The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2020 - Issue 71 | Page 46

46 ARABLE OCT / NOV 2020 • farmers-mart . co . uk
46 ARABLE OCT / NOV 2020 • farmers-mart . co . uk

TISSUE TEST CROPS AHEAD OF WINTER

Tissue testing crops is generally done in the spring , but FMC crop nutrition specialist , Chris Bond , calls for growers to consider its value this side of winter .
“ FOLLOWING the turbulent weather throughout this year , it ’ s likely we ’ ll see soils lacking in nutrients that we aren ’ t used to seeing deficiencies in ,” says Chris .
“ So , combining both soil sampling and tissue testing ahead of winter means growers can get the full picture of what ’ s in their soil and available to the plant .
“ For example , magnesium is the most leachable large cation , meaning most soils will be lacking , after this year ’ s wet weather ,” he says .
“ Our combined tissue sample results have shown that over the past three years magnesium levels in UK cereal crops have been consistently low , with 68 % of samples in 2018 showing magnesium deficiency and 74 % in 2020 .”
Chris adds it is not just about what the soil is lacking but how different factors can affect the uptake of certain nutrients , meaning that crops can be deficient even when the nutrients are present .
“ The weather , soil conditions , water levels , soil temperatures and even the relationships between nutrients themselves can all have an impact on the plant ’ s ability to take up key nutrients .
“ For example , potassium and calcium can inhibit a plant ’ s uptake of magnesium , so if you have soils high in these , this could be an issue ,” he explains .
“ Tissue testing , however , can allow growers to see if these issues are occurring and give an accurate picture of what the plant has access to .”
Based on this , Chris recommends taking samples from crops at the three-leaf stage and onwards and sending these off for tissue testing .
“ Once you have the results , bespoke foliar applications are the best way to correct any deficiencies in-season ,” he says .
“ This year has posed some serious challenges already for growers . To get accurate information to help make sure crops have the best start , combining both soil sampling and tissue testing , then correcting any deficiencies with foliar feeds , will be the key to success ,” concludes Chris .

MISCANTHUS : LONG-TERM SECURE RETURNS AND REDUCED RISK

FARMERS and landowners are urged to consider maximising returns and reducing risk with Miscanthus - a renewable energy crop with a rising market demand .
Produced for an increased number of markets , including renewable power generation , livestock bedding , domestic fuels and many more , the crop thrives on unproductive farm land and guarantees returns on long-term contracts , promising a move away from the price volatility associated with traditional agricultural markets .
Terravesta is the world-leading Miscanthus specialist , and works with growers to facilitate planting , provide agronomic support , secure lucrative markets and offers long term indexprice-linked contracts . The firm is looking for growers to plant its own Terravesta Performance HybridsTM in spring 2021 , to meet increased demand .
The perennial energy crop can grow to heights of up to 12 feet and has the potential to yield 15 tonnes per hectare , which can give the farmer a return of £ 900 / ha after establishment costs have been paid back . Terravesta Performance HybidsTM provide an average net profit of £ 558 / ha over 15 years .
“ Miscanthus is ideally suited to lower grade , unproductive marginal land ,” says Terravesta chairman , William Cracroft- Eley . “ It ’ s a low input , high output option , and once established , no fertiliser is required , as the rhizome recycles nitrogen back into the soil .”
Terravesta is looking for more growers to help to meet the increased demand from whole bale power stations and emerging markets . “ We ’ re offering growers 10-year retail price index-linked contracts ,” says William .
“ Markets for large-scale heat and power generation are growing and there
are exciting second-generation markets emerging from biorefining Miscanthus for advanced end-uses , including degradable bio-plastics , pharmaceuticals , bio-ethanol and biogas production , as well as fibre uses for construction , materials and furniture .”
The firm is also progressing a standardised approach to measuring and auditing Miscanthus carbon storage , enabling farmers to have a framework for carbon trading .
Terravesta is working with world-leading plant scientists to develop new Miscanthus Performance HybridsTM , aiming to further build on the improvements of the rhizome-based variety Terravesta AthenaTM launched by the firm in 2019 , with the added benefit of being cultivated from seed .
“ This will mean that new markets for the crop will need to continue to develop ,” adds William .
The company is looking for UK growers to plant Miscanthus in spring 2021 to meet increased demand , and encourages farmers interested in planting to email planting @ terravesta . com or call + 441522 731873 . The deadline for securing spring 2021 Miscanthus planting long-term contracts is 30 November 2020 .