In this issue...
Machine might page 46
Hanover highlights heading to LAMMA
Innovation answer page 36
Resilient rewards page 8
New RL favours low risk types
Spring seeds page 14
Volume 17 Number 10
December 2015
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6
8
14
Talking Tilth
A word from the editor.
Smith’s Soapbox
Views and opinions from an Essex peasant…..
Robust varieties find favour
High disease-tolerance ratings and untreated yields are the stand-out
characteristics of varieties added to the new Recommended Lists.
Plenty to plan with
spring drilling
SPRING SEEDS
Spring cropping is undergoing a revival, but new options throw up
fresh considerations.
Editor
Tom Allen-Stevens
Sub editor
Charlotte Lord
Writers
Tom Allen-Stevens
Jane Brown
Nick Fone
Robert Harris
Rob Jones
Lucy de la Pasture
Emily Padfield
Mick Roberts
Design and Production
Brooks Design
Advertisement co-ordinator
Peter Walker
Publisher
Angus McKirdy
Business Development Manager
Charlotte Alexander
To claim two crop protection BASIS points, send an email to
assistant@basis-reg.co.uk, quoting reference CP/37178/1415/g.
*the claim ‘best read specialist arable journal’ is based
on independent reader research, conducted by the
National Farm Research Unit 2014
Editorial & advertising sales
White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 8LP
Tel: (01743) 861122 E-mail: angus@cpm-magazine.co.uk
Reader registration hotline 01743 861122
Advertising copy
Brooks Design,
24 Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1RD
Tel: (01743) 244403 E-mail: fred@brooksdesign.co.uk
CPM Volume 17 No 10. Editorial, advertising and sales offices are at
White House Barn, Hanwood, Shrewsbury SY5 8LP.
Tel: (01743) 861122. CPM is published ten times a year by
CPM Ltd and is available free of charge to qualifying farmers
and farm managers in the United Kingdom.
In no way does CPM Ltd endorse, notarise or concur with any of the advice,
recommendations or prescriptions reported in the magazine.
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.
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Daughter of a malting
mainstay
INSIDERS VIEW
Success often breeds success, so have Limagrain found that with
the latest spring barley variety to stem from Concerto?
Mild autumn brings on crop potential
With oilseed rape set up well for the winter, it’s time to plan spring
management to maximise profits.
Bean of bounty
Get the establishment right and you can achieve substantial yields
from a winter bean crop, according to one Suffolk grower.
Innovation under threat?
There’s an unprecedented push by the European business
community to ensure innovation isn’t stifled by regulation.
Britain’s bumper crop laid bare
A survey of growers has offered an insight into how the 2015 crop
performed and how nutrition plans for next year are shaping up.
New tech draws LAMMA PREVIEW
the crowds
A drop in machinery sales across Europe didn’t dampen the
enthusiasm of the 450,000 visitors to Agritechnica.
Smart thinking on drills and combines
Seeding technology has come on in leaps and bounds recently, while
there s a totally new approach on the cards for combine headers.
Cultivators rise to challenge of fresh thinking
Supersized cultivators to ingenious tools that measure soil strength
on the go.
Rapid pace for a
‘legendary’ drill
Väderstad’s Rapid pioneered the cultivator-drill concept and has
become Europe’s most successful seed drill of all time.
INNOVATION INSIGHT
Brand move brings ON FARM OPINION
multiple benefits
Moving its fleet over to Deutz-Fahr tractors is delivering cost savings
to one Cambs arable business, with no loss of performance.
Boom or bust for spray deposition
Two growers with BoomControl fitted to their sprayers comment on
the difference boom height makes.
crop production magazine december 2015
3
How resilient
are you?
I like the word resilience. It
conjures up a sort of defiance.
It’s a fate-may-be-doing-itsbest-to-sink-me-but-I’mstronger-than-that
kind of word.
It’s the word that rang out loud
and proud at the recent launch of
the new AHDB Cereals and
Oilseeds Recommended Lists
(see page 8). And it underlines
something of a shift in mindset for
the industry.
We’ve always been able to tell
which are the resilient varieties
from their disease ratings and
untreated yields. But in the past,
they’ve been relegated to the
‘cheap-to-grow’ category. The
implication has been that you can
chose those types if you’re a bit
unprofessional, but real farmers
aren’t fazed by a 2 for yellow rust,
while a place on Progression
Platform is only earned by
growers who curb their septoria
by slopping litres of SDHIs all
over their crops.
Well growers are now defiantly
spurning this mantra. No longer
should you be shamed if you
didn’t choose the highest-yielding
Group 4 wheat and then spend
the whole of the spring shackled
to your sprayer stalwartly battling
disease. The new mantra is
resilience, and that’s not just in
variety choice, it goes throughout
the arable business.
So as you peruse the
pages of CPM this month, it’s
worth bearing in mind how
resilient your business really
is, and whether there are
areas that need a rethink. There
may be chinks in your armour that
need a titanium patch, or perhaps
there are too few baskets in your
business that are just a little bit
overfull with eggs.
For starters, what proportion of
your arable area is down to spring
crops? They may not improve
your margins, but according to
farm business consultants
Andersons, they make for a
more sustainable business (p45).
We’ve a 12-page review of the
spring-drilled options with
agronomy tips (p14), while
Insiders View reviews Octavia
spring barley (p22).
Oilseed rape gets a fair amount
of criticism for being a crop that
leaves you exposed when
markets take a nosedive, so we’ve
joined a group of progressive
growers as they discuss resilient
strategies for the spring (p26). But
then, if there’s too many eggs in
your oilseeds basket, what about
winter beans? We’ve been to see
a Suffolk grower who’s achieving
impressive results (p32), and
bring you the new pea and bean
Recommended Lists from PGRO.
But perhaps what sets a
resilient arable business aside
from one that’s exposed and
vulnerable is its machineryreplacement
policy. Manufacturers
are acutely aware of this and are
competing hard for their share of
a market that’s shrunk as arable
profitability has dropped.
That made this year’s
Agritechnica show in Germany
one of the most interesting of
recent times. So in a 16-page
special, we have no less than
three reports from the show
stands and vast halls of Hanover’s
Exhibition Grounds, starting on
p46. We’ve looked specifically not
only for the new ideas that will put
arable businesses in good shape,
but those that are set to come to
LAMMA next month, so those
most relevant to UK arable
businesses. Meanwhile,
Innovation Insight tells the story
of the Väderstad Rapid (p62).
For many CPM readers,
however, all this talk of resilience
will be a tad grandmothersucking-eggs.
For those growers,
resilience will be ingrained and
the current downturn in profitability
a predictable part of the arable
cycle, that presents as many
opportunities as challenges.
So if you’re one of those, I’d
urge you to have a read of this
month’s Protecting Chemistry
(p36), that brings an update on
the latest regulatory politics being
played out in Brussels. The
precautionary principle and, some
may say, the over-zealous way
it’s been adopted have put the
industry and its chemical toolbox
at threat. The interesting
development is the Innovation
Principle that’s now being tabled
in response.
The really interesting bit,
however, comes when you
turn this round and gauge the
implication for your own farm.
Any arable business with a vested
interest in pesticide technology
puts itself in good stead by
staying abreast of these issues.
What’s more, if you demonstrate
good stewardship, you go a long
way to quashing the very fears
some NGOs delight in stirring up.
But have you ever asked
yourself whether your business
uses pesticides or is dependent
on them? That puts a whole new
shine on the word ‘resilience’.
Rooting for resilience
With OSR, it’s not what protrudes above
the ground that is the true mark of a
resilient crop, but the root that lies
beneath it. So is yours bigger than mine?
I took a picture of this taproot and
tweeted it on 1 Dec and there’s 10
bottles of quality malt whisky up for
grabs for anyone who’d like to do the
same – CPM has joined with Dupont in
looking for the most burgeoning bulbs
and ravenous radicles.
Dig up a few roots, find one you like,
then take a photo and tweet it, using the
hashtag #root4sure. The ten photos
judged the best by the time the
competition closes on 15 Jan 2016
will earn those who tweeted them
each a bottle of fine malt whisky.
For those not on twitter, you can
still enter by emailing your entry to
competition@cpm-magazine.co.uk. For
full competition terms and conditions,
go to www.cpm-magazine.co.uk
Tom Allen-Stevens has a 170ha
arable farm in Oxon and resilience
is what comes in handy when the
family comes for Christmas.
tom@cpm-magazine.co.uk
As safe as
sausages?
It was quite a relief to see
the key science committee in
the EU, EFSA, give glyphosate
a reasonably clean bill of
health in Nov.
Just as glyphosate was
coming up to having its
licences renewed next year,
it seemed to be coming
under sustained attack from
the anti-pesticide NGOs
questioning its environmental
and human health profiles.
The IARC’s World Health
Committee had concluded in
Aug that glyphosate might be
a category two carcinogen.
But that had rather been
put in context a month later
when the same committee
concluded that sausages
and bacon were a class one
carcinogen. The rationalist in
me could but conclude that if
processed meat might be a
class one carcinogen while
glyphosate might be only a
class two, then we should
conclude that Round Up was
confirmed as safer and less
toxic than sausages. My
breakfast plate was now
officially more hazardous
than my spray store.
Equally curious was a
number of studies coming out
last year warning glyphosate
was proving prone to getting
into watercourses. But when
you consider it’s used
by water authorities to
control pernicious
weeds in water courses
you have to wonder
what the problem is.
One of those weeds
might be wolfsbane which is
extremely poisonous. It was
interesting to note wolfsbane
killed a gardener in Wilts last
year when he brushed a
scratch against its flowers
which led to multiple organ
failure. Quite rightly we all
wear protective clothing when
handling agrochemicals but
how many of us worry about
such things when frolicking in
the flowers?
End of year review
Travelling around I sense
that for many 2015 will be
remembered for the bumper
harvest. But that won’t be the
case in this corner of north
east Essex. With only an inch
of rain in June we didn’t have
the necessary moisture to
swell the grain. In spite of
the lack of rain, yields were
surprisingly good but certainly
not in the ‘bumper’ class.
But it’s commodity prices
that have really put 2015
into the ‘forget as quickly
as possible’ category. Quite
simply, the margins at the
bottom of the spreadsheets
are glowing as red as the
nose of Rudolph the Reindeer
until you put the BPS payment
into the equation.
We have managed to keep
our total costs down to less
than £1000/ha and even then
I’m not sure I’m depreciating
machinery as accurately as I
should be. Too often I’m lured
into thinking the running costs
on a four-year-old machine
will be much the same as
a three-year-old one, but
I suspect that it’s more
about hope than any proper
business analysis.
There’s an old adage that
goes along the lines of ‘the
first rule of farming is forget
last year’. In times of both
price and weather volatility,
I can see the logic of being
wary of managing a farm on
the assumption the coming
year will be similar to last
year. However, when last
year’s performance shows a
loss then it takes a braver
man than me to resolve to
simply repeat the process.
So this year, we have half
the farm down to spring
cropping. When blackgrass
control in autumn-sown crops
per acre gets to more than the
cost of half a tonne of wheat it
starts to look unsustainable to
me. And what really adds
With glyphosate now officially
less carcinogenic than sausages,
perhaps you’ll need your PPE
when eating breakfast.
loss-making salt into the
wound of a negative margin
is spraying parts of a crop
off with Round Up in the
spring.
The other attractive thing
about the decision to go for
spring cropping is it doesn’t
rule out the chance of fallow.
If prices in March don’t look
much better than they do
now, then fallow will look
increasingly attractive. In all
of this, I like to think I might
be playing a genius long
term game. The plan being
to clean up my blackgrass
with fallow when prices are
low and cash in when we go
back to seeing price spikes.
But of course, this isn’t so
much a brilliant long term
strategy but rather just doing
what I should have done last
year but a year late.
But enough of this
un-festive curmudgeonliness.
We’re soon to welcome in a
new year and a new start. The
only way is up. So I’ll sign off
2015 by wishing you a merry
Christmas, a happy New
Year…. and an early BPS
payment.
Guy Smith grows 500ha of
combinable crops on the
north east Essex coast,
namely St. Osyth Marsh ––
officially the driest spot in
the British Isles. Despite
spurious claims from others
that their farms are actually
drier, he points out that his
farm is in the Guinness
Book of Records, whereas
others aren’t. End of.
Email your comments and
ideas to gsmith2692@aol.com
6 crop production magazine december 2015
Robust varieties find favour
High disease-tolerance
ratings and untreated
yields are the stand-out
characteristics of varieties
added to the 2016/17 AHDB
Cereals and Oilseeds
Recommended Lists. CPM
scrutinises the newcomers.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
Resilience and risk management are the
hallmarks stamped across the new AHDB
Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended
Lists. Tricky diseases such as light leaf
spot and Septoria tritici see an average
lift in resistance ratings with one or two
notable disease-shunning stars.
The 2016/17 RL is a slimmer affair too
–– while 32 varieties have been added,
47 have been swept into niche-market
territory. “A lot of varieties have been
removed because their seed area is low,”
explains RL manager Dr Simon Oxley.
And there’s a new RL relative-risk grid.
This charts where a variety scores on its
untreated yield against agronomic merit,
giving the RL committee a quick way
to judge whether it’ll give up the ghost if
it hasn’t seen a sprayer for a couple
of weeks.
A conventional oilseed rape variety is
back at the top of the AHDB East/West
region OSR RL. Elgar from Elsoms sits
atop a list that’s made some striking
average gains for the past three years,
notes Simon Oxley. “But it’s not all about
yield –– there are some other impressive
characteristics.
“Elgar has a very good disease-resistance
package and a stiff stem –– it looks like an
exciting variety.” Perhaps the most notable
score is a 7 for light leaf spot. This is a first
▲
“
It’s not all
about yield – there are
some other impressive
characteristics. ”
8 crop production magazine december 2015
New winter OSRs at a glance
Variety Scope and type Breeder/
contact
Points to note
Alizze UK hybrid RAGT E/W output 108; N output 111;
Lodging 8; LLS 7
Elgar E/W conventional Elsoms E/W output 111; LLS 7
Windozz E/W hybrid RAGT E/W output 109
Wembley E/W hybrid LSPB E/W output 109
Angus UK hybrid LSPB Phoma 8
Barbados N conventional KWS N output 110; phoma and LLS 7;
but earliness 4
Nikita N conventional Limagrain N output 110; LLS 7; but phoma 4
V324OL N hybrid Monsanto HOLL premium
Amalie Specific Limagrain TuYV resistance
Source: AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended List 2016/17 (provisional); N, E/W – Scope of
recommendation limited to North or East/West; see http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/varieties for full lists.
New winter wheats at a glance
Variety Scope Breeder/
contact
Points to note
RGT Group 1 RAGT Untreated yield 90; yellow rust 9;
Illustrious mildew and eyespot 7
KWS Barrel Group 3 KWS UK yield 105; N region yield [113];
lodging +PGR 8
KWS Basset Group 3 KWS Specific weight 77.5; lodging resistance 8;
yellow rust 9; but mildew 4
Spyder Group 3 Senova UK untreated yield 91; mildew 9;
yellow rust 8; septoria 6
KWS Group 4 hard KWS UK yield 106; yield on light soils [110];
Silverstone specific weight 78.6; but lodging -PGR [5]
KWS Siskin Group 4 hard KWS UK treated yield 105; untreated yield 96;
septoria 7; mildew and yellow rust 9;
ukp for export [Y]
Belgrade Group 4 hard Elsoms UK treated yield 105; maturity -1; but
specific weight 75.4
Graham Group 4 hard Syngenta Septoria and fusarium 7; lodging +PGR 8
KWS Crispin Group 4 hard KWS Mildew and yellow rust 9; OWBM
resistance
Source: AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended List 2016/17 (provisional); [ ] limited data
New barleys at a glance
Variety Type Breeder/
contact
Points to note
Craft Winter 2-row malt Syngenta UK yield 97; lodging 8
KWS Orwell Winter 2-row feed KWS UK yield 102; lodging 8; but mildew 3
Surge Winter 2-row feed Syngenta UK yield 102; untreated yield 89;
rhynchosporium 7; brown rust 8
Bazooka Winter 6-row Syngenta UK yield 107; untreated yield 90; specific
hybrid weight 68.4; lodging 8; rhynchosporium 8
Belfry Winter 6-row Syngenta UK yield 106; untreated yield 90; brown
hybrid rust, rhynchosporium, net blotch 7
Laureate Spring malt + Syngenta UK yield 107; N region yield 109; lodging 7;
brew T but specific weight 66.4
KWS Sassy Spring malt + KWS UK yield 105; N region yield 108; mildew 9
brew T
Origin Spring malt + Limagrain UK yield 104; lodging 7; mildew 8
brew T
Fairing Spring grain Syngenta Grain-distilling potential; specific weight
distilling T
68.3; ripening -2; rhynchosporium and
mildew 8
Ovation Spring feed Limagrain UK yield 107; ramularia [8];
rhynchosporium 7; mildew 8but specific
weight 66.5; brown rust 4
Source: AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended List 2016/17; T – under test for IBD approval;
[ ] limited data
New winter oats at a glance
Variety Scope Breeder/
contact
Points to note
Maestro Husked Senova UK yield 105; but lodging [5]
RGT Lineout Husked RAGT UK yield 102; kernel content [76.7%];
lodging [7]; crown rust 6
Source: AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended List 2016/17; [ ] limited data
Yields have come on, but it’s the disease
resistance ratings that have got Simon Oxley
excited.
for the E/W RL, and an accolade it
shares with RAGT’s hybrid Alizze, the
only newcomer recommended across the
UK, with a N region yield of 111.
▲
Something special
Of two LSPB newcomers on the E/W list,
Angus has a phoma score of 8. “Its yield
isn’t headlining, so needs something
special to get on the RL –– that phoma
score is something special.” In the North,
KWS’ Barbados comes in with a shade
less yield than Alizze, but has 7s for both
LLS and phoma. “But it’s relatively late
maturing –– that may be something growers
in Aberdeen will be less than keen on.”
Amalie from Limagrain finally makes it to
the RL on its specific recommendation as
a variety with resistance to turnip yellows
virus (TuYV). “Its yield is just below control,
but the trials aren’t tested without aphicide
and yield can drop by as much as 26%
from TuYV,” notes Simon Oxley.
DK Expower is among four Dekalb
varieties dropped from the OSR lists,
with 11 removed in total.
On the winter wheat RL, one surprise is
A variety can be judged with a new relative-risk
grid that charts where it scores on its untreated
yield against agronomic merit.
▲
10 crop production magazine december 2015
RGTConversion
Costello
KWSTempo
Cougar
Delphi
Cocoon
KWSCroft
Riband
Hereward
Britannia
KWSSolo
--
Icebreaker
Riband
Cubanita
KWSLili
Evolution
Conqueror
Viscount
Cordiale
KWSSantiago
Alchemy
Leeds
Claire
Relay
Beluga
KWSKielder
Skyfall
Grafton
Solace
RGT-llustrious
Reflection
Monterey
Invicta
Avatar
Scout
Dickens
Solstice
Panorama
JBDiego
Cougar
Gallant
KWSSiskin
Myriad
Istabraq
KWSTrinity
KWSGator
Horatio
Zulu
Revelation
Crusoe
Edgar
Initial seed sales figures, represented by this word cloud, show JB Diego is just hanging on as the most widely sown wheat variety for 2016 harvest, but it’s
lost about 4% market share, mainly to the Group 1 varieties. Group 4 hard type Reflection has leapt straight into the top three, with KWS quality varieties Lili
and Trinity also strong new entries.
Source: NIAB
be wary of its low resistance to lodging,”
he says.
Up the other end of the wheat RL, RGT
Illustrious makes its debut, but with a UK
treated yield of 100, only one point behind
Group 1 leaders Skyfall and KWS Trinity.
“It’s a provisional Group 1, subject to
macro-scale trials carried out by nabim.
But reports over the past three years are
that it has been consistently good so we
expect this to be confirmed next April,”
states Bill Handley.
Amalie finally makes it to the RL on its specific
recommendation as a variety with resistance
to TuYV.
KWS Siskin’s appearance, not as a
Group 2, but as a Group 4 hard type. “It
fell outside nabim’s Group 2 standards for
milling in the UK, with 2015 samples
giving unacceptable results,” reports
AHDB’s Bill Handley. “But it does meet the
ukp bread wheat criteria for export.”
KWS Siskin and Graham from Syngenta
are two varieties with a trail-blazing 7 for
septoria. “All the newcomers are pretty
good for disease, but it’s septoria where
these two stick out, and in untreated trials
they certainly do stick out.” They also
stand out on the new relative-risk grid,
he adds.
KWS Silverstone leads the RL in the
Group 4 hard category. “There’s a yield of
110 for lighter soils, based on limited data,
and that’s where it should be grown in our
view –– those on more fertile sites should
▲
12 crop production magazine december 2015
Achieves the grade
“The RL suggests its protein score is a
shade low, but those figures include data
from plots managed for top yield rather
than top protein and when it’s managed
appropriately it achieves the grade, so we
aren’t too concerned.”
Underpinning its quality credentials is
KWS Siskin fell outside nabim’s Group 2
standards for milling in the UK, reports
Bill Handley.
Graham is one of two wheat varieties with a
trail-blazing 7 for septoria.
a very strong disease package, he notes.
“It’s stiff strawed and gets its high eyespot
rating from the Pch1 gene, believed to
confer resistance. It is relatively late to
mature but that won’t be a big concern
to growers in the areas where it’s likely to
be grown.”
Three new Group 3s join the list, with
KWS Barrel taking the top slot in the
sector. “It’s a soft milling variety with a
North region treated-yield figure of 113, so
it must have a reasonable chance of being
attractive to northern growers.”
Disease-wise the newcomers again
boast some decent ratings, he says, “with
the possible exception of KWS Basset’s 4
for mildew. Spyder from Senova looks
excellent, and sports an untreated yield of
91 –– it’s another one that stands out on
the relative-risk grid.”
The Group 2s and 3s have
slimmed down after a “bit of a
sort out” that’s seen the likes of
Cubanita, KWS Cashel and
Twister dropped after just two
years on the RL.
On the winter barley RL,
six-row conventional types have
been swept aside to make way
for two new hybrids from
Syngenta. Bazooka and Belfry
boast a UK treated yield of 107
and 106 respectively, putting
the six-rows comfortably ahead
of any two-row contender.
