November 26, 2010

UK launches new initiative to boost wheat yields
 

An R&D-led wheat improvement initiative in the UK has been launched by Masstock SMART Farming this winter to help British growers boost their wheat yields by at least 2% per year over the coming two decades through carefully focused agronomic progress.

Best of British Wheat will work together with the Best of British Oilseeds (BoBO) initiative which has assisted grower improvements in commercial oilseed rape performance over the past seven years.

"Similarly, Best of British Wheat is focused on the key aspects of wheat production offering the greatest improvement opportunities for individual growers," said initiative coordinator, David Neale.

"Like BoBO, it will involve breeding, nutrition, machinery, and crop protection partners together with our agronomic experts translating sound improvement knowledge into solid production gain," he said.

In addition to better and more specific day-to-day customer wheat management advice, the initiative will communicate its findings and recommendations to UK growers through the established annual programme of SMART Farm meetings and open days, together with key advisory publications.

Neale explained that, "over the 2010-11 season, our focus is on five key areas of wheat management our team has identified as offering particular opportunities for immediate crop improvement."

"These include more integrated grass-weed management, better performance in challenging situations (including second wheat) and maximising crop quality and consistency," he said