Farmer Focus

Unit 5 Dorcan Business Village Murdock Road Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 5HY 01793 421345 www.ipf-uk.com www.courtyard-partnership.co.uk

ZoningMatters

Farmers must embrace technology to

move forward in business. That’s the view of a Wiltshire father and son

whose family has farmed the same land since the 1920s. Andrew Blake reports.

Patrick Hosier and son George who run

Wexcombe Manor Farm have been

pleasantly surprised during their first stab

at IPF field zoning.

Their 620ha (1550 acre) arable and beef

unit was bought during the agricultural

depression between the two World Wars.

“Our aim is to keep going as a family

business and to pass on the estate in an

economically and environmentally

enhanced state,” says George.

“Technology is there to allow us to

make savings, take the right

decisions and hopefully improve

yields. We need science to help us

keep up.”

Patrick agrees. “With grain and

commodity prices going up you can

guarantee that the cost of most of

our inputs – fertiliser and everything

else – will follow,” he says.

Commercial aspects must come first,

both men acknowledge; but the

environmental side of their business

is also clearly close to their hearts. A

10-year Countryside Stewardship

scheme ended two years ago and

the farm is now under HLS.

“We’ve planted a lot of woodland

since the 1970s, and we have a

private shoot,” says Patrick.

Farmer Focus P. 1 – 4Cash Back For IPF Users P. 5 Under The Microscope P. 6 – 7Crop Canopy Mapping P. 8 – 9 Discount Centre P. 10

Ask Geeves P. 11

I S S U E

W I N T E R E D I T I O N

03

Welcome savings shock from first time zoning

ASK GEEVES!

Mike Geeves your IPF

Toolbox developer has

been providing more

fantastic developments

which will enhance the

way you use your IPF

Toolbox.

See more Pg.11

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE –

Phosphate, potash & magnesium

This edition of ‘Under

the Microscope’ looks at

phosphate, potassium

and Magnesium. Overall

application rates are

falling in the UK we

believe IPF customers

should be aware of the

facts.

See page 6/7

UPCOMING ISSUES • Spring 2011 -Looking forward to new Nitrogen planning on the IPF Toolbox. -Looking at biomass and LAI data with soil zones. -Variable Seedrate planning and implementation.

• Summer 2011 -Yield Maps on the IPF Toolbox. - Farmer Focus. - Soil Protection Review.

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM We believe our independence as a business is one of our main strengths. We are delighted to have independent articles provided by Andrew Blake. Andrew has worked as an agricultural journalist for 24 years concentrating mainly on arable crops. He managed arable farms before taking up journalism giving him ideal experience for contributing to this magazine.

IPF CARBON CALCULATOR We are very proud that IPF farmers are helping reduce CO2e emissions. We will display in every addition of Zoning Matters just how much potential CO2e has been saved. We estimate: 5.500 tonnes of C02e will collectively be saved during 2011 year by IPF farmers. A typical 400 ha arable farm using the IPF service saves 44 tonnes of C02e per hectare per annum. Be proud and market your low carbon farming system.

LIFE SHOULD BE FUN - Farm diversification!! This farmer had completed all the relevant NVZ paperwork and was not in breach of any closed periods. Anyone for a cold glass of Coca-Cola??

.

ZoningMatters Issue 03 Winter 2010/2011

FORWARD LOOKING FARMERS EMBRACE IPF TECHNOLOGY

1

The Courtyard Partnership has a new website! Lots of new useful information can be found and downloaded. All editions of zoning matters are available to read in soft copy if required. Visit; www.courtyard- partnership.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Free inline tuition is available for all IPF Toolbox users. An interactive conference can be used to help clearly communicate training via the internet.

The land has a wide range

of soil types, from

greensand on the lowest

areas, through different

depths of chalkland to flinty

chalks and clay cap on the

highest ground.

For many years base

fertiliser policy has been

based on the Courtyard

Partnership’s sampling and

analysis of a third of the

farm each year for

phosphate, potash,

magnesium and pH plus

other elements where

deemed necessary.

Corrective dressings,

originally as 0:30:20 or

0:18: 36 blends according

to soil type. Now, with a

move to variable rate

spreading, straights – triple

superphosphate (TSP) and

muriate of potash (MOP) –

have then been applied in

the autumn.

Their latest move to more

precise farming, via

Courtyard’s IPF zoning

system, came only after

several years and

discussions with

independent agronomist

Steve Cook, says George.

“He has no axe to grind.

I’ve been to quite few

meetings over the past

three or four years and built

up a background

knowledge of the different

approaches.

“We were keen on both the

SOYL and IPF systems.” In

the end the decision to stick

with Courtyard was mainly

because it was likely to be

cheaper in the long run

without sacrificing any

precision, he explains. “But

we’d also been with the firm

for a long time.”

“Part of the shift to

precision involved fitting

the main drilling, spraying

and top-dressing New

Holland T7050 tractor with

GPS equipment”

comments George.

Today’s main crops include

winter-sown wheat, barley

and oilseed rape, plus

spring barley for malting,

the latter usually confined to

the lighter land.

