Firstly, I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas and New Year. It feels like a long time since I wrote my previous blog post, so thought I would provide an update on what the Indigro team have been up to in January and February. Generally, the beginning of a new year is regarded as a quiet time for agriculture and agronomists, with little happening in the field or on farm. However, this time of year is invaluable to us as agronomists, and helps us make better, more informed decisions when the spring arrives. January and February are full of technical briefings from manufacturers and seed companies along with this year having the long-awaited return of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) conference. This conference is hugely important to us at Indigro, analysing the vast amount of AICC trials results from the previous year, listening to speakers on a variety of topics such as SFI, building soil carbon and the ever-evolving world of weed and pest populations, and finally catching up with other independent agronomists from across the country. It’s a time for swapping agronomy stories and advice over a few drinks before the next busy period starts, and we all disappear for another year. As independent agronomists, we strive to be at the forefront of modern agriculture, and we are constantly trying to expand our knowledge base. We feel that the AICC conference certainly delivers all those things and more. It’s worth mentioning at this point that Indigro’s David Boulton has this year taken on the role of Chairman of the AICC Trials Committee which is a huge achievement and will no doubt benefit AICC members as well as Indigro agronomists and our farming clients. Well done David!
We then move on to our own internal meetings where we share ideas, discuss new (and old!) products, and try to predict challenges that we will be facing come Spring. A lot of emphasis this year was around the cropping outlook across the acres we look after following on from Autumn and Winter we’ve just experienced and how we will have to tailor programmes accordingly. All the data and information the team have collated and experienced since this time last year is reviewed and any positive outcomes are incorporated into planning for Spring 2024. Varieties of all crops are discussed, and a tailored agronomy approach is designed for each. Considering such things as, disease scores, yields, fungicide costs, end markets, nutrition and personal experience. We also discuss Indigro as a company and how we can ensure that we stay at the top of our game and at the forefront of the agronomy sector. It never ceases to amaze me when I consider how much knowledge the team brings to the table and the diversity of that knowledge. Regardless of experience, we all have a role to play both on our client’s farms and for Indigro.
Manufacturer meetings are another great way for the team to increase their knowledge and a chance to discover new products. I felt there was a common theme at the manufacturer meetings this year – bio stimulants, and products aimed at replacing synthetic nitrogen. These products have been gaining popularity in the past few years and there is now a huge range of both to choose from. If I was to be cynical, I can’t help but wonder if these bio stimulants and other similar products would be being promoted to the level they are this year if it wasn’t for the crops having just suffered the winter they have? My key takeaway from discussions around both bio stimulants and nitrogen replacements, is that some years there will be a benefit (maybe this year will be one of them) and some years there won’t (maybe this year will be one of them). However, that doesn’t mean they don’t work or we shouldn’t use them, we just need to understand what is being applied, the cost associated with them and how best they are used. Before purchase or application of such products, try to conduct as much research on the product as possible and ensure it fits for what you need, and you know exactly what the product contains. As always, the Indigro team are available to discuss and answer any questions that you may have.
Moving onto the next few weeks and Indigro will be hosting a couple of events before the spring really kicks off. Firstly, our NRoSO training for sprayer operators. As always, we will be hosting four separate sessions in two different locations all of which are normally full. Organising these events is no small task and Chloe from Indigro does a fantastic job. Secondly and for the fourth year running we will be hosting our Carbon Benchmarking Feedback Session. Over recent years Indigro have conducted an extensive carbon survey of our client’s farms using the Cool Farm Tool. We have completed the benchmark annually for the past three years, growing from 15 farms to around 60 farms participating last year and over 75 attending the feedback session. This is a fantastic facility enabling us to compare farm efficiencies and allow feedback to individuals and the group on the results. Each participant receives a bespoke booklet containing details of their results and where they sit compared to peers. The data enables us to focus and improve key drivers for efficiency providing a baseline to monitor, manage and measure going forwards annually. The results also create a greater understanding of the amount of carbon sequestered from various practices and the potential to monetise this in the future.
As the rain continues to fall, Spring feels a long way off but before we know it cereals will be at stem extension stage, oilseed rape will be in full flower and hopefully some spring crops will be in the ground. Until then, fingers crossed for some drier (but not too dry!) weather.
