IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is core to our business success.

Five of our key areas of focus are:

1. Crop rotation – typically a minimum of 7-9 years.
2. Spring and autumn (overwinter) cropping – in order to enhance and maintain our soil structures.
3. Grass clover leys – we currently grow around 150 hectares. We send the grass from these leys to two neighboring dairy farms that supply us with farmyard manure.
4. Field scale trials of hot mustard’s – we currently grow around 200 hectares, which we start drilling in June – following first early potatoes. Andrew Wade of Optigro supplies and manages our mustard crops.
5. SFI legume fallow mixes

Grass clover leys and hot mustard’s are extremely important, and fundamental to the success of our rotation; both in terms of fertility and IPM. Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) and Free Living Nematodes (FLN) species are kept in balance as a result.

Our SFI legume fallow mixes have shown their true brilliance in supporting biodiversity.