Archive Article: 1997/10/18
WE have chosen France as our first study tour destination. French farms are getting bigger and their levy-funded R & D is at the cutting edge in technology and pesticide use.
Crops is getting together with a leading farm tours company to give readers an exclusive look at official French research into agrochemicals, including some not yet on the UK market, and the chance to meet and talk to Frances new generation of larger, well-equipped arable growers.
Leading the study tour in May next year will be Crops Letter from France writer Jonathan Hough who has a unique insight into French agriculture.
As well as looking at field crops, old and new, it is planned to visit a grain marketing operation, and the farmer-funded ITCF which carries out extensive evaluation of agrochemicals and spray programmes.
Tour members will be able to meet French farmers dealing with the same environmental, agronomic and market pressures as in the UK.
Full details will be published in Crops soon.
More information on the tour centred in the highly productive Paris Basin can be obtained from STITA Farm Tours, 1 Bath Street, Cheltenham GL50 1YE (01242) 515712.