Linseed, beans and peas

have all failed to find

permanent slots, but

George hopes that hard red

spring wheat, provided a

contract can be gained this

season, could be become a

useful workload-spreading

crop.

The farm also has a 60-cow

single suckler herd to graze

some steep unploughable

permanent pasture, and

there is a small area of

temporary grass, recently

reduced by HLS arable

reversion.

“The soils within our fields

are very variable,” says

Patrick.

The land has a wide

range of soil types,

from greensand on

the lowest areas,

through different

depths of chalkland to

flinty chalks and clay

cap on the highest

ground.

2 11

ASK GEEVES !

What’s new for the IPF Toolbox

OS Mapping : (inc- Buildings, Roads, Trees, Water, Monuments, Railways)

HGCA Varieties: We have introduced the HGCA data for all crops to the

Toolbox. This provides vital information about each crop and will encourage future development at a crop specific level.

Custom Rulesets: Allows you to create a specific strategy for each crop

variety, includes variable nitrogen planning.

RB209 8th Edition: All new nutrient management plans are now created

using the new RB209 8th Edition. Product color coding; All products can now given colors to help

highlight details on reports.

The ASK GEEVES page is back! With developments on your IPF Toolbox happening at break-neck speed this section keeps you up to date with all new developments. As a company we are very lucky and proud to have Mike Geeves & the team at AxiomTech

Solutions Ltd develop your website. His skills in IT management and software development

are not common in agriculture. Mike has worked for Siemens, Nokia and Ericsson, all

international companies developing at the cutting edge of technology.

Mike is very excited about the development of

high resolution satellite imagery because it will

provide a 3rd dimension to the IPF Toolbox.

“Having a system that can layer precision data

will provide a valuable management tool into the

future” says Mike.

Mike is also expecting a new addition to his family

during January. We hope this will add even more

development to the IPF Toolbox, as soon as Mike

completes the baby training!!

By the time this autumn’s

spreading was completed

they had 32.9t of MOP and

36t of TSP unapplied and

still in store. “At

September’s prices that’s a

saving of £23,000,”

calculates George.

Zoned application can be a

disconcerting act of faith,

admits Patrick.

“For much of the time the

spreader is spreading

nothing!” One 27ha field of

black puffy soil needed just

0.6t of TSP, he notes.

“The proof of the pudding

will come next harvest,”

says George. “But at least it

means we already have

some cheap fertiliser in

store for next year.”

Part of the shift to precision

involved fitting the main

drilling, spraying and top-

dressing New Holland

T7050 tractor with GPS

equipment and, in

partnership with

neighbours, installing an

RTK base station. The

combination means driving

is accurate to +/- 2cm, he

notes.

The whole farm was also

mapped into IPF zones

according to soil types, the

maps indicating P, K, Mg

indices and pH by

Courtyard soil scientists.

“We had an initial meeting

with Courtyard’s Vince

Gillingham to show him

where we thought the soil

changed within our fields.

The IPF Scientists then

assessed every field in

autumn and spring cropping

and drew up the maps. We

then had another meeting

and were basically happy

with them.”

Most striking was how high

the nutrient indices were,

but just as surprising were

the recommendations that

followed via Courtyard’s

online IPF Toolbox, notes

Patrick. These are

downloaded to a data card

and fed, via a Trimble

Nomad handheld computer,

to the electronic controller

on a new £14,000 Kuhn

Axis 2.5t mounted

spreader.

“They came as quite a

shock, showing how little

fertiliser we were going to

have to use.”

All inputs are purchased

through the Crop Advisors

buying group, and fertiliser

is usually bought forward.

“This season, before the

IPF mapping, we’d worked

out what we thought we’d

need, which was 56 tonnes

each of MOP and TSP.”

10 3

“Most striking was

how high the nutrient

indices were, but just

as surprising were

the recommendations

that followed via

Courtyard’s online

IPF Toolbox.”

NITROGEN TESTING SPECIAL OFFER

*** 25% DISCOUNTED NITROGEN TESTING***

IPF subscribers planning variable nitrogen applications this spring can take advantage of our

discounted nitrogen sampling service. Using our experienced soil sampling team, samples

will be taken using GPS equipment and stored in cooling boxes for same day laboratory

delivery.

An accurate way of measuring soil nitrogen is to sample for soil mineral nitrogen at 0-30 cm

and 30-60 cm. This method can cost £95.00 per sample using other services.

We are offering the SMN service at £69.50 per sample a 25% discount. If more than 10 samples are taken additional discounts are applied.

N helps you decide on accurate N rates for each zone and will increase the efficiency

of fertiliser usage and decrease potentialleaching. SMN testing is normally carried out

during February; this sampling period provides you with the most accurate data possible for

the growing crop.

.

IPF service subscribers already get large discounts on our annual services but in every Zoning Matters issue we will have further offers on relevant products and services.

Discount Centre

“They came as quite a

shock, showing how

little fertiliser we were

going to have to use.”

