“Every farmer wants to get the best returns for their efforts every year,” says Ben Hatton, Gatekeeper key account manager, Farmplan. “Naturally, there are some things that are out of your control, something which was certainly demonstrated this year.

“However, there are key agronomic and management decisions that, using the right information, can make a huge difference to a farm’s profitability and indeed its sustainability.”

Growers are increasingly turning to farm management software, which helps turn yield data into truly effective actions that bring valuable returns for farm businesses. This is crucial in a sector which needs to remain profitable amid relentless change, volatility, and an increasing demand for sustainability and traceability at every level.

Getting more value from yield data

Yield data is plentiful; the technology has become almost commonplace in the arable sector, and yield mapping is gaining a similar level of acceptance too. However, in many cases, there remains a large gap between how much data is collected by the combines which are fitted with yield monitors and the value growers are extracting from that data once it is brought back into the farm office.

So how can farmers get more value from their yield data? Investing time and resources in analysing yield maps is a great place to start. This will provide invaluable insights into what is happening on their farm which they can use to really drive their business forward.

Organised and accurate yield maps provide a benchmark for farm performance and a reference for financial values and measurements. This gives growers a greater sense of where they are financially and allows them to drill down into which parts of their farm business are doing well and which parts are underperforming. Gross margin reporting provides visibility across the field and farm based entirely on the user’s own records.

Being able to leverage data from yield mapping comparisons doesn’t just help you understand where you are now, it shows you where you are heading.

It provides a reference for further crop inputs, allowing growers to map records across growing seasons from 2023 and beyond, so they can fine-tune their approach and make more informed decisions. What you can better measure, you can better manage.

Seeing the big picture of farm performance

Yield maps can offer insight into what is happening and at the end of the growing season, they are the ‘benchmark’ of performance. Growers are increasingly realising the benefits of collecting this valuable information over time, using tools like Proagrica’s Farmplan Gatekeeper as part of a bigger picture view of their farm business that also includes historical, agronomic, and local knowledge to aid decision making.

Adam Joslin, Gatekeeper software specialist, says the more yield data history you have the more reliable it is. “Gatekeeper software has always been at the forefront of compatibility and it can import yield data across a whole range of manufacturers. Plus, it provides correction and analysis of the raw data to help you make more of this information.

“I was with a client recently, who was in the middle of submitting a new stewardship agreement. He asked how he could decide which areas of his farm are better out of production. Yield information can support important decisions like this and much more.” 

Getting the best from smart analysis tools

The key to closing the gap between data collection and data value is making full use of smart analysis tools, which allow farmers to adopt a variable input system based on yield maps and other data. This can bring considerable cost savings in terms of reduced inputs, less machine use and maintenance, and less operator time, but also important environmental benefits for the soil, wildlife, and the wider environment.

The post Cultivating resilience: the value in your 2023 harvest yield data appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The Bury St Edmunds site was the first of four British Sugar factories to open its doors in early September, announcing the beginning of the 2023/2024 sugar beet campaign. The Newark site was soon to follow a week later on 11th September, with British Sugar’s largest site of all in Wissington opening on 21st September. British Sugar is now firing on all cylinders, having just opened its fourth site on 9th October.

Farmers Guide took the opportunity to see the first deliveries of the campaign up close, having been kindly invited on site by Andy Simms, general site manager of British Sugar at the Bury St Edmunds site.

Ambient temperatures for sugar beet

Alongside a tour of the site, Andy spoke to us about how early operations at the Bury St Edmunds factory were fairing.

“Most of the kit onsite hasn’t run since February. We are getting it going and finding leaks so there are challenges with that, but we’ve had a safe and reliable start-up.”

Early September clung onto the high summer temperatures of late August, which created testing conditions for Andy’s team.

“Our biggest challenge has been the ambient temperatures; it’s really warm in the sugar factory. For our colleagues inside on a day of 30 degrees, it’s very warm work. It’s a lovely temperature for sugar beet, for sugar content. When the temperatures start to drop, it gets easier for our colleagues inside the factory.”

A net energy exporter

The Bury St Edmunds site is vast, and requires lots of staffing throughout the sugar-making process.

“Across the pre-silo operation, where we make the sugar, and the post silo operation, where we package the sugar up for our customers, we have 330 British Sugar colleagues plus contractors,” Andy explains. “We have 500 deliveries arriving on site today, which is about 14,000 tonnes of sugar beet.”

Such a large site also requires a great deal of electrical and steam power in order to operate each day. Andy explained that the on-site power plant is in fact a net-exporter of energy.

