Articles

Grass That Has Got Ahead

This has been a great season for grass growth, however the downside is keeping on top of quality.

Winter wheat – Variety choice for 2019 drilling

The average septoria rating of wheat varieties being used on-farm has increased, coming on the back of issues in managing the disease with a heavy reliance on fungicides. The emerging…

Winter barley – Variety choice for 2019 drilling

Using more resilient varieties is one of the most effective ways of reducing disease risk – and there is increasing interest in looking at untreated yields of varieties in trials…

Forward planning – slugs

Anyone walking through crops (or anywhere where there is vegetation) this summer will be encountering slugs. The periods of wet weather this summer to date will be encouraging the activity…

Chainsaw work and safety in forestry operations (FWN32)

As a farmer or landowner, you’re often expected to be a ‘jack of all trades’ and undertake a vast array of jobs: engineer, vet, inventor, bookkeeper and administrator to name…

Ragwort Warning

Ragwort has been on the increase over the last few years, so care should be taken when making silage not to incorporate it.

Pests in spring oilseed rape, June 2019

There is a threat from pollen beetles this season, as they start to move off the winter crop at the end of flowering. Spring oilseed rape at green-yellow bud is…

Check for aphids in winter wheat, June 2019

Check the ears of wheat up to GS73 for aphids. If two-thirds of heads are infested then consider an aphicide. Bear in mind that grain aphids may well be resistant…