Field notes
Practical notes from our field trials and from the sowing and harvest seasons.
Sowing Alfalfa: Autumn or Spring?
There is no single answer to whether alfalfa should be sown in autumn or in spring; most of the time the rotation and the timing of the previous crop decide it. In this article we cover the autumn calendar, the weed pressure of spring sowing, the seedbed and sowing depth, the rate per decare and the years alfalfa stays in the field.
How Much Seed per Decare? Barley and Wheat under Rainfed and Irrigated Conditions
The short answer to how much barley seed goes on a decare is on the data sheet. The long answer depends on the field’s water, the sowing method and the grower’s habits. In this article we explain where the figures come from, why extra seed does not bring extra yield and how many decares one bag covers.
When to Sow Winter Barley: Getting the Date Right in Transitional and Cold Regions
There is no single right date for winter barley; it depends on the region, the variety and soil moisture. In this article we explain how the sowing window is set, what state the plant should be in at the start of winter, what late sowing costs and where our three barley varieties fit in the calendar.
Two-row or six-row barley?
The number of rows in the ear is a trade-off between grain count and grain size. Which one suits you is decided by the water available in your field.
What do seed certification grades mean? Basic, Certified 1, Certified 2
The grade printed on the bag label tells you how pure the variety is and how many generations the seed is removed from the breeder’s material. Here is what separates the grades and which one is right for you.