Hosted by AHDB and the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), the popular annual agronomy roadshows, delivering the latest arable research, will take place at venues in the Borders, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire during January.
The free one-day events (9:30am – 3:30pm) will cover a range of topics relevant to farm businesses and present the latest research in crop and soil management. Speakers from SRUC and AHDB will present field trial results from the 2022 season to help inform attendees how variety, fertiliser and fungicide choices can be adjusted for the 2023 season.
One of the main topics of research work highlighted at the roadshows will look at the performance of individual fungicides and how this translates into adjustments to fungicide programmes. Crop selection and variety performance, optimising fertiliser inputs and IPM planning will also be covered.
Better informed farming decisions
Crop choices and varieties that align with cereals markets are key to margins and, with world demand and prices high, a market update from SRUC and AHDB putting the current market conditions into context will aid decision making. While a session led by AHDB on benchmarking figures will look at costs of production and crop yield to help attendees make better informed farming decisions by highlighting the profitability of different options.
Fiona Burnett
Optimising soil health and crop nutrition plays a vital role in boosting profits but also contributes to the industry’s journey to net zero. Presenters will cover the latest research and advise on the products and management practices that are most effective. The important role of carbon in soils will also be explored.
The arable industry in Scotland produces crops of the highest quality, based on safe and sustainable practices. Communicating this to buyers is vital and Scottish Quality Crops Ltd. will be on hand to discuss what its quality assurance scheme is doing to promote the value of Scottish produce to end-users, as well as the work it is doing to support its members in times of change.
The programme will include regionally relevant speakers and discussions with stakeholders from across the arable industry in Scotland. The day will conclude with a presentation on precision agriculture from Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award winner, McGregor Farms, and a discussion from local farmers on their current farming practices.
Thought provoking
Adrian James, AHDB’s knowledge exchange manager (Cereals & Oilseeds) for Scotland, said: “The aim of the roadshows is to present the latest results from the independent crop research AHDB funds through its partners in Scotland. Our thought-provoking conversations, delivered via a range of speakers drawn from research, industry and farming, will offer expertise from all areas of agriculture. I encourage anyone with an interest in arable farming to attend so they can benefit from the valuable and practical information that we will be sharing to inform their farming decisions.”
Professor Fiona Burnett of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) said, “Producing crops profitably and sustainably has never been more important. Using the best available varieties and optimising inputs has always been key, but with increasing net zero and biodiversity needs, it is information on soil health and the role of carbon within soils that will help the arable industry strike the win:wins for both profit and sustainability. Our roadshows will cover these hot topics and so much more and we hope people from across the supply chain in Scotland will attend.”
The events are free to attend but numbers are limited, so please book in advance to reserve a place. NRSO and BASIS points are available.
To see the full programme visit www.ahdb.org.uk/events
