Agronomy Update Spring 2013 - agriCentre UK - BASF

SPRING 2013
AGRONOMY
The application of science and technology
Update
Farmer reviews
of SDHI
performance
Page 7
2012 - THE FARMERS
NIGHTMARE
LESSONS LEARNED FOR 2013
Page 3
OSR
Lodging
Report
Page 13
WIN an
iPad mini
Page 25
www.agriCentre.basf.co.uk

AGRONOMY
The application of science and technology
Update
Welcome,
My hope for the spring of 2013 is that the sun will shine at the right times to
lift the anxieties UK growers have following the hardships of last autumn and
the winter months. We certainly need soils to dry significantly to allow early
applications of fertiliser, herbicides and fungicides to be made in good time
to boost crop potential – as well as to allow a window for those who still have
crops to plant.
In this issue we have some of our agronomy team giving their early season
recommendations for your T0 spray programmes, as well as an update on
some of the ongoing EU pesticide reviews and details of BASF’s agronomy
Apps and tools.
May I wish you well for the season ahead.
Contents
Cereals............................................................
2012 the farmers nightmare - lessons learned for 2013 3
Tricky times for T0 this spring 5
One year on...growers' views on Adexar 7
Mixed bag of crops will make PGRs essential this spring 9
Agronomy tools for cereals 11
Oilseed Rape....................................................
Oilseed rape lodging could be affecting 35% of UK crops 13
Alternative Spring Cropping...............................
New opportunities in maize 15
Pulse area set to increase in 2013 17
Alternative spring cropping linseed 19
BASF News:.....................................................
More scientific approach required to avoid food crisis 21
A future without Triazoles 23
Competition:....................................................
Win an iPad mini 25
YOUR SAY
In the last issue, we asked you for your views on
the magazine. A big thank you to all who sent
their feedback, it’s extremely valuable for us to
ensure we provide the information you want.
We hope you find some positive changes to this
issue, but we would still like to hear your views.
Email: agricentre@basf.com
There is also a chance
to win an iPad mini by
simply completing the
questionnaire on p25
Good luck!
WIN an iPad mini! Page 25
2

Cereals
2012 THE FARMERS NIGHTMARE
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
FOR 2013
"In many situations there was too
long a gap between T1 and T2"
Dose Rates And Timings
“The incessant rain meant we had very few spray days and it
was almost impossible to get spray timings correct. In many
situations there was too long a gap between T1 and T2,
this meant that the top of leaf 2 was already infected with
Septoria before the flag leaf spray went on, and what we really
needed was a pre flag-leaf spray.” “In addition, poor radiation
levels and cool conditions made leaf emergence slow, making
spray timings even more difficult to get right.”
"If 2012 taught us anything it is that
for the coming season keeping dose
rates of fungicides high will
be critical..."
“The SDHI’s provided essential additional eradicant activity to the
Triazoles and acted to their optimum when applied at the right
timings and dose rates. In fact, if 2012 taught us anything it is
that for the coming season keeping dose rates of fungicides high
will be critical; stripping back dose rates does not save money in
the long run but costs in terms of yield. SDHI chemistry remains
a key cornerstone for any effective fungicide programme; this
chemistry out performs that of stand-alone Triazoles in both a
protectant and eradicant capacity.”
Waterlogging
One interesting facet of the season was that in many areas lighter
soils yielded better than expected and one of the reasons for
this may well be down to the effects that waterlogging has on the
plant – which we are only just starting to fully understand.
Recent studies from China have shown that when soils are
saturated photosynthesis is affected, but also that the movement
of stem carbohydrate into the grain is reduced – affecting the
final yield.This is something that we will be looking into in more
detail in UK studies.”
Bill Clarke, of NIAB TAG
“If you look at the recommended list trials and compare the
2012 data with the last 5-year mean treated against untreated,
it is clear that there has been a 17% decrease in yields in 2012
compared with the five -year mean – showing that disease is not
the main reason for a drop in yield – there are more significant
factors at play and this is something that we are looking very
closely into.”
HGCA Fungicide performance
At a recent BASF briefing, the latest data
and thoughts on how a range of factors
had an impact on the variable performance
of wheat crops last season as well as
explaining significant local variations in crop
performance, was presented.
Bill Clark of NIAB TAG, tackled the UK situation highlighting the
significance and impact of the high levels of summer rainfall,
combined with dull conditions across the country: “The gloomy
conditions of the summer reflected a reduction in radiation levels,
which were down by almost 20% to that of a normal June and
July. This meant grain fill started later and was shorter than in an
average year – so yield potential was already affected before the
impact of severe disease pressure.“
"Suddenly Septoria became a major
issue..."
Disease Profile
“We had started the season being warned of drought conditions
and the disease focus was on early season control of yellow
rust using low dose rates of Triazoles. The rain then arrived and
turned the disease threat on its head; suddenly Septoria became
a major issue, therefore in hindsight T1 sprays should have had
more of a Septoria focus, with more robust dose rates.”
“The late season development of Fusarium was unprecedented;
none of the samples we tested had less than 30% infection - a
result purely of the season and also the difficulty in getting the
chemistry on at the right time.”
Opus
Mean SDHI
Yield t/ha
Dose (proportion of label rate)
Opus
Mean SDHI
Yield t/ha
HGC
3
4

Cereals
Tricky times for T0
THIS SPRING
However as well as managing the crop canopy at this early stage it is
also essential to lay the foundation for disease control and consider
T0 fungicide applications
In backward crops, using nutrients and PGR’s to both even up
and maintain tiller numbers and to promote rooting is the key to
managing for yield, but it is equally important to ensure this work isn’t
compromised by disease. Backward crops are more likely to suffer
increased damage from early disease infections and with poor root
systems they will often suffer from nutrient deficiency early in the
season, reducing the chances of recovery. This will weaken tillers
and perhaps, with high infections, lead to tiller death, just what we
need to avoid. Properly managed fungicide programmes will ensure
the crop is given the best start and protect the potential.
"Early management of mildew, Septoria
and rusts with T0 fungicides..."
T0 fungicides, properly targeted to the risk in field, help to ensure
crops can maintain or increase potential. Early management of
mildew, Septoria and rusts with T0 fungicides will ensure plants
are able to exploit the nutrient and PGR inputs and produce a
clean, healthy, vigorous crop going into spring with maximum tiller
numbers. They also effectively provide some breathing space at T1
by reducing disease pressure at that timing, essential if the weather
remains unsettled. A good multisite fungicide such as Chlorothalonil
combined with an Epoxiconazole based product such as Ignite,
Capalo or Mantra would provide a sound start to the season.
"BASF recommend the addition
of Chlorothalonil as an effective
resistance management tool"
T1 fungicides applied to final leaf 3 remain a key input, setting up
the crop for the season and driving yield potential. However, it is
important to know which leaf is emerging at GS 31 and GS 32.
It is possible for backward crops to grow through growth stages so
rapidly that a leaf may be missed. What is assumed to be final leaf
3 may in fact be final leaf 2. Examine main tillers carefully to assess
leaf numbers remaining. If this is the case, the T0 fungicide will have
been essential to maintain green area on leaf 3. T1 disease targets
will be foliar diseases such as rust and Septoria, but stem based
disease can be a yield robber if not controlled also. Using Tracker,
based on the SDHI chemistry of boscalid ensures both leaf and
stem are managed effectively.