“We take natural gas and convert it into electricity in a combining power plant. This is exported to the National Grid and also produces the steam and electricity requirements of the site.”

The outlook is bright for great sugar content

Commenting on the expectations regarding sugar content for the early sugar beet harvest, Andy said: “The weather certainly helps. Sugar beet likes the sunshine; the crop is adept at turning the sun’s radiation into sucrose. Days like this really help the sugar content.

“Mother Nature will determine the average overall but so far we are predicting the sugar content to be about average for the last five years.”

Wishing growers a safe campaign

It was clear that safety is the primary concern for Andy and his team, reflected in his parting message: “We wish all our growers, our hauliers and our industrial and agricultural partners a safe campaign.”

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As the industry prepares to come together again, BP2023 sees a record number of trade stands as companies seemingly realise the true power and benefits of face-to-face events.

The British Potato Show is thrilled to welcome seminars back at this years show, presenting visitors with technical talks on current industry topics and issues.

Evolution of the show has continued with crop production exhibits being joined by an ever-expanding range of post farm expertise. So, while growers will be updated on everything from varieties to sprout suppression, factory staff will be exploring developments as diverse as haulage, water treatment, the very latest in optical sorting and whole crop utilisation.

What visitors can expect from BP2023

• Scores of Europe’s leading potato companies
• The latest in potato research & development
• All types of farm, packing and processing machinery
• New breakthroughs in production and processing
• Business news and emerging opportunities
• Buyers, suppliers and advisers from plough to plate

Adding an extra layer of prestige to the event, the National Potato Industry Awards will be held at the Old Swan in Harrogate on Wednesday 22^nd November – the first evening of the show. These prestigious awards are a celebration of excellence and innovation within the potato industry and the BP2023 team is thrilled to announce the return of the hugely popular guest speaker, Rod Woodward, following his much-lauded appearance at the last awards ceremony.

With its unique blend of information-sharing, networking, and innovation, BP2023 promises to be an essential event for anyone involved in the British and global Potato Industry.

For free visitor tickets and to plan your visit the British Potato Show website.

Our November 2023 issue dispatches next week with a full BP2023 preview in our annual Potatoes feature – Sign up here to receive the magazine for free.

The post The British Potato Show 2023 returns to Harrogate this November appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration only.

The active substance isoflucypram and fungicide Vimoy – the first product to contain the new active – have been approved by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Isoflucypram is the first fungicide active substance to be approved by the CRD post-Brexit, making Britain’s growers the first in Europe – and only the second worldwide after New Zealand – to be given access to it.

“Isoflucypram – which will be marketed as ‘Iblon’ – is a ground-breaking new fungicide that delivers unrivalled broad-spectrum activity against the main foliar diseases of wheat, including yellow rust, Septoria tritici and brown rust while providing useful activity against stem-based diseases such as eyespot,” says Rosalind O’Hare, Bayer campaign manager for combinable fungicides.

Vimoy will be available in a co-pack with Proline (prothioconazole) called ‘ion iblon’.  The inclusion of Proline supports its broad-spectrum activity while adding a second mode of action to ensure sound resistance management.

Trial results

Mrs O’Hare says a significant factor in the product’s performance is the N-cyclopropyl ring at the centre of molecule’s structure, which enhances the intrinsic activity and supports its broad-spectrum effectiveness.

Septoria trials spanning multiple sites in 2021 and 2022 found Iblon was “far better than either the existing standard, Ascra Xpro, or products containing Solatenol, such as Elatus Era, and on a par with both Revystar XE and Univoq”.

She continues: “It has performed equally impressively against yellow rust. In a 2021 trial by the University of Nottingham it demonstrated greater curative and protectant activity than Soletanol making it the best-in-class fungicide against this unpredictable disease.

“Importantly, it has demonstrated strong persistent protection and curative activity against both Septoria and yellow rust and is active at all stages of the pathogen lifecycle.

“In addition to Septoria and yellow rust, Iblon also delivers excellent protection against brown rust and useful activity against both the W and R types of eyespot. In combination with Proline its activity against eyespot is further improved and its spectrum of activity extended to include Fusarium and mildew.”

Bayer has also optimised Iblon to work with the outstanding Leafshield formulation used in the Xpro range of fungicides.

Extended green leaf area retention

Research conducted by the University of Reading found that for every day past crop flowering that the green leaf area is maintained at 37% or above, wheat yield accumulates by up to 0.15t/ha.