The one-off zoning/mapping

exercise, soil sampling to

be spread over three years

and annual

recommendations came to

£12,000.

One unexpected bonus of

adopting the Courtyard.

4 9

P.T. Hosier & Son IPF Zoning Round-up

Using IPF for 1 year on Wexcombe Farm totaling 620 ha

Large in-field soil type differences

Significant saving in fertiliser (£23,000)

Technology fits with HLS requirements.

IPF system was less complex than feared

GPS fertiliser spreading to improve accuracy with new Kuhn Axis.

Determined to pass on the estate in an economically and

environmentally enhanced state.

RB209 - 8th EDITION UPDATE The IPF Toolbox has been updated with all the new changes in the RB209 8th Edition. The revision of the former Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB209 7th edition) to create the updated Fertiliser Manual has been led by Rothamsted Research, North Wyke Research and Warwick-HRI, compiling information from many sources, and with guidance from various Steering Groups.

We have removed the hassle and confusion from updating yourself with all the various

changes. The IPF Toolbox now has comprehensive coverage with new updates for all arable

and vegetable crops.

The major updates in the 8th Edition of RB209 are;

Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS) Index system

Revised nitrogen recommendations

Updated organic manures section

New approach to grassland recommendations

New recommendations for biomass crops

Potatoes

Sugar Beet

Sulphur recommendations

Phosphate & potash recommendations These updates will make differences to the Nutrient Management Plans provided on the IPF

Toolbox. Although some changes are minor and may not be noticed. If anything has changed

that you are uncomfortable with, please discuss with one of our FACTS qualified advisors.

Grassland Recommendations; We are still developing the Grassland Recommendation section in the 8th Edition. The

grassland section on the IPF Toolbox will be updated during 2011.The current grassland

recommendations are still accepted and can be used in the meantime.

system has involved HLS.

Under their new

stewardship scheme,

introduced in September

2009, the Hosiers have

taken several field corners

out of production, sowing

them with various seed

mixtures, some intended to

provide pollen and nectar

sources for insects and

others to feed wild birds.

“They’re mostly 1ha

corners, although we do

have some 2ha stone

curlew plots,” says Patrick.

“But my striding out clearly

wasn’t good enough. With

the GPS mapping element

we’ve been able to

measure those areas much

more accurately and so

avoid any downgrading

after inspection.”

“Overall we think it’s

well worth it,”

comments George.

George and the team preparing the New Holland T7050 tractor and Kuhn Axis 2.5t mounted spreader for a busy day variable rate fertiliser spreading.

8 5

CCCrrroooppp CCCaaannnooopppyyy MMMaaappppppiiinnnggg FFFooorrr 222000111111

We are pleased to announce that from spring 2011 you will be able to receive high resolution crop canopy mapping integrated with your IPF Toolbox information.

For the first time in the UK this will allow farmers to see biomass data overlaid onto soil maps,

which will bring two major advantages.

1. For the first time it will be possible to see crop growth data combined with soil type

maps, making it easy to understand the ‘why’ of variation, rather than just identify that

variation exists.

2. Different soil types will perform more or less successfully depending on the crop and the

weather in any given season. This service will make it possible to better understand how

each field is performing during the current season.

We will be offering three different types of crop map, which will each serve a different purpose:

Ground Cover Map; This is useful in early season, to identify variation in establishment.

This additional information can then be used in future seasons to improve variable seed

rate decisions

NDVI Map; This map shows plant vigour, using a combination of crop leaf area and

greenness. This map is useful during intermediate stage of growth, specifically around

the time of first and second N dressings for winter crops.

RECOMMEND A FRIEND AND EARN CASH-BACK FOR YOUR FARM.

We are amazed at how much work has been generated over the past few years by kind

recommendations from existing IPF customers. In recognition of your support we are

pleased to offer £1.00 per hectare to all IPF subscribers who introduce us to a new customer

not currently using the IPF service. **

There are no catches; for example if you introduce us to someone farming 400 hectares who

zones their whole farm and signs up to the IPF service we will issue you a £400 credit note!

If you would like to participate in this scheme, please contact Vince Gillingham on 01793

421345 or 07905 266 403 to let us know who you would like to introduce to the benefits of

IPF.

** Credit will be paid when new customer has been zoned and has signed up to the IPF

service.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2011 SPRING ZONING

Although the weather has been cold we have been able to complete over 10,000 hectares of

IPF zoning this autumn. This progress has been better than expected and has created an

additional surplus of 4,000 hectares available to be IPF zoned during the spring.

If you have additional land you wish to zone this spring please let us know as soon as

possible and we can organize the zones ready for spring applications.

Please contact one of the team and we will be happy to come and collect all relevant data.

Relative Chlorophyll Maps; There is a

close correlations between nitrogen status

and chlorophyll content of a plant.

Understanding this will show how

effective earlier N applications were.