T2 fungicide inputs should not be compromised. The flag leaf is the
main driver for yield so the T2 fungicide maintains plant health and
green leaf area through the main yield building period and ensures
that yield potential is maximised. Use the best chemistry available to
exploit that potential and Adexar has demonstrated time and again
its position as the number one technical performance at T2, use at
dose rates of 1.25 to 1.5 l/ha, BASF recommend the addition of
Chlorothalonil as an effective resistance management tool.
John Miles of KWS UK see’s this seasons fungicide programmes
as being similar to last. “Last year it was all to play for’ he says
‘this year it’s all to protect. Mildew and Septoria can easily be found
already, so the risk is there. Keep an open mind and be prepared
to maintain fungicide input’. KWS trials on KWS Santiago have
also demonstrated the value of PGR applications on tiller and final
ear numbers, with higher rates of PGR increasing ear numbers by
over 30% in some circumstances. “Good disease control and tiller
retention are the key in 2013,” he added.
BASF’s agronomy managers Simon Francis and Dudley Kitching consider the importance
of plant growth regulation and disease management in small crops
Winter Wheat
After the deluge of 2012, many crops of
winter wheat have had to contend with late
drilling into less than ideal seedbeds, slugs
and waterlogged soils. The challenge for the
spring is to ensure that rooting and tillering
can be optimised as soils warm, to maximise
ear numbers and yield potential. Whilst plant
growth regulators are seen as an insurance
Dudley Kitching against lodging, making the right choice of
product for early applications can also enhance rooting and assist
in maintaining viable tillers through to harvest. Meteor, for winter
wheat, and Canopy, for winter wheat and barley both show these
characteristics.
Tillering is the most important process driving canopy formation and
its optimal size for maximising yield potential. A high yielding winter
wheat crop should be managed to achieve at least 400 to 500 viable
shoots (ears)/m 2 by harvest. In barley, yield is even more strongly
dependent on ears/m 2 rather than grain size, and the aim should be
to achieve as many viable ears/m 2 as possible.
The ideal place to start crop assessments is at early tillering using the
Canopy Assessment Tool (CAT) to assess the Green Area Index (GAI)
of the crop and determine shoot numbers coming out of winter.
The CAT has been updated this season to give a measure of shoots/
m 2 in winter wheat from a digital photograph. Where tiller numbers
are low it is important to protect yield by minimising tiller loss to
disease. If shoots/m 2 are significantly less than 1000/m 2 at pre GS
30, it is important to manage them with early nitrogen and from the
use of the PGRs proven to enhance tillering.
An early application of nitrogen to a backward
crop will promote tillering and reduce tiller
death, but the root system must be able to
absorb and utilise this nutrient. A split dose
application of Meteor or Canopy at mid tiller
will reduce the apical dominance of the main
stem and has been shown to improve root
dry matter by up to 27% enhancing nutrient
Simon Francis and water uptake. It also allows nutrients to
be diverted to side tillers thus increasing the number that survive to
produce viable ears at harvest. An additional benefit of this increase
in root depth and diameter is better anchorage of the plant reducing
the danger of root lodging. Meteor and Canopy are effective from low
temperatures above 5°C so can be applied with confidence when
the crops start spring growth and, due to their unique formulations,
provide consistent and gentle manipulation of crop growth.
T0
GS 25-30
T1
GS 30-32
T2
GS 32-39
T0
(But not before
March)
T1
GS 30-32
T2
GS 32-39
Meteor 2.5 L/ha
Winter Wheat
Canopy* 0.3 L/ha
Canopy* + 3C Chlormequat 720
0.6 - 0.8 L/ha + 1.2 L/ha
Terpal 1.0 L/ha + non-ionic wetter
Terpal 1.0 L/ha + non-ionic wetter
OR
Canopy* 0.6-0.8 L/ha
OR
Canopy* 0.6-0.8 L/ha
Meteor 1.75 L/ha
Meteor 0.75 L/ha
Winter Barley
Canopy* 0.3 L/ha
Canopy*
Medium Risk**: 0.4 - 0.75 L/ha
High Risk***: 0.6 - 1.0 L/ha
Terpal 0.7 - 1.0 L/ha + non-ionic
wetter
* Water conditioner to be used in hard
water areas e.g X-Change
**Medium Risk: Medium yield potential,
lighter soils or dry conditions
***High Risk: High yield potential,
heavy soils or good growing conditions
5
6

Cereals
The latest independent trials from HGCA, again confirm Adexar as
the strongest cereal fungicide to control Septoria and yellow rust
Higher yield
Lower yield
Adexar contains the new SDHI Xemium
and the most effective wheat triazole
epoxiconazole
Why should you use it
• Consistently delivers highest yield responses across
multiple seasons demonstrating proven reliability
‘I got an extra 0.74t/ha in
yield by using Adexar compared
to the other SDHI fungicides’
Keith Challen,
Farmer, Lincolnshire
‘If I hadn’t sprayed Adexar,
my yields would have
been lower’
Roger Moore
Farmer, Norfolk
• Highest yield responses of any fungicide
in independent Septoria HGCA trials over three years
• Highest yield responses of any fungicide in independent
yellow rust HGCA trials over two years
• Adexar will deliver the highest return and margin of any
fungicide in a Septoria and yellow rust risk situation
• The independent HGCA trials over the last three
seasons show a half dose rate of Adexar delivers
at least 0.5t/ha more than a full dose rate of Proline
or Ignite, which is worth more than £90/ha*
in additional profit
• Flexible dose rate allows tailored approach delivering
maximum return on investment for a specific situation
depending on yield potential and disease pressure
• High protectant and curative Septoria activity minimises
yield losses if forced to spray early or late
*Assumes wheat price of £180t, assumes likely farm prices for 2013.
ONE YEAR ON
GROWERS' VIEWS ON ADEXAR
Septoria tritici trial yields
2010-12 (N=18)
Yellow rust trial yields
2011-12
6
6
7.5 7.5
5.5 5.5
"Following use of Adexar, my wheat crops were
visibly greener
It gave more persistent disease control
keeping disease out of the crop for longer
It was a difficult year for yields, but if I hadn’t
sprayed Adexar, my yields would have been lower
Where I didn’t use Adexar, the quality of the crop
was not as good"
Roger Moore, Farmer, Norfolk
"I got an extra 0.74t/ha in yield by using Adexar
compared to the other SDHI fungicides
We were right to use it
These results give me a very good starting point
for making decisions in 2013"
Keith Challen, Farmer, Lincolnshire
Yield t/ha
7 7
6.5 6.5
Yield t/ha
6 6
5.5 5.5
Seguris Seguris
Proline Proline
Ignite Ignite
Aviator Aviator Xpro Xpro
Yield t/ha
Yield t/ha
5 5
4.5 4.5
4 4
3.5 3.5
Seguris Seguris
Aviator235 Xpro Xpro
Adexar Adexar
Adexar Adexar
5 5
0 0 0.5 0.5 1 1 1.5 1.5 2 2
3 3
0 0
Brutus Brutus
0.5 0.5 1 1 1.5 1.5 2 2
"Wheat leaves and straw were greener after
spraying Adexar
Dose Dose (proportion of full of label full label rate) rate)
Dose Dose (proportion of full of label full label rate) rate)
It gave longer lasting disease control
If I had not used it, yields would not have been
as good
I will be using Adexar again this season"
Richard Raper, Farmer, Thirsk
Go online to watch the full video
of Keith Challen’s harvest
www.adexar.co.uk
Adexar key facts:
• 62.5g/l epoxiconazole + 62.5g/l Xemium
• Wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale on label
• Mainly for use at T2, but also suited to T1
in higher disease situations
• Fully compatible with chlorothalonil at any
spray timing
• Excellent tank mix compatibility and crop safe
• Available in 10L Ecopacks for easier rinsing
• Available widely through all distributors
7
8

Cereals
Graph 1
The effect of PGR applications on wheat root dry matter
% Root Dry Matter over untreated
Untreated Moddus 0.2 l/ha Moddus 0.4 l/ha Canopy
0.6I/ha
Canopy
1.2 I/ha
Source: BASF
MIXED BAG OF CROPS WILL MAKE
PGRs ESSENTIAL
THIS SPRING
Wheat planting has been a mixed
bag of establishment success
with many crops having been
late sown into far from ideal soil
conditions. Many agronomists are
suggesting that the right PGRs -
applied at the right time - can help
later and more backward crops
achieve more of their genetic
potential according to BASF
PGR Product Manager, Sarah
Sarah Mountford-Smith
Mountford-Smith. The challenge
this year will be managing two different crops; those drilled
early or those drilled late which will develop at different timings
and come with their own set of challenges.
