Wheat after Beet - Managing the Trade Off

Wheat after Beet - Managing the Trade Off 1

Foreword Beet Performance Wheat Performance Combined Crop Performance Managing the Trade-off Getting the best from Late Beet Getting the best from Late Sown Wheat Variety Choice Soil Structure Seed Rate Pest Control Slugs Wheat Bulb Fly Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Weed Control Fungicides & PGRs Nitrogen Summary Summary Points 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 8 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 16 2

Wheat after Beet Foreword Later harvesting of sugar beet maximises yield and revenue, but for some growers it can pose problems for the following wheat crop, especially if soil conditions are less than ideal. In addition, the yield potential of wheat will generally be less the later it is sown. To get the best from both crops, it is essential to weigh up the value of additional beet income from late harvesting versus the potential loss of wheat yield. Harvesting beet earlier to ensure a good entry and maximum yield for wheat may seem to be a sensible decision, but if the resulting sugar yield loss represents more than the increase in revenue from wheat, then this will deliver a lower overall combined margin from the two crops. In recent years, breeders have developed robust new wheats that are capable of improved performance when later drilled and hence the balance of the argument may have changed for many growers. This booklet aims to bring more clarity and precision to this complex and dynamic decision-making process. So maybe it is time to look again at the growing of wheat after beet and to reexamine today s wheat after beet balance? Having worked for British Sugar for many years, I recognise these issues are a concern for some growers and therefore I welcome this booklet, which has been prepared by wheat breeder KWS UK, as I believe it will help sugar beet growers to look at the options objectively and to maximise the combined returns from both sugar beet and wheat in their rotation. Independent Sugar Beet Consultant 1

Beet Performance While it would be difficult to justify late lifting of beet on heavier ground, on lighter land there is much to gain from the higher sugar yields and the late lifting bonuses that are available as part of the contract agreement. Beet continues to grow throughout the autumn. This rate of growth slowly declines Figure 1 and Figure 2 until sugar yield peaks at a maximum level in mid late November (Figure 1). During the three months prior to this, the crop puts on an additional 25-30t/ha, improving beet crop gross margins by an extra 250/ha over this period. However, taking into account the Late Delivery Bonus - which kicks in from 26 th December onwards growers can gain even more from their crop if it is left even longer in the ground. The late delivery bonus is equal to around 4p a day; adding 10% of the value of the premium by the end of February. Data Source: Robin Limb Against this, harvesting conditions deteriorate as autumn and winter progress and the risks of severe frosts increase. As a result, on ground that is more at risk of structural breakdown, it is better to plan to lift in early December and accept some loss of sugar in the clamp, rather than lose crop due to waterlogging or frost. 2

Wheat Performance Optimum wheat yields across much of the UK come from drilling winter wheat crops between mid-september to early October. This drilling slot usually ensures good establishment prior to winter and maximises time for tillering and yield creation from a productive plant stand and crop. In contrast, later drilling cuts yield potential and over the last ten years in AHDB Recommended List trials the difference between drilling winter wheats before the first week of October and drilling spring wheats in March has been around 3t/ha. The data suggests that this loss in yield is greatest for autumn sown in the period from mid-september to mid-october. Growers can expect less of a reduction in wheat yield from crops sown mid-october to December. Figure 3 The chart above (Figure 3) taking data from Recommended List trials over the last ten years - shows that this tail off in yield is less for the later sowings than for the earlier ones. The data set for those wheats sown after the 6 th October in the UK Winter Wheat Recommended List and the separate late autumn trials series includes the alternative/spring wheats. 3

This indicates that growers who drill later have more drill date flexibility for those crops they drill after the main September sowing window. This is probably as a result of two main factors: Firstly, the post October 6 th sowings in the main Recommended List contains a larger proportion of second wheats and a higher proportion of first wheats from Northern and Scottish sites. Both will produce more variable, lower yields. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, the inclusion of new spring wheats in the Late Autumn-Sown Recommended List raises the yield level above the average yield line. These modern varieties perform particularly well when sown from early November. Additionally, there is a range of winter wheat types - already on the UK Winter Wheat RL - which also perform well in the late autumn trials. Both spring wheats and these winter wheats selected for late drilling perform well as a result of their strong vigour and tillering capacity. As a result, based on these Recommended List yield figures - and taking into account the reduced levels of inputs required by later drilled wheats - the loss in income from delaying drilling over the four months from the beginning of November right through to the beginning of February is around 80/ha (Figure 4), whatever the price of wheat. Figure 4 4

