AD4PT Autumn Agronomy
In our AD4PT Newsletter August 2020 edition, we share our latest thinking on key agronomy topics for the autumn – from cultivations to varieties, drilling dates to stubble cleaning. Plus, find out more about our latest innovations to help optimise establishment in winter crops this coming Autumn.
What is AD4PT?
AD4PT is a new strategic alliance of industry innovators, formed to accelerate the identification and development of new technologies to help growers adapt to the challenges of crop production in the future.
AD4PT brings together machinery specialist HORSCH, crop protection organisation ADAMA, plant breeder DSV and adjuvant and biostimulant experts Nichino UK, with the vision of challenging conventional thinking and testing new approaches.
Find out more about AD4PT here
AD4PT Autumn Thinking
Each month the group will focus on a set of crucial agronomy topics, sharing our best practice advice to growers. With many growers now looking forward to the start of a new cropping calendar, we focus our advice on autumn decision-making and approaches to help optimise autumn crop establishment before drilling gets underway.
Boosting oilseed rape establishment
Despite being a profitable and effective break crop, and one which enables cereal growers to introduce alternative black-grass herbicides into their rotation, the long-term future of oilseed rape in the UK is coming under increasing pressure, with the loss of neonicotinoid seed treatments and changes to general licensing for bird control, making the need to protect the young crop from competing weeds more critical than ever. Thankfully, the use of pre- and post-emergence herbicides means there is one less issue for growers to worry about this autumn. Find out more.
HORSCH Focus TD proving popular seeding oilseed rape
2020 has seen a sharp rise in Focus strip-till drill sales for HORSCH in the UK, available in working widths between 3m and 6m the Focus concept uses a deep loosening tine in conjunction with the proven TurboDisc coulter technology for accurate seed placement. The ability to place fertiliser either at depth behind the tine, with the seed or on the surface provides flexibility for the farmer. Find out more.
Three ways in which companion cropping could benefit oilseed rape in 2020
Whilst everybody is looking for a silver bullet to address the cabbage stem flea beetle problem now affecting many parts of the country, a single management action, new active or emerging genetic trait is highly unlikely to solve the problem anytime soon. New DSV trials are highlighting how companion cropping could develop to provide greater pest protection for oilseed rape crops in the future. Find out more.
Oilseed rape nitrogen use efficiency rises by nearly 30%
Modern oilseed rape varieties are nearly 30% more Nitrogen efficient than the highest yielders from just a few years ago, a series of trials in Germany has shown. Find out more.
Effective stubble cleaning
Fast and effective stubble cleaning will be crucial this autumn to help put growers back in control of troublesome grass-weeds and get crops in the ground, and competitive as quickly as possible. However, hard water and high pH in the spray tank can cause double-digit reductions in glyphosate efficacy. Engineering the water first with an efficient water conditioner will soften and buffer water, helping to maximise glyphosate performance. This will ensure rapid and effective burndown of germinating weeds before drilling of the next crop commences. Find out more.
DSV introduces top-yielding six row winter barley with high levels of BYDV tolerance and BYMV resistance
A new top yielding and early maturing winter barley variety with high levels of tolerance to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and resistance to mosaic viruses (BYMV1 + 2) is being launched by seed breeders DSV in the UK this summer. DSV Sensation has consistently outyielded other BYDV resistant varieties across European trials whilst being the earliest heading variety tested. Find out more.
Best start essential to maximise seed potential
A new phytohormone biostimulant seed treatment from Nichino UK could help cereal growers boost growth and development after trials have proven its ability to consistently improve seed health and yields. With the best start essential to maximise seed potential, Newton could be a crucial new tool in the crop production toolbox to protect crops at the critical establishment phase. Find out more.
Importance of drilling dates in black-grass control
With last autumn’s wet weather significantly impacting winter drilling activities for wheat and barley, many growers will be contemplating bringing their drilling dates forward into September this year – a strategy which goes against all best practice advice for controlling black-grass populations. We are therefore taking another look at why – alongside weed mapping, rotation planning, cultivation technique and herbicide programmes – delaying drilling is still one of the key tactics for beating black-grass. Find out more.
Gusto IRON – a new premium ferric phosphate molluscicide
ADAMA has recently announced the launch of a new ferric phosphate-based professional molluscicide aimed specifically at controlling slug populations in UK growing conditions. Follow the link to find out more and register for a FREE Gusto IRON technical pack.
