After what can only be described as the most challenging growing season in living memory for many farmers, the 2023-24 season has been one that most want to forget about and quickly push the reset button on for 2024-25. This last year alone has demonstrated just how tricky it is becoming to predict optimal planting times and manage crops effectively.
So what can growers do to optimise crop establishment odds this autumn?
While they may not directly impact climate resilience, biostimulants applied to the seed are becoming increasingly valuable components of a broader strategy for building stronger, healthier more resilient plants better able to cope through the entire growing cycle.
Key points:
- Building resilience is becoming increasingly crucial to crop establishment
- It all starts with the seed
- Biostimulant seed treatments have a vital role to play
- Newton stimulates plants to thrive from day one
- Newton establishment gains proven in cereals and pulses
- Farmers growing with Newton plant with greater confidence
- Ask for Newton when ordering your seed / have it applied to your home saved seed to optimise crop establishment
Building resilience is becoming increasingly crucial to crop establishment
Optimising the establishment odds for crops involves a combination of timing, soil preparation, variety selection, ongoing care….and building resilience.
Farmers know better than anyone that whilst crops can be drilled under ideal weather conditions into perfect seedbeds, crops can very quickly come under duress when your ability to manage that crop comes under pressure / the weather takes a turn and suddenly you can’t apply the nutrition or crop protection chemicals you need to safeguard early establishment – as many growers experienced in autumn 2o23.
“With the unpredictable weather extremes we appear to be experiencing year-on-year, you need to know that the seed you plant has the best chance of survival – without intervention if necessary – and this is where building a resilient self-sustaining plant from the outset is becoming increasingly crucial for optimal crop establishment and yield stability.
It all starts with the seed
Optimising plant health from day one – by boosting seeds rather than needing to treat plants – is key to building resilience in crops and agricultural systems, advises Stuart Sutherland, technical manager at Interagro.
“Establishing a fit and healthy crop quick out of the blocks is crucial. With weeds, pests and diseases to contend with, alongside the volatile weather conditions we can expect in the early growing phase, getting crops up and away as efficiently as possible, is essential to maximise the competitive nature of the crop and protect yield and quality potential heading into winter.
“If we can get crops out the ground that bit quicker, optimise the number of plants establishing per sqm, and help crops put their roots down it can make all the difference to plant survival and the ongoing health of that plant during its life,” says Stuart.
“This is where biostimulant seed treatments can be highly beneficial.”
Biostimulant seed treatments have a vital role to play
Seed treatment biostimulants are products applied to seeds to enhance their growth, development and overall resilience.
“Their ability to help speed up emergence, enhance rooting and produce a more resilient competitive plant better able to fend for itself, should not be under-estimated,” says Stuart.
One of the recent biostimulants to the market – demonstrating proven benefits in the field – is Interagro’s biostimulant seed treatment Newton – click here for more information or continue reading below.
NEWTON STIMULATES PLANTS TO THRIVE FROM DAY ONE
Managing the balance of growth promoting hormones versus growth inhibiting hormones, Newton contains plant signalling peptides that not only stimulates faster germination, it also signals exceptional root and shoot growth and the defense systems of plants.
Newton establishment gains proven in cereals and pulses
“With the help of research experts, seed customers and farmers we have developed extensive evidence on the merits of Newton, such as two days faster germination, up to 2.5 days faster emergence over naked seed, and four to five days faster emergence over single purpose dressing – doesn’t sound a lot but buying plants an extra couple of days faster establishment time can prove vital when it comes to a competitive edge and the weather.
“The research also shows Newton to be one of the strongest biostimulants on the market in terms of its rooting ability – a crucial contributing factor to the improved nutrient uptake, frost heave resilience, and drought resilience growers are benefitting from on-farm. Download our brochure here to see the evidence.
HEALTHIER PLANTS FROM SEED TO HARVEST
Newton nurtures crops from their earliest stages, ensuring robust growth, improved resilience and maximum yields come harvest.
GROW WITH NEWTON PLANT WITH GREATER CONFIDENCE
Imagine a season where every seed counts. With Newton, you give your seeds the best start possible.
UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR SEEDS – download our brochure today
Download our latest Newton booklet here to learn more about the benefits Newton could offer you.
If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact our technical manager, Stuart Sutherland, using the contact facility below.
HOW TO ORDER NEWTON
Newton treated seed can be ordered through any of the following merchants below. You can also ask your mobile seed treater to apply it for you in the same way they would a traditional dressing.
If your usual supplier is not listed, ask them to get in touch with us. We are always looking to expand our supply routes.
Newton can be supplied in 5 litre cans, 200 litre drums or 1,000 litre IBC.
Agrii, Anglia Grain Services, Cope, Dods of Haddington, Alexander Harley Seeds Ltd, Messrs Alex Brewster, McCreath Simpson & Prentice, Goldingham Contracts, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, Wynnstay, CYO Seeds