Crop establishment versus pests and weeds

Getting our crops off to a healthy and vigorous start is a crucial for success, however many factors influence our ability to acheive this. It is vital therefore that we develop proactive strategies to mitigate pest and weed pressure to produce a robust crop that grows well and yields efficiently. As this meeting, we explore and discuss husbandry strategies to help us achieve this goal together with the findings and results from associated crop management research.  

Discussions will include:

• Pros and cons of tillage techniques (including row widths, seed rates and drilling dates)
• Inegrated Pest Management (IPM), rotations (alternative and profitable)
• Varieties and efficacy
• Cover crops
• Livestock integration
• Crop competition
• Weed/pest management/application timings, identification and monitoring tools available
• Nutrient management and present and future technology to enhance crop establishment

Programme

• Registration
• Welcome and introduction: Paul Hill – AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager (South East)
• Basingstoke Monitor Farm farming operational up-date - Hugh Crosbie-Dawson
• Successful crop establishment - Dr Sarah Cook
• Coffee/Group break-out session
• Weed and Pest ID
• Successful crop establishment (Session 2) - Dr Sarah Cook
• Event summary and finish - Paul Hill – AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager (South East)
• Lunch