NEW INDUSTRY SUPPORT FOR CROPS OPEN DAY

Posted 9 June 2003

THE ANNUAL CROPS Open Day at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, will be jointly organised by the Crop and Environment Research Centre (CERC) and NIAB Shropshire, for the first time in 2003.

The Crops Open Day, which takes place on Thursday, July 17, 2003, has become firmly established as a reputable source of technical information and outreach for the crop-based sector across the West Midlands and beyond.

Based upon the success of the event in previous years, the organisers at Harper Adams have arranged a varied programme for the day and are inviting farmers, agricultural advisers, consultants, researchers and relevant trade organisations to attend.

Aspects of crop husbandry and agronomy relevant to local growers will be covered, with field demonstrations of grass, potato and cereal trials including grass and cereal Recommended List plots.

Ongoing crop research projects will be on display and spraying and cultivation workshops will be held along with a number of short seminar presentations. Lecturing, research and trials staff will be present throughout the day, supporting the event by talking about their work and answering any technical queries.

In addition to collaborating with NIAB Shropshire, Harper Adams will hold the 2003 Crops Open Day in conjunction with the British Potato Council and the Home Grown Cereals Authority – two of the main supporters and funding bodies for crop trials and research at the University College. A large number of other supporting organisations will also be involved during the day.

Free admission, car parking, lunch and refreshments are all included on the day and five Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points are accrued by attending for those working towards a qualification.

(Ends) Notes to Editors:

(1) Members of the press are welcome to attend and interviews with staff members from within the Crops Group at Harper Adams University College can be arranged as required. To attend, arrange an interview or obtain further information about the Crops Open Day, please contact Paul Lewis, Business Development Manager for the Crops Group, on +44 (0) 1952 820 280.

(2) If you wish to use this editorial with an accompanying picture from last year’s event, these are available from the Press & Publications Officer Nick Barnes on +44 (0) 1952 815 371 or via e-mail: nbarnes@harper-adams.ac.uk

Harper Adams’ Crops Open Day 2003 - Programme

11.00 Spraying Workshop - for spray operators, farmers and consultants

Simon Cooper & Spray quality - interactions of spray droplet size, Simon Woods (HAUC) application volume and nozzle design

12:30 Registration, Buffet Lunch, Trade Stands and Welcome

13.30 Two alternatives (including field demonstrations)

Grasses & Herbage Mark Sheridan & NIAB Recommended List plots including mixtures Steven Bentley (NIAB) Neil Groom (Horizon Seeds) Grass mixtures - agricultural, amenity and wildlife seed Francis Dunne (Oliver Seeds) Spring lupins

Potatoes Ivan Grove (HAUC) Efficient water use: preparing for change Pat Haydock (HAUC) Biological control and trap cropping of PCN Matt Back (HAUC) Rhizoctonia solani - interaction with PCN and nematicides Peter Cook (SAC) Financial fitness to face a changing agricultural climate

15.15 Tea, Refreshments and Trade Stands

15.45 Cultivation Techniques

Charles Murray (HAUC) Minimum Tillage - is this for you? Dietmar Franke (Lemken) Minimum Tillage - a European perspective

16.15 Field Demonstration of Cereal Varieties and Trials

Mark Sheridan (NIAB) HGCA UK Recommended List Varieties Jeremy Cartwright (DuPont) Weedscreen and fungicide trials work Peter Kettlewell (HAUC) HGCA funded wheat projects on milling premium forecast, root growth and reducing drought stress Mitch Crook (HAUC) Quantifying lodging risk in cereals

Additional field demonstrations in cultivation techniques and other trials work will be available throughout the afternoon.

A wide range of relevant trade stands and research poster displays will be on site throughout the day.

Please note that the programme timetable may be subject to change with inclement weather. Updates available by accessing www.harper-adams.ac.uk