Combined Crop Performance Adding together the relative performances of both crops paints a much clearer picture of the trade-off between later lifting of beet and later planting of wheat. Figure 5 shows the individual gross margins of wheat (at 120/t) and beet (at 20.30/t) as shown in Figures 2 and 4. However, when these are combined as indicated by the green line - the sugar beet margin carries the wheat yield reduction. So, in effect, whenever you decide to lift beet and plant wheat in the period between November and the beginning of February, there s little difference in the combined crop gross margin. your wheat crop in the ground whatever the consequences. In addition, this wide window of wheat drilling opportunity means that soil structural damage, wheat bulb fly and other pest damage, and the risks of poor establishment in less than ideal seedbeds, can also be minimised without a detrimental effect on the margin of the rotation. While accepting that there will of course be situations where this later sowing is not practical, for the majority of growers this approach should allow better management of both crops in the beet/ wheat rotation. Growers now have greater flexibility in the management of beet harvesting and wheat possible in the past with poorer performing wheat varieties. It also reduces the necessity to rush and get Figure 5 5

Managing the Tradeoff Taking these figures into account, growers clearly have considerable flexibility to achieve their targets in cropping wheat after beet. It makes sense to leave sugar beet in the ground to maximise sugars and yield from this crop and then select the best follow-up wheats for the next season. As a result, growers can react and respond to the varied seasons and spread their workloads effectively according to conditions. They can plan to lift beet at peak sugar production post November 1 st, leaving the crop longer to bulk up in mild, open seasons when growth continues for longer and secure real margin benefits. On the lightest, more forgiving land it may also pay to over-winter beet in the ground and so secure the Late Delivery Bonus, safe in the knowledge that you can still secure good margins from a spring wheat sown in the spring. Alternatively, if weather conditions do deteriorate and beet is lifted late, by selecting wheats that can cope with being drilled late either specific winter types or spring varieties growers can wait until soil conditions improve before restructuring the soil and sowing the following crop. Such a compromise or trade-off has minimal effects on the combined margins of both crops in the rotation and can also ease management pressures. Depending upon the scale and type of operation, some will find that later lifting of beet and later drilling of wheat is necessary simply because of workload. However, adopting later sown wheats spreads the workload, not only over the sowing and establishment period, but also when carrying out spraying and fertiliser operations later on in the season. Crops with slightly staggered development should provide growers with a greater opportunity to optimise timings of fungicides and nitrogen across their farm. It also helps give a range of crop maturities for an easier, timelier harvest. 6

Getting the Best from Late Beet While the agronomic management of a later lifted beet crop will differ little from that harvested earlier in the season, growers should ensure they manage the crop s needs over this extended period of bulking and sugar production. Fertiliser applications should take into account the additional dry matter production of the crop and ensure that nutrients such as potash do not limit sugar accumulation. A robust fungicide programme to prolong green leaf activity will further boost crop performance over the extended growing period. All beet crops should receive at least one full rate triazole or strobilurin based fungicide as soon as disease is present, typically mid to late July. A second spray, applied in late August and potentially a third in September, both preferably at full rate, will extend green leaf activity. between lifting and delivery. This will ensure that clamping of beet on farm is largely unnecessary, allowing maximum growth and minimising sugar losses after harvest. Remember, beet continues to grow through November and when stored in clamp will lose sugar because of respiration. Ideally, beet should be harvested in a just-in-time method, minimising the time 7

Getting the best from Late Sown Wheat Variety Choice The UK Late Autumn-Sown Recommended List shows some clear differences between the relative performances of wheats sown late. There is a wide selection of true winter types available which suit the late sown slot. These include varieties such as Leeds and KWS Gator, which have a vigorous growth habit that doesn t suit traditional mid-september timings. Alternatively, true spring wheats from late autumn sowing offer similarly high yields and should be considered by those who wish to leave their beet in the ground for longer or who require the flexibility of the unrestricted sowing date they provide. Because they do not require a cold period vernalisation to trigger the switch from vegetative growth to producing ears and grain, true spring wheats can be sown anytime from late October through to April. Compared to wheats of 25 years ago, today s spring varieties are higher tillering, higher yielding types that are frost hardy and can compete strongly with winter wheats. In effect they can maintain the high grain quality found in spring wheats in the past but have higher yields, through better vigour and growth. In comparison, most winter wheats when late drilled grow more slowly and take longer to come to ear, such that their tillers don t come fully to fruition. Quite simply, planted late, they have too little time for effective grain fill before they senesce and come to harvest. As a result, most winter wheats later sown suffer from low specific weights, particularly if the season does not allow them to reach full potential. Spring wheats, in contrast move through their different stages of growth more quickly and are better able to fill grain and produce a better grain sample (Figure 6). 8

