Farming Monthly National April 2016 | Page 13

| Arable Nine new Monitor Farms for England Nine new Monitor Farms have joined AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds’ innovative knowledge exchange programme in England and Wales. The aim of the expanded network, to be launched in June, is to enable more farmers to take part in the programme and to benefit from the discussions. im Isaac, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Interim Head of Regional Development, said: “These new Monitor Farms will fill the gaps in our geographical coverage, making it easier for more growers to get to meetings near them. Businesses across the country have already benefited from the existing farms, but growing the network to 24 will allow the programme to better reflect a range of localised conditions and help a wider cross-section of growers.” From Dereham in Norfolk to Truro in Cornwall, the hosts represent a range of local farm sizes and enterprises. There are family farms at just over 200ha and estates of over 1,000ha. Some have other enterprises, while others are solely arable. Establishment techniques in the new tranche of Monitor Farms include ploughing and combination drilling (Warrington), strip till (Kent), and a variety of approaches to min-till. The new Monitor Farms are: • Blandford (Dorset): James and Georgie Cossins, Rawston Farm • Bridgnorth (Shropshire): Adrian Joynt, Apley Estate • Dereham (Norfolk): Simon Brock, Swanton Morely Farms • Leicester (Leicestershire): Jack Smith, Stoughton Estate • Newark (Nottinghamshire): John Miller, Manor Farm • Northampton (Northamptonshire): Tom Banks, Courteenhall Estate • Sittingbourne (Kent): Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, Hempstead Farm T • Truro (Cornwall): Howard Emmett, Tregaire Farms • Warrington (Cheshire): Robert Cross, Clifflane Farm Howard Emmett, new Monitor Farm host in Truro, said: “I’d been interested in the Monitor Farm scheme from the word ‘go’ and got involved with the Crediton group last autumn. I saw how everyone was there to increase their knowledge. If I can help in this process in our area I will be very pleased. “My own business aim is to sustain the profitability of my farm in the current economic climate. I’m hoping that the meetings will be useful to others.” AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Monitor Farms bring together groups of like-minded farmers, who wish to develop or expand their enterprises, in an environment which encourages them to share critical performance details. This information is discussed and evaluated by the group, encouraging and facilitating business improvement through the adoption of new technology and practices. The programme of meetings at each of the farms will be driven by farmers participating in the Monitor Farm groups. In the first 12 months of the Monitor Farm project in England and Wales, over 2,400 people took part, with the majority reporting benefits to their business. Of those surveyed in April 2015, more than nine out of ten valued the opportunity to openly discuss issues and share experiences and 75% improved their technical knowledge. Topics covered in the last twelve months include fixed cost analysis, crop establishment, cover crops, grain storage, marketing, weed control, soil health, nutrition, precision farming, building resilient businesses, benchmarking and more. Get involved Each of the new Monitor Farms will hold an open launch day this summer before harvest. Anyone interested in attending should contact their AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Regional Manager on the given email address. Launch meeting dates: East Midlands: [email protected] Leicester: 7 June 2016 Newark: 29 June 2016 Northampton: 1 July 2016 North: [email protected] Warrington: 1 June 2016 East Anglia: [email protected] Dereham: 6 July 2016 West & Wales: [email protected] Bridgnorth: 9 June 2016 South East: [email protected] Sittingbourne: 23 June 2016 South West: [email protected] Truro: 21 June 2016 Blandford: 4 July 2016 Find out more about the Monitor Farm programme at cereals.ahdb.org.uk/monitorfarms or on twitter with the hashtag #monitorfarm. Scottish Farmers will also this year have the opportunity to benefit from nine new Monitor Farms, thanks to a collaborative project between Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. BASF reaches major milestone in the global development of its new fungicide Revysol® Regulatory dossier submitted for approval in the EU for innovative active ingredient with outstanding field performance against many fungal pathogens. ASF has submitted the regulatory dossier for a new active ingredient, Revysol®, to the European Union (EU). The proprietary compound is expected to be the company’s new blockbuster fungicide from the chemical class of triazoles (SBI). Extensive research has shown its outstanding biological performance against a range of difficult to control pathogens. Revysol’s submission for registration in the EU marks a key milestone towards the compound’s global registration in row and specialty crops. “Undoubtedly, Revysol will be another striking compound that delivers significant benefits to farmers around the globe,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. As farmers continue to need product diversity for mixing or alternating mode of actions, Revysol is set to play a vital role in B www.farmingmonthly.co.uk future resistance management recommendations. “Our ability to develop such an excellent molecule definitely flags our leadership position in fungicides,” said Heldt. Fungicides from the triazole chemical class have proven their value against diseases that can severely damage crops and compromise the quality of farmers’ harvests, such as Septoria tritici and rust in cereals. Nonetheless, no new molecule with this mode of action has been introduced to the market for more than ten years, thus increasing the risk of resistance and leaving farmers with few alternatives for disease control. “We have applied our deep fungicide expertise and invested best-in-class research to create Revysol,” said Harald Rang, Senior Vice President of Research and Development, BASF Crop Protection. Already at the discovery phase, the new fungicide was designed to meet both the highest level of regulatory standards “As farmers continue to need product diversity for mixing or alternating mode of actions, Revysol is set to play a vital role in future resistance management recommendations” and outstanding biological performance. “Farmers will have a new tool to ensure their crops will stay disease-free and healthy for a longer period of time, optimizing crop yields and quality of the harvest,” concluded Rang. Revysol will be available in customized formulations to provide farmers worldwide with high performing fungicide solutions. Pending regulatory approval, first market introductions are expected for 2019. April 2016 | Farming Monthly | 13