SUGAR BEET CHALLENGE
SUGAR BEET CHALLENGE
DO you know your black-bindweed from your redshank and can you tell the difference between flea beetle and leaf miner damage? If you can, you could be in line for the £1000 top prize in our easy-to-enter competition.
If you can correctly answer the simple questions below you could be on your way to a £1000 boost to your personal current account this summer.
In association with agrochemicals supplier DuPont, farmers weekly is looking for growers who can most ably demonstrate the skills required to profit from beet production. Top yield is not the sole criteria. We are looking for evidence of appropriate input use, low overhead costs and environmental responsibility too.
Entrants who successfully complete the questionnaire stage of the competition will enter a round of on-farm judging this summer.
To enter, simply answer the questions below. Who knows, you could be £1000 better off before this years crop is even harvested!
SUGAR BEET GROWER CHALLENGE 2001 – ENTRY FORM
Name……………………………………………………………………………………..
Address…………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………Post code…………………………………..
Tel………………………………………..Fax……………………………………………
Farm size……………………………….Beet area……………………………………
Varieties grown………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Typical yield…………………………………………….
Typical sugar content…………………Typical tare………………………………..
1. Which of these products will control cleavers, volunteer oilseed rape and fools parsley? o Debut o Venzar Flo o Vydate
2. Which of the following problems has the greatest potential for yield loss in the sugar beet crop? o Rhizomania o Manganese deficiency o Weed beet
3. What was the average cost of controlling broad-leaved weeds in sugar beet in 2000? o £72/ha o £95/ha o £106/ha
4. What does BBRO stand for? o British Board of Root Organisations
o Big Beet Rule Okay
o British Beet Research Organisation
5. What base fertiliser should be applied to a field with index 3 for phosphate, potash and magnesium? o 50 kg/ha P2O5, nil kg/ha K2O, nil kg/ha MgO
o nil kg/ha P2O5, nil kg/ha K2O, nil kg/ha MgO
o nil kg/ha P2O5, 100 kg/ha K2O, nil kg/ha MgO
Please send the completed entry form to: Sugar Beet Challenge, farmers weekly, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS,Or fax to 020 8652 4005. Closing date: March 2 2001
£1000 to win
The winner will be presented with a cheque for £1000 and a trophy to keep. All finalists will be invited to an expenses paid awards presentation at the Cereals 2001 event near Royston, Herts in June. All finalists receive a special framed certificate.
Sponsors message
In the 2001 sugar beet campaign, the clear aim for growers is to achieve maximum possible returns from this important arable crop. With beet values down, factories closing and the legacy of the wettest winter on record to contend with it will not be an easy challenge.
Obtaining higher sugar yields from fewer acres of beet than ever is clearly the goal. But after another relatively mild, albeit wet winter, we can anticipate early flushes of competitive weeds, potentially higher levels of volunteer potatoes and an increased threat of powdery mildew.
That is where DuPont can play its part in this challenge. Our aim is to help growers realise the true potential of their crops by providing cost-effective weed and disease control in order to boost returns.
Since its introduction six years ago, thousands of growers have used Debut (triflusulfuron-methyl) together with Venzar (lenacil) in value-for-money programmes to enhance their overall weed control, especially on difficult weeds like volunteer oilseed rape, potatoes and cleavers. Just one oilseed rape or potato volunteer per square metre can reduce yield by up to 8% and volunteer potatoes can facilitate the carry over of PCN!
Indications are that powdery mildew levels are likely to be high again for 2001. In independent trials Punch C (flusilazole + mbc) has given the greatest improvement in gross margin when compared with other azole fungicides or sulphur. That reflects Punch Cs broad spectrum of activity, giving control of powdery mildew, rust, and ramularia.
Good management and best practice will be key to your success.
Good luck with this years challenge.
RULES
1. The competition is open to all bona fide farmers and farm managers in the UK.
2. Complete the entry form in ink and post or fax to the address on the coupon.
3. Closing date is Mar 2 2001.
4. Late, incomplete, mutilated and illegible entries will be disqualified, as will any which do not comply with these rules. No responsibility will be accepted for entries delayed or lost in the post.
5. The judges will be appointed by farmers weekly and DuPont. Their decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into.
6. The winner and finalists will be announced and presentations made at a reception at Cereals 2001, near Royston, Herts in June. Entrants must agree to attend the event and co-operate in subsequent publicity.