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ARABLE PRODUCERS MUST NOW FOCUS ON SIX CRITICAL AREAS
Date added: 23/02/06 |
Latest analysis of ProCam 4cast clearly points to six critical areas of disease control that separate out the producers achieving the highest margins from the rest, says ProCam technical director Dr. David Ellerton.
The new figures for 2005 show the top 25% of UK arable growers produced gross margins nearly £160/ha higher than the average in Winter Wheat.
There is no one element that makes the best producers better than the rest – they simply follow agronomic advice, act quickly and plan what they are going to do, he says.
“The first priority is to tailor programmes precisely to varieties taking into account disease pressure, drill date, rotational position, location and soil type,” Dr Ellerton advises.
“Secondly, don’t allow diseases to become established. Early application of protectant and/or curative sprays may be crucial on prone varieties. For example T0 on S. tritici in Einstein and Consort, mildew in Claire or yellow rust in Robigus.”
Triazoles must be targeted accurately to disease and variety, David Ellerton says. Producers must maintain robust rates – 50 - 75% at T1, 75% at T2 and 50% at T3. Be prepared to increase these if disease pressure is high.
“Strobilurins must also be targeted to disease, rotational position, location, drill date, soil type and variety. Apply a minimum dose of 30-50% at T1/T2, and 30% at T3. Spray at T1/T3 for specific diseases, or T1, T2 or T3 for physiological benefits. Never apply more than two Strobilurin sprays per crop.
“Timing and spray intervals are also critical. Link timing of sprays to leaf emergence, not calendar date and never extend intervals beyond four weeks – you may have to go shorter if rates have been compromised or there is very high disease pressure.
Finally, producers must use alternative modes of action wherever possible e.g. chlorothalonil in Septoria, boscalid in Septoria and eyespot, fenpropimorph in mildew, yellow rust, brown rust and Septoria, mancozeb in Septoria, sooty moulds and rusts and proquinazid, cyflamid or quinoxyfen in
mildew.
“Above all else, use sprays wisely. Use your agronomist to help you reduce costs per tonne and always operate within the structure of an integrated crop management approach.” |
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