 246 plants/m2 compared with
216 plants/m2 from a standard seed treatment.
but lower cost alternative to autumn crop seed but not the in mind too.” doesn’t protect against that.”
▲
bought-in seed.” spring crops. We grow a lot of When it comes to autumn Going forward, Jamie says he
So the theory is there, but spring oats and it’s a fairly seed, like many growers, Jamie could see a bigger shift towards
how does the debate stack up low-risk crop so I don’t see any had historically used Deter using untreated seed. “While
in the field? obvious necessity to apply it. (clothianidin). But with this there would be some marginal
Herts farmer, Jamie Melrose, “As well as this, the person now no longer an option, he’s cost-saving benefits, the
takes a mixed approach when it we sell the oats to prefers less considering whether or not biggest benefit would be the
comes to dressing his chemical to be used as it’s treatment will be part of the reduced man-power involved
farm-saved seed. “As a rule, better for traceability reasons, strategy going forward. “About with treating farm-saved seed.
I’ve traditionally treated the so that’s something we keep 80% of what we sowed this At the moment we’re doing
autumn had a dressing of Beret about 200-300t a year which
Gold (fludioxonil), but 20% had requires a lot of effort.
no kind of treatment. “Skipping treatment
“The blocks of crops are also helps from a flexibility
side-by-side and in all honesty, perspective. For example, at the
there’s no visible difference moment I’ve got 30t of treated
between the treated and seed sitting in a bag in a shed.
untreated blocks.” Not only is this an issue if it gets
Jamie echoes the views that contaminated but can also be a
the options for growers are problem if you decide you no
limited and says that there’s not longer want to grow a certain
a solution for some of his crop or variety the following
biggest concerns on farm. year.
“There’s the option to go down “Time will tell, but at the
the Beret Gold route as I’ve moment, I’m certainly inclined
done this year, but for me, the to grow a lot less treated seed
biggest concern is BYDV and it going forward.” ■
18 crop production magazine july 2020The big OSR after four days, it won’t establish.”
Dick believes in building the potential
question
OSR seedbed for two years before
sowing with minimal soil
movement. A minimally tilled,
fine seedbed with good seed
“ If seedbeds
are dry, don’t waste
to soil contact will provide
the optimum soil moisture
retention –– this means not
time and resource
turning over the soils more
sowing OSR.
” than 2-3cms on the surface,
he says.
He also suggests rolling a
couple of times; the first time to
maximise the seed to soil contact and the
second to firm the ground so that CSFB
can’t get into it easily.
Dick doesn’t think there’s any need
Technical to increase seed rates and suggests
75-100 seeds/m2. “If you increase the rate
OSR and it gets chomped, then it’s just money
wasted. If the crop does get away, you end
up with too many plants and the subsequent
Whether to drill is the “This demonstrates that far more management problems that go with that.
consistent and focussed establishment “More recently precision drills have been
question that many growers techniques are required –– broadcasting useful in creating even well-established
are considering when seed as soil is randomly moved with a crops, this is because each seed is planted
subsoiler just doesn’t cut it anymore,” he says. exactly the same distance apart at exactly
it comes to oilseed rape.
the same soil depth. Don’t go out to buy one,
Is it still worth the risk? Profession of hope but if already in the shed or a contractor can
But farming is a profession of hope so could access one, then it’s worth it if soils are in
CPM talks to Hutchinson’s there be a turnaround in OSR fortunes? “If good condition.”
Dick Neale. this autumn is different, and soils at drilling Maintaining long stubble on the field
are moist, then seed will be able to imbibe all brings some protection against CSFB for
By Lucy de la Pasture that moisture and emerge evenly. This will the newly emerged plant, he reckons.
dilute the beetle pressure and the crop will “By allowing field spiders to build webs just
have a much better chance of getting up above ground level, this offers maximum
Without a doubt, cabbage stem flea and away,” says Dick. potential for beetle entrapment. Soil
beetle has wrought havoc to oilseed rape That doesn’t mean that plans to include coverage with residue, biosolids, FYM or
crop emergence in recent seasons but this OSR should be considered a done deal this digestate will help maintain soil moisture and
has been vastly exacerbated by the very season, adds Dick. He suggests that for the smell will disrupt the CSFB from targeting
dry conditions the crop has been drilled successful establishment, drilling windows small plants.”
into, hampering its ability to get up and may vary according to when adequate Nutrition can play an important role in
▲
away, says Hutchinsons’ Dick Neale. moisture is available.
