Basis Certificate in Crop Protection

[James 2345]

Hello everyone, I'm relatively new to the forum, and this is my first post. As the title suggests it's about the Basis Certificate of Crop protection. I'm currently a self employed sprayer operator, hoping to diversify into agronomy, and want to put my self through the certificate, so that I'm in a more employable position.

I'd just like to know, has anyone on here done it? How achievable is it? And is there any revision material which might help me along then way?

Thanks in advance, James

 

[Brisel]

Welcome to the forum

I did it in 2007 as a farm manager wanting to do my own agronomy. You'll need at least a year's crop walking with the agronomist before considering taking the course. There's lots of learning weed/disease/pest identification along with chemical names & groups. My course was about 26 days in total spread out into 5 day blocks throughout the year.

Have a look at the BASIS website. There's a full course syllabus in there. Where are you considering doing the course? Risholme College Lincoln is very good, as are Jim Turner & James Christian Illet.

 

[Farmer Dod]

Did in 2012-13 through SAC in Edinburgh. Get as much practical experience and knowledge as possible beforehand. At the moment you'll at least be familiar with the chemical names and some mixes and should have a good grounding in the application side of things and the relevant legislation. Try and get some time field walking with someone to point out various weeds, pests and diseases. If you decide to go for it, it is a bit of work but if you're keen to go into that field of work(excuse the pun) then it's worth doing and a more importantly a necessity.Good luck!

 

[James 2345]

Thanks for the responses!! I was thinking of doing it at the RAU as that's not too far from me but when I rang, they said they don't do the course anymore!! Handy!!!

The next closest place seems to be Harper Adams, the course starts In June...so that gives me a little bit of time to get out with the agronomist!

Was there any revision material that you were given, which I could get hold of to start to look at?

 

[Hampton]

Green book aka uk pesticide guide, legislation bit in particular

 

[tjhooker]

Hello James, I did my BASIS in 2011 to improve my agronomic knowledge and work closer with my agronomist, best thing I did for our farm. A non-sprayer operator I started from scratch.

The standard of teaching at Harper is excellent, you don't need to do any revision before hand as you'll just learn the wrong stuff, the course starts slowly and ramps up each week you are there (Week 3 with the exams/vivas in Dec, I take it?!).

The best thing you can do is team up with your local friendly agronomist and field walk with him at least once a week throughout the whole season, starting in February with herbicides - you'll need it!! Good luck!

 

[Welsh Farmer]

Looks like everyone has posted from very informative and encouraging replies. Good Luck James

 

[James 2345]

Yes, thank you everyone!! Some really good replies. The course starts in June and the exams are the following January, so I need crack on and book up!

Just emailed our agronomist to see if he'd be willing to help, so fingers crossed!!!

Many thanks, James.

 

[david]

James,

I wouldn't bother getting into agronomy, as when the EU have another good old clear out of the chem cupboard you'll end up having to sell seed, fert and snake-oils as that what will be left (sorry but being a cynical old barsteward !)

Simon Goodger worth a shout at Riseholm in Lincs, but I would ask quickly as he has started this years BASIS arable teaching program - £1,765 !!!

 

[James 2345]

Thanks for the info David, I'll have to give him a shout!!!

I think I'd rather do that, than sit on a sprayer for the rest of my life earning peanuts and potentially be replaced by a machine one day which can do a more efficient job haha

 

[Brisel]

Thanks for the responses!! I was thinking of doing it at the RAU as that's not too far from me but when I rang, they said they don't do the course anymore!! Handy!!!

The next closest place seems to be Harper Adams, the course starts In June...so that gives me a little bit of time to get out with the agronomist!

Was there any revision material that you were given, which I could get hold of to start to look at?

What can your local training group do? Mine organises BASIS, FACTS along with all the other BASIS modules & Nutrient Management Planner. What county are you in? The BASIS website has a list of training courses.

See if you can obtain the Weed Guide booklet. Bayer produce it these days. You agronomist might be able to help get you a copy. There wre weed apps for smartphones produced by Bayer & BASF.