These maps will also make variable late

foliar applications possible, giving you the

best chance of meeting protein targets in

Milling Wheat. We will be releasing further details of exactly how

this service will operate closer to the time, but you

can be sure that we will be aiming to produce

something which is highly efficient, but keeps you

Reliable coverage with x5 satellites

scanning the earth at all times.

Above; Potassium deficieny in oilseed rape

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium plays central role in photosynthesis,

and plant chlorophyll; Mg is a carrier of

phosphorus in the crop and has functions in many

enzymes. Crop demand for magnesium is

relatively small compared to nitrogen and

potassium.

RB209 advises application of magnesium

fertilisers when Mg index is below 1.5 especially

for sensitive crops such as oilseed rape, potatoes

and sugar beet. Oilseed rape crops should be

targeted in the rotation if Mg deficiency is found.

If the soil is acidic and Mg fertiliser is required,

magnesium limestone can be applied if cost

effective. 5 t/ha of magnesium limestone contains

about 750 kg MgO/ha. However, when Mg index is

above 3, there is a high risk of potash deficiency.

Be aware of IPF soil code M, which is for soils over

magnesium limestone.

Accurate nutrient management planning will

improve crop quantity and quality; reduce farming

cost and environmental risk. Economic volatility

and pressures from climate change legislation

make careful planning vital.

POTASSIUM

Crop demand for potassium requirement can be

very large. Potassium is important for crop

photosynthesis, carbohydrate transport, water

regulation and protein synthesis. Potassium

applications improve disease resistance, drought

tolerance and winter hardiness. K also increase

vegetative growth and decrease the risk of

lodging.

Potash can be leached from soils that are free

draining. Stoney and sandy soils are at highest

risk of K leaching. Many clay soils release

potash, Chalky boulder clay, Gault clay, Weald

clay, Kimmeridge clay, Oxford clay, Lias clay and

Oolitic clay all release differing amounts of K.

Up to 50 kg/ha of potash can be released

annually on certain soils. Be aware of IPF soil

code G, which is a potash-releasing clay.

Your Potash index should be maintained at 2, for

sandy soils it can be maintained at index 1+ (100

mg/l) this is due to lower clay content resulting in

less potash holding capacity.

Be aware of IPF soil code F, H, R and S with

suffix 0.5 or 1, these are all sandy soils and may

need regular applications to maintain a

satisfactory index .

Nitrogen By Elena Kasyanova, PhD/Msc and Bsc in Soil Science

Under the microscope:

Phosphate, potash and magnesian fertilisers

are commonly used in conventional British

farming. Often 1/3 of the cost in growing a

cereal crop goes in fertiliser. Recent released

data on agricultural soils analysed between

June 2009 - May 2010 from NRM shows that

17% of soil P indexs and 29% of soil K Indexs

were below target level; in other words, nearly a

quarter of UK farmland P&K levels are below

optimum.

PHOSPHORUS

Crop demand for phosphorous is low compared

with nitrogen and potassium, however,

phosphorus is critical for early crop growth,

especially in root development, fruiting and

energy transfer. Phosphorus in the plant is

mainly concentrated in the seed and fruit.

A deficiency of phosphorus affects vegetative

growth, seed formation and overall yield. At

very low or high pH P can be ‘fixed’; acidic soils,

P reacts with iron and aluminium oxide then

becomes unavailable; in calcareous soils, P

reacts with calcium and forms sparing calcium

phosphates.

IPF soil codes map high risk P fixing soils, be

aware of soil codes C, H, F, G and S, these are

all potentially acidic and P fixing, very calcareous

soil codes such as E or A codes with a suffix k

can also fix phosphate.

Soils formed from sand often have more

available phosphate. When we statistically

analysed our IPF soil analysis database upper

greensand soils had a high average P index.

P index should be maintained at index 2 or

above. Building the soil P index can be a long

process, raising 1 index (10 mg/l) can take 850

kg/ha of TSP. The use of organic forms of

phosphate can often raise the soil index quickly.

Sewage sludge and chicken manure is

particularly efficient at raising P indexs.

6 7

Accurate P, K & Mg management planning is important when keeping levels at an optimum. To achieve this we advise the following: a) Regular soil sampling

and analysis

b) Maintain levels at the

target index

c) Appropriate application

timing to increase

effectiveness.

d) Accurate nutrient

budgeting.

e) Accurate organic

manure records and

applications.

OPTIMUM APPLICATION TIMING…

Phosphate = Autumn

Potassium = Spring

Magnesium = Spring

By applying your

ferrtiliser when the crop

needs it most will result in

better utilization and

lowers the risk of losses.

BE AWARE… The following IPF soil

codes are potentially P

fixing;

A (Chalk & Limestone)

C (non-calcareous soils)

E (Chalk Marl)

G (deep clays)

Y (alluvial soils)

W (Marine alluvium)

Any codes with a k suffix

are very high risk as these

codes have high pH 8.0+

Be prepared to soil

analyse the above soil

codes every 3 years.

Maintaining an optimum P

level on these soils is key

to overall yield.

