Boost yield in winter crops and spring cereals with Status®
Nick Peters, a Frontier agronomist based in Kent, is advising farmers to invest in their winter crops early this season, especially in newer varieties with stronger agronomics. “These varieties allow us to refocus the strategy to concentrate on improving nutrient use efficiency and maximising yield. We want our agronomic input decisions to be focused on building yield rather than the conventional approach of protecting for it all the time. That’s particularly important this spring.”
“Regarding spring crops, we have a short growing window anyway and this year it’s exacerbated by late drilling in to less than ideal seedbeds after all the rain we’ve had. We need to really encourage root growth and above ground biomass development to give these spring-drilled cereals the best chance of success.”
Nick is taking a proactive approach and applying the biostimulant Status® now as he recognises the yield benefits it provides to healthy crops. “Status® is effective at either T0 or T1 as it’s still early enough to promote rooting, drive nitrogen assimilation and build crop resilience for any weather issues to come. At 0.2 – 0.25 l/ha it only costs £12 – 16/hectare. I would expect to double that investment in increased yield. If wheat is at £150/tonne for example, then you only need 0.1 t/ha yield increase to cover your cost.”
Status® is a pure biostimulant sold exclusively through Frontier in the UK. Extensive trials results across the UK have also shown it to be very effective in supporting crops suffering from abiotic stress. Last year, for example, Nick Peters used Status® to good effect in his Winter Beans that had been ravaged by frost. “The winter crops bounced back within a week of the Status® application, which transformed the crop and saved it really. Whilst Status® has been marketed as a biostimulant which protects crops from drought, I am an advocate of using it in crops with other issues. This year for example, we have the opposite of drought, with roots sitting in water all winter. Status® will kick start the nitrogen cycle to encourage growth and rooting, which will help the crop recover once the ground starts drying out.”
Status® can be applied with fungicides at T0 or T1 which Nick says is very useful. “I like a product that is practical to use. Status® is a highly miscible product and safe tank mix partner, which is going to be very important this season as spray timings will be compressed. Status® is very flexible, unlike some other products that make the same benefit claims. Its claims are also backed up with plenty of trials results, which makes it easier to recommend because farmers can see the evidence so are happy to give it a try. I use it to maximise potential in good agronomic crops and as a pick me up for poor crops.”
26th April 2024
