BASIS Agronomy Matters

In the final episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast for 2020 we are focusing on field vegetable production as we look at how your Christmas dinner vegetables go from field to fork. Greg Hopkinson, head of business development and marketing at BASIS, speaks to two guests about the challenges 2020 has brought, the demands of retailers and how Brexit might impact the field vegetable industry.

First up is Andy Richardson, general manager and agronomist at the Brassica and Allium Centre in Lincolnshire. Andy shares his expertise on the conventional production and storage of a number of field vegetable crops.

We then hear from Joe Rolfe, managing director at RBOrganic, a large scale organic producer based in the East of England. Joe gives a unique insight into organic vegetable production and the specific challenges that he faces in the sector.

Make sure you listen to the end to find out how you can claim one BASIS CPD point for listening.

The latest episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast is a special edition featuring our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson, who investigates how to build a successful career in agronomy. Whether you’re well established in the industry, or just starting out on the career ladder, our three guests provide a great insight into how to develop your career in the industry.

First up, we hear from Tom Whitfield, a young agronomist working for Hutchinsons, who graduated from Harper Adams in 2015. He tells us all about his experience of getting into agronomy and gives advice for anyone looking to start a career in a similar role.

Director at specialist agricultural recruitment firm, Hunter Chase Consultants, Brian Hutchison, then provides some top tips on how you can go from a prospective candidate to a successful professional, at any stage of your career.

Finally, James Christian-Ilett, an independent BASIS approved trainer, gives advice on how you can become a successful BASIS candidate and how BASIS training can help you take the next step in your career.

Make sure you listen to the end to find out how you can claim one BASIS CPD point for listening.

In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson, speaks to four expert guests about technology in agriculture, with a particular focus on how it can benefit crop production while reducing our environmental impact.

First up, we have a double act of Rozzi Martin and Max Dafforn from Bayer Crop Science. Rozzi discusses a new rapid disease detection system, while Max talks about FieldView, a unique piece of software that can help improve decision making on-farm.

Judith Stafford, from FERA, then speaks about CropMonitor Pro, a tool which provides pest and disease forecasting as well as advanced weather monitoring. Together, these produce risk models and help deliver crop inputs in a more targeted way.

Finally, Kieran Walsh, an independent agronomist working for Velcourt Advisory Services, tells us all about the Hands Free Farm project that demonstrates how technology has the potential to help us grow crops in the future in a more autonomous way.

Make sure you listen to the end to find out how you can claim one BASIS CPD point for listening.

In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast, our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson hones in on integrated pest management in commercial fruit production and speaks to two expert guests.

Firstly we hear from Alex Radu, Agrovista’s fruit team technical manager. Alex focuses on pest control in orchards and talks about new innovations including beneficial insect refuges and sex hormone disruptors.

This is followed by a conversation with Selchuk Kurtev (often known as Semo) from Certis. Semo discusses how strawberry production has changed in the UK and how IPM can be used to produce safe, sustainable and consumer-friendly strawberries in the UK.

Make sure you listen to the end to get access to the unique code which awards you one BASIS CPD point.

The combines have already started rolling, so thoughts are turning to the next cropping season. In this episode, BASIS technical manager, Greg Hopkinson speaks to three expert guests who give valuable insight into what farmers should be growing in 2020/2021.

First up, David Eudall, head of arable markets at AHDB, discusses prospects for key crop markets over the next 12 months and explains how these will impact rotations and variety choices.

He's followed by Hutchinsons' technical development director, David Ellerton, who shares his views on how varieties can be used as part of an IPM approach to control major diseases.

Finally, David Leaper, seed technical manager at Agrii, gives us the low-down on the best new varieties, what's performed well this year and advises on what farmers should be growing in 2020/2021.

Make sure you listen to the end to find out how to claim one BASIS CPD point via the members' area on the BASIS website.

In our flagship episode, BASIS CEO, Stephen Jacob, introduces two guest speakers who give a technical insight into two different areas of spring cereal production. 

Chris Bond, from FMC, talks around micronutrition, the most prevalent deficiencies in the UK, and how to counteract these. 

While Paul Fogg, from Frontier, tells us about ramularia control and gives insight into the best current and future control methods.

Finally Stephen gives an update on the brand-new online learning platform, the BASIS CPD classroom.

Listen to the end to collect a BASIS CPD point for listening.