6 7

Under the microscope: Phosphous, Potassium and Magnesium by Zhigang Liu

Above; Potassium deficieny in oilseed rape

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium plays central role in photosynthesis,

and plant chlorophyll; Mg is a carrier of

phosphorus in the crop and has functions in many

enzymes. Crop demand for magnesium is

relatively small compared to nitrogen and

potassium.

RB209 advises application of magnesium

fertilisers when Mg index is below 1.5 especially

for sensitive crops such as oilseed rape, potatoes

and sugar beet. Oilseed rape crops should be

targeted in the rotation if Mg deficiency is found.

If the soil is acidic and Mg fertiliser is required,

magnesium limestone can be applied if cost

effective. 5 t/ha of magnesium limestone contains

about 750 kg MgO/ha. However, when Mg index is

above 3, there is a high risk of potash deficiency.

Be aware of IPF soil code M, which is for soils over

magnesium limestone.

Accurate nutrient management planning will

improve crop quantity and quality; reduce farming

cost and environmental risk. Economic volatility

and pressures from climate change legislation

make careful planning vital.

POTASSIUM

Crop demand for potassium requirement can be

very large. Potassium is important for crop

photosynthesis, carbohydrate transport, water

regulation and protein synthesis. Potassium

applications improve disease resistance, drought

tolerance and winter hardiness. K also increase

vegetative growth and decrease the risk of

lodging.

Potash can be leached from soils that are free

draining. Stoney and sandy soils are at highest

risk of K leaching. Many clay soils release

potash, Chalky boulder clay, Gault clay, Weald

clay, Kimmeridge clay, Oxford clay, Lias clay and

Oolitic clay all release differing amounts of K.

Up to 50 kg/ha of potash can be released

annually on certain soils. Be aware of IPF soil

code G, which is a potash-releasing clay.

Your Potash index should be maintained at 2, for

sandy soils it can be maintained at index 1+ (100

mg/l) this is due to lower clay content resulting in

less potash holding capacity.

Be aware of IPF soil code F, H, R and S with

suffix 0.5 or 1, these are all sandy soils and may

need regular applications to maintain a

satisfactory index .

Nitrogen By Elena Kasyanova, PhD/Msc and Bsc in Soil Science

Under the microscope:

Phosphate, potash and magnesian fertilisers

are commonly used in conventional British

farming. Often 1/3 of the cost in growing a

cereal crop goes in fertiliser. Recent released

data on agricultural soils analysed between

June 2009 - May 2010 from NRM shows that

17% of soil P indexs and 29% of soil K Indexs

were below target level; in other words, nearly a

quarter of UK farmland P&K levels are below

optimum.

PHOSPHORUS

Crop demand for phosphorous is low compared

with nitrogen and potassium, however,

phosphorus is critical for early crop growth,

especially in root development, fruiting and

energy transfer. Phosphorus in the plant is

mainly concentrated in the seed and fruit.

A deficiency of phosphorus affects vegetative

growth, seed formation and overall yield. At

very low or high pH P can be ‘fixed’; acidic soils,

P reacts with iron and aluminium oxide then

becomes unavailable; in calcareous soils, P

reacts with calcium and forms sparing calcium

phosphates.

IPF soil codes map high risk P fixing soils, be

aware of soil codes C, H, F, G and S, these are

all potentially acidic and P fixing, very calcareous

soil codes such as E or A codes with a suffix k

can also fix phosphate.

Soils formed from sand often have more

available phosphate. When we statistically

analysed our IPF soil analysis database upper

greensand soils had a high average P index.

P index should be maintained at index 2 or

above. Building the soil P index can be a long

process, raising 1 index (10 mg/l) can take 850

kg/ha of TSP. The use of organic forms of

phosphate can often raise the soil index quickly.

Sewage sludge and chicken manure is

particularly efficient at raising P indexs.

6 7

Accurate P, K & Mg management planning is important when keeping levels at an optimum. To achieve this we advise the following: a) Regular soil sampling

and analysis

b) Maintain levels at the

target index

c) Appropriate application

timing to increase

effectiveness.

d) Accurate nutrient

budgeting.

e) Accurate organic

manure records and

applications.

OPTIMUM APPLICATION TIMING…

Phosphate = Autumn

Potassium = Spring

Magnesium = Spring

By applying your

ferrtiliser when the crop

needs it most will result in

better utilization and

lowers the risk of losses.

BE AWARE… The following IPF soil

codes are potentially P

fixing;

A (Chalk & Limestone)

C (non-calcareous soils)

E (Chalk Marl)

G (deep clays)

Y (alluvial soils)

W (Marine alluvium)

Any codes with a k suffix

are very high risk as these

codes have high pH 8.0+

Be prepared to soil

analyse the above soil

codes every 3 years.

Maintaining an optimum P

level on these soils is key

to overall yield.

6 7

Under the microscope: Phosphous, Potassium and Magnesium by Zhigang Liu

8 5

CCCrrroooppp CCCaaannnooopppyyy MMMaaappppppiiinnnggg FFFooorrr 222000111111

We are pleased to announce that from spring 2011 you will be able to receive high resolution crop canopy mapping integrated with your IPF Toolbox information.