Crops that are particularly vulnerable are those which have been
sitting in wet soils or those which were drilled late and have very few
tillers coming out of winter.
“The rooting systems on late drilled wheat crops may be very poor,
especially those that have sat in waterlogged fields for prolonged
periods. Where crops were sown late last autumn, seed rates were
increased almost across the board - however, the hard winter,
not helped by the poor structure of many soils, will have knocked
back crop development and will have left many wheat plants with
less root mass than they need making them potentially vulnerable
to root lodging.”
“Early use of a PGR like Canopy -
to stimulate rooting and protect
against lodging - is going to be
essential this year”
“On such backward crops, boosting root mass to improve both
anchorage strength and support water and nutrient uptake will be key
requirements to maximise yield. Mark Hemmant, Technical Manager
at Agrovista adds that one of the main challenges this spring will
be to encourage wheat plants not to lose any tillers - “we just can’t
afford to,” he says. “This year we are going to have to get everything
agronomically right - whether that’s nitrogen dosing and timings or
fungicide choice and rates. Giving crops every chance you can will be
of paramount importance. As far as PGRs are concerned, early use of
a PGR like Canopy - to stimulate rooting and protect against lodging -
is going to be essential this year.”
Ms Mountford-Smith completely supports Mr. Hemmant’s view
point. Many crops, especially the late sown ones, have significantly
"Achieving the optimum canopy size
is vital to achieve a crop’s maximum
yield potential, and tillering is the
most important process governing
canopy size"
less tillers than is ideal. “Achieving the optimum canopy size is vital
to achieve a crop’s maximum yield potential, and tillering is the most
important process governing canopy size”. Crops with significantly less
than 1000 shoots/m 2 before GS 30 should be managed up with early
nitrogen to increase tiller production and reduce tiller death. “In these
situations, I’m advising an early split PGR application of Canopy at T0
and T1 to promote rooting and enhance tillering; the first dose to be
applied before the end but not before the start of March."
BASF’s recommendation is an application of 0.3 l/ha of Canopy at T0,
(with the addition of X-Change in hard water areas) – it is suited to early
use because the product works well at cooler temperatures and over
a wider temperature range than both chlormequat and moddus. At T1
BASF recommends a follow up of 1.2 l/ha of 3C Chlormequat 720 +
0.6 l/ha of Canopy.
Based on two complementary active ingredients, mepiquat chloride
and prohexadione-calcium, Canopy is an ideal alternative to a standard
chlormequat programme because both actives stimulate root growth in
young cereal plants. Trials on winter wheat (shown in Graph 1)
Use the CAT App to assess GAI in winter cereals
Assessing a crop’s canopy size can be tricky, but it is an important indicator for
decisions regarding nitrogen and PGR applications.
“Developed, trialled and calibrated by ADAS and BASF, the Canopy
Assessment Tool (CAT) provides a quick and easy way of measuring
canopy size by estimating the Green Area Index (GAI) of the crop from a
digital photograph. Measuring GAI allows the amount of nitrogen in the
crop to be determined, as a unit of 1 GAI contains 30 kg N/ha.
Lodging risk can also be estimated from crop GAI when measured
at growth stage 30 or 31 when combined with information on the
varietal standing power and predicted yield of the crop. A suitable PGR
programme will be suggested based on the in-field risk assessment at
the time of taking the photograph. This season the CAT has also been
updated with a new feature to provide a measure of shoots/m 2 from a
digital photograph taken at pre-growth stage (GS) 30, GS 30 and GS 31
for winter wheat.
The CAT is available as a web based tool for use in winter wheat and winter
barley. An App for iPhone is also available, but currently for use in winter wheat
only. To access the tools or to find out more information, please visit our website
at www.agricentre.basf.co.uk.
have demonstrated that applications of Canopy increase root dry
matter by up to 27% over the untreated." Plants treated with Canopy
are rooted more firmly in the ground and have 30% higher tensile
strength. It is certain that this season stimulation and manipulation are
the name of the game to optimise canopy size and protect against crop
lodging yield.
T0 applications of Canopy PGR:
• Stimulates rooting
• Improves root anchorage and protection
against root lodging
• Increases fibrous rooting for improved
uptake of nutrients and water
• Enhances tillering
9
10

Cereals
BASF INVEST IN A WIDE RANGE OF PRECISION
AGRONOMY TOOLS
FOR CEREALS
Precision farming is becoming increasingly prevalent and valuable for UK farmers.
In response to the growing demand for agronomic support tools, BASF has developed
a number of precision Agronomy Apps.
The BASF Virtual Trials Centre:
Building on the success of the Cereal Herbicide trials, BASF has
updated its innovative virtual trials centre online to support decision
making around choice of SDHI fungicides. The virtual trials are an
online tour that offers visual information and data comparing disease
control and yield comparisons in wheat, from a range of fungicides,
including all of the latest SDHI products.
• 2 independent fungicide trials to view
• Compare product performance of SDHI’s – including differences in
time of application
• High quality photos from a range of angles to demonstrate real
results from the field
The updated version is now live and can be accessed at
www.virtualtrials.co.uk.
The BASF Weed ID App:
The BASF Cereals Disease ID App:
An App version of the popular BASF Encyclopedia of Cereal
Diseases. This mobile version of the Encyclopedia, developed in
conjunction with the HGCA and cereal disease expert Bill Clark,
allows users to identify UK’s cereal diseases. It is an easy reference
guide to the diseases of UK cereals and causal organisms:
• Quick and easy mobile access to
information on 36 key cereal diseases
to aid identification
• Search by pathogen, common name
or free text search
• Includes symptoms, life cycle,
host, importance and photographs
• Email information to email address
of choice
The App is available FREE on Android,
Blackberry and iPhone
The Return on Investment (ROI)
calculator:
The wheat Return On Investment calculator is based on a model
prepared by Andersons Farm Business Consultants.
The calculator is intended to be a guide to review input costs and
margin for producing a crop of wheat.
A yield predictor function of the tool randomly calculates (based
on the yield range for your farm) the estimated yields and margin
you could earn over the next 6 years assuming yields fluctuate
according to the typical range you have entered.
