Neonicotinoids

As sugar beet starts to emerge, growers are being reminded to start checking crops for aphids.

It is estimated around 75 per cent of sugar beet seed will be treated with the Cruiser SB (thiamexotham) seed treatment granted emergency authorisation this season.

For the first time since 2019, England’s sugar beet growers will have access to the neonicotinoid seed dressing, Cruiser SB (thiamexotham). 

For the second year, Defra has approved the emergency authorisation (EA) of the neonicotinoid seed treatment, Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam), following an application from British Sugar and NFU Sugar.

Defra has today approved an emergency temporary authorisation for the use of the seed treatment, Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) on the 2022 sugar beet crop in England only, due to the risk from virus yellows.

With a focus on agroecological food production, this year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference discussed the latest research on low input crop management.

The unseasonably mild conditions for October have presented good drilling conditions across the country, but growers are being warned of higher barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) pressure this autumn.

With 2021 oilseed rape yields pegged to sit slightly above the five-year average and prices at all-time highs, the crop has helped to redeem itself this harvest.

Researchers working to combat cabbage stem flea beetle have been supported by a fresh injection of funds.

There is good evidence that a trap crop of volunteer oilseed rape can reduce cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) damage by luring the pest away from the crop.