+1 for the UK Pesticide Guide. It's hardly a riveting read but you will need to be able to use it on the course. Much of the learning is based around non chemical controls & planning - sprays are a last resort. You must not talk about a chemical that isn't approved for that job so the Guide is a must have really.

 

[James 2345]

I'm in South Gloucestershire. I've been on the BASIS website, and can't seem to see a training provider near me? Closest was RAU but as mentioned previously they don't run it anymore.

I've got the BASF app on my iPad which occasionally comes I'm handy!!!

I think I shall order the pesticide guide, I've been meaning to get it for a while but haven't got round to it!

 

[david]

James,

Get out with your agronomist as much as you can, and don't be afraid to ask him why he is doing what he/she is putting on the rec sheet. Ian @ Bayer is on this forum, worth asking if he could sort you a copy of the Bayer Weed Guide (and a copy of the Bayer product guide if such a thing still exists). Green Book worth buying, new 2015 edition should be out in a few weeks time.

Also try and get some knowledge of the crops you are not familiar with ie potatoes, sugar beet, peas & beans. May be your agronomist could get you a day or two with a friend who deals with these crops.

I would also try and learn names of active ingredients rather than products, as there are many products out there containing epoxiconazole or prothioconazole.

Brisel is correct, in the BASIS world your last resort should be the can of chemical, remember cultural controls, varietial choice, biocontrols etc

Best of luck. And don't be afraid to ask questions here on the Forum, you will get plenty of thoughts and opinions.

 

[Boysground]

One of the best things I did to improve my business was BASIS and FACTS. Look at Hampshire training that is who I did mine with although it was 10 years ago. They do their courses through the winter at Hampshire grain so down the A34 and turn left for you. I expect this years course has started but they are worth a call. If you are a little unsure of BASIS I would suggest doing FACTS first as its a shorter course but its still very useful.

I know I am not the only one on here who uses Hampshire Training.

BG

 

[Brisel]

Is there any grant funding for BASIS these days? There's a few training providers about that can tap into funding. A 60% discount would ease the pain!

@TopBanana - My memory is quite bad these days. Did you get any further with BASIS or finding any funding for it? @rob1 ?

 

[rob1]

Is there any grant funding for BASIS these days? There's a few training providers about that can tap into funding. A 60% discount would ease the pain!

@TopBanana - My memory is quite bad these days. Did you get any further with BASIS or finding any funding for it? @rob1 ?

I havent gone down the basis route in the end as I joined tag and have been pleasantly surprised how much info they send through, also am signing up to specific training days with ARTIS, not sure its any cheaper doing it that way but will keep up to date with the latest developments and can cherry pick bits that I feel I need more knowledge on

 

[TopBanana]

Is there any grant funding for BASIS these days? There's a few training providers about that can tap into funding. A 60% discount would ease the pain!

@TopBanana - My memory is quite bad these days. Did you get any further with BASIS or finding any funding for it? @rob1 ?

I had a conversation with the RPA during a Catchment Sensitive Farming farm visit, they seemed to think there would be very little this year and I know our local training provider had also tried with no joy.
You wonder after the 3rd Round of a RDPE grant and CSM whether the cupboards are a little empty. Next year may be different.

 

[TopBanana]

I havent gone down the basis route in the end as I joined tag and have been pleasantly surprised how much info they send through, also am signing up to specific training days with ARTIS, not sure its any cheaper doing it that way but will keep up to date with the latest developments and can cherry pick bits that I feel I need more knowledge on

Is this an alternative to BASIS?

 

[rob1]

Is this an alternative to BASIS?

Not insomuch as you dont get any qualification from doing the Artis days so couldnt act as an agronomist for others but they will(hopefully) keep you up to date with Independent trials etc so you have information to make informed decisions for yourself instead of getting your leg lifted by chem companies.

 

[TopBanana]

As with everything you need to have a qualification to advise which is fair enough but will you be able to crop walk your own crops, choose suitable chemicals and still remain assured as the BASIS/FACTS registration numbers are always asked for on our assurance inspection. I'd happily do our own if this was accepted by the industry.
I don't think I would want to crop walk as a soul occupation but having the knowledge in the bank is worth a lot to me.