For more information on this tool, visit www.adexar.co.uk
The BASF GAI Tool for Winter
Wheat - CAT App for iPhone:
The Canopy Assessment Tool (CAT) provides an accurate and
consistent assessment of crop nitrogen from its green area index
(GAI) and crop lodging risk from a digital photograph. New for this
spring season, the CAT App will also provide a measure of shoots/m 2
at the pre-growth stage (GS) 30,
GS 30 and GS 31 timing supporting
canopy management decisions relating to
the timing and use of nitrogen and PGRs.
The CAT App is available on iPhone for
only £1.99
A web version is available for use free
of charge which can also be used in
winter barley.
The online tool can be accessed at
www.agricentre.basf.co.uk
View individual trial plots or choose up to 3 to compare.
Compare 3 products, view images at different
angles. Overhead, ground level, close up.
Provides an easy to use reference guide to the major broad
leaved weeds and grass weeds in the UK aiding identification
of over 140 arable weeds.
• Quick and easy access to extensive weed library of
>1000 images
• Full description of each weed species at cotyledon,
young plant and mature plant growth stages supported
by accompanying pictures aiding identification
• Detailed grass-weed line drawings to highlight
distinguishing features often too difficult to see from
a photograph
• Interactive search of weed library via Weed ID Filter,
Common Name List, Scientific Name List, or Free
Text Search
• Mapmyweed tool to help pinpoint location of weeds on
a Google map; assign name, size of patch and year*
• Option to photograph the weed in your field and use
to directly compare with images in the App library
• Export your weed photo and it’s GPS location by email
to customers / colleagues at the touch of a button
• Simple and fast interface
The Weed ID App is available on iPhone, Android and
Blackberry platforms.
Compare at different angles. Click on photo's to
enlarge and scroll through.
* Mapmyweed not available on Blackberry
11
12

Oilseed Rape
Graph 1
ESTIMATED REDUCTION IN NATIONAL AVERAGE YIELD BASED ON 35% LODGING
OILSEED RAPE LODGING
COULD BE AFFECTING
35% OF UK CROP SAYS
The impact of lodging in oilseed rape could be
dramatically underestimated in the UK according to a
new report undertaken by ADAS for BASF. The report
is based on a comprehensive field survey which found
that, on average, 35% of the crops surveyed were
lodged, but because it occurred in the centre of fields,
on many farms it could go unnoticed until harvest.
“...The financial losses resulting
would have equated to between
£88/ha and £214/ha”
“If the lodged area of 35% were representative of the whole of the
country, it is estimated that it could have reduced the 2012 national
average yield by between 0.25 and 0.61 t/ha*,” explains BASF’s
Will Reyer. “The financial losses resulting would have equated to
between £88/ha and £214/ha - a total loss to the industry between
£56 million and £137 million.” ADAS’ report carried out by Dr
Charlotte White and Dr Sarah Clarke identified that lodging losses
result from the collapsed canopy’s reduced ability to intercept light
coupled with difficulties in general crop management and harvest.
“Physically the losses are a consequence of low seed set,
poor seed fill plus pod shatter,” Mr Reyer adds.
A previous review of available published data found that yield losses
depends on when lodging starts and its severity as shown in the
graphs opposite. “Lodging at flowering will reduce seed set and
seed weight whilst if it occurs at early pod fill it is the most damaging
for yield loss - averaging 52% when the crop is 70º to the ground.”
Clare Tucker, BASF
BASF Agronomy manager Clare Tucker
advises that assessment of Green Area
Index (GAI) should be routine for all crops
every year if lodging risk is to be reduced
and yield to be maximised.“This tool has
been proven to provide consistent advice
on the effective use of metconazole across
many contrasting years. Growers and
advisors should have absolute confidence
in its ability to gauge the beneficial use of
Sunorg Pro (metconazole) in rape.”
Ms Tucker adds that growers and advisors should ideally use the
GAI tool from March onwards and, if the GAI of the crop is greater
than 0.8, an application of up to 0.8 l/ha of Sunorg Pro to the
crop will be economically justified. “I’d recommend that
applications should be from about mid-stem extension through
to yellow-bud – in layman’s terms - once the crop is visibly growing.
The mid-stem extension application of metconazole in March is the
most effective timing for shorten the crop and reduce lodging risk.
However strong active growth is more important than actual growth
stage so it is better to delay if it is too cold or dry.”
She suggests that the GAI tool should also be used into April at
about yellow-bud. “At this timing Sunorg Pro will maximise canopy
effects and seeds/sq m for yield; it will also reduce lodging risk and
contribute to Sclerotinia control.The April application has been the
most common in recent years, in part due to the need to wait for
sustained active growing conditions before application.”
* Based on an average yield of 3.5 t/ha
Yield loss (t/ha) Yield loss (t/ha)
Yield (t/ha)
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Graph 2
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Graph 3
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
a
Control
Supported
20
20
b
Late flowing
c
Early pod-fill
Artificial lodging
Yield Yield loss due to lodging (%) (%)
b
Mid pod-fill
Baylis & Wright 1990 (plots lodge to within 20° of the ground)
b
Late pod-fill
ESTIMATED REDUCTION IN NATIONAL AVERAGE YIELD BASED ON 35% LODGING
30 40 50
Baylis & Wright 1990 (plots lodge to within 20° of the ground)
COST OF LODGING BASED ON 35% LODGING AND NATIONAL AVERAGE YIELD OF 3.5T/HA
30 40 50
Yield loss due to lodging (%)
Lodging in OSR – ADAS findings
• Up to 35% of the UK crop could be lodged
• The cost on farm could be between £88/ha and £214/ha
• The yield losses are estimated at between 0.25-0.61 l/ha
and 2% loss in oil
• Lodging causes poor light interception, which leads to low
seed set, poor seed fill and pod shattering
The ADAS report also calculated that lodging caused
a 2% loss in oil (ca. £10/t at £350/t) and increased
Glucosinolate levels.
“This year oilseed rape crops are generally smaller
with poor rooting systems and weaker stems so the
risk of lodging could be high because when spring
growth starts, it could be rapid, putting pressure on
the root system.”
The graph shows yield loss estimations for
reductions in yield of between 20% and 50%
in lodged areas.
Loss estimations (£/ha) based on £350/t for
reductions in yield of between 20% and 50%
in lodged areas.
• Lodging leads to reduced pod synchrony, leading to risk
of increased pod shatter
• Lodging at flowering will reduce seed set and seed weight
• Lodging at early pod fill was the most damaging in yield loss
- averaging 52% when artificial lodging to 70º to the ground
13
14

Alternative Spring Cropping
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
IN MAIZE
Maize gains favour for biogas production
By Ruth Stanley, Agronomy Manager BASF
According to the latest
information from Waste and
Resources Action Programme
(WRAP) and the National Non-
Food Crop Centre (NNFCC),
there are now 97 non-water
company biogas plants in the
UK - 39 of these are classified as
farm feedstock bio digesters.
Ruth Stanley, BASF
The increase in the number of anaerobic digesters (AD) has created
a market for – and an interest in growing - high biomass crops
such as maize and grass silage. Crops like these are important
for stabilising or supplementing other AD feedstocks such as low
yielding slurries or food waste.
Cereals and rape meal can also be used as AD feedstocks,
giving high biogas yields, but given the current high commodity
prices, they are rarely grown solely for digestion. Because maize
is such a valuable feedstock, it already accounts for 80% of the
material used in biogas production across Europe.