For the first time in the UK this will allow farmers to see biomass data overlaid onto soil maps,

which will bring two major advantages.

1. For the first time it will be possible to see crop growth data combined with soil type

maps, making it easy to understand the ‘why’ of variation, rather than just identify that

variation exists.

2. Different soil types will perform more or less successfully depending on the crop and the

weather in any given season. This service will make it possible to better understand how

each field is performing during the current season.

We will be offering three different types of crop map, which will each serve a different purpose:

Ground Cover Map; This is useful in early season, to identify variation in establishment.

This additional information can then be used in future seasons to improve variable seed

rate decisions

NDVI Map; This map shows plant vigour, using a combination of crop leaf area and

greenness. This map is useful during intermediate stage of growth, specifically around

the time of first and second N dressings for winter crops.

RECOMMEND A FRIEND AND EARN CASH-BACK FOR YOUR FARM.

We are amazed at how much work has been generated over the past few years by kind

recommendations from existing IPF customers. In recognition of your support we are

pleased to offer £1.00 per hectare to all IPF subscribers who introduce us to a new customer

not currently using the IPF service. **

There are no catches; for example if you introduce us to someone farming 400 hectares who

zones their whole farm and signs up to the IPF service we will issue you a £400 credit note!

If you would like to participate in this scheme, please contact Vince Gillingham on 01793

421345 or 07905 266 403 to let us know who you would like to introduce to the benefits of

IPF.

** Credit will be paid when new customer has been zoned and has signed up to the IPF

service.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2011 SPRING ZONING

Although the weather has been cold we have been able to complete over 10,000 hectares of

IPF zoning this autumn. This progress has been better than expected and has created an

additional surplus of 4,000 hectares available to be IPF zoned during the spring.

If you have additional land you wish to zone this spring please let us know as soon as

possible and we can organize the zones ready for spring applications.

Please contact one of the team and we will be happy to come and collect all relevant data.

Relative Chlorophyll Maps; There is a

close correlations between nitrogen status

and chlorophyll content of a plant.

Understanding this will show how

effective earlier N applications were.

These maps will also make variable late

foliar applications possible, giving you the

best chance of meeting protein targets in

Milling Wheat. We will be releasing further details of exactly how

this service will operate closer to the time, but you

can be sure that we will be aiming to produce

something which is highly efficient, but keeps you

Reliable coverage with x5 satellites

scanning the earth at all times.

The one-off zoning/mapping

exercise, soil sampling to

be spread over three years

and annual

recommendations came to

£12,000.

One unexpected bonus of

adopting the Courtyard.

4 9

P.T. Hosier & Son IPF Zoning Round-up

Using IPF for 1 year on Wexcombe Farm totaling 620 ha

Large in-field soil type differences

Significant saving in fertiliser (£23,000)

Technology fits with HLS requirements.

IPF system was less complex than feared

GPS fertiliser spreading to improve accuracy with new Kuhn Axis.

Determined to pass on the estate in an economically and

environmentally enhanced state.

RB209 - 8th EDITION UPDATE The IPF Toolbox has been updated with all the new changes in the RB209 8th Edition. The revision of the former Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB209 7th edition) to create the updated Fertiliser Manual has been led by Rothamsted Research, North Wyke Research and Warwick-HRI, compiling information from many sources, and with guidance from various Steering Groups.

We have removed the hassle and confusion from updating yourself with all the various

changes. The IPF Toolbox now has comprehensive coverage with new updates for all arable

and vegetable crops.

The major updates in the 8th Edition of RB209 are;

Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS) Index system

Revised nitrogen recommendations

Updated organic manures section

New approach to grassland recommendations

New recommendations for biomass crops

Potatoes

Sugar Beet

Sulphur recommendations

Phosphate & potash recommendations These updates will make differences to the Nutrient Management Plans provided on the IPF

Toolbox. Although some changes are minor and may not be noticed. If anything has changed

that you are uncomfortable with, please discuss with one of our FACTS qualified advisors.

Grassland Recommendations; We are still developing the Grassland Recommendation section in the 8th Edition. The

grassland section on the IPF Toolbox will be updated during 2011.The current grassland

recommendations are still accepted and can be used in the meantime.

system has involved HLS.

Under their new

stewardship scheme,

introduced in September

2009, the Hosiers have

taken several field corners

out of production, sowing

them with various seed

mixtures, some intended to

provide pollen and nectar

sources for insects and

others to feed wild birds.

“They’re mostly 1ha

corners, although we do

have some 2ha stone

curlew plots,” says Patrick.

“But my striding out clearly

wasn’t good enough. With

the GPS mapping element

we’ve been able to

measure those areas much

more accurately and so

avoid any downgrading

after inspection.”

“Overall we think it’s

well worth it,”

comments George.

George and the team preparing the New Holland T7050 tractor and Kuhn Axis 2.5t mounted spreader for a busy day variable rate fertiliser spreading.

