Worcestershire crop fights-off intense pigeon pressure

Cabbage stem flea beetle were notable for their absence at Springfield Farms in Worcestershire last autumn but the 30ha of oilseed rape came under the worst pigeon pressure seen for at least five years. Even so, it averaged a good 0.5t/ha more than 2021 at a fraction over 4t/ha, with fantastically bold and heavy berries.

Strip-tilled drilled into relatively long wheat stubble in mid-August with the Mzuri Pro Til developed by owner, Martin Lole, both the DK Extremus and another leading hybrid grown alongside it established really well, supported by well-placed DAP down the drill’s leading leg.

“The lack of beetles and open autumn meant everything was going fine until the early winter when the pigeons descended on us like a plague,” recalls managed Ben Knight, “We fought them off only to see them come back with a vengeance in January and February.

“Despite some pretty severe grazing in places, the crop recovered very well, helped by a decent front-loaded top dressing as soon as we could get on the ground in February. After a long flowering in dry but otherwise excellent weather, it came to harvest nice and evenly around two weeks earlier than last season, needing no desiccation.”

As well as speed of development in the autumn, this makes Ben Knight particularly pleased he has always prioritised hybrids with the earliness of spring regrowth typified by DK Extremus – and firm favourite DK Expedient before it – in his variety choice.

Although, thankfully, not needed as a weather insurance this summer, he continues to value the pod shatter resistance he also prioritises for allowing them to hold-off on harvesting for the greatest grain fill and oil accumulation without the risk of more than minimal shedding.

“DK hybrids remain important in our variety mix for the coming season,” Mr Knight says. “With its combination of Dekalb get-up-and-go, pod shatter and TuYV resistance, our first choice here is DK Excited. “The fact that it suits earlier drilling should be valuable too with our wheat coming off so nice and early this time around.

“The Mzuri focus on creating the best micro-climate for young seedlings and protecting the soil from the weather by drilling into 8-10” of standing straw, means we’ve never been particularly worried about not having enough moisture at drilling.  Having said that, our ground is currently bone dry down to 18. So, we could certainly do with a decent drop of rain before we start drilling, which we are keen on doing as soon after August 10 as we can.”