“This is now the exciting bit
of the RL,” enthuses Simon
Oxley. “The newcomers have
both come in higher than
Volume with impressive disease
scores and specific weight.
For those drawn to the hybrids,
I can’t see anything here that
would disappoint.”
Bazooka has the edge on
rhynchosporium, a slightly
higher specific weight and a
N yield of 108, he adds.
Craft from Syngenta now tops
the 2-row winter malting varieties,
while KWS Orwell and Surge
from Syngenta lead the two-row
feeds. “There’s not a step jump in
yield, but a gradation in the right
direction. Orwell has a good
agronomic package, while Surge
looks particularly interesting with
a 7 for rhynchosporium.”
The spring barley RL has four
new malting varieties. “Three of
these are dual-purpose varieties,
under test for both brewing and
malt-distilling use –– the RL is
now delivering on the market
demand for these types,”
explains Simon Oxley.
There isn’t anything about Bazooka
that would disappoint the hybrid
barley grower.
Reports over the past three years are
that RGT Illustrious has performed
consistently well in baking tests.
Laureate from Syngenta and
KWS Sassy don’t quite meet list
leader RGT Planet’s 108 for UK
treated yield, but both score
above it in the North, at 109 and
108 respectively. “That’s a big
change from current favourite
Concerto.”
Specific recommendation
Fairing from Syngenta has joined
with a specific recommendation
as it’s under test for grain
distilling. “Otherwise there’s
nothing particularly special about
the variety other than its 8 for
rhynchosporium and -2 for
ripening –– it should find favour
further north.”
Ovation from Limagrain has
joined the feed line-up. “It has a
N yield of 108, but a low specific
weight, which may be a problem
unless it’s fed on farm.”
The spring barley list also
gets the biggest clean out, with
11 varieties no longer listed,
including Optic, which departs
after 20 years on the RL.
Two new varieties join the
winter oats list and should satisfy
market needs for kernel content
and specific weight, says
Simon Oxley. “Rhapsody and
Balado had no uptake but
didn’t perform well there and
have been removed. Hopefully
the replacements provide that
balance.
“Maestro from Senova leads
on yield but has weaker straw
and both newcomers yield well
above market favourite Mascani.
But RGT Lineout has a package
that gives it the overall edge and
a -2 for ripening is an important
characteristic,” he notes. ■
Plenty to plan with
spring drilling
SPRING SEEDS
Spring cropping is undergoing a
revival, but new options throw up
fresh considerations. CPM asks
whether the upswing in spring
plantings is likely to
continue, fields the varieties
on trend for 2016, and gathers
a technical update.
By Lucy de la Pasture
After decades in the doldrums, spring
cropping is witnessing something of a
resurgence. The availability of improved
varieties able to compete with winter
types in terms of profitability, along with
a recognition of the agronomic benefits
spring cropping brings to the rotation have
fuelled the change, with a little added help
from the three-crop rule. So what are the
prospects for spring cropping in 2016?
14 crop production magazine december 2015
Colin Button of Hutchinsons reckons
there’s still been a significant amount of
winter wheat planted this autumn. “It’s too
early for the stats on autumn planting, but
with good drilling conditions this autumn,
people have got on with their winter
cereals. Overall it looks like being a fairly
early planted season,” he reflects.
Big upturn
“Winter barley seems to have had a big
upturn this autumn, with a lot of interest in
Syngenta’s Hyvido hybrid, particularly
because of its competitive performance
in blackgrass scenarios.”
Coupled with a further increase in
the area of hybrid rye planted for AD
consumption, on the face of it, the winter
cereals area looks slightly up this autumn.
But all may not be as it seems, believes
Colin Button.
“There are already indications of pretty
severe blackgrass problems occurring where
autumn crops have been planted early.
Some of the reasoning for moving towards
later planting and spring cropping in these
situations seems to have slipped, under
the pressure to get on while conditions
were good.”
Colin Button worries that some of the reasoning
for moving towards spring cropping seems to
have slipped.
“
We’re seeing
an increase in spring
wheat types being drilled
in late autumn. ”
There’s an increase in spring wheat being drilled in late autumn.
With a few agronomists
already expressing concern
about the prospects for
controlling some blackgrass
problems conventionally, we may
see a degree of crop destruct
and re-sowing in the spring.
“Where there’s a second phase
of cropping then the crop
planted will need to match the
herbicides already applied to
the failed crop,” he reminds.
Barry Barker of Agrii expects
the winter oilseed rape area to
be down by 10-15% on last
year, so there could potentially
be up to an additional
100,000ha of land available for
spring cropping in 2016. So
how is it likely to play out?
“We’re seeing an increase in
spring wheat types being drilled
in late autumn, partly as an aid
to grassweed management but
they also offer good yield
potential,” he comments.
“The spring wheat market is
fairly polarised with just two
varieties, Mulika and Belepi,
having 75% of the certified
seed area between them.
Mulika is a Group 1 milling
variety and still looks a good
prospect for 2016, even with
lower expectations for decent
milling premiums given the
swing into Group 1 winter
wheat varieties.”
Belepi is a soft feed wheat,
which offers a wide drilling
window from Oct through to
early April and is also early to
harvest. Both varieties share
Robigus in their parentage,
reported to give them a
vigorous, competitive growth
habit which is particularly
beneficial in a blackgrass
situation.
Other noteworthy spring
wheat varieties to consider are
Group 4 feed varieties KWS
Alderon and KWS Kilburn, says
Colin Button. Kilburn is the
highest yielding of all the spring
wheats at 106% of controls and,
in spite of being tall, is stiff
strawed, he says. Kilburn is also
one that seems to perform well
in droughty conditions but C2
seed availability will be very
limited this year. Alderon has a
wide drilling window,suiting late
autumn sowing as well as the
spring slot.
Rising stars
According to both seeds
managers, spring barley looks
likely to continue to be a growth
area in the seeds markets, both
highlighting RGT Planet and
KWS Irina as the rising stars
among the malting varieties in
the UK. A newcomer to the
Recommended List in 2015,
RGT Planet, is still under testing
for IBD malting approval but is
widely viewed as the challenger
to the current leading malting
variety, Propino, which accounts
for 27% of seed sales.
“RGT Planet is the top yielding
variety, yielding significantly
higher than Propino,” says Barry
Barker. “Making up 10% of the
seed crop area, there’s every
chance seed stocks will sell out.
There’s been export demand
for KWS Irina, which seems
particularly suited to continental
maltsters. Interest is likely to be
▲
SPRING SEEDS
Mulika and Belepi have 75% of the certified seed
area between them, reports Barry Barker.
strongest in the east of England and
south of the M4 corridor with buy-back
contracts available for export,” he believes,
adding that there’s also limited interest
from some maltsters in Odyssey and
Concerto (the major malting variety grown
in Scotland).
“If your ground is too fertile to producing
a malting sample, then there may be an
▲
opportunity for growers in the east of
England to grow Explorer on a high-N
contract.”
There are plenty of feed varieties to
choose from. Looking at some of the
contenders, Barry Barker highlights
Westminster as a popular variety in the
west of England because it produces long
straw. Among the other feed varieties, all of
which are capable of performing more than
adequately in his view, are Hacker, Kelim,
Garner and Sanette, which has now been
reclassified from a potential malting to a
feed variety.
Dominating the market
“As a realistic alternative to spring wheat
and barley, spring oats provide a good
break in the rotation, with Canyon, Aspen
and Firth dominating the market,” he adds.
The seed trade widely expects a lower
area of peas and beans to go in the
ground next spring in the wake of a very
depressed market due to over-supply.
“Where they’re grown for human
Winter and spring crops redefined by CRD
If blackgrass is an issue Peter Cowlrick reckons
you’re better off planting spring barley because
there’s more chemistry available.
consumption on a buy-back contract then
peas can be profitable. The most popular
marrowfat pea varieties are Sakura and
Kabuki, which account for 27% of seed,”
When is a winter variety a spring variety? When
it’s drilled on or after Feb 1 2016, according to
a recent change in crop definitions by CRD.
Explaining the change, Stuart Jackson, Dow
AgroSciences’ cereal agronomy expert says,
“Variety used to be the deciding factor in the
regulator’s crop definitions, so a wheat variety
that required a degree of vernalisation was
classified as a winter wheat and one that didn’t,
a spring wheat.”
From Jan 2015, the variety has become
irrelevant and it’s the drilling date that’ll determine
whether a crop is winter or spring. “The new
definitions mean that if you’re planting Mulika
(classified as spring wheat by plant breeders) in
Dec or Jan then it’s winter wheat. If you drill
Mulika in Feb it’s a spring wheat.”
The same applies to late sown winter wheat
varieties (as on the AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds
Recommended List), many of which now have
latest safe sowing dates into Feb. So Skyfall can
be safely drilled until the end of Feb but if the
drilling date is after Jan 31, then it becomes a
spring wheat rather than winter wheat under the
new system.
So what does this mean in agronomy terms?
“In the short term, the change in crop definitions
may throw up some anomalies with product
labels, particularly where there’s no spring
approval on the label,” explains Stuart Jackson.
Within the Dow portfolio, Broadway Star
(pyroxsulam+ florasulam) and Unite (pyroxsulam+
flupyrsulfuron) only have approval for use on
winter wheat varieties.
“The reason there’s no label approval for
spring wheat varieties is that the selectivity isn’t
as good in spring wheat varieties at label rates,”
he explains, meaning there could be potential
issues with crop damage.
“As things currently stand, although it would be
legal to apply Broadway Star and Unite to Mulika
drilled in Dec under the new crop definitions, it
wouldn’t necessarily be safe to the crop and we
won’t be supporting any applications to varieties
on varieties listed on the spring wheat RL,
regardless of when they’re sown.”
With a late sown winter wheat variety such as
KWS Leeds, drilled on Feb 1, it’ll no longer be legal
to apply Broadway Star or Unite because as a
‘spring crop’ it’s not currently on the product label.
“It’s a short term issue that’ll be addressed by
manufacturers as products come up for renewal
and more data is submitted to CRD,” he explains.
“What is important is that growers and advisors
understand the change and check to see if there’s
a spring wheat approval on the label. If not, they
need to find out why. It could just be that sufficient
work wasn’t done for initial approval of product or
there may be an issue with crop safety.”
As far as Bayer products are concerned, it’s as
you were, advises Phillippa Overson, campaign
manager for combinable herbicides. “Our labels
for Liberator (diflufenican+ flufenacet) and Atlantis
(iodosulfuron+ mesosulfuron) specify winter wheat
Growers should check there’s a spring wheat
approval on the label before spraying a
pesticide on a crop drilled after Feb 1,
advises Stuart Jackson.
and this is what we’ll continue to back.
“As far as Atlantis is concerned, we’re advising
growers to apply according to the existing EAMU
where spring wheat varieties are autumn sown,”
she says, reminding growers the EAMU only
covers crops planted before Feb 1 and is at
growers own risk.
Liberator has full label approval for pre-em use
on winter wheat and winter barley and an EAMU
for spring barley, but Bayer don’t support
Liberator’s use on autumn sown spring wheat
crops (although technically a winter crop under
the change).
16 crop production magazine december 2015
says Barry Barker.
“Of the large blues, Prophet
and Daytona have very similar
yields with promising new variety
Campus available commercially
for the first time this year.”
The spring bean market is
likely to remain dominated by
the three established varieties
–– Fuego, Fanfare and Vertigo
(for more on pulses, see article
on p32).
Grassweed control is a major
influencing factor when making
decisions about which crop is
best to plant in the spring on
your farm, advises AICC
agronomist Peter Cowlrick. “If
blackgrass is an issue then
you’re better off planting spring
barley because you’ve more
chemistry available. Spring
barley is also earlier to harvest
than spring wheat, so ideal if
you need an early entry for the
following crop.
“Spring barley needs to
be planted from mid-Feb to
mid-March to achieve the
highest yields. If there’s a
major blackgrass problem,
push drilling back to the end
of March to get a flush of
blackgrass through and spray
it off with glyphosate before
planting,” he says, emphasizing
that good cultural control is the
number one weapon when it
comes to blackgrass.
“Propino has been widely
grown but has the disadvantage
of producing lots of straw, being
about 10cm taller than Tipple
used to be. Irina and Planet are
shorter and both look pretty
robust, although rhynchosporium
needs watching carefully,”
he warns.
“Spring barley needs
1100-1200 ears/m 2 numbers to
achieve its yield potential so
seed rates need to be pushed
to 350-400 seeds/m 2 , higher
on very heavy ground. I would
recommend nitrogen of up to
170kgN/ha is applied, taking
into account what’s available
in the soil.”
One factor to bear in mind
when planting spring wheat is
risk of gout fly damage. “It has
been an increasing threat over
the past two seasons as the
acreage of spring wheat has
increased. Gout fly can be very
damaging and control options
are very limited. The risk will be
higher where the sowing date is
deferred until late March/April
for cultural blackgrass control.”
Mulika would be Peter
Cowlrick’s pick of the spring
wheat varieties, but can get
serious infections of yellow rust
so you need to be mindful.
“Mullika tillers well which makes
it competitive but you can get it
too thick and then bushel
weights suffer. I would ease the
seed rate back by 50 seeds/m 2
and plant 325-350 seeds/m 2 .
Nitrogen applications should be
150-180kgN/ha, depending on
the establishment yield
potential.”
Cover crop lessons
Although cover cropping has
been a mainstay in organic
regimes for a number of years,
▲
Two applications of glyphosate may be needed, starting up to six weeks
before the planned drilling date.
Linseed – the forgotten break crop?
Spring linseed offers all the agronomic
advantages of a true break crop and can still
leave a margin that leaves its nearest competitor
trailing in its wake, reckons Sam Deane of
Premium Crops. Modern varieties are earlier and
easier to harvest, he says, making linseed a viable
spring alternative to other options.
“On average, spring linseed produces a
gross margin of £443/ha. This gives a £223/ha
advantage over the nearest combinable break
crop. While many farmers will be planning spring
barley as a low input crop carrying a gross
margin, linseed still leads on the gross margin
stakes by £30/ha.”
When it comes to blackgrass, linseed
shouldn’t be forgotten as a management tool,
he continues. “Spring linseed comes with a
solid chemical armoury, making it an excellent
cleaning crop. By combining Avadex Excel
(triallate) pre-emergence with Centurion Max
(clethodim) post-emergence, linseed offers a
two-pronged attack against blackgrass.”
In extreme cases, drilling can be delayed
into May giving growers a chance to get an
additional stale seedbed before the linseed crop
is drilled, he adds.
As well as a strong approach to blackgrass,
linseed comes with a more than adequate toolbox
to deal with broadleaf weeds. “Weeds such as
charlock, cranesbill and runch, which may have
slipped under the radar in OSR rotations, can be
brought to heel with a pre-emergence application
of Callisto (mesotrione). Any survivors can be
mopped up with a wide selection of post-em
options,” explains Sam Deane.
Linseed’s aggressive rooting ability makes it
a good soil conditioner, he maintains. “Its fine
roots will work through the hardest of pans and
restructure soils that have suffered damage.”
French research looking at the role of linseed
in rotations found it gave a yield increase of
4% to the following winter wheat crop when
Spring linseed comes with a solid chemical
armoury against both broadleaf and grassweeds.
compared with wheat following OSR. “This was
attributed to the improved rooting ability of the
wheat in linseed-conditioned ground and the
reduction of slug pressure compared to wheat
following OSR. These two factors combined
allow first wheat crops to get up and away,
with no issues to check growth in the backend
of the year.”
incorporating them into the rotation
is still a steep learning curve for most
growers, seed trade and agronomists,
believes Peter Cowlrick.
“Techniques for the destruction and
removal of the cover crop very much
hinges on the cultivation kit and type of
drills available in any onesituation. Drills
such as the Sumo DD and Cross Slot are
capable of drilling into a tall, bulky crop
which can then be destroyed using
glyphosate. If the cover crop is extremely
bulky then it may be necessary to spray
twice with glyphosate to first open the top
up in order to get enough penetration to kill
weeds underneath the canopy.”
▲
Allelopathic effect
Black oats and vetch mixtures are popular,
with vetches supplying N fixation while the
oats are reported to have an allelopathic
effect on some weeds. Where clovers and
vetches are included in the cover mix then
destruction with glyphosate may not be as
reliable –– legumes are one of the few
weeds poorly controlled by glyphosate.
Peter Cowlrick points out that full control
may not be necessary depending on the
following crop and chemistry available. “An
effective alternative to glyphosate for cover
destruction are products containing 2,4-D
plus glyphosate, which should give better
results on vetch and clover.”
On its trials site at Lamport, Agrovista
has been looking at the role cover
cropping can play in the rotation to
manage difficult blackgrass. Niall Atkinson
is the man with his feet on the ground at
Lamport and stresses that minimal soil
disturbance is absolutely vital when drilling
into a cover crop.
Drill setup key to cover crop success
When it comes to crop establishment after
cover crops, drill setup is extremely important,
says Agrovista’s Niall Atkinson.
“Although direct drilling is preferable, it’s not
essential. Much of the work at Lamport has
been done with the Great Plains Spartan, but
conventional drills can do a good job, provided
they’re adjusted to minimise soil disturbance.
The cover crop has been restructuring and
working the soil so you don’t necessarily need
to direct drill, though a disc drill is preferable to
a tine drill,” he notes.
“To adapt the Väderstad Rapid to drill into
cover, lift the System Disc clear of the soil. If
you have GPS then keep the bout markers up,
To adapt the Väderstad Rapid to drill into cover,
lift the System Disc clear of the soil.
make sure the track eradicators and rear
scratcher tines are also lifted out of the ground.
On the Väderstad Rapid there are different
coulter settings against the disc and this is
factory set on the middle setting. You’ll probably
need to adjust this to the top setting so that the
disc is cutting the slot and the coulter sits above,
placing the seed.”
For the Claydon hybrid drill, the standard
setup has too much soil disturbance, he advises.
Either change to the wet weather setup or to the
low disturbance option using the disc to cut
through the trash. Dale has also developed a
modification for their Ecodrill especially for use
in cover crops, replacing the opening tine with a
disc instead.
One of the things growers will find really
noticeable is that the seedbed will always look
scruffier than normal, warns Niall Atkinson. “The
cover crop is still fastened to the ground by its
roots and the drill will just comb through the
material on the surface. That means drilling
will probably be slower than usual to avoid soil
disturbance, more likely 8-10km/h instead of
12-14km/h. On the plus side, the roots of
the cover crop hold the soil, minimising soil
movement and therefore blackgrass germination.”
Getting the seed rate right is another key to
successful establishment into a cover crop. “At
A Great Plains Spartan is used at Lamport, but
conventional drills can do a good job, provided
they’re adjusted to minimise soil disturbance.
Lamport we’ve been using up to 500 seeds/m 2
–– you don’t want to be in the conventional
region of 250-350 seeds/m 2 ,” he advises.
As far as fertiliser application goes, he prefers
combined application at drilling if available. If
not, apply fertiliser just ahead of the drill, with
50% of planned nitrogen applied to the seedbed,”
he suggests.
Another point to be aware of is that you may
not get full closure of the drill slots when surface
conditions are slightly damp. “It’s preferable to
run a set of rolls over 24 hours after drilling when
the surface has dried a little to complete closure
of the drill slots and maximise soil-to-seed
contact,” he adds.
The reasoning is simple, he says. The
cover crop (which has to be established by
Oct 1 under the Basic Payment Scheme
rules) allows a healthy population of
blackgrass to establish underneath
the canopy, depleting the seedbank,
▲
he explains. The main objective is to kill
this off and not stimulate further blackgrass
germination when drilling the following
spring crop.
“The idea is to collapse the canopy to
gain access to the blackgrass and other
weeds lurking underneath. You generally
need to burn off the cover about six weeks
before the planned drilling date, so to
establish a spring cereal crop you’ll
be looking at a glyphosate (2 l/ha plus
adjuvant, such as Companion Gold)
Diversity key to preventing glyphosate-resistant blackgrass
On the very day the news broke that bacterial
resistance to last-resort antibiotic, colistin, has
been detected in China, a cross-industry group
gathered at Harper Adams University, under the
auspices of the Soil and Water Management
Centre, to discuss the unthinkable –– the
possibility of glyphosate-resistant blackgrass.
It hasn’t happened yet but if we don’t
practice good stewardship then glyphosate
resistance, in some form or other, will appear
in the UK, believes Barrie Hunt of Monsanto.
A sobering thought, with glyphosate currently
forming the last chemical defence for UK
growers against herbicide-resistant blackgrass,
and there are more than 1.2 million ha with
some degree of blackgrass resistance in the UK.
Glyphosate resistance is already a major
problem in the United States, where the
whole-scale switch into transgenic crops
massively increased the selection pressure on
the once stalwart herbicide. Professor Thomas
Mueller, from University of Tennessee, outlined
their experience with glyphosate-resistant
weeds to illustrate how growers in the UK
can perhaps learn lessons and avoid fighting
a desperate rear-guard action.
“The uptake of Roundup Ready was huge in
the US. Farmers liked it because it was easy, it
worked and yields went up,” explained Thomas
Mueller. “Farms got bigger because timeliness
was no longer important and farmers no longer
cared about, or even understood, basic weed
control principles. Glyphosate alone captured
50% of the total herbicide market and we got
resistance.
“In the US, our driver weeds are Conyza
canadensis (Canadian fleabane) and Palmer
amaranth (pigweed) and resistance has spread
rapidly across states. The cost of herbicide
programmes has increased by 200-250% in
the effort to control them. Here in the UK, your
driver weed is blackgrass.”
In Tennessee, soil erosion is a big problem
and no-till is normal practice because of the
benefits it brings in terms of soil stabilisation,
structure and porosity. “Where we have
glyphosate resistance, some growers have
had to return to tillage, losing all the benefits
of the no-till regime. There’s also a renewed
awareness of the importance of the seed bank,
with some growers resorting to costly hand
weeding to reduce seed return.”
The parallels to the UK are obvious ––
herbicide resistance, a driver weed and reduced
tillage systems. Harper Adams visiting professor,
Dick Godwin, told the assembly that no-till is
seeing a resurgence in popularity in the UK
because of the significant operational and
cost benefits it offers to growers, as well as
improvements to soils and erosion.
“No-till also throws up some big challenges
to growers – one of which is the control of
grassweeds and weeds not controlled by
glyphosate,” he said, explaining that stale
seedbeds and a reliance on glyphosate is one
of the fundamentals in a no-till situation.