“Early weed control at the cotyledon
stage of the crop is vital because
maize is a poor rooter and early weed
competition causes a problem”
Maize has a natural fit in many rotations as a break crop and can be
used as a tool to control problematic Black-grass. Plant breeders
have made many advances over the last decade to develop a wide
range of varieties to suit early or late harvest situations.
Wing-P is a new herbicide for controlling broad leaved and grass
weeds from BASF. Wing-P combines two complimentary active
ingredients (dimethenamid-P and pendimethalin). The product
is best used at the pre-emergence timing but if weed control
is delayed (for example by the inability to spray due to weather
conditions) it can also be used early post-emergence from 1 true
leaf to the 4 leaf stage of the crop.
The dual activity of the two active ingredients in Wing-P increases
the range of weeds that the product is effective on and also
increases the activity of the herbicide against certain weeds
compared to straight pendimethalin products.
In addition to excellent early weed control, Wing-P also provides
residual control of weeds through to the later stages of crop growth.
This ensures that the yield potential is not compromised by later
emerging populations of weeds.
BASF Recommendation for Weed Control
In Maize
• Apply 3.2 litres per hectare of Wing-P
pre-emergence of the crop
• Where there is a risk of heavy infestations of weeds
apply 4 litres per hectare of Wing-P
pre-emergence of the crop
For further information on Wing-P including the product
label please visit: www.agricentre.basf.co.uk.
Maize
Forage maize has traditionally been grown in the west of the UK,
but with the increasing number of anaerobic digesters coming on stream
there are now opportunities for growers in eastern counties to take
advantage of the opportunities which growing this crop brings.
Long-term contracts to supply maize to anaerobic digesters are on offer.
"Yields for varieties grown for
anaerobic digesters should be 45 to
60 tonnes per hectare and contracts
to supply digesters should be worth
around £35 to £40 per tonne"
In terms of the economics of the crop, yields for varieties grown for
anaerobic digesters, yield should be 45 to 60 tonnes per hectare and
contracts to supply digesters should be worth around £35 to £40
per tonne.
Over the past few years the area of maize in the UK has seen a steady
increase. The total area in 2012 was thought to be about 160 kha.
The area increase is expected to continue in 2013 as spring cropping
will be more in demand. However with maize being grown widely across
Europe and plenty of choice in terms of varieties, maize seed availability
in 2013 is also not expected to be a problem.
Varieties
Selecting the correct variety is key and is dependent on the intended
end use of the product. For anaerobic digestion varieties should be
used to ensure maximum yield as the main consideration,
whereas starch content should be the main driver when growing
as a forage crop.
Drilling Considerations
Maize is generally sown mid-April time and harvesting is carried out
towards the end of September or into October. When drilling be
aware of soil temperatures. For light soils the temperature must be
8°c for 3-4 days and for heavier soils 10°c for 3 to 4 days should be
observed. This ensures the best possible establishment of the crop.
Weed Control In Maize
The quality parameters for maize intended for use in anaerobic
digesters are different than those crops intended for use in forage.
For energy maize, high yield is the main driver and hence the
agronomy around the crop has come more into focus. Where crop
mass and preserving yield is important the best approach to weed
control is pre-emergence of the crop. Post-emergence applications of
herbicides can be harsh on maize and ultimately limit yield potential.
For growers considering maize for
the first time, there are key points to
consider. Maize needs:
• Good soil structure
• Soil moisture
• Good establishment
To maximise yields it is essential to
get plants off to a good start.
According to Simon Draper,
Agronomist for the Maize Growers
Association, “early weed control at
the cotyledon stage of the crop is
vital because maize is a poor rooter
and early weed competition causes
a problem” to the emerging seedling.
Timing is critical. Don’t be tempted
to leave your herbicide applications
too late as weed competition can
dramatically knock the crop back.
The best approach therefore is a
reliable pre-emergence herbicide
with good residual activity.
Small Nettle (n=1)
Red Deadnettle (n=1)
Wing-P Shows Increased Activity Against Key Weeds Compared
to Straight Pendimethalin Products
Charlock (n=1)
Chickweed (n=6)
Cleavers (n=1)
Fat Hen (n=4)
Wing-P 3.2 L/ha
Stomp Aqua 3.3 L/ha
Scentless Mayweed
(n=2)
Groundsel
(n=3)
Annual Meadow-grass (n=9)
Redshank (n=3)
Black Nightshade (n=12)
Shepherds Purse (n=1)
Common Field
Speedwell (n=4)
Orache (n=2)
Pale Persicaria (n=1)
BASF Trials (numbers in brackets indicate number of trials)
3.2 l/ha Wing-P delivers 800 g/ha pdm + 680 g/ha DMTA-P
Contributor: John Burgess - Maize product manager, KWS
15
16

Alternative Spring Cropping
Nirvana is a herbicide which was specifically developed for use in
all pulse crops. The product contains two complementary active
ingredients (pendimethalin and imazamox) and offers broadspectrum
control of weeds through excellent residue activity.
Used at appropriate rates Nirvana is a one-hit solution for weed
control which should help ensure that no post-emergence weed
control is required. Mycosphaerella Ascochyta
Nirvana – Key Points
Active Substances:
Imazamox 16.7 g/litre and Pendimethalin 250 g/litre
Recommended crops:
Combining peas, vining peas
Spring and winter field beans
Sector
Broad-spectrum weed control
Timing:
Pre-emergence of the crop
Maximum dose:
4.5 litres/ha. One application per crop
Chocolate spot
Bean rust
Water volume:
200-300 litres/ha
PULSE AREA SET TO
INCREASE IN 2013
UK Pulse crops have been in decline for several seasons, 2012 saw a 25 year low
of just 121,000 ha, down from 248,000 ha in 2009 (Source Defra).
With a difficult autumn forcing a focus towards spring-sown crops,
peas and spring beans present an attractive option for many
growers, 2013 will certainly see an increase. The many agronomic
benefits of retaining pulses in rotation include the opportunity
to spread the sowing and harvesting work load, break disease
cycles, tackle black-grass and other weed problems, reduce slug
populations, boost first wheat yields, improve soil conditions,
and residual slow release nitrogen for following crops.
Spring Beans
The bean crop enjoys a wider geographical spread than peas
and is a good option for those on slightly heavier soils. Beans will
stand well at harvest, enabling a much more flexible approach
to combining. There are premium prices for beans for human
consumption with a vibrant export market. UK beans - the best
quality in the world - are in high demand for the North African and
Middle East market, where they form part of the staple diet.
A good visual sample is essential and the decline in production has
meant that prices remain high. Beans that do not make the human
consumption grade have a ready market for feed and prices tend
to be linked to soya as the alternative source of protein.
Spring beans provide benefits in the rotation such as the
opportunity to tackle black-grass problems, graminicides such as
Aramo can be applied to beans post-emergence. In addition to this
benefit there is evidence which shows that wheat following beans
in the rotation can provide additional yield to the wheat crop.
This is due to the ability of beans to fix nitrogen and therefore
ensure more N is available in the soil for following crops.
Peas
Recent years have seen the pea crop become more concentrated
in East Anglia and the south-eastern quarter of the UK and in
locations with lighter soils and favourable microclimates where
cropping and harvesting are most reliable. Peas are grown with the
premium human consumption market in mind, which makes them
a very attractive proposition. The UK marrow fat pea is a product
in demand. More recent declines in production have meant very
strong prices and committed growers have enjoyed good returns.
