Technical Training

This month's Agronomy Club covered cultivation strategies, blackgrass strategy, OSR in dry conditions, new seed treatment options, pre-emergence considerations and SFI updates.

Catch crops can be one of the most effective tools for reducing nitrate losses, protecting water quality and maintaining living roots in the soil. However, research and farm observations suggest that maximising nitrogen capture is not always the same as maximising nitrogen availability for the following crop. In a dry season, where microbial activity and residue breakdown may be slower than normal, balancing nitrogen capture with nitrogen release becomes even more important. Our latest article explores the evidence behind different catch crop species, why bigger isn't always better, and the practical management decisions that can influence performance in the rotation.

This month's Agronomy Club covered early harvest insights, weather impacts on crop performance, straw management and potential nutrient lock-up, catch crop research, policy reminders and a health and safety update.

This Skills Webinar from Premium Crops covered the value and purpose of Certified Seed, explaining how certification supports seed quality, varietal purity, food security, plant breeding investment, and farmer assurance, while comparing its benefits and costs against farm-saved seed and discussing future drivers such as genetics, hybridisation and end-user demand.

It's a symptom that is raising plenty of questions this season. Is it potassium deficiency, phosphorus deficiency, BYDV, or simply a crop under stress? We explore the science behind anthocyanins, drought-driven senescence and what these unusual flag leaf symptoms could be telling us about crop health. We also revisit last year's discussion on pink straw and nutrient lock-up, including reports that dry conditions can leave significantly more potash in straw than normal, with implications and action points for nutrient offtake, straw value and nutrient replacement planning.

What should a 2027 rotation look like? While there is a clear opportunity to rethink approaches, the key question remains - do the numbers stack up? We explore rotation structures and break crop options through a gross margin lens.

The combination of a mild winter, early spring drought and elevated aphid populations had led to a perfect storm with aphid pressure this year. While this season's weather cannot be changed, decisions on green bridge control, drilling date, variety selection and field risk assessment will prove critical in reducing virus pressure next season.

This month's Agronomy Club covered current field insights in the run up to harvest including aphid pressure, BYDV and WDV, SFI & rotational planning including gross margin considerations for the upcoming season.

What is the Ceres Research Agronomy Club? If you’re looking for practical, independent insight to support your farming decisions, the Ceres Research Agronomy Club is designed with exactly that in mind. It’s a monthly online discussion forum that brings together farmers, agronomists, researchers and industry experts to explore the most relevant agronomy topics of the […]