Agrii has been looking at the impact of
establishment systems on blackgrass control at
their Stow Longa site. “Given current financial
restraints, every farmer is looking to reduce
establishment costs,” said Andrew Richards
of Agrii.
“Every agronomist is seeing a reduction in
available chemistry and what we do have, in
many cases, has a reduced level of efficacy. We
need sustainable establishment systems that
perform under a range of conditions and we
need to think about the pressure we’re putting
glyphosate under.”
One of the results from the Agrii work that
challenges the beliefs of the most evangelical
of no-tillers, is that rotational ploughing can
bring useful cultural control of blackgrass. “If
ploughing is utilised in a year of high seed return
there are huge benefits in fully inverting the
soil in terms of blackgrass control. If shallow
cultivations are then employed, the majority of
blackgrass seed remains undisturbed at depth,”
said Andrew Richards.
But won’t ploughing lose all the benefits the
no-tillers have strived to obtain? It’s something
Dick Godwin believes we need to find out.
“Although ploughing is contrary to the no-till
religion, we need to find the answer to the
question, what is the effect of occasional
Experts lined up to sound warnings on glyphosate
resistance – (from L to R) Barrie Hunt, Dick
Godwin, no-till farmer Edward Bradley, Thomas
Mueller, Tim Chamen of CTF Europe, Andrew
Richards and Prof Shane Ward of SWMC.
ploughing in a no-till system?”
Barrie Hunt pointed to the new glyphosate
stewardship guidelines which highlight that
one of the high risk factors for developing
glyphosate resistance is ‘no cultivation’, as is
commonplace in the US. “Sustainable use of
glyphosate is business critical for UK growers
and, by using integrated programmes, we’ve a
chance of keeping resistance at bay for a few
years to come.”
It’s a message that’s being shouted from the
rooftops but some growers still want the
answer to resistant blackgrass to come in a
can, suggested some of the speakers. When
asked why we’re not getting new chemistry
coming through, Andrew Richards made a valid
point. “If we had something new, how long
would it last? We need to learn how to make
chemistry last longer and prevent it breaking
down to resistance by changing practices.
The efficacy of Atlantis has lasted less than
10 years.”
Diversity is the key to avoid falling into the
resistance trap, said Thomas Mueller. “Diversity
in the chemistry we use to control blackgrass,
diversity in our cropping and diversity in our
cultivation systems.”
Cultivation system Blackgrass ears/m 2
Min till, Claydon OSR, Claydon Oct, Claydon Sept, Claydon Sept 501
Plough, Claydon OSR, Claydon Oct, Claydon Sept, Claydon Sept 266
Claydon Oct, Plough OSR, Claydon Sept, Plough Oct, Plough Oct 1.3
Source: Agrii Cultivations Systems study 2010-2015. Blackgrass population in 3rd wheat Edgar, 2015
20 crop production magazine december 2015
SPRING SEEDS
Lamport blackgrass trial results
Blackgrass heads/m 2 Year 1 Year 2
(2013/14) (2014/15)
Winter wheat with full herbicide 55 274
Winter wheat – untreated ≥2000 ≥2000
Stale seed bed fb spring wheat 15 36
Cover crop fb spring wheat
Daughter of
a malting
mainstay
INSIDERS VIEW
Success often breeds success, so
have Limagrain found that with
the latest spring barley variety to
stem from Concerto? CPM
reviews Octavia –– a potentially
dual-purpose variety that appears
to meet both farmers’ and
end-users’ needs.
By Jane Brown
“
It really
opens up the
market. ”
Concerto –– and more recently Odyssey
–– have become market favourites for
spring barley growers and maltsters in
the UK over the past six years. But now
their descendent Octavia looks as if it
might steal the limelight.
A cross between Odyssey –– itself a
daughter of Concerto –– and SY Universal,
Octavia appears to bring another step
forward in terms of yield, and could offer
growers notable flexibility as a non-GN
variety with potential for both distilling and
brewing use.
Malting quality
“To have a successful dual-purpose
variety you need the right malting quality
as well as good yields in both England
and Scotland,” says Mark Glew from the
variety’s breeder Limagrain. “Both Odyssey
and SY Universal were high yielding
non-GN varieties in their day, and we
were looking for competitive parents on
both sides.”
Although non-GN varieties lagged
behind conventional variety yields in the
past, they’re now equally competitive, and
don’t carry the risk of glycosidic nitrile
contaminating the resulting whisky.
In recent years, the focus on breeding
for yield has led to consistently later
maturing crops –– a trend which
causes considerable difficulties for
Scottish producers, says Mark
Glew. “Often Scottish growers
have to spray crops off with
glyphosate to get them to
ripen, and then the timing of
harvest is even more critical,
as if it’s delayed due to bad
weather, the straw just collapses.”
Octavia scores -1 in terms
of ripening days compared with Concerto,
making it the earliest of the distilling
varieties. However, the ADHB Cereals and
22 crop production magazine december 2015
Oilseeds Recommended List scoring tends
to focus on ear ripening not straw, which in
practice isn’t tremendously helpful for
growers, he adds.
Fitter in the straw
“I went to look at trials in North Scotland
this year and in a lot of crops the ears
were ripening before the straw, which isn’t
what you want with malting barley as it
germinates so easily. It wasn’t something
I was expecting to see but the Octavia was
definitely much fitter in the straw than the
other varieties.”
Another problem with a lot of spring
barley varieties is their lack of tillering
–– something which breeders have now
started to focus on. “Concerto is quite low
tillering so you need to keep the seed rate
up,” says Mark Glew. “However, Octavia
and some other new varieties have much
higher tillering –– this year some crops had
more than 800 ears/m 2 compared to an
optimum of 775 ears/m 2 . Having lots of
tillers can help crops rebound better from
drought in the spring, but if a crop is too
dense it can present a lodging risk so
we’ll continue our work on tillering and
seed rate trials.”
Although the variety isn’t the highest
scoring in terms of brackling, it’s short
strawed, and the RL scores suggest it
has a fairly robust disease package,
with very good mildew, yellow rust and
rhynchosporium resistance. Its brown rust
and ramularia scores aren’t quite so good,
but are comparable to most other varieties
on the RL.
Limagrain’s Ron Granger says he’s
A cross between Odyssey and SY Universal,
Octavia appears to bring another step forward
in terms of yield.
somewhat surprised at Octavia’s brackling
score of 6, and wonders if it’s the result
of its earlier ripening compared to other
varieties in trials. “You don’t want any
malting barley waiting in the field once it’s
ripe. As soon as a commercial crop is
ready farmers will get it cut straight away
rather than wait for other varieties to ripen,
so I don’t think it’ll be an issue on farm,”
he says.
Even so, it’s worth keeping an eye on
seed rates. “Like most spring barleys,
the optimum seed rate is 350 seeds/m 2 .
If conditions are perfect you could drop
it back to 325, and increase it a bit if
conditions aren’t so good, but don’t go
▲
Its early ripening will find favour with Scottish
growers, reckons Mark Glew.
crop production magazine december 2015
23
INSIDERS VIEW
Don’t rush the crop into the ground, advises
Ron Granger –– wait for the right soil conditions
and drill at 350 seeds/m 2 .
too high or you could have problems
with lodging.”
Agronomically, Octavia is very similar to
other spring varieties. “You don’t want to
rush it into the ground –– be patient and
wait for the soil and weather conditions to
be right so it can grow straight away,” says
Ron Granger. “You don’t want any spring
barley sitting in cold soil as it’ll affect
potential yield.”
▲
He recommends applying about
two thirds of its fertiliser requirement at
sowing, with the rest when leaves meet
between the rows. “Get it on early if you’re
aiming for a low nitrogen grain sample.
Most growers in the UK use about
110-120kgN/ha. Interestingly, many
growers in Scotland combine fertiliser
and seed application at the time of drilling
both to get the crop off to a good start
and alleviate workloads.”
Healthy plant growth
Manganese fertiliser, either as a seed
treatment or foliar application, is also
advised for spring barley crops to ensure
no check in healthy plant growth. The
fungicide programme for Octavia should
be fairly standard, too. “I’d use an SDHI
and triazole mix at GS 30-31 and a lower
rate top-up at GS 37-39, but applications
need to be well targeted to reduce
significant disease pressure on the
growing crop.”
Octavia’s yields have been stable over
years and in different scenarios, giving a
national average trial score of 103% of the
control. However, the yield results in the
East and North –– where the crop is most
likely to be grown –– both come in at 105,
says Mark Glew. “I wouldn’t grow it in the
West –– it’s just not suited to the region.
“I’d like to say I spotted Octavia’s
potential in trials very early on, but we were
looking for high yield and good malting
performance, so it wasn’t until the combine
went in and the brewing and distilling trials
got under way that I realised how good it
was,” he adds.
Most farmers in the East will be growing
for the brewing market; with a target
specification above 1.6% nitrogen, while
those in the North and Scotland will likely
be growing for the distilling sector, with a
specification below 1.55% nitrogen. “It does
tend to have quite low grain nitrogen, so if
you’re growing it for brewing you might want
to manage the nitrogen up a bit,” says Mark
Glew.
Yields look good in the North and East, but
skinning is often a problem in spring malting
barley and Octavia is no exception.
Yield progression is the main advantage
Pat Atkin has grown Concerto for a long time
and wanted to switch to a variety that was
related to it.
Pat Atkin is the second generation of seed
growers at Field Farm, Thetford, Norfolk, and
has grown Octavia for the past two years.
“We’ve sandy loam soil over chalk, which isn’t
suitable for growing wheat, so we grow both
winter and spring barley for seed,” she says. As
well as 190ha of arable land, she keeps a herd
of Aberdeen Angus cattle, so grows a rotation of
grass, oilseed rape, sugar beet, fodder beet,
maize and potatoes.
“We typically grow 20ha of varying spring
barley varieties for seed –– last year we had
8ha of Octavia for seed and another 8ha which
I grew commercially for the cattle,” says Pat
Atkin. “I’ve grown Concerto for a long time and
really like it, so when Limagrain were talking
of changing varieties I wanted something that
was related to Concerto. It really suits our soil
–– there’s no point growing something that’s
unsuitable for your land.”
Sown in late Feb/early March with a power
harrow drill, Pat Atkin has found Octavia very
straightforward to grow. “We apply potash and
phosphate at drilling, and then 180kg/ha of
a 38:19 nitrogen/sulphur fertiliser in March,
followed by 100kg/ha of 46% nitrogen in April,”
she says.
“The agronomy depends on the year, and we
just tend to follow Hutchinsons’ advice, but we
haven’t had any particular problems with Octavia
or Concerto.” As a seed crop, plant growth
regulators are prohibited, but despite Octavia’s
You need an increase in yield to pay for growing
costs that have risen, points out Pat Atkin.
score of 6 for lodging, Pat Atkin hasn’t had any
problems with its standing ability. “It stands well
and is easy to combine,” she says.
“For me, yield is very important. If it doesn’t
yield I soon start to complain because it costs
the same to grow. And it has to cope with our
standard care.” Over the years, Pat Atkin and
her father have seen many varieties come and
go, and they’ve learnt what works well on the
farm.
“My father would have been happy with
4.9t/ha –– now we expect about 6.2t/ha ––
although this year I think we’ll have achieved
7.4t/ha. You need that increase in yield because
all other costs have increased over the years so
it has to pay for itself.”
24 crop production magazine december 2015
“However, if you’re growing it on strong
land as part of measures to control
blackgrass, that should naturally boost
the nitrogen content a bit anyway.”
One potential slight drawback is
Octavia’s bushel weight score, which is a
touch on the low side at 66.7kg/hl. “On
average, bushel weights have come down
over the years, which is what made Sienna
so good last year,” he adds. “Octavia is
much in line with the other varieties on the
list, but ideally, we’d like varieties to have
higher bushel weights, and there’s a push
towards this.”
Despite the variety’s promising
performance, Gleadell’s Stuart Shand
doesn’t expect it to command much of the
market just yet. “We’ve had three fantastic
malting barley years in Europe, and in that
time global beer sales have been going
down. Distilling sales have also fallen
End users note there’s currently an over-reliance
on Concerto in the Scottish distilling industry.
Octavia at a glance
UK treated yield (% control) 103.1
UK untreated yield (% treated control) 87.3
Nitrogen content (%) 1.4
Screenings (% through 2.5mm sieve) 3.2
Bushel weight (kg/hl) 66.7
Hot water extract (l deg/kg) 316.6
Resistance to lodging 6.3
Disease resistance
Mildew 8.9
Yellow rust [7]
Brown rust 4.7
Rhynchosporium 6.2
Ramularia 6.8
Source: 2015/16 HGCA Recommended List; [ ]
– limited data.
–– and although the latest report points
to them going back up again there’s still
far too much malting barley around,”
he says.
At one point following harvest 2015,
the UK had a malting barley surplus of
750,000t –– and Stuart Shand anticipates
another large crop next year. “If farmers
want a chance of getting a premium they
should be putting their spring barley on
contract. There are plenty around, but
Octavia is still in trials so we don’t have
any contracts available for it. There may
be others available, but if a farmer can’t
get a contract for anything they shouldn’t
grow it.”
Farmers getting average yields,
excluding Basic Payments, will likely
have made a loss on spring barley this
year, he adds. “But a lot of people have
been getting 7-7.5t/ha compared to the
average of 5.3t/ha –– and then it does
pay.” In Gleadell trials Octavia has
yielded well and produced good quality,
but there are plenty of other competitors
coming through.
“Our growers are very happy with it,
but there are a lot of good spring barley
varieties out there. Breeders have done
a very good job and varieties are a
lot more robust than they were a few
years ago.”
Dual-purpose
One of the big advantages of
Octavia is that it’s being trialled as a
dual-purpose variety –– so if growers get
low nitrogen it can be used for distilling
and real ales, while if it produces high
nitrogen it can go for lager brewing. “It
really opens up the market. Customers
also like dual-purpose varieties because
there are fewer segregation issues
in store.”
Simon Barry at Highland Grain didn’t
handle any Octavia this year, but did see
a sample from one of his members.
“Skinning was a common factor across
all varieties this year, and Octavia was no
exception,” he says. “Quality-wise it looks
very similar to Concerto, but we don’t yet
know how it performs for the end user as
the trials take so long to carry out. It’ll be
a good six months before the trials data
is published, which will be too late for
farmers’ spring-sowing decisions.”
In Scotland, producers and end users
are crying out for a variety that can cope
with wet, extended harvests like 2012
and 2015, he adds. “Optic is the only
variety that resists skinning –– it’s been
given a stay of execution for one year but
Octavia is coming into a malting barley market
that’s carrying a surplus and has a choice of
good varieties, notes Stuart Shand.
is so outclassed in other ways. Virtually all
other varieties have this propensity to skin
–– we’re desperate for breeders to find
something that resists it.”
Given that Octavia only made it onto
the RL last year, and will be undergoing
full tests with the Institute of Brewing
and Distilling this winter, it’s unlikely to
command much of the market until 2017 at
the earliest. “It’s due full IBD approval next
May. If the end users like it, they’ll add it to
their buying lists,” says Mark Glew.
“They love Concerto because it’s such
good quality –– and at 316.6 l deg/kg
Octavia has the highest hot water extract
of any variety on the list, so it’s very
promising. But you can’t push a malting
variety into the market –– it has be drawn
in by demand.”
Simpsons Malt is one of the end users
taking part in the IBD trials, and has
been involved with carrying out micro-malt
evaluation trials with Octavia. “It’s
performed very well in distilling trials to
date, with a hot water extract above
Concerto, and its brewing performance is
on par with the controls,” says the firm’s
Paul Huntley.
“We’re very interested in looking at the
variety because there’s an over-reliance on
Concerto in the Scottish distilling industry.
It takes a huge acreage in Scotland and
most people feel a little uncomfortable
having all of their eggs in one basket.
As an early maturing variety it just helps
to spread the risk.” ■
Search the CPM Article Archive
Want to know the Insiders View on a specific
variety? The search facility on the CPM
website allows you to find and download
articles from previous issues using keywords,
such as ‘Reflection’. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk
crop production magazine december 2015
25
“
Those in
the top 10% are
achieving better returns
because they get
everything spot on with
their crop, from corner
to corner.
”
Mild autumn brings on
crop potential
With oilseed rape set up well
for the winter, it’s time to
plan spring management to
maximise profits. CPM joins
the discussion with a group
of progressive growers.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
As winter closes in, the growers taking
part in the Driving Up Oilseed Rape Yields
initiative are upbeat about the crop.
“It’s looking marvellous,” comments
John Haynes on the Essex/Herts border.
26 crop production magazine december 2015
“There’s a good soil structure, and we’ve
had ideal growing conditions this autumn,
so it’s all set up for the winter.”
The exceptionally mild Nov has made
all the difference, notes Lincs-based
Andrew Ward. “The amount of growth is
nothing short of staggering. We had some
backward crops that are now looking
quite proud.”
And it’s the same in the Cotswolds,
reports Hamish Campbell. “All of our
OSR has just kicked into life –– even the
later-drilled crop has really romped on.
The mild weather means it’s put down a
good taproot, but there’s not too much leaf.”
Farming in a joint venture with Cotswold
Farm Park, farms manager Martin
Parkinson notes the early drilled crop
needed some canopy management early
on. “We had to apply some metconazole
to the forward-looking crop at the
beginning of Oct,” he reports.
Derby grower James Chamberlain
agrees. “The crop started to grow and
never looked back. It’s now fully charged
up, ready for the winter.”
But just six weeks previously, it was
quite a different picture. The growers are
part of a group that’s come together at
meetings over the year to consider how
new and different agronomy techniques
can enhance field performance, with a
view to achieving an OSR crop that has
the potential to yield more, and yield more
consistently.
The last time the group gathered in mid
of an unnerving start to the season, is
Richard Means from Strutt and Parker.
With him, he’s brought client data on
yields and crop performance this year,
compared with previous seasons (see
charts below).
A late harvest meant Martin Parkinson didn’t
manage to drill 20% of his planned crop.
Oct, a late harvest had meant a delayed
establishment. In the Cotswolds, most of
the crop lies 1000 feet above sea level.
That means a timely establishment is
crucial, says farms manager Martin
Parkinson.
“We were still combining spring barley
well into Sept, so the OSR was never
going to be established on time. In the
end we stopped drilling on 11 Sept –– we
were aiming for 400ha, but only managed
320ha. Where we are, we’ve learned
there’s no point putting in a late crop.”
John Haynes had his now familiar
trouble with cabbage stem flea beetle.
“Some of the crop was treated with Cruiser
(thiamethoxam), but in the end we took the
decision to take out 63ha of the worst
affected fields and replant with winter
beans.”
Joining the group, against this backdrop
Record year
“It’s been a record year for both wheat and
barley yields, but the picture doesn’t look
quite so rosy for OSR. Yields are slightly
down and below the five-year average.
The loss of neonicotinoid seed dressings
has surely paid a price,”he comments.
“We may now be seeing a yield plateau,
and with the drop off in price, this is
bound to curtail the progression of the
crop. It’s also the most costly crop to
grow when considering input costs.”
The difficulty, he points out, is that the
crop typically remains the best option as a
rotational break. “Break crops are very
volatile (see chart) and unlike other crops,
there are no real trends. Where there’s no
consistency, as is the case with pulses,
12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
OSR is the most costly crop to grow
when considering input costs, points out
Richard Means.
it’s difficult to make the case for proper
investment in a crop. Spring beans could
be an option, however, if you’re prepared
Average crop yields for cereals and break crops in East Anglia
s
s
s
s
s
s
1st Wheat
2nd Wheat
s Winter Barley
Spring Barley
▲
2.00
0.00
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
6.0
5.00
4.00
3.00
s
s
s s s
s
s s s
s
s
s
s
Winter OSR
HEAR OSR
Winter Beans
2.00
s
Spring Beans
Harvest Peas
1.00
Once they’d polished off 63ha of John Haynes
OSR, the cabbage stem flea beetle started on
other activities.
0.00
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Source: Strutt and Parker
crop production magazine december 2015
27
Prospects for the OSR crop
Harvest 2016 00 OSR LEAF Premium HEAR V316 OL
HOLL
Yield (t/ha)* 1 3.75 3.76 3.38 3.76
Price (£/t) 250 265 315 275
Oil Bonus (£/t) 20 20 0 20
Output (£/ha) 1,015 1,072 1,065 1,109
Seed (£/ha) 68 68 105 91
Fertiliser (£/ha) 243 243 243 243
Sprays (£/ha) 234 124 234 234
Variable costs (£/ha) 545 545 582 568
Gross Margin (£/ha) 470 527 483 541
Fixed Costs (£/ha) 491 491 491 491
Net Margin (£/ha) -21 36 -8 50
Net margin excludes Basic Payment and other income; *1 Strutt & Parker five-year average yields for East Anglia; HEAR £65/t
premium over 00, harvest move; HOLL £25/t premium plus oil bonus, harvest move.
for the later harvest.”
This isn’t an option Hamish Campbell
would entertain. “Where we are, you can
forget peas, and you’d probably have to
drill beans at a higher rate than you’d
combine them. There’s no sugar beet and
there are no anaerobic digesters, so we
have to make the most of the OSR crop.”
▲
The OSR area across East Anglia has
dropped, according to Strutt and Parker
figures, reports Richard Means. “And with
good reason –– OSR gross margins and
net returns are not overly exciting (see
table above). With greater pressure from
CSFB, turnip yellows virus, slugs and
pigeons compared with all other crops,
John Haynes’ backward crop received a
biostimulant and now it’s all looking pretty even.
you need a premium to justify the added
risk and extra management.”
Aiming for the premium markets is one
▲
Prepare for thick crops and high disease levels
The biggest effect noticed was on how Toprex
evened up the crop, says James Southgate.
Reports suggest it’s been a high phoma year,
says Syngenta technical manager James
Southgate. “The disease came in early and
the mild conditions have been ideal for its
development. Crops that started the season
small would have been particularly vulnerable.”
Unlike light leaf spot, phoma will only go
through one life cycle in the crop, but unprotected
leaves can be infected at any time from
ascospores landing on the crop. Early infections
and those coming into backward crops can lead
to damaging stem canker later in the season.
“Fungicides tend to offer about 4-5 weeks
protection, but susceptible varieties not treated
until Nov, may already have the fungus moving
down towards stems.”
