Re-introducing winter barley into the rotation was the obvious step as an earlier entry for oilseed rape for one West Midlands grower. And by choosing a hybrid, he believes he has given black-grass some stiff competition.
Warwickshire farm manager Jon Parker admits he does not do things by halves. Managing 1,200 hectares (2,960 acres) of combinable crops at Ragley Home Farms, Alcester, not far from the Worcestershire border, the difficult 2012 autumn convinced him he really needed to establish the farm’s winter oilseed rape earlier.
With the crop grown in a two-year rotation with 600ha (1,480 acres) of first wheat, he also wanted to add a third crop ahead of CAP reform.
Including winter barley in the rotation was the obvious solution. But like many growers, he says the farm was struggling with black-grass on its variable soils, which range from gravel to heavy Denchworth clay.
Committed to tackling both the weed and the new rules, he took the plunge and planted 200ha (494 acres) of hybrid winter barley last autumn, partly for its vigorous growth.
One year on and he is pleased with the results.
Read more HERE.
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| Winter barley in the UK |
Warwickshire farm manager Jon Parker admits he does not do things by halves. Managing 1,200 hectares (2,960 acres) of combinable crops at Ragley Home Farms, Alcester, not far from the Worcestershire border, the difficult 2012 autumn convinced him he really needed to establish the farm’s winter oilseed rape earlier.
With the crop grown in a two-year rotation with 600ha (1,480 acres) of first wheat, he also wanted to add a third crop ahead of CAP reform.
Including winter barley in the rotation was the obvious solution. But like many growers, he says the farm was struggling with black-grass on its variable soils, which range from gravel to heavy Denchworth clay.
Committed to tackling both the weed and the new rules, he took the plunge and planted 200ha (494 acres) of hybrid winter barley last autumn, partly for its vigorous growth.
One year on and he is pleased with the results.
Read more HERE.
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