“Prolonging green leaf retention for longer has been shown to significantly benefit yield. An ADAS trial from 2019 found Iblon applied at T2 prolonged green leaf area retention above the 37% threshold for eight days over the untreated and three days over Ascra Xpro.

“This resulted in a yield gain of 1.31t/ha over the untreated and 0.46t/ha over Ascra Xpro,” Mrs O’Hare says.

A welcome addition

The approval of Iblon has been welcomed by crop protection professionals.

ADAS researcher Jonathan Blake said the flexibility to use Iblon against either rust or Septoria depending on the season, will be appreciated by growers.

“Iblon is excellent on both yellow and brown rust and very good on Septoria,” Mr Blake says.  “It is a more active SDHI on Septoria than existing standards, and the flexibility it will add to programmes will make it a valuable addition at either the T1 or T2 timing,” he adds.

Frontier Agriculture crop production technical lead Dr Paul Fogg was equally pleased with the news having seen Iblon perform strongly in trials.

“It is great to have innovation, which helps to keep the job moving forwards. What really stood out this year was that it was a season of two halves, Septoria early on and then yellow rust. The broad-spectrum activity of Iblon came to the fore as part of a programme. It is not an ‘either/or’ product. It has always performed at a good level but this year on varieties that need a high level of input, Iblon looked to be a real stand out solution for growers ahead of the 2024 season,” Dr Fogg says.

Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) committee member Patrick Stephenson, who observed Iblon’s performance in treatment trials, said it would bring both efficacy and stewardship benefits to growers.

“Iblon brings another frontline piece of chemistry to the fungicide armoury that we can utilise in disease control strategies. Its authorisation will help us maintain efficacy and provide additional protection to all our chemistry options,” Mr Stephenson says.

The post “Groundbreaking” new fungicide approved appeared first on Farmers Guide.

© Blackthron Arable.

Foliar nutrition could be key to growers establishing large, robust OSR plants to battle the winter and inevitable flea beetle attack, according to Chris Bond, product manager for crop nutrition and plant health at FMC.

“Larger OSR plants are much more likely to withstand the adult grazing and larval phase of flea beetle attack and will be more robust when it comes to freezing temperatures,” he says.

There has been a growing trend for boron deficiency across the country, according to FMC’s annual tissue testing, which has monitored OSR for the past three years.

“Over the past three years we’ve seen boron deficiency creeping up. In 2021 26% of the crops we tested were deficient, and this year it’s jumped to 42%,” says Mr Bond.

He explains that the micronutrient, boron, is particularly important after the four-leaf stage as it influences crop growth processes and builds frost resilience over winter by strengthening cell walls.

“Boron also has a part to play in flowering,” explains Mr Bond.

“Although flowering is quite a way off, the OSR starts to develop florets at the base of the plant as early as the autumn. So, making sure the plant has enough boron to influence this is important as it ultimately could impact yield.”

Mr Bond recommends an application of boron in a mix with other micronutrients to help aid Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and give the crop a boost this autumn.

“Bo-La is a mixture of boron and molybdenum, which can address boron deficiencies but also help boost NUE as in order to take up nitrogen, molybdenum is needed,” he says.

“If you’re looking for a ‘multi-vitamin’ for your OSR crop, Stoker is a good choice. It contains boron and molybdenum but also manganese and magnesium, which support photosynthesis, and sulphur which is another important element for OSR as it has high demand for it.

“These products can be applied with other crop protection products, such as autumn fungicides or grass weed programs,” adds Mr Bond.

OSR crops come under heavy fire in the autumn and winter months, but by making a small investment in foliar nutrition, growers can give their crops a boost and help them emerge from the winter in a competitive state.

The post OSR: Don’t overlook boron this autumn, farmers warned appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Before even reaching for a rodenticide, the best practice is to carry out environmental management such as proofing buildings and tidying the site, then explore non-chemical control methods such as utilising natural predators or using instant-kill traps.

When chemical control is required, many don’t realise that bait rotation is vital to long-term success. Laurence Barnard comments: “Effective rodent control isn’t just about choosing the right bait. Of course, factors such as speed of control, potency, and palatability are incredibly important, but it is critical to alternate your baits.

“The reason for this is two-fold – some of the biggest challenges facing farmers are rodenticide resistance and bait shyness.”

Tackling resistance and boredom

Farmers should utilise rodenticides that contain either cholecalciferol or flocoumafen as the active ingredient, as there is no known resistance to either active. Ideally, usage should be rotated between the two to prevent any possible future resistance developing.

