11t/ha crop shows the input value
11t/ha crop shows the input value
By Charles Abel
A CONTEST to produce the top wheat margin has ended in a dead heat. A crop managed with cost control in mind gave almost identical net margin and cost per tonne as one grown for top economic output.
The challenge organised, by distributor Hutchinson of Wisbech, Cambs, used 1.4ha (3.5- acre) blocks of Consort grown on a fertile silty loam at A B Caves Chase Farm, Tilney All Saints, Kings Lynn. Sowing date was Nov 6 after potatoes.
Team A, headed by Dick Neale, grew for top economic yield and achieved 11.05t/ha (4.47t/acre) adjusted for moisture and plot effects. Inputs cost £241/ha (£98/acre). With grain worth £72.50/t, that gave a gross margin of £795/ha (£321/acre) including area aid, and a unit cost of £59.83/t, after typical fixed costs of £420/ha (£170/acre).
Team B, headed by Alex Wilcox, aimed to minimise cost consistent with a good yield. It produced 10.44t/ha (4.22t/acre) for £199.55/ha (£81/acre), giving a gross margin of £792/ha (£321/acre) and unit cost of £59.34/t.
The result shows that even with wheat at £70/t, inputs still pay, provided they are well managed, says Mr Neale. "We produce a lot of trials results, which some farmers smile at and then carry on using inputs the same way as ever. But this shows inputs can give very good returns, especially if the latest findings are taken into account."
Key difference between the two strategies was input timing – team A built insurance into the programme with early treatments, whereas team B waited to assess potential before spending. "On this silty site, with late drilled wheat there was a chance that if it stayed dry, yield potential would not justify full inputs," says Mr Wilcox.
Mr Neale took a different view, saying that yield potential inherently justified top inputs. "On late sown lighter land, Im also keen to boost rooting and avoid disease adding to moisture stress." That resulted in a £24/ha (£10/acre) difference in fungicide spend. Team A favoured more costly T1 sprays, but team B waited until April rains confirmed yield potential and disease pressure before boosting T2 and T3 sprays.
"The key is that whichever way you go, you have to use the right inputs at the right rate and the right timing," says Mr Neale. Big yields were not a fluke of the year, he adds. "This sort of result can be repeated with the right crop management."
For harvest 2000, the challenge is being extended to include normal and late sown wheat, winter rape and a spring crop. Watch out for reports in FARMERS WEEKLY.
WHEAT CHALLENGE
* Late-sown Consort.
* Fertile silty loam.
* Trial results drive inputs.
* Wait-and-see strategy matched insurance.
* Results (£/ha)
Team A Team B
Yield (t/ha) 11.05 10.44
Output 1036 992
Var costs 241 200
GM 795 792
Fxd costs 420 420
Net margin 375 372
Unit cost (£/t) 59.83 59.34
NB: Serviced mid-season prices.
WHEAT CONTEST
Team A Team B
Yield (t/ha) 11.05 10.44
Output 1036 992
Variable costs 241 200
GM 795 792
Fixed costs 420 420
Net margin 375 372
Unit cost (£/t) 59.83 59.34
NB: Serviced mid-season prices.