Research conducted by ADAS shows farm and crop husbandry has stronger link to high cereal yields than weather

Some of the key components of high yielding cereal crops have been uncovered by analysis of entries in the cereals Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) trials.

ADAS initiated YEN in 2012 in a bid to identify, encourage and support arable innovators with the aim of improving farm yields.

Research, carried out by ADAS, studied the data collected on YEN crop management, looking at factors including soil health, species and variety of crop grown sowing method and previous cropping to discover if there were any association between these and achieving high cereal yields.

ADAS crop physiology consultant Sarah Kendall said they had discovered that farm and crop husbandry has a much stronger association with achieving high yields than the weather.

“Only 25% of the variation in crop yields entered into YEN was due to the season, which shows farmers do have a lot of control over how well their crops perform,” she said.

“From our analysis a wheat yield of 15 tonnes/hectare is possible almost anywhere in the country, and in many areas a yield of over 20 tonnes is theoretically possible in ideal conditions.”

She added that by using the YEN data researchers have determined that if farmers are willing to put in the time to closely monitor and manage their crops then there is potential to see significant improvements.

The research also found that while applying nitrogen had a positive association with yields, liquid nitrogen application was actually associated with lower yields, although this was reduced when it was applied with sulphur.

Ms Kendall added: “The link of lower yields with liquid nitrogen was a surprise but it has been found consistently, year on year, so we do think it is something the industry needs to look at more closely.”

Other key findings included larger yields when slurry is applied, yields improved after break crops and higher yields when closer drill rows were used. Plant growth regulator (PGR) use was also found to have a strong positive association with improved yields, although researchers believe this too requires further study.

“We don’t know whether the improved yields were down to the use of PGR or whether it is simply down to the good husbandry of the farmer using the product,” Ms Kendall said.

“The physiology of high yielding crops is that they tend to be tall and to develop a high level of biomass, which means they are high risk crops more likely to be in need of PGRS.”

While there is no simple solution to achieving yields of 15 t/ha, the answer could lie in taking a little and often approach to crop management, which is something ADAS is now exploring.

This concept is being tested through the EIP-AGRI-FUNDED YEN Yield Testing project, which launched in 2018.

A “Crop Momentum” Farmer Innovation Group has been established through which farmers are testing the effect of selecting specific management options throughout the season, and regularly monitoring crop progress.