North

Disease and weed control advice for northern growers this April

Crop Progress

Wheat crops hadn’t quite reached GS30 as we approached the end of March, but it had started the first steps to stem extension, so it won’t be long before we reach T0, and at this time of year crops change quickly.

Last herbicides are going on as growers start to catch up on field work, with nitrogen applications also being made.

Oilseed rape crops generally still look good in the north. Larval damage is present in perhaps 40-50% of crops but were healthy enough to get through the attacks.

James' agronomy tips for March

1. Consider the need for T0 sprays in wheat
2. It's all about timing at T1
3. Base winter barley T1s around prothioconazole
4. Invest in good looking oilseed rape crops
5. Assess tank mix options for pre-emergence weed control in potatoes
6. Go back to basics with sugar weed control

Click here to find out more.

James Howat – North Yorkshire

Q. How long have you worked for Bayer?
A. Just over two years. I initially covered south Scotland as a CTM, and then also became an account manager for Bayer’s seed treatment and Dekalb OSR & maize seed ranges. I’ve now moved south to take over Sean’s patch, while retaining the account manager responsibilities.

Q. Did you always want to work in agriculture?
A. My father is an agronomist, so agriculture has always been a part of my life, but it wasn’t what I initially drawn to. I went down to London after university to try the big city life and worked in the banking recruitment industry for two years. But I was gradually drawn back to Yorkshire and started working as a farm trader for Frontier Agriculture where I worked for seven years before making the move to Bayer.

Q. What innovation are you most excited about for the future of farming?
A. I’m excited about gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR, which could help solve food production and safety problems not just here in the UK, but the rest of the world too.

Tom Sowerby – South Yorkshire

Q. How long have you worked for Bayer?
A. I started this February, joining after three years with Corteva as part of its technical services team.

Q. Are you from a farming background?
A. Yes, I grew up on a small arable farm in North Yorkshire, and have always wanted to work in agriculture. I studied agriculture at Newcastle, graduating in 2016.

Q. How do you think farming is going to change in the next 5-10 years?
A. We’re going to see massive changes in the next 10 years. The environment is going to be the number one consideration when making decisions on farm. It’s going to be important that every section of the industry works together to create a sustainable future.

Q. What innovation / technology are you most excited about for the future of farming?
A. All the precision farming tools and systems are definitely something exciting for the future. As we can’t create more land it is important that we use land efficiently as possible, whether it be for quality or quantity. With everything becoming more digital and technologically focused it is important that agriculture embraces it.

Q. Where we would find you when you are not working?
A. Most likely playing or watching sport, whether it is cricket, golf, rugby or football. I find it is a great way to destress.

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