BeetCast

As we enter 2021, BBRO continues to look for solutions to support growers against Virus Yellows in the short-term, whilst also looking further ahead with the appointment of Dr Georgina Barratt who will be investigating a number of new work streams to build confidence in the crop for the future.

With aphids and virus very much at the forefront of our minds we speak to grower Tom Clarke about introducing an army of beneficials to the crop, and how his fields with under-sown barley fared. We also take a trip to harper Adams University to hear from PhD student Paul Chunga re cell wall integrity.

Big is not always better which is why the BBRO are utilising small box trials for a number of projects. Dr Alistair Wright explains the concept and talks about his role and research projects.

We will also be touching on the current harvest results and how the lifting of poor crops first has impacted on overall sugars across most factories. As Simon will explain there is still a bit of yield to be recouped and as the saying goes ‘the only way is up’.

As sugar beet harvesting commences around the Newark factory we visit contractor and grower Graham Liddle for an insight into his 2020 harvesting campaign. Stephen Aldis also joins us to talk about the importance of on-farm hygiene in combatting virus and disease, whilst Prof mark Stevens gives us an update on the prevalence of cercospora

As harvest time approaches, sugar beet growers are encouraged to check the health of plant canopies before planning their lifting programme. We also visit the BBRO lab to find out what happens to growers samples that are submitted for virus yellows diagnostics.