The most scrutinised winter cereals crop in Fife had run out of steam five weeks ago.
The field of Zulu wheat on Banchory Farm near Kirkcaldy that is at the centre of the Yield Enhancement Network (Yen) initiative was sown in October and came through the winter well but was starting to go backwards.
Nitrogen would have provided the solution, but the ground was too wet to be worked.
This week Banchory Farm manager Craig Norrie was delighted by the way the crop had recovered.
“It’s looking tremendous, I’m really surprised how quickly it came on – that’s why I like Zulu, it has vigour,” he said.
“It went backwards but it has jumped up again and now it’s away and looking better than I’d expect after the winter we had.”
Farm agronomist Trevor Dodds of Agrii said two doses of 125kg/ha of urea and the herbicide Hatra + Biopower was applied last week.
“It would normally have been applied pre-winter, but the way the weather was we couldn’t get on the ground, so we’re now trying to catch up,” he said.
“Next week it’ll get its first growth regulator, Moddus, and a small amount of Pentangle fungicide, plus manganese and sulphur.”
The crop will also get an application of variable rate phosphate and potash together with pelleted lime.
The Yen brings together farmers, agronomists and agricultural organisations to identify ways to close the gap between regular on-farm yields and genetic potential yields.
All eyes are now on the performance of the Banchory Farm field where every input is being measured and analysed.
“The beast from the east didn’t help, the cold and wet and driving rain, but once it got urea it picked up and is away,” said Mr Dodds.
“It’s light and day between now and a month ago.”
Craig Norrie attributed the recovery to quality seed and agrochemicals.
“There are cheaper products on the market but we spend more to get the chemicals that do the job,” he said.
Nickersons seed specialist Douglas Bonn has taken a wheat sample from last year’s harvest and sent it to be analysed for any “gaps” in the fertilisers being used.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
