We are all on high alert following the Rothamsted Research Aphid forecast. BBRO are exploring a number of options to support the sugar beet industry and encourage growers to join with them in finding new ways to manage this pest.

The Rothamsted Forecast released on the 1st March triggered the use of Cruiser SB treated seed for the 2022 sugar beet crop. The forecast predicts that without control measures almost 70% of the crop will be infected by Virus yellows. Prof Mark Stevens and Dr Simon Bowen discuss the options for growers.

Following a successful year of trials the BBRO are pleased to release some exciting news ahead of the BeetTech22 events relating to Virus yellows and Free living nematodes. Great way to start the new season.

We revisit Holkham Farming to meet Dominic Swan of Catalyst Farming and Farm Manager James Beamish to discuss what data they are collecting and the impact this information could have on crop management.

There has been much talk of the importance of cover crops, but planning their use requires a bit of forethought, whilst their impact requires patience. This is part one of a soil health special with James Beamish, Holkham Farming looking at soil health management and their cover crop programme.

With the on-going haulage issues, many growers are having to provide short-term clamps for their beet. Dr Simon Bowen explains when and why we need to clamp and how best to avoid creating hot spots that could increase sugar losses.

The BBRO field team are busy lifting the first of our trials. We join Stephen Aldis in field to discuss how the crop is looking and how to get the best out of this season’s harvest.

With one type of harvest likely to roll straight into another we meet up with Prof Mark Stevens to assess the levels of virus and foliar disease in the sugar beet crop. Low levels of infection bodes well for those able to leave the crop in the ground a little bit longer, making the most of any late growth.

Whilst most of us want to forget the 2020 beet crop, four growers did well in the face of adversity and have just been announced as the factory winners of the Beet Yield Challenge. Hear how they achieved it and who of the four (Will Baker – Newark, Will Sands – Cantley, Jonathan Quail – Wissington and the Hitchcock family – Bury) has been awarded Champion Beet Grower of 2020.

We join some of the BBRO Team at BeetField21 and listen to discussions ranging from irrigation, drought resistance, variety choice, virus and aphid control, plus an update on the Beet Yield Challenge.