Want to try Omnia for FREE? Sign Up Now

Unlock the best precision farming solution. Sign Up Now

Fat hen is almost impossible to kill in crops which are behind – Arable Farming – Darryl Shailes

We had a bit of excitement in the garden last week ...

I had a text from my wife to phone the local farmer after she heard a moo which sounded too close. It was, and 75 cows and their calves had got out and were walking down the street.

Armed with a hoe, she managed to stop them getting any further and gently escorted them back to the field they came from.

It has been a bit less exciting in many fields of beet however, with it being almost impossible to kill fat hen getting though where the crop is behind and virus starting to show up. What a challenging season. I certainly don’t remember driving around the countryside and seeing so many weedy and yellow fields of sugar beet.

DARRYL SHAILES, ROOT CROP TECHNICAL MANAGER

Hopefully the recent rain will finally fill the beet canopies, slowing down the weeds, but I’m feeling less optimistic about the virus which is only going to get worse.

The high virus levels can be explained by the huge numbers of aphids found in crops earlier this summer. The BBRO long-term average of accumulated catches of myzus persicae up to June 21 normally runs to just under 500 aphids caught in their traps.

Aphids

For 2020, this was running at 4,400 nearly a tenfold increase. Some plants that were being monitored had 50-100 aphids per plant. So, even if only a small percentage have been carrying virus, it is not difficult to see the issues. Also, with the aphids being around so early, the chemistry available for control was challenged when being applied to small but rapidly growing sugar beet.

At this stage, it’s difficult to predict the yield loss, but it will certainly have a serious impact in some areas.
We’re also seeing some year one transmission of leaf roll virus in potato crops. It’s very unusual, but again the unprecedented numbers of aphids that were around as the crop was emerging are having an effect.

What was even more amazing was how quickly these populations crashed in ware crops. Home-saved seed could be an issue going forward, so all crops will need testing for virus if that’s your intention.

Potatoes

The effect of the May frost on some potato crops is now manifesting itself; multiple stems are some chain tuberization is showing up. Tuber size distribution will be a challenge to manage where it’s only affected parts of fields. Maleic hydrazide has been shown to have an effect so, protocols permitting, a few crops will be treated shortly.

Armed with my new Fazorometer, we’ll be looking at crops this week (July 13) and where the potential saleable fraction is more than 25mm and the other criteria are met, the crops will be treated.

We are also looking at maleic hydrazide at our Fen trial site this season to look at different timings and how sprouting is affected across a range of varieties – important information going into an era without chlorpropham.

One bright point of the year was being able to sit in the local pub garden and have a couple of pints at the weekend, socially distanced of course, but a sign of normality slowly coming back.

Careers

Find details on our agronomy training & careers, as well as current support staff vacancies...

View Careers

Our Sustainability Statement

Discover how we promote sustainable farming practices and work with like-minded companies on cross industry initiatives…

Learn More

Contact Us and Depot Locations

We're here to help and answer any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you...

Envelope Icon Email Us