Crop protection

Five years on from hosting a Farming For A Better Climates pilot project, Montrose farmer Willie Officer has seen the change of approach result in improved yields and reduced input costs.

Government needs to act swiftly to extend parallel imports and permits for plant protection products until a proper regulatory process is in place, with the NFU warning the industry is running out of time.

With weather constraints making T0 applications challenging across the country, Hutchinsons provide some key take-home messages for barley growers.

Increased disease pressure, but also an increase in fungicide prices will mean growers need to carefully consider T1 programmes this season.

New analysis points to higher profit from multi-cut grass, even at modest milk price

A farmer from Forfar has maintained profitabilityandimprovedsoilhealthafter introducing sheep to his arable rotation.

Simon Nelson, Agrovista agronomist covering the northwest is encouraging growers to consider early nitrogen applications for late spring crops and advises on wheat and barley spray timings approaching this season.

Reports from the east of England suggest barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is widespread in cereals and an agronomist advises growers to increase plant nutrition to help control symptoms.