Innovative solutions discussed at Norfolk Farming Conference

The 2024 Norfolk Agricultural Conference attracted more than 400 delegates to its 20th anniversary event. Topics discussed included sustainable agriculture and carbon storage, and the audience heard about some of the innovative ways the industry is taking to address the many challenges the sector is facing.

Threshold for neonicotinoid seed treatment use reached 

Following the emergency approval granting sugar beet growers to use Cruiser SB for virus yellows control, the threshold for use has now been met. The prohibited neonicotinoid will be available for seed in the 2024/25 sugar beet campaign. 

Improve soils to manage extreme weather risks

More needs to be done to improve the resilience of soils in the face of increasingly extreme weather patterns, according to speakers at a recent water quality event for farmers in East Anglia.

Intelligent spraying system improves accuracy and reduces chemical costs

A successful three-year collaboration between two British manufacturers, Techneat Engineering and Tillett and Hague Technology Limited, has culminated in the launch of the Weed Wizard – a new, intelligent spraying system aimed at farm contractors and growers of onions, leeks and carrots.

Increased campaign length for sugar beet

With wet ground hampering the lifting of sugar beet throughout the 2023/24 campaign, and beet still in the ground, British Sugar has announced new expected end dates for each of its factory sites.

Influencing resilient disease control

Compounding the huge health and growth variation among winter wheat crops this year, recent research by NIAB has shown how leaf layer emergence can vary by 10 days or more within a variety – so accurately timing sprays will not be simple. Speakers at a recent BASF event gave insights into factors which will influence resilient disease control for the winter wheat crop.

Trials assess benefits of wider seed bands

A crop establishment trial to find out whether drilling wheat and barley crops in wider, shallower bands results in the plants making better use of the extra space is proving to be an effective strategy. David Williams found out more.

It’s never too early to be thinking about harvest

The Ceres Barn-Stormer Grain Pusher offers you an efficient and reliable method for controlling your cereal storage, the company says.

Spring weed control needs extra care in stressed crops

A tough few months weather-wise has resulted in some huge variations in crops across the country, posing numerous management headaches, not least for early weed control in winter cereals.

Effective weed control to protect investment in sugar beet

Effective early season weed control in sugar beet is essential, explains Adama UK herbicides technical specialist, Dr Bill Lankford – especially as an effective herbicide programme can deliver a 10–20% improvement in yield.

Paid-for opportunity for farmers to carry out pulse trials

UK pea and bean growers are being invited to become ‘pulse pioneers’ by contributing to a ground-breaking farmer-led research programme.

Test farm-saved seed to mitigate spring barley seed-borne disease risks

Growers are being urged to test and/or treat farm-saved spring crop seed for diseases such as loose smut and seed-borne net blotch.

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