Investigating cultural control measures to combat Bean Seed Fly in vining peas has led to Yorkshire-based farmer, Nick Lount, winning the coveted BASIS Paul Singleton Project of the Year Award.
Usually presented at Cereals, this year’s award ceremony occurred virtually, where Nick, who works for vining pea and broad bean producer, Swaythorpe Growers, was able to give insight to the panel as to why he chose this project.
“In 2018, Bean Seed fly was a major issue in our vining peas, damaging a lot of our crops and majorly impacting yield,” he says.
“It’s not a pest that has been researched much, so, in 2019, in conjunction with Becky Howard from the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO), we decided to investigate and monitor the pest through trial work on the farm, using several techniques including sticky traps to gain a better understanding.
“We can’t control the flies chemically, so we had to look at alternative methods of control,” Nick explains.
Nick Lount
“The trials were set up and data was collected through 2019, so fitted perfectly with the research module of my BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection. I worked with my trainer Debbie Wedge to develop the project.”
Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, is delighted that Nick was able to analyse the data and use his initiative to deliver a practical business solution, combined with being an opportunity to support his BASIS course.
“The award is recognition of the hard work Nick put in to supporting both his employer and the wider sector. It’s a cutting-edge project that Nick will continue to run, and there’s no doubt the results will benefit growers in the future. He is a truly worthy winner of this prestigious award.”
For more information on BASIS and the Certificate in Crop Protection, please visit https://www.basis-reg.co.uk/