But he believes a bigger concern coming
into the spring will be managing canopies
that have now thickened up. “We reckon a lot
of these crops will need a fungicide with
growth regulatory activity, such as Toprex
(difenoconazole+ paclobutrazol).”
Introduced this year, Toprex can be applied
between stem extension (GS31) and green bud
(GS51). ADAS trials have shown a yield benefit
of almost 0.5t/ha. “The earlier you apply it the
bigger the effect on reducing the height of the
main raceme and therefore less likelihood of
lodging. The later timings are more suited to the
smaller crops coming out of winter to encourage
side branching,” he explains.
“But the feedback we got from those who
used it this year was that the biggest effect
was on how Toprex evened up the crop. That
means you can target sclerotinia sprays better
–– potentially saving a fungicide application
Phoma infections appear as pale leaf spots from
which the fungus spreads via the petiole to reach
the stem.
–– and a crop that ripens evenly.”
Martin Parkinson tried some and agrees.
“We used it at the later timing and it made the
flowering window shorter, which was the whole
idea –– OSR can go on flowering forever.”
As for LLS, the difenaconazole in Toprex gives
good protection, points out James Southgate. “If
LLS pressure is high, growers should consider
starting their defence as soon as symptoms are
seen, which might be earlier in the spring than
stem extension. Alternatively, in very high
pressure situations, adding tebuconazole to
Toprex boosts activity against the disease.”
28 crop production magazine december 2015
Andrew Ward (right) questions whether expensive
fungicides at high rates at both stem extension
and flowering will bring the necessary payback.
way to maintain profitability, he
suggests. “If you’re LEAF (Linking
Environment and Farming) accredited,
it’s worth trying for the £15/t premium
available through ADM. There’s also the
HOLL market, although premiums have
dropped with the introduction of better
varieties, which has caused a swing
towards them. There’s £65/t available on
HEAR contracts, although you suffer a
yield penalty.”
Andrew Ward has been growing HOLL
OSR for many years and is uncomfortable
at the prospect of more growers diluting
the premium. Half of the rapeseed grown
for the Cotswolds joint venture is the
variety Molten. This is grown for R-Oil, a
cold-pressed rapeseed oil, which contains
a unique balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9
fatty acids, that’s earned it some premium
markets.
▲
Significantly better
Another way to improve the net return
is to grow the crop well, continues
Richard Means. “Those in the top 10% are
achieving significantly better returns. It’s
because they get everything spot on with
their crop, from corner to corner.”
So how will that affect decision-making
this winter? “It’s important to assess your
crop and its potential. You should start to
gauge how hard you can push it, and if
the canopy varies, how much can be
pushed and how you can then keep the
canopy under control if it’s forward. The
good news for OSR is that there’s plenty
of options in terms of product choice and
agronomy know-how to get it right, so
while there’s little you can do to alter the
price, there’s little excuse not to maximise
its potential.”
The rest of John Haynes crop has
come on well since Oct, he reports.
There’s 265ha, of which 100ha received
a biostimulant. “We applied this to the
crop that wasn’t treated with Cruiser and
the difference it made was remarkable
–– it’s all looking pretty even now.”
Disease pressure was high, with both
light leaf spot and phoma found in the
crop. “We treated the most forward
areas with metconazole then applied
prothioconazole to the entire crop by
16 Nov. We haven’t seen any aphids and
the crop’s now looking very strong.”
In the Cotswolds, conditions have been
mild enough to bring on the crop, but it’s
also brought in the aphids, reports Hamish
Campbell. “We very rarely have to spray,
and I pride myself on how little insecticide
we use on the crop. But it came under
pressure and we had to use an aphicide
this year. Otherwise, it all received 0.5 l/ha
of prothioconazole plus tebuconazole on
18 Nov.”
James Chamberlain had a crop of two
halves, but that’s no longer the case. 45ha
of SY Harnas was drilled at the end of Aug
at 35 seeds/m 2 with a further 55ha of
Harper drilled almost a month later at
45 seeds/m 2 .
“What was forward is now very forward,
Driving up oilseed rape yields
Striving for better oilseed rape yields,
however incremental, can deliver big returns.
It’s for this reason that Syngenta has brought
together eleven of the country’s leading OSR
growers as part of the ‘Driving Up Yields’
Hamish Campbell is keeping an open mind and
an eye on crop progress.
while the backward crop has caught up,”
he says. “It was all sprayed by the end
of Nov with prothioconazole plus
tebuconazole and charged up with
micronutrients.”
Andrew Ward had a similarly split crop of
his V316 OL and V324 OL, with earlier
drilled heathland put in at 25 seeds/m 2 ,
while the heavy land was established in the
first week of Sept at 30-45 seeds/m 2 .
“We saw some phoma and LLS, but not at
alarming levels. We went with prothioconazole
James Chamberlain started the season with a crop of two halves – SY Harnas drilled on 28 Aug (left)
and Harper drilled on 19 Sept (right).
initiative, with the aim of challenging current
conventions, promoting best practice and
stimulating uptake of innovations. Meeting
throughout the season with industry experts,
the group is voicing its concerns and sharing
its thoughts in an online forum – you can
follow the discussion and debate at
www.syngenta.co.uk/drivingyields.
30 crop production magazine december 2015
The earlier you apply it, the bigger the effect on reducing the height of the
main raceme and therefore less likelihood of lodging.
plus tebuconazole on the forward
crop, while the less forward area
got just straight prothioconazole
around 10 Nov.”
Disease tolerance
His spring planning will take
more than crop growth into
account. “With prices so low,
we’ve got to make the most of
disease tolerance –– fungicides
at high rates at both stem
extension and flowering is
questionable, and with good
planning we can make some
savings.
“We can make use of the
crop’s advance growth stage
and use less N, tailoring
applications closely to growth.
But it’s not all bad news
–– nitrogen and fuel costs
are lower this season.”
That’s one aspect John
Haynes has taken advantage
of. “We’ve bought nitrogen well,
and OSR doesn’t need fancy
chemistry, so you don’t have to
spend a fortune –– just keep an
eye on the crop and give it
what it needs.
“But you wouldn’t want to
Search the CPM Article
Archive
Looking for more articles in this
series? The search facility on the
CPM website allows you to find
and download articles from
previous issues using keywords.
For Driving Up Oilseed Rape
Yields, type in ‘DUOSRY’.
www.cpm-magazine.co.uk
scrimp and save as you’d risk
wasting everything you’d spent
on the crop in the autumn, and
if you end up with a low yield
and low price, then you would
be in trouble.”
Equally, if the price does
climb, those who hadn’t
invested in the crop would
regret the decision, points out
Hamish Campbell. “It wouldn’t
take much to turn the market
round and the biggest return
comes from yield.
“So I’m keeping an open
mind and an eye on crop
progress –– OSR is so
susceptible to many in-crop
issues and I’m prepared to
spend on it to maintain
its potential. We’re also
prepared to try some PGR.”
James Chamberlain isn’t
so sure, however. “Certainly
the most forward crops would
warrant a PGR, but crop
growth is often varied, and so
I’d question the benefit of a
dedicated PGR. You also
need the fungicide for LLS
protection, so one with PGR
activity may be best.”
That doesn’t mean to say
he’s cutting back on inputs,
though. “I don’t see the
advantage in cutting back and
potentially compromising your
yield potential. It won’t improve
the price of your crop, it’ll just
mean you’ll have less to sell.
But there’s many a slip ‘twixt
the cup and the lip –– there’s
a long way to go until harvest
and a lot can happen.” ■
Bean of bounty
Standing in the Norton Dog pub, near Bury
St Edmunds in Suffolk, and enjoying a pint
with Charles Mathieson, you’d expect that
here, of all places, he’d brag about the
yield he’s achieved from his winter
bean crop.
But he’s remaining remarkably reticent.
“We did get a fantastic yield in 2014, but
I wouldn’t like to give the impression that’s
the norm,” he says. “However there’s no
reason why any decent grower shouldn’t
consistently get over 5t/ha every year from
their bean crop.”
Farming 300ha of sandy clay loam, the
winter bean crop currently in the ground at
Crawley Hall Farm has taken 34ha in a
rotation where the one-in-three year break is
shared with winter oilseed rape. “I’ve never
been a great fan of OSR –– costs keep
going up and yields aren’t. Beans bring a
higher yield from the following wheat crop
and a balance to the rotation. We’ve always
grown them and that means we’ve never
had too much trouble from slugs and
blackgrass.”
The secret to his success with the
crop crouches in a field behind the farm
buildings, however –– it’s a seven-leg Blench
subsoiler modified with seeder tubes running
down the back of its winged Sumo feet.
“Establishment is the key –– get that one
thing right and the rest falls into place,”
says Charles Mathieson.
The subsoiler seeder establishes both
OSR and beans with an Accord DF1 front
hopper that blows the seed through to its
distribution head. “I’ve spent enough hours
in the workshop and enough years in the
field refining this tool, and people say I
have it sussed now,” he claims. Indeed,
Get the establishment
right and you can achieve
substantial yields from a
winter bean crop, according
to one Suffolk grower.
CPM visits to find out.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
he’s drilled a fair few acres with it for other
farmers.
For beans, it’s set to run at 150-200mm
depth. “We run on an angle to the previous
year’s wheat tramlines, but go straight into
the stubble, aiming to drill in the second
week of Oct. The seed does go deep, but
I reckon beans like that –– it slows them up
so they put down a decent root, and they
find their way up easy enough through the
subsoiler channel.”
Behind the legs, a tyre packer (there’s a
Guttler roller for the OSR) consolidates the
ground, closing the channel to minimise slug
and rook damage. But this leaves the
“
Give them
the attention at
planting they
deserve and they’ll
perform. ”
32 crop production magazine december 2015
400mm rows in between little ridges across
the field. The crop then takes around three
weeks to a month to emerge.
“I reckon the ridges protect the crop from
cold weather –– they seem to keep the
stems sheltered when a cold wind is
blowing,” he comments.
Drilled at 150-155kg/ha, this puts in
20-25 seeds/m 2 of Tundra –– the variety he’s
grown for the past three years for seed.
“It’s one that does perform well and can
bring exceptional yields. It’s not as tall as
Clipper, but grows about the same height
as Wizard.”
Minimal ground disturbance
With minimal ground disturbance, weeds
aren’t too much of a problem, although
Centium (clomazone) plus pendimethalin are
A seven-leg Blench subsoiler modified with
seeder tubes running down the back of its winged
Sumo feet establishes the bean crop.
The seeder puts the crop into 400mm rows in
between little ridges across the field.
applied pre-emergence. “We’ll put Lingo
(clomazone+ linuron) with the PDM for more
broad-spectrum activity, especially if
cleavers or mayweed are bad.”
In the spring, the first priority for the
bean crop is pea and bean weevil. “We’ll
usually spray for this just before early
flowering, usually with a pyrethroid such
as cypermethrin. However, the pest could
become more of a challenge now that
resistance has been confirmed –– it’s not
as if there are a lot of alternatives available
these days.”
A dressing of potash may be applied at
the same time, depending on soil indices,
although phosphate levels are naturally high.
“We’ll also apply a cheap fungicide, such as
tebuconazole to keep chocolate spot at bay,
and will add manganese to keep the crop
healthy,” notes Charles Mathieson.
At early flowering, depending on
weather pressure, there’s another fungicide
–– usually Alto Elite (chlorothalonil+
cyproconazole), applied with more
manganese –– with the main spray timing
at early pod set. “That’s when you want to
have a good look at the crop and decide its
yield potential. If it’s going to yield, it’s worth
putting on some Amistar (azoxystrobin).
But if it’s not looking so good, we’ll go with
▲
Winter beans: how the
finances stack up
(/ha)
Seed £70
Fungicides £30
Herbicides £70
Insecticides £15
Trace Elements £5
Fertiliser £38
Variable costs £228
Yield (t/ha) 5.2
Price (/t) £155
Output £806
Gross Margin £578
Note: typical figures, based on yields and conditions at
Crawley Hall Farm
Increased supply brings a pulse of optimism
Don’t be disheartened by the drop in pulse
prices –– a rise in demand is meeting the
recent increase in domestic supply. That’s the
message from Franek Smith of Dunns, who’s
also vice president of the British Edible Pulse
Association (BEPA).
The UK area planted to beans grew by 59%
in 2015, with the pea area swelling by 37%, he
says. For 2016, the pulse area is projected to
rise again by 15% to 242,000ha. “But it’s
not going to be a problem to sell this crop,”
he assures. “There are lots of new markets
and feed compounders are coming back
into beans.”
The price of feed peas and beans at the end
of Nov stood at a dismal £111/t and £121/t
respectively, however –– prices for both have
dropped by around a third in a year. But feed
wheat has lost just 10% of its Nov 2014 value.
“There hasn’t been enough supply for feed
compounders to consider using pulses, but
that’s changing –– they need continuity of
just some cyproconazole or tebuconazole
again.”
Bruchid beetle is the other pest to stay
on top of from pod set onwards, he believes.
Charles Mathieson follows the Bruchid Cast
forecast and will usually apply two
▲
supply,” notes Franek Smith.
The market for human consumption has
really opened for UK bean growers, he says.
“France, the UK’s main competitor, had a terrible
harvest this year, whereas conversely, a good
proportion of the UK crop is fit for human
consumption.”
In the short term, Sudan has a big demand
for beans, but this ends in Feb, which is when
its import tariff closes. Currency problems in
Egypt has meant buyers haven’t been able to
buy in bulk, reports Franek Smith. “But that’s
given traders the opportunity to process and
add value in the UK.”
There are also opportunities in peas,
he says, with a new marrowfat variety joining
the PGRO Recommended List, and interest in
large blue peas picking up. “The price was so
high, pet food manufacturers reduced the
percentage inclusion. But now the price has
settled down we’re seeing them increase
their demand.”
pyrethroids about a week to ten days apart.
“It’s not so much of a problem on a seed
crop, however,” he notes. Black bean aphid
can also be an issue, and may need a dose
of Aphox (pirimicarb).
“You need to look after a bean crop,
Franek Smith (centre) at the BEPA annual dinner
in pulse-themed costume to raise money for
charity with Barry Reed (left) and Paddy Barrett
(right).
● 2016 is the International Year of Pulses, with a
range of activities planned globally to promote them
as healthy, nutritious, affordable and sustainable.
In the UK, BEPA is co-ordinating pro-pulse events,
such as a falafel festival in May and attending
12-15 farm-school events to educate schoolchildren.
but what you apply to it is not the big
influencing factor for success ––
establishment is far more important.”
The rest is up to the weather, and he
reckons dry conditions around pod fill
pegged his yield back slightly this year,
Newcomers nudge alongside RL leaders
RL Peas 2016
It’s been a year of consolidation for the PGRO
Recommended List, reports Stephen Belcher of
PGRO. “We haven’t seen the big yield increases
we had in previous years on the spring bean
list, but then list-leader Vertigo is now a control
variety, so sets the standard.”
Lynx from breeder LSPB joins the list, with a
yield just a shade below Vertigo. “It has a downy
mildew score of 7 –– which is significantly
higher than most and on a par with good old
Maris Bead,” he comments.
Standing ability, maturity and straw length of
the newcomer is similar to the list leaders, but
seed size is slightly smaller.
Bumble from Wherry comes in at the top of
the winter bean list, just a shade above Tundra,
earning its full recommendation this year.
“Bumble has a 6 for standing ability, but my
gut feeling is that it stands better than the data
suggests. The two leaders yield significantly
ahead of market leader Wizard,” notes
Stephen Belcher.
Wizard’s 90% market share is estimated to
have dropped to 80% on the back of strong
Tundra sales in its first commercial year. “Wizard
will continue –– it has a strong following and
nothing can match it for seed size. But its lower
pods are close to the ground, and that’s where
Tundra has a distinct advantage.”
Kareni from Senova now tops the white pea
list, offering a slim yield advantage in a small
market. Kingfisher from Limagrain, at just 98%
of controls, has “been given the benefit of the
doubt” and joins the large blues.
Aikido debuts as the highest-yielding
marrowfat pea variety. “Its standing ability is
better than Sakura but not as good as Genki.
Its downfall is a downy mildew score of 4, but
all the marrowfats need a Wakil (cymoxanil+
fludioxonil+ metalaxyl-M) seed dressing,”
notes Stephen Belcher.
10t challenge
Could you produce a 10t bean crop? There’s a
four-night trip for four to France including an
overnight stay in Paris for you if you can –– the
prize has been put up by PGRO in a bid to
improve the performance of the crop on farm.
“We think the crop now has the genetic
potential to achieve 10t/ha, and we’ve anecdotal
feedback there are growers getting close to that.
It’s an ambitious challenge and we’re keen to
learn the lessons from those who achieve high
yields, which is why we’ve put up the prize,”
says Roger Vickers of PGRO.
RL Spring beans 2016
RL Winter beans 2016
34 crop production magazine december 2015
although it came wetter towards the end
and that may have helped the pods fill out.
“What I look for near harvest time is pods
with five seeds –– if you have plenty of those,
you get a bit more confident about how it’s
going to yield.”
He rarely desiccates the crop, allowing
it to mature naturally, although this year
Reglone (diquat) was applied to keep
black bindweed in check. “The crop’s best
combined first thing in the morning when it’s
a bit damp. For a seed crop it generally
doesn’t need drying as they like to take it at
16%. But an on-floor store that you can get
a decent airflow through, without having to
heat the crop, is best for beans.”
Following the bean crop, it’s an easy
cultivation routine into winter wheat –– a
A pod with five seeds is a good sign near harvest
and an indication of a healthy yield.
Simba Xpress or Kongskilde Vibroflex
precedes a Simba Toptilth in front of the 4.8m
Kverneland Tine Seeder Evo. “The great
advantage of beans is the tilth they create ––
–– you get a lovely seedbed for the wheat.”
This year’s yield didn’t reach near the
impressive output of his 2014 crop, but
current attention is on how the 2016 crop is
coming through. “This autumn’s crop has got
off to good start –– I’ve had comments from a
number of people on how good it looks.
“But getting the crop in at the right time
and in the right conditions is all important.
Beans often get a bad reputation among
growers who say they get variable yields.
But that’s often because they’re only
planted when it’s too wet to drill wheat,
Farm Facts
WA Howes and Son, Crawley Hall Farm,
Norton, Suffolk
● Area farmed: 300ha
● Staff: One full time
● Soil type: Sandy clay loam
● Cropping: Winter wheat (Leeds, KWS
Santiago), winter barley (SY Venture), spring
barley (Propino), winter beans (Tundra),
winter oilseed rape (Nikita, Trinity)
● Mainline tractors: John Deere 6930,
7530
Charles Mathieson is growing Tundra for seed,
which performs well and can bring exceptional
yields.
so they’re treated unfairly. Give them
the attention at planting they deserve
and they’ll perform. ■
● Combine harvester: Massey
Fergusson 7274 with 6.7m Power Flow
header
● Sprayer: Househam Air Ride 3000 with
24m boom
● Drill: 4.8m Kverneland Tine Seeder Evo
● Cultivation: 5.5m Kongskilde Vibroflex,
4.6m Simba Xpress, 7m Simba Toptilth,
6f Kverneland LD85 plough
● Spreader: 3200 litre Kuhn Axera
● Telehandler: JD 3400
In association with
Innovation under
threat?
An unprecedented push by
the European business
community to ensure
innovation isn’t stifled by
regulation has cast into
question whether the EU
regulatory system is fit for
purpose. CPM gets an
update from Brussels.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
What would you do if your subsoiler
seeder was banned? Let’s say the
European Commission (EC) decided there
should be a moratorium on such on-farm
innovations until the impact on declining
earthworm numbers could be properly
assessed.
How about if visual soil assessments,
plough-pan inspections and digging up
36 crop production magazine december 2015
crop roots were curtailed on the basis
that properly defined Health and Safety
guidance for the use of a spade had not yet
been drawn up? Then how would you feel if
the anti-resistance, integrated weed control
strategy you’d evolved for your farm was
outlawed on the tenuous suggestion that the
one herbicide it relied on might possibly be
linked with cancer?
Chances are you’d feel like packing up
operations in the UK and seek to farm
somewhere where the approach to
innovation wasn’t quite so blinkered.
Well that’s exactly how some of the largest
global companies feel they’re being treated
by Europe. 24 of them, representing a
workforce of 1.5 million people and a
combined R&D spend of €30 billion/yr, have
now come together in an unprecedented
show of solidarity to address what they see
as a regulatory system that stifles innovation.
At the heart of the tussle lies the way in
which technological risks are perceived
and regulated within Europe. The
precautionary principle, included in both
the Rio Declaration and the Lisbon Treaty,
provides a legal basis for policy makers to
act to protect the environment, even in the
absence of clear scientific evidence. But
European legislators and regulators have
taken this one step further, according to
Europe’s business community, passing
regulations that assess substances on the
basis of the intrinsic hazard they pose to
human health or the environment.
“The difficulty when it comes to crop
protection products is that this ignores the
precautionary action taken to minimise
exposure, and means products are
potentially disallowed with no real evidence
“
Science
needs a voice and it
must be listened to
both at an EU level
and within member
states.
”
John Peck warns that Europe’s approach to
regulation ignores the precautionary action taken
to minimise exposure to potential hazards.
that they cause any harm,” explains
John Peck of BASF.
“It’s interesting to note that these concerns
cut across many different industrial sectors,
including: IT, electronics, chemicals, seed
breeding, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals
and consumer products. Their growth is
fundamentally affected by the way in which
regulators balance protection of human
health and the environment with the need to
stimulate innovation, jobs and growth.”
So a year ago, 24 CEOs of leading
innovative companies –– among them BASF
–– jointly signed a letter that was presented
to the EC’s president Jean-Claude Juncker.
“The letter strongly encouraged the
Commission to readjust the regulatory
environment to include the ‘Innovation
Principle’. Essentially we’re asking the EC to
consider a decision –– say on the approval
of a new fungicide –– based on the science
supporting use of a technology, not just
on its potential hazard assessment”
says John Peck.
The need for precaution is not being
questioned by the Innovation Principle
initiative. But the companies behind it stress
the need for policy to also protect Europe’s
ability to innovate.
Sound science
“These 24 companies are committed to
investing in innovation for the future, but
they need a policy environment which is
receptive to approving new products based
upon sound science and, at this point in
time, we are a long way from this position.”
This show of concern has had quite an
impact, reports Paul Leonard of BASF. He
heads up the Innovation Principle Task Force
for the European Risk Forum (ERF) –– a
not-for-profit think tank that promotes
risk-based decision-making at an EU level.