The UK now has just 500-600 producers of dried peas and new
recruits are vital to the industry.
Weed Control in Peas and Beans
Over a number of years the choice of herbicides to use in legume
crops has diminished. Older products containing active ingredients
such as simazine and trifluralin are no longer available. In addition
the choice of post-emergence weed control is restricted to just
bentazone (as in Basagran SG). For this reason the best approach
for weed control in legume crops is to use a broad-spectrum
pre-emergence option.
Nirvana – Key Points
Combining peas and Field beans - Pre-emergence
One-shot solution in many situations
4.5 l/ha Provides long-lasting broad-spectrum weed control
For moderate to high weed populations
3.0 l/ha For moderate weed populations
General broad-leaf weed control
May require a post-emergence follow-up
2.5 l/ha As a tank-mix partner
Broader spectrum than straight pendimethalin
Beware of compromising Nirvana’s weed control benefits
Vining peas - Pre-emergence
2.5 - 3.5 l/ha Match the dose to the soil type
May require a post-emergence follow-up
Post-emergence weed control in
field beans
Whilst pre-emergence control of weeds is preferable in beans,
there are some situations which may require a post-emergence
application of herbicide. In this situation the only option is using
Basagran SG. Growers should be aware however there are
guidelines around the use of bentazone.
Full details of these guidelines can be found at the Voluntary
Initiative website : www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/_
Attachments/Resources/1341_S4.pdf
Disease control in peas and beans
Once pulse crops are established in the field and weed control has
been achieved. Growers should be aware of the threat of disease
to these crops.
Pea growers should be aware of the three main diseases.
These are leaf and pod spot (Mycophaerella and Ascochyta) and
grey mould (Botrytis). These diseases all affect the yield and quality
of pea crops and therefore growers should have in mind a disease
control programme to avoid severe infestations, particularly if
conditions become damp and humid in the summer months.
A sensible approach to disease control in peas would be a 2 spray
programme, with the first spray being applied at early flowering or
first pod. The second spray can then be applied at late flowering
ensuring there is a two week interval between treatments.
Botrytis
In field beans the main diseases to be aware of are chocolate spot
early in the season followed by the later threat of bean rust.
Disease control is normally achieved via a two spray programme.
The first spray should be applied at early flowering and then
followed up approximately 4 weeks later at mid to late pod fill.
BASF has a range of solutions to help growers maintain yield and
quality in their pulse crops, by ensuring that diseases are controlled.
The tables below give an overview of the products and their activity
against the key diseases in both peas and beans. Growers should
always read the labels before using these products. Product labels
are available at: www.agricentre.basf.co.uk.
Combining and Vining Peas
Walabi
(combining peas)
Signum
Sunorg Pro
Walabi
Signum
Sunorg Pro
Compass
Botrytis Mycosphaerella Sclerotinia Powdery Mildew Ascochyta
*** **** ( * ) ** ****
***** **** ***** *** ****
** *** **** ** ***
* = poor control, ***** = excellent control
Field Beans
* = poor control, ***** = excellent control
Chocolate Spot Bean Rust Ascochyta
*** ( * ) ***
***** **** ( * ) ****
** ( * ) ***** *
**** **
Contributor: Roger Vickers – PGRO (Chief Executive)
17
18

Alternative Spring Cropping
Products with on-label recommendations
for use in linseed:
Aramo – grass weed control in linseed
Susceptible grass weeds include volunteer barley, volunteer wheat,
blackgrass, annual meadow grass and common couch.
Laser – grass weed control in linseed
Laser is another herbicide used to control grass weeds in linseed.
Laser has activity on the following weed species: cultivated and wild
oats, volunteer barley and wheat, blackgrass, canary grass, Italian
ryegrass, loose-silk bent, perennial ryegrass, sterile brome and soft
brome, black bent, onion couch, creeping bent.
Basagran SG – post-emergence broad leaved weed
control in linseed
Basagran SG has control claims against a wide variety of weeds.
Full details of susceptible weeds are listed on the product label which
can be found at: www.agricentre.basf.co.uk
ALTERNATIVE SPRING
CROPPING: LINSEED
The maximum permitted dose of Basagran SG on linseed is listed
on the label, however growers should be aware that a voluntary
stewardship scheme exists for the use of products containing
bentazone (such as Basagran SG). Details of this stewardship
scheme can be found at the following address:
www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/_Attachments/Resources/1341_S4.pdf
Products with off-label uses in linseed:
The following products from the BASF range can also be used on
linseed. These products have received Extension of Authorisation for
Minor Uses on Linseed (previously referred to as off-label approval).
Herbicides with authorised uses in linseed:
Butisan S is a residual herbicide for control of broadleaved and
some grass weeds.
Fungicides with authorised uses in linseed:
Like other crops, linseed is susceptible to a range of fungal
pathogens including botrytis, alternaria, and mildew species.
Caramba and Sunorg Pro (both containing metconazole) and Filan
(containing boscalid) are fungicides which have known activity
against these diseases.
For further information on the use of all these products consult
the product labels at www.agriCentre.basf.co.uk
The area planted to linseed has varied widely
from a low of 2,000 ha to a high of 58,000 ha.
The fluctuation being as much a factor of the
success of winter plantings and crop survival as
the intention to grow a spring crop. This year looks
as if the area planted will be at the higher end of
the scale for fairly obvious weather related reasons.
This increase in demand has meant that one variety has already sold out
and while there will be seed available the varieties may not be well known
as demand sucks in seed from outside the UK.
Why should growers consider linseed
this year
The major reasons are that linseed does not share the same pest or
disease complex as other UK grown crops, so in that respect can be
considered an ideal break crop. In addition by using the appropriate
herbicide, broad leaf and grass weeds can be well managed.
Harvesting is not the problem it once was with diquat.
Glyphosate applied as the seed is turning from white to light honey
colour will enable combining to take place about 3-4 weeks later.
In many cases glyphosate application can take place at the end of the
first week in August.
Linseed needs to be dried to just below 9% moisture and be cleaned to
achieve 2% or less admixture. In this case the unthrashed seed heads or
bolls count as admixture.
Historically the major producers of linseed have been Canada and China.
Now, however, we are seeing increasing amounts of linseed being
imported from CIS countries in particular from Russia and Kazakhstan
who over the last two years have exported around 450,000t per annum
into the EU. When talking to Linseed Crushers the Russian/Kazakhstan
linseed quality (oil, moisture & admixture) tends to be better than UK
produce. However, with past worries over GM content from Canadian
supplies, UK sourced seed is preferred by human consumption buyers.
Global linseed opening stocks/production for 2012/13 is estimated to be
2.52mil/t with a usage of 2.24mil/t which will leave a balance of 0.28mil/t,
keeping markets ‘tight’.
Contributor: David Whyte, United Oilseeds, Devizes
19
20

BASF News
Stephen Henning
Stephen Henning is BASF's Crop Protection Regional
Director for the UK, Ireland, the Nordics and Baltics.
He is also Chairman of the Crop Protection Association.
He was born in 1965 in South Georgia in the USA.
He is married with four children and is a graduate with
a BS in Biology from Shorter University. He has spent
most of his career with BASF within the agricultural
industry both in the USA and in the UK. Stephen has a
keen interest in including American football and baseball.
voice will provide a solid platform for the CPA's new CEO - Nick von
Westenholz, to build further change to aid a regulatory environment
more in tune with productive farming."