He believes that adequate moisture in the “If seedbeds are dry, don’t waste time and
seedbed is the key driver in the decision resource sowing OSR. But if conditions are
whether or not to drill OSR this autumn. favourable then it’s definitely worth a shot.
“Lack of moisture in the seedbed has It’s all about being flexible,” he says,
been a dominant factor in the past two acknowledging that this approach will
seasons and where seed was planted into require more flexibility in variety choice
dry and dusty seedbeds, germination and and seed delivery options.
subsequent crop emergence was slow “For example, say on the 10 August there’s
and erratic, depending on where the been plenty of rain and there’s sufficient
seminal roots found moisture as the crop moisture in the soil, then it’s worth looking at
germinated. drilling OSR. But if over the next five days
“This staggered emergence pattern conditions are hot, dry and windy and the
was like a picnic for the pest and they soils are drying rapidly then stop drilling. If
picked plants off as the crop emerged. it rains again then pick up the drilling again,
Increasingly the need for rapid and but if it stays dry then call it a day.
Dick Neale believes a flexible approach to drilling
consistent emergence across the field is “Once the seed has started germinating,
OSR is the best way forward this season, with soil
being seen as key to avoid adult beetle it’s imperative the soil remains moist in the
moisture dictating whether it’s worth a shot.
grazing,” says Dick. following seven days. If the seed dries out
20 crop production magazine july 2020OSR
getting the crop through the danger period worth considering a late N application to consider, says Dick. “We know phosphate
▲
and Dick suggests pre-loading the seedbed wheat or barley crops earmarked for OSR vastly improves the speed and vigour
with nitrogen. “N already in the soil has been drillings to achieve this, provided N max is of establishment. I’d suggest using a
observed to be more effective than when it’s not exceeded for the current crop,” he says. placement fertiliser, but it’s important to get
freshly applied or after drilling. It’s certainly Phosphate is another key nutrient to this right to ensure that the nutrients are
▲
New OSR FIG launched
With so many failed OSR crops across the country, moisture, though there was better crop survival to
Bayer has attempted to gather crop information in spring when good levels of soil moisture were
the first-ever national CSFB management study to present, he explains.
help assess the extent of problems and whether “Surprisingly few, if any, associations were found
there were any common factors at play. between crop establishment techniques and crop
The survey took place in April and involved 223 survival. On the other hand, hybrid varieties were A Bayer study over 24,500ha of OSR in April
growers, who together farm 24,500ha of OSR less frequently re-drilled and more of them made found adult CSFB has caused 12% of the drilled
across the country using different establishment it through until spring than with conventional area to be replanted.
techniques. The headlines don’t do much to instil varieties,” says Ed.
confidence in the thwarted crop, with 14% of the Building on this year’s study, Bayer launched a that the precise balance of different CSFB
crop area re-drilled and just 67% having survived special Dekalb Farm Innovation Group (FIG) project management practices examined in the project in
to spring. Only 61% was anticipated to make it at Cereals Live. It will be managed by ADAS and an effort to obtain a viable crop will depend on the
through to harvest, explains Bayer’s Ed Hagues. sets out to explore and test key CSFB strategies interests and experience of the growers involved.
