United Kingdom
November 2, 2010
With the focus of this year’s ADAS/Syngenta Vegetable Industry Conference & Exhibition firmly fixed on sustainability, Birds Eye’s Sustainable Agricultural Manager Dr Elizabeth Chadd reviewed how the company has adapted to: “maintain the quality offer, while introducing sustainability criteria.”
Speaking at the Conference in Newark last week (27 January 2010) Dr Chadd highlighted that having addressed elements from soil health, through biodiversity, to the local economy, the company’s formal sustainability project, instigated 12 years ago, is now focusing on carbon and energy use in pea growing. “But with Birds Eye such an iconic and trusted brand, there are certain things we can’t play with or compromise,” she added.
Working with more than 400 growers through two co-operative supply groups presents a significant challenge, but Dr Chadd praised the way the supplier base had reacted. The Birds Eye Forum for Sustainable Farming comprises of eight key growers, three representatives from the company and a member from the Processed Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA). The group can also call on other environmental experts as needed.
Having been re-accredited with ISO 140001 certification last year the scheme continues to evolve. “The standards take growers to the minimum level, but the real power is what the growers do beyond that,” explained Dr Chadd. “The Forum for Sustainable Farming has been the key to this.”
The UK is undoubtedly viewed as leading the development of sustainability and agri-environment schemes across Europe, according to Professor Felix Wackers of the University of Lancaster. But the current political focus on conservation methods could mean UK growers could be “missing a trick.” His thinking is based on the fact that the environment can also have an effect on sustainable production systems, as well as vice-versa.
His previous work in Europe with cabbage crops showed that, by adding an appropriate floral resource, growers could have a major effect on biological pest control. “Planting the right combination of flowering plants alongside fields, predator numbers can be boosted - improving both biodiversity and crop quality,” he said.
Professor Wackers has already put the concept into practice, introducing new habitats to attract beneficial insects to more than 40 square miles of Brussels sprouts, wheat and potato crops in the Hoekse region of southern Holland. “It was an example of using what’s already there and trying to enhance it,” he explains. His current work with a consortium of partners, including Syngenta Operation Pollinator, is focused on the best plant species to attract both pollinators and beneficial predators.
Speaking at the Conference in Newark last week (27 January 2010) Dr Chadd highlighted that having addressed elements from soil health, through biodiversity, to the local economy, the company’s formal sustainability project, instigated 12 years ago, is now focusing on carbon and energy use in pea growing. “But with Birds Eye such an iconic and trusted brand, there are certain things we can’t play with or compromise,” she added.
Working with more than 400 growers through two co-operative supply groups presents a significant challenge, but Dr Chadd praised the way the supplier base had reacted. The Birds Eye Forum for Sustainable Farming comprises of eight key growers, three representatives from the company and a member from the Processed Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA). The group can also call on other environmental experts as needed.
Having been re-accredited with ISO 140001 certification last year the scheme continues to evolve. “The standards take growers to the minimum level, but the real power is what the growers do beyond that,” explained Dr Chadd. “The Forum for Sustainable Farming has been the key to this.”
The UK is undoubtedly viewed as leading the development of sustainability and agri-environment schemes across Europe, according to Professor Felix Wackers of the University of Lancaster. But the current political focus on conservation methods could mean UK growers could be “missing a trick.” His thinking is based on the fact that the environment can also have an effect on sustainable production systems, as well as vice-versa.
His previous work in Europe with cabbage crops showed that, by adding an appropriate floral resource, growers could have a major effect on biological pest control. “Planting the right combination of flowering plants alongside fields, predator numbers can be boosted - improving both biodiversity and crop quality,” he said.
Professor Wackers has already put the concept into practice, introducing new habitats to attract beneficial insects to more than 40 square miles of Brussels sprouts, wheat and potato crops in the Hoekse region of southern Holland. “It was an example of using what’s already there and trying to enhance it,” he explains. His current work with a consortium of partners, including Syngenta Operation Pollinator, is focused on the best plant species to attract both pollinators and beneficial predators.
Application trials spot on
Although there has been exciting recent developments in mechanical control techniques in row crop vegetable systems, but in some situations chemical control is still preferable, according to Dr Nick Tillett of Tillett & Hauge Technology.
