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Balance Of Sunshine And Rain Now Critical To Crop Success – East Lothian Farm Open Evening

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N47
Published: 22 Jun 2010

2010 cereal crop potential is good (opens in new window)

“Overall the potential of the 2010 cereal crop is good, but yields will depend on how much rain and sunshine we have between now and the end of the month.”

That is the verdict of SAC Crops Specialist Dr Steve Hoad as he looks forward to an open evening for arable farmers at Cauldshiel Farm, Humbie, East Lothian, on 29th June. Together with HGCA, the UK body tasked to support arable crop research and development, SAC has organised a series of cereal variety trials at Cauldshiel and it is these farmers will be able to check the progress of at the open event.

Attention on the wheat trials will focus on disease management and fungicide treatments required by the different varieties. This is especially important in an era when there is a drive to reduce chemical and other inputs because of costs and consumer pressure.

Spring barley, much of which can be made into malt for the beer or whisky industries, is as susceptible to diseases as wheat.  Again there will be demonstrations and discussion about disease control and fungicide use. There will also be discussion on how, by growing a blend of different barley varieties, farmers can defend their crops against pests and diseases without being so reliant on chemicals.

As always, harvest success depends on the season. According to SAC’s Steve Hoad, the overall growth and development of the 2010 spring barley crop is slightly behind compared to last year, although there is considerable variation in crop development. The cold winter months and below average temperatures in early spring slowed crop establishment and delayed soil warming.  Low rainfall after sowing also slowed growth still further.

“In the period up to mid-March some crops were sown in good conditions and ideal seed-beds, but poor weather from mid- to late March caused delays in many areas so sowing was completed over an extended period into late April or even early May.”

He recognises most crops would benefit from a relatively warm May as long as conditions were not too dry. However the period up to flowering in mid- to late June will be critical, especially in varieties that have, in previous years, shown inconsistent yield and quality.

Open days like the one at Cauldshiel are part of the Scottish Government’s “Success through Knowledge” campaign, as well as funding from HGCA.  Refreshments will be available.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Steve Hoad
Team Leader (Agronomy, Physiology & Genetics Team)
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4342
Fax 0131 535 3070

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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