The dry spring continues, with only 30% of the average April rainfall following a drier than normal March in many parts of the country. At least apple blossom is stronger than last year due to many orchards having had an ‘off year’. The sunny days encouraged bees of all types to forage despite the cold winds. The rest of the news is depressing, but at various grower meetings in April there has been a spirit of determination to keep going. The major worry continues to be labour – both cost and availability. Defra and the Home Office are showing breath-taking complacency that the Seasonal Workers Scheme will deliver sufficient workers this summer. At this year’s National Fruit Show AGM and Conference, President Teresa Wickham suggested that immigrants held in Dover, at great expense to taxpayers, could be a source of labour. The senior Defra speaker at the event, defending the controversial higher pay rate for SAWS workers, said it was a concession to the Home Office and was the price we pay for being treated specially. Well done to British Summer Fruits for trying to fight this decision in the courts!
Pest and disease control in strawberries is a continuing headache, not helped by the loss of actives. An article focusing on powdery mildew this month details the approach to avoid reliance on regular programmes and consider using precision modelling to control the disease and avoid resistance to existing chemistry. Another article focuses on silicon: research demonstrates the value of the application of silicon to combat pests like red spider mite and SWD as well as mildew.
Having the right kit to farm efficiently has never been more important. NP Seymour Ltd sells, services, and repairs machinery and tools from many trusted and leading brands. Rachel Anderson reports on their recent Open Day where a selection of its best-selling and newest kit was on display, showcasing the breadth of the different makes and models of state-of-the-art machinery and parts on offer to the fruit, viticulture, and hop-growing sectors. A case study showing the value of a move to new machinery is provided by a fleet of Fendt 200 Vario tractors being supplied by Ross Farm Machinery to Herefordshire’s E.C. Drummond’s manager Richard Hibbard. He believes the move has helped to retain skilled staff, reduce fuel consumption, and increase crop yields.
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