"We must get away from this
mindset and re-establish a regulatory
approach driven by science”
Mr Henning describes the current EU policies in regulating plant
science and crop protection innovations as "impeding to or
restrictive of production". "We must get away from this mindset
and re-establish a regulatory approach driven by science.”
An example of the difficulties being faced by the CPA, its umbrella
organisation the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA)
and the global association Crop Life International, is the current
endocrine disruption (ED) review currently being undertaken by
the European Commission. The review targets crop protection
products suspected of having endocrine effects - which could make
important groups of chemistry like the triazoles vulnerable
to de-listing across Europe.
The argument surrounds the establishment of the regulatory
definition of an endocrine disrupter. The current proposal is not
science-based and the industry, in partnership with scientists and
researchers, is strongly arguing that the approach should not be
adopted. If they fail, triazoles could be lost to the review process.
There is a full-length feature on the ED review on page 24.
"BASF strength has and remains focussed on creating innovative
solutions for our customers. R&D expenditure across all divisions
of BASF is approximately 1.74 billion euros/year. Into agriculture,
BASF invests around 10% of global sales revenues into R&D every
year. BASF is absolutely committed to finding innovations, not only
to make the farmer's business more successful, but to increase the
amount of safe, quality food produced."
"This is an important message for the
farming industry to hear. We continue
to invest"
"We are making continued investment into discoveries in traditional
chemistry we already use i.e. herbicides, insecticides and
fungicides - this is and will remain a core part of BASF's strategy.
In addition we are expanding our R&D focus outside of traditional
crop protection into other key challenges such as water & nutrient
management & utilisation. This is an important message for the
farming industry to hear. We continue to invest."
“...We are all in this together”
For the future of profitable UK farming, the work of organisations like
the CPA, defending farmers’ ability to efficiently produce more,
is one of the fundamental building blocks for the future. "Surely we
are all in this together - to produce more, safe food while protecting
our natural resources."
MORE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH REQUIRED
TO AVOID FOOD CRISIS
Mr Henning says that defence of such valuable technology is
fundamental to increasing productive agriculture. He explained
that to put the productivity need into perspective, OECD/FAO have
stated that we need to increase food production by at least 70% by
2050 - that equates to an extra one billion tonnes of cereals per year
and an extra 200 million tonnes of meat per year. "It is clear that we
cannot continue to ignore the challenges ahead and the fact that
science based regulation is essential in meeting these challenges."
In a bold statement last August, Stephen Henning
- in his role as Chairman of the Crop Protection
Association (CPA) - warned that EU policy
makers must rethink their stance on production
agriculture if they want to avoid a food crisis
with devastating consequences. His warning
was meant to be alarmist because he and fellow
members of the CPA want to see a shift in policy
makers' mindset that moves the EU's regulatory
environment for crop protection products from
one that is hazard-based and emotion-fuelled
into one that is science-based.
"The CPA represents 90% of the UK
market that manufactures, sells and
advises on crop protection products"
The CPA represents 90% of the UK market that manufactures,
sells and advises on crop protection products. The body's remit
- to increase the supply of safe food - is firmly where it should be
as agriculture gears itself towards producing more, from less whilst
being environmentally dependable.
The organisation is important to farmers for two reasons explains
Mr Henning. "The pivotal role it plays is in protecting active
ingredients to allow farmers to continue to produce high-yielding
crops. In addition, the CPA is very involved in supporting farmers to
use and manage crop protection products responsibly - through the
Voluntary Initiative and other activities. The industry's responsible
care in this area is well viewed by policy makers because it shows
that it can be delivered without legislation."
The organisation has become a strong lobbying organisation,
alongside the NFU and AIC - giving it a place at policy negotiating
tables, with NGOs and in the media. "The process of gaining a
credible voice was a clear focus of the association. That credible
Examples like the ED review process highlight that the appetite
for innovation in plant science or crop protection in Brussels -
conventional or novel - is low Mr Henning suggests.
"These technologies offer so many opportunities for Europe's
farmers to deliver sustainable production gains and the R&D into
them needs to be fostered. Yet such advances are discouraged
by a seemingly anti-productive farming policy agenda in Europe."
"Along with pharmaceuticals, crop
protection is the most scrutinised
industry"
"Along with pharmaceuticals, crop protection is the most scrutinised
industry; we have a robust and reliable system. The regulatory
process is incredibly thorough with about 800 requirements
needing to be addressed and more than 200 studies filed for a
registration. This process can span from 8-10 years and cost an
R&D manufacturer like BASF 250 million euros before its approved
for sale”
21
22

BASF News
A future
WITHOUT TRIAZOLES
European arable production is facing a potential crisis with the risk of losing some of the most
powerful crop protection actives necessary for profitable crop production through the latest
European Commission review.
"This review could result in the loss
of azole chemistry meaning a drop in
cereal and oilseed rape yields"
This review could result in the loss of azole chemistry meaning a
drop in cereal and oilseed rape yields of the same magnitude as
those experienced by many growers in 2012; without a doubt the
life of the UK arable farmer would become more difficult as our
efficiency of production and competitiveness on the world market
would be seriously challenged.
The question arises how this decision is being approached by the
European Commission, what role the UK industry as a whole is
taking in this process, as well as examining the real implications on
the future production of food for the UK and Europe.
This process sits entirely in the hands of the European Commission
(EC) which is currently at the stage of reviewing its strategy
on agrochemicals that may have the potential to be defined
as ‘endocrine disrupters’ (ED.) An endocrine disrupter is ‘an
exogenous substance or mixture that alters the function(s) of the
endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects
in an organism, its progeny or (sub) populations.’
In June of 2012, the EC organised a conference on
“Endocrine Disruptors – current challenges in science and policy.”
The outcome of this conference has fed into the review of the
European Commission’s current strategy on endocrine disruptors.
Crucially, it also provided input to the Commission’s upcoming
proposal to identify the criteria for regulating the identification of
substances with endocrine properties.
"We are incredulous that such
legislation can be passed when there
has been so little scientific basis"
Across the industry, independent researchers, chemical
manufacturers and industry bodies such as the ECPA (European
Crop Protection Agency) and CPA (Crop Protection Association) are
working to encourage a scientific basis for the regulatory definition
of an endocrine disrupter, which is currently based on hazard rather
than risk, and also to highlight the socio-economic importance in
European agriculture of azole active substances, as well as other
compounds that could potentially be classified as ED’s.
“We are incredulous that such legislation can be passed when there
has been so little scientific basis to the legislation to date, we have
no idea how far the legislation will go and what we are really facing.
It highlights real deficiencies in the European Parliament,” says Bill
Clark of NIAB TAG.
“We are facing a possible future
without triazoles which would
completely change farming systems
across Europe"
“We are facing a possible future without
triazoles which would completely
change farming systems across Europe.
The argument about replacement and
substitution rarely addresses the range
of crops we currently produce. Triazoles
are used for controlling a massive number
of diseases across many crops and this
Bill Clarke
breadth of activity cannot be replaced by
another fungicide group. Future disease control would involve many
fungicides and many more applications, all of which would lead to
higher input costs and lower yields.”
“There is also a longer term issue with resistance to consider.
Triazoles have been a robust group of products in terms of resistance.
Any substitution groups would almost certainly be short-lived unless
they were used in mixture with the triazoles. A short term fix such as
more widespread use of SDHI fungicides would simply increase the
risk of losing these products too,” he says.
