Agronomist Focus

SFI funding brings precision promise

There are new payments to encourage the uptake of precision farming, and increasingly powerful platforms to implement it. Steve Butler, Agrovista precision specialist, examines some of the benefits on offer. Precision farming has been gaining traction on UK farms for the past 20 years, aiding crop production, farm efficiency, grower knowledge and ultimately, business profitability. …

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Data-driven decisions open up new opportunities

Bringing all the data together within a management system has allowed a Lincolnshire arable business to rationally assess new markets. Farm manager Nick Young discusses the changes with Agrii. The 1200ha Holton Farms in north-east Lincolnshire is fully invested in precision farming technology. From automated guidance and yield mapping to soil texture analysis to variable-rate …

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Soil health takes centre stage at direct drilling demo

Around 100 farmers from across East Anglia attended a recent demonstration day in Suffolk, where drills from leading manufacturers were put through their paces in a variety of establishment situations. The event at Street Farm on Ampton Hall Estate, near Bury St Edmunds, was organised by leading agronomy firm Farmacy, and kindly hosted by Strutt …

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An award-winning advisor’s path to no-till agronomy

Todd Jex won Arable Advisor of the Year at the Farmers Weekly Awards by being at the forefront of the latest regenerative and no-till farming practices. The award is the culmination of a journey he began almost a decade ago when his eyes were opened to a different way of farming following a visit to …

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Damage limitation and root support for flooded crops

Featuring John Haywood from Unium Bioscience With rainfall totals reaching the highest recorded since the year 2000, many winter crops have been in standing water for prolonged periods. Research indicates that the longer winter crops are exposed to flooded conditions the more significant the impact, as one might anticipate. According to experts, supporting roots in …

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Putting science behind cover crop varieties

When it comes to growing cash crops, most farmers will spend plenty of time choosing the right varieties with traits that suit a farm’s physical and management characteristics. However, many growers are sold cover crops by species, with little or no additional information to demonstrate their suitability for different enterprises, soils or rotations. As one …

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An introduction to soil health management

Anglo American exhibited their natural mineral polyhalite fertiliser ‘POLY4’ and Soil Scientist, Kathryn Bartlett gave a talk on how long-term soil management plans can improve soil fertility. You will have heard it many times already how fundamental soils are to the wellbeing of our planet.  Intrinsically knowing the value of good soil-based understanding, is the …

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Agronomist in Focus – Todd Jex

GENERATIONAL POINTERS Agrii agronomist Todd Jex gets a steer from his grandfather on how he’s putting newtech into practice. I really enjoy talking to the older farming generation about farming systems and the challenges they faced during their careers. My 92-year-old grandfather is often particularly keen to point out that many of the ‘fashionable’ and …

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Agronomist in Focus – Drilling down into fixed costs

New Machinery Tool provides in depth fixed cost analysis Improving financial performance on combinable crops relies on a true and accurate understanding of fixed costs, says Will Foyle farm business consultant with Hutchinsons. “Whilst a focus on yield is still important, understanding and being able to control overheads or fixed costs, is key to financial …

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