- The strong UK demand for quality oats is set to increase with the development of Navara Oat Milling, Frontier Agriculture’s joint venture with Camgrain and Anglia Maltings Holdings in Northamptonshire
An increasing demand for oats means that more growers are likely to consider introducing them to the rotation, with an eye not just on potential growing markets, but also the potential agronomic benefits.
Frontier agronomist for southeast Scotland, Kevin Ross, supports experienced oat growers in the region who have been growing the crop for many years for local cereal production markets. He discusses what farmers should consider if they’re growing oats for the first time.
“Oats fit well into the rotation,” he says. “Although oats generally require less inputs than other cereals, good agronomy and attention to detail is important as there are fewer crop protection products available relative to wheat or barley.
“One benefit, however, is that oats do not host the same Take-All strain associated with wheat or barley. Incorporating the crop can therefore help to limit build-up throughout the rotation.”
“Oats do not host the same Take-All strain associated with wheat or barley. Incorporating the crop can therefore help to limit build-up throughout the rotation.”
The two main diseases for oats are mildew and crown rust. “With a good fungicide programme, growers shouldn’t have too many problems,” Kevin adds.
For winter crops showing mildew symptoms in the spring, he recommends the curative action of cyflufenamid, otherwise proquinazid should be sufficient.
The growth of winter crops can be tempered by delaying nitrogen application in the spring, in effect forcing the crop to go looking for it. “But growers should use growth regulators,” stresses Kevin. “Farmers can use prohexidione calcium + mepiquat chloride, or the alternatives chlormequat or trinexapac-ethyl.”
Another consideration is that oats generally don’t appreciate tank-mixes. If the crop is experiencing stress, products would be best applied alone – which can be difficult.
In winter crops an EAMU for Liberator (flufenacet + diflufenican) will tackle some grass weeds, but spring crops are more difficult. “There’s nothing you can do about volunteer wheat or barley in oats, so stubble hygiene and stale seedbeds are important,” he adds.
When it comes to nutrition, oats generally have a lower nitrogen requirement than wheat, and will utilise P and K better than other cereals.
Kevin advises a foliar mixture of manganese, copper and zinc can be useful in the growing season, while adding magnesium to flag leaf fungicide applications can help boost protein levels.
Frontier offers a full range of marketing and crop production advice for growers seeking to introduce oats to the rotation.
Construction continues on the Navara Oat Milling facility and is expected to be complete during 2023.
Image caption: Navara joint venture partners at the construction site: (L to R) Simon Willis of Camgrain, Mark Aitchison, Frontier Agriculture Managing Director and Navara Chairman, and George Thompson of Anglia Maltings Holdings.