“Regional differences were evident, with much identified in the study at a field-scale and find a “Like the other FIG projects we run, so much
higher rates of crop survival in the North compared sustainable means of keeping OSR in the rotation. of the value of this initiative will come from the
with the East Midlands, where less than half of the The FIG brings together six growers selected discussions we have with group members in
drilled area is thought to have survived. Drilling date from study volunteers in ADAS-run tramline trials setting-up the work, debating its findings and
also had a major bearing, with the highest rate of and will compare one of the fastest developing combining them with established elements of
survival in crops planted before 21 Aug and the hybrids available (DK Excited) with farm standard best OSR-growing practice.
lowest after 31 Aug varieties across a range of establishment regimes “Getting the crop established is only part of the
–– reflecting the very low moisture levels and and management practices. The work will be battle. It also needs to be profitable. This means
timing of the main CSFB migration.” supported by soil moisture measurements at growers can’t afford to throw key elements of
Digging deeper into the data, it was pest cultivation, drilling and crop emergence as well as proven best-management practice out of the
pressure that had the greater effect than soil assessments of flea beetle pressure, adult damage, window in dealing with flea beetle. Otherwise,
establishment success and larval levels, explains they’ll end up with crops that will always struggle
The Bayer study in April found that more than Bayer’s Dekalb technical specialist, Richard Phillips. to deliver the yields that make them worth growing.
half the OSR had failed by spring in the East “Our national study underlined the particular “Instead, we have to integrate the most
Midlands and nationally only 61% was expected value of fast-developing as well as vigorously useful CSFB controls carefully into the most
to make it to harvest. establishing hybrids alongside sowing at the right productive management regimes. If this means
time. We want to examine these contributions and changing when or how we establish or manage
a number of other promising practices –– the crop we simply must adjust other elements of
including organic manuring, companion cropping agronomy to fit.”
and drilling into long cereal stubbles –– in more With that in mind, the new FIG will likely look
depth and with greater precision. That way we at drilling date and available moisture, seed rate
can give growers the best and most practicable optimum plant population (25-40 plants/m2) and
research-based advice,” he says. spring management, including nitrogen rates and
ADAS crop physiologist, Dr Sarah Kendall adds timings, PGRs and defoliation.
22 crop production magazine july 2020Minimal cultivations, with no more than 2-3cm of soil movement is likely to
be the best tillage option.
applied where needed and Dick. “Companions aren’t a
▲
also in the right amounts,” viable deterrent for CSFB, but the
he adds. additional biomass does help
Placement N+P fertiliser reduce pigeon grazing.
should be utilised as micro Companions can also help
granules, granule DAP or liquid negate the poor soil biology
DAP, he says. “It’s best to use a associations of brassicas.”
product formulated for this As has become increasingly
approach and machinery evident over the past two
adapted to place it so that the P seasons, establishing the plant
sits down and around the seed. is only half the story. Larvae
In our trials, over several years, infestation is increasingly
we’ve had good results with important and the timing of
Primary-P, which is formulated for infestation and infestation levels
placement and applied directly are proving difficult to predict,
around the seed. It provides a but research is giving us some
very concentrated, available but pointers, says Dick.
persistent form of nutrients, “Earlier sowing offers a longer
which is why rates are lower.” egg laying period and can result
Other phosphate products in more larvae per plant. The
can be used to achieve the crop can be also be impacted by
same results if the rates and multiple hatches in mild winters.
application are carefully thought Early, main stem infestations can
about, adds Dick. allow the plant to grow away well
“For example, if using DAP in the spring but then mature
as a placement option, then I’d prematurely with poor seed set
reduce the rate. You don’t need and filling in the pod.
the same amounts as when “Later infestations impact stem
broadcasting it because when extension and branching, with
it’s applied down the spout, the many crops this season reaching
fertiliser becomes concentrated. no more than waist high. We’ve
Companion plants, to include seen fresh infestations as late as
buckwheat, vetch, berseem early May in every branch this
clover or beans, can be utilised spring and this has caused
to maintain soil functionality, previously even crops to become
suppress weeds and enhance ragged with poor seed set,”
the growth of the OSR, adds he adds. ■
Two passes with the roll after drilling OSR help with seed to soil contact and
limits movement of adult CSFB.You can also read