By the time this autumn’s

spreading was completed

they had 32.9t of MOP and

36t of TSP unapplied and

still in store. “At

September’s prices that’s a

saving of £23,000,”

calculates George.

Zoned application can be a

disconcerting act of faith,

admits Patrick.

“For much of the time the

spreader is spreading

nothing!” One 27ha field of

black puffy soil needed just

0.6t of TSP, he notes.

“The proof of the pudding

will come next harvest,”

says George. “But at least it

means we already have

some cheap fertiliser in

store for next year.”

Part of the shift to precision

involved fitting the main

drilling, spraying and top-

dressing New Holland

T7050 tractor with GPS

equipment and, in

partnership with

neighbours, installing an

RTK base station. The

combination means driving

is accurate to +/- 2cm, he

notes.

The whole farm was also

mapped into IPF zones

according to soil types, the

maps indicating P, K, Mg

indices and pH by

Courtyard soil scientists.

“We had an initial meeting

with Courtyard’s Vince

Gillingham to show him

where we thought the soil

changed within our fields.

The IPF Scientists then

assessed every field in

autumn and spring cropping

and drew up the maps. We

then had another meeting

and were basically happy

with them.”

Most striking was how high

the nutrient indices were,

but just as surprising were

the recommendations that

followed via Courtyard’s

online IPF Toolbox, notes

Patrick. These are

downloaded to a data card

and fed, via a Trimble

Nomad handheld computer,

to the electronic controller

on a new £14,000 Kuhn

Axis 2.5t mounted

spreader.

“They came as quite a

shock, showing how little

fertiliser we were going to

have to use.”

All inputs are purchased

through the Crop Advisors

buying group, and fertiliser

is usually bought forward.

“This season, before the

IPF mapping, we’d worked

out what we thought we’d

need, which was 56 tonnes

each of MOP and TSP.”

10 3

“Most striking was

how high the nutrient

indices were, but just

as surprising were

the recommendations

that followed via

Courtyard’s online

IPF Toolbox.”

NITROGEN TESTING SPECIAL OFFER

*** 25% DISCOUNTED NITROGEN TESTING***

IPF subscribers planning variable nitrogen applications this spring can take advantage of our

discounted nitrogen sampling service. Using our experienced soil sampling team, samples

will be taken using GPS equipment and stored in cooling boxes for same day laboratory

delivery.

An accurate way of measuring soil nitrogen is to sample for soil mineral nitrogen at 0-30 cm

and 30-60 cm. This method can cost £95.00 per sample using other services.

We are offering the SMN service at £69.50 per sample a 25% discount. If more than 10 samples are taken additional discounts are applied.

N helps you decide on accurate N rates for each zone and will increase the efficiency

of fertiliser usage and decrease potentialleaching. SMN testing is normally carried out

during February; this sampling period provides you with the most accurate data possible for

the growing crop.

.

IPF service subscribers already get large discounts on our annual services but in every Zoning Matters issue we will have further offers on relevant products and services.

Discount Centre

“They came as quite a

shock, showing how

little fertiliser we were

going to have to use.”

The land has a wide range

of soil types, from

greensand on the lowest

areas, through different

depths of chalkland to flinty

chalks and clay cap on the

highest ground.

For many years base

fertiliser policy has been

based on the Courtyard

Partnership’s sampling and

analysis of a third of the

farm each year for

phosphate, potash,

magnesium and pH plus

other elements where

deemed necessary.

Corrective dressings,

originally as 0:30:20 or

0:18: 36 blends according

to soil type. Now, with a

move to variable rate

spreading, straights – triple

superphosphate (TSP) and

muriate of potash (MOP) –

have then been applied in

the autumn.

Their latest move to more

precise farming, via

Courtyard’s IPF zoning

system, came only after

several years and

discussions with

independent agronomist

Steve Cook, says George.

“He has no axe to grind.

I’ve been to quite few

meetings over the past

three or four years and built

up a background

knowledge of the different

approaches.

“We were keen on both the

SOYL and IPF systems.” In

the end the decision to stick

with Courtyard was mainly

because it was likely to be

cheaper in the long run

without sacrificing any

precision, he explains. “But

we’d also been with the firm

for a long time.”

“Part of the shift to

precision involved fitting

the main drilling, spraying

and top-dressing New

Holland T7050 tractor with

GPS equipment”

comments George.

Today’s main crops include

winter-sown wheat, barley

and oilseed rape, plus

spring barley for malting,

the latter usually confined to

the lighter land.

Linseed, beans and peas

have all failed to find

permanent slots, but

George hopes that hard red

spring wheat, provided a

contract can be gained this

season, could be become a

useful workload-spreading

crop.

The farm also has a 60-cow

single suckler herd to graze

some steep unploughable

permanent pasture, and

there is a small area of

temporary grass, recently

reduced by HLS arable

reversion.

“The soils within our fields

are very variable,” says

Patrick.

The land has a wide

range of soil types,

from greensand on

the lowest areas,

through different

depths of chalkland to

flinty chalks and clay

cap on the highest

ground.