Switching between two highly palatable rodenticides will ensure they remain an attractive food source, encouraging rodents to continue feeding.

Laurence adds: “Of course, the rodenticide used must be highly palatable and potent. However, product stewardship is essential to ensure the future-proofing of effective solutions on the market and safeguard the pest management toolbox.”

How often to rotate baits

It is recommended that rodenticides should be changed every three to four months as best practice, with a minimum of every six months, to ensure a long-term, successful pest management programme.

Ideally, farmers should switch between rodenticides with a different active ingredient to ensure an effective treatment. BASF offers a range of resistance-busting rodenticides, such as the award-winning cholecalciferol-active Selontra and the highly powerful flocoumafen-active in Storm Secure and Storm Ultra Secure.

Neither Selontra nor the Storm products have any known resistance, and both offer a fast, effective solution to allow farmers to rotate their baits throughout the year without unknowingly contributing to rodenticide resistance or behavioural issues.

Top tips for an effective rodent programme

The best way to deal with rodents is to prevent them becoming active in the first place, so ‘rodent-proof’ your sites now to protect profits this winter.

Particularly at this time of year when temperatures begin to dip, rats and mice will be looking for warm harbourage where food sources are readily available, making buildings where animal feed or crops are stored very appealing.

1. Keep site clean and tidy. It may seem simple, but keeping sites tidy should become a regular part of any farmer’s maintenance routine. Keep pallets and sacks to a minimum as these make for the perfect harbourage, and remove any rubbish or unwanted stores of straw and hay as soon as possible to give rats and mice less time to move in.
2. Cut back vegetation and bushes around buildings. Rats fear open spaces, so by trimming back shrubbery by at least 1m around all buildings on land, they will be less inclined to cross an open yard to enter a building. This also allows farmers to readily observe any rat burrows, and gives natural predators more chance of spotting the pests too.
3. Rodent-proof buildings. Mice can get through gaps of 6mm and rats can get through gaps of 10mm. So carefully inspect any buildings, stores or outhouses for wear and tear in walls, piping, doors and windows. Use a hardwearing material like metal sheeting to prevent rodents from re-entering through any compromised areas, as rats can chew through everything from wooden posts to dry walls.
4. Inspect buildings for signs of an existing infestation. Visible footprints at ground level or on ledges, smear marks along ledges, walls or cables, damage in structures and equipment from gnaw marks, and droppings are all tell-tale signs of activity. Don’t forget to look at electrical wires and cabling – many farm fires have been caused by rodents chewing through electrical wires.
5. Store animal feed and grain safely. Taking measures to prevent animal feed or grain from being contaminated and consumed is an important step. Rats can carry up to 45 dangerous diseases which can pose a serious health and safety issue. Ensure stores are thoroughly cleaned and inspect every inch for any entry points or damage where rodents may enter and clean up any food spills immediately.
6. Monitor for activity. Using a Monitoring Paste will help farmers spot rodent activity before an infestation can get out of hand. It also means any rodents in the area will become more familiar with the object, reducing neophobia when the monitoring baits are replaced with rodenticide. An alternative monitoring method is to leave a patch of sand along a suspected rat run overnight and look for paw marks in the sand the next day.

Further expert advice is available and additional advice on BASF’s specialty rodent control solutions can be found on its website.

The post Rotate your bait: the key to a successful rodent programme appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Henry Louth gave visitors to the maize demo day a tour of the Limagrain variety trial where the latest forage, grain and energy crop varieties are being assessed in real-world conditions.

The pre-harvest tests, analysing dry matter; starch; non-digestible fibre; cell wall digestibility and metabolisable energy content; were carried out at a maize demonstration and testing day, hosted by Limagrain and Spunhill at Limagrain’s maize variety trial site on the outskirts of Wrexham.

The event was attended by more than 40 farm businesses from across the region who not only had their own crop samples tested for free, but were also given a tour of the Limagrain variety trial where the latest forage, grain and energy crop varieties are being assessed in real-world conditions.

“The tests clearly indicated that whilst a minority of crops are already at the point of harvest, the majority are still a week or more away from being ready, with dry matter levels still a little on the low side,” said Henry Louth, key account manager of Forage Crops at Limagrain UK.

“For most maize growers, the start of this year’s harvest has been delayed by about a fortnight as a result of July’s dull and overcast conditions which saw sunshine hours at 81% of the average for the month. Most crops have caught up well since then, with a few notable ‘very early’ varieties including Dignity and Gema really standing out in terms of maturity.”

