More nitrogen for soft wheat, urges Banks
By FWi staff
BANKS Agriculture is advising its growers to put an additional late nitrogen application on soft wheat this year.
The announcement follows the decision by the French to do the same, given the huge EU crop predicted this season, of about 100 million tonnes.
“To make our wheat competitive, we have to ensure it is top-quality,” says Richard Whitlock of Banks Agriculture.
“The French realised that they were losing out by not having the ability to supply wheat of sufficiently high proteins to the market.
“To challenge them, we have to do the same.”
The advice applies to Riband, Consort and Claire varieties and growers should aim for a protein value of 10.7%, but no lower than 10.3%.
“Now is the time for application, as the crop starts to flower.
“Growers are looking at increasing protein by 1-1.5%, and should be applying nitrogen at about 30units/acre,” adds Mr. Whitlock.