Arable
Strong demand for straw forces up
harvest prices • Stocks to remain low this winter • Weigh-up decision to chop or bale • Consider nutrients when deciding
straw off the farm this harvest – or chop and incorporate for nu- trient value. Straw prices have reached re- cord levels with stocks for bed- ding running low on the back of a long, wet winter. Demand from straw-burning power stations and anaerobic digesters has also bumped up prices, with expecta- tions that the market will remain firm for some time. The pros and cons of baling
H
and chopping straw were debat- ed last month with host grower Simon Brock at the AHDB Mon- itor Farm meeting in Dereham, Norfolk. The group looked at two fields – one in winter barley, going into oilseed rape; and one in win-
igh prices are prompting a closer look at whether it is better to bale and sell
ter wheat, going into sugar beet. The field currently in winter barley at Dereham will be baled this summer to give a good en- try for oilseed rape establish- ment, with the baled straw going as part of a muck-for-straw deal.
Avoiding slugs Mr Brock said: “The reason I bale in front of oilseed rape is to clear the fields. We establish the rape with a flat lift and I don’t want trash because slugs can become a major issue. Also too much trash covers up the seeds too deeply and impedes germination.” AHDB knowledge exchange
manager Teresa Meadows said: “Muck for straw deals like the one Simon has with the on-site out- door pig producer can be a good way of bringing mutual bene-
Baling has pros and cons – but high prices could help sway a decision
fits to both arable and livestock farmers.”
The second field will have the winter wheat straw chopped to keep nutrients in the soil. Mr Brock said he was not a big fan of baling. Straw prices would have to be well above £100/tonne to even make him consider baling and selling, he said.
Costs and benefits “In a wet year, baling straw can really delay things because the soil gets wet and we cause more damage taking the straw off. It also removes valuable potash and organic matter, which I’d rather keep in the soil.
“Although the cost is hard to
quantify, I don’t want to risk the delay and soil damage. I think the loss of potash and organic matter, together with yield losses from delayed drilling and soil damage, would cost us more than we’d get back in payment for the straw.” Guidelines for arranging
muck for straw deals are set out in the AHDB’s recent Livestock and the Arable Rotation Guide. A separate AHDB leaflet con- tains guidelines for calculating straw nutrient content – includ- ing the pros and cons of chopping and baling. For more resources about straw, visit
cereals.ahdb.org.uk/straw
Open days showcase latest wheat and oilseed rape advice
Arable farmers and agronomists will be able to see how on-farm yields can be maximised using best practice stemming from BASF’s Real Results project. Latest findings, advice and
technology will be displayed and discussed during an open day on 3 July (9pm to 1pm) at Mowness Hall, Little Stonham, Suffolk, IP14 5JJ.
The Blackgrass Battle Bus is touring the country this summer
8 ANGLIA FARMER • JULY 2018
A second open day will take place on 10 July (12.30-5pm) at Howsons Lodge, Old Weston, Cambridgeshire, PE28 5LS. The Real Results Circle was launched in 2017 to create a UK-
wide knowledge network to com- bat some of the biggest challenges facing farming. It brings togeth- er industry specialists and farm- ers to overcome issues that erode profits, and to generate results through real world trials. “We very much look forward to welcoming familiar and new fac- es alike to our open days to show what Real Results is all about,” says BASF regional agronomy manager Andrew Smooker. Both events will compare 32 winter wheat varieties with guid- ed tours, winter wheat fungicide comparisons and ways of optimis-
ing oilseed rape crops, including latest information on BASF’s Clearfield technology.
Attendees will also be giv- en advice on blackgrass control with BASF’s Blackgrass Battle Bus, BASF PGR programmes, a demonstration of ezi-connect, Scholle IPN’s latest closed-trans- fer system, and drone technology from Hummingbird. BASIS & NRoSO points are
available. Visitors will also be treated to complimentary food and refreshments. Please regis- ter your attendance at basfreal-
results.co.uk/farms/
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