He added those two varieties tested especially well for dry matter, starch and ME content, and recorded outstanding results for cell wall digestibilty.

“If conditions in early October are favourable, we should see most growers taking their crops before the middle of the month, which will hopefully make for a clean and easy harvest and a good quality ensiled crop,” he concluded.

The post Farmers set for a bumper maize crop this harvest, analysis shows appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The way to more efficient, sustainable farming is having access to high-quality data so farmers can make better decisions and take action.

Combining Yara’s agronomic expertise and John Deere’s precision technology and advanced machinery, the new partnership will help farmers increase yields while improving nutrient use efficiency.

Thanks to advanced connectivity between the John Deere Operations CenterTM and Yara’s Atfarm digital platform, farmers will be able to get tailored crop nutrition recommendations rooted in agronomic precision, so they know that their crops are getting the right amount of nutrients where and when they are needed.

The Atfarm platform uses Yara’s N-sensor algorithm and satellite technology, enabling farmers to monitor crop growth and nitrogen uptake in their fields throughout the season. The algorithm looks for growth differences and creates variable rate application maps for N-fertilisation that farmers can access.

Through the partnership, this data can now be shared seamlessly and securely with the John Deere Operations CenterTM as a Workplan. Farmers can add field and crop information, and wirelessly synchronise their Workplan and recommendations to any machine which has a John Deere Gen4 or G5 Display.

Interpreting variable rate maps is often perceived as being complicated, but the John Deere/Yara collaboration removes the complexity, and helps farmers improve the productivity of their fields.

Field trials have shown that implementing Yara’s expert agronomic advice has resulted in up to seven percent yield increase and savings of up to 14 percent Nitrogen due to optimised fertiliser use.

The new connectivity is set to be piloted by a group of farmers in the UK, Germany, and France from spring 2024. Alongside this new collaboration, Yara and John Deere will continue to work together on further opportunities to improve nutrient use efficiency for farmers.

“Achieving the [EU] Farm to Fork Strategy’s goal of reducing nutrient losses by 50% by 2030 requires the industry to work together,” said James Craske, from VP Digital Solutions Europe at Yara International.

“Through partnering with John Deere, UK farmers will be able to use our recommendations in an easy, practical way. This contributes to more sustainable food production without adding complexity for farmers.”

Katharina Nies, marketing manager for Precision Ag at John Deere, added: “For small grain producers, crop nutrition is one of the largest opportunities for optimisation.

“We are excited to partner with Yara, as this is a unique combination of science-based fertilisation recommendations together with John Deere’s connected, highly precise, and intelligent machines. With that, farmers can achieve the highest levels of nutrient use efficiency.”

The post John Deere and Yara on a mission to boost fertiliser efficiency appeared first on Farmers Guide.

A new approach to fertilisation with Supersoil

Adam’s journey towards sustainability led him to discover Supersoil, an organic fertiliser with a difference. Composed of healthy soil microbes and organic plant matter, Supersoil not only enhances soil health but also promotes grass regrowth. The fertiliser breaks down organic matter to release vital nutrients to the sward.

A tale of two paddocks

Adam’s experiment began with a meticulous approach. He measured the dry matter in two paddocks, both initially registering at around 1,800 kg of dry matter per hectare. One paddock received Supersoil, while the other received the usual slurry application.

Promising results from organic fertiliser

Even in the face of challenging weather conditions with no rain for a week, the results spoke volumes. In just one week, the paddock treated with Supersoil exhibited a remarkable 9.5% increase in growth rate compared to the one receiving slurry. This initial boost in grass regrowth was a promising sign of what Supersoil could deliver.

A month of transformation

The positive impact of Supersoil continued to manifest over the course of a month. Adam noticed an impressive overall increase of 420kg of dry matter in the paddock treated with Supersoil compared to the one receiving slurry. Not only did Supersoil enhance growth, but it also contributed to a lush and even sward, adding to the overall visual appeal of the pasture.

Optimal timing for first-time users

While Supersoil has already proven its worth in enhancing dairy farming practices, its timing of application can optimise its benefits for first-time users. Applying Supersoil at the back end of the year, during the land’s resting phase, allows for the multiplication and establishment of beneficial soil microbes. These microbes work diligently over the winter months, converting organic matter into vital nutrients and priming the soil for the growing season.

Microbial establishment

The key to Supersoil’s effectiveness lies in its microbial community. By applying it at the back end of the year when the land is in a resting state, farmers allow these beneficial microbes to multiply and establish themselves in the soil. This crucial preparatory phase ensures that the soil is brimming with microbial activity, ready to kickstart the growing season in spring.

