UFU Watch
Harvest 2015 has produced surprisingly good yields across the UK and Ireland. To explore why and more importantly how this can be replicated in the future the theme of this year’s Joint UFU, UAS and CAFRE Arable conference “max yield from the field” will take place on 12 January 2016 and will be focusing on a broad range of factors that influence yield.
Following the opening address from Paul Temple the new AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Chairman, CAFRE’s Robin Bolton will be examining how yield affects profitability during periods of low prices. Focusing on the most widely grown arable crop in Northern Ireland Spring Barley, John Spink of Teagasc will delve into the excellent Spring Barley guide released by Teagasc earlier this year to identify the key factors in yield formation. Concluding the morning session with a practical farmers view is 2011 Farmers Weekly Arable Farmer of the year Colin McGregor, who grows a wide range of cereals, potatoes and vining peas across the Scottish Borders and Northumberland.
After Lunch Roger Sylvester Bradley of ADAS will be presenting findings from the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) set up to assist growers aiming to close the gap between current and potential yields. Mark Tucker, chief agronomist with YARA will give a run-down of crop nutrition essential to achieving high yields. The final speaker is Nuffield Scholar Jake Freestone who will give an insight to lessons he learnt on his travels around the world as he looked to how the UK wheat yield plateau can be broken. Taking questions from the floor, a speaker discussion panel will finish the day facilitated by Andy Doyle of the Irish Farmers Journal.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming conference UFU seeds and cereals chairman, Allan Chambers said: “Having seen the line up for the conference I have no doubt that this will once again be a fantastic event. This year will see a truly brilliant and diverse range of speakers brief those in attendance on various topical issues including crop nutrition and yield formation. The Arable Conference will take place on Tuesday 12 January 2016 at Greenmount Campus, CAFRE. I would encourage all growers to attend this event. It not only offers up to date information from industry experts but also facilitates a question and answer session, allowing growers to speak directly with industry experts about issues affecting them.”
For further details on the conference see the UAS website at www.ulsterarablesociety.org.uk. To register for the event contact CAFRE technology admin on 028 9442 6770.
