The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Barley, rye and wheat tests
As an agronomist as well as a farmer, I have always set aside about five acres each year for crop trials and demonstrations. In order to give some historical context to our wheat and spring barley trials we include varieties such as Consort wheat, first listed in 1995, and Golden Promise spring barley first listed in 1966. Call it schadenfreude if you like but I did have a chuckle when last year Consort out yielded all the new kids on the block including a variety called KWS Barrel. And this very dry summer has suited Golden Promise, which is the only genetically engineered cultivar we are allowed to grow (it was bred before we joined the EU).
One trait unique to Golden Promise is its drought tolerance so my guess is it will out yield the newest variety called Laureate. So much for 52 years of plant breeding...
Of all the cereal crops we grow, the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Hybrid Rye, grown as a forage crop for AD plants. The vigour of this crop leaves others in the shade. The secret is variety selection, sowing depth, good seedbeds and first Nitrogen top dressing in February.
After four years of trials we are confident that good growers on good land can produce a 24 tonnes per acre crop ready for harvest in July. Even a 22-tonne crop will provide a net income of about £570 per acre, with no fixed costs to worry about.
Our farm bounds Abercrombie Farm, farmed by Gordon Stewart, his daughter Marjory and her husband Lindsay. Since moving here in 1990 there has been no better incentive than to work next door to a farm where the management and husbandry are excellent. Gordon and his family farm to the very highest standard and are great neighbours, so it was with great sadness that I heard the news of Gordon’s death earlier this week.
I will miss his cheery nature and inquiring mind very much. He didn’t need GPS or the latest hi-tech gizmos as he knew every corner of every field so well. His legacy is a wonderful family who will continue to farm Abercrombie to the same high standard.
Meanwhile, after a final inspection of 23 varieties my wheat choices this year include Leeds, Zulu, LD Sundance, Istabraq, KWS Jackal and KWS Solo. Those that aren’t looking so good include LG Skyscraper, RGT Westminster, KWS Barrel and Viscount. In terms of seed treatments, I had high hopes of Vibrance Duo but can’t see any difference. Mn is always good on lighter or high pH soils, and Take Off may work in poor seedbeds.