A Horticultural LINK project investigating the spot treatment of volunteer potato plants using glyphosate could have spin-off benefits for the targeted application of other herbicides or even other crop protection products, he reported. “Spot applications increase herbicide opportunities,” he explains. “It could be a way of keeping costs under control in the future. Increasing the range of crops and products which the system could be used with would further improve the economics for growers.”
As part of the LINK project, a machine was developed to identify and spot treat volunteer potatoes and other broadleaved weeds in row crops. Not only does Dr Tillett believe there is room to improve the accuracy of the machine, but he feels its use could be extended to other types of operation. In time the technique could be adapted for the placement of insecticides or other treatments, he added.
Although there has been exciting recent developments in mechanical control techniques in row crop vegetable systems, but in some situations chemical control is still preferable, according to Dr Nick Tillett of Tillett & Hauge Technology.
A Horticultural LINK project investigating the spot treatment of volunteer potato plants using glyphosate could have spin-off benefits for the targeted application of other herbicides or even other crop protection products, he reported. “Spot applications increase herbicide opportunities,” he explains. “It could be a way of keeping costs under control in the future. Increasing the range of crops and products which the system could be used with would further improve the economics for growers.”
As part of the LINK project, a machine was developed to identify and spot treat volunteer potatoes and other broadleaved weeds in row crops. Not only does Dr Tillett believe there is room to improve the accuracy of the machine, but he feels its use could be extended to other types of operation. In time the technique could be adapted for the placement of insecticides or other treatments, he added.
Plant breeding enhances crop output
Plant breeding programmes have the potential to reduce processing costs for the vegetable industry and increase marketable yields for growers, reported Tijs Gilles, leek and spinach breeding specialist at Syngenta Seeds’ Enkhuisen facility in The Netherlands. “With cleaning and washing representing 70 per cent of leek production costs, developing varieties which are easier and quicker to strip and wash is an example of how breeding can reduce costs for growers and throughout the industry,” he stresses.
Pointing out that crop yields continue to grow at a greater rate than ever, Mr Gilles stressed that that economic sustainability is as crucial to growers as environmental factors. But plant breeders continue to be challenged by climate change adaptation and a constant onslaught of evolving organisms, such as new strains of Downy Mildew. “It is still not certain that developments such as qualitative resistance will provide the answers,” he warned.
“Sustainability is not just a key issue for growers and their advisors. It is something that occupies the plant breeders and crop protection businesses in Syngenta,” he added. “We are investing a lot of money back into improving agriculture and horticulture, both with innovative crop protection to enhance yields and quality, along with the genetics to get the best possible results.”
Some other key quotes from the industry leading speakers at the ADAS Syngenta Vegetable Conference:
“The 2030 (food policy document) vision is really all about voluntary initiatives. You should be thinking hard about what you want and how you lobby for it with your trade associations.”
Dr David Barling, Centre for Food Policy Research, University of London
“After the worst winter in 30 years, it’s laudable how you, as an industry, have kept the shelves stacked.”
Bruce McKenzie, Specialist Crop Lead, Syngenta Crop Protection
“We think the era of cheap food is over and believe we will have to see an increase in the producer price of food. Energy and food prices will continue to converge. Oil will provide a floor and a ceiling, but expect increased price volatility. Margins will remain under pressure and you will need careful hedging strategies to reduce risk.”
Tom Vosa, Chief Economist, Clydesdale Bank
“Biopesticide availability [in the UK] is increasing, but too slowly to meet growers’ needs. When working with biopesticides you need to understand their method of action, for example the relationship between dose and effect may be affected by the agri-system you’re working in.”
Dr Roma L. Gwynn, Rationale Biopesticide Strategists
“There is a very good income stream from Renewable Obligation Certificates. The question is whether it is suitable for a particular operator, but waste used in this way [for anaerobic digestion] could be an income stream.”
Will McManus, WRAP
“A little more than two years ago the words ‘food security’ were barley heard. What growers want to know is that we are needed, and the Defra taskforce is a call to the industry ... The introduction of a supermarket ombudsman has the potential to shine a light on an abuse of power which should prevent it happening again.”
Sarah Pettitt, Chair NFU Board for Horticulture
Topics
Species
