Investing in yield protection makes even more sense this year
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By Mike Ashworth, Cereal Fungicide Product Manager
Protecting a crop’s potential and maximising its yield are priorities for all arable farmers at this time of year. But, as cereal fungicide programmes get into full swing, there is an added incentive to do so in 2022.
At the time of writing, wheat is worth significantly more than it was at the same time last year. Crops have begun to push through the growth stages as soil temperatures rise and, despite the current dry conditions, septoria is not hard to find.
Looking at robust fungicide programmes to prevent losses is therefore of paramount importance.
In 2021 conditions were dry before the rains hit in May and septoria exploded across many areas of the UK. Looking ahead at the next four weeks – rather than back at the past four weeks – is the strategy to adopt.
Across the board, Univoq™ has shown how it can protect both crops and yield.
In independent AHDB Recommended List trials in 2020 – which was a low disease pressure year –treated crops yielded 1.85T/ha more than untreated. Last year, when disease was higher, the difference was 2.43T/ha.
If we apply some real numbers to that, a 1.85T/ha uplift in yield would, at today’s prices, return a grower a benefit of £481/ha for a programme costs of maybe £120/ha. A 2.43T/ha increase in yield would be a £631/ha benefit for the same £120/ha programme cost. Why risk cutting back?
The numbers look favourable when compared to untreated plots, but let’s have a look at how Univoq does when compared to the other recently-launched fungicide on the market, Revystar® XE.
Corteva’s own trials across 36 sites in the UK last year showed Univoq at 1.25L/ha having a 0.25T/ha yield advantage over Revystar® XE applied at 1.0L/ha, worth £65/ha at £260/tonne current harvest value.
Rates of 1.25l/ha are recommended, but can be adjusted up to 1.5l/ha or down to 1.1l/ha depending on the variety and disease pressure.
For more information on how Univoq works, and the results of the 2022 trials, watch this short video.
For more information on how Univoq works, and the results of the 2022 trials, watch this short video.