Getting the crop off to a good start

Everyone agrees that the most important factor is to drill when seedbed conditions are right, for fast and even emergence of the crop, followed by strong early leaf development to help combat csfb adults. Drilling conditions are shaping up to be better than last year but life is never perfect. BASF can help improve the chance of success against csfb and share some of the financial risk.

• Clearfield^® hybrids are known to grow away quickly, unaffected by SU soil residues, and some varieties have strong autumn vigour.
• InVigor^® hybrids have strong shoot and root growth and put on leaves quickly.
• Through the establishment risk share programme, available on all InVigor^® hybrid varieties, BASF will reimburse £30/ha if the crop fails to establish.

It may be worth making use of neighbouring volunteer OSR trap crops and drilling some of the crop later, from early September since these crops are likely to have a lower larval burden in the spring.

• InVigor^® hybrids cope well in later drill slots.
• September drilling provides the opportunity for post-emergence Katamaran^® Turbo to give good weed control when applied up to 2 leaves of the crop at this time of year.