Enter a virtual world to view real farm trials
Enter a virtual world to view real farm trials
are now sited
in virtual world
By Andrew Blake
A NEW web-site showing results of HGCA research findings put to work beside conventional farm practice is now available.
The site (www.hgca.com/trials4u2c) aims to highlight the practical benefits of MAFF and levy funded-work on real farms, says the HGCAs Rosie Bryson. "It is not intended as a replacement for field demonstrations, but as an extra method of showing how to add value to commercial farms."
In a one-year, mainly MAFF-funded £100,000 pilot study in collaboration with Velcourt, ADAS, IACR, SAC and FOLnetworks, wheat growers will have direct access to two trials sites any time of day or night.
"On-farm demonstrations cannot target many people," says Dr Bryson. "They only provide a snap-shot, and it is often difficult for farmers to find the time to attend."
On the new site users can visit Velcourt farms in Lincs and Wilts whenever they wish. Managers Tim Harper and Chris Refearn will compare the results of their own crop management decisions with those made with the benefit of HGCA research.
On Grade 1 silt at Leadenhall Farm, Lincs and on chalky, flinty loam at Fonthill Bishop, Wilts, trials4u2c visitors can see Weston and Deben first wheats, respectively, grown under normal Velcourt tactics.
They can also see them produced with decisions guided by scientists working in five key areas, including canopy management, P & K sap testing, weed patch control and root development as well as DESSAC, the Decision Support System for Arable Crops.
"We have had a very good relationship with HGCA at Cereals," says Velcourt technical director, Keith Norman. "This is the next projection, upping our audience numbers and giving a lot more information than we can provide on a single day in June.
"We want to see how much R & D can take us into the next echelon."
Some research findings, for example on seed rates, are already used at Velcourt. So the two trials fields, overlaid with the various trial managements, were purposely sown at differences of 100 seeds/sq m to show how that affects canopy development, he says.
The site will be up-dated as inputs are applied, and pictures of developing crops provided. Details of local weather and comments about crop progress, decision-making and full harvest results will also be available.
There will also be plenty of opportunity for feedback from users, a key feature in evaluating the ventures success, says Dr Bryson. *
TRIALS WEB-SITE
• Two farm trial areas.
• Five key research projects.
• Regular updates.
• www.hgca.com/trials4u2c