Arable growers at Cereals reported pressure on their crops from day one with soil borne diseases highlighting the constant challenge for yield continues say Certis UK.
“It’s all about managing risks and protecting yields from the very first day the seed is in the ground,” explains Certis product manager Chris Charnock.
“From the point of preparing the seed for drilling through the entire crop lifecycle, challenges are faced. At the start, reducing take-all is key, then you have tenacious blackgrass to worry about and of course there is always the number one pest, slugs to consider.
“Now is the perfect time, ahead of autumn planting, to recognise what ‘yield robbers’ you’re at risk from. Understanding establishment risks and how they can be mitigated against, to maximise yield return is the first step,” he adds.
“For example, take-all is endemic to the UK and estimated to affect half of wheat crops leading to yield losses of up to 50% in second wheats.
“The problem with take-all is that you can’t see the problem until it’s too late, therefore seed treatments are your first line of defence,” he explains.
As we move past drilling, pre-emergence threats start to arise. As the majority of blackgrass emerges between August and October, now is the perfect time to undergo a ‘blackgrass audit’ to map out infested areas and plan on reducing seed return.
“It only takes 12 blackgrass plants/m2 to reduce yields by 5 per cent in cereal crops, so it’s important to review what has previously worked best on your farm, to ensure that you are implementing the most effective blackgrass control programme to protect yields and profits,” he says.
“Post emergence, slug issues become a major yield robber, especially in oilseed rape or crops following OSR, with 59 per cent of the total area of this crop being affected in the UK. Therefore it is important to implement targeted baiting with ferric phosphate pellets before the slug issues arise and throughout the season, to ensure that crops are protected from day one.”
As the constant yield challenge continues year in and year out it’s important to be prepared, understand your potential risks and what tools are available. Speak to your agronomist or talk to Certis UK for advice on how you can protect your field, yield and profit from day one.
