BASF - Thinking Series Issue 5 | February 2017 | Page 16

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There are big profits to be made - and big pitfalls to avoid - when choosing OSR .
Big increases in the price of oilseed rape over the last six months will please those who have not lost faith in this useful break crop . However , most growers will be all too familiar with the fact that OSR can be notoriously difficult to grow effectively .
Matt Goodson , BASF Marketing Campaign Manager , Oilseeds , said , “ We know that oilseed rape can be a challenge for growers and we want to help them to make a real difference to their oilseed rape crops this year . Prices have been rising recently and potentially there are profits to be made .
In forming the Real Results Circle for oilseed rape profitability , again a partnership between BASF , industry experts , agronomists and farmers , we will be able to give growers the in depth technical advice needed to grow this crop profitably .”
We will be able to give growers the in depth technical advice needed to grow this crop profitably .
Trials will be conducted on two farms , one near Bishop ’ s Frome in Herefordshire and the other an ADAS Monitor farm near Huntingdon , Cambridgeshire . In this way , the Real Results Circle will create tailored advice and general tips , all backed up with real science from ADAS who are partnering with BASF in this initiative .
Julie Smith , ADAS , Senior Research Scientist said , “ On these two sites , one in the east and one in the west , we have eight tramline width strips which will be sprayed commercially with proper farm sprayers and monitored fortnightly , right through the season , so we will be able to provide results which will be of real relevance to growers .”
Mr Goodson said , “ With scientific support from ADAS we will be covering some of the core topics that we believe will make a significant difference to OSR yield , and restore faith in this great crop .”
“ The key topics we are going to explore are ; the risks of lodging , drought protection , Light Leaf Spot control , resistance management , the benefits of canopy manipulation and green leaf area duration .”
In order to get the information from these sites to members of the Real Results Circle there will be video updates and instant notifications throughout the season . In this way the information growers need can be delivered in real time enabling them to take informed decisions which have the potential to increase the yield of the crop .
Information growers need can be delivered in real time , enabling them to take informed decisions which have the potential to increase the yield of the crop .
Julie Smith from ADAS said , “ When you do live , in-season reporting it reaches growers as it is almost like a sort of benchmarking which gives growers something to compare their crops with .”
To find out more and sign up to become part of the BASF Real Results Circle of growers , go to basfrealresults . co . uk
BASF Thinking Series | Spring ' 17 | Issue 5 | basfrealresults . co . uk

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