“A big step forward in June this year was
a joint statement from BusinessEurope,
ERF and the European Round Table of
Industrialists supporting the innovation
principle and detailing how it can be
incorporated into policy decisions. This
has now gone far wider than just the 24
original companies –– it’s an unprecedented
statement from the entire European business
community.”
At stake is their vast combined private
R&D budget. The €80 billion Horizon 2020
programme, which represents over 90% of
the public funds going into EU research and
innovation, is little more than a third of the
amount that these commercial companies
will invest over the same period. And while
Europe was once seen as an innovation
leader, economies such as China, South
Maintain margins to protect products
Korea and North America are now
competing for global innovation leadership,
warns Europe’s business community. With
R&D intensity growing in these countries,
and already twice as great as it is in Europe,
budgets are being drawn away, and this
will ultimately reduce Europe’s ability to
compete, say businesses.
“The good news is that the message
hasn’t gone unheard,” continues Paul
Leonard. “The EU Commissioner for
research and Innovation Carlos Moedas
has publicly stated we need the Innovation
Principle, and Commissioner Günther
Oettinger, who heads up Digital Economy
and Society, also publicly supports it.
“It’s been a recurring theme in the
context of Juncker’s Better Regulation
Agenda, while in Jan 2016 there’s due
to be a top-level meeting at which the
Innovation Principle will be a key theme.”
So what exactly is the Innovation
Principle? “Essentially it’s a paradigm shift or
Up to €30 billion/yr of commercial R&D spend
may be directed away from Europe unless the
EC considers how policy changes impact on
innovation.
▲
Farmers, especially those coming out of Entry
Level Stewardship, have been urged to take on
board crop protection measures encouraged by
the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.
With 11,000 ELS schemes coming to an end
this month, Natural England has received just
2300 applications for the new Countryside
Stewardship Scheme. There’s now concern that
this may be perceived as a move by farmers
away from environmental stewardship.
“Non-farmed field margins are a crucial part
of protecting water quality,” notes Guy Smith of
NFU. “Metaldehyde is still being detected in
water abstracted for drinking and actives such
as propyzamide and metazachlor are still very
much under threat of revocation.
“If farmers can show they are being responsible
and taking proactive steps to minimise the
impact of crop protection products, that goes a
long way to helping us put forward the case in
Brussels to retain the actives that remain.”
The CFE has released a new six-page leaflet
to help farmers demonstrate cross compliance
and protect water quality. Crop protection for
arable and livestock farms is a summary of key
information put forward by the 14 organisations
involved.
Phil Jarvis, farm manager at the Allerton
Project in Leics, points out the guidelines have
broad industry backing and that the CFE is
underpinned by its partnership with Defra. “As a
farmer, it gives you confidence that you’re part of
Farmers have been urged to retain ELS field
margins to demonstrate environmental
responsibility.
a campaign that’s delivering benefits. And if you
don’t want to be part of a bureaucratic scheme,
but still want to demonstrate best practice, this
is a good place to start.”
crop production magazine december 2015 37 Xx
Paul Leonard hopes that the Innovation Principle
has gathered enough momentum to carry itself
forward.
culture change. It’s taken 20 years for the
precautionary principle to become so well
established in EU policy making, and we’re
not looking to reduce any of the safeguards
this has put in place. But the system is
broken –– it’s scaring people away from
innovating in Europe. Policy makers know
that, but they just don’t know what to do
about it. Innovation is supposed to lie at
the heart of European policy. This initiative
provides a positive basis for reforming policy
making in the long term.”
The principle requires that whenever EU
institutions consider policy or regulatory
proposals, the impact on innovation should
be fully assessed and addressed. An
“innovation checklist” has been drawn up,
providing guidance as to how this can
be done:
Improving implementation of existing
legislation: aiming to reduce the tendency
for member states to “goldplate” EU
▲
Principle partners
The companies behind the Innovation
Principle are:
AiCuris GmbH Airbus Group
Arthur D Little Aurubis
BASF Bayer
CEPSA Dow AgroSciences
Dow Corning Dow Europe
DSM Dupont De Nemours
Henkel IBM
JohnDeere Novartis
Philips Sabic
Sanofi Solvay
Statoil Syngenta
Yara
38 crop production magazine december 2015
legislation, allowing leeway to take into
account the needs of businesses at a
national level.
Keeping pace with a changing world: a
shift of emphasis from prescriptive regulation
to a more dynamic and adaptive model.
This would include a pragmatic approach
to reviews, which keeps pace with rapidly
evolving technologies but also provides
predictability.
Creating space for innovators to measure
and manage technological risk: with
companies directing too much of limited
resources at “defensive R&D”, this puts
positive encouragement on more innovative
and discovery-oriented research.
Weighing risks of alternative solutions
in comparison: rather than focusing on
the downsides of a single approach or
solution when deciding regulation, other
available options should always be part
of the analysis.
New products
There are some challenges ahead, notes
Paul Leonard, but the hope is that the
Innovation Principle has gathered enough
momentum to carry itself forward. “Once
established, it would help to ensure that
drafting of new legislation and revision of
existing regulations, such as 1107/2009
concerning plant protection products,
would systematically evaluate and account
for the impact on innovation. This alone
would create confidence for those who
invest in innovation.”
But there’s strong opposition to the
Innovation Principle within Europe. Critics
argue innovation by its nature favours
product function, while neglecting other
important risk factors in the longevity
of the product’s lifecycle. Cost/benefit
arguments should always be approached
cautiously by decision-makers, they say, as
the relative benefits are often overstated
and potential downsides unknown at the
point of product approval.
“There’s been a tendency in the past
for the risk-based approach to under
rather than over-estimate the risk
posed by particular products and
technologies,” says Paul Whaley, a
chemical risk-assessment researcher
at Lancaster University and advisor to the
Cancer Prevention and Education Society.
He believes that science alone cannot
be relied on as the basis for good
policy-making as it doesn’t consider two
types of uncertainty –– ambiguity, where
what is factually known could be consistent
with two or more resulting choices,
and ignorance, where the possible
consequences (good or bad) are beyond
the limit of current understanding.
He cites asbestos, PCBs, CFCs and DDT
as examples of “regrettable innovation”,
where policy-makers got it wrong. “I don’t
see that the innovation principle will prevent
bad decisions being made in future, but the
precautionary principle can.”
Rather than discouraging innovation, the
precautionary principle stimulates it by
encouraging investment in anticipating
hazards from emerging products, he says.
“What we have in the precautionary
principle should enhance innovation
while safeguarding society’s concerns.
It just needs to be managed better at a
political level.”
He dismisses suggestions that Europe’s
more cautious approach to regulation puts
it at a competitive disadvantage, pointing
out it’s a product of the way Europeans
prefer to live their lives. “Other nations
accept lower standards of air quality, for
example. People in Europe rightfully have
a higher expectation of the technologies
introduced here.”
But it’s this “higher expectation” that’s
putting pressure on chemical companies
and consequently farmers, according to a
report launched by the Andersons Centre
late last year. This highlights that 40 of the
250 active substances currently approved
in the UK are highly likely to be lost or
restricted as a result of the EU’s current
agrochemical approval process. This will
make weeds, diseases and pests far more
difficult to control and lead to a realistic
loss in farm profit of £1.73 billion (36%),
concludes the report.
“A lot of MEPs have been led to believe
there’s new chemistry to replace lost actives,
but there’s nothing in the pipeline,” notes
NFU vice president Guy Smith.
“What’s worrying is when a product like
glyphosate is questioned in this uncertain
There should be positive encouragement on more
innovative and discovery-oriented research.
interpretation of the precautionary principle
is already having a direct impact on some
growers across Europe. While Defra and
CRD in the UK have been credited with
taking a pragmatic approach to regulation,
their equivalents in France have driven
farmers to protest.
“On 3 Sept, Paris was brought to a
standstill by farmers who were fed up with
over-zealous regulation,” notes Pascal
Lacroix, responsible for public affairs for
BASF in France.
The precautionary principle ought to be helping
policy makers avoid regrettable innovation,
argues Paul Whaley.
EU climate of product approvals. It’s been
demonised by NGOs since the IARC
suggested it was probably a carcinogen,
and millers have been under pressure to
ban its use pre-harvest. The good news is
that EFSA has now concluded it’s unlikely to
pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans.”
But there’s concern that a dogmatic
On-farm priorities to
protect chemistry
● Stay informed – keep abreast of
regulatory issues, and assess how
policies being discussed at a European
level may impact on your business.
● Get involved – Encourage your MEP to
find out about the innovation principle and
its potential to resolve the current
stalemate in the EU regulatory process.
● Demonstrate best practice – Find out
what measures you can implement on
your farm that will help show how the
industry collectively takes responsibility for
environmental issues (see panel on p37).
www.cfeonline.org.uk
Paul Leonard will be speaking about the
Innovation Principle at a fringe event of the
Oxford Farming Conference on Tues 5 Jan
www.ofc.org.uk
Excessive application
One of their main grievances is France’s
Ecophyto Plan, which they see as an
example of the consequence of an
excessive application of the precautionary
principle into French law. Launched in
2008 the plan aimed to cut pesticide use
by 50% over ten years. A second version
superseded it one month ago, now seeking
a 25% reduction by 2020, with a further 25%
the aim by 2025.
“This goes beyond what happens in the
rest of the EU –– farmers already pay a tax
on pesticides in France, while distributors of
crop protection products will almost certainly
pay an additional levy as they face severe
penalties if reduction targets aren’t met,”
he says.
So farmers' unions have declared a
moratorium on adopting any more regulation
from the French government for six months,
and demanded that any further regulation
falls in line with the rest of EU. While the
French ministry of agriculture appears
unswerved, several parliamentary initiatives
have been launched to introduce the
Innovation Principle to counterbalance the
precautionary principle. “Farmers remain
sceptical, however –– they want to see
concrete proof that the situation will change,”
says Pascal Lacroix.
Farming, the biggest job on earth
British farmers and growers can’t produce
the quantity and quality of food our society
needs without access to the best advances in
technology, chemistry and plant traits. In this
CPM Protecting Chemistry series, industry
contributors discuss the issues surrounding
the discovery, use and retention of active
ingredients; it also explores the policy
decisions affecting production agriculture.
For agrochemical products, the dual
challenges of increasing biological
resistance and an ever-toughening
regulatory environment make the
Farmers in France have imposed a moratorium
on adopting any more regulation, reports
Pascal Lacroix.
“What we’ve lost in France is a culture that
values science –– you still have that in the
UK and it shows in your approach to
pesticide regulation. Science needs a
voice and it must be listened to both at
an EU level and within member states.”
For BASF and its investment in
agricultural solutions, the shift in mindset is
crucial, says John Peck. “We reinvest 9% of
our revenues back into R&D, and agriculture
accounts for over a quarter of our global
R&D spend. But it takes ten years and costs
us over €200 million to develop a new active
ingredient, so we need to know that the
regulatory environment in ten years’ time is
going to be receptive to us develop a new
active ingredient, so we need to know that
the regulatory environment in ten years’ time
is going to be receptive to us launching the
product and recouping our investment.” ■
breakthroughs into novel solutions fundamental
for the future of farming.
Have your say and get involved...
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crop production magazine december 2015 39
Britain’s bumper
crop laid bare
David Beck wonders whether growers’N
applications are now catching up with the
potential of their crop.
“
Growers are
recognising that newer
varieties respond well to
N and are adjusting
rates accordingly. ”
their grain protein levels reported a lift.
While most growers put higher yields
down to favourable weather, nitrogen
rates were credited for the higher proteins
–– of the 37% of those who said they’d
increased their N applications, the
average rise was around 16kgN/ha,
while most growers (56%) had
kept applications the same.
For David Beck of CF
Fertilisers, it’s a sign that
growers are responding
to greater crop potential.
“The nitrogen fertiliser
market rose by 8-9% in
2014, and the survey
suggests a further rise for
2015. It seems growers may
be recognising that newer
varieties respond well to N and
are adjusting rates accordingly.”
It’s a similar picture on sulphur –– levels
of applied S have risen on about 13% of
arable crops on average, according to
survey results, with almost 20% of oilseed
rape crops seeing higher applications.
“Sulphur is equally as important as
nitrogen as the more N a plant takes
up, the more S it needs to utilise the
nitrogen,” points out David Beck.
A survey of growers has
offered an insight into how
the 2015 crop performed and
how plans for next year are
shaping up. CPM pulls apart
the findings and asks what it
is that makes a huge harvest.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
40 crop production magazine december 2015
UK growers have achieved higher
yields and grain proteins this year and
appear to be feeding the crop more
fertiliser. Almost 40% of the growers who
responded to a CPM/CF Fertilisers survey
on fertiliser practice revealed they had
applied more nitrogen to their 2015
crop compared with 2014 applications
(see charts opposite).
A whopping 75% of growers achieved a
higher wheat yield this year, with a lucky
10% getting at least 2t/ha extra from the
wheat crop, and half of those who knew
Rebalancing
“But we may be seeing a rebalancing
here –– growers have held back N
applications for the past few years, and
it could be that the development of new
varieties has outpaced progress in applied
N rates. The survey may indicate that
growers are now catching up with the
potential of their crop.”
But the correlation between higher
yields and applied N may not be quite so
clear cut. Of those who reported higher N
applications, only two thirds achieved
higher yields, compared with the 75%
overall who saw a yield increase.
On-farm practice, 2015
How did your yields in
harvest 2015 vary
from harvest 2014?
At least 2.0t/ha lower
1.5t/ha lower
1t/ha lower
0.5t/ha lower
The same
0.5t/ha higher
1t/ha higher
1.5t/ha higher
At least 2.0t/ha higher
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
How did your protein
levels in harvest 2015
compare to harvest
2014?
At least 0.8% lower
0.6% lower
0.4% lower
0.2% lower
The same
0.2% higher
0.4% higher
0.6% higher
At least 0.8% higher
Understanding a wheat variety’s protein switch is
a key aspect of knowing how to feed a crop to
build yield, says Roger Sylvester-Bradley.
How did your nitrogen
applications compare
in spring 2015 to
spring 2014?
For these crops,
were your sulphur
rates higher or lower
in spring 2015?
What do you think
generally led to good
wheat yields and
protein levels in
2015?
Not known
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
At least 30kgN/ha lower
20kgN/ha lower
10kgN/ha lower
The same
10kgN/ha higher
20kgN/ha higher
At least 30kgN/ha higher
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Milling wheat
Feed wheat
Winter barley
Spring barley
Oilseed rape
Grassland
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Higher The same Lower Not in rotation
Low disease level
Rainfall
Nitrogen rate
Sulphur rate
Sunlight
Crop establishment
Plant numbers in spring
Tiller number in spring
Variety
Least important
Most important
Yields Protein
Prof Roger Sylvester-Bradley of ADAS
reckons the higher yields may have more
to do with N utilisation. “I haven’t seen
any signs that growers are applying more
N –– if they were, it would be a major
change in practice. But I do think we may
be improving our ability at getting it into
the crop.”
Varietal performance
Overall applied rates of N haven’t
changed much since the early 1980s,
he points out, but UK average yields have
risen by around 2t/ha. Much of this is
down to varietal performance, and that
certainly has changed.
“These days, the lifespan of a
high-performing wheat is longer and it has
the capacity to produce more biomass ––
the same amount of straw and chaff, but
more grain. The flowering date hasn’t
changed much, though, so growers need
to think about the end of the growth period
and how to feed that.”
There’s been plenty of trials work carried
out over many decades to determine the
optimum N for wheat crops, and this
information is distilled into the Fertiliser
Manual. “But RB209 is a crude average of
these experiments. What we’re learning
through recent trials is the variation
between farms, between fields and within
those fields. On-farm strip trials have
shown that as many as half of arable fields
may be receiving the wrong amount of
nitrogen by more than 50kgN/ha.”
So how can growers get it right?
“The bottom line is we simply don’t know
enough about how fertiliser is applied
crop production magazine december 2015 41
▲
Getting everything right for a bumper crop
Do something different in 2016 to aim for a
bumper crop, suggests Allison Grundy.
on farm and how it’s then taken up,”
he says. “It was recent experiments using
‘chessboard’ trials that proved to be
something of a Damascus moment
for me.”
▲
●
●
●
Monitor your soils – assess soil nutrient
levels, in particular N Min
Explore your options – think carefully
about crop requirements and plan
applications and timings to match best
response
Look at grain protein levels – assess past
performance and adjust applications to suit
variety
Varied N requirement
Four different N rates were criss-crossed
in a grid of 10x10m squares within a wheat
field and optimum N assessed for each
square. “The N requirement in one field
varied as much as you’d see over many
series of trials over many sites and years.
It comes down to the subtle effect of the
soil –– there’s as much variation below
ground as there is above it.”
The ADAS-led Yield Enhancement
Network (YEN), in which about 100
growers work with researchers to achieve
the ‘bio-physical’ potential of their crops,
has shown similar variation, explains
Roger Sylvester-Bradley. “What we’ve
seen is that the growers who consistently
achieve the high percentages are the
hard-thinking farmers –– those who really
●
●
Consider product choice – ammonium
nitrate is best at building protein and
sulphur/nitrogen compounds work well at
keeping both nutrients at the right level
Keep an eye on the weather – monitor
conditions and crop growth and tailor
practice accordingly
strive to understand what’s going on,
recognising the importance of light
energy and water, as well as nutrition.”
On nutrition, understanding grain
protein is one fundamental aspect of
knowing what’s happening, he believes.
“If a wheat crop isn’t fed right, protein is
hit more than yield. But the point at which
a wheat variety switches from laying down
yield to building protein varies. We need
to understand the protein switch better,
but values in the AHDB Cereals and
Oilseeds Recommended List probably
provide the best guide to gauging the
performance of your wheat.”
If you get 10.6% from Reflection, that’s
probably about right, but 10.6% on
Costello means you’ve underdone it, he
explains. “Too much grain protein can be
Growers switch on to barley’s early boost
Barley growers are altering nitrogen timings to
exploit the potential of new varieties, according
to the survey. Almost 60% of those growing
barley had adjusted the proportion of N applied
early. Of these, more than half were putting
50% on at GS14-25.
“This is really encouraging,” says Allison
Grundy of CF Fertilisers. “Recent research has
shown the best yield response comes from
applying 50% of the N early and the survey
suggests the benefits of that research are now
being felt on farm.”
just as costly as too little, depending on
the variety. Also, growers aiming for a
high feed yield could save on nitrogen by
seeking out the low protein varieties.”
But getting nitrogen right is notoriously
difficult, he concedes. A recent project
monitored protein levels achieved by
growers in grain co-ops over several
seasons. While some growers consistently
achieved high levels in their milling
samples, others frequently failed to
do so, with no rational explanation as
to why.
“Those growers might have been
getting the nutrition right if the farm was
‘average’, but the protein levels are telling
them something’s working differently
on their farm. Routinely analysing and
monitoring what you’re doing could tell you
a lot about how to improve performance
–– if you’ve a milling wheat at 11% you’re
underfertilising, but a feed wheat at 12%
may indicate some N was unnecessary.”
Realising both high yield and high
protein puts the emphasis in wheat crops
on the later N applications. “The difficulty
is that an application at the end of May
needs rain in June and July to get it into
the ear.”
Bonanza yields
And that may be what’s behind the
high yields and good proteins growers
experienced this year. According to the
survey, most growers put this year’s
bonanza yields down to crop establishment
and sunlight, with rainfall coming a close
third. Nitrogen rate was credited for the high
protein, followed by rainfall and sunlight.
“It’s the good light levels and the
pattern of rainfall that top my list,” says
Roger Sylvester-Bradley. He cites research
that has drawn observations on spring and
summer rainfall and resulting yields.
“There have been high yields in years with
low rainfall in March and April but there
has been high proteins in years with
relatively high precipitation in June and
The barley project, led by ADAS and funded
by AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds, CF Fertilisers
and Syngenta, is taking a fresh look at data
and conducting new trials to update RB209
recommendations for winter barley.
“The earlier timing supports work done
previously. What we now also know is how
best to feed these high-yielding barley crops,”
says Allison Grundy.
The project has determined a barley crop
needs an extra 30kgN/ha per tonne of yield
above RB209’s standard 8t/ha crop. “With many
July. This year we got both.
“The other striking feature of this year
was ear numbers –– some crops produced
a massive number of grain sites. It could
farms achieving 10-11t/ha crops, they need
to apply an extra 60-90kgN/ha.”
In practice, this could mean an extra
application, splitting the total dressing three
ways rather than using the traditional two.
“And then half of it also needs to go on before
GS31. There’ll be knock-on implications for
disease control and PGR use, too. So for
growers looking to maximise returns on their
barley crop, there’s plenty to plan for next
spring,” concludes Allison Grundy.
be that dry weather in early spring,
combined with plenty of sunshine,
combined to boost photosynthesis and
rooting, setting up the crop to produce
▲
Planning a bumper crop
Which aspects of crop
nutrition do you
intend to look closer
at for spring 2016?
What advice or information
source is most likely to
influence your approach to
crop nutrition?
Where do you see the
most significant
advances in crop
production coming
in the next year?
Have you adjusted the
proportion of N applied
early to winter barley,
and if so, by how
much?
Soil analysis for
phosphate/potash
Soil nitrogen
measurement
Nitrogen product type
Nitrogen timings
Sulphur product type
Yes
No
Not applicable
Sulphur timings
None
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
10% 25% 50%
the high biomass hence high yields.”
Rainfall and sunlight can’t be controlled,
but they can be monitored, and then other
aspects can be tailored more closely for
those aiming for a bumper harvest in
2016. Over 90% of growers responding to
the survey said soil analysis for P&K would
be a key aspect they’d be looking at
(see charts left).
While this is important, David Beck’s
concerned that less than half of growers
feel soil nitrogen measurement warrants
attention. “I’m surprised that growers put
nitrogen timings as more important than
finding out what’s left in the soil. A high
yield means the crop will have drawn on
soil nitrogen reserves, so it’s worth taking
some N Min samples to gauge what’s left
as well as looking at timings.”
For almost 80% of growers, it’ll be either
the farm agronomist or their own
experience that will be the main influence
on the nutrition approach in spring 2016.
But David Beck notes there are other
avenues worth exploring.