Nutrient release

Supersoil’s microbes excel at breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients that would otherwise remain locked away. By introducing organic fertiliser during the dormant winter months, these microbes have ample time to work their magic, converting organic matter into readily available nutrients for the upcoming season.

Reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers

The strategic application of Supersoil at the end of the year allows farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical fertilisers during the growing season. As the soil becomes enriched with nutrients, the need for synthetic additives diminishes. This contributes to a more sustainable farming approach.

Improved grass regrowth

When the first signs of good growing conditions arrive in the spring, pastures treated with year-end Supersoil application show a remarkable boost in growth. This initial advantage can set the tone for the entire season, resulting in healthier and more abundant forage for livestock.

Long-term soil health

Applying Supersoil towards the end of the year fosters long-term soil health. The microbial population establishes a robust ecosystem within the soil, contributing to improved soil structure, nutrient cycling, and overall resilience.

More than a fertiliser

Adam Holman’s experience with Supersoil underscores the importance of sustainable farming practices in modern agriculture. Dairy farmers like Adam can achieve improved grass regrowth, healthier livestock, and a greener, more sustainable future for their farms. In doing so, they also reduce the reliance on chemical fertilisers and harness the power of organic alternatives like Supersoil.

Supersoil is more than just a fertiliser; it’s a symbol of innovation and commitment to the land. As we look toward the future of farming, sustainable solutions like Supersoil are set to play a pivotal role in creating a harmonious balance between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. Farmers like Adam Holman are leading the way, proving that sustainable farming practices are not just a choice but a necessity for a thriving agricultural industry.

By applying Supersoil at the back end of the year, farmers can maximise its benefits, leading to healthier pastures, reduced reliance on chemicals, and long-term soil vitality, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for farming.

How to get your Supersoil organic fertiliser

Take advantage of Supersoil’s organic fertiliser before the year is out; visit the Supersoil website to make contact.

The post Organic fertiliser: 420kg increase of dry matter within one month on West Dorset Farm appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The new tool covers all main arable and outdoor horticultural crops, and has been built to complement VI’s existing IPM Plan. It offers easy access to information about methods available for controlling relevant pests, weeds, and diseases, and makes it easy for farmers to deliver the IPM action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

The methods recommended by the tool have previously been tested and proven to be effective, with research reviews undertaken by experts from ADAS and SRUC.

Project lead and ADAS technical director for Crop Protection, Dr Neil Paveley, said: “Thousands of farmers have created plans for Red Tractor using the VI IPM Plan, and we have worked closely with the NFU and VI to provide this alternative, more crop-specific, IPM planning tool.

“With farmers now actively encouraged to implement IPM, this tool gives those who are completely new to it practical support to get started. And, for the majority of farmers who are already practicing IPM to some degree, the tool could open doors to alternative techniques that may be more effective or suit their farm better”.

Prior to its launch yesterday (28^th September), the tool has undergone extensive development and testing with over a hundred farmers and agronomists involved as part of a Defra Test and Trial, led by the NFU.

The tool allows farmers to create an IPM plan specific to their crop in just one hour. Christopher Rutterford, an arable farmer based in East Anglia, said the tool is simple to use an has an easy-to-follow layout.

“I was most impressed with it as a way of formalising our IPM actions and being able to present the results in a recognisable and acceptable way, in order to demonstrate our responsible crop protection procedures. I see it as a valuable means to systematise our own actions and to present these actions to others”.

For agronomists, the tool allows IPM plans to be completed for multiple farms that can be easily updated each year. Although the IPM planning tool was created to support growers applying for the IPM SFI action, it can also be used to support Red Tractor requirements.

Dr Paveley added: “The IPM Tool is based on many years of research and practical experience, and there is a huge amount of information available if growers want to go deeper into a topic, with links to guidance provided by AHDB, PGRO, BBRO and other independent organisations.”

Phil Jarvis, chair of the Voluntary Initiative, agreed that “IPM is an ever-evolving management process”.

“Providing tools and knowledge allows growers to make informed and important farming decisions. This tool compliments existing entry points, such as the VI/NFU IPM Plan, and assists farmers on the IPM journey”.

The IPM Planning tool is now available to use free of charge via the NFU website and growers are invited to provide feedback so developers can continue to improve the tool.

The post New free-to-use integrated pest management (IPM) tool launches appeared first on Farmers Guide.