In effect, today s spring wheats are more aggressive and efficient at exploiting shorter seasons and more capable of producing high yields and quality than most winter wheats sown late in the autumn or early in the winter. This provides the grower with considerable drilling date flexibility. Growers should look to the AHDB Late autumn-sown Recommended List section to select top performing wheats for drilling in the late autumn and plan their acreage and seed orders accordingly. Late autumn-sown RL 2015-16 Yield and Specific Weight Yield (t/ha) Group 1 Sp.wt (kg/hl) Paragon 8.6 78.9 Mulika 9.2 78.1 Gallant 9.5 [76.8] Solstice 8.8 [76.8] Skyfall 9.3 [77.0] Group 2 KWS Willow 9.8 79.2 Cordiale 9.1 [78.8] Tybalt 9.4 76.2 Group 4 KWS Alderon 9.8 77.3 Belvoir 9.7 76.6 JB Diego 9.4 [77.2] Evolution 10.12 [73.8] Data Source: AHDB Recommended List, Spring Wheat(For late autumn sowing) 2015-16 { } Limited data available Figure 6 9

Some of the best spring wheats for drilling after sugar beet include KWS Alderon and KWS Willow the latter offering a Group 2 premium potential. Some land is more suited to producing milling specifications and there are a number of later winter and spring types suited to this market opportunity. However, a grower needs a minimum premium that covers the percentage yield differential between a feed and a milling wheat to achieve an equivalent gross margin. So, for a milling wheat yielding 10% less than a feed wheat, at a price of 120t, it would need a 12/t premium to ensure margin parity. This premium though, is the absolute minimum required. It makes no allowance for the extra nitrogen required. In addition, growers also need to take into account the potential deductions on those loads that fail to achieve full milling specification. In contrast, hard feed or soft wheat growers will find that there are a larger number of varieties available that will maximise margins across this drilling period and which can simply be added to their winter wheat feed heap. Indeed, with wheats such as KWS Alderon offering a 6% or 0.55t/ha higher yield than the best Group 1 spring milling wheat in late autumn trials in 2013 RL trials data, these feed types may be a better option for those who cannot be sure of securing a full premium and who want the simplicity of storing all their wheat in one heap. Finally, a key factor to bear in mind is that by planning for and selecting spring wheats for the post beet crop acreage, you can be sure you will be able to utilise this seed even if drilling is delayed until the spring. Data Source: AHDB Recommended List, Spring Figure 7 10

Soil Structure While late lifting leads to potential soil management issues, a more flexible planting window by selecting spring wheats can provide time to fix structural conditions when conditions are right prior to planting. Aim to cultivate soils when moisture levels will allow effective restructuring without smearing. The aim is to create a soil profile that ensures good establishment and deep rooting. Cultivating fields in the winter when soils may be at field capacity may not always be possible and compromises will be necessary. Alternatively, growers can wait and utilise the drying cycle that kicks in post winter when soils are more workable to create a better soil structure and maximise potential by planting a suitable spring variety. water to drain away, improving crop growth and enabling vehicles to travel on the ground in timely fashion without creating compaction. Better prepared soils will also be quicker to warm, stimulating better plant growth in early spring. Seed Rate Seed rate will depend greatly on sowing date and seedbed conditions and is best guided by farm experience. Generally though, treat spring wheats as you would a late winter wheat and drill them at a similar seed rate. Increase seed rates by 5 seeds/m 2 per week once past the end of October depending on weather and seedbed conditions. So, for example, growers using 400 seeds/m 2 for an early November sowing should look to use 450 seeds/m 2 in mid-february. Producing a well structured soil allows 11