“There can be a tendency simply to
do the same thing, but a manufacturer
website can be a good place to start to
explore other avenues. So far only 70%
of growers have bought some of their
requirements for 2016, so the market’s a
little way behind where it usually is. That
means there’s plenty more product to
bring onto farm, and that’s where you can
open out your purchasing decisions.”
CF Fertilisers agronomist Allison Grundy
agrees that 2016 could be the ideal year
to do something different. “One thing to
try for instance is to make a sulphur
application with every N application, rather
than applying in one dressing –– Single
Top (27N 12SO 3 ), for instance, allows that
flexibility. With N/S compounds currently
priced at parity with Nitram, it’s a very
simple way to improve your system.”
In the longer term, she tends to agree
with growers that soil and cultivation
methods are where the most significant
advances in crop production may lie
(see chart left). “We don’t give soil the
attention it deserves, on average only 60%
of applied N is recovered by the crop ––
meaning 40% of your fertiliser investment
is being recycled in thesoil system.
“But getting it right means getting
everything right (see panel on p43)
–– monitoring not only your soils, but
your crop and ensuring all planets are
in alignment and all marginal gains are
explored. If we can exploit the genetic
potential of current varieties by developing
the agronomy and adapting to seasonal
conditions, we have a good chance of
achieving those higher yields.” ■
▲
44 crop production magazine december 2015
Profits under pressure as markets remain depressed
CropTec was a chance for growers to catch up with experts on the state of the industry.
Two good years for global crop production and
comfortable world stocks will keep commodity
markets in the doldrums, but prepare for
volatile times ahead. That was the message
from Sebastian Mallet, market analyst with
ODA, at a BASF breakfast meeting at CropTec
last month.
Now in its third year, the event, that
has Adama as its headline sponsor, is believed
to have drawn as many visitors to the East of
England showground at Peterborough as last
year –– around 3000. As well as a series of
seminars and static exhibits, it was a chance
for growers to catch up with experts on the
state of the industry.
Globally the trend on commodity markets
is bearish, reports Sebastian Mallet. “The
world balance sheet was at 30% and now
stands at 30.8%, and there’s a comfortable
supply/demand position. In the UK, the
problem is a weak Euro –– European prices are
currently the lowest in the world, but a relatively
strong sterling keeps the UK as net importers,
depressing prices.”
Many of the exhibits at CropTec offered visitors
the opportunity to find out about new arable
technology.
His advice to wheat growers is to sit tight for
the time being. “The wheat market is on carry
–– it’ll pay to store. But the oilseed market is in
backwardation. Prices are already lower than
they were at harvest and there’s no storage
value for the 2015 crop.
“But speculators are already looking at
next year’s crop –– many traders are short
on the market and are looking to recover their
positions, which may drive prices up. Whatever
happens, expect volatility.”
There are five global production areas, he
explains, North and South America, the Black
Sea, Europe and Australia. A 1% drop in
production in these countries represents
a 5% drop in exports.
“The US exports less wheat than Europe and
the Black Sea, so it’s not such a big player. But
Ukraine, that normally produces 25M tonnes
and exports 13M tonnes, is currently looking
at a 2016 crop that could be as low as
15M tonnes.”
Wheat has a strong ability to recover in
Ukraine, he cautions, but the politics currently
being played out in the crude oil markets adds
further uncertainty. “Oil prices are fundamental
to crop-market stability.”
Current low wheat prices have seen
profitability slide in the arable sector, warns
George Cook of Andersons. “With on-farm
margins gradually being eroded, a change of
mindset is needed,” he states.
Andersons’ Loam Farm model, with 600ha
of combinable crops, faces a net loss before
subsidy of £62/ha in 2015 and this will
deepen to £107/ha in 2016, he reports.
“The classic mantra is to spread costs over
a bigger area, but a reduction of unit cost
would be a considerable challenge for most
arable businesses, especially with land of
questionable quality coming on the market
and rental value high.”
Taking on an extra 200ha would increase
Loam Farm’s loss for 2016 to £131/ha, he
predicts. Instead, he advocates a move towards
more spring cropping, with overall reductions
in input costs. Larger tractor should be traded
out for smaller models and the dedicated
telehandler should go, resulting in a net
projected loss of £108/ha.
“The changes won’t increase margins,
but they’ll ease management and make the
farm less dependent on autumn cropping and
in-crop chemistry –– that’s a business that’s
sustainable and better equipped to profit from
any market upturns that may occur,” concludes
George Cook.
George Cook advises arable businesses to seek
a more sustainable system.
crop production magazine december 2015 45
New tech draws the crowds
LAMMA PREVIEW
A drop in machinery sales
across Europe didn’t dampen
the enthusiasm of the
450,000 visitors to
Agritechnica, held in
Hanover last month. In
the first of three special
reports, CPM casts its
eye over the highlights likely
to also be on show in the
UK at LAMMA in Jan.
By Mick Roberts
While sprayer sales declined in 2015, the
good news for manufacturers, according
to CEMA, the European trade organisation,
is it’s likely to be the only product group
expected to rise next year.
Whether by luck or design, or probably
a bit of both, sprayer makers have been
gearing up to meet this demand, with a
huge array of significant new machines on
46 crop production magazine december 2015
show at Agritechnica. Most, from well
known multi-national companies, will be
making their way across the channel.
While not all are predicted to make it
here in time for the LAMMA show in Jan,
most will arrive some time in 2016.
Potential buyers can expect to see
completely new trailed and self-propelled
machines joining some manufacturer’s
ranges for the first time.
At the same time, Agritechnica provided
a fascinating look into the near and further
future with some interesting technology
and controls being shown for the first time.
Challenger used Agritechnica for its first
foray into the competitive trailed sector
with the launch of two new models –– the
RG333 and RG344, offering tank capacities
of 3300 and 4400 litres, respectively.
Both are offered with 24m to 30m wide
aluminium booms. Air-operated quin
nozzles are fitted as standard, allowing for
auto-control of up to 30 sections. Spraying
pressure is generated by a 785 l/min
centrifugal pump.
The new RoGator 300 Series inherits
many of the features from the RoGator 600
self-propelled machines. Indeed,
“
The integration
of smart phone apps to
monitor and also operate
machine functions
continues. ”
Challenger says, about two thirds of the
technology is the same including the
boom and suspension, centre frame,
boom lift arm, plumbing and induction
hopper.
These components are now incorporated
onto a new single-beam chassis. The narrow
design allows the same 35° steering angle
as the self-propelled to be maintained on the
50km/h-rated axle. This provides a 7.6m
radius of turning, as well as manual track
width adjustments between 1.5-2.25m.
A few years ago Horsch Leeb also
transferred technology from its self-propelled
to its first top-end trailed Leeb GS sprayer
and now, with the launch of its LT range, it
takes aim at the more mainstream market.
The most notable difference is a new
sculpted plastic 4000 or 5000 litre tank in
place of the stainless steel version used
on the GS models. The high Horsch Leeb
specification is still available, but offered
▲
LAMMA PREVIEW
Challenger’s first ever trailed sprayers, the RG
300 Series have similar technology to the
self-propelled machines.
as options to reduce starting price.
The entry-level Eco model has manually
operated valves for both the suction and
pressure sides. For those looking for more
sophistication, the mid-spec models offer
automatic tank rinsing with the Continuous
Cleaning System (CCS), while the Pro
version comes with electronic valve control
similar to that on the GS models.
All models in the new LT Series are
available with 18m to 42m wide booms
and Boom Control, which won a Silver
Medal at the previous Agritechnica, is
standard. This active system allows the
boom to travel at high speeds at less than
30cm above the crop.
A piston diaphragm pump is driven by
▲
an on-board load-sensing hydraulic
system and the machine is controlled by
the firm’s own ISOBUS terminal or via a
compatible system.
Horsch Leeb won a Silver Medal at
this year’s Agritechnica for its novel
BoomSight system, which uses a special
laser scanner mounted on the cab to scan
up to 15m in front of and across the whole
boom width.
Detect gaps
This allows the system to help maintain
boom height more accurately and, for
example, detect gaps in crops that could
result in the boom diving into the rest of
crop. Conversely it can ‘see’ obstacles
coming up and raise the boom to clear
them. If the obstruction is too high to
be cleared, it sends a warning to the
operator.
Kuhn continues to update the sprayer
range it acquired when it bought
Blanchard in 2008. The latest Lexis 3000
model, which made its debut at
Agritechnica, is aimed squarely the
popular 3000-litre capacity trailed sector.
It’ll eventually replace the Atlantis
models, but currently it’s available only
in entry-level specification with a 3000-litre
polyethylene tank and 24m wide aluminium,
hydraulically folding boom, although wider
units are on the way. A steering drawbar,
to replace the ‘headland assistance’ is
also coming in the future.
The Lexis 3000 comes with a choice of
three control systems which start with the
fully manual Manuset, which provides two
rotary valves. Diluset has a manual spray
control valve but electronic control for
auto-fill, plus the ability to control the
cleaning sequence with buttons in
the cab.
E-Set delivers fully automatic control
of both valves, providing auto-filling and
automatic control of the whole rinsing
cycle. There’s also the option of the new
Horsch Leeb’s new LT sprayers extend its range
of trailed machines into the mainstream.
48 crop production magazine december 2015
BoomSight won Horsch Leeb a Silver Medal for
its ability to scan up to 15m ahead of the boom.
7in colour-screen VisioReb terminal, which
provides full set-up, control and monitoring
as well as auto-section control.
In the face of the onslaught in the
trailed market, Vicon is hitting back with
the launch of its completely new iXdrive
self-propelled sprayer.
Available with either a 4000 or 5000-litre
tank, the iXdrive effectively merges spraying
technology from its trailed iXtrack machines
onto a skid unit supplied by Italian maker,
Mazzotti.
This is offered with three different
ground clearance and track width options
– 1.3m clearance, providing widths from
1.8m to 2.25m, or 1.5m and 1.7m
clearance models, both with a 2.25m to
2.95m track widths. Four-wheel steer is
standard, while disc brakes are an option.
Powered by 240hp Perkins engine,
the machine has a Sauer hydrostatic
transmission pump with Poclain motors
on each wheel. There’s a choice of HSA
aluminium booms or steel, HSS boom ––
both with the iXflow sprayer line recirculation
and pneumatic nozzle control.
Carbon-fibre boom
John Deere introduced a new
carbon-fibre boom on its new 5000-litre
capacity R4050i self-propelled sprayer.
While the boom, in 36-40m widths, is
standard on the R4050i, carbon-fibre
booms will become options on other
models, but they’re not expected to be in
Europe for two years, following extensive
testing.
Carbon fibre, explains John Deere, isn’t
only lighter and stronger than steel and
aluminium, it doesn’t suffer from ‘fatigue’.
The material is now much cheaper to
produce, which makes it a practical
alternative to steel. John Deere is still
developing folding systems, mountings for
nozzles, hydraulics and spraylines as well
as nozzle protection. The centre frame is
also likely to see changes, because the
boom is about 1t lighter than its steel
counterpart.
Removing weight from the back of the
machine, adds John Deere, improves the
weight distribution, which also reduces
compaction. But, even with the new
boom, this is largest tank that can be
accommodated on the existing vehicle
chassis.
John Deere won a Gold Medal at the
show for its PAM –– Pesticide Application
Manager system. Developed in conjunction
with partners, including BASF, the system
helps operators protect watercourses and
other important areas and comply with buffer
zone restrictions.
Using PAM, operators can create field
Kuhn ise xtending its trailed range with the new
entry-level Lexis 3000.
▲
LAMMA PREVIEW
The carbon-fibre boom on the new John Deere
R4050i self-propelled is 1t lighter than the steel
equivalent.
and product-specific application maps,
which include any necessary buffer zones
etc. The software then refers to databases
containing the relevant restrictions to
create a map for each product or field.
Using a reader on a smart phone the
operator can also scan the product bar
code to not only check it’s the correct
chemical, but also download a suggested
filling order if it’s being used in a tank mix.
In the field, provided the sprayer is
equipped with GPS and section control,
the controller refers to the instructions
on the application map to automate the
application. It also produces an as applied
map for record keeping.
▲
Hardi has expanded its Alpha Evo
range with the addition of a 5000-litre
capacity model with new sliding hydraulic
track width adjustment and pneumatic
suspension.
Track widths
The sprayer has two half axles that are
mounted parallel to each other on the front
and rear. These can telescope in and out
across a distance of 1m to offer track
widths from 1.8m to 2.8m, which are
adjustable from the cab.
Hardi’s new suspension is similar to the
existing system, but now uses a large air
bag in place of the previous coil spring
on the rear axle. Up front independent
pneumatic suspension allows each wheel
to move up and down individually.
The sprayer is powered by a 245hp
Deutz engine and has a hydrostatic
transmission that employs two Sauer
pumps that drive individual Poclain
wheel motors. A top speed of 40km/h
is achieved at reduced engine speeds.
The integration of smart phone apps to
monitor and, more recently, also operate
machine functions continues with Agrifac
ElectronicPlus, which communicates with
the firm’s EcoTronicPlus terminal. Users
A new app from Agrifac allows operators to use
their smart phones to operate functions such as
turning pumps and sections on or off.
must first couple the devices by scanning
a unique QR code on the terminal.
Then, via the app, this turns the phone
into a remote controller allowing operators
to turn pumps on/off and even start and
stop the boom sections to, for example,
check for blocked nozzles. On machines
equipped with individual nozzle control
it’ll also turn these on/off. The app also
contains the operator’s manual and other
useful information.
A new front and rear demount sprayer
developed by Landquip specifically for the
new JCB 4000 Fastrac made its debut in
the tractor maker’s livery at Agritechnica.
The design of the new rear demount
enables Landquip to fit its Alu-light tri-fold
▲
The latest Hardi Alpha has new adjustable track
widths from 1.8m to 2.8m, along with a new
pneumatic suspension system.
boom for the first time in widths up to
36m. Other widths include 30m, 32m and
34m –– all of which can also operate at
24m. These are fitted to a close-coupled
high lift mast providing working heights of
0.5m to 2.4m.
The rear 2500-litre capacity demount
tank, together with a 1900-litre front tank
provides up to 4400-litre capacity. With
wider booms mounted to the new Fastrac
4000 the combination, says the firm,
provides a versatile high capacity, high
road-speed sprayer for those looking to
increase output without moving to a
self-propelled.
Electronic control includes individual
▲
nozzle section switching using Landquip’s
Poziflow continuous recirculation,
auto-section control, variable rate fertiliser
applications as well as guidance.
Landquip also offers the option of Seletron
twin or quad spray quality control, which
automatically selects the most appropriate
nozzle to apply at the optimum pressure.
While disposing of washings in biobeds
and by evaporation isn’t new, a modular
system that combines the two looks like a
practical new idea.
Phytobac, developed by Beutech-Agro
in conjunction with Bayer, is a totally
enclosed system that runs automatically.
Biological conditions
The relatively simple set-up uses an
impermeable container to hold a substrate
mix of 70% soil and 30% straw to provide
the biological conditions to break down
chemicals –– as they would in the fields.
Nothing comes out because the waste
degrades into basic elements or
compounds, such as nitrogen, oxygen,
carbon dioxide and water.
Washings are irrigated over the
substrate surface through an array of
nozzles and dribble hoses. The liquid flow
is regulated by a moisture sensor, via the
controller, which starts or stops the pump
in the buffer tank to maintain optimum
conditions for the soil micro-organisms to
break down the chemicals.
Clear plastic roofing sheets cover the
Phytobac to protect it from rainwater as
well as enhancing the evaporation of the
clean water produced. Air flowing under
the roof also helps to move away the
moist air.
One Phytobac will handle about 2500
litres of effluent in a year. Those needing
to process higher volumes simply need to
add more modules to suit the capacity. ■
The modular Phytobac system runs automatically
and processes sprayer washings through a
soil/straw bed.
Smart thinking on drills
and combines
LAMMA PREVIEW
“
Nothing about
the Seagull is
conventional. ”
Seeding technology has
come on in leaps and
bounds recently, while
there’s a totally new
approach on the cards
for combine headers.
CPM reports.
By Nick Fone
What’s on show at Agritechnica one year
is generally a good indicator of what’ll be
appearing on farms in the next two to
three years. And in the drill department
ultra-sophisticated technology certainly
seems to be the way things are going.
Great Plains has been developing some
clever new seedbed fertiliser application
technology in the US for a number of years
and is now bringing it to Europe. Designed
principally for row crops such as maize,
sunflowers and possibly sugar-beet, the
AccuShot system applies a measured dose
of liquid following each seed dropped in the
drill row.
Sensors on the precision planter’s seed
outlets are triggered each time a grain
passes. The system them calculates the
required delay and fires a solenoid valve
54 crop production magazine december 2015
to release a predefined shot of liquid down
the fertiliser line. Positioned in line with the
coulter outlet, in the shadow of the opener
disc, the fertiliser nozzle incorporates a
check valve that’s only triggered to open
when the pressure of liquid in the line pulses
as the solenoid fires. Critically this means
dust blockages are minimized, according
to the firm.
Blanket applied
The key advantages of this approach are
that fertiliser doesn’t have to be blanket
applied and by targeting it with the seed
there are significant savings to be had. In
addition, because it’s placed so precisely
alongside the seed, scorching is apparently
no longer an issue for the young plants.
In the main it’s P&K that are used
although the actual makeup of the liquid
can be varied to include a small amount of
nitrogen and micro-nutrients. Two units will
go under evaluation in Europe next spring so
pricing isn’t yet confirmed. All Great Plains
would say was that the payback period
for the system would be approximately
two years based on the potential fertiliser
savings.
Väderstad had a number of high tech
options for its drills it its stand. First up was a
system to automatically adjust the depth of
the leading cultivations elements, primarily
the Crossboard levelling paddles. The
system works by monitoring the height of
soil being carried in front of the drill and
then making small tweaks to the depth
control rams.
This ensures no bulldozing occurs but at
the same time makes sure the tines are
doing a decent job of levelling the seedbed.
It’s all controlled via the Swedish firm’s iPad
app which allows the operator to alter the
speed of response and limit the maximum
working depth. Currently it’s a prototype
concept that’ll be evaluated over the
forthcoming season.
Around at the back of the drill it’s metering
and calibration that get the most radical
revamp. Väderstad has worked with
Hungarian firm Digitroll (probably best
known for its blockage sensors) to develop
an advanced system to accurately count
individual seeds as they travel from the
distribution head to the coulters and enable
automatic calibration of the drill.
Dubbed SeedEye, it can deal with up
to 170 seeds per sec and will re-calibrate
the metering system twice a second. The
company says normal manual calibration
generally achieves +/-5% accuracy whereas
the SeedEye runs at between 1-2%. At
€7000 for a 6m drill it might seem expensive
but Väderstad points out that a standard
blockage sensor system will add €5000 to
Collars within each of four distribution heads on
Lemken’s Solitair drills are lifted and lowered by
rams plumbed into the same circuit as the
tramline markers.
The Great Plains AccuShot system applies a
measured dose of liquid following each seed
dropped in the drill row.
the price tag so having auto-calibration only
puts an additional €2000 on the bill, in
effect. (see article on p62 for more on the
Väderstad Rapid).
Although it’s been on offer for a little
while now, Horsch was keen to show off its
Seed Control self-calibration system too.
Ultra-sonic sensors around the distribution
head detect each seed as it heads down
the coulter pipes and send a signal to the
controller which adjusts the metering system
according to the pre-set seed rate/m 2 . The
set-up has been developed in combination
with Muller and costs approximately £4000
for a 3m machine.
If you’re keen on getting ultra-precise
however, the German company suggests
you might also want to take a look at its seed
singulation system. Fitted at the end of each
coulter tube over the seed outlet, enclosed
plastic metering wheels separate individual
seeds to ensure they drop one at a time into
the drill row.
Capable of running at working speeds
of up to 14km/h, Horsch says the system
can have a significant impact on yields,
particularly in crops that are stressed by
drought, flooding etc. In such situations,
harvested tonnages have apparently been
shown to increase by up to 10%. This is put
simply down to the improved accuracy in
seed spacing and the subsequent reduction
in plant-to-plant competition.
Lemken had its brand new 6m Solitair
25 drill taking pride of place on its stand.
Available in semi-mounted or trailed
formats, it has a goose-neck drawbar with
under-slung coupling that allows tined or
disc cultivators to be carried ahead of the
seeder elements.
As before, four metering units feed four
individual distribution heads spaced evenly
along the drill’s coulter toolbar. However the
metering units themselves have changed
from fluted rollers to a clever conical set-up
with adjustable vanes that can be extended
or retracted depending on seed size. This
does away with the need to switch rollers
when changing crops. The distribution
heads have also been altered to simplify
tramline shut-offs. A simple collar system lifts
up and down within each dome on the same
hydraulic circuit as the marker arms to blank
off the appropriate coulter pipes.
Lemken also has its own auto-calibration
system which works in a very different way
to both Horsch’s and Väderstad’s. Seed
comes out of the metering units into a venturi
and is then diverted up a separate pipe to
drop into a weigh cell. The drill controller
▲
crop production magazine december 2015
55
LAMMA PREVIEW
Now optional on Horsch drills, individual seed
singulation units fitted to the end of the delivery
pipes mean the accuracy of seed placement is
no longer random.
assesses the amount delivered and then
automatically adjusts rates.
A relative newcomer to the UK, Italian
▲
firm MaterMacc also adopts the split
metering-unit approach. By using four
mechanically-driven rollers feeding separate
distribution heads, each serving a quarter of
the drill width, it says coulter pipe lengths
can be kept the same, resulting in much
more even air-flows and therefore more
uniform delivery of seed.
The MSD 2.0 comes in 4m and 6m
working widths (we’re told an 8m is in
development) and is described as a min-till
drill with the ability to work into ploughed
ground so long as it’s level and flat.
Single-disc, double-disc and Suffolk coulters
are all on the options list, followed by
individual press wheels. MaterMacc uses its
own in-house developed control boxes and
Recently bought out by John Deere, French firm
Monosem had an electrically driven precision
planter on display on its stand.
CX-series combines get a refresh
There was just one piece of major news in the
combine front –– the announcement of a
refresh of New Holland’s CX-series five and
six-walker machines. The company is making
some pretty bold claims for the new flagship in
the range claiming it’s now the highest capacity
conventional straw-walker combine in the world.
Coming back down to earth, the major
changes come from an operator’s perspective.
Most obviously, CXs now get the same cab as
the firm’s latest rotary CR-series combines.
