Progress is now dependant on end to the rain
Progress is now dependant on end to the rain
Despite heavy rain, fieldwork on farmers weeklys northern
barometer farm is on schedule. But the soakings revive
memories of the 98 harvest wash-out. Andrew Blake reports
THERE is still everything to play for at Rock Farms, near Alnwick, Northumberland where all crops are still full of potential, according to Matthew Hanson.
"But it has been extremely wet. We had 4.5in in April, 2.75 in May and another deluge in early June. Everything depends on the weather from now on, but it looks a little bit like the pattern of 1998.
"Spraying has been very catchy and I am thankful we dont have to rely on someone else." The farms trailed Chafer T3000 has been working at every opportunity.
Flag leaf wheat treatments, based on Landmark (epoxiconazole + kresoxim-methyl), were completed on May 30. "We used 0.65-0.75 litres/ha depending on variety and drilling date, using the higher rate on early sowings. We also added Terpal and a wetter." Keeping crops standing, especially in the light of 98, is vital, he explains. "If we dont use a late regulator you can guarantee they will go flat."
Septoria, an early concern in Claire, has been confined to the lower leaves. "Leaves six and five are still plastered and we have about 5% on leaf four. But the top three are clean, and any mildew has dissipated in the rain!"
The plan is to follow with a triazole ear wash/flag leaf top up at the end of the month or in early July. "We always have a late harvest up here, and to make the most of it we need to keep the leaves green as long as possible."
Downy mildew, a bigger threat than chocolate spot in Victor spring beans for human consumption, needed urgent treatment last week. "I am irritated that Folio is now our only fungicide option. The metalaxyl in the old Osprey off-label used to work out vastly cheaper, but we are not allowed to use the new formulation of Fubol Gold on beans."
"However, our herbicide, fungicide and pgr spend for the cereals should be under budget. Through our Sentry buying group we are getting a fully comprehensive fungicide programme for about £19/acre.
"The oilseed rape has got very tall and some has lodged. Worst affected are Escort and Madrigal. Pronto and Contact have stood well but are just beginning to lean nicely which means we shall be able to desiccate with safety for direct cutting with our Lexion 460."
ROCK FARMS
• Sodden spring & early June.
• Crops still good potential.
• Move to minimal cultivations.
• Rain benefits young trees.
Catchy spraying weather has challenged disease control at Rock Farms, Alnwick, this season. So far Matthew Hanson has had the upper hand and septoria has been confined to the lower leaves.
Organic veg to replace sheep?
Organic vegetable growing could be adopted before long at Rock Farms now that its commercial sheep flock has fallen foul of financial pressures and an EU ruling.
Since last August non-organic sheep may graze registered organic fields for only 60 days a year, explains Mr Hanson. "It is legislation that seem to have gone right over the heads of the Soil Association."
Previously, provided appropriate wormers were used, the 600 commercial ewes had access to the farms 30ha (74 acres) of organic land which was in a rotation of grass and milling wheat.
The ruling was the final blow to a flock struggling to make money, so the only sheep now left at Rock are the 140 pedigree Border Leicesters and Suffolks which have been retained to graze permanent pastures.
"The knock-on is that it will allow us to pursue a non-livestock organic regime based on mulched red clover for fertility building. It means we will have more flexibility and we could have a look at organic vegetables."