August 2022 Company Newsletter
Agronomy
Research and Development
Harvest is all but finished for many now with just some later planted crops to finish. The consistent weather has allowed rapid progress across the region. Our own Harvest across our research and development sites has also been completed we have gathered in over 1500 small plot trials looking at Crop Nutrition, Crop Protection, specific grain quality, seed dressings and new and existing varieties. Alongside this, we have also completed our largest on-farm tramline scale trials programme to date giving us vital information as to whether what we learn from small plots can be successfully implemented on a field scale. Many thanks to all the host Farmers of all our research sites without your help and enthusiasm we could never execute such a large-scale programme to such a high standard.
Results analysis
The long and complicated process of analysis is well underway, we are planning to bring these results to you in a series of meetings over the coming months. The importance of soil analysis was highlighted in last months newsletter but there is another areus of analysis that we can use to audit performance. Post-harvest grain analysis can give us
an accurate retrospective view of the nutrient content of the harvested grain which can be used to assess the effectiveness of the seasons crop nutrition programme and indicate areas to be addressed in the future.
Subsoil Inspection
As and when the rains soften the topsoil a little and you can get a spade in the ground, digging some holes and inspecting the subsoils can pay dividends for the next season. The late summer/early Autumn period is the most effective for subsoil cultivations and visual inspection can guide the depth at which these need to be done.
Please contact your usual Bartholomew’s representative, the fertiliser office or the seed office.
Crop Marketing
Market activity remains slow in the UK as farmers largely hold onto large stocks of grain, some of which can only be in short-term storage. Judging by the lack of sellers' cash flow doesn’t appear to be an issue, it will be interesting to see when this grain in less than ideal storage comes to the market. The demand side and with the exception of full spec milling wheat remains quiet, definitely more subdued than farm-gate activity. Demand destruction is a slow burner but we are definitely seeing the effects of much reduced pig numbers and the egg industry remains in crisis. We also haven't seen a surge in demand for the parched dairy herds, not big users of wheat they have piled into other feedstuff. We have heard today that one large supplier of Brewers Grains is now sold out until Christmas. The global dynamic remains very hard to call, with a reminder this week of how focused global players are on the Ukraine/Russia conflict and how some traditional fundamentals like the corn crop have become in the meantime less important in some participant's minds. Demand remains good for Miling Oats and Malting Barley, both of which still command excellent returns.
Please call if you require any sampling, we are keen to engage. For further information please contact the Grain department on 01243755650 grain@bartholomews.co.uk
Fertiliser
Russia has been curtailing gas exports in response to Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine causing high wholesale prices and a shortage of gas. Recently Russian-owned Gazprom announced a further cut in gas flow through the Nord Stream pipeline for 3 days, siting maintenance as the excuse. This is stoking fears that Russia could halt flows completely heading into the winter heating season. Europe’s ammonia production capacity has shrunk further with more reductions expected as two Polish companies joined a growing list of fertiliser manufacturers cutting/stopping production due to the soaring gas prices. Grupa Azoty (Polands largest chemical company) and Anwil have cut production. This means around 38% of Europe’s production capacity for Ammonia is now restricted.
For further information please contact the Fertiliser Department on 01243 755630 fertiliser@bartholomews.co.uk
Lab
In the lab we have been super busy over the past few weeks and have processed over 2,500 samples! Our samplers are still out and about daily to take samples direct from farm for the lab team to process within 48hours of receipt in the lab. We will endeavour to keep our turn around times to a minimum and churning out quality results.
Seed
With most harvests complete, an over-winter cover crop might be an opportune time to add in to the rotation. Cover crops have many benefits, from improving soil structure and increasing organic matter to weed suppression and reducing erosion risk. A variety of species can be used, adding to the rooting diversity and creating a range of possibilities. We have a comprehensive range of mixes and straight species available, ready for quick dispatch. After the dry harvest period, not all forage crops will have been sown at the ‘ideal time’ in July. However, a late August or September sowing can still produce a valuable winter forage with more leaf growth than a bulb. Options such as stubble turnips or forage rape are a useful way to bridge any prospective gaps in forage availability. An autumn grass reseed can be used as an opportunity to boost or rejuvenate an old sward, increasing productivity and quality. Clover can be added to existing swards to help with nitrogen fixation and protein content for feed quality. We have a handy flow chart to help with decision-making on our website or you can call the office for more information. Cereal seed production is well underway, with the first run of varieties nearly complete. Some of the more popular varieties are now coming under pressure for availability.
For further information please contact the Seed department on 01243755620 seed@bartholomews.co.uk
Feed
Now is the time to review your mineral specifications after recent price increases. The higher prices are here for the rest of the year, so now is the time to look at your requirements.
1. Test grass silage clamps for a full mineral profile.
2. Update your diets & mineral specifications – you may already be on full winter diets, as grass remains short across many regions.
3. Ask if you would like to check your current specification v new diets being fed – save money potentially.
4. Some sellers now have a “Zero Phosphorus” range of minerals so be aware of low specification/cheap minerals.
5. Ensure late lactation cows are not phosphorus deficient.
6. Check dry cow diets are not phosphorus deficient – beware of clinical/sub clinical milk fever.
For further information please contact the Feed Department, 01243755752 or feed@bartholomews.co.uk
Crop Protection
Having had some rainfall at the end of August drills have been in action again with Winter Oilseed Rape. Soils are warm so we expect the seed to chit very quickly leaving little time for an application of a pre emergence herbicide. This will put further pressure on supplies of propyzamide based products which are applied later in the season. Supplies of products containing pendimethalin continue to be an issue.
The dock strikes at Felixstowe and restricted freight traffic on the Rhine due to the drought will cause delays to product arriving with us in the UK. Further delays are likely due to barges in Germany being used to transport coal in preference to agricultural raw materials and products on the Rhine now that Russia has reduced the flow of gas to Germany. In the short term supplies of glyphosate products continue to be freely available, mainly because of reduced desiccation and pre harvest usage due to the hot dry weather. There is not a vast surplus of product in the market place, in this case it is best practice to plan a buffer stock, making product available when you need it for seedbed preparations post-harvest.
Rainfall to date has only been approximately 50% of our average and there may therefore be a deluge of rain during the winter months. Make the most of any drilling weather windows having first secured some of your autumn herbicide . Unfortunately, the supply system at the moment is not resilient to just in time demands.
For further information please contact the Crop Protection department 01243755610 ropprotection@bartholomews.co.uk
