The stormy conditions in late October and November, followed by recent cold weather, has provided valuable updates to variety lodging and brackling scores for the new 2011 NIAB Grain Maize Descriptive List.
Four crop science students have won an industry award for outstanding achievement in their studies.
NIAB TAG’s Agricultural Science Student Education Training (ASSET) programme is a joint initiative with four leading crop science universities; Reading, Harper Adams, Newcastle and Nottingham, aimed at encouraging more students into the plant science sector.
Scientists at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) have identified the genes that encode important visible differences in barley. The breakthrough is a major step forward in unravelling the genetic determinants controlling traits including yield, quality and disease resistance.
High yielding, ultra-early maize variety Kentaurus has won the NIAB Variety Cup for 2010. Bred by KWS, it is the first maize since Spartacus, back in 2004, to win the accolade.
Mr Tedstone was a dairy farmer from Cheshire who dedicated a lot of time to NIAB and was heavily involved with the work on the original MAFF/NIAB Agreement. He was also a long-serving member of the NIAB Council from 1982 until it ceased in 2000. During his membership of Council he was appointed Vice-Chairman from 1990-1991 before becoming Chairman in 1992 to 1993. He also served on the following Committees at NIAB:
Farmers from around the globe visit the UK to highlight how their countries’ agriculture is embracing biotechnology
Farmers from around the globe are this week in Europe to share their experiences of using agricultural biotechnology. The benefits, they say, include improved food security and better incomes. They will be talking about how their political leaders have shaped policies that foster research and support innovations that help their families and communities.
Grass quality could be at risk from crown rust infection if the unseasonably warm weather continues, warns NIAB TAG.
Bright orange crown rust pustules have been visible on perennial rye grass plots at NIAB TAG trial centres across the UK for several weeks. Crown rust reduces the quality and energy available from grass, and in the very worst cases infected grass will be rejected by grazing animals.
Check farm-saved wheat seed for bunt contamination as results from a national seed-testing service suggests there could be cause for concern.
“This year the NIAB Labtest service has, so far, seen a greater than usual number of wheat samples with bunt contamination, with spores in just under half of all seed samples received,” says NIAB pathologist Jane Thomas.
The NIAB 2011 Forage Maize Descriptive List has a new look following changes aimed at simplifying the variety choice process for growers.
The most significant change is the amalgamation of the Medium Early List and the Favourable List followed by a more vigorous selection of first choice forage maize varieties, explains NIAB’s Herbage and Forage specialist Don Pendergrast.
Reports of sprouting in standing wheat crops have increased daily. At first reported in Oakley and Viscount, other varieties are now showing the problem. There are now concerns about wheat seed prices if significant areas of seed crops are affected.
