Agronomy

The end of the winter season is now in sight, and we are now seeing some glimpses of spring with some glorious daytime weather however the temperature drops after dark, and the white mornings are still reminding us that it hasn’t finished quite just yet!

The previous autumn conditions allowed a return to normal for autumn sown crops which have generally fared well through the winter, there are moderate levels of Mildew on some Barley crops in some areas and there are reports of some particularly forward Wheat crops being grazed by sheep to reduce their biomass in a return to a time-honoured tradition. Septoria is ever present and the monitoring of this begins from now on. Oilseed Rape crops in recent weeks have seen the return of the pigeons with grazing evident in some areas and pre-Christmas levels of Phoma have been well controlled by the combination of fungicides and cold weather. Early N applications are imminent on some of the smaller crops when the temperatures pick up and spring growth commences whereas other crops with bigger canopies are carrying sufficient levels of N already to see them through a few more weeks yet. The end of January marked the end of the application period for any products containing Propyzamide.

February is normally the last quiet month for crop protection from a field point of view, but it is vitally important to use it to plan for the months ahead. Forward planning and communication has never been more relevant with product revocations on going, manufacturing issues, product shortages and logistic supply chains at full stretch talking with your Agronomist or usual contact about your requirements can help us greatly to minimise the impact of all of these issues.

Elsewhere despite the recent extremes of weather soils have come through remarkably well and planning for cultivations has begun in preparation for sowing spring crops. We will soon reach the key mid-month timing when the stubble restrictions are lifted then work will begin in earnest on a much wider area. Please remember the criteria for preparing a spring seedbed where pre-emergence herbicides are going to be used, firm and level finish with the seed being adequately covered as per product label guidance and the all-important weather conditions after application which can greatly affect the efficacy of these applications. We also have some new herbicide options for this season, please ask your Bartholomew’s Agronomist for more details.

Fertiliser Technical

Finally thinking about early fertiliser applications on all crops, please ensure that any applications are well timed to match new growth whenever this commences, too early anything not required may be lost to the environment which is not only detrimental but a costly mistake as well.

Under current legislation all N requirements need to calculated before any applications are made and a key part of this is knowing what you have in the soil You can use either standard figures for this or get a deep N test which is far more accurate way of making your plans. Please speak with your Bartholomew’s Agronomist who can help you with this.

Grain

Not the start we wanted for our markets this year with values falling £20/MT since Jan 1st, although LIFFE futures are showing some signs of recovery. Unusually Nov23 and Nov24 are both trading within £5/MT of the spot LIFFE contract; a sign of general uncertainty in the grain markets. Frequently the far-forward contracts give us an indication of where the trade thinks, barring surprises, the market is ultimately headed.

Old crop values are supported to some extent by forward prices and has no war premium at all left in it. Russia appears to think it will have shipped enough of its export targets by late-spring and will be able to cope with a shutdown of the safe corridors should that be necessary. For the time being, shippers continue to send vessels into the Black Sea and export pace remains good.

Latest UK customs data for the July22-Nov22 period shows exports lagging behind the required pace if we are to clear our surplus, avoiding carrying wheat into next harvest. The UK imported more wheat during that period than we exported.

We are seeing good buying demand on all grades of milling wheat, malting barley and feed grains as the UK gets to grips with the heavy programme it needs to complete in the next six months. AHDB’s latest supply and demand survey for the UK confirms a large carry-out looms at the end of the season if we don’t maintain big monthly export volumes.

Selling opportunities for growers remain good, so contact your farm trader for a full rundown of available markets.

Seed

As we head into February, we still have good forage maize availability across the maturity classes. Our maize booklet has varietal information as well as key fertiliser and nutrition points. Looking ahead to game maize, this year all our options are Korit treated, including our traditional Trigger Blend.

Our grass seed prices are now out for 2023, the booklet will be out soon! Keeping with our well-known mixes, the range spans from short to long term, with and without clover. With more interest in adding in legumes to leys, we have several options with clover in, clover blends or the herbal leys.

Alternative spring forage options include fodder beet. We have a selection of varieties available, please enquire for more information and prices. Fodder beet offers a high energy feed with the flexibility of grazing in situ or lifting.

Keep an eye out for our new and updated Gamecover and Environmental booklet! We have made a few changes to keep the stewardship choices as easy and simple as possible.

Feed

Focus on Calf Rearing

Youngstock rearing accounts for 20% of dairy farm expenses, making it the 2nd highest variable cost on farm. Targeting 24-month calving can improve performance and profitability, to gain better performance and calve heifers at 24 months, certain targets will need to be achieved. Good youngstock nutrition is essential and it is important to have a youngstock feeding plan that will allow you to meet key targets for 24-month calving, these would be;

· Double birth weight by weaning (8 weeks)

· Achieve 12-week weight of 110kg.

· Serve at 13.5month at 55% of mature body weight, 385kg.

· Calve at 24 months at 85% of mature body weight, 595kg.

Top quality calf milk replacer and calf rearer diets are key in helping you to improve youngstock performance and achieve 24-month age at first calving.

Focus on Sheep

Selecting the right compound feed is important to maximise lambing percentage, lamb survival and growth rates. At Bartholomews we can offer you a range of Ewe feed formulated from high quality raw materials to provide the correct nutrients for all lambing systems.

Target feeding lambs to achieve the correct liveweight gain or carcass weight for the desired market will improve efficiency and margin.

Bartholomews are offering attractive contract prices on Ewe and Lamb feed in bulk & bagged loads, please contact the feed department for a quote, 01243755 752 or feed@bartholomews.co.uk

Crop Protection

BASF, a major supplier, are exiting the chlormequat market this spring after 40 years of production which will leave a large gap in the market. Unfortunately, other suppliers will fail to fill this supply gap in the short term. Please ensure that you secure your requirements of Chlormequat products with me now. Inevitably, spring crop protection supply will remain an issue into 2023 following energy rationing at European production plants and staff shortages in China due to their relaxation of Covid restrictions.

We have seen the prices easing downwards over the last few months on glyphosate but most other spring prices will be 5-40% higher than last year, through strategic planning we aim to minimise these rises to you at the farm gate.

Fertiliser

As we approach February, we have seen a sharp increase in orders, with a substantial amount of late buying.

There is still a reasonable proportion of the market to be supplied between the months of Feb to April. With tight stocks positions and current market volatility, please be sure to make your decision on products as soon as possible to ensure a continuity of supply.

January 2023 Company Newsletter