Direct drilling friendly agronomists

[Warp Land Farmer]

Procam seem to be specialising in this area. They sponsor Direct Driller magazine and contribute good and interesting content. Having spoken to many of their agronomists, they get what is needed to make a system successful.

Can we assume there are other CA type Agro’s that don’t sponsor any of you business interests that would also get your mention / recommendation?

 

[Ruston3w]

There is a carrot field near by that resembles a lake, it was harvested in perfect weather and there wasn't a wheeling to be seen. A perfect example of the wanton destruction caused by tillage. I used to think the destruction in root fields was caused by harvesting in bad weather but it is mostly caused by the tillage it seems

I quite agree, many big light land root growers are heading towards a brick wall, they have spent decades hammering away at their soils and now struggle with erosion and slumping/ponding like never before, you see it wherever you drive . This is made much worse by the big producers renting in land....if they finish it off they just move on.
10yrs ago we would have ploughed 12" deep, then cultivated same in front of the bedformer,run a 150hp tractor and destoner at that depth , running in the wheelings causing damage way below 12".
Today we run a stone burier around 6" deep, ld subsoil around 12", the tractors both run on the surface following grazed cc on wide tyres. Other than a remedial levelling pass after harvest they are the only cults some fields have between potato crops (7-8yrs)
The keen fellows growing potatoes under straw are a bit too much of a stretch to me for now but I plan to get a lot nearer than I am now.
The difference we see in our potato crops and in following crops since we stopped cultivating is dramatic and far more significant than just saving money on DD...….but back to the original question....here I am trying to convince no-tillers they might have something to teach me for root growing , no wonder I can't get my agronomist on board

 

[Chris F]

Can we assume there are other CA type Agro’s that don’t sponsor any of you business interests that would also get your mention / recommendation?

I mentioned Procam purely because of their relevance to the OP question. As I said, they are a sponsor and the magazine wouldn't exist without their support which allows farmers to have the magazine for free. But that support is without coercion and they have never asked for any endorsements. Says a lot about a business imo.

Your assumption is everything that is wrong with publications at the moment. You assume any positive press is being paid for. We get very little support as we take a neutral stance and support farmers having the ability to say what they want. Just last week Massey Ferguson openly said they won't support any publication that doesn't say only nice things about them. Its a warped industry we exist in.

I suggest you spend some time talking to agronomists like Richard Harding from Procam. Once you have done that, then feel free to have a pop at the morality of my response.

 

[juke]

Procam have some very switched on people, I wouldn't hesitate in using them.

 

[Warp Land Farmer]

I mentioned Procam purely because of their relevance to the OP question. As I said, they are a sponsor and the magazine wouldn't exist without their support which allows farmers to have the magazine for free. But that support is without coercion and they have never asked for any endorsements. Says a lot about a business imo.

Your assumption is everything that is wrong with publications at the moment. You assume any positive press is being paid for. We get very little support as we take a neutral stance and support farmers having the ability to say what they want. Just last week Massey Ferguson openly said they won't support any publication that doesn't say only nice things about them. Its a warped industry we exist in.

I suggest you spend some time talking to agronomists like Richard Harding from Procam. Once you have done that, then feel free to have a pop at the morality of my response.

Thankyou for the intersting reply Chris and supporting farmers saying exactly what they want.

 

[chaffcutter]

Do you know anyone suitable in the op’s area @richard hammond ?

 

[SilliamWhale]

I don't know that it needs to be over complicated. The fundamentals are that you just need to make yourself more aware of what you are doing with Herbicides and you need to think a little more strategically about what the following crops are.

There are definitely herbicide efficiencies to be made but equally its also important to make sure you use the right herbicide at the right time.

Beyond that you can make it as easy or hard as you like. Its not complicated really, but I do find NIABS books incredibly helpful to plan.

 

[Will Blackburn]

Quite interesting when we drilled wheat after maize the maize herbicides were still very useful at suppressing weeds.

 

[ajd132]

Combineble crop agronomy is easy really. I think more should be doing it themselves especially if going no till.

 

[richard hammond]

Do you know anyone suitable in the op’s area @richard hammond ?

Sorry John, a bit out of my area to know agronomists around the OP but I must say any agronomist interested in change and taking a business forward should be able to help in a positive way. Just find an agronomist who is interested and believes in sustainability which is what the system is all about.

 

[cows r us]

We have kept our procam agronomist since going no-till. He's very open too new ideas and I believe our knowledge is growing together. Procam seem to have a soft spot for CA. Also he knows his stuff when it comes to chemistry and disease, which is the main reason we need agronomists.

 

[wurzell1976]

I need an independent agronomist,who"s sole aim is not to just kill things.He or she needs to operate in the West country and understand the poor soil quality and structure of the farm i am buying,without shaking their heads and tutting.I will only deal with positive people.I need someone passionate and knowledgeable with regards to no-till,cover crops,soil health,the integration of livestock into an arable rotation,countryside stewardship ,use of bacteria ,compost tea and has an appreciation for northern dry humour .In the unlikely event that you measure up and don"t mind an odd afternoon stone picking with me and the mrs in exchange for tea and bacon sandwiches please pm me. Ps this is a serious request.

 

[Banana Bar]

Combineble crop agronomy is easy really. I think more should be doing it themselves especially if going no till.

It gets easier as we lose more and more ppps

 

[DRC]

It’s interesting how some arable farmers have miraculously found out about soil health and the magic that mixed farms with good rotation, grass leys, good old FYM and actual livestock, have always known about.
I suppose when you’ve raped the farm with non stop OSR , wheat and black grass rotations, you’ve got some catching up to do.

 

[Will Blackburn]

It’s interesting how some arable farmers have miraculously found out about soil health and the magic that mixed farms with good rotation, grass leys, good old FYM and actual livestock, have always known about.
I suppose when you’ve raped the farm with non stop OSR , wheat and black grass rotations, you’ve got some catching up to do.

There are some mixed/livestock farms that have embraced no-till, takes it to another level entirely.

 

[ajd132]

It’s interesting how some arable farmers have miraculously found out about soil health and the magic that mixed farms with good rotation, grass leys, good old FYM and actual livestock, have always known about.
I suppose when you’ve raped the farm with non stop OSR , wheat and black grass rotations, you’ve got some catching up to do.

You are correct.

 

[Brisel]

I need an independent agronomist,who"s sole aim is not to just kill things.He or she needs to operate in the West country and understand the poor soil quality and structure of the farm i am buying,without shaking their heads and tutting.I will only deal with positive people.I need someone passionate and knowledgeable with regards to no-till,cover crops,soil health,the integration of livestock into an arable rotation,countryside stewardship ,use of bacteria ,compost tea and has an appreciation for northern dry humour .In the unlikely event that you measure up and don"t mind an odd afternoon stone picking with me and the mrs in exchange for tea and bacon sandwiches please pm me. Ps this is a serious request.

@richard hammond ?

 

[wurzell1976]

@richard hammond ?

Thanks