2 11

ASK GEEVES !

What’s new for the IPF Toolbox

OS Mapping : (inc- Buildings, Roads, Trees, Water, Monuments, Railways)

HGCA Varieties: We have introduced the HGCA data for all crops to the

Toolbox. This provides vital information about each crop and will encourage future development at a crop specific level.

Custom Rulesets: Allows you to create a specific strategy for each crop

variety, includes variable nitrogen planning.

RB209 8th Edition: All new nutrient management plans are now created

using the new RB209 8th Edition. Product color coding; All products can now given colors to help

highlight details on reports.

The ASK GEEVES page is back! With developments on your IPF Toolbox happening at break-neck speed this section keeps you up to date with all new developments. As a company we are very lucky and proud to have Mike Geeves & the team at AxiomTech

Solutions Ltd develop your website. His skills in IT management and software development

are not common in agriculture. Mike has worked for Siemens, Nokia and Ericsson, all

international companies developing at the cutting edge of technology.

Mike is very excited about the development of

high resolution satellite imagery because it will

provide a 3rd dimension to the IPF Toolbox.

“Having a system that can layer precision data

will provide a valuable management tool into the

future” says Mike.

Mike is also expecting a new addition to his family

during January. We hope this will add even more

development to the IPF Toolbox, as soon as Mike

completes the baby training!!

Farmer Focus

Unit 5 Dorcan Business Village Murdock Road Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 5HY 01793 421345 www.ipf-uk.com www.courtyard-partnership.co.uk

ZoningMatters

Farmers must embrace technology to

move forward in business. That’s the view of a Wiltshire father and son

whose family has farmed the same land since the 1920s. Andrew Blake reports.

Patrick Hosier and son George who run

Wexcombe Manor Farm have been

pleasantly surprised during their first stab

at IPF field zoning.

Their 620ha (1550 acre) arable and beef

unit was bought during the agricultural

depression between the two World Wars.

“Our aim is to keep going as a family

business and to pass on the estate in an

economically and environmentally

enhanced state,” says George.

“Technology is there to allow us to

make savings, take the right

decisions and hopefully improve

yields. We need science to help us

keep up.”

Patrick agrees. “With grain and

commodity prices going up you can

guarantee that the cost of most of

our inputs – fertiliser and everything

else – will follow,” he says.

Commercial aspects must come first,

both men acknowledge; but the

environmental side of their business

is also clearly close to their hearts. A

10-year Countryside Stewardship

scheme ended two years ago and

the farm is now under HLS.

“We’ve planted a lot of woodland

since the 1970s, and we have a

private shoot,” says Patrick.

Farmer Focus P. 1 – 4Cash Back For IPF Users P. 5 Under The Microscope P. 6 – 7Crop Canopy Mapping P. 8 – 9 Discount Centre P. 10

Ask Geeves P. 11

I S S U E

W I N T E R E D I T I O N

03

Welcome savings shock from first time zoning

ASK GEEVES!

Mike Geeves your IPF

Toolbox developer has

been providing more

fantastic developments

which will enhance the

way you use your IPF

Toolbox.

See more Pg.11

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE –

Phosphate, potash & magnesium

This edition of ‘Under

the Microscope’ looks at

phosphate, potassium

and Magnesium. Overall

application rates are

falling in the UK we

believe IPF customers

should be aware of the

facts.

See page 6/7

UPCOMING ISSUES • Spring 2011 -Looking forward to new Nitrogen planning on the IPF Toolbox. -Looking at biomass and LAI data with soil zones. -Variable Seedrate planning and implementation.

• Summer 2011 -Yield Maps on the IPF Toolbox. - Farmer Focus. - Soil Protection Review.

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM We believe our independence as a business is one of our main strengths. We are delighted to have independent articles provided by Andrew Blake. Andrew has worked as an agricultural journalist for 24 years concentrating mainly on arable crops. He managed arable farms before taking up journalism giving him ideal experience for contributing to this magazine.

IPF CARBON CALCULATOR We are very proud that IPF farmers are helping reduce CO2e emissions. We will display in every addition of Zoning Matters just how much potential CO2e has been saved. We estimate: 5.500 tonnes of C02e will collectively be saved during 2011 year by IPF farmers. A typical 400 ha arable farm using the IPF service saves 44 tonnes of C02e per hectare per annum. Be proud and market your low carbon farming system.

LIFE SHOULD BE FUN - Farm diversification!! This farmer had completed all the relevant NVZ paperwork and was not in breach of any closed periods. Anyone for a cold glass of Coca-Cola??

.

ZoningMatters Issue 03 Winter 2010/2011

FORWARD LOOKING FARMERS EMBRACE IPF TECHNOLOGY

1

The Courtyard Partnership has a new website! Lots of new useful information can be found and downloaded. All editions of zoning matters are available to read in soft copy if required. Visit; www.courtyard- partnership.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Free inline tuition is available for all IPF Toolbox users. An interactive conference can be used to help clearly communicate training via the internet.