Pest Control Later drilling commonly results in slower emerging crops as soils are often cold, and good seed to soil contact can be hard to achieve. Slow moving crops are at greater risk from pest attack as they do not grow away from damage and the seed still represents a food source for pests. Correct choice of the best, faster growing spring or late autumn wheat varieties can help to compensate in these situations. Slugs Cloddy seedbeds which may be impossible to consolidate properly can increase slug pressure risks. Care should be taken when preparing seedbeds, working soils to a tilth and consolidation that suits strong emergence with minimal slug grazing risk. Slug problems should be monitored using baited, not pelleted, traps and any slug pellets applied in a responsible manner. It is even more important to use these products correctly at this time of year, taking into account weather patterns and pollution risks. Seed treatments can be chosen for their activity against slugs but under high population pressures pelleting will also be necessary. 12

be prepared to utilise appropriate aphicides where populations are likely to cause damage. Weed control Given the range of current problems facing growers, some will be forced into a position of delaying drilling by weeks, even months, in order to use false seedbed techniques to properly target weeds such as blackgrass. Varieties which perform well in this wheat after beet slot are commonly fast developing, and offer the best possible type of competition against emerging weeds. These include the best winter wheats and modern spring varieties. Wheat Bulb Fly Wheat bulb fly (WBF) will be a severe threat as wheat after sugar beet is a high risk scenario because of a relatively long period of bare ground. An appropriate seed treatment, such as Austral Plus, is the first line of defence in protecting vulnerable young plants during the January/February period. Seedling depth control is critical to the success of the vapour protection from this WBF seed treatment. Faster emerging varieties sown at an appropriate depth but not too deep will provide better, faster, establishment of more tillers in WBF situations. If grass weed control is really faltering then cultivation of false seed beds through the autumn and winter may be the only option. Here the sowing flexibility provided by a spring wheat is also a key advantage. Where necessary, growers may need to rough plough prior to winter in order to minimise soil erosion in ground destined for spring wheat. This should provide a good entry for the spring wheat if left until the spring. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus While aphid pressures are reduced as a result of later sowing, growers should not ignore the risk of BYDV and should 13

Fungicides & PGRs All modern varieties of wheat respond well to robust input programmes to protect and build on their high yield potential. The generally better disease resistances found in spring wheat varieties enables some flexibility in dose rates and timings, but does not negate the need for a comprehensive spray programme. When spring sowing, the speed of development of modern spring wheats to GS31 is very fast. As a result a T0 fungicide may not be required. programme is advised in order to help even out tillering and minimise Nitrogen Crops should be fed to achieve yield potential and quality requirements. Late autumn sowings will require split nitrogen applications while spring drilling will require the main application of nitrogen applied at the first timing to benefit tillering and make use of early spring moisture. These guidelines should be adapted to suit each site and season after consultation with the farm agronomist. As with any wheat programme, the T1 spray is critical and should target the same disease spectrum as any winter wheat fungicide programme. With the current range of fungicide options complete protection through to ear emergence enables growers to fulfil the potential of varieties regardless of sowing date. Most top-performing late sown wheats, including spring wheats, are relatively stiff strawed. However a standard PGR 14

Summary There are clear tangible benefits to be had from managing the wheat after beet scenario more efficiently, maximising margins in both crops. Those that stand to gain most from this approach are beet growers on lighter land who lift mid-season from the beginning of November through to the end of December. Recommended List data shows that growers have a wide late season drilling window and can wait until they can prepare good soil conditions before sowing wheat. wheat varieties has significantly improved late sown productivity. By selecting these wheats growers can simplify their cropping by adding the harvested grain to their existing wheat heap. Whether they are targeting a specific quality or feed market, there are varieties available that can suit all outlets. At the same time, by selecting the most appropriate varieties for later drilling they can maximise their margins from both crops in the rotation and gain some significant agronomic advantages that bring benefits across the whole farm operation. The introduction of selected winter wheats that can cope with later drilling and the successful remodelling of spring 15

Summary Points Leaving beet in the ground to the end of November increases margins by 250/ha By selecting the most appropriate winter or spring varieties, wheat crop margins between November and February drop by around 80/ha Lifting the beet when it is convenient only makes a little difference on a combined beet and wheat crop gross margin, with the additional value from later harvested beet offsetting the loss from delayed drilling of wheat Such an approach can bring significant management advantages, spreading the workload and easing weed and disease control issues 16

LEEDS Leeds is a high yielding group 4 wheat performing brilliantly in a wide range of situations across the UK. Manage it correctly and you can be sure of some exceptional gross margins on-farm. 17

KWS UK Ltd 56 Church Street Thriplow Royston Herts SG8 7RE Tel: 01763 207 300 Email: info@kws-uk.com Web: www.kws-uk.com 18