On show at 11 sites around the country this summer will be a host of demonstrations that hone in on four main topics, including the latest cereal and oilseed rape varieties, soil health, precision farming and the biological components of yield.
Every location features treated and untreated comparisons of a wide range of new and existing varieties, providing a great opportunity to evaluate agronomic performance under local conditions and soil type, says Hutchinsons trials manager Bob Bulmer.
“Variety choice is a major decision, but with the issues around fungicides and evolving disease resistance, there’s increasing focus on using genetics to ease crop management. This is an ideal chance to see how varieties perform in your area and discuss all aspects of variety selection and markets with Hutchinsons specialists.”
Maximising yields
Dr Bulmer points out that other areas will examine practical ways to maximise yields, including examples of how the unique Omnia precision farming service can be used to identify long-term yield variations within fields to target agronomy more precisely and improve profitability.
“Among the multiple functions within Omnia, we will show how it can be used to incorporate yield maps collected over several years with cost of production data to tailor management decisions within individual fields.”
Soil health issues such as drainage, pH, compaction and fertility are often major causes of yield variations, but Mr Bulmer says there can be “quick wins” to address many common problems, which will be discussed at the open days.
“Our aim is always to resolve the issues and restore productivity of low-yielding areas, but we are also exploring ways farmers can maximise the environmental benefits from unproductive areas of land.”
There will also be chance to hear how plant and ear numbers can be manipulated to improve yields, drawing on our latest research from the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) project, he adds.
Detailed information on crop development (such as plant and tiller counts), disease resistance and plant and soil nutrient levels has been collected at various sites and will be explained at the demonstrations.
Grain and tissue analysis is another area being used to build a picture of crop/ soil health, so look out for some interesting findings from our own analyses within YEN.
In addition, there are two specialist open days for those with an interest in potatoes and brassicas. The Fenland Potato Trials day will provide visitors with the findings from Hutchinsons increasing developmental work in potatoes covering seed disease management and seed treatments, managing PCN, weed control and varieties as well as the effect of seed age.
Whilst the Brassica demonstration day will look at current or near to market fungicide combinations, herbicides and insecticides as well as the choice and role of bio stimulants.
Hutchinsons summer demonstration programme runs from mid-June to early-July.
Demonstration dates – 2018
| Location | What to see? | Date | Tour Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balgonie, Glenrothes | ll | Monday 18th June | 12.00 noon to 4.00pm |
| Carlisle | llll | Tues 19th June | 12.00 noon to 4.00pm |
| Alnwick | ll | Wednesday 20th June | 12.00 noon to 4.00pm |
| Morton-on-Swale, Northallerton | ll | Thursday 21st June | 11.00am to 2.00pm |
| Great Tew, Oxfordshire | lll | Tuesday 26th June | 2.00pm – 6.00pm |
| Warden Farming, Grayingham, Lincs | lll | Tuesday 26th June | 6.00pm |
| Little Ponton, Lincolnshire | llll | Thursday 28th June | 10.00am to last tour 1.00pm |
| St Mabyn, Bodmin, Cornwall | lll | Thursday 28th June | 11.00am – 3.00pm |
| Ludlow, Shropshire | ll | Wednesday 4th July | 3.00pm to last tour 5.30pm |
| Agrivice, Harleston, Norfolk | lll | Thursday 5th July | 11.00am to 2.00pm |
| Stowbridge, Norfolk | lll | Friday 6th July | 12.00 noon to 3.00pm |
| Fenland Potato demonstration | Potato trials | Wednesday 11th July | 1.00pm to 6.00pm |
| Brassica demonstration | Brassica trials | Thursday 12th July | 12.00 noon to 4.00pm |
Key:
lWinter Wheat| lWOSR | lWinter Barley | lSpring Barley | lSpring Wheat
Pictured: Regional trials will highlight the performance of varieties in particular areas (Tim Scrivner)
For more information visit the website for more information, or email bookings@hlhltd.co.uk
