Harvesting Success: Unveiling the Latest Trial Results at Our Open Days!

Our Five Open days held across the South Coast offered growers the opportunity to access our most up-to-date variety trial results. This information is crucial for making informed decisions regarding variety selection for the upcoming season. By witnessing the performance of different varieties in the trials, our customers gained valuable insights into which options are best suited to their specific regions and farming conditions.

The primary focus of our events is variety selection for the upcoming season; however, our team of agronomists and specialists are also addressing broader environmental and economic challenges affecting the agricultural industry and are offering guidance on the new urea stewardship regulations and discussing the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

Andrew Stilwell, Technical director at Bartholomew’s, emphasises that the open day demonstration sites were specifically designed to investigate crop production approaches relevant to local farmers' conditions and challenges. By attending these open days, growers witnessed firsthand how different varieties performed in their respective regions. The trials assessed various input programs and management strategies, enabling growers to make well-informed decisions regarding their crop rotations. Our research and development programmes are aimed at finding crop production solutions for our growers and the wider agricultural industry. It also supports our team to continually expand their expertise.

According to Andrew, the open days served as a vital platform for discussion, allowing growers to share their knowledge and experiences with one another along with our team. This forum enables us all to address the factors driving change in the industry and understand how those changes might impact their own farms.

Variety selection is a significant topic at these open days. Christian Maltby, the seed business manager, highlights some standout variety options for this year. Varieties such as Extase, Palladium and Champion are among the top picks due to their impressive disease resistance and resilience. However, Christian emphasises the importance of supporting customers to maximise the potential of these varieties based on their specific farm conditions and challenges. Factors like sowing location, timing, soil type, and rotation compatibility need careful consideration.

Oat discussions at the open days included Mascani which is proving popular on the due to its high yields and kernel content along with being the most popular with our brands and processers in the realm of oilseed rape, several new hybrid choices offer improved yield and disease resistance. With the challenging season experienced, there is anticipated interest and many questions about planning for 2024.

Nutrition strategies for the upcoming season, particularly considering new regulations from Defra regarding urea stewardship, are another popular topic of discussion. Colin Burton, Fertiliser director, acknowledges the volatility in fertilizer pricing and product availability this season. Increased demand for urea has accelerated the implementation of new regulations, leading growers to consider various aspects more carefully.

Colin explains that the UK has a legal obligation to reduce ammonia pollution by 16% before 2030. To prevent breaches of emissions targets, regulatory stewardship has been implemented. From April 1st, 2024, and each subsequent year, any solid urea/liquid UAN fertilizer will need to include an inhibitor.

Bartholomew’s own trials exploring the agronomic benefits of Urease inhibitors, New Technical Blends and Biologicals have yielded promising results, including increased yields with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Despite the potential questions and concerns arising from these changes, Colin highlights the significant benefits that can be achieved with the right advice. The open days offered an excellent opportunity to explore these innovations in greater detail, with probably the largest Fertiliser and Microbial plots in the UK.

Wishing you all a successful harvest!