It’s bigger inside and is reckoned to have a
much improved layout with a revised colour
touchscreen that can be positioned in various
locations around the armrest. The joystick
no longer runs forwards and back in a slot,
instead acting more like the controls on
New Holland’s AutoCommand CVT tractors
–– the harder you push the stick forward,
the faster the combine will accelerate.
Down in the guts of the machine, sectional
concaves can now be slipped out through
the stone-trap and there’s variable-speed
straw-walker drive called Optispeed. This
automatically ups the pace of the walkers when
the machine starts to head downhill and hauls it
back when travelling up a gradient.
The company says the key reason for
introducing this system is that typically the
walkers are run too fast in a move to avoid any
chance of blockages. However this can result in
straw travelling too rapidly out the back of the
machine, carrying some grain with it. Varying it
automatically does away with this issue, it says.
To further deal with crops on banks and
slopes, New Holland has a variable-speed fan
and self-levelling cleaning shoe, although we
gather it’s working on a full body levelling option.
New Holland’s CX-series combines get a new
cab, controls and automatically adjusting variable
speed straw walkers.
The line-up remains much the same as before
with the addition of one new model –– the CX
8.85. Unlike the range-topping 8.90 which uses
a 10-litre FPT engine to generate up to 490hp,
it brings in a 9-litre power plant capable of
pumping out a maximum of 449hp. This is
said to have a major impact of fuel use without
impacting significantly on output.
is currently working on a GPS-controlled unit
capable of variable rate drilling. The 6m
mounted machine apparently needs just
120hp to pull it and costs in the region of
€38,000.
On the precision-drilling front, following
its recent acquisition by John Deere,
Monosem had its first electrically driven
planter on display. Called the Meca V4E it
uses individual electric motors driving
through rubber belts to power each metering
unit. The key advantage of adopting this
approach is said to be greater accuracy in
seed placement –– slippage through
ground-wheel driven metering is eliminated
resulting in a uniform in-row spacing and a
precise number of seeds per ha.
For tramlines, with individual units shut off
for sprayer wheelings, seed rates in the rows
either side can be automatically increased to
make the most of the available light and
nutrients made available by the unplanted
strips. More critically, with it now possible to
switch separate units on and off at will, GPS
Header innovations show way forward
control makes auto sectioning possible on
the headlands, eliminating overlaps and
drill misses.
The electrical requirement is said to be
relatively light –– 50Amps per unit –– with the
implement taking its power direct from the
tractor battery. Pneumatic versions employ
a pto or hydraulically powered generator.
Prices aren’t yet finalized but the French firm
says the electrically powered Meca is likely
to cost €1000 more per row than standard
versions. ■
While news might have been fairly thin on the
ground in the harvester department, there
were plenty of developments from specialist
header makers.
Perhaps the most striking was a folding
telescopic header concept from Italian tech
start-up STW. Dubbed the Seagull because of
its wingspan, its main frame is divided into
three segments. This allows the bed sections
of the outer two to fold up and over the centre
for transport.
But of course there’s still the reel to deal
with. Its central spindle is made up of telescopic
box-section so that it can concertina down
to a 3.2m road width. In a move to limit
protuberances at the extremities, reel drive
comes from a pair of chains and sprockets
at the centre.
Nothing about the Seagull is conventional.
The cutterbar bed sections are split down into
free-floating modules supported on skids to
track ground contours. Each is driven by its
own hydraulic motor. And, rather than an
auger to draw crop to the centre (making a
telecopic version would be some challenge), a
chain-and-slat system is used.
Currently the Seagull is very much a design
concept but full-scale prototype units will go
into production for field evaluation next year.
Taking centre stage in Canada’s exhibition
area was the Honeybee AirFlex header. Available
in working widths from 7.6-15.2m, the unit’s
unique feature is a flexible contour-following
knife cushioned by air-suspension. With support
arms cantilevered on truck-type air-bags from
the header back-board, the cutterbar has up to
23cm of flex, allowing it to scoop up laid crops
on the most undulating terrain.
Sourced from Schumacher, the knife is split
in the centre into left and right sections with
drive coming up through the bed via cams
and pitman arms to power the knives from
the middle. In the style of other Draper-type
headers, rubber belts draw the crop inwards to
the intake elevator. Fitted with integrated Zurn
side-knives and an in-built air-compressor, a 9m
version costs approximately €85,000.
John Deere subsidiary Zurn was showing off
an electrically driven header that it’s developed
in collaboration with the University of Dresden
and knife supplier Schumacher. By replacing
belts, pulleys, chains and sprockets with
individual electric motors for auger, knife, reel
and belt drives, the whole driveline becomes less
mechanically complex but more importantly it
allows independent adjustment of all the various
elements, according to the firm.
That means knife speed can be varied
separately to the table auger and, with each of
the adapted Premium Flow table’s rubber belts
powered by its own motor, it’s now possible to
reverse them or speed them up independently to
clear blockages and maintain even crop flow.
But it’s cleverer than that –– every motor
incorporates sensors which can be used to monitor
torque loading. Zurn says it’s now working with
its partners on software and a controller that
can process that information and use it to
automatically adjust all the other parameters
to ensure the header is being used to the max.
A further development from the University of
Dresden came in the form of an intriguing-looking
harvester design-study model. Tagged as
‘Combine Concept 2025’, the initial brief was to
work up an idea of how harvesters of the future
might look and operate. It has two cabs –– one
front and rear –– three axles to spread the weight
and a monster folding cutterbar.
Clearly the students involved know a little
about the hassles of hitching and un-hitching
headers so they went for the radical option of a
folding 18m table. Once swung round into its
transport position on its castor support wheels,
the driver then jumps down from his normal
harvesting position, lowers the rearward-facing
cabin down from up over the straw hood and
climbs in ready for the road. With the whole rig
running in reverse, the folded header effectively
becomes a free-swinging trailed implement,
9m long.
Built in Canada, the Honeybee AirFlex header has
a flexible contour-hugging cutterbar supported by
truck-type air-bag suspension.
All the mechanical drives on Zurn’s iFlow header
have been replaced by individual electric motors
allowing all the different elements to be
controlled
The Dresden University concept has two cabs
– front and rear – and travels in reverse on
the road.
Although it might not appear in production
in exactly this form, the university says often
individual ideas are taken from projects such as
these and integrated into commercial production
machines. Watch this space…
crop production magazine december 2015 57
Cultivators rise
to challenge of
fresh thinking
adjusted when working depth is altered.
This new semi-mounted Karat 12 is
available in working widths from 4-7m.
The company has also completed its
trial phase for the world’s largest compact
harrow, the Gigant Heliodor, which has a
working width of 16m and the capability of
cultivating an impressive 25ha/hr.
This is achieved by teaming up the
Heliodor 9 with the Gigant 12 system
carrier. Two 4m sections are attached to
the tractor via the two three-point linkages
of the Gigant system in two 8m widths.
LAMMA PREVIEW
From supersized cultivators
to ingenious tools that
measure soil strength on the
go, Agritechnica ensured soil
engagement was a hot topic.
CPM reports.
By Emily Padfield
You’d have thought that we’ve now
seen every permutation of the humble
cultivator, but German manufacturer
Lemken used its stand at Agritechnica
to show that’s not the case.
It’s launched the Karat 12, which now
features four rows of tines. There’s a
distance between the rows of 23cm and it’s
designed for both shallow and deep tillage
up to 30cm in depth. With eight different
share types and Lemken’s quick-change
system, the machine can be quickly
tailored to suit different conditions.
There’s an underframe clearance of
80cm and interbody gap of 90cm, meaning
high levels of trash can be tackled, while
both concave discs and trailing roller are
a single unit so discs don’t have to be
Folding sections
With a disc diameter of 510mm and a
maximum working depth of 14cm, the
Heliodor 9 alongside the Gigant 12 S
system carrier can be folded to 3.5m
transport width and 4m height (watch
out for bridges) and is shod with 800mm
wide tyres.
Väderstad won a silver medal at
Agritechnica for its automatic crossboard,
which it says delivers a more level field
with reduced fuel and power use. The
innovation involves a small skid, which
constantly measures the height of the soil
wall. This skid is fitted with a gyroscope
that senses the angle of the crossboard,
and this data is then used to maintain the
optimum angle. The system will be rolled
out to other features in the range but will
be available first in this guise and will be
controlled via E-Control.
The Swedish company has also
introduced two new models of its Opus
cultivator. The Opus 400 and 500 feature
the same strong frame as the larger 600
and 700 and have tine spacings of 27cm
and clearance of 80cm. A range of tines
and shims are available, while each tine
has a variable release force of up to
700kg. The Opus can work down to
a depth of 40cm and is fitted with
hydraulically adjustable
levelling units.
Cultivation specialists are falling over
themselves to develop machines that help
farmers create stale seedbeds, often at
“
Cultivation
specialists are falling
over themselves to
develop machines that
help farmers create stale
seedbeds.”
58 crop production magazine december 2015
Lemken launched the Karat 12, designed for both
shallow and deep tillage up to 30cm depth.
speed. The 12m Catros + 12003-2TS
offers just this, and can be specced
with an impressive list of features.
If extra penetration is required, the
machine’s two outer sections can be folded
on top to give a 7m working width for
tougher areas like trafficked headlands
for example, says Amazone UK’s Simon
Brown. “As you would expect, all this
folds to a manageable 3m for transport.”
The four-segment contour frame is fitted
with maintenance-free disc bearings.
The Catros 12003-2TS will be on show at
Lamma after being trialled this season on
a farm in Essex.
Mulch cultivator
The company also had a new Cenius
Super mounted mulch-cultivator with
automatic stone-safetyprotection. The
new style overload safety device is now
integrated into the mounted Cenius Super
models in working widths of 3m, 3.5m
and 4m.
On the C-Mix Super tines, the stone
protection is provided via a pressure
spring with a release force of 600kg and a
spring lifting height of 300mm. For bigger
obstacles, which require a lifting height of
more than 300mm, an additional shear
bolt, allowing the tine to move upwards,
provides additional safety.
Also, under heavy soil conditions, the
release force of 600kg maintains the
working depth right down to 30cm.
Claydon showcased its first lowdisturbance
shallow cultivator in Germany.
Designed to complement the company’s
straw harrow, the TerraStar is a simple
low-cost machine that creates a fine tilth
to encourage a weed chit. Weighing just
1750kg with a working width of 6m, the
machine has two knife bars on each side
and uses star-shaped points that cut
divots from the top layer of soil to create
a shallow cultivation pass.
Power requirement is at least 150hp,
for effective operation, and work rates of
9ha/hr are possible. The TerraStar can
also be used as a mechanical weeder
with multiple passes at different depths.
Geoprospectors’ Topsoil Mapper (TSM)
is the first tool for recording extensive soil
If extra penetration is required, the 12m Catros’
two outer sections can be folded on top to give
a 7m working width.
parameters and for variable machine
control in real time, according to the
company which specialises in geophysical
measuring systems for near-surface layers.
The TSM system is mounted on the front
▲
Väderstad has introduced two new models of its
Opus cultivator – the 400 and 500.
crop production magazine december 2015 59
Great Plains to show all-new X-Press range
Those familiar with the X-Press stubble cultivator will
notice some major changes to Great Plains’ latest
generation at Lamma 2016.
The most noticeable difference is the re-designed
chassis. Taken from the SLD cultivator, the new
X-Press range features a more tubular structure
designed to absorb stresses and reduce overall
weight. This curvy new chassis has also been
designed to accommodate more spec options, whilst
still maintaining high levels of trash clearance.
According to UK sales director David Holmes, the
key to the new range lies in its flexibility for farmers
not wanting to be tied into one system. Although the
range was originally designed for primary cultivations,
the X-Press is equally effective as a secondary
cultivator for plough-based systems, he maintains.
Although the new X-press line-up will follow the
previous range when it comes to working widths in
both mounted and trailed guises, the number of
options available has drastically increased, meaning
buyers can really tailor the machine to deliver what
suits their system.
Firstly, the X-Press features several disc-angling
options. While limited disc-angling offers three fixed
disc settings, full disc-angling allows the operator
adjustability up to 25°. This can either be carried out
manually by a turnbuckle system or hydraulically from
the tractor cab.
Depth control is made easy using colour-coded
spacers and delivered by adjusting the rear rollers,
whilst there’s an extensive range of six rollers to
choose from.
There are also a number of disc specifications
available, including notched cultivation and SoilRazor
options, available in 508mm and 560mm diameters.
There are several disc-angling options allowing
adjustability up to 25°, either manually by a
turnbuckle system or hydraulically from the
tractor cab.
SoilRazors are a good option for those needing to
chop through tough crop residues like maize,
explains David Holmes.
“Turbo Coulter discs will also be available. These
are suited to minimal soil disturbance, as fluted
edges enter the soil perpendicular to the ground
giving maximum cutting performance, yet needing
less downward pressure. These are the same discs
fitted on Great Plains’ new Saxon drill and come in
515mm diameter.”
Disc spacings remain at 250mm on both front
and rear gangs (with the exception of models fitted
with Turbo Coulter blades) and there’s a spacing of
125mm between front and rear rows.
All new mounted and trailed X-Press models will
have the option of a levelling board, with the aim of
guiding soil more evenly into the rear roller, creating
a finer tilth, useful when used as a secondary
cultivator in plough-based systems, explains
David Holmes.
Trailed X-Press models have an articulated
headstock design for tighter headland turns, while
the long drawbar also allows for the use of wider
wheel widths and dual wheels.
Mounted units can be specced with an ST Bar
at the front of the machine, turning the X-Press into
a one-pass machine capable of restructuring soil to
a depth of 250mm.
New X-Press models are available in 3m, 3.5m
60 crop production magazine december 2015
LAMMA PREVIEW
The VarioGrip Pro tyre features an inner tyre
integrated into the outer tyre of the rear
wheel, allowing operators to adjust tyre
pressure on the go.
The new X-Press range features a more tubular
structure designed to absorb stresses and reduce
overall weight.
and 4m mounted and 5m, 6m and 7m trailed
versions, while David Holmes adds that the 8m
and 10m models from the existing range will still be
available.
Also shown in Hannover was the Saxon minimal
disturbance drill. Initially available in 3m and 4m
working widths, the Saxon features Turbo Coulter
discs designed for minimal disturbance but suited to
high levels of trash. This makes it possible to drill
straight into cover crops after they’ve been sprayed
off, with a reduced risk of grassweed germination.
The 3m drill has 18 rows at 167mm spacings and
24 rows at 125mm spacings, while the larger 4m
version has 24 and 32 rows respectively. Both models
come with the same 3000-litre capacity hopper as
their Centurian cousins, while a
4000-litre hopper is optional for the Saxon 400. The
Saxon drill range will be available in limited numbers
from early next year.
VarioGrip Pro tyre pressure regulation
system at Agritechnica. Developed in
collaboration with Mitas, the system
features an inner tyre integrated into the
outer tyre of the rear wheel, which not only
reduces the net volume of the outer tyre
by 30%, but also serves as a pressure
reservoir for filling the outer tyre.
Continuous monitoring of the pressures
and setting can all be accessed via the
VarioTerminal and the system is available
as an option for the Fendt 900 Vario
with a tyre size of 710/75R42 from
next autumn. ■
of the tractor and records information
on the rooting soil layer with numerous
measurements per second, passing this
information onto the operator in real time
as either a map or it can be transferred
directly to the tillage machine on the back.
The simple measurement enables growers
to constantly monitor soil long-term and
target tillage appropriately. The TSM uses
customary data and interface standards,
meaning it interacts with pretty much every
tractor and terminal.
Often, operators are faced with the
dilemma of knowing they need to adjust
tyre pressures but not really having the
time to do it. Fendt showcased its
▲
The Topsoil Mapper is the first tool for recording
extensive soil parameters and for variable
machine control in real time.
crop production magazine december 2015
61
Rapid pace for a
‘legendary’ drill
INNOVATION
INSIGHT
Väderstad’s Rapid
pioneered the cultivator-drill
concept and has become
Europe’s most successful
seed drill of all time. CPM
tells the story.
By Tom Allen-Stevens
Crister Stark was 11 when the doors of his
father’s workshop on their small, 30ha
farm near Väderstad in Sweden swung
open one day, to reveal a steel rigid-tine
harrow. “He’d bought the material for it
from a scrapyard,” recalls Crister Stark.
“He was fed up with the traditional
wooden harrows breaking all the time, so
decided to make himself a set of steel
harrows that was made to last.” Neighbouring
farmers soon heard about the harrows and
asked Rune Stark to make a set for them,
and it wasn’t long before Rune Stark’s
Mekaniska Workshop was in business.
62 crop production magazine december 2015
“His vision was to ensure that everything
he made delivered a clear benefit to his
customers. It’s a vision he impressed on me
–– I’ve never wanted to do anything else but
work for the family business and it’s kept me
very motivated.”
Tough patch
But by the early 1990s, farming in Sweden
was going through a tough patch. “There
was a crisis with a fall in currency and it
became expensive for farmers to buy
machinery. There was a need to simplify the
system and make crop establishment more
cost effective,” notes Crister Stark.
The inspiration came from England, where
during the 1980s direct drilling had drawn a
strong following. Väderstad introduced the
DS drill, which featured a single-disc seeder
unit mounted on a frame with rubber
cushioning –– seen as a pioneering
innovation at the time.
But it was in traditionally cultivated fields
that Crister Stark was convinced a greater
opportunity lay. “The cultivations farmers
were doing –– were they for the drill or for
the crop, I asked myself. They were clearly
for the drill. So I set about developing a
machine that would create the right
microclimate for a seed to germinate.”
Not only should the drill ensure the seed
is placed in the ideal conditions, but it
should work in a wide range of seedbeds,
from direct drilling through to a ploughed
field. “We realised there was a need to put
some form of soil preparation at the front of
the drill –– a big step forward was when
we fitted one of the early designs with a
crossboard,” says Crister Stark.
The small team of engineers at Väderstad
worked round the clock to develop the new
system, and eventually there were two new
prototypes to take to farmers –– the
Concorde and the Rapid. The Rapid was
based on the DS drill, while the Concorde
incorporated elements drawn from
Väderstad’s NZ tined cultivator.
Once again it was in England where the
drill took another crucial step forward. It
was summer 1992 and Suffolk farmer and
contractor David Baker was at Cereals on
the lookout for a new type of drill. “I was the
they really were revolutionary. I decided to
go with an 8m Concorde as this one would
do more of a cultivation job –– at the time the
Rapid had only the CrossBoard on the front.”
But the first autumn didn’t go well. “The
Concorde maintained a good depth but it
would pull to one side. Crister’s agronomist
came out and suggested we try the Rapid
instead –– they’d moved the design on,
he said.”
So the first Rapid arrived in the following
spring, this time with two sets of tines
preceding the single-disc seeders. “It
proved to be the right tool, but there was
a problem with seed delivery. We were
drilling peas at 320kg/ha and the seed
would bridge.”
Crister Stark came out to resolve the issue
–– pipes and distributor head were stripped
down and the design was refined. Before
The Concorde (pictured) and the Rapid were
the first cultivator drills developed by the
Väderstad engineers.
long the problem was solved. “That was it
–– that was the drill that subsequently
became the legend,” notes David Baker.
That same spring there was a press
event to launch the Rapid A. David Baker
demonstrated the new tool, putting peas
into strong Suffolk soil farmed by the Kerr
▲
“
I came
across the Rapid
and realised I was
looking at a totally
new concept. ”
first farmer in the UK to have a Challenger
tractor and was looking for something for it
to pull,” he recalls.
“I came across the Concorde and the
Rapid on the Väderstad stand and realised
I was looking at a totally new concept ––
Crister Stark (driving tractor) was inspired into
designing farm machinery when his father
developed the first steel harrows in 1962.
The Rapid cultivator-drill concept
The forward speed of the seed drill is measured
by radar (R) and this controls the seed rate. With
E-Control, the drill’s Gateway (G) communicates
wirelessly to an iPad in the tractor cab.
G
R
The toolbar at the front cultivates and levels the soil. The intensity can be set hydraulically from
the driving seat on the move. The Rapid has a choice of toolbars:
CrossBoard Heavy is best for cultivated/ploughed surfaces. The row of crossboard tines can
be fitted with bowed points for aggressive cultivation while straight points are more forgiving.
System Agrilla (inset picture) is best on lighter soils, and loosens where the surface is hard.
Two rows of tines level the surface after ploughing and grade fine soil down into the seedbed.
System Disc is the most popular choice. Two rows of 410mm diameter, slightly conical discs
cultivate and slice the surface.
System Disc Aggressive, introduced in 2013, is designed to move and mix large amounts
of soil and crop trash. The disc arms, bearings and 450mm diameter discs come from the
Väderstad Carrier.
The seed coulters slice the soil
to a fine tilth. The seed is placed
at the pre-set depth in moist,
uncultivated soil and then
covered with the fine soil created
by the notched disc edges.
At the rear, each wheel presses the
soil down over two rows of seed. This
beds the seed in, improving conditions
for germination. The following harrow
creates a loose barrier to evaporation
that prevents crusting after heavy rain.
INNOVATION INSIGHT
When Crister Stark demonstrated the new Rapid,
growers were impressed at how much faster it
was than the traditional power-harrow
combination drills they were used to.
The design team learnt early on to protect the
seed coulter with tungsten carbide to prevent
excessive wear.
family. “The field had been ploughed in
the previous autumn and had set quite
hard,” notes Crister Stark. “I knew this
was going to be a real test for the drill.”
But the combination of Challenger and
8m Rapid hummed through the tilth at
12-14km/h and the gathered spectators
were duly impressed. “The field was
drilled up in no time –– compared with the
power-harrow combination drills they were
used to, this was so much faster, and yet it
placed the seed at the right depth.”
▲
Profit squeeze
The concept caught on fast with UK
growers –– as on-farm profits were being
squeezed, farmed units were getting
bigger and so were the tractors that grunted
through their soils. “The Rapid allowed
growers to replace two or three tractors
and power-harrow combinations with one
drill that would do a faster job more cost
effectively,” points out Crister Stark. “But it’s
also a drill that works well in all conditions
–– it’s very seldom you can’t drill with
a Rapid.”
Tuckwells of Worlingworth, Suffolk, was
one UK dealer that was quick to spot the
opportunity on offer with the new drill. The
firm unloaded the first two Rapids delivered
to the UK, and have gone on to sell
hundreds.
