The 2021/22 AHDB Recommended List sees several high-yielding varieties introduced in the wheat and barley groups. For maximum potential yield to be achieved, crops need to be provided with the correct balance of essential nutrients throughout the growing season.
It would be an understatement to say we have seen some changeable weather over recent weeks! April was one of the coldest and driest on record since the 1980’s, followed by plenty of showers in May. This combination has not provided a great basis for early grass growth, and those who cut early, or have managed to dodge the more recent showers will have seen mixed results.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen a levelling off of fertiliser pricing following the increases we experienced at the start of the year.
From the 1st April 2021 the whole of Wales will be subject to new regulatory measures to protect water, the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution)(Wales) Regulations 2021.
An initial set of measures will be brought in on the 1st of April 2021, with the remainder being phased in over a period of three years.
Fertiliser prices have increased significantly since the beginning of 2021, particularly for Nitrogen and DAP/TSP, and this upward trend appears to be continuing into spring.
Read the latest advice from the Wynnstay Arable & Forage team on crop nutrition from our Spring Seeds 2021 edition.
The evidence that most grassland soils require the application of sulphur from fertilisers to maximise grass silage and grazing yields still mounts. Most farmers now appreciate that all light and medium soils, and even now some heavier loam soils, don’t release enough sulphur from organic matter to allow grass growth and quality to meet potential. They also realise that there is not enough available sulphur in slurries and manures to meet demand.
Balancing farm inputs and outputs against a backdrop of increasingly variable growing conditions will be one of the key challenges for farmers in the future, with Nitrogen use being one of the most important issues.
Th
New season AN prices were launched in the UK at the end of May. Prices are approximately £50/t cheaper than last year's launch and nearly £40/t cheaper than the levels they were trading at recently.
