|
CROP CRACK 20-09-08
By WENDY FEARON
Clarendon Agricare -Oilseed Rape
Unfortunately growers have not been able to give any consideration to the autumn cereal planting as they still struggle to harvest last year’s crop.
Growers will remember 2008 for the same reason I remember 1985.The wettest dullest August on record played havoc with combining, and hit quality hard. There is still a fair bit of cereal to cut and most of the straw from combined crops is still lying. Although yields and bushel weight were fairly good, the drying costs against crops are a bitter pill.
Oilseed rape growers are really struggling at present as it is very important to have crops drilled by mid September. Adjusting the seed rate to achieve the desired plant stand is the primary factor in determining the entire crop’s agronomy for successful canopy management. Depending on variety & sowing date, sowing rate is somewhere between 4-8kg/ha to achieve an optimum of 50-70 plants/m²; this may appear sparse but these crops will outperform a 100+ plants/m² crop. Seed-to-soil contact, moisture availability, consolidation and compaction are also key factors affecting good establishment.
Once established, oilseed rape seedlings are extremely vulnerable to early competition for light and moisture from both broad-leaved and grass weeds. Just 20 volunteer barley plants per m2 can reduce oilseed rape yields by 0.15t/ha; 150 volunteers could reduce yield by over 1.0 t/ha. Uncontrolled weeds will also adversely affect the quality of seed harvested. Cleavers, chickweed & mayweed are the most damaging broad-leaved weeds (BLW).
There are two products commonly used, BUTISAN and KERB FLO. Both are dependant on root uptake and therefore require soil moisture to be active. Both work most effectively on fine, firm seedbeds; not as effective with cloddy seedbeds. Crop selectivity is by depth protection – it is important to ensure seed is well covered by soil to a depth of 15mm min. Do not use either if heavy rain is forecast shortly after application or crop damage will occur. Neither will be effective where soil organic matter levels are above 10%.
Slugs have been particularly active over the summer months, their development favoured by the mild damp conditions. These will pose a serious threat to emerging crops, especially those drilled in rough open seedbeds and particularly where low seed rates have been used.
Growers should be on the look out for these and use baited traps if necessary to assess their numbers and control them before they damage the crop.
Most of the main potato crop has now been desiccated and successful harvesting and storage is the main aim. Storage diseases such as gangrene and dry rot cause infection mainly through wounds, these diseases as well as silver scurf and skin spot can be controlled with imazilil (FUNGAZIL).Damage during harvesting and grading should be kept to a minimum. Apply fungicides as soon as possible after lifting to achieve control as their efficacy is reduced if there is excessive soil on the tubers as it is critical for the fungicide to make contact with the tuber skin.
It is now time to give serious attention to rodent control on your farm as migration indoors starts as the weather becomes cooler in autumn and winter. Rats will spend the autumn and winter eating stored crops and animal feed. In addition rats carry a wide range of diseases including Weil’s disease that can kill humans, and spread salmonella and Brucellosis to livestock.
Compulsive gnawing by rats and mice causes farm fires and damage to buildings.
The most effective way to control rats is to plan and implement a comprehensive baiting program using latest generation bait like STORM.
A thorough survey of the farm is needed to establish where rodents are living and feeding. Look for signs of rats and mice, there will be regular runs between food and nest sites. There will be tracks in mud or dust and gnaw marks will be evident around entry holes. Rats will leave greasy marks as they like to press their bodies against walls as they run.
Rats are prolific breeders. They are sexually mature at 10 weeks, producing 6-8 litters per year and 8-10 offspring in each litter. Females become fertile again within days of giving birth. In ideal conditions a pair of rats can lead to 2400 rats in one year.
STORM bait should be placed close to runs and holes where rats are active. If the bait is covered with boards or lengths of pipe it gives the rat a feeling of security when feeding and also protects the bait from the weather and hidden from other animals, children or livestock. Ideally use a specially designed bait box.
Mice do not move far from their nests which are usually indoors. Place smaller quantities of bait within a few meters of nesting sites.
Unlike inferior poisons that rely on multiple feeds just one little nibble of STORM delivers a lethal dose. STORM is over 200 times more powerful than warfarin, 7 times more active than difenacoum and 5 times more active than bromadiolone based baits.
STORM is extremely palatable and both mice and rats will eat the bait even when other food sources are available.
STORM is available as a waxed block in 0.5kg, 1kg, 3kg or 10kg packs and is resistant to moisture, mould growth and attack by insect pests. It is important to note STORM must only be used indoors in the UK.
|