“It’s our biggest-selling drill by a long
stretch,” says sales manager Tom Mason.
“You get precise seed placement at high
speed. Farmers have used the Rapid to step
up their capacity –– you can get a lot of
acres drilled in very little time.”
The accurate seed placement at depth is
down to the configuration of the seeder
units, he reckons. “Each wheel is attached to
two coulters, physically pushing them in. The
A crossboard (top) provided the cultivation for the
first Rapid, but most growers opt for System Disc
(bottom).
whole weight of the drill is on the wheels, so
you can maintain that depth at speed.
Many coulters rely on spring pressure, and
they lift out when forward speed increases.”
But the design’s moved on, he points
out. “One of the reasons the Rapid’s
remained so popular is that the innovation
has developed. Väderstad’s constantly
refining the drill and making improvements,
so if you have a Rapid that’s six years old
66 crop production magazine december 2015
The whole weight of the drill is on
the wheels and each wheel is
attached to two coulters, physically
pushing them in.
and you’re looking to trade it out,
the new equivalent model will be
a totally different machine.”
And it’s not just in the UK
where the concept has caught
on –– around 23,000 Rapid drills
have now been shipped
worldwide. Most of these lie on
European farms and it’s believed
to be the most successful seed
drill that the continent’s ever
seen. Together the Rapid drills
sold to date have drilled an area
equivalent to more than half of
Europe’s entire arable acreage.
Now the drill’s been given
something of a face-lift.
Launched at Agritechnica last
month and getting its first UK
showing at LAMMA in the New
Year is the new Rapid A 400-
800S series. Brand new on the
drill and earning Väderstad
Machine of the Year 2015 at
Agritechnica is the company’s
new SeedEye seed counter.
Six optical sensors in the seed
houses accurately count total
seed numbers as they flow over
them. This brings the level of
accuracy for oilseed rape and
wheat seed to around 99% and
98-99% respectively, claims
Väderstad.
“SeedEye means you no
longer have to calibrate the drill,”
explains Andy Gamble of
Väderstad UK. “Seed rates are
easily set via the iPad display on
the control panel in the cab. If a
seed coulter deviates from the
pre-set permitted variation, an
alarm sounds and the faulty seed
coulter is marked in red on the
display.”
You don’t even have to reset
the seed drill between different
crops, he continues. “This is
handled automatically by
SeedEye. The operator just taps
the desired seeds/m 2 into the
control panel.”
E-Control system
The drill’s radar measures
forward speed while the
E-Control system continuously
calculates how well the “set
point” for the desired volume of
seeds agrees with the actual
feed value as measured by the
SeedEye unit.
Other improvements on
the new Rapid include the fan
that’s been integrated high up
on the front edge of the seed
hopper, to minimise dust intake.
The seed hopper itself has
also been redesigned with
integrated working lights, while
improvements to the platform
and stepsprovide better access.
The machine’s discs get
the new V30 hubs. These
bearings require no lubrication
and have a design that offers
better protection against dust
▲
The Rapid allowed growers to replace two or three tractors and power-harrow
combinations with one drill that would do a faster job more cost effectively.
INNOVATION INSIGHT
The award-winning SeedEye on the new Rapid A
counts total seed numbers, saving having to
calibrate the drill.
and soil, says Väderstad.
These design iterations are typical of a
machine that has constantly evolved since it
first arrived in Suffolk in the early 1990s,
notes David Baker. “It’s a great concept and
a very reliable machine. But what makes the
Rapid different from the plethora of cultivator
drills now on the market is the Stark family
themselves and their belief in their machine.
“Any time there was ever an issue with the
drill it would be investigated and you’d soon
see a development would come through that
would improve the design.”
Crister Stark claims it’s the close
relationship the company has always sought
to maintain with its customers that ensures
the Rapid remains Europe’s best-selling
▲
cultivator drill. “You’ll see more development
and innovations appear on the drill as time
goes on,” he pledges. “The Rapid is an
evolution that will go on forever.” ■
Innovation Insight
CPM would like to thank Väderstad for
kindly sponsoring this article, and for
providing privileged access to staff
and material used to help put the
article together.
Drill downsize helps business evolve
While many growers are upscaling their drilling
and cultivation equipment, Richard Watson of MH
Poskitt, East Riding, Yorks, has found reducing
the drill width has helped him cut costs without
compromising productivity.
As agricultural operations manager, he
inherited a Väderstad RDA 800 drill which his
predecessor ran for five years across the 1600ha
of winter and spring crops grown by the business.
This was used to establish cereals on heavy
bodied land on mostly rented farms as well as
on the sandier land closer to the home farm.
Cropping includes winter wheat and barley,
oilseed rape, spring barley, spring beans and
spring linseed.
“The Rapid 800 is an excellent drill on the
heavy land but it had a habit of bulldozing the soil
on the sands. We also needed a lot of horsepower
to pull it –– a 345hp John Deere 8345 –– which
made it an expensive way of establishing cereals,”
he says.
Various drills were tested, but having weighed
up all the pros and cons of the alternatives, it
was the Väderstad Rapid that kept coming out
on top. “The Väderstad drill is more expensive
than some other options but at the end of the
A Dolly wheel unit attached to the draw bar is
designed to take the weight off the drawbar and
the tractor.
day you get what you pay for.”
The decision was taken to replace the 8m RDA
drill with a Rapid 6m version as part of long term
strategy to reduce establishment costs. A Dolly
wheel unit attached to the draw bar, fitted by
Charlie Lewis of Park Farm Machinery, is designed
to take the weight off the drawbar and the tractor.
An additional pair of wheels attached to the Dolly
unit has helped spread the weight of the drilling
unit out across the full 6m working width.
“The extra two wheels make a significant
difference,” says Richard Watson. “The tractor
runs on 800mm wide tyres, so wheels one and
six on the Dolly run on the inside of the tractor
tyres to help minimise compaction across the full
working width of the drill.
“Our plan eventually is to reduce the size of the
tractor as well, and therefore cut down the total
weight of the drilling unit.”
A second modification to the drill are wheels
fitted to its wings to help hold it out of the sand.
He hopes to reduce the power requirement to
300hp and to use a smaller tractor chassis,
bringing the weight down from 16t to about 11t.
The combination of Dolly wheels and wing wheels
has improved levelling.
“I couldn’t believe the difference the Dolly
made,” he says. “We’ve demonstrated a 250hp
tractor at a drilling speed of 13km/h on the sand
with the Rapid 600 on Dolly wheels and it worked
really well, but we need more horsepower for
other operations on the farm so it’s a compromise.
We’re only in year one so it’s a bit early to say
how much our costs will have reduced. Diesel use
has definitely improved though, which we think is
about 20 litres per hour less.”
Cultivations vary from plough to minimum
tillage depending on the previous crop. Roots-crop
land tends to be ploughed to bury the tops,
Richard Watson was looking to reduce his drill’s
horsepower requirement without compromising
productivity.
whereas on the lighter land which grows cereals
minimum tillage is the norm. Whichever system is
adopted Richard Watson is looking for constant
seed to soil contact and a consistent depth. The
Rapid 600 comes with System Disc Aggressive to
help improve the tilth.
“On the Rapid 800, the System Disc wasn’t
aggressive enough so we often had to go over
again using the Rexius Twin Press, TopDown or
power harrow, depending on the situation on the
day,” says Richard Watson.
“Now we don’t have to rely on a second
pass to achieve a tilth, which saves us time and
money, and we can also be more flexible on
drilling dates.”
And despite the reduction in drill width, there’s
been no reduction in output, he adds. “We used to
pull the Rapid 800 at 8-10km/h, but we can now
pull the 600 up to 16km/h, although we don’t
actually need to.”
68 crop production magazine december 2015
Brand move brings
multiple benefits
“
The 7250
comfortably pulled it
at 8km/h but the other
tractors just
couldn’t. ”
ON FARM OPINION
Moving its fleet over to
Deutz-Fahr tractors is
delivering cost savings
to one Cambs arable
business, with no loss of
performance. CPM finds
out and reports on the
company’s latest high
power offering.
By Rob Jones
Limited expansion opportunities for a
Cambs arable farmer has led to stepping
up on tractor technology to maximise
output and make the best use of all
available land at his disposal. But to keep
costs in check, this has resulted in a
switch of tractor make, and it’s a move
that’s proved to have its benefits.
Ben Brown is the assistant farm
manager for the family-run arable enterprise
T Brown and Son, based at Bottom Farm,
Covington. The business supports a thriving
seed-production operation that specialises in
producing wheat, barley, rye and fescue
grass seeds and bean seed as well as
70 crop production magazine december 2015
vegetable seeds such as parsnips, cress,
fodder beet and red chard.
The farm runs to about 600ha and is
growing up to 15 different species of crop,
all of which need to be kept separate after
harvest to avoid contamination.
Optimise the ground
“There are no real opportunities to expand
locally as we’re surrounded by family farms,”
says Ben Brown. “So we’re always looking to
optimise the ground we have. Going back
to a conventional cereal rotation of wheat,
barley and oilseed rape would just not be
economical.”
Historically, the farm has used Fendt
tractors – Ben Brown likes the brand and
the local dealer A T Houghton provided a
first class service. “In our line of business,
downtime really isn’t an option either when
trying to get the crops into the ground at the
right time and in the right conditions or when
getting the crop off the field and in the store
at harvest,” he says.
But the local dealer lost the Fendt
franchise. he tried a number of other makes,
including trying the new Fendt dealer, which
was some distance away. Meanwhile A T
Houghton had switched to supplying
Deutz-Fahr, so he asked for a demonstration.
“At the demo, we pulled our 3.3m Simba
Ben Brown reckons he’s saved up to £35,000
with each of his new purchases.
Solo over heavy clay with its discs set at a
depth of 100mm and the tines at 200mm.
The 7250 comfortably pulled it at 8km/h
but the other tractors just couldn’t. Now
we’re pulling the Solo at 10km/h rather than
8km/h and using less fuel. Overall, we’re
looking at a 10% fuel saving across several
operations,” he explains.
On the back of the demonstration, he
▲
ON FARM OPINION
The new 9 Series tractors top out at 340hp and
have TTV continuously variable transmissions.
switched to a Deutz 6160 TTV and a 7250
TTV, which sit alongside the existing Fendt
724 and a 716. So far he’s been really
impressed with the new arrivals.
“The TTV ensures plenty of horsepower
gets to the ground,” explains Ben Brown.
“We never actually felt that we were getting
the power through the wheels of the 240hp
Fendt 724.”
▲
The move also introduced the farm to
Deutz’ precision-farming system called
Agrosky. Essentially this is an auto-steer
system that allows drivers to focus on fine
tuning and adjusting implements while the
tractor guides itself.
High precision service
The Agrosky system receives signals
from all available satellites and offers a high
precision service, claims Deutz, especially in
hilly areas and where there are obstacles
such as trees, hedges and telegraph poles
in the field.
“Being ISOBUS compatible means we
can run our 24m Knight Trail Blazer 4200-litre
sprayer through it as well as our Horsch
drill,” says Ben Brown. “We also use a
single-screen computer called Agrosky I
Monitor, which we find is an easy-to-use
interface with the technology, capable of
configuring and managing a whole host of
on-board functions.”
It’s been a core focus of the farming
business to fully embrace GPS technology to
get the most from available arable land, so
running the entire tractor fleet off the Agrosky
system was a major plus point, he adds.
Fuel costs have been further reduced and
time has been saved because there’s no
overlapping and headland management
has improved.
“We run to 2.5cm accuracy through RTK.
It cost £8000 for the full Agrosky RTK GPS
and ISOBUS-compatible package to be
installed in the Deutz 7250, compared with
around £20,000 for a retrofit system in most
other tractors.”
A key part in the decision-making process
when deciding on the Deutz was the view
of the operator and it became clear he
favoured the new brand, preferring its
cab design and relatively straightforward
controls.
“Fendt runs on a Deutz engine and Bosch
electronics anyway, so the two tractors are
very similar in that respect,” points out Ben
Brown. “The major difference however was
on price –– we reckon we’ve saved in the
region of £20,000 and £35,000 with the
Deutz 6160 and 7250 respectively.”
There’s better fuel economy, too –– a
saving of around 10 l/ha, he reckons. “It’s an
operator’s tractor –– anyone can jump in and
drive it but it takes a skilled operator to get
the full potential out of the machine. Settings
can be fine-tuned to ensure it runs efficiently,
aided by the tractor computer.
“We’re confident that Deutz is up to the
job –– the tractors are proving to be reliable
and offer good fuel economy. We’re also
lucky to have an excellent dealer close by.
Fendt’s a difficult tractor to beat, but in our
situation and all things considered, Deutz
gives it more than a run for its money.” ■
The 9 Series has been styled to give the tractors
an aggressive yet user-friendly design.
72 crop production magazine december 2015
New tractors on show at LAMMA
The new Deutz 9 TTV Series tractor will be on
display at LAMMA. The company plans to bring
a 9340 TTV to Peterborough that will sit beside
the 7 Series TTV Warrior, 6 Series C-Shift, 5
Series, Agrovector and a C9206 TSB Combine.
There are also plans to have its new 6 Series
Warrior on its main stand, which was unveiled
at Agritechnica.
The 9 Series, previewed at the last
Agritechnica in 2013, puts Deutz-Fahr into the
high power sector. Three models range from
290hp to 340hp and have TTV continuously
variable transmissions.
Operator comfort, fuel efficiency and low
operating costs are what Deutz claims are the
key attractions of the new beasts, styled in
collaboration with Giugiaro Design, to give
them “an aggressive yet user-friendly” design.
As for performance, the 7.8-litre twin-turbo
six-cylinder engines are compliant with Tier 4
final emission regulations. Turbocharged and
intercooled, they use an integrated electronic
control for their injection system, says Deutz,
delivering plenty of grunt for when working with
large, power-sapping ploughs, deep subsoilers
or high-capacity cultivator drills.
The ZF Terramatic TMT 32 continuously
variable transmission delivers a top road speed
of 60 km/h while the front axle suspension
system lends the 9 Series good driving
dynamics and operator comfort, says Deutz. The
PowerBrake braking system brings the tractor
safely to a halt. The hydraulic system features a
210 l/min load-sensing pump and up to eight
auxiliary distributors.
Deutz’ Maxi-Vision cab promises comfort,
quiet and good all-round visibility. There’s a
soft-grip steering wheel and antiglare colour
monitor alongside the driver’s seat. Options
include a 12” touchscreen monitor, the Agrosky
GPS navigation system and the Smart Farming
management system.
All-seeing eye
Improvements to farm safety are promised by a
new development from Deutz-Fahr that earned it
a DLG silver medal, awarded at Agritechnica this
year. The Driver Extended Eyes system integrates
three cameras into the bonnet –– one in the
front and two at each side.
The 6 Series Warrior was unveiled at Agritechnica.
The image is transferred inside the cabin to
the iMonitor 2.0 and the driver is warned by
acousto-optical signals if there is a person
dangerously close. The system also automatically
prevents the driver from moving the tractor.
The same system helps the driver see out
on to a road when joining from a verge-side
gateway and provides a good view to the front lift
for when mounting or dismounting implements.
“
The most
important part of the
sprayer is its ability to
carry the boom at the
desired height above
the ground. ”
Boom or bust for
spray deposition
How much difference does a
bit of boom height make?
CPM asks two growers who
have Horsch Leeb’s
BoomControl fitted to their
sprayers.
By Robert Harris
Tom Hawthorne may not have the hilliest
fields in the country but he’s convinced of
the benefits of using boom control for
applying sprays and fertilisers to his
2000ha of combinable crops and maize
at Flawborough Farms, near Newark.
He runs two Horsch Leeb sprayers
–– a trailed GS8000, new in 2012, and a
self-propelled PT270 delivered in 2014,
covering 24,000 spray ha per year.
Both are fitted with 36m versions of the
top-of-the-range boom with Leeb’s
BoomControl Pro+ and 25cm nozzle
spacings.
“We have our share of uneven fields,
including some old rig and furrow, and
it’s quite remarkable to see the boom
automatically following the contours even
at speeds upwards of 12km/h,” says
Tom Hawthorne.
“You simply set the height when you start
and you don’t have to touch the boom
controls again until you come to fold up.”
74 crop production magazine december 2015
At a typical spraying speed of 12-14km/h,
he can use 80° 02 flat fans at 30-40cm
above the target applying 115 l/ha water
volume without excessive drift. According to
Horsch, trials in Germany on potatoes show
this set-up produced 20% better coverage,
albeit at fairly high water volumes.
Droplet deposition
Tom Hawthorne believes he’s achieving
more even droplet deposition and
better penetration –– very useful in all
post-emergence applications, particularly
fungicides. He’s also noticed considerably
less drift.
“I’ve had very positive comments from my
agronomist –– I believe 100% we’re getting
better control from all our sprays.”
Spray bodies benefit from automatic
switching, ensuring optimum nozzles are
selected at a wide range of speeds and
pressures.
“The sprayers are excellent –– the skid
units are bomb-proof and they’re easy and
as comfortable as any to operate. But the
boom really is a remarkable piece of kit
–– everyone who sees it working agrees.”
A decision to upgrade from two smaller
sprayers to one at the same time as
switching from solid to liquid fertiliser
explains why Essex grower Tom Bradshaw
bought his Leeb sprayer.
The family business, based at Fletchers
Farm, Fordham, near Colchester, grows
1570ha of combinable crops. The new
A sprayer that offers a decent operational speed
while maintaining accuracy of application, even in
marginal conditions, is a must, says Tom Bradshaw.
machine will cover 14,000ha per year so a
sprayer that offers a decent operational
speed while maintaining accuracy of
application, even in marginal conditions,
is a must, says Tom Bradshaw.
Excellent boom control and contour
following was at the top of his list of
demands. “In my opinion, the most important
part of the sprayer is its ability to carry the
boom at the desired height above the
ground. This gives the greatest opportunity
to ensure that the target is sprayed
accurately with the intended amount of
active ingredient.”
This belief was reinforced when he went to
see a distributor’s blackgrass trials, where
adjacent plots had received the same
treatment on the same day. One had had
been treated with the boom carried 50cm
above the crop, the other at 100cm.
“The result was absolutely astonishing.
The droplet-drift dilemma
Sprayer operators face a compromise between
droplet size and drift, according to Theo Leeb,
general manager of Horsch-Leeb. Smaller droplets
– around 300 microns –– are the key to getting
the best out of many pesticides, he says. But
they’re easily carried away on a breeze and are
more subject to turbulence caused by high forward
speed.
Lowering the boom to less than 50cm above
the target achieves this, but requires a 25cm nozzle
spacing to maintain the correct fan overlap and
good boom stability.
Wind tunnel tests carried out for Leeb showed
how effective this can be. At 50cm, using 04 120°
flat fans spaced 50 cm apart, spray deposition
dropped from 100% in still conditions to 80% at a
wind speed of 7.2km/h.
Halving the boom height maintained deposition
at around 98%, despite having to use much finer
02 nozzles (to maintain the same water volume)
at 25cm spacing.
Raising the wind speed to 18km/h saw
deposition drop to just 70% at 50cm boom height.
However, at 25cm, deposition was barely affected,
remaining at 95%.
Spraying closer than 50cm hasn’t been possible
at practical operating speeds on all but the most
level ground, says Theo Leeb. But Leeb’s new
BoomControl system has changed that. Five years
in development, it offers sophisticated boom
suspension and stability, using two gyroscopes
and fast-acting air rams to keep the boom stable.
The most advanced version (Plus Pro) also
provides automatic height adjustment, above and
BoomControl uses two gyroscopes and fast-acting
air rams to keep the boom stable.
below the horizontal, for individual boom sections. It
allows operators to bring the boom to a height of
25-30cm above the crop when using 120° nozzles
at 25 cm spacing, or 35-40cm when using 80°
versions.
The higher boom height resulted
in the level of control falling by
over 60%.”
The closer the better
Most spray booms are carried too
high, compromising efficacy and
leading to excessive drift, reckons
Chris Martin of Agrovista. The
reason, he says, is that booms
are getting wider, with too little
thought being given to stability,
while forward speeds are also
increasing to maximise work rates,
making the boom less stable.
“The key to optimum
performance is to get the nozzle
close to the target, while still
achieving the correct spray pattern.
The biggest problem these days is
that the opposite is happening. Not
only are many booms unable to
spray below 60-70cm, they’re
actually being carried higher.”
As boom height increases, the
spray pattern suffers and drift
increases rapidly –– as much as
eight times higher at a boom height
of 100cm compared with 50cm, he
explains. “If you can reduce your
boom height below 50cm, that’s a
real step in the right direction.”
To achieve optimum coverage
you want higher water volumes
while retaining a finer spray quality,
especially important on difficult
targets such as small blackgrass,
he continues.
“Using 25cm spacing, rather
than 50cm, means you can double
the water volume being applied
across the boom without losing
In Sept 2013 he took delivery
of a 36m-boomed GS 6000
trailed model fitted with
▲
Get the nozzle close to the target,
while still achieving the correct
spray pattern, advises Chris Martin.
spray quality. Because the boom is
so close to the target you can use
an 02 or 025 nozzle without drift
becoming a major problem.
“You have 64 times as many
droplets using a fine nozzle with a
droplet diameter of 100 microns
than a coarse one with droplet
diameter of 400 microns at the
same water volume. This achieves
much more even coverage as the
spray almost paints the target
rather than relying on big droplets
spreading out.”
This can make a huge
difference, for example Agrovista
trials over many years have
consistently shown that up to
50% better blackgrass control
can be achieved from the same
pre-emergence products through
using better application.
Forward speed can also be
increased when nozzles are close
to the target without sacrificing
performance, Chris Martin adds.
BoomControl Pro+.
At Fletchers Farm, the 25cm
spacing comes into its own
when applying pre-emergence
herbicides, particularly where
troublesome black-grass is
the target.
“We can spray at 150 litres/ha
at 12kph with the boom height
set at a relatively conservative
50cm. Over the past couple of
seasons we’ve seen excellent
control from the pre-emergence
herbicides.
“I think many people believe
they have the boom at 50cm but
there are several sprayers which
aren’t actually capable of getting
down to this level.
“We have some very hilly land,
but each side of the sprayer has
the ability to follow contours at
three places.
“The tip of the boom might be
above horizontal while the middle
section may be below it. The
operator has much greater
confidence that the boom isn’t
going to come into contact with
the ground,” he points out. ■
crop production magazine december 2015
75
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