“If we lost the triazoles and relied on substitution then there could
be a cliff-edge effect where the substituted products could lose
efficacy rapidly with disastrous consequences in yield terms.
For example although the SDHI fungicides control Septoria tritici,
the reliance on SDHIs alone against Septoria is considered bad
practice (due to its single site mode of action) and it would likely
result in the rapid development of SDHI resistance in Septoria tritici.”
“We also need to consider that the time scale would be so short
we would not realistically have time to react as an industry, say by
developing more resistant varieties, or new cropping systems.”
John Peck
“If Europe is to remain competitive,
we must invest to protect our harvests.
Research and development is costly
and time consuming, but failure to equip
farmers with the right tools for the job will
have serious implications on productivity”,
said Friedhelm Schmider, Director
General of the European Crop Protection
Association (ECPA).
John Peck, Technical Manager BASF, believes that the danger of this
approach is that it does not take into account the risk and focusses
purely on the hazard; with little or no evidence to support the theory
that the loss of triazoles would significantly improve the health of
human beings or the environment: “Fundamentally we do not really
know what we are dealing with and where this is going to take us,
in terms of actual product loss and its effect on UK agriculture.”
“This has now become a food security issue,” expands Jonathan
Blake of ADAS. “Back in 2011 ADAS looked at the potential impact
of the loss of azoles on wheat yields alone. This report (written in
collaboration with ARVALIS and Aarhus University) evaluated the
effect of losing all azoles on wheat production in the UK and other
European countries.
"The estimated total loss of wheat
production which would be caused
by the loss of azoles would be 6.8%
representing a value of 157 million
euro to the UK alone"
“The estimated total loss of wheat production which would be
caused by the loss of azoles would be 6.8% representing a value
of 157 million euro to the UK alone. The projected losses were
primarily attributed to the loss of control of Septoria tritici.”
This value was calculated before the introduction of SDHI fungicides
which have subsequently been shown to have good activity on
Septoria however, the loss of triazoles would lead to heavy reliance
on the SDHI’s and would drive resistance development.
"The estimated future reduction
in oilseed rape production which
would be caused by loss of azoles
was 9.8%, representing a loss of
production to UK growers of 70
million euro"
“A more recent report for the ECPA published this September,
evaluated a similar impact on oilseed rape production. The estimated
future reduction in oilseed rape production which would be caused
by loss of azoles was 9.8%, representing a loss of production to UK
growers of 70 million euro. This was mainly attributed to the loss of
control of the main fungal diseases Phoma (Leptosphaeria maculans)
and Light Leaf Spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae).
“These values assume no change in the varieties grown in the
absence of azole use, in practice you would expect growers would
try to reduce this yield loss by growing more disease resistant
varieties, although generally more resistant varieties are generally
lower yielding, so the net effect would still be lower yields.”
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24

Competition
Competition
1. Do you use any precision agronomy tools (Please specify)
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. What are the 5 most challenging weeds on your farm
(Where 1 is the most challenging)
1)______________________________________________________
2)______________________________________________________
3)______________________________________________________
4)______________________________________________________
5)______________________________________________________
3. What are the main herbicides you use in winter wheat
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. How would you describe the herbicide active ingredient
pendimethalin (please tick one)
Useful partner to boost weed control
Cornerstone for weed control
Indispensible partner to boost weed control
Optional partner to boost weed control
5. If you are a user of pendimethalin, why do you use it
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
6. If you do not use pendimethalin, why is that
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
7. What do you know about Stomp Aqua
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
8. What PGR programme do you intend to use in winter wheat
this year
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
9. Why do you use PGRs (please tick that which applies)
To enhance tillering
To enhance rooting
To ultimately prevent crop lodging
To protect crop yield and quality
Other – please list
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. If you could get a measure of crop nitrogen in kg/ha from a
digital photograph, would you find that useful
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
11. If you could get a very quick assessment of the number of
shoots/m 2 of your wheat crop from a digital photograph,
would you consider that useful
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
WIN AN
iPad mini
with
For your chance to win, simply complete
the questions opposite, fill in your name,
address and email address and freepost
the form back to us by 29th March 2013
Send your entries by freepost to:
FREEPOST RSSK-SCXT-TTHU,
Janine Ferrie Crop Protection, BASF plc,
PO BOX 4, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6QG
Only fully completed forms will be entered into the draw
Terms and conditions for the prize draw:
1. The prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 18 and over. 2. Employees of BASF Crop Protection or anyone connected with the promotion are excluded from participation in the prize draw. 3.
Only one entry per person is allowed. 4. There is one iPad mini (black 16GB wifi) to be won. All participants will be entered into a prize draw and one winner will be drawn at random from all responses
received. 5. For your chance to be one of the lucky winners you must complete the form in full. 6. The promoter accepts no responsibility, liabilities or consequences whatsoever from the receipt or use
of the prize. 7. In the event of a claims dispute, the promoter (BASF plc, Crop Protection) is sole arbiter and their decision is final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into. 8. The prize draw
will close at 5pm on 29th March 2013. The winner will be drawn at random by 5.00pm on 1st April 2013. The winner will be notified by phone or email and advised how to redeem their prize.
No alternative prize or cash will be available. 9. By entering the prize draw it is deemed to be acceptance of these terms and conditions. 10. This prize draw is run by BASF plc, Crop Protection,
Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 6QG. Copyright in all entries will rest with BASF plc, and BASF plc reserves the right to amend the rules of this prize draw.
Your Details:
Name:___________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
BASF would like to keep you informed & occasionally send relevant information.
Please send me information by email or post (Please tick.)
Email address:____________________________________________
Contact phone number:____________________________________
Occupation:______________________________________________
Adexar is a trademark of BASF and contains fluxapyrodad + epoxiconazole. Opus, Meteor, Canopy, Ignite, Capalo, Mantra, Tracker, Terpal, 3C Chlormequat 720, Brutus,
Sunorg Pro, Wing-P, Stomp, Basagran SG, Nirvana, Walabi, Signum, Compass, Aramo, Laser, Caramba and Filan are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks
are those of other manufacturers where proprietary rights may exist. Opus & Ignite contain epoxiconazole. Meteor contains chlormequat and imazaquin, Canopy contains
mepiquat (as chloride) and prohexadione calcium, Capalo contains epoxiconazole, fenpropimorph and metrafenone, Mantra contains epoxiconazole, fenpropimorph
and kresoxim-methyl, Tracker & Filan contain boscalid and epoxiconazole, Terpal contains 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid and mepiquat, 3C Chlormequat 720 contains
chlormequat, Brutus contains epoxiconazole and metconazole, Sunorg Pro & Caramba contain metconazole, Wing-P contains dimethenamid-P and pendimethalin, Stomp
Aqua contains pendimethalin, Basagran SG contains bentazone, Nirvana contains imazamox and pendimethalin, Walabi contains chlorothalonil and pyrimethanil, Signum
contains boscalid and pyraclostrobin, Compass contains iprodione and thiophanate-methyl, Aramo contains tepraloxydim, Laser contains cycloxydim. Seguris contains
epoxiconazole and Isopyrazam, Proline contains prothioconazole. Aviator Xpro contains bixafen and prothioconazole. Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone, iPad and iPad
mini are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the US and other countries. Apple Inc App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes store
is for personal lawful use only. Don't steal music. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product
information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.agricentre.basf.co.uk
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire
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